La vegetazione per le chiusure verticali. Il percorso evolutivo del verde parietale quale elemento di rinaturalizzazione urbana e dispositivo tecnologico passivo per il controllo del microclima ambientale

Topic of green walls is important for contemporary architectonical experimentation and R&D: it express an expansion of designer’s possibilities. The use of vegetation like a functional element in the project is may be found for a long time, but only recently, thanks to the attention for environmental conditions and the consequent cultural moving towards a sustainability development, the architectonical use of plants like collaborative components is increasing. This research shoots for a detailed analysis, with the aim to understand the features of these particular typologies (green façades, living walls, etc.), which ask a collaboration between technological components and living system represented by plants. Technical and functional development characterizing these envelope systems were the target of all methodological research’s choices, with the aim to draw up some planning instruments for the architect

Culture medium geometry. The dominant factor affecting in vitro RF exposure dosimetry

Biological experiments that expose living cells or tissues to RF energy must have an aqueous medium to provide essential water, ions, nutrients, and growth factors. However, as we show here, the medium inherently functions as a receiving antenna that conveys RF energy to the biological entity in a manner entirely determined by exposure vessel geometry, orientation to the incident RF flux, frequency, and dielectric properties of the medium. We show for two common experimental arrangements that basic antenna theory can predict electromagnetic energy patterns that agree well with those otherwise obtained by computationally intensive methods that require specialized resources

Perceived challenges in open and distance learning among nursing students of Open University Malaysia: A descriptive analysis

Open and distance learning (ODL), a structured learning whereby the students and instructors are separated by time and place, is currently the popular trend among working adults across the nation. From higher nursing education perspective, it must be made accessible, affordable and flexible to allow the nurses to cope with the demands and pressure of busy work and family commitments that give rise to several challenges. Hence, the main objective of this study is to examine perceived challenges in ODL among undergraduate nursing students of Open University Malaysia (OUM). The study employed quantitative approach by using close-ended questionnaires. A convenience samples of registered nurses (RNs) undertaking Bachelor of Nursing Sciences (BNS) programme (n = 81) completed the face-to-face questionnaires. Data analysis using descriptive statistics collected from 81 respondents from five OUM learning centres. The perceived areas of challenges were grouped into: perceptions of ODL for continuing education; perceived challenges facing ODL students; instructional related challenges; and institutional related challenges. Surprisingly, the findings indicate that BNS students are facing only some extent of challenges in their learning particularly within their own circles with perceived challenge highest on financial constraints (54.3%). However, they demonstrate positive perception of ODL for continuing education with the majority (70.4%) agreeing that it is relevant with current teaching-learning strategy. There is no obvious indication of perceived challenges instigates from instructional and institutional factors as the majority disagree (51.9%) that they are facing unhelpful course information and lack of direction; and (46.9%) disagree lack / delayed of important information, respectively. Above all, the findings address students’ concerns in improving student experiences, and enhanced instructional and institutional contributions that marked the achievement of ODL outcomes. In essence, this study has shed some light into challenges faced by ODL nursing students and the strategies to further ameliorate the implementation of ODL. (Abstract by authors

Factors Affecting Intention to Stay Among Nursing Staff at Selected Private Hospitals

Many factors in the healthcare industry affect the nurse's work, but some major factors influence them to leave the organisation. Nurse retention is one of the major challenges faced by the healthcare industry, due to which the turnover rate of nurses increases. The healthcare industry is growing daily and needs more nurses, but due to the exhausting labour and challenging work, most people leave the industry early and look for better opportunities. This study aimed to determine the factors affecting nursing retention and turnover in a selected private hospital in Selangor, Malaysia. This descriptive, cross-sectional quantitative study involved 133 nursing staff through a self-administered survey questionnaire to know the respondents' viewpoints; the participants gave mixed responses about staying and leaving the organisation. However, from their statements, it is clear that they wanted the industry to improve the training and development process, work-life balance and reward and recognition policy. The high turnover rate of nurses will cause detrimental effects on patient care if nurses' lack of training and development influence nurses to leave the organisation.

Convention No. 159 du BIT sur la réadaptation professionnelle et l\u27emploi des personnes handicapées et la Recommandation No. 168 / Convention des Nations Unies relative aux droits des personnes handicapées

The full French text of ILO Convention No. 159 on Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (Disabled Persons), ILO Recommendation No. 168 concerning Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (Disabled Persons), and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities is contained in this booklet