Knowledge, attitudes and practices of COVID-19 infection prevention and control among nurses in the intensive care unit at Groote Schuur Hospital, Cape Town

Introduction: Critical care environments rapidly adapted infection prevention and control (IPC) practices in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Critical care nurse’s knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) regarding COVID-19 IPC may impact the risk of healthcareassociated COVID-19 transmission. Methods: A mixed-methods study was conducted among intensive care unit (ICU) nurses at Groote Schuur Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa between 20 April and 30 May 2021. Participants completed anonymous, self-administered, 33-item KAP questionnaires and individual interviews regarding their lived experiences and perceptions of COVID-19 IPC in critical care. Results: One hundred and sixteen ICU nurses participated (93.5% response rate) including 57 professional nurses (49.0%), 34 enrolled nurses (29.0%) and 25 enrolled nursing assistants (22.0%) with young females (31-49 years) predominating (99; 85.3%). Nurses’ overall COVID-19 IPC knowledge scores were moderate-good (78%), with professional nurses having significantly better knowledge regarding the route of SARS-CoV-2 transmission (p<0.001). ICU nurses’ attitude scores to COVID-19 IPC were low (55%), influenced by limited IPC training, insufficient time to implement IPC precautions and shortages of personal protective equipment (PPE). Respondents’ scores for self-reported COVID-19 IPC practices were moderate (65%); the highest compliance was reported for performing hand hygiene after touching patient surroundings (68%). Only half of the respondents (47%) had undergone N95 respirator fit-testing, despite working in a high-risk environment for COVID-19 transmission. Conclusion: Regular and intensive training on COVID-19 IPC precautions should be provided to equip ICU nurses with the requisite knowledge and skills to prevent healthcare-associated COVID-19 transmission. Enhanced IPC training and consistent PPE availability may contribute to more favourable attitudes and better IPC practices among ICU nurses. Comprehensive support such as IPC, occupational health and safety should be offered to preserve the well-being of ICU nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic

Study of necessary knowledge and skills for land management and real estate professionals

Bakalaureusetöö Geomaatika õppekavalIga ülikooli lõpetanu sooviks on asuda õpitud erialal ka tööle. Ometigi võib juhtuda, et tööandja ja ülikooli nägemused sellest, mis on kandideerimisel oluline, erinevad märkimisväärselt. Seetõttu on vaja uurida, milliseid teadmisi ja oskusi maakorralduse ja kinnisvara valdkonnas töötaja puhul hinnatakse ning kuidas ennast tulevase tööandja poolt nõutavaks teha. Et tööturul konkurentsivõimeline olla, peab kandideerija teadma ka seda, missuguseid erialast lähtuvaid teadmisi ja oskuseid standardite järgi eeldatakse ning kui suur osa on vastutusel ja võimel teostada tööd iseseisvalt. Käesoleva bakalaureusetöö eesmärgiks on välja selgitada maakorralduse ja kinnisvara valdkonna töötajate ja tööandjate erialaste teadmiste ja oskuste vajadus. Teema analüüsimiseks saadeti ankeetküsitlus maakorralduse ja kinnisvara valdkonnas töötavatele inimestele, kuna nende isiklik arvamus on esmatähtis. Saadud tulemused on edaspidi informatsiooniks lõpetanutele , millistele teadmistele ja oskustele juba nii õpingute ajal kui ka töökohale kandideerimisel, rõhku panna. Antud uurimuse läbi viimiseks koostati ankeetküsitlus, millele vastajaid oli kokku 85 inimest erinevatelt maakorralduse ja kinnisvara planeerimise ametikohtadelt. Ankeetküsitlus valiti seetõttu, et see meetod annab uurimuse läbiviija arvates kõige efektiivsema tulemuse. Lisaks on töö toetamiseks uuritud kutsekvalifikatsiooni saamiseks kehtestatud erialaseid kutsestandardeid ning välja toodud kutse saamiseks nõutud oskused ja teadmised. Lõpetuseks analüüsiti vastanute arvamust teadmiste ja oskuste vajalikkusest. Tulemusena selgus, et olenemata valdkonnast peetakse olulistemateks arvuti-, katastri- ja maakorraldusalaseid teadmisi ning oskustest tähtsustatakse võimekust lahendada sujuvalt probleeme, loogilist mõtlemist ja iseseisvust töötamisel.Every university graduate would like to work in the studied field. However the vision of skills required for employment are remarkably different between universities and employers. Therefore there is a need to study which kind of knowledge and skill are valued and how to appeal to the potential employers in land management and real estate. A successful candidate would have to be aware of skills knowledge, responsibility and level of independence required as a standard in each specialities. The aim of the bachelor thesis is to study what set of skills and knowledge are most valued by employers and employees. The outcome of this study will be a guide for undergraduates in terms of what skills and knowledge is required while applying for a vacancy. In order to analyse this topic, a questionnaire survey was sent to people working in the area of land management and real estate planning, as their personal opinion is a top priority. Based on the results obtained, the graduates will be able to focus on what knowledge and skills they received during their studies and at the time of applying for a job. A survey questionnaire was prepared and distributed for the purpose of this study with a total of 85 respondents. The conductor of this study chose the method of survey questionnaire as it is expected to be most efficient. In addition to support the study Estonian Professional Standards were analysed based on what kind of skills and knowledge are needed for a land manager and real estate planner to obtain a qualification. As a result regardless of the field most valued knowledge was regarding cadastral and land management and computer literacy. Skills considered most essential across specialities were logical thinking, problem solving and capability to work independently

Parking challenges: case study of Tartu Annelinna district

Magistritöö Geodeesia, kinnisvara- ja maakorralduse õppekavalMagalapiirkonnas on parkimine tänapäeval väga suur probleem, kus sõidukid ummistavad teeääri, pargivad haljasalal, segavad lumekoristust ning piiravad operatiivsõidukite ligipääsu. Kui kolmkümmend aastat tagasi olid sõidukid defitsiit liikusid tänavatel üksikud sõiduvahendid ja ühistransport oli ainuke vahend vajalikku sihtpunkti jõudmiseks. Tänane ühiskond on muutunud ja inimesed on hakanud üha rohkem langema mugavustsooni, kus valitakse ühistranspordi asemel sõiduauto. Magistritöö eesmärk oli hinnata parkimiskorralduse olukorda Tartu linna Annelinna linnaosa näitel. Uuritavaks piirkonnaks on autor valinud Tartu linnas asuva Taga Annelinna linnaosa asumi, kus asub kaksteist üheksa korruselist korterelamut ning vaadeldakse parkimispoliitika mõju teistele kinnistutele. Magistritöös uuritakse parkimiskorralduse probleemi ulatust korruselamute maa-aladel Taga-Annelinna asumi näitel. Töö eesmärgi täitmiseks on esmalt uuritud asumi piirkonda ja teostatud paikvaatus, et mõista kui suureks probleemiks on kujunenud parkimiskohtade nappus analüüsitaval korruselamute kinnistutel. Töö tulemuste põhjal võib öelda, et Tartu linnas Taga-Annelinna linnaosas on parkimiskohtade probleem tõsine, kus õhtusel ajal on täituvus 94% kogu parkimiskohtade arvust. Vastavalt parkimisnormatiivi normidele peaks uuritavas piirkonnas olema 917 parkimiskohta, kuid tegelik arv on 511, mis teeb 56% vähem tegelikust arvust. Piirkonnas teostatud paikvaatkuse tulemusena selgus, et õhtusel ajal oli 28 vaba parkimiskohta 511-st ja hommikusel ajal oli 237 vaba parkimiskohta. Töö autor leiab, et parkimiskohtade probleemi ei lahenda parkimiskohtade laiendamine rohe-alade näol, vaid tekitaks ajutise lahenduse. Kuid toob välja, et parkimishoone rajamine lahendaks autori sõnul parkimisproblemaatika ning pikas perspektiivis on võimalik luua uus kinnisvaraturg. Probleemi lahendamisel tuleks mõelda tuleviku innovatsioonile ja sellest lähtuvalt leida sobiv lahendus. Parkimisproblemaatika linnades, kuhu inimesed üha enam koonduvad, on oluline ja vajab edaspidist käsitlemist. Eelkõige on vaja välja selgitada, autostumise mõju piirkonnale ja seda ümbritsevale keskkonnale. Uurida ja analüüsida võiks võimalikult palju ka teiste riikide regulatsioone, lahendusi ja projekte ning leida võimalusi muudatuste tegemiseks, et vältida probleemi suurenemist. Arendamist vajab metoodika, mis võimaldaks määrata parkimishoone asukoha ja parkimiskoha hinnamehhanisme.Parking in residential areas is currently problematic resulting in vehicles blocking roads/ curbs, parking on roadside verges, disrupting snow clearing and limiting access for emergency services. Thirty years ago, there were fewer vehicles on the streets and public transport was the preferred mode of transport. In present society the more convenient form of transportation is a personal vehicle rather than public transportation. The aim of the thesis was to evaluate the current parking planning in Tartu, Annelinn district. The author has chosen to closer examine an area in Tartu, Annelinn district consisting of twelve 9-storey buildings with the focus on parking policy effects to neighboring properties. The thesis of the case study examines the extent of parking planning challenges around high storey buildings in Annelinn. Firstly, the area was examined and observed to analyse the extent of parking challenges around the high storey buildings. Results show there is a shortage of parking spaces in Tartu Annelinn district with 94% of the parking spaces occupied in the evenings. According to parking policies there should be 917 parking spaces but in reality there is only 511 which is 54% of the required. As per observations conducted in the area in evening time there were 28 vacant parking spaces out of 511 and 237 vacant in the morning. Author concludes that extending parking on to roadside verges would not resolve the problem and provides a temporary solution only. Building a parking garage would resolve the parking challenges the author suggest and provides a potential for real estate growth. To resolve the parking challenges, it should be approached keeping in mind future innovations. Parking planning challenges in densely populated cities is an issue and needs further attention. Firstly, an evaluation should be conducted to determine the effects of car use in the area and on the environment. Analysing and examining regulations, solutions and project used to tackle parking challenges in other countries could help provide ideas to solve the problem. The method for determining the location of the parking garage and parking space pricing needs developing

Hoolekogude kaasamine Saarde valla koolide näitel

https://www.ester.ee/record=b5265561*es

Perkahwinan campur kedatuan-idahan dan hubungannya dengan perkembangan Islam di Lahad Datu, Sabah

Sejarah mencatatkan perkahwinan campur antara Datu yang berasal dari Kepulauan Sulu dengan wanita Idahan telah berlaku sejak abad ke-17. Hasil perkahwinan campur antara keduanya telah melahirkan pewaris yang dikenali sebagai Kedatuan-Idahan. Kertas kerja ini membincangkan sejarah perkahwinan campur Kedatuan dan Idahan di Sabah yang menyumbang kepada pengukuhan identiti Islam dalam kalanganpenduduk pantai timur Sabah. Kajian ini melibatkan pengumpulan data menggunakan kaedah kualitatif berdasarkan kandungan analisis teks dan temubual secara mendalam bersama informan utama (key informants) terpilih di beberapa perkampungan masyarakat Idahan di Lahad Datu. Hasil kajian menunjukkan perkahwinan antara Datu daripada kepulauan Sulu dengan wanita Idahan telah melahirkan pewaris yang mempunyai hubungan kekerabatan dengan kesultanan Sulu. Hubungan kekerabatan ini dipercayai menguatkan lagi penguasaan kegiatan ekonomi sarang burung yang mendapat permintaan yang tinggi daripada pedagang China. Dapatan kajian juga menunjukkan pembawaan gelaran Datu dan Dayang pada pangkal nama pewaris Kedatuan mengukuhkan lagi identiti Islam dalam kalangan masyarakat pantai timur Sabah. Kajian turut mendapati perkahwinan Kedatuan-Idahan telah memberi impak kepada kedudukan politik masyarakat Idahan di kawasan Teluk Darvel dan turut menyumbang kewujudan petempatan awal masyarakat Islam di pantai timur Sabah. Peranan Kedatuan turut menjelaskan peri pentingnya kedudukan mereka sebagai pemimpin beragama Islam di daerah Lahad Datu dan penglibatan mereka dalam Suruhanjaya Cobbold sehingga pembentukan Malaysia

Superconductivity protected by spin-valley locking in ion-gated MoS2

Symmetry-breaking has been known to play a key role in noncentrosymmetric superconductors with strong spin-orbit-interaction (SOI). The studies, however, have been so far mainly focused on a particular type of SOI, known as Rashba SOI, whereby the electron spin is locked to its momentum at a right-angle, thereby leading to an in-planar helical spin texture. Here we discuss electric-field-induced superconductivity in molybdenum disulphide (MoS2), which exhibits a fundamentally different type of intrinsic SOI manifested by an out-of-plane Zeeman-type spin polarization of energy valleys. We find an upper critical field of approximately 52 T at 1.5 K, which indicates an enhancement of the Pauli limit by a factor of four as compared to that in centrosymmetric conventional superconductors. Using realistic tight-binding calculations, we reveal that this unusual behaviour is due to an inter-valley pairing that is symmetrically protected by Zeeman-type spin-valley locking against external magnetic fields. Our study sheds a new light on the interplay of inversion asymmetry with SOI in confined geometries, and its unprecedented role in superconductivity.Comment: 37 pages, 11 figures, http://meetings.aps.org/Meeting/MAR15/Session/G11.1

Magnon-exciton proximity coupling at a van der Waals heterointerface

Spin and photonic systems are at the heart of modern information devices and emerging quantum technologies. An interplay between electron-hole pairs (excitons) in semiconductors and collective spin excitations (magnons) in magnetic crystals would bridge these heterogeneous systems, leveraging their individual assets in novel interconnected devices. Here, we report the magnon-exciton coupling at the interface between a magnetic thin film and an atomically-thin semiconductor. Our approach allies the long-lived magnons hosted in a film of yttrium iron garnet (YIG) to strongly-bound excitons in a flake of a transition metal dichalcogenide, MoSe$_2$. The magnons induce on the excitons a dynamical valley Zeeman effect ruled by interfacial exchange interactions. This nascent class of hybrid system suggests new opportunities for information transduction between microwave and optical regions.Comment: 23 pages with 14 figure