Sustainable technology adoption: who and what matters in a farmer's decision?

EU milk quota removal brings a renewed focus on continued adoption of sustainable technologies. This article explores spatial effects in their adoption using Bayesian spatial probit models employing a representative sample of Irish dairy farms. We consider global and local spatial effects, and overcome a missing neighbour problem by implementing census data in our spatial weight matrix. The findings reveal that spatial effects spill over to neighbours and better educated farmers with larger more intensively managed farms are more likely to adopt. The article concludes with policy recommendations that arise from our spatial analysis

Adaptive optics imaging and optical spectroscopy of a multiple merger in a luminous infrared galaxy

(abridged) We present near-infrared (NIR) adaptive optics imaging obtained with VLT/NACO and optical spectroscopy from the Southern African Large Telescope (SALT) of a luminous infrared galaxy (LIRG) IRAS 19115-2124. These data are combined with archival HST imaging and Spitzer imaging and spectroscopy, allowing us to study this disturbed interacting/merging galaxy, dubbed the Bird, in extraordinary detail. In particular, the data reveal a triple system where the LIRG phenomenon is dominated by the smallest of the components. One nucleus is a regular barred spiral with significant rotation, while another is highly disturbed with a surface brightness distribution intermediate to that of disk and bulge systems, and hints of remaining arm/bar structure. We derive dynamical masses in the range 3-7x10^10 M_solar for both. The third component appears to be a 1-2x10^10 M_solar mass irregular galaxy. The total system exhibits HII galaxy-like optical line ratios and strengths, and no evidence for AGN activity is found from optical or mid-infrared data. The star formation rate is estimated to be 190 M_solar/yr. We search for SNe, super star clusters, and detect 100-300 km/s outflowing gas from the Bird. Overall, the Bird shows kinematic, dynamical, and emission line properties typical for cool ultra luminous IR galaxies. However, the interesting features setting it apart for future studies are its triple merger nature, and the location of its star formation peak - the strongest star formation does not come from the two major K-band nuclei, but from the third irregular component. Aided by simulations, we discuss scenarios where the irregular component is on its first high-speed encounter with the more massive components.Comment: 24 pages, 16 figures. Accepted MNRAS version, minor corrections only, references added. Higher resolution version (1.3MB) is available from http://www.saao.ac.za/~petri/bird/ulirg_bird_highres_vaisanen_v2.pd

Electrochemical and spectroelectrochemical investigations of interfacial electrode processes

Electrode interfaces are critical players in the development of medical, industrial, and energy-related technologies and a thorough understanding of the surface electrochemistry is required to design better devices and materials. Analytical methods for studying electrode surfaces in situ vary widely and give information ranging from chemical speciation to electron transfer properties. Electrochemical methods using the analyte of interest as the working electrode provide vital interfacial properties such as kinetics, mass transport, and thermodynamics of electrode processes across the entire interface. In this dissertation, such techniques are shown to determine the charge transport properties and mechanisms of a redox-active solid thin film, successfully applying redox polymer theory to model how charge transport is affected by redox dopant loading. To investigate local structural changes at interfaces, this dissertation explores the incorporation of surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) to electroanalytical experiments. I demonstrate the viability of scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM) to control local surface pH at a self-assembled monolayer and SERS to track the resulting structures. To broaden the application of electrochemical SERS to carbon-based electrodes, I demonstrate a hybrid nanoparticle-graphene substrate and use it to characterize the electrochemical reduction of anthraquinone-2,6-disulfonate on graphene. Further, I show the capability of SECM to induce SERS-detectable changes at these carbon substrates and suggest further possible research directions for this and other projects using coupled Raman-SECM. Overall, this work demonstrates several new methods for deeper fundamental understanding of complex electrode interfaces, probing charge transport, local solution perturbation effects, and adsorption chemistry.Submission published under a 24 month embargo labeled 'U of I Access', the embargo will last until 2024-05-01The student, Kendrich Hatfield, accepted the attached license on 2022-04-20 at 13:17.The student, Kendrich Hatfield, submitted this Dissertation for approval on 2022-04-20 at 13:58.This Dissertation was approved for publication on 2022-04-21 at 16:40.DSpace SAF Submission Ingestion Package generated from Vireo submission #17848 on 2022-11-14 at 00:24:5

Developing a Set of Core Outcomes for Trials in Haemodialysis: An International Delphi Survey

AIM: To generate a consensus-based, prioritized list of core outcomes for trials in haemodialysis. BACKGROUND: Survival and quality of life for patients on haemodialysis remain poor despite substantial research efforts. Existing trials often report surrogate outcomes that may not be relevant to patients and clinicians. A core outcome set that reflects stakeholder priorities would improve the relevance, efficiency, and comparability of haemodialysis trials. METHODS: In an online Delphi survey, participants rated the importance of outcomes using a 9-point Likert scale. In Round 2 and 3, participants reviewed the scores and comments of other respondents and re-rated the outcomes. For each outcome, we calculated the median, mean, and proportion rating 7-9 (“critically important”). RESULTS: 1,181 participants (202 [17%] patients/caregivers, 979 health professionals) from 73 countries completed Round 1 and 838 (150 [18%] patients/caregivers) completed Round 3 (71% response rate). Outcomes achieving consensus as high priorities across both groups were: vascular access complications, cardiovascular disease, mortality, dialysis adequacy and fatigue. Patients/caregivers rated four outcomes higher than health professionals: ability to travel (mean difference 0.9), dialysis-free time (0.5), dialysis adequacy (0.3), and washed out after dialysis (0.2). Health professionals rated 11 outcomes higher: mortality (1.0), hospitalization (1.0), drop in blood pressure (1.0), vascular access complications (0.9), depression (0.9), cardiovascular disease (0.8), target weight (0.7), infection (0.4), potassium (0.4), ability to work (0.3), and pain (0.3). CONCLUSIONS: The top stakeholder prioritized outcomes were vascular access problems, cardiovascular disease, mortality, dialysis adequacy and fatigue. Patients/caregivers gave higher priority to lifestyle-related outcomes than health professionals. This prioritized set of outcomes can inform the establishment of a core outcome set, to improve the value of trial evidence to support decision-making for people on haemodialysis

Guidelines for the management of unethical behaviour in homes for older persons: research

The purpose of this research study is to formulate guidelines to counteract unethical behaviour of auxiliary nurses and care workers in homes for the older persons. The study explored and described: · the perceptions and behaviour of auxiliary nurses and care workers relating to unethical behaviour in homes for older persons; and · the perceptions of registered nurses relating to unethical behaviour of auxiliary nurses and care workers in homes for older persons. To achieve the goal and the objectives of the research a qualitative approach was used in the research design and method. The objectives of the research began with a written narrative of an actual case of unethical behaviour in a home for older persons, on which auxiliary nurses and care workers in homes for the older persons in the Gauteng area were asked to comment. Two open-ended questions were asked. The results of this data were presented for comments to a focus group of registered nurses. This data was recorded for truth value. The population and sampling for phase 1 of the study consisted of 60 auxiliary nurses and care workers who worked in homes for frail older persons in Gauteng. The population and sampling for phase 2 of the study consisted of ten professional nurses working in homes for frail older persons in Gauteng. Purposive sampling was used to achieve saturation of data. The model of Lincoln and Guba (1985) was used to ensure trustworthiness. Ethical considerations were maintained throughout the study and consent was obtained from the respondents. The recommendations of the research were that attention should be given to the following: management in homes for the older persons, personnel selection and recruitment, orientation and in-service training programmes, and the ethical-legal aspects of caring for older persons should be addressed. Die doel van hierdie navorsing is om riglyne te beskryf wat die onetiese gedrag van hulpverpleegkundiges en sorgwerkers in ouetehuise kan bekamp. Die studie het die persepsies · en gedrag van hulpverpleegkundiges en sorgwerkers rakende onetiese gedrag in ouetehuise ondersoek en beskryf; · van geregistreerde verpleegkundiges rakende die onetiese gedrag van hulpverpleegkundiges en sorgwerkers in ouetehuise ondersoek en beskryf. Om die oogmerke en doelwitte van die navorsing te bereik is ๋n kwalitatiewe benadering gevolg in die navorsingsontwerp en -metode wat gebruik is. Die doelwitte van die navorsing het met ๋n geskrewe verhaal van ๋n werklike geval van onetiese gedrag in ๋n ouetehuis begin. Hulpverpleegkundiges en sorgwerkers in twee ouetehuise in Gauteng is gevra om kommentaar daarop te lewer. Twee oopeinde-vrae is gestel. Die resultate van die data is aan ํn fokusgroep van geregistreerde verpleegkundiges vir kommentaar voorgelอ. Hierdie data is vir geloofwaardigheid getoets. Die deelnemers vir fase 1 van die studie het bestaan uit 60 hulpverpleegkundiges en sorgwerkers wat in ouetehuise vir verswakte bejaardes in Gauteng gewerk het. Die deelnemers vir fase 2 van die studie het bestaan uit tien geregistreerde verpleegkundiges wat in ouetehuise vir verswakte bejaardes in Gauteng gewerk het. Doelbewuste steekproefneming is gebruik om soveel as moontlik data in te samel. Lincoln en Guba (1985) se model is gebruik om betroubaarheid te verseker. Etiese oorwegings is dwarsdeur die studie gehandhaaf en toestemming is van die respondente verkry. Aanbevelings voortspruitend uit die navorsing was dat die volgende aandag behoort te geniet: die bestuur van ouetehuise, personeelkeuring en ๑werwing, oriฮntering- en indiensopleidingsprogramme, en dat eties-wetlike aspekte van die versorging van bejaardes aangespreek moet word. Key Words: Nursing auxiliaries, Care workers, Ethics, Homes for older persons Health SA Gesondheid Vol.9(1) 2004: 79-8