Conformal Antennas and Arrays with Layers Consisting of Copper and Graphene-based Conductors for Redundancy Properties

Graphene is a new promising material with unique electrical, mechanical, optical and thermal characteristics. The use of graphene in the design of an antenna and other electromagnetic passive devices would be beneficial for miniaturization, efficient dynamic tuning, monolithic integration with graphene RF nano-electronics, and even transparency, mechanical flexibility, andreliability. However, there are some challenges to fabricate and design an antenna with pure graphene embedded in the layout. Here, an advanced study on the electrical and mechanical properties of the graphene-based conductive material (not pure graphene), and how this material can be utilized in developing a first-ever graphene-based conformal antenna array for wireless communication systems has been done. More specifically, the important factors for antenna design, such as electrical and mechanical properties, will be studied here to ensure an effective and efficient design. Next, a graphene-based antenna array on a planar surface will be designed to validate the electrical and mechanical properties, and finally, the trade-off of the graphene-based antenna array on a conformal surface is investigated. To mitigate the challenges of designing a graphene-based conformal antenna array, proper care is needed to achieve the optimal performance of the antenna array system. These new mechanisms of the graphene-based conformal antenna arrays will bring new possibilities in conformal antenna usage and wearable antenna applications for the first time

Rural Kenyan men's awareness of danger signs of obstetric complications

151) recognizing long labour as obstetric danger signs. More educated participants were significantly more knowledgeable than less educated participants (Kruskal-Wallis H=14.47; df=3; p=0.002). CONCLUSION: Participants were very proficient in identifying the danger signs of obstetric complications, with better knowledge in more educated men. Maternal mortality across Kenya remains high, however, so assessing knowledge nationally, and researching whether men are translating this knowledge into action would be recommended

A Modified Medical Education Research Study Quality Instrument (MMERSQI) developed by Delphi consensus

BACKGROUND: The Medical Education Research Study Quality Instrument (MERSQI) is widely used to appraise the methodological quality of medical education studies. However, the MERSQI lacks some criteria which could facilitate better quality assessment. The objective of this study is to achieve consensus among experts on: (1) the MERSQI scoring system and the relative importance of each domain (2) modifications of the MERSQI. METHOD: A modified Delphi technique was used to achieve consensus among experts in the field of medical education. The initial item pool contained all items from MERSQI and items added in our previous published work. Each Delphi round comprised a questionnaire and, after the first iteration, an analysis and feedback report. We modified the quality instruments’ domains, items and sub-items and re-scored items/domains based on the Delphi panel feedback. RESULTS: A total of 12 experts agreed to participate and were sent the first and second-round questionnaires. First round: 12 returned of which 11 contained analysable responses; second-round: 10 returned analysable responses. We started with seven domains with an initial item pool of 12 items and 38 sub-items. No change in the number of domains or items resulted from the Delphi process; however, the number of sub-items increased from 38 to 43 across the two Delphi rounds. In Delphi-2: eight respondents gave ‘study design’ the highest weighting while ‘setting’ was given the lowest weighting by all respondents. There was no change in the domains’ average weighting score and ranks between rounds. CONCLUSIONS: The final criteria list and the new domain weighting score of the Modified MERSQI (MMERSQI) was satisfactory to all respondents. We suggest that the MMERSQI, in building on the success of the MERSQI, may help further establish a reference standard of quality measures for many medical education studies. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12909-023-04033-6

A cluster randomised, double-blind pilot and feasibility trial of an active behavioural physiotherapy intervention for acute whiplash-associated disorder (WAD)II

<div><p>Whiplash-associated disorder (WAD) causes substantial social and economic burden, with ≥70% patients classified as WADII (neck complaint and musculoskeletal sign(s)). Effective management in the acute stage is required to prevent development of chronicity; an issue for 60% of patients. An <i>Active Behavioural Physiotherapy Intervention</i> (ABPI) was developed to address both physical and psychological components of WAD. The ABPI is a novel complex intervention designed through a rigorous sequential multiphase project to prevent transition of acute WAD to chronicity. An external pilot and feasibility cluster randomised double-blind (assessor, participants) parallel two-arm clinical trial was conducted in the UK private sector. The trial compared ABPI versus standard physiotherapy to evaluate trial procedures and feasibility of the ABPI for managing acute WADII in preparation for a future definitive trial. Six private physiotherapy clinics were recruited and cluster randomised using a computer-generated randomisation sequence. Twenty-eight (20 ABPI, 8 standard physiotherapy) participants [median age 38.00 (IQR = 21.50) years] were recruited. Data were analysed descriptively with a priori establishment of success criteria. Ninety-five percent of participants in the ABPI arm fully recovered (Neck Disability Index ≤4, compared to 17% in the standard physiotherapy arm); required fewer treatment sessions; and demonstrated greater improvement in all outcome measures (pain intensity, Cervical Range of Motion, Pressure Pain Threshold, EuroQol-5 Dimensions) except for the Impact of Events Scale and Fear Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire. The findings support the potential value of the ABPI, and that an adequately powered definitive trial to evaluate effectiveness (clinical, cost) is feasible with minor modifications to procedures.</p></div

Exploring critical factors for choice of mobile service providers and its effectiveness on Malaysian consumers

From the late 1990 to till now the growth rate of Malaysian telecommunication sector is remarkable manner. Under this circumstances new players to these businesses soaring dramatic business competition. Nowadays they are trying to attract customers by offering aggressive marketing strategy for instance: price promotion. As competition is looming among the companies, it deems a necessity for them to learn the consumers’ inherent perceptions that can play significant factors in terms of choosing the tele-service providers. The aim of this study was to find out what were the factors that may have played significant role to select the telecommunication service providers. To accomplish the objectives, this research explains the related concepts and theories; revealed and synchronized literature on consumer perception. In general this research has an intention to develop a research framework grounded on a strong theoretical and literature review background. The survey instruments employed on Malaysian consumers included demographic background, price, service quality, product quality and availability, and promotional offers for consumer perception. Thus the structural equation modeling approach was necessary in order to examine the variables. The data analysis was conducted using SPSS and AMOS (Analysis of Moment Structure) with the software package for windows. From the result it is revealed that paths are related to the casual processes significantly. Among all the significant variables, from our result, Price is the most important among our respondents followed by Service quality, product quality and promotion. However, the findings of this study may provide needed feedback and contribute to the improvement of players’ strategy and their marketing program

Evaluating the role and integration of general practice pharmacists in England:a cross-sectional study

Background Since 2015, NHS England has facilitated the recruitment of pharmacists in general practice (GP) to reduce workload of general practitioners. The role of pharmacists is therefore expected to become more clinical and patient oriented. However, little is known about the current roles performed and the integration of GP pharmacists. Objective To assess the role performed by GP pharmacists and their integration into practice exploring facilitators and barriers to integration. Setting A cross-sectional survey of GP pharmacists in England. Method This study used both online and paper-based questionnaires for a period of six months. Survey items included demographics, roles performed, integration including available support and practice environment. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics and 95% confidence intervals. Open comments were analysed thematically to identify pharmacists’ perceptions of barriers and facilitators to their integration into practice. Main outcome measure Current role and integration of pharmacists into GP. Results 195 participants completed the questionnaire. Three quarters of pharmacists (76%) had only been in GP since 2015. Most pharmacists (81%) were independent prescribers (PIPs). The most reported pharmacists’ roles were medicine reconciliation (95%), telephone support for patients (95%) and face-to-face medication review (91%). 82% (95% CI: 76% to 86.8%) were satisfied with their overall integration into practice. Half of pharmacists (45%) were working in a shared office or at a hot desk and 9% had no designated workspace. PIPs had more access to a convenient workplace (p = 0.016) compared to non-IPs. Conclusion Practice pharmacists are fulfilling a wide range of clinical and non-clinical roles in England. Findings highlight relatively a satisfactory level of pharmacists’ integration into practice and shed the light on their integration issues. These findings could be significant for the development of future roles of pharmacists in GP

Pharmacist management of atrial fibrillation in UK primary care:a cross-sectional study

Background: Atrial Fibrillation (AF) increases the risk of stroke by a factor of five, leading a significant cost burdens on healthcare system. Pharmacists, especially those based in a primary care environment are well placed to support patients in this therapeutic area.Objectives: To assess primary care pharmacists’ actual knowledge on the management of AF symptoms and anticoagulation. Furthermore, to investigate the resources used by pharmacists.Methods: A cross-sectional study using survey was conducted, targeting UK-based registered pharmacists employed within primary care settings. Quantitative data were analysed utilising descriptive univariate and bivariate statistics.Results: 349 pharmacists completed the adapted 19-questions of the pharmacists’ knowledge. Out of a maximum of 19 points, the mean score was 14.34 ± 2.2 (75 ± 11.6%). The questionnaire revealed several significant gaps in pharmacists’ knowledge. Most of the surveyed pharmacists (62.8%) reported that they used sources of information to support their consultations. Half reported that they used the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidance (52.4%) and the British National Formulary (BNF) (50.7%).Conclusions: Primary care pharmacists are knowledgeable about AF and its management; however, some gaps exist which may require addressing. Although pharmacists use a variety of information resources, it is the traditional resources that remain the most frequently used

Development and psychometric properties of the Carer – Head Injury Neurobehavioral Assessment Scale (C-HINAS) and the Carer – Head Injury Participation Scale (C-HIPS): patient and family determined outcome scales

Objective: Develop and assess the psychometric properties of the Carer - Head Injury Participation Scale (C-HIPS) and its biggest factor the Carer - Head Injury Neurobehavioral Assessment Scale (C-HINAS). Furthermore, the aim was to examine the inter-informant reliability by comparing the self reports of individuals with traumatic brain injury (TBI) with the carer reports on the C-HIPS and the C-HINAS. Method: Thirty-two TBI individuals and 27 carers took part in in-depth qualitative interviews exploring the consequences of the TBI. Interview transcripts were analysed and key themes and concepts were used to construct a 49-item and 58-item patient (Patient - Head Injury Participation Scale [P-HIPS]) and carer outcome measure (C-HIPS) respectively, of which 49 were parallel items and nine additional items were used to assess carer burden. Postal versions of the P-HIPS, C-HIPS, Mayo Portland Adaptability Inventory-3 (MPAI-3), and the Glasgow Outcome Scale-Extended (GOSE) were completed by a cohort of 113 TBI individuals and 80 carers. Data from a sub-group of 66 patient/carer pairs were used to compare inter-informant reliability between the P-HIPS and the C-HIPS, and the P-HINAS and the C-HINAS respectively. Results: All individual 49 items of the C-HIPS and their total score showed good test-retest reliability (0.95) and internal consistency (0.95). Comparisons with the MPAI-3 and GOSE found a good correlation with the MPAI-3 (0.7) and a moderate negative correlation with the GOSE (-0.6). Factor analysis of these items extracted a 4-factor structure which represented the domains 'Emotion/Behavior' (C-FUNAS),'Independence/ Community Living', 'Cognition', and 'Physical'. The C-HINAS showed good internal consistency (0.92), test-retest reliability (0.93), and concurrent validity with one MPAI subscale (0.7). Assessment of inter-informant reliability revealed good correspondence between the reports of the patients and the carers for both the C-HIPS (0.83) and the C-HINAS (0.82). Conclusion: Both the C-HINAS and the C-HIPS show strong psychometric properties. The qualitative methodology employed in the construction stage of the questionnaires provided good evidence of face and content validity. Comparisons between the P-HIPS and the C-HIPS, and the P-HINAS and the C-HINAS indicated high levels of agreement suggesting that in situations where the patient is unable to provide self-reports, information provided by the carer could be used. © 2007 Dove Medical Press Limited. All rights reserved