University of the Sunshine Coast
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Woman-centred care: An integrative review of the empirical literature
No full textObjective:
The objective of this review is to explore, review and synthesize the empirical literature that reports on the concept of woman centred care.
Design:
Integrative review of the empirical literature on the concept of woman centred care.
Data sources:
A comprehensive search strategy was conducted using the phrase ‘woman-centred care’ ‘women-centred care’ (and all associated spelling variants) in the relevant databases including PubMed, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health, Intermid, Scopus, Informit and Web of Science. A concurrent search using the phrase ‘patient-centred care’ (and associated spelling variants) was also conducted, to ensure all studies about care of a woman in pregnancy, labour and postpartum were captured.
Review method:
A comprehensive five stage integrative review methodology was used to review primary studies which addressed woman-centred care as either an intervention or an outcome. The quality of included studies was assessed using the appropriate Critical Appraisal Skills Programme tool.
Results:
Initial searching located 1205 papers. Seventeen studies met the inclusion criteria (qualitative n=12 and quantitative n=5). The studies were conducted in Australia (n=5), Ireland (n=1), Japan (n=2), Netherlands (n=2), New Zealand (n=1), South Africa (n=1), Sweden (n=1), Switzerland (n=1), United Kingdom (n=1), and the United States of America (n=2). The quality of the studies varied. NVivo software was employed to abstract and synthesize the data. Analysis revealed 10 subthemes synthesized under three pre-determined main themes of clinical practice (choice and control, empowerment, protecting normal birth, relationships and the individual midwife), maternity service (model of care, continuity of care and maternity care systems) and education (registered practitioners and student midwives).
Conclusions:
This review integrates the empirical literature to illuminate the concept of woman-centred care as it currently applies to clinical practice, maternity service, and education. The concept of woman- centred care is intertwined in the themes and subthemes identified in the studies. There is wide variation in how woman-centred care is interpreted and this contributes to the confusion and tokenism with which it is discussed in health policy documents and frameworks. Further research is also warranted in the development of a universal definition of woman-centred care and in how woman-centred care behaviours are developed in practitioners
Competition, Efficiency and Stability: An Empirical Study of East Asian Commercial Banks
No full textThis paper examines the relationships between competition, efficiency and stability in the banking systems of four East Asian countries (China, Hong Kong, Malaysia and Vietnam) over 2004–2014. The results support the traditional competition–fragility view and suggest that an increase in competition may result in a decrease in stability. Similarly, credit risk, bank size and market concentration may positively affect bank stability. By contrast, banks with higher liquidity risk and revenue diversification may become less stable. Empirical analysis suggests that banking sector stability was adversely affected by the global financial crisis. Listed banks may be less stable than their non-listed peers. The macroeconomic environment (measured in terms of inflation and GDP growth) also affects bank stability. Additionally, some important policy implications with respect to improving bank stability are recommended
A Dwarf Phenotype Identified in Breadfruit (Artocarpus altilis) Plants Growing on Marang (A. odoratissimus) Rootstocks
No full textBreadfruit (Artocarpus altilis) is a tropical fruit tree primarily grown as a staple crop for food security in Oceania. Significant wind damage has driven an interest in developing its dwarf phenotype. The presence of any dwarf breadfruit variety remains unknown. Little is known regarding the growth of the species on rootstocks. Here, we examined the phenotype of breadfruit plants growing on marang (Artocarpus odoratissimus) rootstocks within 18 months after grafting; we identified a rootstock-induced dwarf trait in the species. This dwarf phenotype was characterized by shorter stems, reduced stem thickness and fewer branches, with 73% shorter internode length, 51% fewer and 40% smaller leaves compared to standard size breadfruit plants. The height of breadfruit plants on marang rootstocks was reduced by 49% in 9 months, and 59% in 18 months after grafting. The results suggest marang rootstocks can be applied to breadfruit breeding program for tree vigor control. Further biochemical characterization showed plants on marang rootstocks displayed leaves without change of total chlorophyll content, but with lower total soluble sugars, and stems with reduced activity of plasma membrane H+-ATPase, a well-known primary proton pump essential for nutrient transport. The significance of the two parameters in rootstock dwarfing is discussed
The Fear of Not Flying: Achieving Sustainable Academic Plane Travel in Higher Education Based on Insights from South Australia
No full textUniversities are both disseminators and producers of the climate knowledge needed to institute the social and cultural change required for climate adaptation and mitigation to occur. They also have the opportunity to lead and model pro-environmental behavior, yet often have large carbon budgets, partly caused by staff travel. This paper explores this topic via an institutional case study of what factors motivate the academic community to undertake plane travel and the implications this has for wielding wider societal influence in terms of pro-environmental behavior. We report on a year-long qualitative social science study of academic plane travel at the University of Adelaide, South Australia where we investigated the tension between academic requirements to travel and the institution’s formal commitment to sustainability within the Campus Sustainability Plan. We found that, while many academics were worried about climate change, very few were willing to change their current practice and travel less because they are not institutionally incentivized to do so. There is a fear of not flying: plane travel is perceived as a key driver for career progression and this is an ongoing barrier to pro-environmental behavior. We conclude that institutional and political change will be required for individual change to occur and sustainable agendas to be met within academic communities
The Social Marketing Messenger is as Important as the Message: Learnings from a Case Study of Widening Participation in Australian Higher Education
No full textNo abstract available
Studies of the solidification characteristics in Sn-Ag-Cu-Bi solder alloys
No full textBecause of the environmental health implications of Pb, and legislation backing Restriction on Hazardous Substances (RoHS) in electronic devices, Sn-based lead-free solders are developed. Near eutectic Sn-Ag-Cu (SAC) compositions is the most widely used Pb-free solder in the electronic industries. However, its high melting temperatures (>217 ℃) remains a concern. The addition of Bi to a Sn-based alloy can be used to lower melting temperature because of the presence of a deep valley eutectic in the Bi-Sn system. The effects of such additions in SAC on solidification path are rarely considered. The effects of Bi substitution for Sn on solidification of near eutectic SAC alloy are followed with differential thermal analysis (DSC). It is found that the solidus temperature of SAC-Bi alloy mixes is considerably lowered. For low concentrations of Bi, melting range (ΔTr) were generally less than 4 ℃. However, (ΔTr) considerably widens when the Bi content exceeds 2 wt. %. The DSC and X-ray diffraction (XRD) studies suggested that a higher concentration of Bi in SAC would lead to far eutectic solidification that is attended by a formation of primary Bi phase. The existence of primary Bi phase in a solidified solder would lead to embrittlement and thus would affect the integrity of soldered joints. This work suggests that the use of Bi in SAC solders should be restricted to less than 2 wt. % (by varying %Wt of Bi)
Starting Life as a Midwife: An International Review of Transition from Student to Practitioner
No full textThis volume explores the unique challenges midwifery graduates face as they move into practice. It identifies the similarities and differences in midwifery education, regulation, and clinical practice faced by graduate midwives in all continents, examining the various support systems available for graduate midwives in many countries, and identifying the common strategies (formal and informal) and approaches that have proved to be effective in supporting midwifery graduates.
The book volume brings together the experiences of new midwives starting out in registered practice, to share the challenges and triumphs during their transition to confident practitioners.
It identifies, explains and details both established and innovative new mechanisms in place to support new midwives in each country, and examines the effects the experiences of transitioning to practice may have on future professional practice, resilience and sustainability. Lack of support during the new-graduate transition to practice has been associated with early attrition from the midwifery profession. Stress, disillusion, and horizontal violence have been identified as factors that influence midwifery attrition rates. Exploration of the various support mechanisms currently available in different countries may stimulate the sharing of best practices in providing new midwives with transition to practice programmes and generate further research.
Each chapter is harmonized to facilitate the comparison between countries, and the maternity services context is explained using each country’s specific legislation, regulation and registration of midwives. The preparation of midwifery students for qualified practice is outlined to explain how midwifery students are trained and socialized into the profession, mentored in their placements and then transitioned to registered midwife status.
This book appeals to midwives, managers, educators, and newly graduated interested in international midwifery practice
Birthing the placenta: women’s decisions and experiences
No full textBackground: Previous research examining the birth of the placenta has focussed on quantitative outcomes comparing active and expectant (physiological) management. However, it is also important to understand women’s experiences of birthing the placenta. Methods: The participant group consisted of 11 women who had expectant management, eight who had active management and one who was unsure. Participants were interviewed in-depth and the data analysed using thematic analysis. Results: Seven themes were identified in the data relating to before, during and after the birth of the placenta. Before birth themes focused on making decisions and included ‘doing the research’ and ‘natural birth’. During the birth of the placenta themes were ‘boundaries of time’, ‘focusing on baby’ and ‘sensations’. After the birth themes consisted of ‘looking’ and ‘keeping’. Conclusion: Most of the women considered a physiological birth of the placenta to be an intrinsic element of natural birth. Active management was considered to be an intervention used if complications occurred. In contrast, women who chose active management did not consider the placenta to be an important element of natural birth, and chose active management in order to prevent complications. Decisions about birthing the placenta were informed by Internet sources and previous personal experiences rather than care providers. During the birth of the placenta care providers managed the boundaries of time whilst women focused on their baby. The sensations women described were consistent across both types of management. Women valued seeing their placenta and having the opportunity to keep it, and placenta encapsulation was popular. The findings of this study contribute the experiences of women to the body of knowledge informing practice during the birth of the placenta
Red Light: Field Test
No full textThe author tested the effect of several colors of light and confirmed that the conventional wisdom of using red at night needs to be revisited
Farmers and their data: An examination of farmers’ reluctance to share their data through the lens of the laws impacting smart farming
No full textThe absence of legal and regulatory frameworks around the collection, sharing and use of agricultural data contributes to the range of challenges currently being faced by farmers considering adoption of smart farming technologies. Many laws potentially influence the ownership, control of and access to data, in this paper we examine the attitudes of farmers to the collection, control, sharing and use of their farm data. Australian agriculture and the attitudes of Australian farmers to the adoption and uptake of smart farming technologies is used to highlight the tensions., however the issues and challenges raised are common to many agricultural industries throughout the world. We combine insights from a survey of Australian farmers with a legal analysis of the way in which agricultural data are collected, controlled, shared and used. We argue that the lack of transparency and clarity around issues such as data ownership, portability, privacy, trust and liability in the commercial relationships governing smart farming are contributing to farmers’ reluctance to engage in the widespread sharing of their farm data that smart farming facilitates. At the heart of the concerns is the lack of trust between the farmers as data contributors, and those third parties who collect, aggregate and share their data. The aim of this paper is to examine the issues giving rise to this lack of trust. We conclude with recommendations on how to address these concerns and facilitate the improved adoption of smart farming technologies, focusing on the need for the social architecture of the agricultural data relationships to change. To achieve this change, open dialogue, education and awareness raising and good data governance are essential to help build trust in the adoption of smart farming systems