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Parallels in Practice: Applying Principles of Research Integrity and Ethics in Domestic Violence Fatality Review (DVFR)
Full text linkPurpose: Within the context of the big data society, new systems of data collection on domestic violence and abuse (DVA) have emerged. One such system is Domestic Violence Fatality Review (DVFR) which captures the various dimensions of gender, violence, and abuse required to form an evidence base for prevention. However, to date, there has been limited dialogue between practitioners and researchers about the ‘doing’ of DVFRs.Method: As DVFR systems vary by jurisdiction, we conducted a case study ofDomestic Homicide Reviews (DHRs) in England and Wales. Applying the ResearchIntegrity Framework (RIF) developed by the four Women’s Aid Federations in theUnited Kingdom (UK), this article examines both the practice of DHR and how it is utilised as data in research.Results: Informed by our situated perspectives as researchers and/or practitioners working in the field, our analysis demonstrates how undertaking DHR as a practitioner parallels collecting, accessing, and analysing data from DHRs as a researcher. Guiding principles are identified to help practitioners and researchers navigate the parallel challenges they confront and, critically, inform dialogue between practice and research.Conclusions: Implications for both professional practice and research are presented. To increase transparency and confidence, we argue that more attention should be afforded to the methodological and ethical issues inherent in both the practice of DHRs, and their utilisation as a source of data in research. While DHRs have differences to DVFRs in other jurisdictions, these findings also have implications for these other systems which will also be discussed
Prehistoric pathways to Anthropocene adaptation: Evidence from the Red River Delta, Vietnam
Full text linkOver the past twenty years, government advisory bodies have placed increasing emphasis on the need for adaptive measures in response to the effects of human-induced climate change. Integrated Assessment Models (IAMs), which incorporate macroeconomic and climate variables, feature prominently in advisory content, though they rarely draw on data from outside strictly constrained hypothetical systems. This has led to assertions that they are not well-suited to approximate complex systemic human-environment processes. Modular, interdisciplinary approaches have offered a way to address this shortcoming; however, beyond climate records, prehistoric data continue to be under-utilised in developing such models. In this paper we highlight the contribution that archaeology and palaeoecology can make to the development of the next generation IAMs that are expected to enhance provision for more local and pro-active adaptations to future climate change. We present data from one of Southeast Asia’s most heavily developed river deltas: the Red River (Song Hong) Delta, in Vietnam and localised analysis from the Tràng An Landscape Complex World Heritage Site, on the delta’s southern margin. Comparison is made between Shared Socio-economic Pathways (SSP) 5–8.5 and SSP2–4.5 emission projection models and the Mid-Holocene inundation of the Red River Basin. We highlight the value to taking a scientific long view of coastal evolution through an illustrative set of eight research foci where palaeo-data can bring new and localised empirical data to bear on future risk management planning. We proceed to demonstrate the applicability of palaeoenvironmental, zooarchaeological and historical evidence to management and the development of sustainable conservation strategies using Tràng An as a case study. In so doing, we further highlight the importance of knowledge exchange between scientific, corporate, non-governmental, local, and state stakeholders to achieve tangible results on the ground
Tips for writing a good recommendation letter
Full text linkBias exists in letters of recommendation, and it is reflected in the language used to describe and evaluate different candidates for countless opportunities in academia. Professional organizations are becoming more aware of this issue, and are pursuing avenues to address it. This paper discusses the type of information, that is, useful to have on hand when writing a recommendation letter, the structure of the letter, a process to follow for proof reading, when to say no, a compilation of additional resources, and tips for people asking for recommendation letters. Specifically, we discuss common grammar mistakes, the purpose of each portion of the letter, and ways conscious and unconscious bias can influence wording and structure. This paper is intended to provide a single place where people can go to learn all of the basics needed to write a strong recommendation letter, as currently available letter writing resources in the space physics community tend to focus on one aspect of letter writing
NHS Mental Health Services' policies on leave for detained patients in England and Wales: a national audit
Full text linkAccessible Summary: What is known on the subject?: ‘Leave’ is a common occurrence for patients detained in mental health settings. The term covers multiple scenarios, for example short periods to get off the ward through to extended periods at home prior to discharge. Despite the frequency and importance of leave, there is very little research about how it is implemented and whether, and in what circumstances, it is effective. While there is legislation about leave in the Mental Health Act (1983) mental health services are free to implement their own policies or not to implement one at all. What the paper adds to existing knowledge?: The leave policies of NHS mental health services in England and Wales are highly inconsistent. The extent to which policies are consistent with guidance differs depending on which service is providing care. What are the implications for practice?: It is very likely that, because of inconsistencies between services and policies, practice also differs. Clinicians need to understand their responsibilities in the leave process to ensure that patients are supported in their recovery journey. Policymakers need to revisit leave policies in light of evidence from this study. Abstract: Introduction: Considerable guidance is available about the implementation of leave for detained patients, but individual mental health services are free to determine their own policies. Aim: To determine how consistent leave policies of NHS mental health services in England and Wales are with relevant guidance and legislation. Method: A national audit of NHS mental health services leave policies. Data were obtained through web searching and Freedom of Information requests. Policies were assessed against 65 criteria across four domains (administrative, Responsible Clinician, types of leave and nursing). Definitions of leave‐related terms were extracted and analysed. Results: Fifty‐seven (91.9%) policies were obtained. There were considerable inconsistencies in how policies were informed by relevant guidance: Domain‐level consistency was 72.3% (administrative), 64.0% (Responsible Clinician), 44.7% (types of leave) and 41.9% (nursing). Definitions varied widely and commonly differed from those in relevant guidance. Discussion: Mental health professionals are inconsistently supported by the policy in their leave‐related practice. This could potentially contribute to inconsistent practice and leave‐related patient outcomes. Implications for Practice: To ensure patients are treated fairly clinicians need to be aware of their responsibilities around leave. In some services, they will need to go beyond their organization's stated policy to ensure this occurs
The association between maternal and paternal substance use and child substance use, internalising and externalising problems: a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Full text linkBackground and aim
There is substantial evidence showing an association between parental substance use and child substance use and/or mental health problems. Most research focuses upon maternal substance use, with the influence of fathers who use substance often being overlooked. We aimed to investigate the differential effects of maternal and paternal substance use upon children aged 0-18 years.
Method
We used systematic review methods to identify observational studies examining the association between either maternal or paternal substance use and child substance use and/or mental health problems. The odds ratio (OR) effect measure was used, for ease of computation. We used a random effects model with the inverse variance method to meta-analyse the findings from eligible studies.
Findings
We included 17 unique studies with a total of 47,374 child participants. Maternal and paternal substance use were both associated with increased odds of child any drug use (OR=2.09; 95% confidence interval (CI) [1.53, 2.86]; n=12,349 participants; three studies, and OR=2.86; 95% CI [1.25, 6.54]; n=5,692 participants; three studies, respectively), child alcohol problem use (OR=2.16; 95% CI [1.73, 2.71]; n=7,339 participants; four studies, and OR=1.70; 95% CI [1.36, 2.12]; n=14,219 participants; six studies), child externalising problems (OR=1.81; 95% CI [1.01, 3.22]; n=1,748 participants; three studies, and OR=1.60; 95% CI [1.18, 2.17]; n=2,508 participants; six studies), and child internalising problems (OR=1.60; 95% CI [1.25, 2.06]; n=1,748 participants; three studies, and OR=1.42; 95% CI [1.12, 1.81]; n=2,248 participants; five studies). Child any alcohol use was associated with maternal substance use only (OR=2.26; 95% CI [1.08, 4.70]; n=28,691 participants; five studies).
Conclusion
Both maternal and paternal substance use are associated with child substance use and mental health problems
A Sensor With Coating Pt/WO Powder With an Erbium-Doped Fiber Amplifier to Detect the Hydrogen Concentration
Full text linkA highly sensitive hydrogen sensor coated with Pt/WO3 powder with an Erbium-doped fibre amplifier (EDFA) is proposed and experimentally demonstrated. The sensing head is constructed by splicing a short section of tapered small diameter coreless fiber (TSDCF diameter of 62.5 μm, and tapered to 14.5 μm) between two single-mode fibres. The Pt/WO3 powder adheres to the surface of PDMS film coated on the TSDCF structure, which is sensitive to hydrogen. An EDFA is introduced into the sensor system to improve the quality factor of the output spectrum and thus improve the sensor’s resolution. As the hydrogen concentration varies from 0 to 1.44, the measured maximum light intensity variation and the sensor’s sensitivity are -32.41 dB and -21.25 dB/, respectively. The sensor demonstrates good stability with the light intensity fluctuation of < 1.26 dB over a 30-minute duration
Can wrist-worn devices and a smartphone application influence arm activity in children with unilateral cerebral palsy? A proof-of-concept study
Full text linkAim: To determine whether a wrist-worn triaxial accelerometer-based device and software (including smartphone application), incorporating feedback, is feasible, acceptable, and can lead to increased affected upper limb use during everyday activities in children with unilateral cerebral palsy (UCP).
Methods: Study design: Mixed methods proof of concept study. Participants: Children aged 8–18 years with UCP; age-matched typically developing controls (“Buddies”), therapists. Intervention: Baseline (2 weeks): devices recorded arm activity. Active feedback (6 weeks): devices also gave vibratory prompts if affected arm activity fell below pre-set personalised thresholds (UCP group only; control group continued as per Baseline). Final 2 weeks: as baseline. Both groups accessed a smartphone application providing feedback on relative arm motion throughout the study. Assessment and analysis: ABILHAND-Kids questionnaires and MACS classifications captured baseline participant characteristics (UCP group). Accelerometer data was used to calculate relative arm activity (signal vector magnitude) corrected for time worn/day, and trends in relative arm activity examined using single case experimental design (both groups). In-depth interviews with families, “Buddies” and therapists assessed feasibility and acceptability of implementation. A framework approach was used for qualitative data analysis.
Results: We recruited 19 participants with UCP; 19 buddies; and 7 therapists. Five participants (two with UCP) did not complete the study. Baseline mean (stdev) ABILHAND-Kids score of children with UCP who completed the study was 65.7 (16.2); modal MACS score was II. Qualitative analysis demonstrated acceptability and feasibility of the approach. Active therapist input for this group was minimal. Therapists appreciated the potential for summary patient data to inform management. Arm activity in children with UCP increased in the hour following a prompt (mean effect size z = 0.261) for the non-dominant hand, and the dominant hand (z = 0.247). However, a significant increase in affected arm activity between baseline and intervention periods was not demonstrated.
Discussion: Children with UCP were prepared to wear the wristband devices for prolonged periods. Whilst arm activity increased bilaterally in the hour following a prompt, increases were not sustained. Delivery of the study during the COVID-19 pandemic may have negatively influenced findings. Technological challenges occurred but could be overcome. Future testing should incorporate structured therapy input
Qualitative interview study exploring the early identification and referral of patients with suspected head and neck cancer by community pharmacists in England
Full text linkObjective To explore pharmacists’ perceptions of, and attitudes towards, the early identification and referral of patients with signs and symptoms indicating potential diagnosis of head and neck cancer (HNC) in community pharmacy settings.
Design Qualitative methodology, using constant comparative analysis to undertake an iterative series of semistructured interviews. Framework analysis facilitated the identification of salient themes.
Setting Community pharmacies in Northern England.
Participants 17 community pharmacists.
Results Four salient and inter-related categories emerged: (1) Opportunity and access, indicating frequent consultations with patients presenting with potential HNC symptoms and the accessible nature of community pharmacists; (2) Knowledge gap, indicating knowledge of key referral criteria, but limited experience and expertise in undertaking more holistic patient assessments to inform clinical decision making; (3) Referral pathways and workloads; indicating good working relationships with general medical practices, but limited collaboration with dental services, and a desire to engage with formal referral pathways, but current practices based entirely on signposting resulting in a potential lack of safety-netting, no auditable trail, feedback mechanism or integration into the multidisciplinary team; (4) Utilisation of clinical decision support tools; indicating that no participants were aware the Head and Neck Cancer Risk Calculator (HaNC-RC V2) for HNC but were positive towards the use of such tools to improve decision making. HaNC-RC V2 was seen as a potential tool to facilitate a more holistic approach to assessing patient’s symptoms, acting as a prompt to further explore a patient’s presentation, requiring further investigation in this context.
Conclusions Community pharmacies offer access to patients and high-risk populations that could support HNC awareness initiatives, earlier identification and referral. However, further work to develop a sustainable and cost-effective approach to integrating pharmacists into cancer referral pathways is needed, alongside appropriate training for pharmacists to successfully deliver optimum patient care
Irregular migration in the time of counter-smuggling
Full text linkThis special issue of Trends in Organized Crime brings together recent empirical research on migrant smuggling. Challenging the overemphasis on ‘organized crime’ and criminal networks that has long characterized mainstream discussions on smuggling, the contributions refocus our attention towards critical but underexamined dynamics present in the facilitation of irregular migration in a variety of geographic contexts, and shed light on the roles lesser examined elements in smuggling like race, ethnicity, gender, sex and intimacy play in irregular migration
Business History and the ‘Practical Turn’
Full text linkIn addressing the urgent need for business historians to think about enhancing their relationships with practitioners, we advocate what we term a 'Practical Turn' (as opposed to a 'historic turn' or a 'narrative turn', as proposed by other scholars). Although not entirely original, this 'Practical Turn' is essential if the discipline is to gain greater credibility, especially in management and business schools where most business historians reside. The article addresses some of the challenges faced by business historians, providing evidence to demonstrate that the discipline has much to offer the various worlds of practice