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Skirting
Get PDFSkirting arranges poems in columns that provide multiple reading routes, giving the reader opportunities to make and create a series of ways to engage with and understand the text. This system of arranging and rearranging the poem is explored within the texts too, these poems circle around their subject without naming the events explored. The poems skirt around a figure, event and thoughts, trying to get close to a difficult subject without being able to fully articulate or fix it to the page. Skirting is many attempts at using language to describe and locate
Field method for preservation of total mercury in waters, including those associated with artisanal scale gold mining †
Get PDFAnalysis of mercury (Hg) in natural water samples has routinely been impractical in many environments, for example, artisanal and small-scale gold mines (ASGM), where difficult conditions make monitoring of harmful elements and chemicals used in the processes highly challenging. Current sampling methods require the use of hazardous or expensive materials, and so difficulties in sample collection and transport are elevated. To solve this problem, a solid-phase extraction-based method was developed for the sampling and preservation of dissolved Hg in natural water samples, particularly those found around ASGM sites. Recoveries of 85% ± 10% total Hg were obtained during 4 weeks of storage in refrigerated (4 °C, dark) and unrefrigerated (16 °C, dark) conditions, and from a representative river water spiked to 1 μg L−1 Hg2+, 94% ± 1% Hg recovery was obtained. Solid-phase extraction loading flow rates were tested at 2, 5, and 10 mL min−1 with no breakthrough of Hg, and sorbent stability showed no breakthrough of Hg up to 2 weeks after functionalisation. The method was deployed across five artisanal gold mines in Kakamega gold belt, Kenya, to assess Hg concentrations in mine shaft water, ore washing ponds, and river and stream water, including drinking water sources. In all waters, Hg concentrations were below the WHO guideline limit value of 6 μg L−1, but drinking water sources contained trace concentrations of up to 0.35 μg L−1 total Hg, which may result in negative health effects from long-term exposure. The SPE method developed and deployed here is a robust sampling method that can therefore be applied in future Hg monitoring, toxicology, and environmental work to provide improved data that is representative of total dissolved Hg in water samples
Air pollution as ‘slow violence’ during multi-day mountain bike trips
No full textBikepacking consists of multi-day, self-sufficient journeys by bike that usually take place off-road and is a phenomenon which has increased in popularity in the last 10 years. This chapter represents one of the first attempts to unpack contemporary multi-day mountain bike experiences, whilst identifying key themes in past and present scholarship. The chapter uncovers how mountain biking can be a performative art methodology to investigate, reveal, and disseminate the problem of air pollution. Multi-day mountain bike trips are cycled to collect data using a technological sensor, as well as employing artistic and embodied methods such as the concept of attunement. In doing so, I elucidate the ability to convey embodied experiences of dirty air through sensorial, affective, and more-than-cognitive registers. This research therefore calls attention to human and non-human bodies not only as victims of slow violence but also, conversely, as crucial sites of knowledge production
What do men gain from listening to men’s mental health podcasts?
Get PDFBackground: Although men are more likely to die by suicide than women, they are less likely to seek help when feeling suicidal. Masculine socialisation leaves men feeling stigmatised for their mental health problems. Researchers consider podcasts an efficient way to promote health information and offer social support to individuals who are unable to access services.
Methods: Nine listeners to a UK based mental health podcast series were interviewed using semi-structured interviews. Participants discussed their reflections of twelve podcast episodes and what they gained from listening. Interviews were recorded, transcribed and analysed using thematic analysis.
Results: Five interconnected themes were identified which described listener’s reflections: understanding other men’s lived experiences; facilitating male intimacy; combating male isolation; learning how to seek help and reflecting on a culture of positive masculinity.
Conclusions: Reflecting on experiences through the medium of mental health podcasts may be a way for men to both initiate new ways of help seeking and challenge their own masculine socialised attitudes. The podcasts promote more inclusive, flexible versions of masculinity which encourage reflection on an individual’s lived experience. Recommendations on how the findings of this research can assist podcast creators develop episodes promoting flexible masculinity are discussed
A qualitative analysis of factors influencing physical activity behaviour in women with PCOS: key learning for physical activity interventions and beyond
Get PDFPhysical activity (PA) is recommended in clinical practice guidelines as effective for the management of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). However, adherence to PA interventions is low in this population, and long-term uptake of PA is a challenge. We conducted a feasibility trial of two PA interventions for women with PCOS. This paper reports a qualitative evaluation of the trial in tandem with an evaluation of barriers and facilitators to PA in a sub-group of participants. Eleven participants with PCOS were purposively sampled from the main sample (n = 36) and participated in semi-structured interviews. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Five themes were developed relating to experiences of the intervention and factors influencing PA behaviour: (1) The Changing Nature of Priorities, (2) The Push and Pull of PCOS Symptoms, (3) Focusing Beyond the Scale, (4) Knowledge as a Foundation for Change and (5) The Balance of Stigma and Social Support. These findings can be used to design PA interventions that consider the interplay between PCOS and PA behaviour to achieve health benefits beyond short-term interventions
A Qualitative Study Exploring the Sexual Experiences of Women with Disabilities in Lagos, Nigeria
Get PDFAs of 2021, 1.3 billion people globally live with disabilities, with 80% in low-and-middle-income countries and 12.8% in Africa. Women with disabilities often face gender-based discrimination and limited sexual autonomy, impacting their sexual health. Despite global progress, there is limited research on the sexuality of women with disabilities in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly Nigeria. This study explores the sexual experiences of women with disabilities in Lagos, Nigeria. Using a qualitative approach, 24 women with disabilities, including blindness and mobility impairments, were interviewed to understand their experiences with sexual activity, autonomy, contraceptive use, risky behaviors, and sexual violence. The participants demographic shows that 67% of participants had physical disabilities, while 33% had visual impairments, with ages ranging from 20 to 45 and varying education and employment levels. Themes were generated around the experience of women with disabilities in sexual activities, modern contraceptive use, sexual autonomy, risky sexual behavior and sexual violence. Many participants did not see their disabilities as hindering sexual activity but faced challenges in relationships due to physical limitations and societal stigma. The study found mixed experiences with modern contraceptives, hindered by misconceptions and accessibility issues, and some women reported experiencing sexual violence and inadequate access to reproductive health resources and support. The findings underscore the need for targeted interventions, including improved access to contraceptives, public education to reduce stigma, and enhanced legal protections to support the sexual and reproductive health of women with disabilities in Lagos
Assessing the Fragile Rural Church Hypothesis within The Episcopal Church (USA)
Get PDFA series of qualitative and quantitative studies among clergy and laity within the Church of England has documented five marks of fragility (including erosion of financial and human resources) that are more evident in rural churches. New data generated by the Covid-19 & Church-21 survey conducted both in the Church of England and in The Episcopal Church (USA) among clergy and laity indicate that in the USA rural Anglican churches are perceived as less fragile than in England
Moving Toward the Expansion of Energy Storage Systems in Renewable Energy Systems—A Techno-Institutional Investigation with Artificial Intelligence Consideration
Get PDFThe role of energy storage as an effective technique for supporting energy supply is impressive because energy storage systems can be directly connected to the grid as stand-alone solutions to help balance fluctuating power supply and demand. This comprehensive paper, based on political, economic, sociocultural, and technological analysis, investigates the transition toward electricity systems with a large capacity for renewable energy sources combined with energy storage systems (ESS), along with a comprehensive overview of energy storage technologies; the role of AI in the development of ESS is also presented. This study aims to demonstrate how energy storage systems can be implemented with successful integration to increase electric grid flexibility. The results of the study indicate that this goal can be achieved with suitable planning and cooperation by the national, provincial, and local governments, while taking into account stakeholders’ needs and environmental concerns. In this regard, comprehensive analysis has revealed that procedures such as planning, increasing rewards for renewable energy storage, technological innovation, expanding subsidies, and encouraging investment in infrastructure for renewable energy and large-scale battery storage are crucial for the development of energy storage systems. Furthermore, stakeholders should be able to comprehend the benefits of energy storage systems and their provided valuable services, and engage in the adoption process. Moreover, leveraging AI can significantly enhance the implementation and operation of energy storage systems in energy systems, enabling governments and policymakers to optimize the storage and distribution of energy from renewable sources
The complete handbook of poultry
No full textThe Complete Handbook of Poultry is an authoritative reference on poultry for the practitioner. Responding to the need for a multidisciplinary text, this book will appeal to all fields aligned with rearing, breeding, feeding, and keeping poultry. Example species covered include chickens, ducks, guinea fowl, quail, turkey, and pigeons, with entries on a full range of breeds. Readers will also find entries for relevant farming, medical, descriptive, and industry terms encountered when keeping and treating poultry. Every entry in this Handbook covers the topic in depth and the text is accompanied by up-to-date photographs, and historical images to show the development of poultry breeds
Sustaining lean Six Sigma implementation in higher education institutions
Get PDFLean Six Sigma (LSS) methodology has been implemented as a business improvement strategy across industries and service sectors. Nevertheless, organisations that have been able to sustain the gains of their continuous improvement (CI) initiatives appeared limited, with considerable variation in the level of sustainability. Also, the application of the LSS improvement strategy in HE sectors has not been widely adopted, and successful implementation and sustainability of LSS programmes in HEIs remain a challenge and lack empirical studies. Therefore, the primary purpose of this study is to explore the status of LSS implementation in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) as Public Service organisations (PSOs) to identify the key factors that enable effective implementation and sustainability of LSS programmes in HEIs and make a recommendation.
Related literature was reviewed, focusing on the status of Lean, Six Sigma, LSS and CI applications in HEIs. The research methodology employs a qualitative data collection approach and a semi-structured telephone interview method. Interviews were conducted with heterogeneously selected 14 CI practitioners involved in implementing CI projects and programmes in HE sectors in the UK. The data collected was analysed using Template Analysis techniques. The research finding reveals the critical success factor (CSFs) and barriers to LSS project implementation, the benefits based on the LSS initiative's impact, including the adopted performance measurement systems, sustainability enabling factors
(SEFs) and barriers to sustainable improvement in HEIs, through which LSS Sustainability Framework was developed. Based on the findings, the research recommends the following unique elements for sustainable improvement in HEIs: creating capacity for the CI programme; securing buy-in from management and employees; embedding CI as part of the organisational strategy; system approach to CI implementation; effective performance measurement; managing and sustaining change behaviour and attitude.
This research has contributed to knowledge in both theory and practice. Previous studies in LSS and CI are widespread in the manufacturing and service sector; however, this research has contributed to the LSS and CI Body of Knowledge in the HE and Public Service Sector. The study has also added to the limited literature on LSS and CI sustainability in the service sectors and identified a gap in the literature on LSS and CI sustainability in the HE sectors. The research further identifies novel key SEFs to develop a framework and make recommendations for sustainable CI programmes in HEIs