The context, contribution and consequences of addressing the COVID-19 pandemic : A qualitative exploration of executive nurses' perspectives

Aims To explore (1) the context in which nursing executives were working, (2) nursing's contribution to the healthcare response and (3) the impact from delivering healthcare in response to the pandemic. Design Retrospective, constructivist qualitative study. Methods Individual interviews using a semi-structured interview guide were conducted between 12 February and 29 March 2021. Participants were purposively sampled from the Victorian Metropolitan Executive Directors of Nursing and Midwifery Group, based in Melbourne, Victoria the epi-centre of COVID-19 in Australia during 2020. All members were invited; 14/16 executive-level nurse leaders were participated. Individual interviews were recorded with participant consent, transcribed and analysed using thematic analysis. Results Four inter-related themes (with sub-themes) were identified: (1) rapid, relentless action required (preparation insufficient, extensive information and communication flow, expanded working relationships, constant change, organizational barriers removed); (2) multi-faceted contribution (leadership activities, flexible work approach, knowledge development and dissemination, new models of care, workforce numbers); (3) unintended consequences (negative experiences, mix of emotions, difficult conditions, negative outcomes for executives and workforce) and (4) silver linings (expanded ways of working, new opportunities, strengthened clinical practice, deepened working relationships). Conclusion Responding to the COIVD-19 health crisis required substantial effort, but historical and industrial limits on nursing practice were removed. With minimal information and constantly changing circumstances, nursing executives spearheaded change with leadership skills including a flexible approach, courageous decision-making and taking calculated risks. Opportunities for innovative work practices were taken, with nursing leading policy development and delivery of care models in new and established healthcare settings, supporting patient and staff safety. Impact Nursing comprises the majority of the healthcare workforce, placing executive nurse leaders in a key role for healthcare responses to the COVID-19 pandemic. Nursing's contribution was multi-faceted, and advantages gained for nursing practice must be maintained and leveraged. Recommendations for how nursing can contribute to current and future widespread health emergencies are provided

Recycling of Aircraft: State of the Art in 2011

Recently, the end-of-service life for aging aircraft and related parts has become a key subject in recycling industries worldwide. Over the next 20 years, approximately 12,000 aircraft currently utilized for different purposes will be at the end of service. Thus, reclaiming retired aircraft by environmentally responsible methods while retaining some of the value becomes a significant need. Recycling aircraft components and using these in different applications will reduce the consumption of natural resources as well as landfill allocations. Compared to the production of virgin materials, recycling aircraft will also reduce air, water, and soil contaminations, as well as energy demand. In the present study, we have investigated the environmental benefits of recycling and reusing aircraft components in the same or similar applications as low-energy input materials. During the aircraft recycling, most of the aircraft components can be recycled and reused after reasonable modifications and investments

Industrial Facilities Overhead Energy Estimation

Click on the DOI link to access the article (may not be free).In this study, two important techniques for estimating the nonprocess energy in industrial and manufacturing buildings were examined. The building energy data for two industrial facilities were collected and analyzed. The building nonprocess energy includes lighting, heating, cooling, and ventilation. The power intensity (W/ft(2)) for each energy type use was estimated using two methods and then analyzed. This nonprocess energy needs to be clearly defined to allow more quantitative improvements. Previous analysis of industrial energy use often expressed nonprocess energy as a percentage of total energy but without clear values of actual nonprocess energy. This information is a low value since the actual nonprocess energy is then dominated by the dominator which is unspecified. The research in this paper has further contributed to the life cycle assessment of products by estimating nonprocess energy which can then be added to the process energy to obtain a complete energy profile of product manufacturing