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Review of City of the Undead: Voodoo, Ghosts, and Vampires of New Orleans by Robin Roberts
No full textThe midwife's role in supporting pregnant women who are alcohol dependent
Get PDFExcessive alcohol intake among pregnant women increases the likelihood of miscarriage, premature birth, intrauterine death and fetal alcohol spectrum disorder. The aim of this article is to inform midwives’ care, management and treatment of women who are alcohol dependent and their fetus/neonate. The information provided will educate midwives on identifying women who are alcohol dependent through use of screening scales, biomarkers and sensitive communication. Post-recognition, care should be individualised and tailored to identify risk, measure harm and help women abstain from alcohol. Pregnant women who are alcohol dependent require dedicated treatment services; this article outlines an example guideline of teachable points. Educational objectives are also provided to guide module development to preparing midwives for this specialist role. Psychosocial care is paramount, with examples of interventions discussed, such as compassionate mind training. Throughout delivery of care, it is important for midwives to consider causal factors that hamper women's abstinence and improve their treatment responses. Barriers to clinic attendance also require exploration
Formulating the Edinburgh Wellbeing Pact: intersectoral practice, innovation and coproduction for health and social care change during and after COVID-19
No full textPurposeThis paper aims to present a case study of the early “formulation” activities that laid the foundation for the Edinburgh Wellbeing Pact, developed during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. The Pact aimed to foster partnership between service providers and citizens to prevent crises, empower individuals to manage their health and independence at home and strengthen the health and social care network in Edinburgh.Design/methodology/approachThe study involved a retrospective review of documentary data, including reports, meeting notes, reflections and strategy documents. The analysis was led by the programme lead, who played a central role in the design and implementation of the Pact.FindingsThe formulation phase focused on building the Pact’s foundation through dialogues with citizens, staff, communities and stakeholders. It emphasised the development of the Pact’s vision and the establishment of key partnerships. This process was crucial for ensuring collaboration and guiding the transition from ideas to implementation. It led to the creation of key messages for staff, citizens and community partners. The formulation phase also facilitated the transfer of power and resources to citizens and enabled the creation of new funded initiatives, which introduced new service delivery models and strengthened collaboration between public and third sectors.Originality/valueThis case study contributes to understanding innovation in intersectoral practices, co-creation and co-production as strategies for addressing complex health and social care challenges. It provides insights for others engaged in similar initiatives
The role of annealing in enhancing crystallinity, mechanical properties, piezoelectricity, and air filtration performance of polylactic acid nanofibers
Get PDFAnnealing is a widely adopted post-treatment technique for enhancing the properties of nanofibers without altering their chemical structure. This study investigates the effect of annealing on the surface morphology, crystallinity, mechanical properties, and piezoelectric performance of polylactic acid (PLA) nanofibers produced via the electro-blow spinning (EBS) process. Two distinct PLA grades, 4043D PLA (NatureWorks) and L130 PLA (TotalCorbion) were annealed at temperatures ranging from 80 °C to 140 °C for 24 h. The annealed PLA nanofibers were then thoroughly characterised to identify the most suitable annealing temperature for improving their performance without causing structural defects. Characterisation results revealed a noticeable increase in crystallinity from 25 % to 39 % for 4043D PLA and from 45 % to 59 % for L130 PLA when annealed at 100 °C. At the same annealing temperature, piezoelectric output voltage showed an increase from 20 to 38 mV and from 30 to 52 mV for 4043D PLA and L130 PLA, respectively. The annealed PLA nanofibers were tested for air filtration to correlate the changes in nanofibers properties upon annealing with their filtration performance as air filters. Filtration experiments were performed according to the European standard for respiratory protective air filters (EN149) while Corona discharge was applied to impart long-lasting electrostatic charge onto nanofibers. The results demonstrated that L130 PLA nanofibers achieved a high filtration efficiency of around 99 %, while pressure drop was remarkably reduced from 850 to 405 Pa after annealing. The 4043D PLA nanofibers showed a reduction in filtration efficiency to 93.9 % at higher annealing conditions which was subsequently improved with Corona discharge treatment. The enhanced surface charge induced by Corona discharge enabled sustained electrostatic attraction which further improved the filtration efficiency without affecting the pressure drop. This study introduces annealing as a non-destructive and effective modification method for optimising the performance of biodegradable PLA-based air filters
Intermediate insights: tracing trematodes infecting amphibians via their first intermediate snail hosts
Get PDFBackground: Amphibians are a prime example of the global biodiversity crisis, as they represent the most threatened group of vertebrates. Yet, amphibian macroparasites remain one of the most poorly described groups of parasites, with the majority of species lacking comprehensive morphological, molecular, or ecological data. Among these, digenean trematodes constitute a dominant group and feature multi-host life cycles. This study examines the first intermediate hosts of trematodes, aquatic gastropods, to assess the occurrence, prevalence, and seasonality of amphibian trematodes. Methods: A total of 5362 snails from five families (Bithyniidae, Hydrobiidae, Lymnaeidae, Physidae, and Planorbidae) were collected in three stream systems in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany and investigated for trematode infections. Detailed information on amphibian-infecting trematode cercarial morphology and measurements were provided via light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Comprehensive molecular analyses were conducted and novel sequences generated for multiple genetic markers (28S rDNA, ITS1-5.8S-ITS2, ITS2, cox1, and nad1). Results: Three trematode taxa infecting amphibians as second intermediate and/or definitive hosts (Lecithopyge, Cephalogonimus, and Opisthioglyphe) were identified exclusively from lymnaeid snail hosts. A total of 79 novel sequences were generated for 21 trematode isolates. Phylogenetic analyses based on 28S and ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 sequences resulted in concordant taxonomies. Distinct seasonal infection patterns allowed for insights into the species’ life cycles. Conclusions: Our findings highlight significant gaps in the knowledge of amphibian macroparasites and underline the value of studying cercariae occurrence in snail intermediate hosts as a method for monitoring amphibian trematode biodiversity without affecting amphibian populations. Graphical Abstract
Voice Familiarity in a Voice-Reminders App for Elderly Care Recipients and Their Family Caregivers
Get PDFThis work focuses on the effect of voice familiarity in voice reminders between elders and their caregivers. A voice application (for desktops and smartphones) was created to study these effects. Seniors, and their family care providers along with medical providers were consulted for voice application design and improvement opportunities using two user tests with 17 care dyads and 15 medical care providers. Results from qualitative content analysis show that care dyads generally prefer familiar voice reminders for routine tasks (such as taking medication) and generally find caregiver-voiced reminders to be acceptable, while medical care providers have mixed opinions about older adults using recorded reminders
Water governance and sustainability: an Islamic moral economy perspective on circular resource use
No full textWater circularity is increasingly recognised as a critical determinant of long-term economic resilience and sustainability. This paper empirically investigates the decoupling of economic growth from water consumption across 179 countries over the period 1962 to 2019, using Tapio’s decoupling index (2005) and the environmental Kuznets curve framework. It examines performance differences between Muslim-majority and non-Muslim countries, and further evaluates the role of constitutional systems, Shari’ah, civil, and common law, through the combined lenses of the circular economy and Islamic Moral Economy. An innovative model, “CircuIslamicus”, is proposed, incorporating the Islamicity Index as a proxy for IME adherence to assess whether higher Islamicity scores correlate with stronger water circularity performance. Key findings reveal that non-Muslim countries with higher Islamicity index scores outperform Muslim-majority countries and those governed by Shari’ah law in achieving water circularity, suggesting a significant gap between ethical-economic aspirations and environmental outcomes in Muslim-majority contexts. While evidence of global progress in relative decoupling is observed, the results call for urgent policy and institutional realignment to embed substance-oriented Islamic Moral Economy principles into practice
Implementation of the clinical practice guideline on intrapartum care for low-risk births in Belgium
Get PDFBackgroundThe newest Belgian clinical practice guideline on intrapartum care for low-risk births requires support to facilitate its implementation, as merely presenting guidelines does not guarantee adoption by end-users.AimTo systematically identify and prioritise clinical questions that need greater implementation support, understand the context of barriers and facilitators to implementation, and define a set of healthcare behavioural implementation activities for Belgian maternity services.MethodsWe employed an integrated knowledge translation approach, combining the Knowledge-To-Action and Intervention Mapping frameworks. This approach involves identifying clinical questions that require enhanced implementation support, analysing barriers within the context, and defining change and performance objectives. Feedback from a Belgian multi-stakeholder consulting group and Advisory Board informed the process.FindingsTwo clinical questions require greater support for implementation: (1) initial clinical investigations during labour and (2) ongoing investigations and interventions during a low-risk birth. Barriers to applying the recommendations include individual healthcare professional factors and professional interactions. Implementation demands healthcare professionals recognise the physiological aspects of labour and birth, stay updated on the evidence, accept the evidence supporting the management of low-risk births, and involve shared decision-making while seeking the woman’s consent. Achieving behavioural change consists of shifting attitudes, intentions, knowledge, social norms, and skills.DiscussionThe identified barriers to implementing recommendations emphasise the crucial role of interpersonal dynamics in successful guideline implementation. Therefore, policies should tackle structural challenges within Belgian maternity care.ConclusionTo enhance maternity care services, communication, collaboration, and mutual understanding across professional boundaries are needed
Necessary, but not quite sufficient? Public opinion and reported behaviour following the reduction of speed limits in Scottish rural settlements
Get PDFIntroduction20 mph speed limits were implemented in place of 30mph limits across most settlements in the Scottish Borders Council area (UK) between October 2020 and January 2021. Previous quantitative studies show that speeds driven reduce and less people are injured, and of those who are most have less severe injuries than if struck by a vehicle in a 30mph speed limit. Speed reduction, therefore, is an important public health intervention.MethodsThis paper reports the findings of 25 structured interviews with adult residents of the Scottish Borders who had experience of living there before, during and after the change, contributing qualitative evidence as to what people feel and say regarding this intervention.ResultsThe results revealed a generally positive opinion of the 20mph limits. Many respondents noted a reduction in driving speed, although not necessarily to the posted speed limit. There were perceptions of small safety improvements, particularly for pedestrians and cyclists, although some remained concerned about speeding drivers.ConclusionsThe 20 mph speed limits have fostered a greater sense of equity amongst different road users and have largely been accepted as the ‘new norm’. Yet, 20mph probably remains insufficient on its own in addressing the externalities of motorised traffic among those outside of vehicles and the persistent fears generated by motor traffic
Young people and precarious work in England during the Covid-19 pandemic: a psychology of working perspective
Get PDFYoung people are disproportionately represented in precarious work and are particularly vulnerable to labour market shocks. This article explores the lived experiences of twenty-one young precarious workers in England during the Covid-19 pandemic. Employing a qualitative longitudinal research (QLR) design, repeat interviews were conducted in 2021 to examine how participants’ needs were met within the context of precarious work and how they made meaning of their working lives. Reflexive thematic analysis was guided by the Psychology of Working Theory (PWT), with a focus on human needs. Findings explore the role of career adaptability, work volition, social support, and critical consciousness as malleable factors that can buffer young people against the adverse effects of precarity. Participants articulated diverse rationalizations of their work situations: dedication to precarious career; adapting to stopgap option; juggling trade-offs between work factors; and resigned disengagement. While they utilized resourceful, lifewide strategies to meet their needs and demonstrated a clear awareness of labour market injustices, none engaged in collective or political action. The article concludes that while PWT concepts offer value in analysing precarity, the theory is less suited to illuminate the complex role of reflexivity in shaping worker subjectivities
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