Coal seam methane power generation

This study investigated and analysed a suitable gas-fired power generator set required for producing electricity from waste coal seam methane which is being drained from coal mines in the Bowen Basis area of Central Queensland, Australia. The volume flow rate of waste/drained coal seam methane (CSM) is approximately 2000 m3/h. A literature review on current operations and the processes used in the industry for methane power generation is presented. Design, analysis and calculation required for the selection of major components of a gas-fired power generator, proposed for coal seam methane power generation, is discussed. The generator should be a single unit which is capable of being transported to site to provide a short term or long term solution to waste methane drainage. This study reports that a unit employing an in-line 8 cylinder Caterpillar engine with a Stamford ac generator and a filtration system comprising Nowata and Dungs filtration equipment would make up the major components of a gas-fired power generator suitable for producing electricity from waste/drained coal seam methane

From farm to fork: Is food tourism a sustainable form of economic development?

© 2020 Food tourism events have become a large focus for economic development in rural and regional areas. Tourism has been a key driver of food festivals, where they play a role in attracting visitors and generating expenditure in the local economy. While these types of events are generally badged as enhancing sustainability, the criteria and tests for these claims are rarely specified. In this paper we explore how the sustainability of food tourism festivals can be considered and evaluated in economic terms, using a case study of the Truffle Festival — Canberra Region in Australia. A zonal travel cost analysis was conducted to measure consumer surplus, providing potential inputs into individual economic welfare and public good evaluation tests. The results estimate that the event generated consumer surpluses of $754/person and more than$8 million overall in 2016, highlighting the importance of artisan food experiences for tourism events. To further implement food experiences as an economic development strategy further consideration and linkages with agriculture, environment and community are required to ensure they are sustainable

Comprehensive systematic review of appropriateness and effectiveness of intervention programs that aim to build and maintain resilience in nurses and midwives

The purpose of this chapter is to present the findings from a comprehensive systematic literature review that included research that gathered both qualitative and quantitative data, aimed to identify the appropriateness and effectiveness of intervention programs designed to build and maintain resilience in nurses and midwives

Individual and environmental factors that influence longevity of newcomers to nursing and midwifery: A scoping review protocol

Objective: To identify and map the literature that describes the individual and environmental factors that influence nurses and midwives to stay in or leave their discipline within the first three years of practice. Introduction: The turnover rate of newcomers within their first three years of nursing and midwifery is higher than in later years, and is contributing to a worldwide shortage. Both individual and environmental factors, often in combination, contribute to this attrition. Many studies demonstrate the associations of factors with turnover or intention to stay; however, the scope of factors has not been documented. Inclusion criteria: Newcomers are defined as registered nurses and registered midwives within the first three years of entering their discipline. Quantitative and qualitative studies and systematic reviews that explore individual or environmental factors that influence the decision to leave or to remain in nursing and midwifery in any context will be considered. Factors may include coping, anxiety, mindfulness, practice environment, or combinations such as resilience, satisfaction, and burnout. Articles must have been peer reviewed. Literature since 1974 and published in English will be considered. Newcomers who have completed skills-based training will be excluded. Methods: The JBI method for scoping reviews will be followed. An extensive search of multiple databases and gray literature will be undertaken. Data extracted will be synthesized and results reported using a mind map, tables, and narrative form

Parents' experiences of having an excessively crying baby and implications for support services

Evidence suggests that around 20% of healthy babies cry for long periods without apparent reason, causing significant distress to parents and a range of adverse outcomes. This study explored parents' experiences of having an excessively crying baby and their suggestions for improved NHS support. Focus groups and interviews with 20 parents identified three key themes: disrupted expectations and experiences of parenthood; stigma and social isolation; seeking support and validation of experience. Parents experienced shock, anxiety and a sense of failure, leading to self-imposed isolation and a reluctance to seek help. Other people's reactions sometimes reinforced their feelings. Parents need more support, including from health professionals, to cope with excessive crying, and recommendations for this support are given

The influence of trait-negative affect and compassion satisfaction on compassion fatigue in Australian nurses

For this study, we examined the nature of the unique relationships trait-negative affect and compassion satisfaction had with compassion fatigue and its components of secondary traumatic stress and burnout in 273 nurses from 1 metropolitan tertiary acute hospital in Western Australia. Participants completed the Professional Quality of Life Scale (Stamm, 2010), Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (Lovibond & Lovibond, 2004), and the State–Trait Anxiety Inventory (Spielberger, Gorsuch, Lushene, Vagg, & Jacobs, 1983). Bivariate correlation and hierarchical regression analyses were performed to examine and investigate 4 hypotheses. The results demonstrate a clear differential pattern of relationships with secondary traumatic stress and burnout for both trait-negative affect and compassion satisfaction. Trait-negative affect was clearly the more important factor in terms of its contribution to overall compassion fatigue and secondary traumatic stress. In contrast, compassion satisfaction’s unique protective relationship only related to burnout, and not secondary traumatic stress. The results are therefore consistent with the view that compassion satisfaction may be an important internal resource that protects against burnout, but is not directly influential in protecting against secondary traumatic stress for nurses working in an acute-care hospital environment. With the projected nursing workforce shortages in Australia, it is apparent that a further understanding is warranted of how such personal variables may work as protective and risk factors

The use of telephone communication between nurse navigators and their patients

Background Hospitals and other health care providers frequently experience difficulties contacting patients and their carers who live remotely from the town where the health service is located. In 2016 Nurse Navigator positions were introduced into the health services by Queensland Health, to support and navigate the care of people with chronic and complex conditions. One hospital in Far North Queensland initiated an additional free telephone service to provide another means of communication for patients and carers with the NNs and for off-campus health professionals to obtain details about a patient utilising the service. Calls made between 7am and 10pm, seven days per week are answered by a nurse navigator. Aim To report utilisation of the service by navigated clients and remotely located clinicians compared to use of navigators' individual work numbers and direct health service numbers. We report the reason for calls to the free number and examine features of these calls. Methods Statistical analysis examined the call reason, duration of calls, setting from where calls originated and stream of calls. Interactions between the reasons for calls and the features of calls, such as contact method, were examined. Results The major reason for calls was clinical issues and the source of calls was primarily patients and carers. Clinical calls were longer in duration. Shorter calls were mainly non-clinical, made by a health professional. Setting for calls was not related to the reason. The most frequent number used was the individual mobile number of the NN, followed by the hospital landline. Although the free number was utilised by patients and carers, it was not the preferred option. Conclusion As patients and carers preferred to access their NN directly than via the 1800 number, further research should explore options best suited to this group of patients outside normal business hours. © 2020 Heritage et al

A re-examination of the individual differences that explain occupational resilience and psychological adjustment among nurses

Aims: This study re‐examines the validity of a model of occupational resilience for use by nursing managers, which focused on an individual‐differences approach that explained buffering factors against negative outcomes such as burnout for nurses. Background: The International Collaboration of Workforce Resilience model (Rees et al., 2015) provided initial evidence of its value as a parsimonious model of resilience, and resilience antecedents and outcomes (e.g., burnout). Whether this model's adequacy was largely sample dependent, or a valid explanation of occupational resilience, has been subsequently un‐examined in the literature to date. To address this question, we re‐examined the model with a larger and an entirely new sample of student nurses. Methods: A sample of nursing students (n = 708, AgeM(SD) = 26.4 (7.7) years), with data examined via a rigorous latent factor structural equation model. Results: The model upheld many of its relationship predictions following further testing. Conclusions: The model was able to explain the individual differences, antecedents, and burnout‐related outcomes, of resilience within a nursing context. Implications for Nursing Management: The results highlight the importance of skills training to develop mindfulness and self‐efficacy among nurses as a means of fostering resilience and positive psychological adjustment. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved

A cross-sectional study of domestic violence instruction in nursing and midwifery programs: Out of step with community and student expectations

Background: Domestic violence is a global health concern. Nurses and midwives must respond to those who experience domestic violence, although many are not prepared to do this. The World Health Organization recommend that domestic violence content be included in all pre-registration training as a matter of urgency

The current state of molecular testing in the treatment of patients with solid tumors, 2019.

The world of molecular profiling has undergone revolutionary changes over the last few years as knowledge, technology, and even standard clinical practice have evolved. Broad molecular profiling is now nearly essential for all patients with metastatic solid tumors. New agents have been approved based on molecular testing instead of tumor site of origin. Molecular profiling methodologies have likewise changed such that tests that were performed on patients a few years ago are no longer complete and possibly inaccurate today. As with all rapid change, medical providers can quickly fall behind or struggle to find up-to-date sources to ensure he or she provides optimum care. In this review, the authors provide the current state of the art for molecular profiling/precision medicine, practice standards, and a view into the future ahead