26207 research outputs found
Sort by
Effectiveness of interventions on occupational stress, health and well-being, performance, and job satisfaction for midwives: A systematic mixed methods review
No full textBackground: Work-related stress is high in midwifery with negative implications for midwives’ health and performance. This systematic review therefore examined which stress management interventions (SMIs) are most effective at reducing occupational stress and improving midwives’ health and well-being, performance, and job satisfaction. Methods: A systematic review included studies if they were: investigating midwives or student midwives; examining an individual- or organisation-level intervention; reporting the intervention effects on at least one outcome (e.g., job performance); peer-reviewed; and published in English. Methodological quality was assessed using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. A narrative synthesis was conducted and data were presented by SMI level (i.e., individual vs. organisation) and modality type (e.g., mindfulness, care model). Sum codes were used to compare the effects of individual- and organisation-level SMIs on outcomes. Findings: From 2605 studies identified, 30 were eligible (18 individual- and 12 organisation-level SMIs). Eight studies were deemed low quality. While individual- and organisation-level SMIs were equally effective in improving job satisfaction and performance, there was a trend for organisation-level SMIs more effectively reducing work stress and improving health and well-being. Specific individual- (i.e., mindfulness, simulation training) and organisation-level (i.e., reflective groups, midwifery care models) SMIs were most beneficial. Conclusion: It is recommended that health practitioners and policy makers implement interventions that target both individual- and organisation-levels to optimally support midwives’ work stress, health, well-being, and performance. Notwithstanding these findings and implications, some studies had poor methodological quality; thus, future research should better follow intervention reporting guidelines
Experimental study of bonded, bolted, and hybrid bonded-bolted single lap shear joints with woven CFRP adherends
No full textThis paper presents an extensive experimental performance study of bonded joints (BJs), only bolted joints (OBJs) and hybrid bonded-bolted joints (HJs). For each joint type, three test configurations are considered: namely, short, medium and long overlap lengths. In each case, the adherends comprise quasi-isotropic twill woven CFRP. For each joint type/overlap length combination, three specimens are tested for statistical representation. HJs demonstrate 1.4, 1.5 and 1.5 times higher failure load and 1.5, 1.6 and 1.9 times higher stiffness than OBJs, for short, medium and long overlap, respectively. In all test cases, HJs outperform BJs except for short overlaps where BJs outperform both HJs and OBJs. OBJs perform poorly in terms of failure load and Hooke's stiffness. Nevertheless, due to bearing deformation at bolt hole locations, OBJs experience higher failure displacements than BJs and HJs leading to a desirable energy absorption mechanism compared to HJs and BJs. This is thanks to the bearing failure mode of the joint despite much lower failure load in OBJs. It was found that increasing the overlap length generally benefits BJs. However, for medium length overlap specifically, HJs show better performance than BJs. Stress–strain behaviours show a linear behaviour for all test groups with significant joint rotation for OBJs compared to BJs and HJs. Failure mechanism studies presented in the paper show that BJs fail in cohesive failure mode for all test groups. OBJs fail in bearing mode, which is followed by net tension failure. OBJs experience matrix cracking and delamination at bolt hole locations. On the contrary, HJs experience considerably less bearing failure at bolt holes due to the load bearing contribution from the adhesive
Women's experiences of maternity care in the United Kingdom during the COVID-19 pandemic: A follow-up systematic review and qualitative evidence synthesis
Get PDFBackground: Maternity care services in the United Kingdom have undergone drastic changes due to pandemic-related restrictions. Prior research has shown maternity care during the pandemic was negatively experienced by women and led to poor physical and mental health outcomes in pregnancy. A synthesis is required of published research on women's experiences of maternity care during the latter half of the COVID-19 pandemic. Aim: To update a previous systematic review of maternity care experiences during the pandemic to June 2021, exploring experiences of maternity care specifically within the United Kingdom and how they may have changed, in order to inform future maternity services. Methods: A systematic review of qualitative literature was conducted using comprehensive searches of five electronic databases and the Cochrane COVID Study Register, published between 1 June 2021 and 13 October 2022, and further updated to 30 September 2023. Thematic Synthesis was utilised for data synthesis. Findings: Of 21,860 records identified, 27 studies were identified for inclusion. Findings included 14 descriptive themes across the five core concepts: (1)Care-seeking and experience; (2)Virtual care; (3)Self-monitoring; (4)COVID-19 vaccination; (5)Ethical future of maternity care. Discussion: Our findings in the UK are consistent with those globally, and extend those of the previous systematic review, particularly about women's perceptions of the COVID-19 vaccine during pregnancy. Conclusion: Our findings suggest the following are important to women for future maternity care: personalisation and inclusiveness; clear and evidence-based communication to facilitate informed decision-making; and achieving balance between social commitments and time spent settling into motherhood
The Belfast/Good Friday Agreement and transformative change: Promise, power and solidarity
Get PDFIn 2023 the 1998 Belfast/Good Friday Agreement marks its twenty-fifth anniversary. For many the Agreement projects a global image of a successfully concluded end to conflict. However, key aspects of the agreement remain under-enforced or simply undelivered: in particular, provisions related to significant and wide-ranging guarantees addressing human rights and equality of opportunity. As a result, socio-economic and cultural deficits persist, undermining the capacity to achieve a ‘positive peace’. In this article we address the question of how transformative the Agreement and associated reforms have been in addressing the root causes of the conflict and the structures that underpinned it. In doing so, we deploy Clara Sandoval's typology of different forms of societal change – ‘ordinary’, ‘structural’ and ‘fundamental’ – to guide our thinking and analysis, and tackle the most fundamental of questions in peace agreement literature and practice: whether, in fact, peace agreements can undo the fundamental causes that trigger and sustain violence. The article outlines the transformative promise of the Agreement, the multiple interlocking factors that have undermined that promise and the role of civil society in sustaining that transformative potential. Our conclusions point to a more nuanced understanding of what constitutes the ‘ordinary’ in transitional settings and a caution against the hyperbole of the transformative. We view transformative change as slothlike in its emergence, specifically grounded in progressive and cumulative re-orderings that can accompany peace processes. Rather than a moment of radical change, transformation follows from the cumulative impact of symbolic gesture, specific legal provision, procedural practice, mechanisms of accountability, and an engaged and vibrant civil society
Parental concerns about genital differences in children with congenital adrenal
Get PDFBackgroundCongenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH) due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency (21HD) can affect the in utero development of the genital anatomy of people with the 46XX karyotype. Health professionals engage parents in decision-making regarding managing genitals with this difference, including genital surgery options and patient communication.AimWe sought to investigate parental communication with their daughters regarding clitoral size variation related to neonatal CAH.MethodsSemistructured in-person interviews of 24 parents of chromosomal XX children with clitoral size variation attributable to a neonatal CAH diagnosis comprised 3 management categories: (1) clitoral reduction surgery (RS) (7 parents, 9 children), (2) clitoral concealment surgery (CS) (8 parents, 8 children), and no surgery on or around the clitoris (NS) (9 parents, 7 children).OutcomesFour representative themes, Obvious Choice, Still Different, Parental Burden, and Ignorance Is Bliss, were common across all 3 treatment groups.ResultsFor most parents, none of the 3 options of genital appearance alteration via clitoral reduction, clitoral concealment surgery, or avoidance of clitoral surgery ameliorated concerns, with most parents expressing an aversion to educating their child on the topic of genital differences, past treatment, or future function.Clinical ImplicationsReliance on surgical treatment pathways to manage this psychosocial concern is ineffective in alleviating parental uncertainty without the application of psychosocial interventions.Strengths and LimitationsThis was a qualitative study but was limited to parents of children with a specific genital difference, without direct exploration of parental values regarding the clitoris or the application of adequate psychosocial care.ConclusionHealthcare services must have an impact on parental ability to engage in essential communication with their children in cases such as clitoral size variation related to neonatal CAH. Improved communication skills allow parents to engage in more genuine decision-making and adapt to enduring genital reality, including possible future sexual challenges for their adult child, without resorting to burdensome strategies focused on attempts to perpetuate a benevolent ignorance
First report of Brenneria goodwinii, Gibbsiella quercinecans and Rahnella victoriana in declining oaks in France
Get PDFAcute Oak Decline, Quercus petraea, Quercus robur Acute Oak Decline (AOD) is mediated by abiotic factors (temperature and precipitation) and triggered by insects (mainly the bark-boring beetle Agrilus biguttatus) and a complex of bacterial species (mainly Bren-neria goodwinii, Gibbsiella quercinecans and Rahnella victoriana) (Denman et al., 2017; Doonan et al., 2020). Given the extent of oak dieback and the prevalence of A. biguttatus in France (Saintonge & Goudet, 2020; Sallé et al., 2022), a preliminary study was done in five French forests to assess the prevalence of AOD symptoms (bleeding cortical lesions on the trunk associated with insect emergence holes and dieback) and to determine the bacteria associated with those symptoms. The mean prevalence of AOD symptoms was estimated at 37% arround 20 trees assessed in each of the five forests. Bark samples and, when possible, exudates were taken from lesions associated with insect emergence holes and/or cracks (Fig. 1). Bacterial isolations were made from 43 bark samples and 11 exudate samples by plating on three agar media (Luria, Gifu Anaerobic and Eosin Methylene Blue) and incubated at 22 • C for one to five days. Bacterial strains were identified by high-resolution melting (Brady et al., 2016) or 16S rRNA sequencing (Denman et al., 2016). The sequenced strains had 100% identity with sequences of reference strains (GenBank Accession Nos. CP014137.1, CP014136.1 and NR_146847.1). The percentage of trees infected with G. quercinecans, B. goodwinii and R. victoriana was 21, 16 and 12, respectively. These AOD-associated bacteria were detected with a higher success rate in exudates (81%) than in bark (25%). Gibbsiella quercinecans and B. good-This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited
Transcending equality, diversity and inclusion at work. A self-critical engagement
No full textThe book reflects on ways of transcending Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) by establishing a dialogue between the professional experience of the authors and experts from academia and practitioners from financial services and executive search. The book emphasises the link and impact between what is taught and what is learned about EDI and how this reflects on later choices in career and workplace status. The book offers a critical and global perspective, emphasizing the multilocality and intersectionality dimension of diversity and unpicks key insights from different conceptualizations, like class, gender and postcolonialism and their relationship with the current paradigm of diversity and how people identify and communicate. With an extensive collection of testimonies and invitations for reflection, the book doesn’t limit the analysis to the influences of historical power relations in the workplace, but investigates at what stage multicultural power structures start developing a compulsory inclination to create “differences” and how this can influence hiring decision making and management in the workplace. In the book, academics and practitioners provide illumination and insights gleaned from their own personal experiences and perspectives. Whilst the research targeted financial services and executive search, the book's findings will appeal globally to individuals of all age groups regardless of educational status, seniority or in which industry they are employed, particularly those who are aware of how each one expresses similarity and differences sometimes in not obvious ways
Children as Engineers
No full textMeeting the diverse aspects of the science, and design and technology curricula can be challenging for many teachers. Children as Engineers addresses this problem, offering both new and experienced teachers an accessible resource to apply within the classroom and to their own professional development, while also supporting their students in developing as STEM thinkers. With an explicit focus on sustainability, each aspect of the curriculum is explored through a series of engineering challenges that present pupils with an everyday problem to be solved practically.Filled with practical strategies to use in the classroom, topics covered include the following:The engineering design processPlants, animals and humansEveryday materialsLiving things and habitatsForces, light and soundStates of matterElectricityThis essential classroom resource will support primary teachers in embedding opportunities for contextualised STEM experiences into their lessons, so that all children can develop as current and future learners of STEM
Spatial heterogeneity in the response of winter wheat yield to meteorological dryness/wetness variations in Henan province, China
Get PDFKnowledge of the responses of winter wheat yield to meteorological dryness/wetness variations is crucial for reducing yield losses in Henan province, China’s largest winter wheat production region, under the background of climate change. Data on climate, yield and atmospheric circulation indices were collected from 1987 to 2017, and monthly self-calibrating Palmer drought severity index (sc-PDSI) values were calculated during the winter wheat growing season. The main results were as follows: (1) Henan could be partitioned into four sub-regions, namely, western, central-western, central-northern and eastern regions, based on the evolution characteristics of the time series of winter wheat yield in 17 cities during the period of 1988–2017. Among them, winter wheat yield was high and stable in the central-northern and eastern regions, with a remarkable increasing trend (p < 0.05). (2) The sc-PDSI in February had significantly positive impacts on climate-driven winter wheat yield in the western and central-western regions (p < 0.05), while the sc-PDSI in December and the sc-PDSI in May had significantly negative impacts on climate-driven winter wheat yield in the central-northern and eastern regions, respectively (p < 0.05). (3) There were time-lag relationships between the sc-PDSI for a specific month and the atmospheric circulation indices in the four sub-regions. Furthermore, we constructed multifactorial models based on selected atmospheric circulation indices, and they had the ability to simulate the sc-PDSI for a specific month in the four sub-regions. These findings will provide scientific references for meteorological dryness/wetness monitoring and risk assessments of winter wheat production
Multilevel European solidarity: From people to institutions (and back)
Get PDFIn times of crisis, interpersonal and group solidarity often emerge as people face critical challenges that threaten their survival. However, it remains unclear whether spontaneous solidarity practices are enough to effectively face such crisis situations. In this paper, we argue that to be fully effective, solidarity must be deployed through all its political tiers, from interpersonal and group relationships to institutional and legal normativity. We contend that solidarity relations can only reach an enduring goal if they solidify into stable principles that can be acknowledged and enacted at the institutional level. Through an examination of recent literature and concrete case studies, the paper investigates the linkages and mutual dependencies between the various levels of solidarity developed throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. This analysis may allow us to answer the question of whether a “Multilevel European Solidarity” is a realistic goal, and what is required to achieve it