This work develops a method for automatically extracting temperature data from prespecified anatomical regions of interest from thermal images of human hands, feet, and shins for the monitoring of peripheral arterial disease in diabetic patients. Binarisation, morphological operations, and geometric transformations are applied in cascade to automatically extract the required data from 44 predefined regions of interest. The implemented algorithms for region extraction were tested on data from 395 participants. A correct extraction in around 90% of the images was achieved. The process of automatically extracting 44 regions of interest was performed in a total computation time of approximately 1 minute, a substantial improvement over 10 minutes it took for a corresponding manual extraction of the regions by a trained individual. Interrater reliability tests showed that the automatically extracted ROIs are similar to those extracted by humans with minimal temperature difference. This set of algorithms provides a sufficiently accurate and reliable method for temperature extraction from thermal images at par with human raters with a tenfold reduction in time requirement. The automated process may replace the manual human extraction, leading to a faster process, making it feasible to carry out large-scale studies and to increase the regions of interest with minimal cost. The code for the developed algorithms, to extract the 44 ROIs from thermal images of hands, feet, and shins, has been made available online in the form of MATLAB functions and can be accessed from http://www.um.edu.mt/cbc/tipmid.

PurposeFood consumption is a result of a choice that is influenced by economic status, society, culture, psychosomatic elements (Bisogni et al., 2002) and religious factors (Dewan, 2017) creating an identity based on one's beliefs (Mennell et al., 1992). Although many versions exist, this diet is often established on an ideology to abstain from using animals for dietary needs (Smart, 2004). There has been much research to explore vegetarian motivation and impacts of this diet on health; however, first-hand accounts are few.Design/methodology/approachAutoethnography was undertaken to understand my experience as a vegetarian living within a primarily meat consuming country. The theoretical framework driving the research uses social cognitive theory (SCT), the transtheoretical model (TTM) and ethical theory to address the vegetarian experience and emotions generated through such encounters.FindingsData collected, including conversations, headnotes and teaching material, were transcribed and categorised into four emerging themes including vegetarian experience, culture, identity as an educator; and impacts of beliefs. The author also discusses the motives for converting to vegetarianism and the experiences that came with behavioural change. Obstacles and opportunities presented by living in a dominant meat society are explored and the author’s influence on others as an educator, as a citizen in society and as a member of a family.Research limitations/implicationsBeing new to autoethnography proved to be a limitation in the study.Practical implicationsThis research may prove useful for researchers to gain an insider's view of a vegetarian's experience, and how the lifestyles impact students and others in a social context from the author's perspective.Social implicationsAutoethnography regarding vegetarianism from an educator's perspective is lacking and hence may give an insight to help fill the literature gap and change perspectives towards the vegetarian community.Originality/valueAutoethnography regarding vegetarianism from an educators perspective is lacking; hence, this would be a valuable insight to add to the literature gap.

Mobile learning (mLearning) has gained popularity in recent years, particularly in the clinical setting. mLearning reduces the theory-practice gap by providing relevant information to nurses and boosting clinical skills. Despite the vast majority of work in this area, few studies in nursing have investigated the correlation between motivation and mLearning for continuing practice development (CPD). Motivation is an essential theoretical concept used to explain human motive that is not new in nursing. Understanding the notion of motivation directed towards learning may clarify the role of technology within pedagogy. Additionally, associating motivation and self-determination may be crucial in understanding motivation in professional nursing practice and education. This study determines the effect of mLearning on motivation to enhance CPD in nursing professionals (NP) analysed critically through a Self-Determination Theory lens. Twenty-three qualified nurses working within the clinical area participated by using a specific mobile application on their smartphone to learn nursing related skills. Over three weeks, participants logged in their learning experience, providing an overview of the relationship between motivation and mLearning. The nurses participating in the study found mLearning motivational in the clinical setting and indicated ownership of their learning, suggesting perceived autonomy. Furthermore, the mobile application enhanced nursing practices through gaining competency and fostered team building through interactions with other health professionals in the clinical area, demonstrating relatedness. This work suggests that having ownership of the learning experience fosters motivation through intrinsic and external needs, supporting learning and gaining competency in the clinical area. Also, the need to become competent and share with others further nurtures motivation to learn in the clinical area. Additionally, these findings suggest mLearning features that motivate NP towards clinical development. This study concludes with implications for the scholarship on mLearning for the continual practice development of nurses.

A crucial issue that threatens humanity worldwide, is the misuse of antibiotics (Marquard & Li, 2018). However, the terms misuse and overuse of antibiotics are widely misunderstood, as many assume that antibiotics are only acquired directly through a prescription by a medical professional. The reality of the situation is much more complex, and many do not realise the indirect intake through ingestion with food (Philips et al., 2003) and recreational actions (Schwartz et al., 2003). Moreover, such information is kept out of the limelight, keeping the community unaware of this pressing issue. Antibiotic resistance is escalating globally as social behaviour is leading to selective pressure creating resistant strains of bacteria through excessive exploitation of antibiotics (Okeke & Edelman, 1999). This article aims to address the mechanisms of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and the link to healthy individuals’ gut flora, creating asymptomatic carriers within the community. Since many students at MCAST are undertaking courses that may aid in the transportation of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, such as animal husbandry, they need to be aware of bacterial strains found in farm animals, which pose a potential risk to humans via the food chain. Students undergoing courses that lead to health-related work, seeking future employment in a clinical setting, also need to be aware of the threat antibiotic-resistant pathogens pose to humans advancing from a clinical setting to the community. Persons working within such industries need to understand both how pathogens gain resistance, and how they spread, to apprehend methods of avoiding transmission. This study endeavours to increase local awareness within the community, and avoid this socioeconomic threat, by addressing behavioural factors.