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THE EPISTEMIC JUDGEMENT CHAIN TO SUPPORT HOLISTIC PHYSICAL EDUCATION TEACHER DEVELOPMENT- AN INITIAL STUDY
Get PDFProblem Statement Teacher professional development is criticised for not being effective in respect to
changes in pedagogy and practice. Epistemology is a valuable lens by which teachers can plan, deliver and
reflect upon holistic physical education activities. Little is known however about how to maximise a deeper
knowledge and understanding of epistemology and its application. Approach A pilot study with 16 trainee
Physical Education teachers followed their final year 18 week teaching internship. Teachers were
introduced to the Epistemic Judgement Chain (EJC) and mentored in its use. Participants reflected upon
the EJC’s structure, content and utility. Reflective Thematic Analysis was then applied. Results All
participants provided positive feedback about the EJC’s merit, value and constructs. Two storybook themes
were generated; Learning what is out there, and Playing the promotion game. Findings provide evidence
that the EJC is an asset in teacher training that makes philosophy to practice and alignment explicit. The
trainee teachers were however unaware of many professional and organizational stressors, educational
policy constraints, and other hidden influences on the actual PE teaching world. Future studies that
evaluate the EJC with diverse PE teaching cohorts is therefore required. The EJC would seem to function
as an effective means to shine a light and delve below the surface to improve key PE practices. Conclusions
The EJC provides a valuable scaffold by which teachers can reflect on their views, experiences, and future
plans for implementing a holistic approach to Physical Education. Findings supported the EJC’s ability
to facilitate teachers’ critical awareness of environmental influences on teaching practice. Additionally,
the EJC helped teachers navigate a path that was well aligned to their own values and beliefs about
teaching and learning. Follow up studies are now needed to investigate the impact of the EJC professional
development process on both teacher and student behaviours
THE EPISTEMIC JUDGEMENT FRAMEWORK – A FRAMEWORK TO SUPPORT TEACHER PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT -Symposium paper
No full textProblem Statement Teacher professional development is criticised for not being effective in respect to changes in pedagogy and practice. Epistemology is a valuable lens by which teachers can plan, deliver and reflect upon holistic physical education activities. Little is known however about how to maximise a deeper knowledge and understanding of epistemology and its application. Approach A pilot study with 16 trainee Physical Education teachers followed their final year 18 week teaching internship. Teachers were introduced to the Epistemic Judgement Chain (EJC) and mentored in its use. Participants reflected upon the EJC’s structure, content and utility. Reflective Thematic Analysis was then applied. Results All participants provided positive feedback about the EJC’s merit, value and constructs. Two storybook themes were generated; Learning what is out there, and Playing the promotion game. Findings provide evidence that the EJC is an asset in teacher training that makes philosophy to practice and alignment explicit. The trainee teachers were however unaware of many professional and organizational stressors, educational policy constraints, and other hidden influences on the actual PE teaching world. Future studies that evaluate the EJC with diverse PE teaching cohorts is therefore required. The EJC would seem to function as an effective means to shine a light and delve below the surface to improve key PE practices. Conclusions The EJC provides a valuable scaffold by which teachers can reflect on their views, experiences, and future plans for implementing a holistic approach to Physical Education. Findings supported the EJC’s ability to facilitate teachers’ critical awareness of environmental influences on teaching practice. Additionally, the EJC helped teachers navigate a path that was well aligned to their own values and beliefs about teaching and learning. Follow up studies are now needed to investigate the impact of the EJC professional development process on both teacher and student behaviours
Global variations in omega-3 fatty acid status and omega-6:omega-3 ratios: insights from > 500,000 whole-blood dried blood spot samples
Get PDFOmega-3 (n-3) fatty acids are critical for human health, with the omega-6 (n-6) to n-3 fatty acid ratio and the omega-3 levels recognized as contributing to the risk of many chronic non-communicable diseases. Direct measurement of fatty acid levels in blood provides the most accurate assessment of fatty acid status and balance, with fingertip dried blood spot (DBS) analysis offering a practical and cost-effective assessment method. This study analyses more than 590,000 globally sourced DBS samples, providing fatty acid profiles in whole blood across diverse populations. Results reveal significant global and demographic disparities in n-3 levels and n-6:n-3 ratios, with suboptimal n-3 levels and imbalanced n-6:n-3 ratios prevalent worldwide. While the findings align with general trends reported in previous global mapping studies on omega-3 status in red blood cells (RBC), they are based on whole blood measurements and highlight the utility of DBS testing for large-scale monitoring. These results underscore the need to enhance n-3 fatty acid intakes to help mitigate multiple global health challenges and demonstrate the utility of fingertip DBS testing as a practical approach to design dietary interventions to promote overall well-being
Interventions that prevent or reduce perinatal loneliness and its proximal determinants: a restricted scoping review
Get PDFBackground: The World Health Organisation’s Commission on Social Connection (2024–2026) highlights the importance of addressing loneliness because of its negative impact on health and well-being. The perinatal period carries an increased risk of loneliness for mothers and fathers which is elevated by intersectional inequalities, such as having a low income, being LGBTQ+, or being from a minoritised community. Perinatal loneliness is associated with perinatal mental illness, which can have lasting negative impacts on parents and their children. The aim of this review was to synthesise studies exploring interventions for perinatal loneliness. Methods: We conducted a restricted scoping review following the Joanna Briggs Institute Methodology to develop a categorisation of interventions and intervention-mechanisms to reduce perinatal loneliness. We included studies that described and/or evaluated interventions in published studies that intentionally or unintentionally reduced loneliness, or its proximate determinants, such as social connectedness and social support. We searched eight electronic databases for peer-reviewed academic papers published in any country describing or evaluating these interventions between 2013–2023. Results: Fifty papers were included in the review, from which the following categorisation of interventions was developed: 1) synthetic social support, 2) shared-identity social support groups, 3) parent and baby groups, 4) creative health approaches (arts, nature or exercise based), 5) holistic, place-based and multidisciplinary support that worked with parents to overcome a range of barriers to connection, and 6) awareness campaigns. Five mechanisms were identified within included papers: 1) opportunities for social connection to similar others, 2) positive relationships with a professional or volunteer, 3) normalisation and acceptance of difficulties, 4) meaningful activities and 5) support to overcome barriers (including cultural and financial) to connection. Few studies collected comprehensive demographic data, few considered fathers, and none were LGBTQ+ specific. Conclusions: The review identified and synthesised approaches that might address perinatal loneliness and its proximate determinants. Further research is needed to scope the grey literature, review papers in the global south, appraise intervention effectiveness, and co-produce interventions, including for fathers, LGBTQ+ parents, and cultural and religious minorities. Trial registration: The protocol for the trial was registered on Figshare
Arts and creativity and its impact on older people’s health and wellbeing: commentary on a systematic review
Get PDFIn the context of global ageing, preventative interventions to support healthy ageing are a key area of interest. This commentary critically appraises a systematic review which aimed to synthesise the existing available evidence regarding the potential of arts and creative interventions to improve the health and wellbeing of older adults. The reviewers suggest that
dance has a positive effect on older adults’ physical health and wellbeing. However, further robust research is needed to understand the benefits of different arts and creative
interventions for diverse population groups, and to consider the longer-term benefits, costs, and sustainability of the interventions
Temporal trends in the incidence of Hodgkin's lymphoma in the Middle East and North Africa over the past three decades.
No full textBackground: Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) is a rare yet important hematologic malignancy of B-cell origin. While global incidence rates vary, the epidemiology of HL in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) is not well understood due to limited regional data. This study uses Global Burden of Disease (GBD) data to analyze HL incidence trends in MENA over the past three decades, aiming to shed light on the evolving burden of the disease in this region. Methods: Data on age-standardized incidence rates (ASIR) for HL in the MENA from 1990 to 2019 were collected from the GBD database. Joinpoint regression software was utilized to calculate the annual percent change (APC) and average annual percent change (AAPC) in ASIR, with stratification by country. Results: From 1990 to 2019, an estimated total of 94,221 cases of HL were reported in the MENA, with 58.2% of cases in males. A statistically significant increase in ASIR was observed across the region, with an AAPC of 0.40 (95% CI 0.37 to 0.43, p<0.001). Significant increases in ASIR were observed in Algeria, Bahrain, Iran, Jordan, Libya, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, and Tunisia, with the most prominent rise in Iran (AAPC 2.84). In contrast, Afghanistan, Iraq, Morocco, Palestinian Territories, Sudan, Turkey, and Yemen experienced significant declines in ASIR, with the steepest decrease seen in Morocco (AAPC -0.27). No significant changes were observed in Egypt and the United Arab Emirates. Conclusions: Our analysis shows a significant increase in HL incidence across the MENA from 1990 to 2019. The rise was especially noted in Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Tunisia. This increase could reflect improved early detection, better reporting systems, and changes in environmental or lifestyle factors. However, Morocco, Yemen, and Iraq saw declines, while Egypt and the UAE showed no significant changes. The varying trends reflect the complex, often bimodal patterns seen globally, likely driven by a combination of better healthcare access, epidemiological shifts, and environmental influences. These findings emphasize the need for region-specific healthcare strategies to address the growing HL burden in the MENA
Effectiveness of Porous Concrete Pavements in Removing Total Suspended Solids from Urban Stormwater Runoff
Get PDFThis study investigates the effectiveness of total suspended solids removal in porous concrete pavement (PCP) with only changing aggregate size of the mix design and the thicknesses of the pervious concrete pavement specimen. The study used two different aggregate sizes, 10 ~ 14, and 14 ~ 19 mm, with a third mix percentage consisting of 50% of both aggregate sizes. Water content was maintained low in the mix designs since it influenced the porosity of the concrete and the water flow rate after solidifying the concrete. Slump tests were done to find the workability and all 3 mix designs’ slump was near zero, and casted cubes were used to determine the compressive strength of each mix design. The results revealed that aggregate size had a direct impact on compressive strength, with smaller aggregate mix designs having higher strength. The study validated PCP’s filtration properties as well as the percentage removal of total suspended solids. The removal efficiency was found to increase with the thickness of the PCP and the use of smaller aggregate sizes. Also, data revealed that where higher porosity facilitates improved filtration and reduces Total Suspended Solids (TSS) in storm water runoff. Furthermore, Infiltration data shows, where higher TSS Reduction Efficiency is associated with improved infiltration capacity, effectively mitigating the impact of stormwater runoff on water quality. According to the study, PCP is a better alternative for stormwater management systems and may be utilized for harvesting and cleaning purposes as non-portable water. The findings of this study might assist in determining the individual performance of each porous concrete pavement type and encourage wider use of these pavements to reduce the need for impermeable surfaces for stormwater management
Exploring perinatal loneliness as a key social determinant of perinatal mental ill health in the UK: findings from a multidisciplinary consensus statement exercise that mapped knowledge about measurement, prevalence, antecedents, impacts and interventions, and agreed future priorities for research, policy and practice
Get PDFObjectives
New parents are at increased risk of loneliness, which adversely affects parental and infant health and well-being and has been linked to an increased likelihood of parental mental illness. In the UK, perinatal mental illness is estimated to cost £8.1bn a year, predominantly due to lasting poor health and developmental consequences for children. The purpose of this consensus statement is to determine the state of this research field, highlighting key issues for researchers, policymakers and those responsible for perinatal mental health services and interventions. We will also highlight knowledge gaps to be addressed in future perinatal loneliness research.
Design, setting and participants
The Parental Loneliness Research Group held six online meetings between October 2023 and May 2024, attended by academics and practitioners from the UK and USA. Attendees conducted a mapping exercise by appraising published, unpublished and ongoing perinatal loneliness research. The findings were shared with advisory groups, including parents with lived experience of loneliness. A consensus statement was then drafted, reflecting existing knowledge and gaps in the current evidence about the experience of perinatal loneliness in the first 1001 days.
Results
A consensus about the definitions, measurement, prevalence, antecedents, impacts and interventions relevant to perinatal loneliness is outlined. Gaps in the literature are highlighted.
Conclusions
Despite emerging research into perinatal loneliness, it is hard to determine prevalence due to limited analyses of national survey data. Recommendations for future research include secondary data analysis; prioritising equality, diversity and inclusion; reconsidering solutions to perinatal loneliness through a social justice lens; co-producing interventions, and rigorous evaluation of existing interventions
Temporal trends in the incidence of multiple myeloma in the Middle East and North Africa over the past three decades.
No full textBackground: Multiple myeloma (MM) is a common hematologic malignancy in aging populations, representing 10% of global hematologic cancers, with higher incidence rates in high-income countries. Studies on MM’s burden in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) are limited. We hope to help fill this gap in epidemiological trends of MM in the region, which can help inform public health strategies. This study utilizes data from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) database to analyze temporal trends in MM incidence across the MENA over the past three decades. Methods: Data on age-standardized incidence rates (ASIR) for MM in the MENA from 1990 to 2019 were collected from the GBD database. Joinpoint Analysis software was used to calculate annual percent change (APC) and average annual percent change (AAPC) in ASIR, with stratification by sex and country. Results: From 1990 to 2019, 86,444 MM cases were reported in the MENA, with males representing 56.7% of cases. ASIR increased by an AAPC of 1.55 (95%CI 1.51 to 1.58, p<0.001). Country-specific stratification showed a rise in incidence across most nations, with the most notable increase in Iran (AAPC 2.35, 95%CI 2.32 to 2.38, p<0.001), followed by Saudi Arabia (AAPC 2.19, 95%CI 2.16 to 2.21, p<0.001) and Morocco (AAPC 2.19, 95%CI 2.16 to 2.21, p<0.001). Lebanon had the lowest significant increase (AAPC 0.70, 95%CI 0.65 to 0.75, p<0.001), while Kuwait saw a decrease in ASIR (AAPC -1.1, 95%CI -1.90 to -0.30, p=0.009). Sex-based stratification revealed a significant decline in ASIR for males in Kuwait and Jordan (AAPC -1.01 and -0.11, respectively). For females, ASIR significantly increased in all countries except Kuwait (which experienced a significant decline) and Jordan (which showed no significant change). Conclusions: Our analysis shows a significant increase in MM incidence in the MENA region over the past three decades. This increase could be driven by several factors, including improved healthcare access, better diagnostic capabilities, and longer life expectancies. Countries with higher sociodemographic indices (SDI), like Saudi Arabia, saw a more prominent rise, aligning with global trends. Iran and Morocco, despite having lower SDIs, also experienced significant increases, suggesting that factors beyond SDI may drive these trends. While MM remains male-predominant, ASIR increased in both sexes across most countries, except Kuwait, where both experienced a decline. These findings highlight the need for targeted healthcare strategies to address the growing therapeutic challenges of MM
Pulp Necrosis Treatment: Evaluating the Effectiveness of Stem Cell Therapy: A Minireview
Get PDFPulp necrosis, a prevalent condition in endodontics, poses significant challenges in preserving tooth vitality and function. Traditional treatment methods like root canal therapy often focus on managing symptoms and controlling the infection rather than promoting natural tissue regeneration. This article evaluates the effectiveness of stem cell therapy as an innovative approach to treating pulp necrosis. We review recent advancements and clinical trials that explore the regenerative potential of stem cells, including mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), from various sources. The review highlights the underlying mechanisms of stem cell therapy, such as differentiation and angiogenesis, and compares these to conventional methods in terms of efficacy and patient outcomes. By examining the current state of research, challenges, and future directions, this article aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of how stem cell therapy could revolutionize the treatment of pulp necrosis and improve clinical practice