388 research outputs found
My experience with the Ron Bick Lee collection as a young archivist
No full textThe Ron Bick Lee collection was donated by the Lee family in Vancouver, British Columbia to the University of British Columbia Library in 2010. Ron Bick Lee was a Chinese Canadian pioneer who moved to Canada from China in 1910 and spent most of his life in Vancouver. He was well known as a successful businessman and a dedicated community leader. As a recent library school graduate, I was privileged to have the opportunity of working on this important collection as an archivist since July 2011 to October 2011. The collection material spans from 1914 to 1994, almost a century long, and it mainly contains Ron Bick Lee’s personal correspondence, certificates presented to him for his community and political involvement, and business documents related to his Foo Hung and Granville Greenhouses business. His correspondence with his families, friends and business partners in China, Hong Kong and North America depicts his vast network across the Pacific Ocean. Working with the collection was a valuable and enjoyable learning process. The physical processing stage was my first thorough encounter of the collection. By rearranging the collection material, I was able to conceptualize the types of the material. In writing the finding aid document, I studied the collection in order to gain a good understanding of the scope and content of the material. The collection material has portrayed the immigration experience of Chinese Canadian in general and Ron Bick Lee’s personal experience as a businessman, a community leader and a family member of his immediate and extended families. As a young archivist whose own life experience has little overlap with Mr. Bick Lee’s, I had challenges of grasping the background of some of his documents, understanding part of his handwriting, and making connections among people in his vast network. However, these challenges motivated me to research more details in and outside the collection for a better understanding of Ron Bick Lee himself as the creator of the collection and the historical and cultural setting he has lived in. Throughout the arrangement and the description stages of the collection, I felt as if I were getting to know Mr. Bick Lee as a person, his meticulous work habits, intellectual curiosity and generous personality. This was probably the most interesting and rewarding part of my experience with the collection. This overseas Chinese rare collection is a very valuable source to explore the Chinese Canadian history in the 20th century. Ron Bick Lee’s remarkable story depicted in the collection gives us a vivid image of a Chinese Canadian pioneer in British Columbia, particularly in Vancouver. Research methodology such as unstructured observation in the scope of qualitative research was employed during the research.Not peer reviewedChinese Canadian, special collection, archival wor
Anobothrus konstantini Saring & Bick 2022, sp. nov.
No full textAnobothrus konstantini Säring & Bick sp. nov. urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act: 6E3CCF0F-C510-4BA2-813A-CF43BDB4B744 Figs 3–6 Diagnosis Four pairs of branchiae; three pairs in anterior transverse row with a small gap, and fourth pair posteriorly shifted, directly between innermost and middle branchiae of anterior row. Segment 6 (thoracic chaetiger 5, thoracic unciniger 1) with circular glandular band. Segment 12 (thoracic chaetiger 11, thoracic unciniger 7) with elongated ridge between notopodia; modified notochaetae present. Segment 2 (thoracic chaetiger 1) with long and thin paleae, about 12–14 on each side. Sixteen thoracic segments (15 thoracic chaetigers, 11 thoracic uncinigers); 2 intermediate and 10 abdominal segments. Etymology This species is dedicated to the brother of the first author (FS), Konstantin Zülske, who will be always a special part of her life. Type Material Holotype SOUTH-EASTERN WEDDELL SEA • body length 9.3 mm; North Filchner Trough, PS96 exp., station 017-3; 75°00.85′ S, 32°52.51′ W; depth 608.2 m; 4 Jan. 2016; H. Link and G. Veit-Köhler leg.; multicorer; ZSRO-P2655. Paratypes SOUTH-EASTERN WEDDELL SEA • 1 spec.; South Filchner Trough, PS96 exp., station 061-5; 76°05.93′ S, 30°18.23′ W; depth 467.6 m; 21 Jan. 2016; same collector and sampling as for holotype; ZSRO-P2660 • 1 spec.; South Filchner Trough, PS96 exp., station 072-9; 75°51.37′ S, 32°17.44′ W; depth 755.1 m; 24 Jan. 2016; same collector and sampling as for preceding; used for SEM; ZSRO-P2661 • 3 specs; North Filchner Trough, PS96 exp., station 017-3; 75°00.85′ S, 32°52.51′ W; depth 608.2 m; 4 Jan. 2016; same collector and sampling as for preceding; ZSRO-P2662 • 1 spec.; North Filchner Trough, PS96 exp., station 026-8; 75°15.10′ S, 37°54.85′ W; depth 481.9 m; 8 Jan. 2016; same collector and sampling as for preceding; used for SEM; ZSRO-P2663. Additional Material ANTARCTIC PENINSULA • 1 spec.; Drake Passage, PS81 exp., station 235-2; 62°6.60′ S, 60°36.50’ W; depth 355m; 7 Mar. 2013; H. Link leg; multicorer; ZSRO-P2656 • 1 spec.; Drake Passage, PS81 exp., station 241-5; 62°6.60′ S, 60°36.50′ W; depth 403 m; 9 Mar. 2013; same collector and sampling as for preceding; ZSRO-P2657 • 2 specs; Bransfield Strait, PS 81 exp., station 217-5; 62°53.25′ S, 58°14.13′ W; depth 532 m; 2 Mar. 2013; same collector and sampling as for preceding; one specimen used for micro-CT; ZSRO-P2658 • 1 spec.; Bransfield Strait, PS81 exp., station 225-2; 62°56.08′ S, 58°40.76′ W; depth 543 m; 4 Mar. 2013; same collector and sampling as for preceding; ZSRO-P2659. Description Complete specimens 7–13 mm long (holotype 9.3 mm), and 0.5–0.8 mm wide (holotype 0.5 mm) on thorax (Fig. 3D, compare Fig. 3A). 16 thoracic segments (15 thoracic chaetigers, 11 thoracic uncinigers) (Fig. 1). Thorax wider and longer than abdomen, abdomen tapering posteriorly (compare Figs 3A, 4A). Continuous ventral shields on segments 2–12 (thoracic chaetigers 1–11). Median ventral groove from segment 13 (thoracic chaetiger 12) to pygidium. Prostomium trilobed, anteriorly rounded, Ampharete- type (Jirkov 2009), without eye spots (compare Fig. 5B–C). Nuchal organs not observed. Buccal tentacles apparently smooth, observed for one specimen (ZSRO-P2662: paratype). Four pairs of branchiophores; between two groups a small gap half as wide as branchiophores. Branchiae were lost on almost all specimens (11), one specimen with one outer gradually tapering papillose branchia (compare Figs 3A, 4A). First three pairs of branchiophores arranged in anterior transversal row (inner, middle and outer pairs), forming a high fold, originating from segments 2–4 (thoracic chaetigers 1–3), fourth pair of branchiae posteriorly shifted between innermost and middle branchiae of anterior row (Fig. 4F, compare Fig. 5A–B). Anterior end of branchiophores apparently fused together (Fig. 3D, compare Fig. 5A). Origin of branchiae not visible; nephridial papillae not visible. Segment 2 (thoracic chaetiger 1) with 12–14 long, thin and slender paleae on each side, gradually tapering (holotype: left, 12 paleae plus a single small palea; right, 12 paleae plus a single small palea). Paleae protruding clearly beyond the prostomium (Fig. 3F, compare Fig. 4A), semicircularly arranged, with a small thin palea at the dorsal outer margin (compare Fig. 5B). Notopodia from segment 3 (thoracic chaetiger 2), well developed with a simple elongated lobe, and with some capillary chaetae; first notopodium smaller than subsequent notopodia and slightly shifted dorsally (Figs 4F, 6A); notopodia without cirri or papillae. Eleven thoracic uncinigers, from segment 6 (thoracic chaetiger 5) to segment 16 (thoracic chaetiger 15) (Fig. 1, compare Fig. 4A). Segment 6 (thoracic chaetiger 5, thoracic unciniger 1) with circular glandular band (Figs 3D, 4F, 6A–B). Notopodia of segment 12 (thoracic chaetiger 11, thoracic unciniger 7) elevated and connected by a pronounced dorsal ridge (Figs 3G, 6A, compare Fig. 4K), with ciliated band (Fig. 6C). Two intermediate segments; notopodia absent but neuropodia of thoracic type present (Figs 4L, 6E). Abdomen with 10 segments (10 uncinigers); notopodia and -chaetae absent. Abdominal neuropodia as elongated pinnules without dorsal cirri (Fig. 6D). Thoracic notochaetae bilimbate capillaries, tapering to slender tips (Figs 3B, 6F–H, compare Fig. 4B– C); segment 3 (thoracic chaetiger 2) with 3–4 short notochaetae in a tuft; notochaetae of subsequent chaetigers arranged in two rows (Fig. 6F), anterior row with 3 shorter (compare Fig. 4C) and posterior row with 4 longer chaetae (compare Fig. 4B). Notochaetae of modified segment 12 (thoracic chaetiger 11, thoracic unciniger 7) tapered more abruptly toward the tip than regular notochaetae (Figs 3C, 6I, compare Fig 4D–E). Thoracic neuropodia with 17–21 uncini (holotype: thoracic segment 5 with 20 uncini, thoracic segments 10 and 16 with 17 uncini each) in one row. Thoracic uncini about 16 µm long, pectinated, with 6–7 teeth in lateral view, above rostral tooth 3–4 teeth in a row, and about 6 teeth in apical row (compare Fig. 4G–H). Neuropodia of intermediate segments with 15–22 uncini (holotype: intermediate segment 2 with 16 uncini), and abdominal neuropodia with 16–19 uncini (holotype: abdominal segments 1, 3 and 5 with 16 uncini each) in marginal position of pinnules. Abdominal uncini about 8 µm long, pectinated, with 5–6 teeth in lateral view, above rostral tooth 7–8 teeth in a row, about 2 teeth in apical row (Fig. 6J–K, compare Fig. 4I–J). Number of uncini declines towards pygidium. Pygidium with terminal anus, without cirri but papillose folds present (Fig. 6D). METHYL BLUE STAINING PATTERN. Intensive staining of bases of noto- and neuropodia. Body uniformly spotted blue, without distinct pattern, but a circular glandular band on segment 6 (thoracic chaetiger 5, thoracic unciniger 1) becomes visible. SHIRLASTAINA STAINING PATTERN. Staining pattern similar to methyl blue staining pattern (Fig. 3B–G, compare Fig. 3A), but additional structures are visible: the circular glandular band on segment 6 (thoracic chaetiger 5, thoracic unciniger 1) (Fig. 3D) and an elevated dorsal ridge on segment 12 (thoracic chaetiger 11, thoracic unciniger 7) (Fig. 3G). Biology Male gametes, about 9–10 µm in diameter, were observed in segments 4–11 (thoracic chaetigers 3–10) in one specimen, collected in January in the North Filchner Trough. Remarks The branchiae were lost in almost all specimens, branchiophores are apparently fused together and are not separated (compare Fig. 5B–D). Due to poor conservation, the segmental origin of branchiae could not be described in more detail. We suggest the following arrangement of branchiae of the anterior row: segment 2, branchiae in the middle position, segment 3, branchiae of outermost position, segment 4, innermost position, segment 5, branchiae in posterior position between innermost and middle branchiae of anterior transverse row. The holotype and paratypes from the South-Eastern Weddell Sea did not show any significant differences in diagnostic characteristics. Specimens of the additional material showed only minor differences to the diagnosis of the holotype and paratypes. Therefore, the additional material was used for the light microscopy (Fig. 3A), drawing (Fig. 4A–E, G–K) and the micro-CT (Fig. 5). However, we found one modification of one specimen from the additional material (ZSRO-P2658) when analysing the images from the micro-CT: one pair of small and fine paleae next to the regular large and thin paleae (Fig. 5B, D). The small paleae are placed where newly formed chaetae are expected and may be a growing state (Tilic et al. 2015). However, the shape and form is different compared to the other paleae. The purpose of these paleae was not clearly clarified. The presence of a reduced neuropodium on segment 5 (thoracic chaetiger 4) was presumed on one specimen using ShirlastainA because at the position of the thoracic neuropodia and of the same size as these, the same staining pattern was visible on this segment (Fig. 3E). However, uncini were not observed. Uncini of the thoracic and intermediate neuropodia are about twice the size of uncini of the abdomen. A variation in size or shape of uncini along their row on a single neuropodium was not found. Due to the fixation in 4 % formaldehyde solution and the subsequent preservation in a 70% ethanol solution, no statement can be made about the pigmentation of fresh material. Anobothrus konstantini Säring & Bick sp. nov., A. bimaculatus Fauchald, 1972 and A. mancus Fauchald, 1972 differ from the other Anobothrus species with four pairs of branchiae and the presence of paleae, A. amourouxi Bonifácio, Lavesque, Bachelet & Parapar, 2015, A. anatarctica Monro 1939, A. glandularis (Hartmann-Schröder, 1965), A. gracilis (Malmgren, 1866), A. mironovi Jirkov, 2009, A. paleatus Hilbig, 2000, A. paleaodiscus Schüller & Jirkov, 2013, A. patagonicus (Kinberg, 1867), A. patersoni Jirkov, 2009, A. pseudoampharete Schüller, 2008, A. rubropaleatus Schüller & Jirkov, 2013 and A. wilhelmi Schüller & Jirkov, 2013, in having 11 instead of 12 thoracic uncinigers. Within this group, only A. paleatus has a glandular band with an elevated ridge on the fourth-to-last thoracic segment (thoracic segment 14, thoracic unciniger 9) the remaining eleven Anobothrus species, as well as A. konstantini Säring & Bick sp. nov., show a modification of the fifth-to-last thoracic segment. However, due to the difference in the number of segments (12 thoracic uncinigers vs. 11 thoracic uncinigers), A. konstantini Säring & Bick sp. nov. posseses this character on segment 12, whereas it is present on segment 13 in the previously mentioned species. In addition, the first transverse band on the anterior part of the thorax is not mentioned for A. pseudoampharete. Anobothrus amourouxi, A. anatarctica, A. glandularis, A. gracilis, A. mironovi, A. paleatus, A. paleaodiscus and A. patersoni have a transversal band on segment 8, while A. rubropaleatus and A. wilhelmi have it on segment 7. Only one species, A. patagonicus, possesses a transversal band on segment 6, as described for A. konstantini Säring & Bick sp. nov. However, A. patagonicus differs from A. konstantini Säring & Bick sp. nov. by the larger body length of about 19 mm and up to 30 uncini on neuropodia of segment 6, while the body length A. konstantini Säring & Bick sp. nov. ranges between 7 and 13 mm, with about 16–19 thoracic uncini on the neuropodia of segment 6. The only two species with paleae on segment 2, four pairs of branchiae and 11 thoracic uncinigers are A. bimaculatus and A. mancus. However, A. bimaculatus is significantly larger (65 mm), has eyespots and has modified notopodia on segment 11, instead of on segment 12 as in Anobothrus konstantini Säring & Bick sp. nov. Anobothrus mancus is the only species with modified notopodia on segment 12, but segments 3 and 4 are fused, and notopodia are absent on segment 3. Furthermore, A. mancus is missing the circular glandular band on segment 6. Distribution The holotype and paratypes of Anobothrus konstantini Säring & Bick sp. nov. were found in shelf regions in the South-Eastern Weddell Sea (North Filchner Trough and South Filchner Trough). The additional material was sampled from shelf regions of the Antarctic Peninsula, in the Drake Passage and Bransfield Strait (Fig. 2, Table 1). Ecology The type material of Anobothrus konstantini Säring & Bick sp. nov. (1 holotype, 6 paratypes) was collected from soft sediments at water depths between 415 and 755 m from the South-Eastern Weddell Sea. This region is characterized by a high to constant ice cover and low bottom T (around -1.9°C, Säring et al. submitted: table 2; Schröder et al. 2016). The highest abundance was detected at one sampling site in the North Filchner Trough region (4 individuals per station), with low organic (TOC 0.2% ± 0.0) and the least fresh (Chl a = 0.06 µg g-1 ± 0.01) material on the seafloor. This sampling site is described by a low amount of silt & clay (43.4%) compared to the higher amount of sand (49.1%). The remaining material (3 paratypes) was found at sites with higher silt & clay (> 63.2%) and lower sand (<33.7%) content, and low Chl a concentrations (<0.19 µg g-1). Anobothrus konstantini Säring & Bick sp. nov. occurs in a high variety of sediments, from fine mud to coarser sandy substrates in regions with low amount of fresh material on the seafloor. The localities for the additional material sampled adjacent to the Antarctic Peninsula, Drake Passage (2 specimens) and Bransfield Strait (3 specimens), are known for no or a variable ice-cover and bottom T up to 0.5°C (Säring et al. submitted: table 2; Schröder et al. 2013). Nevertheless, these localities for the additional material show similar environmental conditions as the sampling sites of the type material: low Chl a concentrations (<0.31 µg g-1) and TOC content (<0.7%), and highly variable sediment substrates (Table 1). Following the classification of functional traits by Jumars et al. (2015), A. konstantini Säring & Bick sp. nov. is a hemi-sessile, tube-dwelling, subsurface deposit feeder. Key to all species of Anobothrus Levinsen, 1844 The key accounts for the 23 species of Anobothrus Levinsen, 1844 considered valid, including the new species proposed here. It is modified after Bonifácio et al. (2015) and Alalykina & Polyakova (2020). 1. Paleae absent..................................................................................................................................... 2 – Paleae present................................................................................................................................... 3 2. Notochaetae always without hirsute tips; with circular band on thoracic unciniger 2........................................................................................................................................... A. apaleatus Hilbig, 2000 – Notochaetae of modified notopodia with hirsute tips; without circular band on thoracic unciniger 2................................................................................ A. fimbriatus Imajima, Reuscher & Fiege, 2013 3. 3 pairs of branchiae in a transversal row, with or without gap......................................................... 4 – 4 pairs of branchiae, one transversal row or anterior and posterior rows, with or without gap....... 9 4. Branchiae with wide median gap...................................... A. dayi Imajima, Reuscher & Fiege, 2013 – Branchiae without median gap......................................................................................................... 5 5. Segment 14 (thoracic unciniger 9) with elevated notopodia and notochaetae with hirsute tips................................................................... A. flabelligerulus Imajima, Reuscher & Fiege, 2013 – Segment 13 (thoracic unciniger 8) with elevated notopodia and notochaetae without modification 6 6. Two intermediate segments; segment 6 (thoracic unciniger 1) with circular band................................................................................................................. A. auriculatus Alalykina & Polyakova, 2020 – One intermediate segment, segment 7 or 8 (thoracic unciniger 2 or 3) with circular band.............. 7 7. Segment 8 (thoracic unciniger 3) with circular band ......... A. jirkovi Alalykina & Polyakova, 2020 – Segment 7 (thoracic unciniger 2) with circular band........................................................................ 8 8. Segments 2 and 3 (thoracic chaetigers 1 and 2) fused; without ventral fold; notopodia on segment 3 present; segment 5 (thoracic chaetiger 4) with one nephridial papilla dorsally........................................................................................................................................... A. laubieri (Desbruyères, 1979) – Segments 2 and 3 (thoracic chaetigers 1 and 2) fused; ventral fold with 8–12 rounded papillae; notopodia on segment 3 absent............................................ A. sonne Alalykina & Polyakova, 2020 9. 11 thoracic uncinigers..................................................................................................................... 10 – 12 thoracic uncinigers..................................................................................................................... 12 10. Segment 11 (thoracic unciniger 6) with modified notopodia; with eye spots................................................................................................................................................ A. bimaculatus Fauchald, 1972 – Segment 12 (thoracic unciniger 7) with modified notopodia; without eye spots............................11 11. Segment 6 (thoracic unciniger 1) with circular glandular band; notopodia with notochaetae present from segment 3...................................................................... A. konstantini Säring & Bick sp. nov. – Segment 6 (thoracic unciniger 1) without circular glandular band; segments 3 and 4 fused; notopodia and notochaetae on segment 3 absent...................................................... A. mancus Fauchald, 1972 12. Modified notopodia on segment 14 (thoracic unciniger 9, fourth-to-last thoracic segment)................................................................................................................................... A. paleatus Hilbig, 2000 – Modified notopodia on segment 13 (thoracic unciniger 8, fifth-to-last thoracic segment)............ 13 13. Segment 6, 7 or 8 (thoracic unciniger 1, 2 or 3) without circular band; presumably dorsally shifted notopodia on segment 8 (thoracic unciniger 3); paleae abruptly to delicate tapering........................................................................................................................... A. pseudoampherete Schüller, 2008 – Segment 6, 7 or 8 (thoracic unciniger 1, 2 or 3) with circular band............................................... 14 14. Segment 6 (thoracic unciniger 1) with circular band....................... A. patagonicus (Kinberg, 1867) – Segment 7 or 8 (thoracic unciniger 2 or 3) with circular band....................................................... 15 15. Segment 7 (thoracic unciniger 2) with circular band...................................................................... 16 – Segment 8 (thoracic unciniger 3) with circular band...................................................................... 17 16. Branchiae arranged in transversal row; two outermost branchial pairs reduced in diameter compared to inner branchial pairs and positioned close to each other; paleae colorless, fine and more slender than notochaetae....................................................................... A. wilhelmi Schüller & Jirkov, 2013 – First three pairs of branchiae arranged in anterior transversal row, fourth pair of branchiae posteriorly shifted between the two outermost branchiae of the anterior row; all branchiae with the same diameter; paleae stout, reddish, wider than notochaetae.............................................................................................................................................................. A. rubropaleatus Schüller & Jirkov, 2013 17. All notochaetae with hirsute tips......................................................... A. gracilis (Malmgren, 1866) – Most notochaetae without hirsute tips; notochaetae of modified notopodia with or without hirsute tips................................................................................................................................................... 18 18. Modified notochaetae with hirsute tips........................................................................................... 19 – Modified notochaetae without hirsute tips...................................................................................... 21 19. 8–9 teeth on thoracic uncini in lateral view; diameter of all branchiophores almost same; paleae conspicuous, stout and long, originating from a prominent disc-like epidermal structure............................................................................................................. A. paleaodiscus Schüller & Jirkov, 2013 – 5 teeth on thoracic uncini in lateral view; inner and middle or posteriorly shifted pair of branchiophores half as thick and / or shorter than others; without prominent disc-like epidermal structure........... 20 20. First three pairs of branchiae arranged in anterior transversal row, fourth pair of branchiae posteriorly shifted between innermost and middle branchiae of the anterior row, fourth pair of branch
Preconception health among migrant women in England: a cross-sectional analysis of maternity services data 2018-2019
No full textBACKGROUND: Perinatal outcomes are poor among migrant women in vulnerable situations, but little is known about their health preconception. We investigated preconception health inequalities between migrant women in vulnerable situations and non-migrant women.METHODS: This national cross-sectional study used data from the NHS Maternity Services Data Set (MSDS) version 1.5, incorporating NHS maternity services in England. All 652,880 women with an antenatal booking appointment between 1/4/2018 and 31/3/2019 were included. Migration category data were available for 66.2 % (
n = 432,022). Odds ratios were calculated comparing preconception indicators among probable migrants in vulnerable situations (English not their first language with complex social factors (CSF)), probable migrants not in vulnerable situations (English not their first language without CSF), probable non-migrants in vulnerable situations (English their first language with CSF) and probable non-migrants not in vulnerable situations (English their first language without CSF). CSF include recent migrants, asylum seekers, refugees, difficulty reading/speaking English; alcohol and/or drugs misuse; aged under 20; and/or experiencing domestic abuse.
FINDINGS: We identified 3.8 % (25,070 women) of the study population as probable migrants in vulnerable situations, 10.2 % (66,783 women) as probable migrants not in vulnerable situations, 5.6 % (36,433 women) as probable non-migrants in vulnerable situations, 46.5 % (303,737 women) as probable non-migrants not in vulnerable situations, and 33.8 % as having missing migration category data. Probable migrants in vulnerable situations (
n = 25,070) had over twice the odds of not taking folic acid preconception compared to probable non-migrants not in vulnerable situations (odds ratio 2.15, 95 % confidence interval 2.06-2.25). They had increased odds of previous obstetric complications and being underweight, but lower odds of physical and mental health conditions (apart from diabetes and hepatitis b), smoking and overweight or obesity.
INTERPRETATION: Inequalities exist across many preconception indicators, highlighting opportunities to improve preconception health in this population to reduce health inequalities and improve perinatal and neonatal outcomes.FUNDING: Medical Research Council.</p
Midwives’ perceptions and experiences of recommending and delivering vaccinations to pregnant women following the Covid-19 pandemic: a qualitative study
No full textBackground: pregnant women and their unborn babies are at an increased risk of hospitalisation, morbidity, and mortality from illness. However, uptake of influenza, pertussis and Covid-19 vaccinations offered during pregnancy is below the desired rate. This research aims to explore UK midwives’ experiences of approaching and discussing vaccinations with pregnant women, and their perceived role in pregnant women's vaccination decisions.Methods: midwives in the West Midlands, UK were recruited via participating hospitals and midwife specific social media groups. Interviews were conducted remotely from April to July 2023 and analysed with a deductive codebook coding strategy using thematic analysis.Findings: semi-structured interviews were conducted with 16 midwives identifying the following key themes: Recommendations to have vaccinations reported on the contents of recommendations and how they are communicated; Messages and guidance included the importance of up-to-date informational needs for midwives to administer vaccinations and the barriers caused by uncertainty and conflicting messages about the Covid-19 vaccine during pregnancy; Delivery of vaccinations included the convenience of offering vaccinations during standard antenatal appointments; and Midwives’ barriers explored the pandemic specific and other barriers midwives face in the administering of vaccinations.Discussion: these findings contribute to the understanding of how midwives discuss the topic of vaccinations with pregnant women. This research highlights the importance for midwives to receive clear and consistent information. A strong emphasis on why vaccines are important when recommending to pregnant women in addition to standard information on the availability and timing may have a bearing in helping women to make informed decisions about accepting vaccinations
A case study evaluation of implementation of a care pathway to support normal birth in one English birth centre: anticipated benefits and unintended consequences
No full textBackground: The policy drive for the UK National Health Service (NHS) has focused on the need for high quality services informed by evidence of best practice. The introduction of care pathways and protocols to standardise care and support implementation of evidence into practice has taken place across the NHS with limited evaluation of their impact. A multi-site case study evaluation was undertaken to assess the impact of use of care pathways and protocols on clinicians, service users and service delivery. One of the five sites was a midwifery-led Birth Centre, where an adapted version of the All Wales Clinical Pathway for Normal Birth had been implemented.
Methods: The overarching framework was realistic evaluation. A case study design enabled the capture of data on use of the pathway in the clinical setting, use of multiple methods of data collection and opportunity to study and understand the experiences of clinicians and service users whose care was informed by the pathway. Women attending the Birth Centre were recruited at their 36 week antenatal visit. Episodes of care during labour were observed, following which the woman and the midwife who cared for her were interviewed about use of the pathway. Interviews were also held with other key stakeholders from the study site. Qualitative data were content analysed.
Results: Observations were undertaken of four women during labour. Eighteen interviews were conducted with clinicians and women, including the women whose care was observed and the midwives who cared for them, senior midwifery managers and obstetricians. The implementation of the pathway resulted in a number of anticipated benefits, including increased midwifery confidence in skills to support normal birth and promotion of team working. There were also unintended consequences, including concerns about a lack of documentation of labour care and negative impact on working relationships with obstetric and other midwifery colleagues. Women were unaware their care was informed by a care pathway.
Conclusion: Care pathways are complex interventions which generate a number of consequences for practice. Those considering introduction of pathways need to ensure all relevant stakeholders are engaged with this and develop robust evaluation strategies to accompany implementation
Three years of infant observation with Esther Bick
No full textIn this chapter, the author examines areas of special difficulty in the beginning, middle and last phases of the three-year observation. She illustrates some of Mrs. Esther Bick's central ideas the child in relation to his family, the role of the observer in containing the mother–baby anxieties, the role of the tutor and seminar members in helping the observer. The author reviews a vivid account not only of the infant and of the infant observation experience but also the experience of being in close contact with Bick's thinking. she describes how Bick guided her observations to recall and reflect on what might emerge of the meaning of a tiny infant's behaviour and actions is brilliant and memorable, and as the observation continues, who can be seen to be a very sensitive observer, is contained by the seminar structure and settles. The author provides substantial contributions in integrating infant observation ideas with clinical practice
Memory Club
No full textThis solo exhibition and catalogue summarises work made since 2003. The essay is a development of the thinking behind my practice, and is a detailed statement of new developments since both Bruce Fergusson’s text (Cat. Galerie Von Bartha 2001, ISBN 3-909287-22-0) and Sherman Sam/Rolf Bier’s texts (Cat Niederrheinischer Kunstverein, 2003, ISBN 3-924380-71-6).
The catalogue and group of works selected for the exhibition emphasise recent technical developments in the work which allow a more complex exploration of the ideas they are concerned with. Key to this is layering; alternations of transparent and semi-opaque encaustic or Perspex sheeting in assemblages where optica/spatial recession is often contradicted by physical protuberance. Self-conscious use of historical quotation (for example "variant" is a generic title take from the work of Joseph Albers) becomes part of a conceptual and visual game (JJ Charlesworth´s text calls it "3-dimensional chess"), whereby questions of authenticity (the death of the author, etc.) rub shoulders with issues of craft, sensual materiality and the status of the art object (see Gisbourne, Mark, "To see is to behold" in "Sight Mapping", Sala Rekalde/Bick,Gisbourne et al 2003).
This form of play amounts to a continuous suspension of any "end-game" for abstract painting. Like the notion of a palimpsest in the work of Raoul de Keyser (Bick gave a public lecture on his work for the Whitechapel exhibition of 2004) the process is one of endless partial erasure or obscuring and "re-writing"
Memory Club. solo exhibition
No full textCatalogue and essay for Bick’s 2005 Solo exhibition at Hales Gallery London. The catalogue and group of works selected for the exhibition emphasise recent technical developments in the work, which allow a more complex exploration of the ideas they are concerned with. Key to this is layering; alternations of transparent and semi-opaque encaustic or Perspex sheeting in assemblages where optica/spatial recession is often contradicted by physical protuberance. Self-conscious use of historical quotation (for example "variant" is a generic title take from the work of Joseph Albers) becomes part of a conceptual and visual game (JJ Charlesworth´s text calls it "3-dimensional chess"), whereby questions of authenticity (the death of the author, etc.) rub shoulders with issues of craft, sensual materiality and the status of the art object (see Gisbourne, Mark, "To see is to behold" in "Sight Mapping", Sala Rekalde/Bick,Gisbourne et al 2003).
This form of play amounts to a continuous suspension of any "end-game" for abstract painting. Like the notion of a palimpsest in the work of Raoul de Keyser (Bick gave a public lecture on his work for the Whitechapel exhibition of 2004) the process is one of endless partial erasure or obscuring and "re-writing"
What factors influence the uptake of vaccinations amongst pregnant women following the Covid-19 pandemic: a qualitative study
No full textBackground: pregnant women and their unborn babies are at increased risk from serious complications, hospitalisation and death from infectious diseases. Vaccinations for influenza (flu), pertussis (whooping cough) and Covid-19 are available for free for pregnant women in the UK, but uptake of these repeatedly remains low. This qualitative study aimed to explore how pregnant women feel about these vaccinations, and what factors influence the uptake of vaccinations amongst pregnant women since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic.Methods: pregnant women were recruited via two participating hospitals in one geographic area of the UK, and via one community group offering support to pregnant women from ethnic minorities. Semi-structured interviews were conducted remotely using telephone, were anonymised and transcribed, and analysed using thematic analysis.Findings: interviews were conducted remotely with 43 pregnant women. The following themes were identified as influencing uptake of vaccinations amongst pregnant women: internal factors and beliefs, vaccination related factors, external influences and Covid-19 and changing perceptions of the pandemic.Discussion: findings of this study increase awareness of some of the factors influencing vaccination decisions of pregnant women. It informs practice regarding healthcare professionals’ discussions with pregnant women about vaccinations, and future vaccination campaigns and interventions that are targeting an increase in vaccination uptake amongst this population.</p
The contribution of ‘Midwifery’ to support for breast feeding: Announcing our first virtual issue
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