290 research outputs found
A Roundtable for Victoria M. Grieve, Little Cold Warriors: American Childhood in the 1950s
No full textDr. Thomas Field introduces a roundtable discussion of Victoria M. Grieve\u27s Little Cold Warriors: American Childhood in the 1950s, providing a synopsis of reviewer critiques before the reviewers expand on their views and the author responds
Christopher Murray Grieve alias Hugh MacDiarmid (1892-1978)
No full textThis article presents an overview on the fabulous career of the protagonist of the Scottish literary Renaissance through some of his masterpieces. Here the author analyzes the way in which Murray Grieve made up for himself the famous pseudonym of Hugh MacDiarmid and how he used it all through the various decades until his death in 1978. Various works are here discussed, such as: some of his first Scots poems, the long poem On a Raised Beach, etc
Exochaenium natalense Kissling & K. W. Grieve
No full text<i>Exochaenium natalense</i> (Schinz) Kissling & K.W.Grieve, <i> <i>combinatio nova</i>.</i> <p> <i>Basionym</i>:— <i>Belmontia natalensis</i> Schinz (1894: 220).</p> <p> <i>Homotypic synonyms</i>:— <i>Exochaenium grande</i> var. <i>homostylum</i> Hill (1908: 338).</p> <p> <i>Sebaea natalensis</i> (Schinz) Schinz (1906:782), <i>nom. illeg.</i> [non <i>Sebaea natalensis</i> Schinz (1896:442)].</p> <p> Type:— SOUTHAFRICA. KwaZulu-Natal, Clairmont, 5 Aug. 1893, <i>Schlechter 3060</i> (Lectotype Z [Z000070706]!, <i>hic designatus</i>; isolectotype Z [Z000070705]!).</p> <p> <b>Nomenclatural notes:</b> —There are two sheets of <i>Schlechter 3060</i> at Herb. Z. One [Z000070706] contains five stems each with a single flower, whereas the other [Z000070705] contains a single stem from which the flower is removed and stored in a pocket. These two specimens should be considered as duplicates and thus a lectotype needed to be chosen, in accordance with the <i>International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi and plants</i> Arts 8.2 and 8.3 (Turland <i>et al.</i> 2018). The first author (JK) has studied the type material in detail and confirmed that both sheets represent the same taxon. The sheet with five stems contains more and better material and is consequently chosen here as lectotype.</p> <p> When Schinz transferred <i>Belmontia natalensis</i> to the genus <i>Sebaea</i> in 1906, he clearly forgot that he had already described a different and currently still accepted species, as <i>Sebaea natalensis</i> in 1896. Thus, should <i>Exochaenium natalense</i> ever be transferred to the genus <i>Sebaea</i>, it will need a new name.</p> <p> <b>Diagnosis:</b> —This species is morphologically closely allied to <i>Exochaenium grande</i> (E.Mey.) Griseb., but is markedly different in terms of its much smaller flower size of <i>c.</i> 0.8–1.5 cm diameter (<i>vs c.</i> 3.0– 4.5 cm for <i>E. grande</i>) and the arrangement of the reproductive organs, with anthers positioned at the same level as the stigma (<i>vs</i> distyly in <i>E. grande</i>), possibly indicating differences in pollination strategies. The species can also be differentiated on the basis of their ecological preferences.</p> <p> <b>Description:</b> —Annual, erect herbs, 15–20 cm tall. <i>Stems</i> simple, rarely branched from base, sometimes branched above, 4-ridged. <i>Leaves</i> sessile, opposite, 7–20 mm long, 3–6 mm broad, lanceolate, acute at apex, base narrowed, margin entire, basal leaves sometimes reduced. <i>Inflorescence</i> corymbose, lax, single to several flowered. <i>Calyx</i> of 4 or 5 free sepals, each 7–16 mm long, 3–5 mm broad, ovate-lanceolate, acuminate, with conspicuous keel-wing, 2–3 mm broad at semi-cordate base, hyaline, presence of colleters on inside base. <i>Corolla</i> pure white; tube 9.0– 14.5 mm long, infundibuliform; corolla lobes suborbicular, 5.0– 8.5 mm long, 4–5 mm broad, margins entire, apex acuminate. <i>Stamens</i> inserted ± half way up tube, at same level as stigma. <i>Filaments</i> 6.0– 9.5 mm long; <i>anthers</i>, <i>c.</i> 1–2 mm long, each with apical and 2 tiny stipitate basal glands. <i>Ovary</i> ovoid, <i>c.</i> 2–6 × 2–4 mm, bilocular, placentation axile, ovules numerous. <i>Style</i> and <i>stigma</i> 4–18 mm long, filiform. <i>Stigma</i> slightly clavate, papillose. <i>Fruit</i> and <i>seed</i> not seen.</p> <p> <b>Iconography:</b> — Hill (1908: 317, plate G). See also drawing accompanying plate K000195293 (<i>J.M.Wood 541</i>) from Royal Botanic Gardens Kew.</p> <p> <b>Distribution:</b> —This species occurs along a section of the eastern coastal region of South Africa. It is found mainly in the Port Edward district, on the border between the Eastern Cape and southern KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. The range extends northwards to Port Shepstone (Oribi Flats) and uMzinto districts in KwaZulu-Natal. There are historical records from the greater eThekwini [Durban] area and Zululand, localities that have been transformed by urban development and agriculture. The species has been observed by the second and third authors along the eastern seaboard of the Eastern Cape, known as the Pondoland coast, between Port St Johns and the Umtamvuna River, although no specimens have been collected from this region as yet.</p> <p> <b>Ecology and habitat:</b> — The species inhabits the Indian Ocean Coastal Belt biome, in particular Pondoland-Ugu Coastal Sourveld (CB4) and KwaZulu-Natal Coastal Belt Sandstone Sourveld (CB3) (Mucina & Rutherford 2006). These vegetation types are characterised by undulating coastal plains, species-rich grasslands, rocky outcrops and forested gullies, at elevations up to 600 m. The area receives mostly summer rainfall with some rain in winter.</p> <p> <i>Exochaenium natalense</i> and <i>E. grande</i> occur sympatrically although the latter has a much wider distribution. The two species also have different ecological preferences—whereas <i>E. grande</i> is usually found in well drained grassland, <i>E. natalense</i> is always found in seasonally wet to moist grassland (sometimes even in water).</p> <p> <b>Etymology:</b> —This taxon was named by Schinz (1894), after its geographical origin, previously named Natal and now KwaZulu-Natal, in South Africa.</p> <p> <b>Conservation status:</b> —This species has a restricted distribution and is endemic to the southwestern region of KwaZulu-Natal. A small part of the region is statutorily conserved and the rest is transformed by agriculture and subsistence farming, infrastructure development and urban sprawl and for these reasons, the area is regarded as being of conservation concern (Mucina & Rutherford 2006). <i>Exochaenium natalense</i> is a habitat specialist and is fairly uncommon within this region of <i>c.</i> 1230 km 2. Because the extent of occurrence of the species is estimated to be less than 5000 km 2, based on historical collections and the authors’ observations, and because populations seem to be fragmented, and population decline is projected due to habitat loss and degradation, it is suggested that this species should be regarded as Endangered: B1ab(i–iv).</p> <p> <b>Representative specimens examined:</b> — SOUTH AFRICA. KwaZulu-Natal: Eisdumbeni, 1800 ft., <i>J.M.Wood 133</i> (K [K000195293], NH [NH0004093 -0]); [Durban] “ Bei Port Natal ”, 28 Mar. 1832, <i>J.F.Drège s.n.</i> (P [P00560847]); [Durban] Fields Hill, 358m,n.d., <i>H.Evans 190</i> (NH); Inanda,[Durban district],[252m], <i>J.M.Wood 541</i> (K [K000195293], NH [NH0002056-0]); Izinqoleni district: Kwazamane, 394 m, 21 Mar. 2019, <i>K.W.Grieve 2841</i> (PRE); Margate, [114 m], 4 Feb. 1987, <i>H.B.Nicholson 2561</i> (PCE [PCE0005454]); Mvoti kloof, Canema estate, 7 Oaks, [2930BA], 20 Jan. 1990, <i>A.Abbott 4999</i> (PCE [PCE0005472], NH); Oribi, [432 m], Apr.1937, <i>A.McClean 442</i> (NH); Paddock district, Oribi Flats, Whistling Pine Farm, 482 m, 25 Jan. 2017, <i>K.W.Grieve 2295</i> (PCE [PCE0014180]); Port Edward, Red Desert Nature Reserve coastal section, 10 m, 8 Dec. 2015, <i>K.W.Grieve 1886</i> (NU [NU0088250]); Port Edward, Red Desert Nature Reserve coastal section, 17 m, 23 Feb. 2017, <i>K.W.Grieve 2322</i> (PCE [PCE0014181]); Port Edward, Red Desert Nature Reserve coastal section, 24 m, 6 Jan. 2022, <i>K.W.Grieve 3078</i> (NH); Port Edward, Izingolweni roadside, [3130AA], 2 Jan. 1965, <i>O.M.Hilliard 3038</i> (NU [NU0092021]); Port Edward, Umtamvuna Nature Reserve, [350 m], 14 Apr. 1982, <i>H.B.Nicholson 2248</i> (PCE [PCE0005455]); Port Edward, Umtamvuna Nature Reserve, Clearwater, [350 m], 3 Mar. 1983, <i>A.Abbott 880</i> (PCE [PCE0005451]); Port Edward, Umtamvuna Nature Reserve, [350 m], 13 Mar. 1984, <i>A.Abbott 1827</i> (NH, PCE [PCE0005450]); Port Edward, Umtamvuna Nature Reserve, Office [Beacon Hill], [350 m], 12 Feb. 1986, <i>A.Abbott 2982a</i> (NH, PCE [PCE0005449]); Port Edward, Umtamvuna Nature Reserve, [350 m], 31 Mar. 1995, <i>A.Abbott 6740</i> (NH); Port Edward, Umtamvuna Nature Reserve, Beacon Hill, [350 m], 2 Mar. 1997, <i>C.J.Potgieter s.n.</i> (NU [NU0092023]); Port Edward, Umtamvuna Nature Reserve, western heights, 365 m, 9 Feb. 2017, <i>K.W.Grieve 2306</i> (PCE [PCE0014179]); uMzinto district, Vernon Crookes Nature Reserve, 449 m, 7 Feb. 2019, <i>K.W.Grieve 2801</i> (PCE [PCE0013839]); Uvongo sandflats, [19 m], 19 Dec. 1965, <i>R.Strey 6181</i> (NH); Zululand, Hlabisa district, Lake St Lucia, east shore [2832AB], 5–10 m, 30 Apr. 1974, <i>R.H.Taylor 175</i> (NU [NU0092020]); Zululand, Lake Nhlabane, 5 Jan. 1992, <i>C.J.Ward & A.Rajh 11674</i> (UDW [UDW13406]); Zululand, “ N’goya ” [oNgoye, 2831DD], 1000–2000 ft., 18 Mar. 1904, <i>J.M.Wood 9322</i> (K [K000195292]).</p>Published as part of <i>Kissling, Jonathan, Grieve, Kate W., Grieve, Graham & Bytebier, Benny, 2023, Exochaenium natalense (Gentianaceae), a reinstated taxon endemic to KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, pp. 117-122 in Phytotaxa 619 (1)</i> on pages 120-121, DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.619.1.8, <a href="http://zenodo.org/record/8425836">http://zenodo.org/record/8425836</a>
The women from Rhodesia: an auto-ethnographic study of immigrant experience and [Re] aggregration in Western Australia
No full textThis thesis examines the positioning of white, English-speaking, immigrant women from Africa to Australia. I explore the effects that minimal differences have on issues of identity. Notions of identity, memory, and belonging are contrasted with white settlement in Rhodesia in the last century. My personal history and the desire to write a thesis relevant to the Australian experience led me to ask, How do women from a privileged background, from Rhodesia and Zimbabwe, understand their experiences as immigrants to Australia? The relevance lies in the perception that Australia is populated by immigrants and this research interrogates at a deeper level some specific issues presented by this sample group and my interpretation of their experiences augments the literature in this area. I questioned (individually) a small group of immigrants using unstructured interviews; the use of my own experiences and 'long/desk drawer' makes the study significantly autobiographical. Notions of migration into Australia from Southern Africa are explored using theories and themes of rites de passage. I interrogate the meanings attributed to assimilation and integration in immigration and connect these to the theory. Identity, memory, and reflection are discussed in the context of separation from Africa and integration into Australia. The similarities and differences and embodied history (habitus) that shape us, interweave the trope of rites de passage, uncovering a multiplicity of identity-attributed, assumed, and self-determined. I examine the ways in which Australians of Anglo-Saxon and British origin tend to position English-speaking immigrants from non-British backgrounds as outsiders and suggest that this attribution has more to do with similarities than differences. Reflection and discussion of other times and places reveals how memories intersect with 'new' lives in Australia and the complexities of time in migration as rites de passage make possible an exploration of present experience shadowing earlier experience. Finally, I discover that identity and belonging as continually negotiated spaces are illuminated by the contrast I drew between assimilation and integration as conceptual tools in understanding the migrant experience
Nature Teaches Us to Grieve: The place of parks and nature at end of life
No full textMore evidence is becoming known about how natural environments impact both our physical and spiritual well-being. Little is known, however, about the place of parks and nature at end-of-life, or the impact of parks and nature on quality of life during palliative care or bereavement experiences. A 2015 study aimed to develop a better understanding of people's (including those at end-of-life, caregivers and those experiencing grief) beliefs and experiences about the connection of parks and nature at end-of-life. The study combined an initial online survey (n=118) and narrative research process, whereby a subgroup of participants (n=15) were interviewed in an open-ended story-telling approach. Analysis focused on the meaning of people’s stories and narratives using concepts derived from ecopsychology theory concerned with nature connection, individual wellness and social/earth justice.
Over 80% believed that visiting a park or natural place is worth the risk involved and over 90% expressed that they personally would like to have end-of-life experiences in parks and nature. The narrative process uncovered three dominant themes: 1. Death brings people to parks and nature, 2. Nature teaches people to grieve, and 3. Parks and nature reveal death and life. Animal companions, observing the cycles of natural decay and renewal, and observations of nature as something bigger than death were emphasized. These discoveries will help develop the foundations for policy and practice within parks and health sectors that promote access and enjoyment of parks and nature for people during end-of-life experiences.Alberta Park
Christians are allowed to grieve!
No full textAvtor se zadnjih deset let posveča žalujočim in tako odkriva mnoge stiske kristjanov, ker ne smejo žalovati tako, kakor čutijo v sebi. Ugotavlja, da se znotraj Katoliške cerkve žal njihova pastorala omeji zgolj na pogrebne obrede. Šele v učenju papeža Frančiška najdemo več spodbud za prenovo te pastorale, ki bo bolj celostno odgovarjala na potrebe žalujočih. V prvem poglavju predstavi avtor duhovno pomoč Katoliške cerkve, ki jo nudis krščanskim pogrebnim obredom. Nato prikaže različne stiske, ki jih doživljajo žalujoči kristjani, ker ne zmorejo biti takoj potolaženi zaradi vere v Kristusovo vstajenje in večno življenje rajnih v njem. Na koncu pa pokaže temeljne smernice pastorale žalujočih, ki jih lahko najdemo v učenju papeža Frančiška. V sklepu poudari, kako pomembno je, da se oblikuje nova pastorala, ki bo podpirala srca žalujočih in bo zmožna ustvarjati varen prostor, ki ga ti še posebej potrebujejo, a ga tako težko najdejo.The author has been working for the past ten years with the bereaved, and in this way, he has discovered the many hardships of Christians because they are not allowed to grieve in the way they feel within themselves. He notes that within the Catholic Church, the pastoral care of the bereaved is unfortunately limited to funeral services. It is only in the teaching of Pope Francis that we find more encouragement for a renewal of a form of pastoral care that will respond more integrally to the needs of the bereaved. In the first chapter, the author reviews the spiritual assistance offered by the Catholic Church through the Christian funeral rite. He then illustrates the various forms of distress experienced by grieving Christians who are unable to be immediately comforted by their faith in the resurrection of Christ and the eternal life of the dead in him. Finally, he shows the fundamental guidelines for the pastoral care of the bereaved, which can be found in the teaching of Pope Francis. He concludes by stressing the importance of creating a new pastoral approach to the bereaved that supports the bereaved in an integrated way and is able to create the safe space that is so badly needed but difficult to find
Conceptualising, measuring and valuing the impact of Health Technology Assessment
No full textHow do we assess the impact of Health Technology Assessment (HTA)? Whilst high-income countries (HIC) may have led the way, lower-income countries are increasingly beginning to develop HTA processes to assist in their healthcare decision-making. Understanding how we might quantify the costs and benefits of investing in HTA is important to policy makers and donors. Very few studies have, however, estimated the benefits of the process of HTA in terms of its value to the health system. The global expansion of HTA, its variable implementation, the lack of quantified evidence on health outcomes, along with an increasing investment in these processes at the systems level in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) has generated greater interest from policy makers about the value and return on investment (ROI) of HTA. A lack of longer-term impact assessment (IA) may undermine its importance and value.
To fill this research gap, we have developed a methodological framework to estimate the ROI in HTA using net health benefits (NHB) as our measure of value. This is the difference between QALYs gained by an intervention and QALYs that could have been gained if the money required to deliver it had been spent on other interventions. We use a mixed-methods approach to quantify the value of HTA and to produce explanatory programme theory on the mechanisms by which HTA impact can be optimised. It is also important to consider opportunity costs when establishing HTA processes but which are often overlooked. The aim is to convey the concepts of potential and realised population NHB, and what we can attribute to the HTA process. Central to understanding this is the ‘value of implementation’ (VOImp). Theory-driven approaches will be used to generate and test contextual explanations for gaps between expected and actual gains in population health.
We envisage the use of this research will encourage accountability of spending decisions and help to optimise the impact of HTA in an era of investment and expansion, in particular, for LMICs, through better understanding of HTA’s role in delivering health outcomes and value for money at the system level. This research will offer a forward-looking model that LMICs can point to as a reference for their own implementation
A Methodological Approach for Measuring the Impact of HTA
No full textThere is a lack of evidence concerning the link between HTA and outcomes in terms of health improvements. This work proposes a framework for assessing the impact of HTA. This impact assessment is a necessary step in then better understanding the value for money of HTA bodies. We emphasis that this is still a work in progress.
iDSI has developed a theory of change-based framework in order to evaluate the impact the iDSI has on institutional strengthening – leading to ‘better decisions’ for ‘better health’. This framework recognises that there is a complex translation process between better decisions and better health dependent on many assumptions about local factors and systems, including linkage between decisions and budgets, delivery, implementation, and data accuracy. Work has been undertaken over the last 6 months developing a methodological approach for measuring the impact of health technology assessment (HTA). Two case studies are used to illustrate the approach.
At the core of impact assessment is a requirement to link causes and effects, to explain ‘how’ and ‘why’ and to identify – and thus improve or adapt – mechanisms leading to impact. Policy makers also want to know ‘to what extent’ or ‘the magnitude of impact’. The framework developed adopts an economic approach nested in theory of change as a means of both quantifying the magnitude of impact (utilising economic models) as well as explaining why and how impact happens (drawing on theory based approaches) in order to reinforce learning as to how to improve our response and optimise the use of HTA to have the greatest impact in a given context. This should also enable us to capture and explain wider impact – perhaps more intangible aspects which cannot be easily quantified. This may also possibly increase policy-makers’ ‘buy-in’
IDSI Reference Case work stream
No full textThis reports on the work undertaken by iDSI on each of the five objectives under the iDSI Reference Case (RC) work stream and on its future use by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. The brief pilot studies’ report gives an overview of each of the pilots and extracts key issues for further RC development under iDSI going forward. The process of piloting the RC revealed that researchers found the RC challenging to fulfil every methodological and reporting standard, even those with substantial experience in economic evaluation in a low and middle income country (LMIC) context. Establishing a requirement that BMGF funded economic evaluation use of the RC ought to be accompanied by extensive efforts to build research capacity in modelling (mathematical, decision analytic) and cost-effectiveness analysis in LMICs
Economic cost of obesity and the cost‐effectiveness of weight management
No full textMany commentators have noted the impact that
obesity is having both on society and health services
across the world. The impact is wide ranging, from
personal day‐to‐day issues through to the economic
impact on health services and the wider economy.
There is now general acceptance that we live in an
obesogenic environment, and that the factors behind
this are multifactorial and complex. However, a key
question concerns the impact of weight management intervention and the cost or cost‐effective
impact therein. By understanding this in more
detail, informed decisions can be made around
appropriate funding and commissioning for supporting people who wish to seek weight management interventions.
This chapter aims to outline some key areas of
impact being observed with the increasing rate of
obesity and the resource burden of severe and complicated obesity. The impact of realistic and achievable weight change is also considered, as well as the
cost‐effectiveness of currently available interventions for the management of obesity
- …
