COVID-19 Pandemic: From Population Need to Professional Nursing Competence.

Nursing has proven to be an essential healthcare profession, especially in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic crisis. In this chapter, it shows the essential aspects of the discipline of care and its application in the face of the pandemic from an Informatics Nursing approach. The conceptual bases include the conception of care and its historical evolution. Thus, the Personal Care Knowledge Model, the clinical care sequence and its standardized languages allow Taxonomic Triangulation to be developed. Taxonomic Triangulation is a technique created by nurses that allows managing information and that served to extract knowledge from documents and clinical experiences. The application of this vision of care and its knowledge management models have been tested in different situations: from the identification of care diagnoses in a World Health Organization clinical guide to the design of a care plan manual in a hospital. On the other hand, a secondary result is the resilience shown by the nurses. A resilience based on theoretical models centered on the person and on a language that can represent life from care. In addition, nursing includes a comprehensive perspective that addresses the emotional and spiritual area. In conclusion, nurses and their specialization with skills in knowledge management allow giving visibility to care. A professional care whose purpose is to improve health systems through solutions based on care so that people can achieve their best health situation.

A Review of Five Existing Hornet-Tracking Methods.

Hornet is a general term for insects of the genus Vespa (Hymenoptera: Vespidae). Hornets are predatory insects distributed worldwide. They often appear at apiaries in groups to prey on honey bees, and cause incalculable losses in the honey bee industry. In the face of hornet intrusion, tracking a homing hornet to find its nest is the most efficient way to discover and eliminate the hornets around an apiary. Here, five hornet-tracking methods (hornet tag tracking, triangulation, thermal imaging technology, harmonic radar, and radio telemetry) are reviewed. The advantages, disadvantages and feasibility of each method are discussed to improve the strategies for tracking hornets. Therefore, this review provides ideas for the development of hornet-tracking technology and for improving honey bee protection.

Impact Localization in Complex Cylindrical Shell Structures Based on the Time-Reversal Virtual Focusing Triangulation Method.

In addressing the challenging issue of impact source localization for large-scale anisotropic stiffened compartmental cylindrical shell structures, this paper presents a novel impact localization method. The method is based on a time-reversal virtual focusing triangulation approach and does not rely on prior knowledge of the structure or specific measurements of wave velocity. By employing energy power filtering to select key sensors, wavelet packet decomposition is utilized to extract narrowband Lamb wave signals, which are then synthesized. Further enhancement of signal recognition is achieved through time-reversal amplification techniques. Experimental results demonstrate that under non-motorized operating conditions, this method achieves an average error of 0.89 m. Under motorized operating conditions, the average error is 1.12 m. Although the presence of background noise leads to an increase in error, the overall localization performance is superior to traditional triangulation methods. Additionally, selecting the top three sensors in terms of energy power ranking can more accurately record impact response.

Methodologic and Data-Analysis Triangulation in Case Studies: A Scoping Review.

AIM: We sought to explore the processes of methodologic and data-analysis triangulation in case studies using the example of research on nurse practitioners in primary health care. DESIGN AND METHODS: We conducted a scoping review within Arksey and O'Malley's methodological framework, considering studies that defined a case study design and used 2 or more data sources, published in English or German before August 2023. DATA SOURCES: The databases searched were MEDLINE and CINAHL, supplemented with hand searching of relevant nursing journals. We also examined the reference list of all the included studies. RESULTS: In total, 63 reports were assessed for eligibility. Ultimately, we included 8 articles. Five studies described within-method triangulation, whereas 3 provided information on between/across-method triangulation. No study reported within-method triangulation of 2 or more quantitative data-collection procedures. The data-collection procedures were interviews, observation, documentation/documents, service records, and questionnaires/assessments. The data-analysis triangulation involved various qualitative and quantitative methods of analysis. Details about comparing or contrasting results from different qualitative and mixed-methods data were lacking. CONCLUSIONS: Various processes for methodologic and data-analysis triangulation are described in this scoping review but lack detail, thus hampering standardization in case study research, potentially affecting research traceability. Triangulation is complicated by terminological confusion. To advance case study research in nursing, authors should reflect critically on the processes of triangulation and employ existing tools, like a protocol or mixed-methods matrix, for transparent reporting. The only existing reporting guideline should be complemented with directions on methodologic and data-analysis triangulation.

Vision-Based UAV Detection and Localization to Indoor Positioning System.

In recent years, the technological landscape has undergone a profound metamorphosis catalyzed by the widespread integration of drones across diverse sectors. Essential to the drone manufacturing process is comprehensive testing, typically conducted in controlled laboratory settings to uphold safety and privacy standards. However, a formidable challenge emerges due to the inherent limitations of GPS signals within indoor environments, posing a threat to the accuracy of drone positioning. This limitation not only jeopardizes testing validity but also introduces instability and inaccuracies, compromising the assessment of drone performance. Given the pivotal role of precise GPS-derived data in drone autopilots, addressing this indoor-based GPS constraint is imperative to ensure the reliability and resilience of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). This paper delves into the implementation of an Indoor Positioning System (IPS) leveraging computer vision. The proposed system endeavors to detect and localize UAVs within indoor environments through an enhanced vision-based triangulation approach. A comparative analysis with alternative positioning methodologies is undertaken to ascertain the efficacy of the proposed system. The results obtained showcase the efficiency and precision of the designed system in detecting and localizing various types of UAVs, underscoring its potential to advance the field of indoor drone navigation and testing.

LONEStar: The Lunar Flashlight Optical Navigation Experiment.

This paper documents the results from the highly successful Lunar flashlight Optical Navigation Experiment with a Star tracker (LONEStar). Launched in December 2022, Lunar Flashlight (LF) was a NASA-funded technology demonstration mission. After a propulsion system anomaly prevented capture in lunar orbit, LF was ejected from the Earth-Moon system and into heliocentric space. NASA subsequently transferred ownership of LF to Georgia Tech to conduct an unfunded extended mission to demonstrate further advanced technology objectives, including LONEStar. From August to December 2023, the LONEStar team performed on-orbit calibration of the optical instrument and a number of different OPNAV experiments. This campaign included the processing of nearly 400 images of star fields, Earth and Moon, and four other planets (Mercury, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn). LONEStar provided the first on-orbit demonstrations of heliocentric navigation using only optical observations of planets. Of special note is the successful in-flight demonstration of (1) instantaneous triangulation with simultaneous sightings of two planets with the LOST algorithm and (2) dynamic triangulation with sequential sightings of multiple planets.

On-Machine LTS Integration for Layer-Wise Surface Quality Characterization in MEX/P.

Material Extrusion (MEX) currently stands as the most widespread Additive Manufacturing (AM) process, but part quality deficiencies remain a barrier to its generalized industrial adoption. Quality control in MEX is a complex task as extrusion performance impacts the consistency of mechanical properties and the surface finish, dimensional accuracy, and geometric precision of manufactured parts. Recognizing the need for early-stage process monitoring, this study explores the potential of integrating Laser Triangulation Sensors (LTS) into MEX/P manufacturing equipment for layer-wise 3D inspections. Using a double-bridge architecture, an LTS-based sub-micrometric inspection system operates independently from the manufacturing process, enabling comprehensive digitization and autonomous reconstruction of the target layer's topography. Surface texture is then computed using standardized indicators and a new approach that provides insight into layer quality uniformity. A case study evaluating two alternative extruder head designs demonstrates the efficacy of this integrated approach for layer quality characterization. Implementing a generalized layer-wise procedure based on this integration can significantly mitigate quality issues in MEX manufacturing and optimize process parameter configurations for enhanced performance.

What constitutes an employer of choice? A qualitative triangulation investigation.

Employer of choice (EOC) is a relatively new phenomenon, particularly in Human Resources Management. Existing employees and prospective talent have reasons and expectations to designate an employer as an EOC. While EOC has received extensive attention from both academics and practitioners over the past few years, the work has mostly focused on managerial and marketing perspectives, and thus far lacks a strong theoretical foundation. Drawing on Social Exchange Theory (SET), based on Human Resources and employees' perceptions and experiences, this research aims to explore and investigate the factors that constitute/designate an employer as an Employer of Choice EOC. Two qualitative triangulated data sets were collected from existing full-time employees at a Saudi multinational corporation: open interviews and document analysis (cross-sectional and longitudinal). Thematic analysis (TA) was employed to analyze both methods. The findings reveal that company image, training, and development, satisfaction, involvement and commitment, fairness, work culture, reward, opportunities for growth, teamwork, motivation, and corporate social responsibility are the factors that lead employees to designate an employer as an EOC. This research contributes to knowledge conceptually, theoretically, and empirically, mainly in the area of Human Resources Management. This research represents one of the first studies to empirically identify and investigate employee-related factors and evaluate them all together in a multinational Saudi organization. Recognizing the findings of this empirical-based research assists HR managers in designating their organizations as an EOC for current employees and prospective talents.

Using Participatory Action Research to Redirect Tinnitus Treatment and Research-An Interview Study.

Background: Chronic bothersome tinnitus is a prevalent tinnitus subtype placing a high burden on affected individuals, economies, and healthcare systems. Patient and professional perspectives seem to be partly misaligned on how to improve tinnitus research and treatments in the future. This qualitative interview study was aimed at exploring, comparing, and stipulating the perspectives of different tinnitus stakeholder groups on ways of redirecting research and treatments to reduce patients' suffering while accounting for challenges within these practices. Methods: This study used the participatory action research approach to facilitate the stakeholder involvement. Semi-structured online interviews including five participants (two tinnitus patients, two tinnitus researchers and medical specialists, one general practitioner) were conducted. Inductive grounded theory and the constant comparative method were used for data analysis. Results: Four categories for suggested research adaptations ((I) ethical patient involvement; (II) prioritising cure versus coping research; (III) funding; (IV) ethical publication) and six categories for suggested treatment adaptations ((I) ethical professional support; (II) patient involvement; (III) interdisciplinarity; (IV) professional tinnitus education; (V) clinical treatment guidelines; (VI) psychological treatment) were identified. Participants held partly similar priorities such as increasing pathophysiological and cure research. Differences between participants included, for instance, patients aiming for increasing patient involvement in tinnitus research and treatments compared to professionals arguing that the excessive focus on patients' conditions might reduce the patients' chances of habituating to their symptoms. Conclusions: Four action redirections for improving tinnitus research and treatment practices were defined: (I) facilitating communication between and within stakeholder groups, (II) increasing the reflective use of patient involvement, (III) increasing interdisciplinarity, and (IV) reducing barriers to receiving psychological treatment.

Evaluating the delivery of physical activity for people with developmental disabilities using an online knowledge translation approach: part 2 - content quality.

OBJECTIVE: Web-based platforms for delivering physical activity (PA) to people with developmental disabilities have a great potential to improve the lives of many. However, their design, including the content design, lacks sufficient investigation. This study aims to evaluate three online platforms for delivering PA to people with developmental disabilities in terms of content quality and identify relevant barriers and facilitators of PA delivery. METHODS: The study used a methodological triangulation approach which involved quantitative evaluations by experts using an evaluation rubric, on-site observations and in-depth interviews with recruited participants. The participants consisted of 15 pairs of individuals, each consisting of a person with developmental disabilities and their primary caregiver. They were instructed to watch and follow five PA video content from each of the three platforms. The on-site observations and interviews were conducted in a large computer-equipped meeting room setting. RESULTS: The quantitative and qualitative analysis identified a set of barriers and facilitators of PA delivery related to content quality. Key barriers identified include a lack of content diversity, insufficient understanding of developmental disabilities among content creators, inappropriate language usage, and resistance to engaging in physical activities in home settings. Significant facilitators were pinpointed, such as incorporating engaging elements for individuals with developmental disabilities, utilising easy-read language, and ensuring sufficient repetition for effective learning. The results from the triangulation showed that the multiple methods were complementary and converged on the same outcome. DISCUSSION: The study findings could contribute to the development of adequately adapted PA content to distribute knowledge to populations with developmental disabilities.

Content delivered via online platforms has the potential to convey knowledge about physical activity to a significant number of individuals with developmental disabilities without the limitations of time and space.The absence of prescribed content guidelines to effectively impart physical activity to individuals with developmental disabilities impedes the process of online knowledge translation.There is a requirement for varied physical activity content encompassing various individuals with developmental disabilities, considering their diverse learning contexts.It is essential that content development is evaluated with input from experts in developmental disabilities in order to provide quality physical activity information for people with developmental disabilities.

The Contribution of Willingness to Communicate to L2 Learners' Depth of Vocabulary Knowledge: An Empirical Study.

The issues of depth vocabulary knowledge and Willingness to Communicate (henceforth, WTC) are among the most important issues in second language learning. The present study set out to empirically look into the contribution of WTC to depth of vocabulary knowledge in L2 learning. To this end, 88 English L2 learners, divided into two groups in terms of their WTC, were given two depth vocabulary tests. The Word Association Test (WAT) was first administered to make a comparison between the depth vocabulary knowledge of the two WTC groups. Then, to triangulate the results, the Word Part Levels Test (WPLT) was administered to check whether the obtained results confirmed those of WAT. Analyzing data through independent t-test and MANOVA indicated that learners with higher levels of WTC had deeper vocabulary knowledge than those with lower levels of WTC on the WAT. Further, the triangulation results evinced that although the two groups did not differ significantly on the form-section and meaning-section of the WPLT, they significantly differed on the use-section of the test. The relevant pedagogical implications of the study are discussed.

Clinical Evidence, Triangulation of Perspectives and Contextualization. Part 1: The Beginning of Carla's Treatment.

We propose to critically evaluate and strengthen the level of clinical evidence in psychoanalysis, using a strategy of triangulating clinical phenomena from different perspectives and increasing contextual knowledge. Insufficient discussion of alternative hypotheses and limited contextual information are two Achilles heels of psychoanalytic case presentations. We examine the concept and quality standards of clinical evidence in psychoanalysis and related disciplines, with particular attention to the contribution of the three-level model (3-LM). We analyze the case of a patient treated with transference-focused psychotherapy (TFP), making explicit the theoretical-clinical agreements and disagreements of the authors. We discuss the strengths and limitations of triangulation and contextualization, concluding that they make clinical work and psychoanalytic writing more reliable, transparent, auditable, and replicable.

Triangulation of epidemiological evidence and risk of bias evaluation: A proposed framework and applied example using formaldehyde exposure and risk of myeloid leukemias.

Evidence triangulation may help identify the impact of study design elements on study findings and to tease out biased results when evaluating potential causal relationships; however, methods for triangulating epidemiologic evidence are evolving and have not been standardized. Building upon key principles of epidemiologic evidence triangulation and risk of bias assessment, and responding to the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) call for applied triangulation examples, the objective of this manuscript is to propose a triangulation framework and to apply it as an illustrative example to epidemiologic studies examining the possible relationship between occupational formaldehyde exposure and risk of myeloid leukemias (ML) including acute (AML) and chronic (CML) types. A nine-component triangulation framework for epidemiological evidence was developed incorporating study quality and ROB guidance from various federal health agencies (i.e., US EPA TSCA and NTP OHAT). Several components of the triangulation framework also drew from widely used epidemiological analytic tools such as stratified meta-analysis and sensitivity analysis. Regarding the applied example, fourteen studies were identified and assessed using the following primary study quality domains to explore potential key sources of bias: 1) study design and analysis; 2) study participation; 3) exposure assessment; 4) outcome assessment; and 5) potential confounding. Across studies, methodological limitations possibly contributing to biased results were observed within most domains. Interestingly, results from one study - often providing the largest and least-precise relative risk estimates, likely reflecting study biases, deviated from most primary study findings indicating no such associations. Triangulation of epidemiological evidence appears to be helpful in exploring inconsistent results for the identification of study results possibly reflecting various biases. Nonetheless, triangulation methodologies require additional development and application to real-world examples to enhance objectivity and reproducibility.

Active Dual Line-Laser Scanning for Depth Imaging of Piled Agricultural Commodities for Itemized Processing Lines.

The accurate depth imaging of piled products provides essential perception for the automated selection of individual objects that require itemized food processing, such as fish, crabs, or fruit. Traditional depth imaging techniques, such as Time-of-Flight and stereoscopy, lack the necessary depth resolution for imaging small items, such as food commodities. Although structured light methods such as laser triangulation have high depth resolution, they depend on conveyor motion for depth scanning. This manuscript introduces an active dual line-laser scanning system for depth imaging static piled items, such as a pile of crabs on a table, eliminating the need for conveyor motion to generate high-resolution 3D images. This advancement benefits robotic perception for loading individual items from a pile for itemized food processing. Leveraging a unique geometrical configuration and laser redundancy, the dual-laser strategy overcomes occlusions while reconstructing a large field of view (FOV) from a long working distance. We achieved a depth reconstruction MSE of 0.3 mm and an STD of 0.5 mm on a symmetrical pyramid stage. The proposed system demonstrates that laser scanners can produce depth maps of complex items, such as piled Chesapeake Blue Crab and White Button mushrooms. This technology enables 3D perception for automated processing lines and offers broad applicability for quality inspection, sorting, and handling of piled products.

Using a Slit to Suppress Optical Aberrations in Laser Triangulation Sensors.

In this paper, we present a laser triangulation sensor to measure the distance between the sensor and an object without contact using a diffraction slit rather than a traditional lens. We show that by replacing the lens with a slit, we can exploit the resulting diffraction pattern to have finer and yet simpler image analysis, yielding better estimation of the distance to the object. To test our hypothesis, we build a precision position table and a laser triangulation sensor, generate large data sets to test different estimation algorithms on various materials, and compare data acquisition using a traditional lens versus using a slit. We show that position estimation when using a slit is both more precise and more accurate than comparable methods using a lens.

Access to health and social protection policies by homeless people during the COVID-19 pandemic: a mixed-methods case study on tailored inter-sector care during a health emergency.

Introduction: The article analyzed homeless people's (HP) access to health and social protection policies and tailored inter-sector care, including emergency measures, during the COVID-19 pandemic in Belo Horizonte (BH), capital of Minas Gerais state, Brazil. It intended to provide data on HP and evaluate existing public policies focused on vulnerable populations during this health emergency. Methods: The study adopted a mixed-methods design with triangulation of quantitative and qualitative data. Results: Social cartography showed that in the early months of the pandemic, the health administration had difficulty reordering the health system, which experienced constant updates in the protocols but was nevertheless consolidated over the months. The evidence collected in the study showed that important emergency interventions in the municipality of BH involved activities that facilitated access by HP to the supply of services. Discussion: The existence of national guidelines for inter-sector care for HP cannot be ruled out as a positive influence, although the municipalities are responsible for their implementation. Significantly, a health emergency was necessary to intensify the relationship between health and social protection services. Roving services were among those with the greatest positive evidence, with the least need for infrastructure to be replicated at the local level. In addition, the temporary supply of various inter-sector services, simultaneously with the provision of day shelters by organized civil society, was considered a key factor for expanding and intensifying networks of care for HP during the emergency phase. A plan exists to continue and expand this model in the future. The study concluded that understanding the inter-sector variables that impact HP contributes to better targeting of investments in interventions that work at the root causes of these issues or that increase the effectiveness of health and social protection systems.

Fast 50 Hz Updated Static Infrared Positioning System Based on Triangulation Method.

One of the important issues being explored in Industry 4.0 is collaborative mobile robots. This collaboration requires precise navigation systems, especially indoor navigation systems where GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) cannot be used. To enable the precise localization of robots, different variations of navigation systems are being developed, mainly based on trilateration and triangulation methods. Triangulation systems are distinguished by the fact that they allow for the precise determination of an object's orientation, which is important for mobile robots. An important feature of positioning systems is the frequency of position updates based on measurements. For most systems, it is 10-20 Hz. In our work, we propose a high-speed 50 Hz positioning system based on the triangulation method with infrared transmitters and receivers. In addition, our system is completely static, i.e., it has no moving/rotating measurement sensors, which makes it more resistant to disturbances (caused by vibrations, wear and tear of components, etc.). In this paper, we describe the principle of the system as well as its design. Finally, we present tests of the built system, which show a beacon bearing accuracy of Δφ = 0.51°, which corresponds to a positioning accuracy of ΔR = 6.55 cm, with a position update frequency of fupdate = 50 Hz.

Childhood maltreatment and health in the UK Biobank: triangulation of outcome-wide and polygenic risk score analyses.

BACKGROUND: Childhood maltreatment is common globally and impacts morbidity, mortality, and well-being. Our understanding of its impact is constrained by key substantive and methodological limitations of extant research, including understudied physical health outcomes and bias due to unmeasured confounding. We address these limitations through a large-scale outcome-wide triangulation study. METHODS: We performed two outcome-wide analyses (OWAs) in the UK Biobank. First, we examined the relationship between self-reported maltreatment exposure (number of maltreatment types, via Childhood Trauma Screener) and 414 outcomes in a sub-sample of 157,316 individuals using generalized linear models ("observational OWA"). Outcomes covered a broad range of health themes including health behaviors, cardiovascular disease, digestive health, socioeconomic status, and pain. Second, we examined the relationship between a polygenic risk score for maltreatment and 298 outcomes in a non-overlapping sample of 243,006 individuals ("genetic OWA"). We triangulated results across OWAs based on differing sources of bias. RESULTS: Overall, 23.8% of the analytic sample for the observational OWA reported at least one maltreatment type. Of 298 outcomes examined in both OWAs, 25% were significant in both OWAs and concordant in the direction of association. Most of these were considered robust in the observational OWA according to sensitivity analyses and included outcomes such as marital separation (OR from observational OWA, ORo = 1.25 (95% CI: 1.21, 1.29); OR from genetic OWA, ORg = 1.06 (1.03, 1.08)), major diet changes due to illness (ORo = 1.27 (1.24, 1.29); ORg = 1.01 (1.00, 1.03)), certain intestinal diseases (ORo = 1.14 (1.10, 1.18); ORg = 1.03 (1.01, 1.06)), hearing difficulty with background noise (ORo = 1.11 (1.11, 1.12); ORg = 1.01 (1.00, 1.01)), knee arthrosis (ORo = 1.13 (1.09, 1.18); ORg = 1.03 (1.01, 1.05)), frequent sleeplessness (ORo = 1.21 (1.20, 1.23); ORg = 1.02 (1.01, 1.03)), and low household income (ORo = 1.28 (1.26, 1.31); ORg = 1.02 (1.01, 1.03)). Approximately 62% of results were significant in the observational OWA but not the genetic OWA, including numerous cardiovascular outcomes. Only 6 outcomes were significant in the genetic OWA and null in the observational OWA; these included diastolic blood pressure and glaucoma. No outcomes were statistically significant in opposite directions in the two analyses, and 11% were not significant in either OWA. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings underscore the far-reaching negative effects of childhood maltreatment in later life and the utility of an outcome-wide triangulation design with sensitivity analyses for improving causal inference.

Consistent spatial lesion-symptom patterns: A comprehensive analysis using triangulation in lesion-symptom mapping in a cohort of stroke patients.

INTRODUCTION: The relationship between brain lesions and stroke outcomes is crucial for advancing patient prognosis and developing effective therapies. Stroke is a leading cause of disability worldwide, and it is important to understand the neurological basis of its varied symptomatology. Lesion-symptom mapping (LSM) methods provide a means to identify brain areas that are strongly associated with specific symptoms. However, inner variations in LSM methods can yield different results. To address this, our study aimed to characterize the lesion-symptom mapping variability using three different LSM methods. Specifically, we sought to determine a lesion symptom core across LSM approaches enhancing the robustness of the analysis and removing potential spatial bias. MATERIAL & METHODS: A cohort consisting of 35 patients with either right- or left-sided middle cerebral artery strokes were enrolled and evaluated using the NIHSS at 24 h post-stroke. Anatomical T1w MRI scans were also obtained 24 h post-stroke. Lesion masks were segmented manually and three distinctive LSM methods were implemented: ROI correlation-based, univariate, and multivariate approaches. RESULTS: The results of the LSM analyses showed substantial spatial differences in the extension of each of the three lesion maps. However, upon overlaying all three lesion-symptom maps, a consistent lesion core emerged, corresponding to the territory associated with elevated NIHSS scores. This finding not only enhances the spatial accuracy of the lesion map but also underscores its clinical relevance. CONCLUSION: This study underscores the significance of exploring complementary LSM approaches to investigate the association between brain lesions and stroke outcomes. By utilizing multiple methods, we can increase the robustness of our results, effectively addressing and neutralizing potential spatial bias introduced by each individual method. Such an approach holds promise for enhancing our understanding of stroke pathophysiology and optimizing patient care strategies.