17628 research outputs found
Sort by
Antiseizure medication and Dravet syndrome
No full textDravet syndrome is a genetic disorder that causes a rare form of childhood epilepsy. It results from a mutation carried on the sodium ion channel gene. Dravet syndrome is classified as a developmental encephalopathy which is categorised with prolonged seizure activity (Lattanzi et al, 2023)
What is the viable microbiome of the healthcare toilet?
Get PDFBackgroundFlushing water toilets in hospitals cater for staff and patients, including disabled and unisex facilities. The recent introduction of unisex toilets has highlighted potential microbiological risks between different bathroom facilities.AimThis project sought to establish the cultivable microbiome in all types of healthcare toilet.MethodsSystematic sampling was performed using quantitative and qualitative microbiology within a multi-site longitudinal study. Hand-touch sites, low sites (floors) and high sites (ceilings) in male/female staff and patient, unisex and disabled facilities were screened in three hospitals. Aerobic colony count (ACC) was determined alongside identification of key pathogens (Staphylococcus aureus, Enterobacterales, enterococci, stenotrophomonas, acinetobacter and fungi). Bacterial pathogens were tested for antimicrobial susceptibilities.FindingsExpected environmental and skin flora were present at all sites. Bioburden was heaviest on floors, closely followed by ceilings. Hand-touch sites were cleanest (12 cfu/cm2) occurred in unisex toilets, followed by male toilets. Flora at high sites was almost identical to that on floors. Bacterial pathogens, including resistant bacteria, were concentrated on patient floors, with 80% isolated alongside ACC>2.5 cfu/cm2. Seven of eight Stenotrophomonas maltophilia were recovered from gender-neutral toilets. S. aureus predominated on floors and hand-touch sites in male staff and disabled toilets (P=0.02 and P<0.001, respectively).ConclusionCleaning frequencies should be modelled against higher bioburden (unisex) and risk of pathogens (patient toilets). Similar flora on floors and ceilings suggested aerosolization during flushing. The data provides evidence to inform bathroom design, designation and decontamination practices
A Simple Design of UWB Small Microstrip Slot Antenna with Band- Notched Performance by using a T-Shaped Slit and a Pair of U- Shaped Conductor-Backed Plane
Get PDFIn this paper, a simple and compact ultra wideband printed slot antenna with bandnotch performance is designed and manufactured. In order to increase the impedance bandwidth of the square slot antenna, we use two U-shaped parasitic structures inside the rectangular slot on the ground plane that with this structure UWB frequency range can be achieved. Additionally, by using a T-shaped slit on the ground plane, a frequency notched band performance has been obtained. The designed antenna has a small size of 20×20 mm while showing the radiation performance in the frequency band of 3.05 GHz to over 12 GHz with a band rejection performance in the frequency band of 5.1 GHz to 6.05 GH
Did I Take My Medication Today? Understanding Medication Self-Management for Adults with Intellectual Disabilities Through Participatory Research
Get PDFBackground: There is little research that has examined what support strategies are effective to help adults with intellectual disabilities take their prescribed medication correctly. The aim of the study was to gain an understanding of the barriers and supports that contribute to adults with intellectual disabilities self‐managing their prescribed medicines. Methods: Nine adults with intellectual disabilities and two support staff participated in this two‐phase study. Phase 1 consisted of focus groups and Phase 2 involved participants taking part in simulated real‐world scenarios based on situations discussed during Phase 1 about taking prescription medication. Results: Three main themes emerged from the findings: knowledge about prescription medication, barriers to taking prescription medication, and facilitators to taking prescription medication. Conclusions: The findings of the study will help to inform healthcare professionals on how to better support adults with intellectual disabilities to take their prescription medication to ensure better health outcomes
Navigating the Aftermath of Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection: A Qualitative Exploration of Women's Experiences
No full textAimWomen who have survived spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) struggle to resume their lives as before SCAD and lack knowledge on how to recover. Thus, this study aimed to explore the rehabilitation needs and challenges in resuming everyday life among women with SCAD.Methods and resultsA qualitative approach using a phenomenological-hermeneutical methodology. We conducted six virtual focus groups involving 26 women with SCAD, recruited from a patient group. The focus groups were video-recorded, transcribed, and analysed using Ricoeur's theory of interpretation. The findings led to three themes: Distrust of the normally well-functioning body, ii) Being the expert on your condition, and iii) Rehabilitation following SCAD: A matter of both the heart and the mind. The women strive to regain trust in their bodies and minds and reinforce the distinction between the body and mind before and after SCAD. The women felt a responsibility to educate themselves about SCAD, as professionals’ lack of knowledge or misconceptions left them managing their condition independently. The one-sided focus on physical rehabilitation neglected the psychological impact, leaving women without strategies for managing the new everyday life with SCAD.ConclusionThe study highlights the complex physical and psychological rehabilitation needs and challenges faced by women following SCAD due to profound alterations in their lives, distrust in their bodies and the burden of becoming experts on their condition. Tailored rehabilitation programs that address these needs, in addition to improving healthcare professionals’ knowledge about SCAD, are essential for enhancing recovery and quality of life
“You are helping from the heart not just from the head”: A systematic review and qualitative evidence synthesis of the experiences of peer workers working with people experiencing homelessness and substance use
Get PDFBackground: Increasingly, substance use and homelessness services have peer workers, those with lived or living experience of substance use and homelessness, who provide support to those experiencing similar challenges. While research regarding the effectiveness of such peer workers in helping others achieve better outcomes is growing, little is known about their experiences in this role. Methods: A systematic review and qualitative evidence synthesis was conducted to better understand the experiences of peer workers who have lived/living experience of substance use and homelessness who are providing support to those experiencing similar challenges within substance use and homelessness settings. Nine electronic databases were searched for primary qualitative research published from 1990. Studies meeting the inclusion criteria were quality assessed using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme checklist. Data from included studies were extracted, entered into NVivo, and analysed using a thematic synthesis approach. Results: Nine studies were identified, published from 2006 from three countries with 272 participants. Three themes were identified: peer workers’ reflections on the key components of their role; peer work as enabling individual growth and recovery; and destabilising challenges peer worker growth and recovery. . Peer workers described many essential qualities, and their lived experience was valued as a way of enabling deeper trust and empathy with the people they supported. Strong relationships with other peer workers were described as important. Many benefits to the peer workers were described, including positive life changes and increased responsibility. Challenges were also identified, with professional boundaries causing particular tensions. Conclusions: This qualitative evidence synthesis provides unique insight into the experiences of peer workers who are working at the intersection of homelessness and substance use. Their experiences highlight the real benefits that peer workers have, whilst working in challenging situations in often precarious contracts. Such insights can inform the employment of peer workers. Those employing peer workers should prioritise clear job descriptions encompassing specific peer qualities, training and education opportunities, and peer-to-peer, professional, and organisational support
Why ignore expiry dates on cosmetics? A qualitative study of perceived risk and its implications for cosmetics producers and regulators
Get PDFConsumers often use cosmetics long after their expiry date, despite the health risk. This paper aims to understand why and to suggest policy changes that can promote safer practices in cosmetics use. This is the first study to investigate risk perception in relation to expired cosmetics. Thirty-three semistructured interviews with both cosmetics users and employees of cosmetics companies were conducted in the United Kingdom and China. Perceived risk theory was found to be a useful analytical lens. Eight risk factors emerged from the data, including two not previously identified. Combinations of risk were also found to be valuable in explaining consumer attitudes to cosmetic expiry dates, which suggests that perceived risk factors interact with each other to create an emergent perception of risk, requiring an integrated understanding. While physical, performance and self-brand connection risk can promote adherence to an expiry date, other risk factors such as financial and social risk can override such concerns, leading to the expiry date being ignored. Implications for suppliers’ and regulators’ policies and risk-communication strategies are identified that may help reduce the risks being taken by cosmetics users
Effect of different titanium dioxide (TiO2) deposition layers for dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) application
Get PDFDye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) is a new type of solar cell that has attracted interest due to its ability to convert energy at a low cost, with simple fabrication, and non-toxic nature. Utilisation of oyster mushroom dye as a natural dye for DSSC is attributed to their large biomass yield and the fact that they can be cultivated in a regulated environment. The TiO2 pH6 was then used to study different deposition layer thicknesses of TiO2 thin film (1 layer, 2 layers, 3 layers, 4 layers and 5 layers) to suggest the optimised TiO2 condition. The characterization of the structural, morphological, optical, and electrical properties of the TiO2 photoanode with mushroom dye was carried out using XRD, FESEM, AFM, UV–Vis, and I-V measurements in this study, respectively. It was found that the pink oyster mushroom, dried by freeze drying with a 1:10 dilution and pH6 TiO2 with 3 deposition layers, established the best results in the solar cell performance with efficiency of 0.107 % along with the optimum bandgap of 1.50 eV and anatase structural phase of (101)-planes
Young men with intellectual disabilities’ perceptions of HPV and HPV vaccine: A qualitative study on how to communicate HPV vaccine information
Get PDFThe success of vaccination programs relies on acceptance of recommended vaccines by communities and individuals. There is a paucity of evidence regarding how young men with intellectual disabilities actively produce or receive inclusive and accessible HPV information. As part of a larger qualitative study, we explored how young men with mild-moderate intellectual disabilities contend with information on HPV and how they negotiated safer sex prior to the introduction of the Scottish schools-based gender-neutral HPV vaccination program in 2019. Objectives included identifying strategies for reaching young men with intellectual disabilities; identifying modes of communication that enable young men with intellectual disabilities to discuss HPV; exploring knowledge, awareness, relevance, and participant experiences of HPV vaccination; perceived barriers and facilitators toward vaccination behavior; perceptions of publicly available HPV information and formats. Working with institutions of further education to identify participants, 18 young men chose to participate. Three focus group discussions using activity-oriented questions were conducted. Regardless of ability, a series of activities enabled them to explore questions about their knowledge of HPV and any experience of the vaccination program. Communication aids included familiar objects and symbols from daily life breaking down barriers and power inequities. Data were analyzed drawing on critical discourse analysis. Designed and tailored communication interventions were effective in reaching this population group. Adopting a participatory activity-oriented approach and spending significant time looking at pictures and artifacts enabled young men with mild-moderate intellectual disabilities to discuss behavioral risks and consequences of HPV and to identify design factors for accessible health information
Data sources:
Access Repository Dashboard
Do you manage Repository@Napier? Access insider analytics, issue reports and manage access to outputs from your repository in the CORE Repository Dashboard!