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Purpose This study aims to develop a hierarchical reliability framework to evaluate the service delivery performance of education public–private partnerships (PPPs) effectively and efficiently during long-term operations. Design/methodology/approach The research design included development and test phases. In the development phase, three performance layers, i.e. indicator, component and system, in the education service delivery system were identified. Then, service component reliability was computed through first order reliability method (FORM). Finally, the reliability of the service system was obtained using dynamic component weightings. A PPP school example in Australia was set up in the test phase, where performance indicators were collected from relevant contract documents and performance data were simulated under three assumptive scenarios. Findings The example in the test phase yielded good results for the developed framework in evaluating uncertainties of service delivery performance for education PPPs. Potentially underperforming services from the component to the system level at dynamic timepoints were identified, and effective preventative maintenance strategies were developed. Research limitations/implications This research enriches reliability theory and performance evaluation research on education PPPs. First, a series of performance evaluation indicators are constructed for assessing the performance of the service delivery of the education PPP operations. Then, a reliability-based framework for service components and system is developed to predict service performance of the PPP school operations with consideration of a range of uncertainties during project delivery. Practical implications The developed framework was illustrated with a real-world case study. It demonstrates that the developed reliability-based framework could potentially provide the practitioners of the public sector with a basis for developing effective preventative maintenance strate

Modular construction facilities operate under tight deadlines making the monitoring of manufacturing progress and delivery for optimal factory-to-site operations a significant challenge. This paper presents an action research study that assisted in enhancing the productivity of a manufacturing execution and control system implemented at a facility in Melbourne, Australia. This system monitors production processes, and shares information for timely, well-informed decision-making using an online platform and a mobile app, developed using lean principles. The results showed significant time and cost savings, quality improvement and increased visibility of inefficiencies and will serve as a helpful reference for construction factory managers wishing to improve their manufacturing systems.

Modular construction (MC) is an increasingly important construction technique. However, it also requires the use of sophisticated scheduling algorithms. A comprehensive literature review of different scheduling systems used for prefabricated construction, was conducted using the PRISMA methodology. Over 500 relevant papers were analysed and 59 critical applications of production scheduling metaheuristics were closely examined. However, very few of these were for modular construction. This paper provides a deep analysis of GA applications in scheduling and the newer techniques using PSO, SA and ACO. The results of the review suggest 6 directions for future research namely, (i) Consideration of added complexities, (ii) Responsiveness of the scheduling system to new tenders or work, (iii) Integrating production scheduling with Manufacturing Execution and Control Systems, (iv) Dynamic scheduling, (v) Simulation-based optimization techniques for MC, (vi) Use of AI and machine learning concepts for MC. This paper will inform better production scheduling of MC projects.

The built environment generates approximately 40% of the annual global carbon emissions. To achieve the Paris Agreement target towards net-zero emissions, timely and sufficient plans for emissions reduction in the sector need to be made. One of the optimal strategies to realize sustainable structures is to select decarbonisation alternatives that will present a holistic view of environmental impacts. This research effort examined how decarbonisation alternatives are prioritised to achieve carbon neutrality in building projects. Based on extensive semi-structured interviews with experts, this research identified energy, emissions, economy, and exergy (4Es) as the four critical variables considered when making decarbonisation decisions. These 4Es were then assigned to different evaluation criteria, resulting in a total of 27 evaluation criteria. These findings will assist built environment professionals to prioritise decarbonisation alternatives across the entire project lifecycle. It will also provide policymakers with new insights for assessing potential impacts based on these four variables.

AIM: To identify the evidence on factors that impact delegation practices by Registered Nurses to Assistants in Nursing in acute care hospitals. DESIGN: An integrative review. DATA SOURCES: Database searches were conducted between July 2011 and July 2021. REVIEW METHODS: We used the 12-step approach by Kable and colleagues to document the search strategy. The (Whittemore & Knafl. 2005. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 52(5), 546-553) integrative review framework method was adopted and the methodological quality of the studies was assessed using Joanna Briggs critical appraisal instruments. RESULTS: Nine studies were included. Delegation between the Registered Nurse and the Assistant in Nursing is a complex but critical leadership skill which is impacted by the Registered Nurse's understanding of the Assistant in Nursing's role, scope of practice and job description. Newly qualified nurses lacked the necessary leadership skills to delegate. Further education on delegation is required in pre-registration studies and during nurses' careers to ensure Registered Nurses are equipped with the skills and knowledge to delegate effectively. CONCLUSION: With increasing numbers of Assistants in Nursing working in the acute care environment, it is essential that Registered Nurses are equipped with the appropriate leadership skills to ensure safe delegation practice.

Background: There have been predictions of a significant nursing workforce shortage in Australia and one strategy to address this has been an increase in supply of new graduates. Their rates and hours of work are largely unknown. Aim: To explore trends in employment of newly graduate registered nurses in Australia between 2004 and 2019. Methods: A retrospective analysis of Australian university graduate survey data and governmental administrative data was undertaken. Findings and discussion: Results show a 5.8% per annum increase in the number of nursing students graduating from Australian universities (2004-2018). There was a 26% reduction (2004–2019) in the number reporting employment in nursing at 6 months post-graduation. Of those who gained employment as nurses at 6 months, 91% were still employed at 36 months, suggesting that those employed as nurses on graduation will participate in the health care workforce for at least 3 years. Hours per week of employment increased at 36 months post-graduation (for the cohort graduating between 2008-2015), indicative of an increase in overtime hours and/or secondary employment. Fixed-term contracts up to 12 months’ duration increased by 8% (2004-2015) providing evidence that more nurses are being offered short-term contracts. Conclusion: The number of newly graduated registered nurses not employed in nursing may reflect an oversupply, use of a nursing degree to move to other postgraduate degrees, or a reluctance to move to where jobs are available. Strategies may be needed to improve the rate of employment of new graduates, specifically employment outside metropolitan areas.

Infrared thermography (IRT) has been widely used in detecting the subsurface delamination of bridge deck. However, IRT inspection on delamination zones of the bridge deck which have limited exposure to direct solar radiation (e.g., the bottom surface of the bridge deck) is rather challenging due to the relatively low thermal contrast (∆T) development in these zones. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to conduct a series of experimental studies in conjunction with numerical modeling for investigating the effectiveness of IRT in delamination detection of bridge deck components which are normally not exposed to direct solar radiation. Specially, the effects of different environmental conditions, thickness of bridge deck, and defect characteristics on the absolute thermal contrast (∆T) development were systematically investigated. The results show that IRT can effectively detect the subsurface delamination of concrete bridge deck located in regions that are not exposed to the direct solar radiation. In addition, the development of detectable thermal contrast (>0.5°C) is much dependent on the rate of change in ambient temperature with a suitable detection period between 8 am and 4 pm. Furthermore, it shows that the value of ∆T increases with the increase of bridge deck thickness and delamination size.

The Covid-19 pandemic reveals that the hazard of the respiratory virus was a secondary consideration in the design, development, construction, and management of public and commercial buildings. Retrofitting such buildings poses a significant challenge for building owners and facilities managers. This article reviews current research and practices in building operations interventions for indoor respiratory infection control from the perspective of facilities managers to assess the effectiveness of available solutions. This review systematically selects and synthesises eighty-six articles identified through the PRISMA process plus supplementary articles identified as part of the review process, that deal with facilities' operations and maintenance (O&M) interventions. The paper reviewed the context, interventions, mechanisms, and outcomes discussed in these articles, concluding that interventions for respiratory virus transmission in existing buildings fall into three categories under the Facilities Management (FM) discipline: Hard services (HVAC and drainage system controls) to prevent aerosol transmissions, Soft Services (cleaning and disinfection) to prevent fomite transmissions, and space management (space planning and occupancy controls) to eliminate droplet transmissions. Additionally, the research emphasised the need for FM intervention studies that examine occupant behaviours with integrated intervention results and guide FM intervention decision-making. This review expands the knowledge of FM for infection control and highlights future research opportunities.

The construction industry accounts for approximately 40% of the global carbon emissions and is the largest consumer of materials and energy. Given the Paris Agreement target towards global net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, significant changes are required in the design, construction and use of buildings. This study applies a qualitative approach that combines a systematic literature review (SLR) with in-depth semi-structured interviews with experts to analyse existing carbon neutrality frameworks and decision support tools; expanding current knowledge by bringing to the fore the challenges experienced in implementing these frameworks. This research effort reveals an inadequacy in frameworks for effective decision-making on decarbonisation strategies along the project lifecycle. A novel framework that breaks down the activities and decision points across the entire project lifecycle is proposed to bridge this gap in literature. The developed framework defines whole lifecycle cost, whole lifecycle energy use, exergetic lifecycle and whole lifecycle emissions as the four critical underpinning variables considered in making decarbonisation decisions. It further details the key evaluation criteria to facilitate decision-making at each stage of the project lifecycle and provides decision-makers with contextual guidance for assessing the impact of their decarbonisation decisions at the planning, delivery, closure and operations phases of the project. It will assist academic researchers, building owners and industry professionals to keep track of the project's carbon neutrality target and encourage best practices for carbon emission reduction in the building sector.

BACKGROUND: Workforce planning is crucial in maintaining balance between demand and supply of the nursing workforce. However, policies to boost nursing workforce supply such as increasing the number of nursing students need to be considered in conjunction with the capacity of the health care system to absorb nursing graduates into the workforce. OBJECTIVE: To 1) examine the absorption of nursing graduates into the workforce in Australia 2) examine the proportion in full-time employment, graduate salaries, perception of overqualification and underemployment. DESIGN: A retrospective, observational design was used. Data were drawn from the 2019, 2020 and 2021 waves of a national, longitudinal survey conducted at six months and three years after graduation for nursing graduates from Australian universities. PARTICIPANTS: The study sample is restricted to domestic graduates who have completed an undergraduate degree in the field of nursing (excluding midwifery). The study sample consists of 4250 graduate nurses. METHODS: The study adopted a descriptive analysis approach, with means and standard deviations estimated. Overqualification was measured in the graduate survey using eight questions of Perceived Overqualification. Respondents with a mean scale score of 3.5 or above were classed as being overqualified. Underemployment was measured through self-assessment, with participants considered underemployed if they were employed part-time and indicating that they were seeking full-time work. RESULTS: Almost two-thirds of graduates worked as registered nurses at six months post-graduation, increasing to 80% at three years. Graduate oversupply could be a potential issue, particularly in the short-term, post-graduation. Non-registered nurses reported higher salaries than registered nurses. Underemployment was found to be 8% at six months, declining to 3% at three years, and was higher for those not working as registered nurses. The majority of those working part-time do so vol

BACKGROUND: To meet the growing needs of a diverse population, it is critical that healthcare service provision is underpinned by innovative, cost-effective, and sustainable services and solutions. The role of the nurse practitioner creates an opportunity to meet the increasing demands of complex care and enables greater access to high quality care. Understanding how best to support nurse practitioner candidates to develop into the nurse practitioner role will create greater opportunities to transform service delivery and improve healthcare outcomes. AIM: To identify key factors that support and positively impact the implementation of nurse practitioner candidacy programs and candidate experiences. METHODS: A scoping review of research and grey literature was conducted using Joanna Briggs Institute methodology. For the research literature, eight electronic databases (Embase, Medline, CINAHL, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Joanna Briggs Institute, PubMed and PsycINFO) were searched followed by a hand search of the reference lists of published systematic reviews and relevant topical papers. A review of national and international grey literature sources was completed. FINDINGS: Identification of a service gap, developing and promoting a clear role for the nurse practitioner candidate, integration into a multi-disciplinary team with strong mentorship/preceptorship support, continuing professional development, and evaluation of the program were identified as key factors in the research and grey literature. CONCLUSION: A well-designed candidacy program can facilitate transition of the candidate into an autonomous, fully independent nurse practitioner. Recommendations to support the implementation of these roles into the clinical setting have been generated. Tweetable abstract: Key to nurse practitioner candidate programs: Identification of a service gap, clear role, integration, mentorship, training and evaluation.

AIMS: This study explored the acceptability of a workplace health promotion intervention embedded into a transition to practice (TTP) programme to assist new graduate nurses in establishing healthy dietary and physical activity (PA) behaviours from career commencement. DESIGN: A sequential mixed methods design. METHODS: The Start Healthy and Stay Healthy (SH&SH) intervention, informed by the Behaviour Change Wheel, was conducted in an Australian Local Health District. It included face-to-face education sessions, the use of a fitness tracker and twice-weekly short answer messages. Participants completed three online surveys: at orientation, 6 weeks and 6 months. A sub-sample participated in semi-structured interviews to explore their experience of the intervention. Interview data were analysed thematically. RESULTS: The intervention was delivered from February to December 2019. A total of 99 nurses completed the baseline survey, 62 at 6 weeks and 69 at 6 months. After 6 months, health knowledge increased as participants correctly identified recommended amounts of fruits, vegetables and PA. Fruit consumption increased at 6 months with little change to vegetable intake. Takeaway consumption decreased, but consumption of some discretionary foods increased. Across the three time points, there was a low engagement in PA during leisure time. The interviews identified three themes: (1) Support of Colleagues and Peers, (2) The Work Environment and (3) Engagement with SH&SH. CONCLUSION: Providing a targeted intervention for new graduate nurses embedded into a TTP programme improved their health knowledge, some dietary behaviours, and participation in PA by some participants. IMPACT: Ensuring a healthy nursing workforce is critical to retaining staff. Implementing a workplace health promotion intervention that targets new graduate nurses can help them adopt and maintain healthy lifestyle behaviours to support them in their future careers.

This paper outlines the subjective and quantitative outcomes of the introduction of the flipped classroom approach to two engineering subjects at the University of Melbourne. In this approach, lectures are delivered online as opposed to the traditional method of being provided in person. To facilitate learning, after each part of an online lecture, students completed an activity to reflect upon and review the content via compulsory questionnaires. Students would then attend formal classes in person (e.g., workshops) in which they would participate in interactive and collaborative activities related to the online lecture material. Surveys were provided to the students at the beginning of the semester to understand their perceptions of different learning activities. The surveys indicate that students who did well on the questionnaires also did well in the subject with a positive trend between questionnaire scores and final grades in both subjects. The survey results suggest that the flipped classroom method could provide students with better learning outcomes for subjects at the university level if implemented in a way that promotes active and student-centered learning. Some recommendations are provided based on the results of this paper for the implementation of the flipped classroom method for future subjects at the university level.

The mechanical properties of bridge bearings gradually deteriorate over time resulting from daily traffic loading and harsh environmental conditions. However, structural health monitoring of in-service bridge bearings is rather challenging. This study presents a bridge bearing condition assessment framework which integrates the vibration data from a non-contact interferometric radar (i.e. IBIS-S) and a simplified analytical model. Using two existing concrete bridges in Australia as a case study, it demonstrates that the developed framework has the capability of detecting the structural condition of the bridge bearings in real-time. In addition, the results from a series of parametric studies show that the effectiveness of the developed framework is largely determined by the stiffness ratio between bridge bearing and girder ([Formula: see text], i.e. the structural condition of the bearings can only be effectively captured when the value of [Formula: see text] ranges from 1/100 and 100.

Roads are among the most important assets in the world. Road structure improvements make a crucial contribution to economic development and growth and bring important social benefits. Automation in structural health monitoring allow the accurate prediction of ongoing damage caused by long-term traffic loading. This permits optimal road structure management and ensures the longevity and safety of road structures. This chapter discusses a variety of advanced automation techniques in structural health monitoring of road structures, such as data acquisition, data processing, and life-cycle assessment. It demonstrates that the implementation of automation in road asset management can increase the productivity and extend the service life of road structures, and enhance the durability of crucial road structures and increase transport infrastructure sustainability.