143 research outputs found
Constructing Measures of Family Socioeconomic Position: Testing Commonplace Assumptions and Alternative Approaches
No full textSocioeconomic position (SEP) has a marked effect on people’s wellbeing and is a key concept for understanding health and social outcomes. Because individuals are embedded within families, the SEP of other family members likely plays a considerable role in determining individual outcomes. However, there has been little research examining the best approaches to measuring family level SEP to model individual outcomes, particularly for diverse families and in Aotearoa New Zealand.
This thesis examines the relative performance of different approaches to combining SEP from family members to model individual outcomes. SEP was measured at the 2013 Census using education, occupation and income. For adults living in cohabitating couples, the risk of having diagnoses of diabetes, acute myocardial infarction, stroke and traumatic brain injury were modelled. For children, the risk of low birth weight and preterm birth (perinatal period), dental caries and obesity (preschoolers) and educational achievement (teenagers) were modelled for children with different family types. Relative performance was assessed by comparing the fit of models employing different specifications of family SEP.
For adults, incorporating partner SEP in addition to own SEP improved models of individual outcomes. This pattern emerged across ethnic groups, genders, and for older adults, but was inconsistent for same-gender couples. For children, the socioeconomic resources of resident biological parents, step-parents, and non-resident biological parents all appeared to influence child outcomes, although there was not consistent evidence that the SEP of both biological parents independently influenced birth outcomes. The SEP of male partners/parents is typically a better indication of risk than the SEP of female partners/parents. There was inconsistent evidence that the higher SEP value is a better measure of family SEP than the lower SEP value, except when measured with income. Overall, there was compelling evidence that single partner/parent measures were generally inadequate.
A subset of analyses were repeated with the 2018 Census data to test whether these data replicated patterns observed with the 2013 Census data despite the low response to the 2018 Census and resulting data quality concerns. Results indicated that these data appear to be suitable for using parental SEP to model child outcomes
Pre-pregnancy body mass index and breastfeeding initiation, early cessation and longevity: evidence from the first wave of the UK Millennium Cohort Study
No full textBackground International evidence indicates relationships between pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) and breastfeeding behaviours. This study aims to assess associations between key points in the breastfeeding trajectory (initiation, early cessation and longevity) and pre-pregnancy BMI in a recent, nationally representative British cohort. It also aims to explore in the British context potential moderation by mothers’ ethnic group. Methods The sample comprises 17 113 mothers from the UK Millennium Cohort Study who have information on pre-pregnancy BMI. Associations between pre-pregnancy BMI categories and breastfeeding initiation, early cessation and longevity are tested using logistic regression. Directed acyclic graphics identify appropriate minimal adjustment to block biasing pathways and classify total and direct effects. Results After adjusting for confounders, there are large differences in breastfeeding early cessation and longevity by pre-pregnancy BMI group. Differences in propensity to initiation are negligible. Having begun breastfeeding, overweight and obese mothers are more likely to cease in the first week and less likely to continue past 4 months. Observed potential mediators within pregnancy and delivery provide little explanation for relationships. Evidence for moderation by ethnicity is scant. Conclusions The causal mechanisms underlying relationships between pre-pregnancy overweight, obesity, and breastfeeding behaviours require further research. However, this study suggests pre-pregnancy BMI as one predictive measure for targeting support to women less likely to establish breastfeeding in the early days, and to continue beyond 4 months. The nature of support should carefully be considered and developed, with mind to both intended and potential unintended consequences of intervention given the need for additional investigation into the causes of associations
Key elements of the research process during secondary analysis of the millennium cohort study: researching relationships between mothers’ pre-pregnancy body mass index and breastfeeding behaviors
No full textIn this case study, we describe some of the key analytical stages and decision-making processes during a research project comprising secondary analyses of the U.K. Millennium Cohort Study. Our work examined relationships between maternal body mass index (BMI) and breastfeeding behaviors. We discuss the development of our research: from familiarization with and appraisal of the proposed dataset; to choosing and recoding variables; to honing our conceptual framework and fitting the data to the research questions; to analysis, reporting, and discussing findings. While describing key stages, we also emphasize the iterative, messy, and nonlinear realities of conducting a research project using secondary data. We discuss crucial points to be aware of in this type of work and lessons learned: such as the need to update and revise coding, analyses, and interpretations in light of discussion, reflection, and external feedback
Socioeconomic inequalities in young children’s weight status in the UK
Get PDFThe high prevalence rates of child overweight and obesity within the UK is a serious problem, and one that has received a lot of attention from policy makers, researchers and the media. There is some evidence for socioeconomic inequalities in child overweight and obesity, with children in less advantaged socioeconomic groups at an increased risk of being overweight or obese. The nature of these inequalities is not well understood. Within this thesis I consider different aspects of socioeconomic status and their relationship with child overweight and obesity. There are three distinct strands of the investigation. Firstly, I consider whether socioeconomic inequalities in child overweight and obesity have changed over time. This is followed by two separate analyses of the relationship between obesity and overweight with parental income and education.
I find evidence that socioeconomic inequalities in child overweight and obesity have widened over time, but only because of the relatively low increases in child overweight and obesity amongst children from the most advantaged families. I investigate whether there is an association between income and child overweight, and find that other parental characteristics, namely parental education, can explain correlations between familial income and child overweight and obesity. I find that father’s education has a stronger association with child overweight and obesity than does mother’s education, and that this is not solely because father’s education is a better predictor of the family’s financial and economic resources
Episode 2 - 2013: Secrets and Celebrations
No full textIn this episode of Vancouver Special, we explore the 125th anniversary of Stanley Park, stroll around Vancouver as the most walkable city in Canada and hear about the library Foundation's TOUCH fundraising event supporting the VPL Inspiration Lab. CBC's Ian Hanomansing sets the scene for 2013 as we feature interviews with Vancouver Park Board general manager Malcolm Bromley, author and historian Jean Barman, walking advocate and writer John Atkin, and VPL Foundation directors Paula Shackleton and Susan Knott along with artist and curator Malcolm Levy.
Stanley Park is designated a national historic site of Canada, and it's a lush 400-hectare urban forest with a spectacular seawall and numerous famous landmarks. Park Board general manager Malcolm Bromley talks about the park, its 125th anniversary and what draws millions of visitors each year.
Jean Barman is a B.C. author who has written numerous acclaimed books on the history of Canada, women and indigenous peoples. Her book Stanley Park's Secret is a City of Vancouver Book Prize winner. Jean shares some of the history of our city's first, largest, and most beloved urban park.
He can wear out a pair of walking shoes in just a few months. Author John Atkin has written several books highlighting some of the best walks around Vancouver, which in 2013 was named the most walkable city in Canada, ahead of Toronto and Montreal and just behind New York, San Francisco and Boston on the international scene. He talks about the joy of walking in Vancouver.
It was called TOUCH, and it was a dynamic evening of art, literature and technology to support the VPL Inspiration Lab. VPL Foundation directors Paula Shackleton and Susan Knott along with artist and curator Malcolm Levy look back at this exciting event of installations and live performances.
And VPL librarian Tim McMillan brings it all together with some great reads you can find at your library about Stanley Park, walking around our city and experiencing some historic photos from VPL's Special Collections department.
The theme song is "North Wind" by Vancouver band Lakefield, from the album Sounds from the Treeline
Hammer plate seismic on the Shackleton Ice Shelf - 2023-24
No full textProgress Code: onGoingStatement: The data is of reasonable quality however very soft snow at the surface necessitated the plate be dug out and repositioned every 5 hammer blows. Due to a problem with the seismic software each of the datasets were collected in two halves i.e. 24 electrodes located to one side of the survey mid-point in one data set and the 24 electrodes to other side in a second data set.<b>Purpose</b><br/>The purpose of the data was to optimally locate a hot water drilled borehole by providing an indication of ice thickness, and the thickness of the water column underneath the ice shelf. The aim was to locate the borehole with greater than 500 m water column beneath the ice shelf to allow identification of different ocean water masses. Ground penetrating radar data was collected at the same site to give an accurate measure of ice thickness and improve the measurement of ocean depth from seismic data.Raw active source seismic data collected using the hammer and plate method at two sites on the margin of the Shackleton Ice shelf, close to the Denman Glacier Tongue. The data were collected in conjunction with radar data (metadata record) to optimally locate a hot water drilled borehole by providing a measure of the ice shelf thickness and the depth to the ocean floor beneath the ice shelf.<br/><br/>The survey involved laying out an array of 48 geophones along a line 470 m long with geophones spaced every 10m. The geophones were pushed into the snow surface to the same level. The source of seismic energy is simply a thick plastic plate struck by a sledgehammer which is located at the survey line mid-point. Two point measurements were collected, HWD_01 and HWD_02.<br/><br/>HWD_01 <br/>Date:16/12/2023<br/>Timing: 1300 - 1700<br/>Location: Shackleton Ice Shelf close to the Denman Glacier margin<br/>Coordinates: -66.230357, 98.735936<br/>Team: Sarah Thompson, Katie Miles, Nick Morgan<br/>Weather: Some high cloud, low wind, good visibility<br/>Site notes: Very soft snow.<br/>Equipment: 48 channel Geometrics Geode Seismograph communicating with a laptop via ethernet cable using Geometrics Seismodule Controller Software Version 11.1.69.0 (Geometrics Inc., 2014).<br/>Sampling interval: 62.5 microseconds<br/>Window length: 2 seconds <br/>Survey layout: 2 x 235 m cables (10 m spacing), geophones all set into surface by pushing into the snow. <br/>Bearing of seismic line: 266 degrees <br/>Geophones: 1-24 to East and 24-28 to West of centre point<br/>Shot point: Midpoint of survey line. <br/>Survey collected in two halves due to software issues, ~20 hammer blows per half, all hammer blows carried out by Nick Morgan.<br/><br/>Files included<br/>*.dat - raw data files each containing seismic record from single shot<br/>Geophones 1-24: 1000.dat – 1021.dat<br/>Geophones 25-48: 1022.dat – 1042.dat<br/><br/>HWD_02 - <br/>Date: 26/12/2023<br/>Timing: 1530 - 1800<br/>Location: Shackleton Ice Shelf close to the Denman Glacier margin<br/>Coordinates: -66.232110, 98.738019<br/>Team: Sarah Thompson, Katie Miles, Madi Rosevear, Nick Morgan<br/>Weather: Some high cloud, low wind, good visibility<br/>Site notes: Very soft snow.<br/>Equipment: 48 channel Geometrics Geode Seismograph communicating with a laptop via ethernet cable using Geometrics Seismodule Controller Software Version 11.1.69.0 (Geometrics Inc., 2014).<br/>Sampling interval: 62.5 micro seconds<br/>Window length: 2 seconds <br/>Survey layout: 2 x 235 m cables (10 m spacing), geophones all set into surface by pushing into the snow. <br/>Bearing of seismic line: 296 degrees <br/>Geophones: 1-24 to East and 24-28 to West of midpoint<br/>Shot point: Midpoint of survey line. <br/>Survey collected in two halves due to software issues, 20 hammer blows per half, all hammer blows carried out by Nick Morgan.<br/><br/>Files included<br/>*.dat - raw data files each containing seismic record from single shot<br/>Geophones 1-24: 1000.dat – 1001.dat<br/>Geophones 25-48: 2000.dat – 2018.dat and 2020.dat - 2021.da
Risk-based school inspections: impact of targeted inspection approaches on Dutch secondary schools
Get PDFIn most countries, publicly funded schools are held accountable to one inspectorate and are judged against agreed national standards. Many inspectorates of education have recently moved towards more proportional risk-based inspection models, targeting high-risk schools for visits, while schools with satisfactory student attainment levels are excluded from inspections. This paper looks into these newer inspection models and aims to enhance our understanding of the potential effectiveness of such targeted models on student attainment and other performance indicators. Random effects models, analyzing changes in schools over time, indicate that targeted inspections particularly have an effect on student attainment in literacy in weak schools, while also impacting on student satisfaction, student numbers and student-staff ratios
Le sense de la destinee chez Gerard de Nerval
No full textIncludes bibliographical references.Gerard de Nerval (1808-1855), French author and poet, suffered his first mental breakdown.in 1841. In spite of treatment in a private asylum, the last years of his life were spent on the verge of mental collapse. The author's mental illness, however, did not impair his great literary output. In fact, his greatest works Les filles du feu and Chimères were written during this period. In our research, we set ourselves the goal of determining the way in which Nerval overcomes his destiny by the creation of literary works which are the antithesis of his mental disarray
Setting expectations for good education : How Dutch school inspections drive improvement
Get PDFWith decentralisation becoming increasingly widespread across Europe, evaluation and accountability are becoming key issues in ensuring quality provision for all (Altrichter & Maag Merki, 2010; Eurydice, 2004). In Europe, the dominant arrangement for educational accountability is school inspections. The purpose of this research is to identify and analyse the ways in which school inspections in The Netherlands impact on the work of schools. The results of 2 years of survey data of principals and teachers in primary and secondary schools show that inspection primarily drives change indirectly, through encouraging certain developmental processes, rather than through more direct and coercive methods, such as schools reacting to inspection feedback. Specifically, results indicate that school inspections which set clear expectations on what constitutes “good education” for schools and their stakeholders are strong determinants of improvement actions; principals and schools feel pressure to respond to these prompts and improve their education
Making the Invisible Visible: Ameliorating Poverty through Natural Resource Commercialisation
No full text[From Introduction] The majority of households in South Africa, especially those in the rural communal areas, live in abject poverty. Some 70% of rural households can be classified as poor, while 18-24% fall into the chronically poor category. Unlike many other developing nations, South Africa's rural communal areas are characterised by relatively poor availability of agricultural land, with only about 40% of rural households involved in field cropping. This results in high levels of integration and dependence on the cash economy. Unemployment levels are amongst the highest in the world at about 30%. Unemployment amongst women tends to be greater than amongst men resulting in a poverty rate amongst rural female-headed households of over 60%; double that of male-headed households. The scourge of HIV/AIDS is devastating already poor households' ability to cope. More than half of HIV/AIDS affected households have insufficient food (UNDP 2003). Impacts of the pandemic include not only the loss of income, but also increased expenditure particularly on medical care and funerals. The need to care for ill household members or orphaned children also limits the choices of occupation that other household members can pursue, and may restrict labour availability for food production. Household assets are often sold for cash eroding the few safety nets people have. HIV/AIDS is expected to contribute to a chronic impoverishment of 26-33% more households than would be the case in its absence (Aliber 2003).Endnote: This policy brief is based on the original brief made available for a workshop in August 2006. It is derived, amongst other sources, from the findings of nine case studies of local natural resource commercialisation undertaken as part of a project funded by the South Africa-Netherlands Programme on Alternatives in Development (SANPAD), BP South Africa and the National Research Foundation (NRF). Case studies on woodcraft, furniture production, weaving, broom production and the sale of wild foods and traditional marula beer were completed by Zwoitwa Makhado (UWC), Sibongile Mavimbela (Rhodes), Taryn Pereira (Rhodes), Sheona Shackleton (Rhodes) and Jabulile Sithole (WSU). CIFOR with support from SIDA, provided the funding to share these findings with key stakeholders. The opinions expressed in these policy briefs are those of the author and research team and should not necessarily be attributed to funders and partner institutions
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