11 research outputs found
Genetic analysis of striga resistance and yield-influencing traits in tropical and subtropical maize.
No full textDoctoral Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, PietermaritzburgMaize (Zea mays L., 2n = 2x = 20) is a vital food security and economic crop in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and globally. In SSA maize production is challenged by an array of biotic and abiotic stresses. Two parasitic weeds belonging to the genus Striga, S. hermonthica (Del.) Benth (Sh) and S. asiatica (L.) Kuntze (Sa) causes marked yield losses varying from 10% to 100% in susceptible maize cultivars. Striga-resistant maize varieties released so far had partial or moderate resistance and were bred for Sh resistance only. There are therefore no commercially grown maize varieties with Sa resistance requiring to develop new-generation maize varieties with durable Sa and Sh resistance and wide adaptability using genetically diverse tropical and subtropical genetic resources and genomic resources. The overall objective of this study was therefore, to improve maize resistance to Sa and Sh by harnessing genetic diversity and identifying markers and genes for resistance breeding. The overall hypothesis of the study was that novel genetic resources, genetic markers and genes associated with Sa and Sh resistance could be identified for dual Striga resistance for maize breeding programs.
The study had further five specific objectives: 1) To undertake a meta-analysis and provide a detailed comparison of the Striga control methods in the production of maize, sorghum, and the major millets as a guide to effective Striga management. 2) To assess the response of 130 tropical and sub-tropical African maize germplasm to Sh and Sa resistance and desirable agronomic traits and select promising genotypes. 3) To determine the genetic diversity of 130 tropical and sub-tropical maize inbred lines, hybrids, and open-pollinated varieties using phenotypic traits and single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers to select Striga-resistant and complementary genotypes for breeding. 4) To determine the combining ability and gene action controlling grain yield and Striga resistance among single crosses of maize to select desirable hybrids with Sh and Sa resistance and promising agronomic traits. 5) To undertake a genome-wide association analysis of grain yield and Sh and Sa resistance among tropical and sub-tropical maize populations to identify putative genetic markers and genes for marker-assisted resistance breeding and gene pyramiding.
In the first part of the study, a meta-analysis was conducted on already reported Striga control methods on the major cereal crops (i.e., maize, sorghum, and millets) using 66 research articles. The data collected included grain yield (GY), Striga emergence count (SEC), and Striga damage rating (SDR). The search showed mean yield for maize varieties with Striga-resistant genes at 2053.00 kg ha−1, ranging from 281.00 to 6260.00 kg ha−1, and a mean SDR of 4.70, varying from 2.00 to 7.00. Likewise, sorghum varieties with Striga resistance genes achieved greater GY with a mean yield response of 1738.00 kg ha−1, ranging from 850.00 to 2162.00 kg ha−1. A relatively low GY was achieved in maize and sorghum production when deploying integrated Striga management (ISM) (e.g., cultural control + host resistance, and host resistance + chemical herbicides) and chemical Striga control. The outcome of this part of the study was that SDR is the best selection criterion for improving GY performance in maize, while SEC and SDR were the parameters of choice in sorghum selection programs for better GY under Striga infestation. The meta-analysis revealed that host resistance is the most effective method for controlling Striga infestation and boosting GY in maize and sorghum.
The second part of the study focused on screening 130 tropical and sub-tropical maize germplasms, including checks, in a controlled environment for their reaction to Sh and Sa infestations using a 13×10 alpha lattice design with two replications over two seasons. The following data were collected on maize: days to 50% silking (DS), days to anthesis (DA), anthesis-silking interval (ASI), plant height (PLHT), ear height (EHT), Root lodging (RL), the number of ears per plant (EPP), husk cover (HUSK), ear aspect (EASP), and grain yield per plant (GY/plant). Striga parameters included the number of emerged Sa and Sh plants 8 and 10 weeks after planting, denoted as SEC8 and SEC10, and host plant damage by Striga 8 and 10 weeks after planting, designated as SDR8 and SDR10. The mean yield of maize and Striga par were 3.35 and 3.07, respectively. Under Sh-infested conditions, SEC8 and SEC10 mean values were 3.66 and 3.77, respectively, while the SDR8 and SDR10 values were 5.25 and 2.75 respectively. The results suggested that dual resistance to the two Striga species exists in some tropical and sub-tropical maize lines. The study selected genotypes CML440, CML566, CML540, CML539, CLHP0343, CLHP0326, TZISTR1248, TZSTRI115, TZISTR25, TZISTR1205, TZSTRI113, TZISTR1119, TZISTR1174 and the OPVs B.King/1421, Shesha/1421, ZM1421, DTSTR-WSYN13, DTSTR-YSYN14, and 2*TZECOMP3DT/WhiteDTSTRSYN) C2 with dual resistance to Sa and Sh. These genotypes are suitable for use as parents in developing high-performing maize varieties with Striga resistance and improved grain yield.
The third part of the study assessed the genetic diversity of 130 tropical and sub-tropical maize inbred lines, hybrids, and open-pollinated varieties using Striga resistance and agronomic traits, and SNP markers. The SNP markers demonstrated that the test genotypes had an average gene diversity of 0.34 and a polymorphic information content of 0.44, indicating significant phenotypic variation. Significant variation was recorded within populations (85%) compared to between populations using the analysis of molecular variance. The structure analysis allocated the test genotypes into eight major clusters (K = 8) in concordance with the principal coordinate analysis (PCoA). The following genetically distant inbred lines were selected, displaying good agronomic performance and Sa and Sh resistance: CML540, TZISTR25, TZISTR1248, CLHP0303, TZISTR1174, TZSTRI113, TZDEEI50, TZSTRI115, CML539, TZISTR1015, CZL99017, CML451, CML566, CLHP0343 and CML440. The new selections will now facilitate the breeding of maize varieties with Striga resistance and market-preferred traits.
In the fourth part of the study, a combining ability analysis was undertaken to determine the mode of gene action regulating Sa and Sh resistance and to select good combiner parental maize lines for hybrid breeding. Four preliminarily selected tropical high-yielding and Sh-resistant testers and eight sub-tropical lines with Sa resistance were crossed using a line-by-tester mating design, and 32 single cross hybrids were generated. The crosses and their parents were evaluated under field and controlled environments during the 2023/2024 growing season using a 7 x 6 alpha lattice design with two replications. Combined analysis of variance revealed a significant (p<0.05) effect of the crosses on grain yield (GY), related agronomic traits, Striga emergence counts, and Striga damage rating 8 and 10 weeks after sowing. The ratio of the general combining ability effect (SCA) and the specific combining ability effect (SCA) was less than one for all the traits, indicating the predominance of non-additive genetic effects in trait inheritance and signifying the value of hybrid breeding. The best general combiner tester was TZISTR1248 in the Sa-infested environment, while tester TZISTR1174 was noteworthy under Sh environment. Lines CML540 and CLHP0343 were the best combiners in Sa environment, while CZL99017, CML566, CML540, and CLHP0343 were promising in Sh environment and CML540 was the best general combiner in all test environments. The crosses CML540 x TZISTR1174, CML540 x TZDEEI50, and CML539 x TZISTR1174 exhibited high yields, significant SCA effects, and high heterosis for GY in Sa environment. Whereas, in Sh environment, cross CML440 x TZDEEI50 had the best GCA effect and heterosis for GY. Crosses CML451 x TZISTR1174, CML539 x TZISTR1174, CML440 x TZDEEI50, CML566 x TZDEEI50, CZL99017 x TZISTR1248, and CML539 x TZISTR1248 were relatively the best specific combiners for GY in both Sa and Sh environments. The selected lines and testers and the new experimental hybrids are recommended for multi-environment evaluation in Sa and Sh-prone agroecologies to enhance grain yield and Striga resistance.
In the fifth final part of the study, a genome-wide association analysis of grain yield and Sh and Sa resistance among tropical and sub-tropical maize populations was undertaken to identify putative genetic markers and genes for resistance breeding. The test genotypes were profiled for GY, SEC8, SEC10, SDR8, and SDR10. Population structure analysis and genome-wide association mapping were undertaken based on 16,000 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers using the Diversity Array Technology Sequencing platform. The genome-wide association study identified 50 significant loci associated with Sh resistance and 22 significant loci linked to Sa resistance, corresponding to 39 and 19 candidate genes, respectively. No significant loci were found associated with dual resistance, suggesting that breeding maize must be specific for resistance to each Striga species using germplasm adapted to the endemic region of each parasite.
Overall, the study finally revealed a novel result that host resistance is the most effective method for controlling Striga infestation and boosting GY despite that research institutions advocate integrated Striga management. Promising genotypes with Sa and Sh resistance were selected, and some tropical and sub-tropical genotypes showed dual resistance. Suitable parental lines and testers and new experimental hybrids were selected for Sa and Sh resistance breeding in SSA. The new selections could be explored for future Striga resistance breeding and the development of new varieties. Significant loci associated with Sh and Sa resistance with their corresponding genes were detected and could be used to facilitate selection for Sh and Sa resistance and GY in tropical and sub-tropical maize genetic resources
Genetic diversity and population structure of sweetpotato accessions (Ipomoea batatas [L.] Lam.) revealed by single nucleotide polymorphism markers
No full textUse of molecular markers has improved the analysis of genetic variation by eliminating environmental influences on genotype performance. The objective of this study was to assess the genetic diversity (GD) and population structure of 327 sweetpotato genotypes sourced from the major sweetpotato-growing regions of Zimbabwe and from the International Potato Centre (CIP) in Mozambique using low-density Diversity Array Technology (DArTseq) SNP chip covering the 90 chromosomes of sweetpotato. The genotypes' GD varied from 0.12 to 0.50, with a mean of 0.36. The mean PIC value of the SNP markers was 0.29. As SNP markers are biallelic with a maximum PIC of 0.50, this value indicates a moderate level of polymorphism. There was a good representation of minor alleles within the population, with an average minor allele frequency (MAF) of 0.26. The average observed heterozygosity of 0.12 was consistent with the cross-pollinating system in sweetpotato but could perpetuate a narrow genetic base. There was limited interbreeding between the populations of sweetpotato, as indicated by a mean fixation index (F) of 0.68. The high F values indicated that most alleles per genotype were contributed by one parent, which is unusual in allogamous species such as sweetpotato. The sweetpotato genotypes in this study could be clustered into two sub-populations with significant differences within the sub-populations. Genetic variation among genotypes is essential for the improvement of sweetpotato. Still, significant genetic gain could be achieved by cross-pollinating divergent genotypes with high MAF to create segregants with rare alleles. It is, thus, important to capture the rare alleles as they help adapt to current and future environmental shifts
Rice pyramided line IRBB67 (Xa4/Xa7) homeostasis under combined stress of high temperature and bacterial blight
No full textRice bacterial blight (BB) caused by Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo) implies substantial yield loss to rice. In times of climate change, increasing temperatures are observed and further acceleration is expected worldwide. Increasing temperature often turns into inhibition of host plant defense to pathogens. Recently, a reduced resistance in rice IRBB4 carrying Xa4, but an increase in resistance in IRBB7 carrying Xa7 resistance by increasing temperature has been reported. Influence of high temperature on both R genes (Xa4+Xa7) combined in IRBB67 was analyzed under growth chamber conditions and transcriptomic analysis performed. The pyramided line IRBB67 showed no differences in lesion length between both temperature regimes, demonstrating that non-effectiveness of Xa4 at high temperature did not affect IRBB67 resistance. Moreover, Xa4 complements Xa7 resistance with no Xoo spread in planta beyond the symptomatic area under both temperature regimes in IRBB67. Time course transcriptomic analysis revealed that temperature enhanced IRBB67 resistance to combined heat and Xoo. Our findings highlight altered cellular compartments and point at a role of the cell wall involved in Xoo resistance and heat stress tolerance in both susceptible (IR24) and the resistant (IRBB67) NILs. Interestingly, up-regulation of trehalose-6-phosphatase gene and low affinity cation transporter in IRBB67 suggest that IRBB67 maintained a certain homeostasis under high temperature which may have enhanced its resistance. The interplay of both heat stress and Xoo responses as determined by up-regulated and down-regulated genes demonstrates how resistant plants cope with combined biotic and abiotic stresses. © 2020, The Author(s)
Gender differences in faculty rank among academic physicians: A systematic review and meta-analysis
No full textOBJECTIVE: Many studies have analysed gender bias in academic medicine; however, no comprehensive synthesis of the literature has been performed. We conducted a pooled analysis of the difference in the proportion of men versus women with full professorship among academic physicians. DESIGN: Systematic review and meta-analysis. DATA SOURCES: MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Education Resources Information Center and PsycINFO were searched from inception to 3 July 2020. STUDY SELECTION: All original studies reporting faculty rank stratified by gender worldwide were included. DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS: Study screening, data extraction and quality assessment were performed by two independent reviewers, with a third author resolving discrepancies. Meta-analysis was conducted using random-effects models. RESULTS: Our search yielded 5897 articles. 218 studies were included with 991 207 academic physician data points. Men were 2.77 times more likely to be full professors (182 271/643 790 men vs 30 349/251 501 women, OR 2.77, 95% CI 2.57 to 2.98). Although men practised for longer (median 18 vs 12 years, p<0.00002), the gender gap remained after pooling seven studies that adjusted for factors including time in practice, specialty, publications, h-index, additional PhD and institution (adjusted OR 1.83, 95% CI 1.04 to 3.20). Meta-regression by data collection year demonstrated improvement over time (p=0.0011); however, subgroup analysis showed that gender disparities remain significant in the 2010-2020 decade (OR 2.63, 95% CI 2.48 to 2.80). The gender gap was present across all specialties and both within and outside of North America. Men published more papers (mean difference 17.2, 95% CI 14.7 to 19.7), earned higher salaries (mean difference 25 969 to $40 542) and were more likely to be departmental chairs (OR 2.61, 95% CI 2.19 to 3.12). CONCLUSIONS: Gender inequity in academic medicine exists across all specialties, geographical regions and multiple measures of success, including academic rank, publications, salary and leadership. Men are more likely than women to be full professors after controlling for experience, academic productivity and specialty. Although there has been some improvement over time, the gender disparity in faculty rank persists. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42020197414
Identification and analysis of genomic regions influencing leaf morpho-physiological traits related to stress responses in greater yam (Dioscorea alata L.)
No full textData availability: The Illumina NovaSeq 6000 sequencing raw data are available in the NCBI Sequence Read Archive, under the BioProject number: PRJNA918625 (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/bioproject/?term=PRJNA918625). The phenotypic datasets are available from the corresponding author upon request.International audienceBackground: Yams (Dioscorea spp.) are significant food security crops especially in West Africa. With the increasing tuber demand and climate change challenges, it is pertinent to strengthen breeding programs for developing highyielding cultivars with climate resilience. The current study aimed at deciphering the genetic basis of leaf traits related to stress responses in a diverse panel of Dioscorea alata genotypes. Results: Phenotypic characterization of 12 traits, including leaf dry matter content, mean leaf area, net photosynthesis, transpiration rate, transpiration use efficiency, stomatal density, stomatal index, preformed node count, leaf thickness, competitor, stress-tolerator, ruderal ecological strategies emphasized significant variations among the genotypes and across two planting locations. Weak correlations were observed among most of traits, suggesting that breeding simultaneously for some of these stress response-related traits would be possible. Heritability was highest for transpiration rate, leaf area and stomatal density, while it was lowest for stress-tolerator, ruderal ecological strategies. Genome-wide association study (GWAS) using high-quality single nucleotide polymorphism (SNPs) identified 24 significant associations on 11 chromosomes, where the association signals were consistent across two locations for traits with high heritability, viz., stomatal density (Chr18) and transpiration rate (Chr3). Further characterization of the significant signals and their related alleles identified advantageous alleles contributing positively to the studied traits. Moreover, 44 putative candidate genes were identified. Dioal.18G049300 (3 keto acyl-coenzyme A synthase) was identified as a strong candidate gene for stomatal density, while Dioal.12G033600 (Phosphatidyl inositol monophosphate 5 kinase 4) was identified for net photosynthesis. Conclusion: Taken together, GWAS and allele segregation analysis for key SNPs provided significant insights into the marker-trait associations, which can be further utilized in breeding programs to improve climate resilience in greater yam
Technical Analysis in Forex : A Strategy for Individual Trader in Intra-Day Trading
No full textThe goal of the thesis was to create a simple and profitable strategy for Foreign Exchange Market (forex) currency trading. Forex is an interesting international market, which is becom-ing globally more and more popular. The author has a strong interest in forex and he had no-ticed how many trading strategies are very complicated and difficult to use. The meaning was to study what kind of simple trading strategy would be profitable in forex. The target of the study was intra-day traders, who trade short-term trades, prefer technical trading and already have the basic information of the market. The strategy created was tested through using vir-tual money by the author and it was also published as an e-book in different online forums for collecting comments and improvement suggestions.
The thesis was carried out as a project-based thesis and it consists of introductory, theoretical and empirical parts. Theory consists of four parts; forex market, what moves the exchange-rates, how technical analysis predicts exchange-rate movements and money management. The trading strategy was created by applying the theory to the author’s own ideas of forex trading. The empirical part contains a complete forex trading strategy and a report of the testing pe-riod.
The goal of making a simple and profitable forex trading strategy was reached as a three- month testing period ended with a gain of 19%. The e-book received many positive com-ments, but also some criticism and improvement suggestions from other traders. Most people who commented on the trading strategy liked the simplicity of it.
Even though the strategy created was tested with virtual money, the study indicates that sim-ple forex trading can be profitable. The next phase is to test the strategy with real money and study the results over a longer period of time. Emotional factors that affect trading decisions will only be shown when real money is traded. The author is confident that every trader who reads the study will learn a lot and get new ideas for their own forex trading.Opinnäytetyön tavoitteena oli luoda tuottava ja helppokäyttöinen forex valuuttakaupankäynti-strategia. Forex on mielenkiintoinen ja kansainvälinen markkina, joka on viimevuosina kasvat-tanut maailmanlaajuisesti suosiotaan. Opinnäytteentyön tekijällä on vahva kiinnostus valuutta-kauppaa kohtaan, ja hän on huomannut, kuinka useat kaupankäyntistrategiat ovat hankalia ja vaikeaselkoisia. Opinnäytetyön tarkoituksena oli tutkia, minkälainen yksinkertainen strategia voisi olla tuottava valuuttakaupassa. Kohderyhmänä on jo perustiedot forexista omaavat päi-vätreidaajat, jotka tekevät lyhyen aikavälin kauppaa ja käyttävät teknistä analyysia. Opinnäyte-työssä luotua strategiaa testattiin virtuaalirahalla tekijän toimesta, ja se julkaistiin e-kirjan muo-dossa eri keskustelupalstoilla kommentteja ja kehitysehdotuksia varten.
Opinnäytetyö tehtiin projektityönä ja sen rakenne koostuu johdannosta, teoriaosiosta ja empii-risestä osiosta. Teoria muodostuu neljästä osasta; forex markkina, mitkä seikat vaikuttavat va-luuttakursseihin, miten teknistä analyysia voidaan hyödyntää valuuttakurssien liikkeiden ennus-tamiseen, ja rahan hallinta. Kaupankäyntistrategia luotiin hyödyntämällä käytettyä teoriaa ja yhdistämällä sitä tekijän omiin ideoihin. Empiirinen osio sisältää kokonaisvaltaisen forex kau-pankäyntistrategian ja raportin testijaksosta.
Kolmekuukautinen testiajanjakso tuotti 19%:n tuoton, joten tavoite helppokäyttöisestä ja tuot-toisasta kaupankäyntistrategiasta saavutettiin. E-kirja sai useita positiivisia kommentteja, mutta myös kritiikkiä ja kehitysehdotuksia muilta valuuttakaupan kävijöiltä. Useimmat kaupankäynti-strategiaa kommentoineet pitivät sen yksinkertaisuudesta.
Vaikka testijakso toteutettiin virtuaalirahalla, tutkimus osoittaa, että yksinkertainen valuutta-kaupankäynti voi olla tuottavaa. Seuraavaksi on tarkoitus testata strategiaa oikealla rahalla, ja tutkia tuloksia pidemmällä aikavälillä. Kaupankäyntiin vaikuttavat emotionaaliset asiat tulevat esiin ainoastaan käymällä kauppaa oikealla rahalla. Opinnäytetyön tekijä uskoo, että jokainen työn lukenut oppii paljon valuuttakaupankäynnistä ja saa ideoita omaan kaupankäyntiinsä
Genome‐wide association studies reveal novel loci controlling tuber flesh color and oxidative browning in Dioscorea alata
No full textThe Illumina NovaSeq 6000 sequencing raw data are available in the NCBI Sequence Read Archive, under the BioProject number: PRJNA880983. Data will be released upon publication of this manuscript. The phenotypic datasets are available from the corresponding author upon request.International audienceBACKGROUND: Consumers' preferences for food crops are guided by quality attributes. This study aimed at deciphering the genetic basis of quality traits, especially tuber flesh color (FC) and oxidative browning (OB) in Dioscorea alata, based on the genome‐wide association studies (GWAS) approach. The D. alata panel was planted at two locations in Guadeloupe. At harvest, the FC was scored visually as white, cream, or purple on longitudinally sliced mature tubers. The OB was scored visually as the presence or absence of browning after 15 min of exposure of the sliced samples to ambient air.RESULTS: Phenotypic characterization for FC and OB of a diverse panel of D. alata genotypes highlighted significant variation within the panel and across two locations. The genotypes within the panel displayed a weak structure and could be classified into three subpopulations. GWAS identified 14 and 4 significant associations for tuber FC and OB, respectively, with phenotypic variance, explained values ranging from 7.18% to 18.04%. Allele segregation analysis at the significantly associated loci highlighted the favorable alleles for the desired traits, i.e., white FC and no OB. A total of 24 putative candidate genes were identified around the significant signals. A comparative analysis with previously reported quantitative trait loci indicated that numerous genomic regions control these traits in D. alata .CONCLUSION: Our study provides important insights into the genetic control of tuber FC and OB in D. alata. The major and stable loci can be further utilized to improve selection in breeding programs for developing new cultivars with enhanced tuber quality
Ikääntyneen ihmisen yksinäisyys ja korttelikerhotoiminta kotihoidossa
No full textTIIVISTELMÄ
Oulun seudun ammattikorkeakoulu
Ylempi ammattikorkeakoulututkinto
Sosiaali- ja terveysalan kehittämisen ja johtamisen koulutusohjelma
Tekijä: Sendenali Tuija
Opinnäytetyön nimi: Ikääntyneen ihmisen yksinäisyys ja korttelikerhotoiminta kotihoi-dossa.
Työnohjaajat: Yliopettaja, TtT Lea Rissanen ja TtT Kati Utriainen
Työn valmistumislukuvuosi ja – vuosi: Kevät 2011
Sivumäärä: 58 + (11) liitesivua
Tämä työ on osa aluekehitystyötä, jossa tarkastellaan väestön ikääntymiseen liittyvää hoitopalvelua ja sen laatua. Työ on osa alueellisen Vanhustenhuollon resurssien ja hoidon laadun johtamishanketta, joka on suunnattu ikääntyvien kotihoitoon.
Työn tavoitteena on parantaa kotihoidon laatua. Työssä on haettu vastausta siihen, mikä merkitys ryhmäinterventioon osallistumisella on kotihoidon asiakkaan kokemaan yksinäisyyteen ja miten se ilmenee RAI- laatujärjestelmän muuttujissa. Työ on toimintatutkimus, jossa toteutettiin puolen vuoden mittainen ryhmäinterventio korttelikerhotoimintana Oulun keskustan alueen kotihoidossa. Asiakkaat kokoontuivat viikoittain asuinpaikkansa lähellä olevaan korttelikerhoon, jonka ohjelma suunniteltiin tukemaan osallistujien psykososiaalista ja fyysistä toimintakykyä.
Työssä on käytetty kahta eri arviointimenetelmää; RAI-laatujärjestelmää ja SWOT-analyysiä. Korttelikerhotoiminnan alussa (n=25) ja lopussa (n=25) osallistujilta on kartoitettu RAI-arviointimittarin laatualueesta kognitio, muuttujina sosiaalinen toiminta, eristyminen ja yksinäisyys. Tuloksia on verrattu keskenään. Toisena arviointimenetelmänä on käytetty SWOT- analyysiä, jonka avulla arvioitiin korttelikerhon merkitystä asiakkaille (n=11) ja työntekijöille (n= 6) ryhmäintervention päätyttyä.
Tulosten mukaan korttelikerhoon osallistuvista lähes viidesosa koki yksinäisyyttä. Kognition, eli muun muassa muistin, heikentyessä yksinäisyyden tunne lisääntyy.
RAI-laatujärjestelmällä toteutetun arvioinnin mukaan yksinäisyyden kokemukseen ei korttelikerhotoiminnalla ollut merkitystä. Toisaalta SWOT-analyysin mukaan kerho on kuitenkin koettu merkityksellisenä sosiaalisten suhteiden tuottajana ja fyysisten aktiviteettien mahdollistajana kotihoidon asiakkaille.
Kehittämistoiminnan tuloksena tehtiin suosituksia puuttua ikääntyneen ihmisen yksinäi-syyteen, jotta kotihoidon asiakkaan kokema yksinäisyys vähenisi. Kotihoidossa olevan ikääntyneen ihmisen yksinäisyyden vähenemiseksi suositellaan keskustelua yksinäisyydestä sekä psykososiaalisen toiminnan suunnittelua ja toteutusta yhdessä asiakkaan kanssa. Lisäksi on tärkeää asiakkaan avustaminen toisten seuraan ja yhteistyö omaisten, seurakunnan ja järjestöjen kanssa.
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Asiasanat: Yksinäisyys, Ikääntynyt, Ryhmäinterventio, Kotihoidon laatu, RAI-arviointi, Toimintatutkimus,
SWOT-analyysi.ABSTRACT
Oulu University of Applied Sciences
Degree Programme in Development and Management of Health Care and Social Services
Author: Tuija Sendenali
Title of thesis: Loneliness of an Elderly Person and Senior Citizens Club Activities in Home Care.
Supervisors: Principal Lecturer, PhD (Health Sciences) Lea Rissanen and PhD (Health Sciences) Kati Utriainen
Term and year when the thesis was submitted: Spring 2011
Number of pages: 58 pages +11
This study is a part of a regional developmental project that examines the elderly care services and the quality of these services. The study is also a part of a regional project of the management of resources and quality of the elderly home care services.
The aim of the study was to improve the quality of homecare services for the elderly. The study examined how clients’ participation in group activities affected their feelings of loneliness and how loneliness was shown in the values of
RAI-HC (Resident As-sessment Instrument Home Care) assessment system.
The study was an operational study that was put into practice in Korttelikerho, a senior citizens club, within the home care services in the city of Oulu during a six-month period. The clients got together once a week in their senior citizens club where the activities were planned to support the functional ability of their psychosocial and physical abilities.
I used two different assessment methods in the study: RAI- HC assessment system and the SWOT analysis. In the beginning (n=25) and in the end (n=25) of the senior citizens club the clients were surveyed with the RAI-HC in which the participants’ cognition; social participation, isolation and loneliness, were used as the parameters. These results were compared within each other. The second assessment method was the SWOT analysis, which was used to assess the meaningfulness of the club activities to the clients’ (n=11) and to the employees (n=6) at the end of the group intervention.
The results of the study showed that nearly a fifth of the participants in the club activities felt loneliness. When memory started to decrease, the feeling of loneliness
increased. RAI- HC results showed the activities in the senior citizens clubs did not have any effect on the feeling of loneliness. However, according to the SWOT analysis the participation in the club activities was considered meaningful as it helped establish social relationships and promoted physical activities among the clients of home care services. As the result of the developmental project there were some recommendations made. To prevent and reduce the loneliness of the elderly clients in home care services it is recommended that conversations about loneliness take place during the planning and implementation phases of psychosocial activities. It is also important to assist the client to contact social networks with added importance of working together with the relatives of the client, church services and other organizations.
Keywords: Loneliness, Elderly/ Aged, Group intervention, Quality of home care, RAI- HC system, Action research, SWOT analysis
Shifting Selves: Home beyond the House - A Study of Ageing, Housing and Wellbeing of Older Chinese Migrants to New Zealand
No full textOlder Chinese immigrants are one of the largest ethnic ageing groups in New Zealand. However, people‘s everyday experiences of settling in a new and unfamiliar environment have been largely overlooked, particularly for older adults. This research explores the biographies, identities and everyday experiences of filial piety among older Chinese immigrants. Particular consideration is given to the role of filial piety in participants‘ housing and ageing experiences. This research is one of the first explorations of Chinese immigrant ageing in place, which also considers changing enactments of filial piety. The research is informed by a hybrid narrative approach that draws on episodic, go-along and fangtan interview techniques used with 32 older Chinese immigrants in Auckland and Hamilton. Findings support the importance of exploring positive experiences of migration and ageing. Older Chinese immigrants do often experience biographical disruptions and status-discrepancies when they move from China to New Zealand. However, in response, the participants engage in positive activities such as gardening and art as a means of cultivating a new sense of self and place in a new land that is compatible with their existing identities as older Chinese adults. The analysis explores the material-mediated basis for participant adjustment and acculturation. Through adaptive acculturation, older Chinese immigrants‘ abilities for both integrating into the host culture and maintaining their ethnic identities are realised. The analysis also demonstrates that traditional Chinese aged care models of family support with high level of intergenerational co-residence are evolving to encompass practices of filial piety at a distance and to encompass more pluralistic familial living arrangements. The analysis also demonstrates the importance of considering how ageing occurs beyond physical spaces and within cultural, social, relational and imagined landscapes. The analysis shifts away from the focus in existing literature on how older Chinese immigrants are passively transformed into minority subjects to how they are transforming themselves through migration and their efforts to age well in New Zealand
The Concept of Development in Ulawa in Solomon Islands and its Implications for National Development Policy and Planning
No full text'Social development' and 'economic development' are complex concepts, concepts that may be interpreted very differently in different contexts and at different times. Not only may the processes involved be different in different contexts, so too may be the criteria by which success is judged. It is argued here that successive Solomon Islands governments have striven for social and economic development without taking full account of the real nature of Solomon Islands society. What is needed is national development policy, planning and implementation that arise out of, and take fully into account, the historical, geographic and cultural context of Solomon Islands.
On the whole, the socio-economic structure of Solomon Islands society is currently underpinned by a tri-partite hierarchy in which, for the majority of Solomon Islanders, kastom (traditional beliefs and practices) and church (the beliefs and practices endorsed by the church) take precedence over the state as legitimate forms of authority. This inevitably poses problems for state-led development. If socio-economic development activities are to be successful in achieving a better quality of life for all Solomon Islanders, including those who live in rural areas, they must take full account of the role of kastom and church in the lives of the people. This must include an understanding of the differing concepts of development of people in different areas of the country such as those of Ulawa islanders that are discussed here.
The thesis begins with an introduction to the research (Chapter 1) in which the theoretical framework is located broadly within the postmodern paradigm. In Chapter 2 the essentially qualitative and interpretive nature of the methodology is outlined and explained. Chapter 3 provides a critical review of international development literature in which it is argued that official definitions and descriptions of development are based on production and deficit models. The need to accommodate an indigenous and organic concept of development, one that takes account of the diversity of human experience, is stressed. Chapter 4 provides an outline of Solomon Islands society. Here, the historical narrative is complemented by three metaphors - 'island', wantok and betelnut - which serve to reinforce and explain the nature of Solomon Islands society and the ways in which that society has been shaped by historical processes. Chapter 5 is devoted to a discussion of modern development activity in Solomon Islands, the main focus being on the period immediately preceding and following independence. Chapter 6 explores, with particular reference to Ulawa Island, indigenous concepts of development and the impact of national development activities on rural-dwelling islanders. It also engages the issue of state reform, proposing a model based on a two tier system, with central government in its current form dealing directly with the people at constituency rather than provincial level. Finally, Chapter 7 summarizes the main conclusions reached. It is noted that the failure of both pre- and post-independence governments to take full account of the nature of Solomon Islands society has been a major factor in the lack of effective development in the islands
