Choking interventions in sports : A systematic review
- Gröpel, Peter, Mesagno, Christopher
- Authors: Gröpel, Peter , Mesagno, Christopher
- Date: 2019
- Type: Text , Journal article , Review
- Relation: International Review of Sport and Exercise Psychology Vol. 12, no. 1 (2019), p. 176-201
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- Description: Choking under pressure describes suboptimal sport performance in stressful situations, which has led to two fundamental ‘choking’ models: distraction and self-focus. The purpose of this review was to provide an overview of empirical studies that have tested interventions used to alleviate choking. The systematic review includes 47 empirical studies published up to April 2017, including experimental, quasi-experimental, and single-case studies with athletes. These studies encompassed a variety of interventions (n = 13) that were either distraction based or self-focus based. In addition, a third group–acclimatisation interventions–was identified. The results indicate that, in general, choking interventions based on both choking models and on acclimatisation provide a benefit to performance under pressure. The most reported effective interventions were pre-performance routines, quiet eye training, left-hand contractions, and acclimatisation training. The use of dual task was beneficial for performance under pressure but harmful when used in training. Mixed evidence was found for analogy learning, and null effects were reported for goal setting, neurofeedback training, and reappraisal cues. These results may help athletes and coaches select and implement effective strategies and methods to improve performance under pressure.
- Authors: Gröpel, Peter , Mesagno, Christopher
- Date: 2019
- Type: Text , Journal article , Review
- Relation: International Review of Sport and Exercise Psychology Vol. 12, no. 1 (2019), p. 176-201
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Choking under pressure describes suboptimal sport performance in stressful situations, which has led to two fundamental ‘choking’ models: distraction and self-focus. The purpose of this review was to provide an overview of empirical studies that have tested interventions used to alleviate choking. The systematic review includes 47 empirical studies published up to April 2017, including experimental, quasi-experimental, and single-case studies with athletes. These studies encompassed a variety of interventions (n = 13) that were either distraction based or self-focus based. In addition, a third group–acclimatisation interventions–was identified. The results indicate that, in general, choking interventions based on both choking models and on acclimatisation provide a benefit to performance under pressure. The most reported effective interventions were pre-performance routines, quiet eye training, left-hand contractions, and acclimatisation training. The use of dual task was beneficial for performance under pressure but harmful when used in training. Mixed evidence was found for analogy learning, and null effects were reported for goal setting, neurofeedback training, and reappraisal cues. These results may help athletes and coaches select and implement effective strategies and methods to improve performance under pressure.
- Al-Moteri, Modi, Plummer, Virginia, Cooper, Simon J., Symmons, Mark
- Authors: Al-Moteri, Modi , Plummer, Virginia , Cooper, Simon J. , Symmons, Mark
- Date: 2019
- Type: Text , Journal article , Review
- Relation: Australian Critical Care Vol. 32, no. 5 (2019), p. 411-420
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- Description: Aim: The aim of this review was to identify and synthesise published accounts of recognising and responding to patient deterioration in the presence of deterioration antecedents. Design: The systematic review canvassed four electronic databases/ search engines for studies of adult ward patients who had altered physiological parameters before developing major adverse events. Synthesis Methods: The findings were synthesised using a narrative approach. Results: Clinical deterioration can be missed by nurses, even with adequate charting. Delays in recognising and responding to patient deterioration remains an international patient safety concern, and strategies to enhance recognition of patient deterioration have not achieved consistent improvements. The lack of significant and sustained improvement through targeted training suggests the problem may be rooted in human behaviour and local ward culture. Nurses play a pivotal role in recognising and responding to patient deterioration; however, patient records do not facilitate tracking of all nurse decisions and actions, and any undocumented care cannot be easily captured by auditing processes. Conclusion: Failure to recognise clinical deterioration was evident even with adequate charting. It is not clear if nurses do not recognise clinical deterioration because they failed to interpret the signs of deterioration or they made a conscious decision not to escalate based on their clinical judgement or they lacked attention at the time of the event. Whatever the reason, focus is warranted for nurses' decisionmaking after the recording of clinical deterioration signs and the role of human factors in delayed recognition, before maximum benefit of any strategy can be achieved.
Communication training and its effects on carer and care-receiver outcomes in dementia settings : A systematic review
- Nguyen, Hoang, Terry, Daniel, Phan, Hoang, Vickers, James, McInerney, Fran
- Authors: Nguyen, Hoang , Terry, Daniel , Phan, Hoang , Vickers, James , McInerney, Fran
- Date: 2019
- Type: Text , Journal article , Review
- Relation: Journal of Clinical Nursing Vol. 28, no. 7-8 (2019), p. 1050-1069
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- Description: Aims and objectives To review communication interventions that aim to improve regular care interactions between people with dementia and their carers in various settings; and to examine the impact of such interventions on both carer and care-receiver outcomes. Background Effective communication is imperative to ensure quality of care for people living with dementia. Due to neurodegenerative changes, people with dementia encounter ongoing and progressive difficulties in both understanding and expressing themselves. This in turn creates challenges for carers, which highlights the need for equipping them with necessary communication skills to respond to the specific communication needs of people with dementia. Design Systematic review and meta-analysis. Method Medline, Embase, CINAHL, ProQuest and PsycINFO databases were searched for eligible interventions with any date of the publication. Hand searching was also conducted through reviewing the reference lists of relevant articles. The screening and selection of studies were based on the inclusion/exclusion criteria for eligibility and the methodological quality assessment checklist. Random-effects meta-analyses were conducted on comparable quantitative data. The review is reported following the PRISMA reporting guidelines. Results Seventeen studies were included in the final review, including 12 randomised controlled trials (RCTs), three nonrandomised controlled trials (NRCTs) and two controlled before-after interventions. The intervention designs, settings and outcome measures were varied. The findings suggest that the communication training had a positive impact on both carer and care-receiver outcomes, albeit to different degrees. The intervention effects were found to be strongest on carer communication skills and knowledge. Conclusion There is solid evidence for the positive impact of communication training on the skills and knowledge of carers. More research is needed regarding the effects of such educational interventions on carer physio-psychological outcomes and care-receiver neuropsychiatric symptoms. It is important to establish best practices in training design, develop validated outcome measures and adopt consistent reporting approaches. Relevance to clinical practice The increasing global prevalence of people with dementia manifests across clinical and community contexts. The profound impact of dementia on communication and associated care raises the imperative for enhanced health worker and carer communication skills to meet the needs of this particular client group. The findings of this review indicate that educational interventions incorporating face-to-face and diverse instructional delivery methods in dementia communication showed positive outcomes for communication skills in all carer groups and warrant inclusion as strategies in dementia training.
- Authors: Nguyen, Hoang , Terry, Daniel , Phan, Hoang , Vickers, James , McInerney, Fran
- Date: 2019
- Type: Text , Journal article , Review
- Relation: Journal of Clinical Nursing Vol. 28, no. 7-8 (2019), p. 1050-1069
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Aims and objectives To review communication interventions that aim to improve regular care interactions between people with dementia and their carers in various settings; and to examine the impact of such interventions on both carer and care-receiver outcomes. Background Effective communication is imperative to ensure quality of care for people living with dementia. Due to neurodegenerative changes, people with dementia encounter ongoing and progressive difficulties in both understanding and expressing themselves. This in turn creates challenges for carers, which highlights the need for equipping them with necessary communication skills to respond to the specific communication needs of people with dementia. Design Systematic review and meta-analysis. Method Medline, Embase, CINAHL, ProQuest and PsycINFO databases were searched for eligible interventions with any date of the publication. Hand searching was also conducted through reviewing the reference lists of relevant articles. The screening and selection of studies were based on the inclusion/exclusion criteria for eligibility and the methodological quality assessment checklist. Random-effects meta-analyses were conducted on comparable quantitative data. The review is reported following the PRISMA reporting guidelines. Results Seventeen studies were included in the final review, including 12 randomised controlled trials (RCTs), three nonrandomised controlled trials (NRCTs) and two controlled before-after interventions. The intervention designs, settings and outcome measures were varied. The findings suggest that the communication training had a positive impact on both carer and care-receiver outcomes, albeit to different degrees. The intervention effects were found to be strongest on carer communication skills and knowledge. Conclusion There is solid evidence for the positive impact of communication training on the skills and knowledge of carers. More research is needed regarding the effects of such educational interventions on carer physio-psychological outcomes and care-receiver neuropsychiatric symptoms. It is important to establish best practices in training design, develop validated outcome measures and adopt consistent reporting approaches. Relevance to clinical practice The increasing global prevalence of people with dementia manifests across clinical and community contexts. The profound impact of dementia on communication and associated care raises the imperative for enhanced health worker and carer communication skills to meet the needs of this particular client group. The findings of this review indicate that educational interventions incorporating face-to-face and diverse instructional delivery methods in dementia communication showed positive outcomes for communication skills in all carer groups and warrant inclusion as strategies in dementia training.
Completing reflective practice post undergraduate nursing clinical placements : A literature review
- Authors: Barbagallo, Michael
- Date: 2019
- Type: Text , Journal article , Review
- Relation: Teaching and Learning in Nursing Vol. 14, no. 3 (2019), p. 160-165
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- Description: Reflective practice post clinical placement in nursing education is essential to integrate knowledge, skills, attitudes, and experiences. Many nursing programs in-cooperate reflective practice to permit the integration of core nursing education with clinical experiences to develop safe and component nurses. The purpose of this literature review is to examine the current trends in nursing education around reflective practice post clinical practice experiences.
- Authors: Barbagallo, Michael
- Date: 2019
- Type: Text , Journal article , Review
- Relation: Teaching and Learning in Nursing Vol. 14, no. 3 (2019), p. 160-165
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- Description: Reflective practice post clinical placement in nursing education is essential to integrate knowledge, skills, attitudes, and experiences. Many nursing programs in-cooperate reflective practice to permit the integration of core nursing education with clinical experiences to develop safe and component nurses. The purpose of this literature review is to examine the current trends in nursing education around reflective practice post clinical practice experiences.
Criteria to measure social media value in health care settings : narrative literature review
- Ukoha, Chukwuma, Stranieri, Andrew
- Authors: Ukoha, Chukwuma , Stranieri, Andrew
- Date: 2019
- Type: Text , Journal article , Review
- Relation: Journal of Medical Internet Research Vol. 21, no. 12 (2019), p.
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- Description: Background: With the growing use of social media in health care settings, there is a need to measure outcomes resulting from its use to ensure continuous performance improvement. Despite the need for measurement, a unified approach for measuring the value of social media used in health care remains elusive. Objective: This study aimed to elucidate how the value of social media in health care settings can be ascertained and to taxonomically identify steps and techniques in social media measurement from a review of relevant literature. Methods: A total of 65 relevant articles drawn from 341 articles on the subject of measuring social media in health care settings were qualitatively analyzed and synthesized. The articles were selected from the literature from diverse disciplines including business, information systems, medical informatics, and medicine. Results: The review of the literature showed different levels and focus of analysis when measuring the value of social media in health care settings. It equally showed that there are various metrics for measurement, levels of measurement, approaches to measurement, and scales of measurement. Each may be relevant, depending on the use case of social media in health care. Conclusions: A comprehensive yardstick is required to simplify the measurement of outcomes resulting from the use of social media in health care. At the moment, there is neither a consensus on what indicators to measure nor on how to measure them. We hope that this review is used as a starting point to create a comprehensive measurement criterion for social media used in health care. © 2019 Chukwuma Ukoha, Andrew Stranieri.
- Authors: Ukoha, Chukwuma , Stranieri, Andrew
- Date: 2019
- Type: Text , Journal article , Review
- Relation: Journal of Medical Internet Research Vol. 21, no. 12 (2019), p.
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- Description: Background: With the growing use of social media in health care settings, there is a need to measure outcomes resulting from its use to ensure continuous performance improvement. Despite the need for measurement, a unified approach for measuring the value of social media used in health care remains elusive. Objective: This study aimed to elucidate how the value of social media in health care settings can be ascertained and to taxonomically identify steps and techniques in social media measurement from a review of relevant literature. Methods: A total of 65 relevant articles drawn from 341 articles on the subject of measuring social media in health care settings were qualitatively analyzed and synthesized. The articles were selected from the literature from diverse disciplines including business, information systems, medical informatics, and medicine. Results: The review of the literature showed different levels and focus of analysis when measuring the value of social media in health care settings. It equally showed that there are various metrics for measurement, levels of measurement, approaches to measurement, and scales of measurement. Each may be relevant, depending on the use case of social media in health care. Conclusions: A comprehensive yardstick is required to simplify the measurement of outcomes resulting from the use of social media in health care. At the moment, there is neither a consensus on what indicators to measure nor on how to measure them. We hope that this review is used as a starting point to create a comprehensive measurement criterion for social media used in health care. © 2019 Chukwuma Ukoha, Andrew Stranieri.
- Pengelly, Jacqueline, Pengelly, Michael, Lin, Kuan-Yin, Royse, Colin, Karri, Roshan
- Authors: Pengelly, Jacqueline , Pengelly, Michael , Lin, Kuan-Yin , Royse, Colin , Karri, Roshan
- Date: 2019
- Type: Text , Journal article , Review
- Relation: Heart Lung and Circulation Vol. 28, no. 10 (2019), p. 1560-1570
- Full Text: false
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- Description: Objective: The aim of this systematic review was to identify exercise parameters and outcome measures used in cardiac rehabilitation programs following median sternotomy, in the elderly cardiac population. Data Sources: Five (5) electronic databases were searched for relevant studies published in English after 1997. Study Selection: The screening process was completed by two independent researchers, with a third independent reviewer for overall agreement. Studies were selected if they included only cardiac patients aged ≥65 years who had undergone valve surgery and/or coronary artery bypass grafting via median sternotomy, and who had undertaken a postoperative cardiac rehabilitation exercise intervention assessing physical function and/or cognitive recovery as outcomes. Data Extraction: Two researchers independently completed the data extraction and quality assessment. Quality was assessed using a modified Downs and Black tool. Data Synthesis: In total, 11 articles were included for appraisal with respect to the quality of the study. Only two randomised controlled trials were suitable for meta-analysis. A higher volume of exercise was shown to have a positive effect on functional recovery, assessed using the 6-minute walk test (6MWT) (mean difference = 26.97 m; 95% confidence interval [CI], 6.96–46.97; p = 0.008; I2 = 0%). No significant improvement was shown between additional exercise compared to standard care in improving VO2peak, maximal power output or quality of life. No studies evaluated the effect of exercise on cognitive recovery. Conclusions: Exercise significantly improves functional recovery in the post-surgical elderly cardiac population, however uncertainty still exists with regard to which modes of exercise and their specific parameters are most effective in improving cognitive recovery. © 2019 Australian and New Zealand Society of Cardiac and Thoracic Surgeons (ANZSCTS) and the Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand (CSANZ). **Please note that there are multiple authors for this article therefore only the name of the first 5 including Federation University Australia affiliate “Jacquelijne Pengelly” is provided in this record**
Health challenges of the pacific region : Insights from history, geography, social determinants, genetics, and the microbiome
- Horwood, Paul, Tarantola, Arnaud, Goarant, Cyrille, Matsui, Mariko, Klement, Elise, Umezaki, Masahiro, Navarro, Severine, Greenhill, Andrew
- Authors: Horwood, Paul , Tarantola, Arnaud , Goarant, Cyrille , Matsui, Mariko , Klement, Elise , Umezaki, Masahiro , Navarro, Severine , Greenhill, Andrew
- Date: 2019
- Type: Text , Journal article , Review
- Relation: Frontiers in Immunology Vol. 10, no. (2019), p. 1-16
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- Description: The Pacific region, also referred to as Oceania, is a geographically widespread region populated by people of diverse cultures and ethnicities. Indigenous people in the region (Melanesians, Polynesians, Micronesians, Papuans, and Indigenous Australians) are over-represented on national, regional, and global scales for the burden of infectious and non-communicable diseases. Although social and environmental factors such as poverty, education, and access to health-care are assumed to be major drivers of this disease burden, there is also developing evidence that genetic and microbiotic factors should also be considered. To date, studies investigating genetic and/or microbiotic links with vulnerabilities to infectious and non-communicable diseases have mostly focused on populations in Europe, Asia, and USA, with uncertain associations for other populations such as indigenous communities in Oceania. Recent developments in personalized medicine have shown that identifying ethnicity-linked genetic vulnerabilities can be important for medical management. Although our understanding of the impacts of the gut microbiome on health is still in the early stages, it is likely that equivalent vulnerabilities will also be identified through the interaction between gut microbiome composition and function with pathogens and the host immune system. As rapid economic, dietary, and cultural changes occur throughout Oceania it becomes increasingly important that further research is conducted within indigenous populations to address the double burden of high rates of infectious diseases and rapidly rising non-communicable diseases so that comprehensive development goals can be planned. In this article, we review the current knowledge on the impact of nutrition, genetics, and the gut microbiome on infectious diseases in indigenous people of the Pacific region.
- Authors: Horwood, Paul , Tarantola, Arnaud , Goarant, Cyrille , Matsui, Mariko , Klement, Elise , Umezaki, Masahiro , Navarro, Severine , Greenhill, Andrew
- Date: 2019
- Type: Text , Journal article , Review
- Relation: Frontiers in Immunology Vol. 10, no. (2019), p. 1-16
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: The Pacific region, also referred to as Oceania, is a geographically widespread region populated by people of diverse cultures and ethnicities. Indigenous people in the region (Melanesians, Polynesians, Micronesians, Papuans, and Indigenous Australians) are over-represented on national, regional, and global scales for the burden of infectious and non-communicable diseases. Although social and environmental factors such as poverty, education, and access to health-care are assumed to be major drivers of this disease burden, there is also developing evidence that genetic and microbiotic factors should also be considered. To date, studies investigating genetic and/or microbiotic links with vulnerabilities to infectious and non-communicable diseases have mostly focused on populations in Europe, Asia, and USA, with uncertain associations for other populations such as indigenous communities in Oceania. Recent developments in personalized medicine have shown that identifying ethnicity-linked genetic vulnerabilities can be important for medical management. Although our understanding of the impacts of the gut microbiome on health is still in the early stages, it is likely that equivalent vulnerabilities will also be identified through the interaction between gut microbiome composition and function with pathogens and the host immune system. As rapid economic, dietary, and cultural changes occur throughout Oceania it becomes increasingly important that further research is conducted within indigenous populations to address the double burden of high rates of infectious diseases and rapidly rising non-communicable diseases so that comprehensive development goals can be planned. In this article, we review the current knowledge on the impact of nutrition, genetics, and the gut microbiome on infectious diseases in indigenous people of the Pacific region.
- Nagle, Cate, McDonald, Susan, Morrow, Jane, Kruger, Gina, Cramer, Rhian, Couch, Sara, Hartney, Nicole, Bryce, Julianne, Birks, Melanie, Heartfield, Marie
- Authors: Nagle, Cate , McDonald, Susan , Morrow, Jane , Kruger, Gina , Cramer, Rhian , Couch, Sara , Hartney, Nicole , Bryce, Julianne , Birks, Melanie , Heartfield, Marie
- Date: 2019
- Type: Text , Journal article , Review
- Relation: Midwifery Vol. 76, no. (2019), p. 8-20
- Full Text: false
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- Description: Aim: To critically appraise and synthesise the literature regarding the role and scope of midwifery practice, specifically to inform the evidence based development of standards for practice for all midwives in Australia. Design: A structured scoping review of the literature Data sources: CINAHL Complete, MEDLINE Complete and Cochrane Libraries databases, online and grey literature databases Review methods: Comprehensive searches of databases used key words and controlled vocabulary for each database to search for publications 2006-2016. Studies were not restricted by research method. Findings: There is no substantive body of literature on midwifery competency standards or standards for practice. From 1648 papers screened, twenty-eight papers were identified to inform this review. Eight studies including systematic reviews were annotated with three research papers further assessed as having direct application to this review. To inform the development of Midwife standards for practice, the comprehensive role of the midwife across multiple settings was seen to include: woman centred and primary health care; safe supportive and collaborative practice; clinical knowledge and skills with interpersonal and cultural competence. Key conclusions: Midwifery practice is not restricted to the provision of direct clinical care and extends to any role where the midwife uses midwifery skills and knowledge. This practice includes working in clinical and non-clinical relationships with the woman and other clients as well as working in management, administration, education, research, advisory, regulatory, and policy development roles. Implications for practice: This review articulates the definition, role and scope of midwifery practice to inform the development of contemporary standards for practice for the Australian midwife. (C) 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Is sports science answering the call for interdisciplinary research? A systematic review
- Piggott, Ben, Müller, Sean, Chivers, Paola, Papaluca, Carmen, Hoyne, Gerard
- Authors: Piggott, Ben , Müller, Sean , Chivers, Paola , Papaluca, Carmen , Hoyne, Gerard
- Date: 2019
- Type: Text , Journal article , Review
- Relation: European Journal of Sport Science Vol. 19, no. 3 (2019), p. 267-286
- Full Text: false
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- Description: Sports science research is traditionally monodisciplinary despite calls for an interdisciplinary focus. The primary purpose of this systematic review was to identify studies on talent identification, talent selection and competition performance to determine whether interdisciplinary research is being conducted. Thirty-six studies met the selection criteria. These studies were critiqued relative to sport, skill level, sport science sub-disciplines included, and whether the research was multidisciplinary or interdisciplinary. The secondary purpose of the review was to critique the level of analysis and level of representative task design in performance tests used in the studies. Twenty-five studies were categorised as interdisciplinary, with 11 categorised as multidisciplinary. Thirteen sports were represented with soccer the most frequent followed by field hockey, Australian Rules football, handball and rugby league. Thirty-two studies completed their analysis at a group level and four at an individual level. A total of 337 performance tests were rated for representative task design with 64 categorised as low, 123 as medium and 150 as high. The results pertaining to interdisciplinary studies and individual analyses are discussed in relation to constraints theory, which predicts that interacting variables can explain sport performance. Sports science research is beginning to fulfil the call for interdisciplinary research. Future research, however, needs to consider individual analyses and representative task design of tests to progress sports science knowledge. © 2018, © 2018 European College of Sport Science.
Lean Six Sigma in financial services industry : a systematic review and agenda for future research
- Vashishth, Abhishek, Chakraborty, Ayon, Antony, Jiju
- Authors: Vashishth, Abhishek , Chakraborty, Ayon , Antony, Jiju
- Date: 2019
- Type: Text , Journal article , Review
- Relation: Total Quality Management and Business Excellence Vol. 30, no. 3-4 (2019), p. 447-465
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- Description: The purpose of this paper is to explore the trend and most common themes about Lean Six Sigma (LSS) implementation in the finance sector, and also to identify gaps in the themes that may be preventing organisations from identifying benefits from their LSS strategy and developing an agenda for future research on LSS themes. The following research is based on a systematic literature review of 30 papers that were published on LSS in the finance sector, from 2005 to 2015. Many issues and important themes have emerged, which are benefits, motivation factors, limitations and reasons for implementing LSS in financial organisations. Review identified many gaps and limitations that need to be explored as future research since little have been written on LSS as a holistic strategy for business improvement. It is important for practitioners to be aware of LSS benefits, limitations and motivating factors before starting the implementation process. This paper is based on a comprehensive literature review which gives an opportunity to LSS researchers to understand some common themes about LSS implementation in depth. In addition, by highlighting gaps in the current literature and proposing an agenda for future research saves time and effort for readers looking to research topics within LSS. © 2017, © 2017 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.
- Authors: Vashishth, Abhishek , Chakraborty, Ayon , Antony, Jiju
- Date: 2019
- Type: Text , Journal article , Review
- Relation: Total Quality Management and Business Excellence Vol. 30, no. 3-4 (2019), p. 447-465
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: The purpose of this paper is to explore the trend and most common themes about Lean Six Sigma (LSS) implementation in the finance sector, and also to identify gaps in the themes that may be preventing organisations from identifying benefits from their LSS strategy and developing an agenda for future research on LSS themes. The following research is based on a systematic literature review of 30 papers that were published on LSS in the finance sector, from 2005 to 2015. Many issues and important themes have emerged, which are benefits, motivation factors, limitations and reasons for implementing LSS in financial organisations. Review identified many gaps and limitations that need to be explored as future research since little have been written on LSS as a holistic strategy for business improvement. It is important for practitioners to be aware of LSS benefits, limitations and motivating factors before starting the implementation process. This paper is based on a comprehensive literature review which gives an opportunity to LSS researchers to understand some common themes about LSS implementation in depth. In addition, by highlighting gaps in the current literature and proposing an agenda for future research saves time and effort for readers looking to research topics within LSS. © 2017, © 2017 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.
Long-term aerobic exercise improves vascular function into old age : A systematic review, meta-analysis and meta regression of observational and interventional studies
- Campbell, Amy, Grace, Fergal, Ritchie, Louise, Beaumont, Alexander, Sculthorpe, Nicholas
- Authors: Campbell, Amy , Grace, Fergal , Ritchie, Louise , Beaumont, Alexander , Sculthorpe, Nicholas
- Date: 2019
- Type: Text , Journal article , Review
- Relation: Frontiers in Physiology Vol. 10, no. FEB (2019), p. 1-16
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- Reviewed:
- Description: There is an emerging body of literature relating to the effectiveness of frequent aerobic exercise as a prophylactic for age-associated dysfunction of large arteries, yet systematic evaluation and precise estimate of this effect is unknown. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of controlled studies examining flow mediated dilatation (FMD) of athletic older persons and otherwise healthy sedentary counterparts to (i) compare FMD as a determinant of endothelial function between athletes and sedentary individuals and, (ii) summarize the effect of exercise training on FMD in studies of sedentary aging persons. Studies were identified from systematic search of major electronic databases from inception to January 2018. Study quality was assessed before conducting a random effects meta-analysis to calculate a pooled ES (mean difference) with 95% CI's. Thirteen studies [4 interventional (n = 125); 10 cross-sectional [including one study from the interventional analysis; (n = 485)] with age ranges from 62 to 75 years underwent quantitative pooling of data. The majority of study participants were male. Older athletes had more favorable FMD compared with sedentary controls (2.1%; CI: 1.4, 2.8%; P < 0.001). There was no significant improvement in the vascular function of sedentary cohorts following a period of exercise training (0.7%; CI: −0.675, 2.09%; P = 0.316). However, there was a significant increase in baseline diameter from pre to post intervention (0.1 mm; CI: 0.07, 0.13 mm; P < 0.001). In addition, there was no significant difference in endothelial independent vasodilation between the trained and sedentary older adults (1.57%; CI: −0.13, 3.27%; P = 0.07), or from pre to post exercise intervention (1.48%; CI: −1.34, 4.3%; P = 0.3). In conclusion, long-term aerobic exercise appears to attenuate the decline in endothelial vascular function, a benefit which is maintained during chronological aging. However, currently there is not enough evidence to suggest that exercise interventions improve vascular function in previously sedentary healthy older adults.
- Authors: Campbell, Amy , Grace, Fergal , Ritchie, Louise , Beaumont, Alexander , Sculthorpe, Nicholas
- Date: 2019
- Type: Text , Journal article , Review
- Relation: Frontiers in Physiology Vol. 10, no. FEB (2019), p. 1-16
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: There is an emerging body of literature relating to the effectiveness of frequent aerobic exercise as a prophylactic for age-associated dysfunction of large arteries, yet systematic evaluation and precise estimate of this effect is unknown. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of controlled studies examining flow mediated dilatation (FMD) of athletic older persons and otherwise healthy sedentary counterparts to (i) compare FMD as a determinant of endothelial function between athletes and sedentary individuals and, (ii) summarize the effect of exercise training on FMD in studies of sedentary aging persons. Studies were identified from systematic search of major electronic databases from inception to January 2018. Study quality was assessed before conducting a random effects meta-analysis to calculate a pooled ES (mean difference) with 95% CI's. Thirteen studies [4 interventional (n = 125); 10 cross-sectional [including one study from the interventional analysis; (n = 485)] with age ranges from 62 to 75 years underwent quantitative pooling of data. The majority of study participants were male. Older athletes had more favorable FMD compared with sedentary controls (2.1%; CI: 1.4, 2.8%; P < 0.001). There was no significant improvement in the vascular function of sedentary cohorts following a period of exercise training (0.7%; CI: −0.675, 2.09%; P = 0.316). However, there was a significant increase in baseline diameter from pre to post intervention (0.1 mm; CI: 0.07, 0.13 mm; P < 0.001). In addition, there was no significant difference in endothelial independent vasodilation between the trained and sedentary older adults (1.57%; CI: −0.13, 3.27%; P = 0.07), or from pre to post exercise intervention (1.48%; CI: −1.34, 4.3%; P = 0.3). In conclusion, long-term aerobic exercise appears to attenuate the decline in endothelial vascular function, a benefit which is maintained during chronological aging. However, currently there is not enough evidence to suggest that exercise interventions improve vascular function in previously sedentary healthy older adults.
Managing human-tiger conflict : Lessons from Bardia and Chitwan National Parks, Nepal
- Bhattarai, Babu, Wright, Wendy, Morgan, Damian, Cook, Simon, Baral, Hem
- Authors: Bhattarai, Babu , Wright, Wendy , Morgan, Damian , Cook, Simon , Baral, Hem
- Date: 2019
- Type: Text , Journal article , Review
- Relation: European Journal of Wildlife Research Vol. 65, no. 3 (2019), p. 1-12
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- Description: Successful conservation outcomes for the tiger (Panthera tigris) have been achieved in Nepalese protected areas. However, an unwelcome consequence of greater tiger numbers is the increased prevalence of human-tiger conflict (HTC), particularly in buffer zone areas adjacent to key tiger reserves, which are heavily utilised by farming communities. HTC events may manifest as attacks by tigers on livestock or people, or as people harming tigers. Since 1994, 12 and 99 fatal tiger attacks on people were reported in and near Bardia and Chitwan National Parks, respectively; and since 1979, 34 tigers from these Parks have been killed due to HTC. HTC presents major threats to local people and to the continuing success of tiger conservation programmes. Conservation authorities in Nepal are implementing innovative solutions to prevent and mitigate HTC. These include financial compensation for damage caused by tigers and locally based community projects and programmes focussed on changing livestock husbandry practises, raising awareness of tiger ecology among local residents and supporting families to reduce their reliance on park resources. While these approaches have been successful in mitigating HTC and its effects in Nepal, further developments and refinements are required. This paper provides a synthesis of published and unpublished reports of HTC, in order to demonstrate the magnitude of the problem faced in Nepal. A critical summary of current management practises adopted in two of Nepal’s key tiger reserves is intended to provide a tool for managers to target their efforts towards methods likely to achieve success.
- Authors: Bhattarai, Babu , Wright, Wendy , Morgan, Damian , Cook, Simon , Baral, Hem
- Date: 2019
- Type: Text , Journal article , Review
- Relation: European Journal of Wildlife Research Vol. 65, no. 3 (2019), p. 1-12
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Successful conservation outcomes for the tiger (Panthera tigris) have been achieved in Nepalese protected areas. However, an unwelcome consequence of greater tiger numbers is the increased prevalence of human-tiger conflict (HTC), particularly in buffer zone areas adjacent to key tiger reserves, which are heavily utilised by farming communities. HTC events may manifest as attacks by tigers on livestock or people, or as people harming tigers. Since 1994, 12 and 99 fatal tiger attacks on people were reported in and near Bardia and Chitwan National Parks, respectively; and since 1979, 34 tigers from these Parks have been killed due to HTC. HTC presents major threats to local people and to the continuing success of tiger conservation programmes. Conservation authorities in Nepal are implementing innovative solutions to prevent and mitigate HTC. These include financial compensation for damage caused by tigers and locally based community projects and programmes focussed on changing livestock husbandry practises, raising awareness of tiger ecology among local residents and supporting families to reduce their reliance on park resources. While these approaches have been successful in mitigating HTC and its effects in Nepal, further developments and refinements are required. This paper provides a synthesis of published and unpublished reports of HTC, in order to demonstrate the magnitude of the problem faced in Nepal. A critical summary of current management practises adopted in two of Nepal’s key tiger reserves is intended to provide a tool for managers to target their efforts towards methods likely to achieve success.
May measurement month 2018 : A pragmatic global screening campaign to raise awareness of blood pressure by the international society of hypertension
- Beaney, Thomas, Burrell, Louise, Castillo, Rafael, Charchar, Fadi, Cro, Suzie, Damasceno, Albertino, Kruger, Ruan, Nilsson, Peter, Prabhakaran, Dorairaj, Ramirez, Agustin, Schlaich, Markus, Schutte, Aletta, Tomaszewski, Maciej, Touyz, Rhian, Wang, Ji-Guang, Weber, Michael, Poulter, Neil
- Authors: Beaney, Thomas , Burrell, Louise , Castillo, Rafael , Charchar, Fadi , Cro, Suzie , Damasceno, Albertino , Kruger, Ruan , Nilsson, Peter , Prabhakaran, Dorairaj , Ramirez, Agustin , Schlaich, Markus , Schutte, Aletta , Tomaszewski, Maciej , Touyz, Rhian , Wang, Ji-Guang , Weber, Michael , Poulter, Neil
- Date: 2019
- Type: Text , Journal article , Review
- Relation: European Heart Journal Vol. 40, no. 25 (2019), p. 2006-2017
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Aims: Raised blood pressure (BP) is the biggest contributor to mortality and disease burden worldwide and fewer than half of those with hypertension are aware of it. May Measurement Month (MMM) is a global campaign set up in 2017, to raise awareness of high BP and as a pragmatic solution to a lack of formal screening worldwide. The 2018 campaign was expanded, aiming to include more participants and countries. Methods and results: Eighty-nine countries participated in MMM 2018. Volunteers (≥18 years) were recruited through opportunistic sampling at a variety of screening sites. Each participant had three BP measurements and completed a questionnaire on demographic, lifestyle, and environmental factors. Hypertension was defined as a systolic BP ≥140mmHg or diastolic BP ≥90 mmHg, or taking antihypertensive medication. In total, 74.9% of screenees provided three BP readings. Multiple imputation using chained equations was used to impute missing readings. 1 504 963 individuals (mean age 45.3 years; 52.4% female) were screened. After multiple imputation, 502 079 (33.4%) individuals had hypertension, of whom 59.5% were aware of their diagnosis and 55.3% were taking antihypertensive medication. Of those on medication, 60.0% were controlled and of all hypertensives, 33.2% were controlled. We detected 224 285 individuals with untreated hypertension and 111 214 individuals with inadequately treated (systolic BP ≥ 140mmHg or diastolic BP ≥ 90 mmHg) hypertension. Conclusion: May Measurement Month expanded significantly compared with 2017, including more participants in more countries. The campaign identified over 335 000 adults with untreated or inadequately treated hypertension. In the absence of systematic screening programmes, MMM was effective at raising awareness at least among these individuals at risk.
- Authors: Beaney, Thomas , Burrell, Louise , Castillo, Rafael , Charchar, Fadi , Cro, Suzie , Damasceno, Albertino , Kruger, Ruan , Nilsson, Peter , Prabhakaran, Dorairaj , Ramirez, Agustin , Schlaich, Markus , Schutte, Aletta , Tomaszewski, Maciej , Touyz, Rhian , Wang, Ji-Guang , Weber, Michael , Poulter, Neil
- Date: 2019
- Type: Text , Journal article , Review
- Relation: European Heart Journal Vol. 40, no. 25 (2019), p. 2006-2017
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Aims: Raised blood pressure (BP) is the biggest contributor to mortality and disease burden worldwide and fewer than half of those with hypertension are aware of it. May Measurement Month (MMM) is a global campaign set up in 2017, to raise awareness of high BP and as a pragmatic solution to a lack of formal screening worldwide. The 2018 campaign was expanded, aiming to include more participants and countries. Methods and results: Eighty-nine countries participated in MMM 2018. Volunteers (≥18 years) were recruited through opportunistic sampling at a variety of screening sites. Each participant had three BP measurements and completed a questionnaire on demographic, lifestyle, and environmental factors. Hypertension was defined as a systolic BP ≥140mmHg or diastolic BP ≥90 mmHg, or taking antihypertensive medication. In total, 74.9% of screenees provided three BP readings. Multiple imputation using chained equations was used to impute missing readings. 1 504 963 individuals (mean age 45.3 years; 52.4% female) were screened. After multiple imputation, 502 079 (33.4%) individuals had hypertension, of whom 59.5% were aware of their diagnosis and 55.3% were taking antihypertensive medication. Of those on medication, 60.0% were controlled and of all hypertensives, 33.2% were controlled. We detected 224 285 individuals with untreated hypertension and 111 214 individuals with inadequately treated (systolic BP ≥ 140mmHg or diastolic BP ≥ 90 mmHg) hypertension. Conclusion: May Measurement Month expanded significantly compared with 2017, including more participants in more countries. The campaign identified over 335 000 adults with untreated or inadequately treated hypertension. In the absence of systematic screening programmes, MMM was effective at raising awareness at least among these individuals at risk.
- Miloyan, Beyon, McFarlane, Kimberley, Suddendorf, Thomas
- Authors: Miloyan, Beyon , McFarlane, Kimberley , Suddendorf, Thomas
- Date: 2019
- Type: Text , Journal article , Review
- Relation: Cortex Vol. 117, no. (2019), p. 371-384
- Full Text: false
- Reviewed:
- Description: Mental time travel is an adaptive capacity that enables humans to engage in deliberate, prudent action on the basis of remembering past episodes (episodic memory) and simulating future scenarios (episodic foresight). This capacity has become a popular and rapidly growing topic of interdisciplinary research. Perhaps the most influential and frequently tested neuroscientific hypothesis in this domain is that the hippocampus is a hub in a critical neural network for mental time travel, support for which is now commonly assumed by most researchers in the area. In light of.recent findings revealing limitations with existing measures of episodic foresight, we critically evaluate the available evidence for this hypothesis and find that it is inconclusive. We suggest that this is due in significant part to the exclusive and widespread reliance on noisy verbal measures and discuss this case as an example of a more general issue pertaining to the measurement of episodic foresight. Accordingly, we suggest that an essential focus of future research should concern the development of objective measures that capture capacity differences by requiring people to put foresight not just into words, but into action. (C) 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Multivariate drivers of diversity in temperate Australian native grasslands
- Price, Jodi, Good, Megan, Schultz, Nick, Guja, Lydia, Morgan, John
- Authors: Price, Jodi , Good, Megan , Schultz, Nick , Guja, Lydia , Morgan, John
- Date: 2019
- Type: Text , Journal article , Review
- Relation: Australian Journal of Botany Vol. 67, no. 5 (2019), p. 367-380
- Full Text: false
- Reviewed:
- Description: Disturbance has been considered essential for maintaining biodiversity in temperate grassy ecosystems in Australia. This has been particularly well demonstrated for inter-tussock plant species in C-4 Themeda-dominated grasslands in mesic environments. Disturbance is also thought crucial to maintain the structure of preferred habitat for some animals. Relationships between disturbance and diversity may be contingent on ecosystem productivity, but little is known about the generality of the disturbance-promoting-diversity paradigm across the range of temperate grasslands. To date, the disturbance-promoting-diversity paradigm has taken a univariate approach to the drivers of biodiversity; rainfall is seen as a key driver of productivity, which then drives diversity, mediated by disturbance. We argue that this framework is too simplistic as biodiversity drivers are multivariate. We suggest that the accumulation of phytomass (live and dead plant material) is an important determinant of diversity in grassy ecosystems and that phytomass accumulation is governed by multiple drivers (of which disturbance is just one). For fauna, it is structure - not biomass - that determines habitat suitability, and this can be moderated by both abiotic and biotic drivers. The assumption that there is a consistent effect of disturbance on diversity through the range of temperate grassland settings in southern Australia ignores the likelihood that biodiversity also responds to other factors such as spatial heterogeneity in the environment, resource availability and climatic variation. We developed a conceptual model of the multivariate drivers of grassland diversity that explores mechanisms underpinning patterns of species richness. Despite four decades of research, it is clear that our understanding of the multivariate drivers of diversity across the range of temperate grasslands in Australia is still incomplete. Further research into the conditions under which disturbance is required to maintain biodiversity in grasslands is integral to conservation planning in these endangered systems.
Non-communicable diseases and cognitive impairment : pathways and shared behavioral risk factors among older Chinese
- Yiengprugsawan, Vasoontara, Browning, Colette
- Authors: Yiengprugsawan, Vasoontara , Browning, Colette
- Date: 2019
- Type: Text , Journal article , Review
- Relation: Frontiers in Public Health Vol. 7, no. (Oct 2019), p. 7
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- Description: Population aging has brought about a number of challenges to public health and primary health care systems due to increases in the prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). As a country with one of the largest populations globally, China is confronting a rising number of chronic NCDs including cardiometabolic related conditions. This mini-review investigates the link between NCDs and cognitive impairment through common risk factors. Identifying risk factors is important for the prevention and management of these chronic conditions. In addition, this review also identifies the role of primary health care services in reducing behavioral risk factors for NCDs and cognitive impairment. Addressing shared determinants and pathways is important in the design of public health interventions and primary health care services in China. Monitoring and management of NCD biomarkers and behavioral risk factors may also be beneficial for cognitive health among older Chinese.
- Authors: Yiengprugsawan, Vasoontara , Browning, Colette
- Date: 2019
- Type: Text , Journal article , Review
- Relation: Frontiers in Public Health Vol. 7, no. (Oct 2019), p. 7
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Population aging has brought about a number of challenges to public health and primary health care systems due to increases in the prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). As a country with one of the largest populations globally, China is confronting a rising number of chronic NCDs including cardiometabolic related conditions. This mini-review investigates the link between NCDs and cognitive impairment through common risk factors. Identifying risk factors is important for the prevention and management of these chronic conditions. In addition, this review also identifies the role of primary health care services in reducing behavioral risk factors for NCDs and cognitive impairment. Addressing shared determinants and pathways is important in the design of public health interventions and primary health care services in China. Monitoring and management of NCD biomarkers and behavioral risk factors may also be beneficial for cognitive health among older Chinese.
Real-time big data processing for anomaly detection : a survey
- Ariyaluran Habeeb, Riyaz, Nasaruddin, Fariza, Gani, Abdullah, Targio Hashem, Ibrahim, Ahmed, Ejaz, Imran, Muhammad
- Authors: Ariyaluran Habeeb, Riyaz , Nasaruddin, Fariza , Gani, Abdullah , Targio Hashem, Ibrahim , Ahmed, Ejaz , Imran, Muhammad
- Date: 2019
- Type: Text , Journal article , Review
- Relation: International Journal of Information Management Vol. 45, no. (2019), p. 289-307
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: The advent of connected devices and omnipresence of Internet have paved way for intruders to attack networks, which leads to cyber-attack, financial loss, information theft in healthcare, and cyber war. Hence, network security analytics has become an important area of concern and has gained intensive attention among researchers, off late, specifically in the domain of anomaly detection in network, which is considered crucial for network security. However, preliminary investigations have revealed that the existing approaches to detect anomalies in network are not effective enough, particularly to detect them in real time. The reason for the inefficacy of current approaches is mainly due the amassment of massive volumes of data though the connected devices. Therefore, it is crucial to propose a framework that effectively handles real time big data processing and detect anomalies in networks. In this regard, this paper attempts to address the issue of detecting anomalies in real time. Respectively, this paper has surveyed the state-of-the-art real-time big data processing technologies related to anomaly detection and the vital characteristics of associated machine learning algorithms. This paper begins with the explanation of essential contexts and taxonomy of real-time big data processing, anomalous detection, and machine learning algorithms, followed by the review of big data processing technologies. Finally, the identified research challenges of real-time big data processing in anomaly detection are discussed. © 2018 Elsevier Ltd
- Authors: Ariyaluran Habeeb, Riyaz , Nasaruddin, Fariza , Gani, Abdullah , Targio Hashem, Ibrahim , Ahmed, Ejaz , Imran, Muhammad
- Date: 2019
- Type: Text , Journal article , Review
- Relation: International Journal of Information Management Vol. 45, no. (2019), p. 289-307
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: The advent of connected devices and omnipresence of Internet have paved way for intruders to attack networks, which leads to cyber-attack, financial loss, information theft in healthcare, and cyber war. Hence, network security analytics has become an important area of concern and has gained intensive attention among researchers, off late, specifically in the domain of anomaly detection in network, which is considered crucial for network security. However, preliminary investigations have revealed that the existing approaches to detect anomalies in network are not effective enough, particularly to detect them in real time. The reason for the inefficacy of current approaches is mainly due the amassment of massive volumes of data though the connected devices. Therefore, it is crucial to propose a framework that effectively handles real time big data processing and detect anomalies in networks. In this regard, this paper attempts to address the issue of detecting anomalies in real time. Respectively, this paper has surveyed the state-of-the-art real-time big data processing technologies related to anomaly detection and the vital characteristics of associated machine learning algorithms. This paper begins with the explanation of essential contexts and taxonomy of real-time big data processing, anomalous detection, and machine learning algorithms, followed by the review of big data processing technologies. Finally, the identified research challenges of real-time big data processing in anomaly detection are discussed. © 2018 Elsevier Ltd
Resistance training following median sternotomy : a systematic review and meta-analysis
- Pengelly, Jacqueline, Pengelly, Michael, Lin,Kuan, Royse, Colin, Royse, Alistair, Bryant, Adam, Williams, Gavin, El-Ansary, Doa
- Authors: Pengelly, Jacqueline , Pengelly, Michael , Lin,Kuan , Royse, Colin , Royse, Alistair , Bryant, Adam , Williams, Gavin , El-Ansary, Doa
- Date: 2019
- Type: Text , Journal article , Review
- Relation: Heart Lung and Circulation Vol. 28, no. 10 (2019), p. 1549-1559
- Full Text: false
- Reviewed:
- Description: Objective: Despite no evidence to support weight limitations following median sternotomy, sternal precautions continue to be routinely prescribed. Moreover, international cardiac rehabilitation guidelines lack sufficient detail for the implementation of resistance training. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to determine what the literature defines as resistance training; how resistance training is applied, progressed and evaluated; and, whether resistance training improves physical and functional recovery postoperatively in the cardiac surgical population. Data Sources: Five (5) electronic databases were searched from inception to 28 September 2018 for studies published in English that investigated the effects of a resistance training intervention on physical and functional recovery following median sternotomy. Results: Eighteen (18) trials (n = 3,462) met eligibility criteria and were included in the analysis. Seven (7) randomised controlled trials shared common outcome measures, allowing meta-analysis. The performance of resistance training appears to be safe and feasible, and resulted in similar improvements in both cardiopulmonary capacity and anthropometry, when compared to aerobic training alone. However, the definition and application of resistance training is frequently a lower intensity and volume than recommended by the American College of Sports Medicine. Furthermore, sternal precautions are not reflective of the kinematics and weights used when performing many activities of daily living. For this reason, resistance training needs to be task-specific, reflecting functional tasks to promote recovery. Conclusion: Resistance training, in isolation or when combined with aerobic training, may lead to greater improvements in physical and functional recovery following cardiac surgery via median sternotomy; however, further research is required to inform clinical guidelines. © 2019 Australian and New Zealand Society of Cardiac and Thoracic Surgeons (ANZSCTS) and the Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand (CSANZ)
Review of tropical cyclones in the Australian region : Climatology, variability, predictability, and trends
- Chand, Savin, Dowdy, Andrew, Ramsay, Hamish, Walsh, Kevin, Tory, Kevin, Power, Scott, Bell, Samuel, Lavender, Sally, Ye, Hua, Kuleshov, Yuri
- Authors: Chand, Savin , Dowdy, Andrew , Ramsay, Hamish , Walsh, Kevin , Tory, Kevin , Power, Scott , Bell, Samuel , Lavender, Sally , Ye, Hua , Kuleshov, Yuri
- Date: 2019
- Type: Text , Journal article , Review
- Relation: Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews: Climate Change Vol. 10, no. 5 (2019), p. 1-17
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Tropical cyclones (TCs) can have severe impacts on Australia. These include extreme rainfall and winds, and coastal hazards such as destructive waves, storm surges, estuarine flooding, and coastal erosion. Various aspects of TCs in the Australian region have been documented over the past several decades. In recent years, increasing emphasis has been placed on human-induced climate change effects on TCs in the Australian region and elsewhere around the globe. However, large natural variability and the lack of consistent long-term TC observations have often complicated the detection and attribution of TC trends. Efforts have been made to improve TC records for Australia over the past decades, but it is still unclear whether such records are sufficient to provide better understanding of the impacts of natural climate variability and climate change. It is important to note that the damage costs associated with tropical cyclones in Australia have increased in recent decades and will continue to increase due to growing coastal settlement and infrastructure development. Therefore, it is critical that any coastal infrastructure planning and engineering decisions, as well as disaster management decisions, strongly consider future risks from tropical cyclones. A better understanding of tropical cyclones in a changing climate will provide key insights that can help mitigate impacts of tropical cyclones on vulnerable communities. An objective assessment of the Australian TCs at regional scale and its link with climate variability and change using improved and up-to-date data records is more imperative now than before. This article is categorized under: Paleoclimates and Current Trends > Modern Climate Change.
- Authors: Chand, Savin , Dowdy, Andrew , Ramsay, Hamish , Walsh, Kevin , Tory, Kevin , Power, Scott , Bell, Samuel , Lavender, Sally , Ye, Hua , Kuleshov, Yuri
- Date: 2019
- Type: Text , Journal article , Review
- Relation: Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews: Climate Change Vol. 10, no. 5 (2019), p. 1-17
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Tropical cyclones (TCs) can have severe impacts on Australia. These include extreme rainfall and winds, and coastal hazards such as destructive waves, storm surges, estuarine flooding, and coastal erosion. Various aspects of TCs in the Australian region have been documented over the past several decades. In recent years, increasing emphasis has been placed on human-induced climate change effects on TCs in the Australian region and elsewhere around the globe. However, large natural variability and the lack of consistent long-term TC observations have often complicated the detection and attribution of TC trends. Efforts have been made to improve TC records for Australia over the past decades, but it is still unclear whether such records are sufficient to provide better understanding of the impacts of natural climate variability and climate change. It is important to note that the damage costs associated with tropical cyclones in Australia have increased in recent decades and will continue to increase due to growing coastal settlement and infrastructure development. Therefore, it is critical that any coastal infrastructure planning and engineering decisions, as well as disaster management decisions, strongly consider future risks from tropical cyclones. A better understanding of tropical cyclones in a changing climate will provide key insights that can help mitigate impacts of tropical cyclones on vulnerable communities. An objective assessment of the Australian TCs at regional scale and its link with climate variability and change using improved and up-to-date data records is more imperative now than before. This article is categorized under: Paleoclimates and Current Trends > Modern Climate Change.
Self-care interventions that reduce hospital readmissions in patients with heart failure; towards the identification of change agents
- Toukhsati, Samia, Jaarsma, Tiny, Babu, Abraham, Driscoll, Andrea, Hare, David
- Authors: Toukhsati, Samia , Jaarsma, Tiny , Babu, Abraham , Driscoll, Andrea , Hare, David
- Date: 2019
- Type: Text , Journal article , Review
- Relation: Clinical Medicine Insights: Cardiology Vol. 13, no. (2019), p. 1-8
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Unplanned hospital readmissions are the most important, preventable cost in heart failure (HF) health economics. Current professional guidelines recommend that patient self-care is an important means by which to reduce this burden. Patients with HF should be engaged in their care such as by detecting, monitoring, and managing their symptoms. A variety of educational and behavioural interventions have been designed and implemented by health care providers to encourage and support patient self-care. Meta-analyses support the use of self-care interventions to improve patient self-care and reduce hospital readmissions; however, efficacy is variable. The aim of this review was to explore methods to achieve greater clarity and consistency in the development and reporting of self-care interventions to enable ‘change agents’ to be identified. We conclude that advancement in this field requires more explicit integration and reporting on the behaviour change theories that inform the design of self-care interventions and the selection of behaviour change techniques. The systematic application of validated checklists, such as the Theory Coding Scheme and the CALO-RE taxonomy, will improve the systematic testing and refinement of interventions to enable ‘change agent/s’ to be identified and optimised.
- Authors: Toukhsati, Samia , Jaarsma, Tiny , Babu, Abraham , Driscoll, Andrea , Hare, David
- Date: 2019
- Type: Text , Journal article , Review
- Relation: Clinical Medicine Insights: Cardiology Vol. 13, no. (2019), p. 1-8
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Unplanned hospital readmissions are the most important, preventable cost in heart failure (HF) health economics. Current professional guidelines recommend that patient self-care is an important means by which to reduce this burden. Patients with HF should be engaged in their care such as by detecting, monitoring, and managing their symptoms. A variety of educational and behavioural interventions have been designed and implemented by health care providers to encourage and support patient self-care. Meta-analyses support the use of self-care interventions to improve patient self-care and reduce hospital readmissions; however, efficacy is variable. The aim of this review was to explore methods to achieve greater clarity and consistency in the development and reporting of self-care interventions to enable ‘change agents’ to be identified. We conclude that advancement in this field requires more explicit integration and reporting on the behaviour change theories that inform the design of self-care interventions and the selection of behaviour change techniques. The systematic application of validated checklists, such as the Theory Coding Scheme and the CALO-RE taxonomy, will improve the systematic testing and refinement of interventions to enable ‘change agent/s’ to be identified and optimised.