Search

AIMS: To explore (1) the context in which nursing executives were working, (2) nursing's contribution to the healthcare response and (3) the impact from delivering healthcare in response to the pandemic. DESIGN: Retrospective, constructivist qualitative study. METHOD(S): Individual interviews using a semi-structured interview guide were conducted between 12 February and 29 March 2021. Participants were purposively sampled from the Victorian Metropolitan Executive Directors of Nursing and Midwifery Group, based in Melbourne, Victoria the epi-centre of COVID-19 in Australia during 2020. All members were invited; 14/16 executive-level nurse leaders were participated. Individual interviews were recorded with participant consent, transcribed and analysed using thematic analysis. RESULT(S): Four inter-related themes (with sub-themes) were identified: (1) rapid, relentless action required (preparation insufficient, extensive information and communication flow, expanded working relationships, constant change, organizational barriers removed); (2) multi-faceted contribution (leadership activities, flexible work approach, knowledge development and dissemination, new models of care, workforce numbers); (3) unintended consequences (negative experiences, mix of emotions, difficult conditions, negative outcomes for executives and workforce) and (4) silver linings (expanded ways of working, new opportunities, strengthened clinical practice, deepened working relationships). CONCLUSION(S): Responding to the COIVD-19 health crisis required substantial effort, but historical and industrial limits on nursing practice were removed. With minimal information and constantly changing circumstances, nursing executives spearheaded change with leadership skills including a flexible approach, courageous decision-making and taking calculated risks. Opportunities for innovative work practices were taken, with nursing leading policy development and delivery of care models in new and established he

AIMS: To explore (1) the context in which nursing executives were working, (2) nursing's contribution to the healthcare response and (3) the impact from delivering healthcare in response to the pandemic. DESIGN: Retrospective, constructivist qualitative study. METHODS: Individual interviews using a semi-structured interview guide were conducted between 12 February and 29 March 2021. Participants were purposively sampled from the Victorian Metropolitan Executive Directors of Nursing and Midwifery Group, based in Melbourne, Victoria the epi-centre of COVID-19 in Australia during 2020. All members were invited; 14/16 executive-level nurse leaders were participated. Individual interviews were recorded with participant consent, transcribed and analysed using thematic analysis. RESULTS: Four inter-related themes (with sub-themes) were identified: (1) rapid, relentless action required (preparation insufficient, extensive information and communication flow, expanded working relationships, constant change, organizational barriers removed); (2) multi-faceted contribution (leadership activities, flexible work approach, knowledge development and dissemination, new models of care, workforce numbers); (3) unintended consequences (negative experiences, mix of emotions, difficult conditions, negative outcomes for executives and workforce) and (4) silver linings (expanded ways of working, new opportunities, strengthened clinical practice, deepened working relationships). CONCLUSION: Responding to the COIVD-19 health crisis required substantial effort, but historical and industrial limits on nursing practice were removed. With minimal information and constantly changing circumstances, nursing executives spearheaded change with leadership skills including a flexible approach, courageous decision-making and taking calculated risks. Opportunities for innovative work practices were taken, with nursing leading policy development and delivery of care models in new and established healthcar

In this investigation, the strength and bonding within reduced ironsand-coal compacts were studied, with the aim of better understanding the binding mechanisms in the reduced compacts and, based on this understanding, to improve their strength. Ironsand ore and sub-bituminous coal were mixed and pressed into compacts, which were reduced by heating in a thermogravimetric furnace to temperatures between 1273 and 1573 K under argon. The progress of the reaction was monitored by measuring the weight loss with time. The reduced compacts were found to have low strength in compression testing. The main form of bonding between the reduced ironsand particles in the compact was by the formation of a slag-like material. Increasing the final reduction temperature was found to have a profound effect on the strength of the compacts by promoting the formation of this slag-like material.

The formation and development of the mineral layer that forms between coke and liquid iron during carbon dissolution has been characterised. Coke particles (-2mm, +0.5mm) were added to the top surface of an iron 2 mass% C melt at representative ironmaking temperatures, for periods of time between 2 minutes and 120 minutes, before being quenched. The quenched samples were then sectioned and the solidified coke-melt interfacial region analysed in the SEM. Analysis showed that a mineral layer was present at the interface at all experimental temperatures (1450-1550oC) from 2 minutes and persisted beyond 120 minutes. The mineral layer was found to be composed of calcium aluminate phases, with the proportions of these phases dictating its morphology. Further, changes observed in the rate of carbon dissolution from the coke were related to the composition and morphology of the mineral layer. The effect of this mineral layer on the rate of carbon dissolution has been interpreted as a change in the reaction control mechanism.

A three-dimensional numerical model of pulverised coal injection has been developed for simulating coal flow and combustion in the tuyere and raceway of a blast furnace. The model has been used to simulate previously reported combustion tests, which feature an inclined co-axial lance with an annular cooling gas. The predicted coal burnout agrees well with that measured for three coals with volatile contents and particle size ranging between 20.2-36.4% and particle sizes 1-200 mu m. Many important phenomena including flow asymmetry, recirculating flow and particle dispersion in the combustion chamber have been predicted. The current model can reproduce the experimental observations including the effects on burnout of coal flowrate and the introduction of methane for lance cooling.