922017 research outputs found
Sort by
Exploring the Use and Delivery of School-Based Mindfulness Programmes for Young Children
No full textAims: This systematic literature review aimed to explore how school-based mindfulness programmes have been adapted for use with young children in education settings, from ages three to nine years old. Method: School-based mindfulness interventions were assessed on quality using qualitative and quantitative frameworks. Important attitudinal principles and practical components of the school-based mindfulness interventions were analysed. Findings: The results revealed vast heterogeneity across programme design and delivery. The majority of programmes used mindful movement, visuals/props, sensory activities, reflection on experiences and the use of metaphorical language to teach young children mindfulness. There appeared to be greater precedence for experiential practices than instructional practices such as attitudinal features. Mindfulness has been used mainly to support cognitive functioning, particularly attentional and executive functioning. Limitations: The COVID-19 pandemic has delayed submission of this article, meaning that the most recent research findings might not be documented. The heterogeneity of the studies made drawing conclusions difficult.Conclusions: Implications for educational psychology practice and areas for future research are considered, particularly in relation to how educational psychologists can work with teachers to deliver effective and sustainable mindfulness interventions.Keywords: mindfulness; attention; young children; intervention; education<br/
THE ROLE OF AGE IN DELAYS TO RHEUMATOLOGICAL CARE IN JUVENILE IDIOPATHIC ARTHRITIS
No full textObjective: To investigate the relationship between age and symptom duration at initial presentation to paediatric rheumatology for JIA. Methods: In children and young people (CYP) enrolled in the Childhood Arthritis Prospective Study pre-March 2018, an association between age at presentation (<5, 5-11 and >11 years) and symptom duration was tested via multivariable linear regression.Results: In 1577 CYP, 5-11 year olds took 3.2 months longer and >11 year olds 6.9 months longer to reach paediatric rheumatology than <5 year olds. Conclusion: Adolescents take longer to reach paediatric rheumatology, potentially impacting their longer-term outcomes given the window of opportunity for JIA. <br/
21 new long-term variables in the GX 339−4 field: two years of MeerKAT monitoring
No full textWe present 21 new long-term variable radio sources found commensally in two years of weekly MeerKAT monitoring of the low-mass X-ray binary GX 339−4. The new sources vary on time scales of weeks to months and have a variety of light curveshapes and spectral index properties. Three of the new variable sources are coincident with multi-wavelength counterparts; and one of these is coincident with an optical source in deep MeerLICHT images. For most sources, we cannot eliminate refractive scintillation of active galactic nuclei as the cause of the variability. These new variable sources represent 2.2 ± 0.5 per cent of the unresolved sources in the field, which is consistent with the 1-2 per cent variability found in past radio variability surveys. However, we expect to find short-term variable sources in the field as well as these 21 new long-term variable sources. We present the radio light curves and spectral index variability of the new variable sources, as well as the absolute astrometry and matches to coincident sources at other wavelengths
Host-guest interactions and confinement effects in HZSM-5 and chabazite zeolites studied by low-field NMR spin relaxation
No full textCharacterisation of fluid/solid interactions in porous materials is crucial for their design and optimisation, most notably in applications such as adsorption and catalysis. Yet, probing interfacial phenomena of fluids confined in porous systems is particularly challenging. NMR spin relaxation has emerged in recent years as a rapid, non-invasive experimental technique to probe adsorbate/adsorbent interactions in mesoporous catalytic materials. More recently, NMR relaxation measurements performed on high-field (300 MHz) superconducting magnets have been successfully validated as a robust method to characterise acidity in HZSM-5 zeolites. Expanding such techniques in the context of low-field, bench-top NMR instruments would be highly beneficial as it would make NMR relaxation a much more appealing and accessible tool for non-invasive, rapid characterisation of adsorbate/adsorbent interactions in zeolites and microporous materials. Herein, we validate the use of low-field, bench-top NMR spin relaxation as an indicator for characterising host-guest interactions in microporous zeolitic materials, using water as guest molecules confined within two different zeolite frameworks, HZSM-5 and chabazite, with varying silica/alumina ratio (SAR). The results reported here demonstrate the robustness and sensitivity of low-field NMR relaxation measurements as a rapid screening tool for characterising adsorption and molecular dynamics in microporous materials, with important implications for both academics and industrialists in terms of making the method more widely accessible, hence expanding the set of tools for material chemistry and characterisation
Definition, diagnosis, and clinical management of nonobstructive kidney dysplasia: A consensus statement by the ERKNet working group on Kidney Malformations
No full textKidney dysplasia is one of the most frequent causes of chronic kidney failure in children. While dysplasia is a histological diagnosis, the term “kidney dysplasia” is frequently used in daily clinical life without histopathological confirmation. Clinical parameters of kidney dysplasia have not been clearly defined, leading to imprecise communication amongst healthcare professional and with patients. This lack of consensus hampers precise disease understanding and the development of specific therapies. Based on a structured literature search, we here suggest a common basis for clinical, imaging, genetic, pathological, and basic science aspects of non-obstructive kidney dysplasia associated with functional kidney impairment.We propose to accept hallmark sonographic findings as surrogate parameters defining a clinical diagnosis of dysplastic kidneys. We suggest differentiated clinical follow-up plans for children with kidney dysplasia and summarize established monogenic causes for non-obstructive kidney dysplasia. Finally, we point out and discuss research gaps in the field
Dynamics of electrostatic interaction and electrodiffusion in a charged thin film with nanoscale physicochemical heterogeneity: implications for low-salinity waterflooding
No full textThe slow kinetics of wettability alteration toward a more water-wetting state by low-salinity waterflooding (LSWF) in oil-brine-rock (OBR) systems is conjectured to be pertinent to the electrokinetic phenomena in the thin brine film. We hypothesize that the nanoscale physicochemical heterogeneities such as surface roughness and surface charge heterogeneity at the rock/brine interface control further the dynamics of electrodiffusion and electrostatic disjoining pressure (Πel), thus the time-scale and the magnitude of the low salinity effect (LSE). Film-scale computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations were performed to demonstrate this. The coupled Poisson-Nernst-Planck (PNP) equations were solved numerically in a thin water film confined between a solid surface and oil, both negatively charged. The solid surface is representative of quartz/kaolinite with patchwise physicochemical heterogeneity. The electrical properties of the oil are representative of a crude-oil sample. The OBR system is initially under chemical equilibrium with high salinity (HS) brine, then is exposed to low salinity (LS) brine. The time-scale of reaching chemical equilibrium under LS, and the evolution of electric potential were investigated. We find that surface roughness increases the diffusion time up to 3-fold due to increased tortuosity. Also, the effect of surface roughness and surface charge heterogeneity on the effective diffusioncoefficient (Deff) is minor. While surface roughness and surface charge 1 heterogeneity affect the disjoining pressure (Πel) significantly, the influence of surface roughness on Πel is more pronounced under HS than LS conditions. In contrast, the effect of surface charge heterogeneity (introduced by kaolinite patches on quartz) is more appreciable under LS than HS. Our findings imply that the LS effect can be enhanced in rough, heterogeneously charged systems like clayey sandstone, although its magnitude depends on the charge density of the roughness. We introduce two scaling factors, namely the effective diffusion coefficient (Deff) and the retardation coefficient (ω), to upscale the nanoscale results to pore-scale and beyond
“My life isn't my life, it's the system’s”: A qualitative exploration of women’s experiences of day-to-day restrictive practices as inpatients
No full textIntroductionInpatient care often involves restrictive interventions such as seclusion and restraint and restrictive practices that limit the person’s freedom, rights, and daily activities. Restrictive practice has not been the explicit focus in previous research however, it often appears as an important theme, with participants identifying it can have a detrimental effect on their wellbeing. More research specifically on this topic in an inpatient setting is therefore needed. Women might be particularly vulnerable to adverse effects of restrictive practices compared to men as women generally occupy less powerful positions in society and more often experience abuse. AimsThe study aimed to explore women’s experiences of routine restrictive practices in mental health inpatient settings. MethodsTwenty-two women who were currently inpatients on mental health wards were interviewed about their experiences of restrictive practices in hospital. Interviews were analysed using thematic analysis. ResultsAn overarching theme emerged of powerlessness. Four key subthemes were also identified: restrictions perceived as punitive, having no voice, impact of restrictions on relationships, and restrictions providing safety and support. DiscussionAlthough restrictive practices were found to provide the women with a sense of safety, they were also found to impact upon the women’s well-being, leading to increases in self-harm and over-reliance on restrictions. Implications for practiceThis research highlights the importance of gender-informed inpatient services for women that foster independence, empowerment and allow women to have their voices heard. Safewards interventions such as clear mutual expectations and soft words could contribute to mitigating the impact of restrictive practices
Soil abiotic properties shape plant functional diversity across temperate grassland plant communities
No full textThere is increasing awareness that plant community functional properties can be an important driver of ecosystem functioning. However, major knowledge gaps exist about how environmental factors, especially climate and soil abiotic properties, shape plant functional diversity at a regional scale. Furthermore, at those scales the relationships between plant functional and taxonomic diversity have rarely been considered. Here, we used a large database of plant species and functional trait data from 180 temperate grasslands across England, covering a broad range of grassland types, climatic conditions and management intensities, the last having a strong influence on multiple soil variables. Our specific aims were to: 1) identify the dominant environmental factors explaining variation in different facets of plant community functional properties, including community weighted means (CWMs) of functional traits and various multi-trait functional diversity indices; and 2) test whether the relationship between plant functional and taxonomic diversity is mediated by environmental factors at a regional scale. We found that soil abiotic properties (pH, and nutrient stocks), but not climate, were the main environmental factors explaining grassland plant functional diversity at a regional scale, with a significant contribution of soil nutrient stoichiometry (N/P ratio). Two indices of plant community functional properties, namely CWMs of specific leaf area and relative growth rate, were explained by interactions between soil pH and N and mean annual precipitation, soil pH soil N and soil N/P ratio. These indices were also negatively related with taxonomic diversity under certain soil abiotic conditions, specifically high soil clay content, pH and N/P. Together, our results indicate that soil abiotic properties rather than climate factors shape plant functional diversity across temperate grassland plant communities at a regional scale. They also suggest that interactions between environmental factors play a significant role in shaping patterns of plant community functional properties. Our findings are of importance for the design and interpretation of future studies using trait and diversity measures as proxies of ecosystem services at regional scales
The Winchcombe meteorite – a regolith breccia from a rubble-pile CM chondrite asteroid
No full textThe Winchcombe meteorite is a CM chondrite breccia composed of eight distinct lithological units plus a cataclastic matrix. The degree of aqueous alteration varies between intensely altered CM2.0 and moderately altered CM2.6. Although no lithology dominates, three heavily altered rock types (CM2.1- 2.3) represent >70 area%. Tochilinite-cronstedtite intergrowths (TCIs) are common in several lithologies. Their compositions can vary significantly, even within a single lithology, which can prevent a clear assessment of alteration extent if only TCI composition is considered. We suggest this is due to early alteration under localised geochemical microenvironments creating a diversity of compositions and because later reprocessing was incomplete, leaving a record of the parent body’s fluid history. In Winchcombe fragments of primary accretionary rock are held within a cataclastic matrix (~15 area%). This material is impact-derived fallback debris. Its grain size and texture suggest that the disruption of the original parent asteroid responded by intergranular fracture at grain size
The Skilled Teacher: A Heideggerian Perspective on Teacher Practical Knowledge
No full textThe concept of teacher Practical Knowledge, with its emphasis on the intuitive and situated nature of teaching practice, has provided a compelling approach to understanding what underlies teaching practice. However, much of the literature around Practical Knowledge focuses on teacher reflections on their practice and leaves unexplored the question of how the situation elicits particular practices from teachers. Moreover, there is a tendency to focus on individual Practical Knowledge, and this means that the social dimension, and particularly the socially normative element, of teaching practice is perhaps underappreciated. This article develops what I call the Skilled Teacher Approach to teaching practice, which shifts the focus from teachers’ individual cognitions about practice, to what teachers directly perceive as possible in their fundamentally social teaching environment. The Skilled Teacher Approach is rooted in Heidegger’s phenomenology but also draws substantially on Enactivist literature and argues that what teachers do in practice is largely a product of the affordances they directly perceive in their practice environment. It also argues that much of the landscape of affordances that a teacher perceives is socially constructed. Consequently, a significant part of Practical Knowledge relates to a sensitivity to the socially given affordances and knowing intuitively ‘what one does’ as a teacher. This perspective offers a new understanding of teaching practice and suggests new ways of engendering positive change in practice