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Factor structure and psychometric properties of the Birth Satisfaction Scale–Revised in Portuguese postpartum women
No full textObjective. This study aims to develop a Portuguese-language version of the Birth Satisfaction Scale-Revised (BSS-R) for clinical and research use in Portugal (PT-BSS-R). The factor structure, its invariance across depression levels, and the internal consistency of the PT-BSS-R were analysed. Method. A sample of 1373 Portuguese-speaking postpartum women completed a sociodemographic and clinical form, the PT-BSS-R, and the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale through an online survey tool. Four competing models were tested through confirmatory factor analyses and bifactor model-based psychometric indices were calculated. The internal consistency and the divergent/convergent validity were analysed. Results. The psychometric properties of the PT-BSS-R were found to be generally excellent. Both the original correlated three-factor model and the bifactor model exhibited a good fit to the data. Results from the bifactor model support the use of both the BSS-R total score and the subscale scores. Exemplary invariance findings were observed between groups stratified on the basis of a depression screening. The PT-BSS-R has demonstrated both divergent and convergent validity as well as internal consistency. Conclusion. The PT-BSS-R is a psychometrically robust measure of birth satisfaction appropriate for clinical and research use in Portugal
Reframing data ethics in research methods education: a pathway to critical data literacy
Get PDFThis paper presents an ethical framework designed to support the development of critical data literacy for research methods courses and data training programmes in higher education. The framework we present draws upon our reviews of literature, course syllabi and existing frameworks on data ethics. For this research we reviewed 250 research methods syllabi from across the disciplines, as well as 80 syllabi from data science programmes to understand how or if data ethics was taught. We also reviewed 12 data ethics frameworks drawn from different sectors. Finally, we reviewed an extensive and diverse body of literature about data practices, research ethics, data ethics and critical data literacy, in order to develop a transversal model that can be adopted across higher education. To promote and support ethical approaches to the collection and use of data, ethics training must go beyond securing informed consent to enable a critical understanding of the techno-centric environment and the intersecting hierarchies of power embedded in technology and data. By fostering ethics as a method, educators can enable research that protects vulnerable groups and empower communities
Fluid shear stress affects the metabolic and toxicological response of the rainbow trout gill cell line RTgill-W1
Get PDFThe Rainbow trout gill cell-line (RTgill-W1) has been accepted by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD TG249) as a replacement for fish in acute toxicity tests. In these tests cells are exposed under static conditions. In contrast, in vivo, water moves over fish gills generating fluid shear stress (FSS) that alters cell physiology and response to toxicants. The current study uses a specialised 3D printed chamber designed to house inserts and allows for the flow (0.2 dynes cm2) of water over the cells. This system was used to assess RTgill-W1 cell responses to FSS in the absence and presence of copper (Cu) over 24 h. FSS caused increased gene expression of mechanosensitive channel peizo1 and the Cu-transporter atp7a, elevated reactive oxygen species generation and increased expression of superoxidase dismutase. Cell metabolism was unaffected by Cu (0.163 μM to 2.6 μM Cu) under static conditions but significantly reduced by FSS + Cu above 1.3 μM. Differential expression of metallothionein (mt) a and b was observed with increased expression of mta under static conditions and mtb under FSS on exposure to Cu. These findings highlight toxicologically relevant mechanosensory responses by RTgill-W1 to FSS that may influence toxicological responses
Perception and use of flywheel resistance training amongst therapists in sport
Get PDFFlywheel (isoinertial) resistance training is a valid strength training method that has been incorporated in sport for decades, yet little is known about how therapists working in sport apply flywheel resistance training. We aimed to describe and understand current application and perception of flywheel resistance training amongst therapists working in sport. Seventy- three therapists (13 ± 10 years of experience) started part of this survey with 52 completing the entire electronic questionnaire. Nine multiple choice questions on application and perceptions of flywheel training (prerequisites, use of technology, barriers, and upper- and lower-body exercises) preceded two 6-point Likert scale statements on strength and reduction of injury likelihood. Most therapists (47/73) either used or intended to use flywheel training with their athletes and stated familiarisation would be a priority prior to initiating training. Although more than half suggested they were confident flywheel training could enhance strength (27/52) and muscular prehabilitation outcomes (40/52), many remained unsure. Nonetheless, it appears that therapists would mostly include flywheel training within prehabilitation (40/52) or during the later stages of rehabilitation (37/52). To monitor progress, therapists slightly prefer power (30/52) over velocity outputs, while few would not use them at all. Although therapists would prescribe most exercises - the squat, rotational exercise, and unilateral leg curl would be the most selected. Meanwhile, therapists reported remain most unsure or would avoid prescribing the lateral squat and unilateral hip extension. The biggest perceived barriers to flywheel training are equipment cost/space, evidence, and scheduling. The investigation provides valuable insight into the application and perception of flywheel training amongst therapists working in sport
Medicinal usage of Cannabis and Cannabinoids
No full textMedicinal Usage of Cannabis and Cannabinoids offers readers a comprehensive reference on the medical usage and symptom relief provided by these compounds in a variety of disorders. With coverage of neurological diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, and a wide range of other afflictions including depression, anxiety, nausea and cancer, this broad coverage allows readers to learn about symptom control, along with the physiological, psychological and pharmacological effects of these compounds. Unique case reports are provided as well. This volume provides a platform for research on the use of these compounds in improving patient care, brain function and neurological dysfunction
The psychological impact of boarding school: the trunk in the hall
No full textThe Psychological Impact of Boarding School is a collection of research-based essays answering a range of questions about boarding school and its long-term impact. Through a combination of original in-depth first-person narratives as well as larger scale surveys, this book aims to fill gaps in current boarding school research and present new findings. Topics addressed include gender differences, eating behaviours, loneliness, mental health and relationships, the differences between younger and older boarders, and ex-boarder experiences of therapy. The research results highlight a key role in the age that children start boarding, the way that long-term psychological influences of friendships formed at school, and the larger role that parent and family relationships play in the psychological lives of boarders. Through these findings, the book ultimately challenges the current understanding of boarding school syndrome, proposing a move beyond the term and its concept. The book will appeal to psychologists, psychoanalysts, counsellors, academics, teachers, current and ex-boarders as well as parents and guardians interested in the impact of boarding schools from either a professional or a personal perspective
Gender and sex bias in prevention and clinical treatment of women’s chronic pain: hypotheses of a curriculum development
Get PDFThis discursive paper focuses on undergraduate medical education’s role in tackling gender bias in clinical practice, specifically preventing and managing from a non-biomedical perspective chronic pain in women. A preliminary web search of medical schools’ curricula was performed to identify programs content related to gender bias in pain management. The web search included 10 universities’ websites selected from the top 10 rankings QS Universities Rankings 2022 for medical schools. Additionally, a questionnaire was sent to all deans of the selected academic institutions to explore the curriculum content further. The web search, and the lack of response from the deans, highlighted that relevant curriculum components on gender bias and chronic pain needed to be implemented. Therefore, this paper introduces an innovative curriculum development approach designed by the multi-professional research team to be implemented in medical school programs. This novel educational strategy could also cross-contaminate other healthcare practitioners’ university programs and, thus, stimulate an interprofessional debate into fostering inclusiveness and equal opportunities in health
Effective Assessment in a block pedagogy: understanding the impact of summative assessment type on student achievement
No full textBlock mode of delivery, also known as intensive mode, has increasingly been adopted by courses in higher education institutions (HEIs) in recent years. This surge has been attributed to the efforts of HEIs to adapt to the changing student population, which involves a diverse student population, as well as the evolving education landscape, recently impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The distinctive nature of a block delivery model, and the impact of demographic, contextual and disciplinary factors on assessment performance makes an evaluation of student achievement in a block pedagogy a critical area of focus. The study presented here explores the impact of different types of summative assessment on student achievement in a block mode of delivery implemented across the different courses in a UKbased HEI. This is achieved using a quasi-experimental design, involving independent sample t-tests. The study firstly compared first and second year students’ grades in modules where summative assessment had been adapted for block, with students’ grades from the same modules that were traditionally taught in the previous year; and secondly examined the impact of different types of summative assessment in block delivery on students’ grades. Results indicate that adapting the type of assessment for block delivery had no statistically significant difference on students’ final grades. However, when comparing different types of summative assessments in block delivery, students achieved higher grades in time-constrained and multiple summative assessments, compared to single final essays (p0.5). The results from this study indicate that the type of summative assessment has an impact on students’ academic success and, therefore, this should be at the heart of staff training and curriculum design when adopting block delivery