51 research outputs found
Midwifery and Sexuality
No full textThis first open-access book on midwifery and sexuality integrates sexual health into the care for the pregnant and postpartum couple. It addresses sexuality and intimacy from an education and prevention perspective instead of just focusing on treating problems, aiming to foster the development of sexual well-being and happy couplehood. Sexuality and intimacy are essential elements in the bonding of the couple and the parents-to-be. That process can be seriously hampered by sexual problems due to mutual misunderstanding, fear and sexual troubles (especially when the natural processes of conceiving, pregnancy and delivery are disturbed). In this phase of life, disruption of intimacy, sexuality and sexual relationship is a significant risk factor for developing couple and family problems. The need for such a book stems from the very limited attention given to this health area in the daily practice of most midwives and related healthcare professionals. In building a close relationship with the couple through frequent, intense, longstanding contact, the midwife acquires a perfect position to address sexuality and intimacy. With 36 authors from 14 countries, the book comprises five modules: 1. Sexuality; 2. Sexual aspects of the various phases of reproduction when things develop without complications; 3. Sexual aspects when those same phases deviate from physiology; 4. Special topics on sexuality relevant to daily midwifery practice; 5. Teaching, learning, skills and competencies with regard to sexuality. This new practical textbook guides healthcare professionals such as midwives, obstetricians, gynaecologists, nurses, general practitioners, pelvic floor therapists, etc., by offering both basic knowledge and skills on sexual health and wellbeing, combined with modern sexological knowledge, like the entirely new topic of sexual aspects of preconception care
Where does business research go from here? Food-for-thought on academic papers in business research
No full textThe author reports the results of a survey on global compensation management practices in multinational firms, most of them headquartered in continental Europe and the United Kingdom. The study focuses on whether decisions on different compensation and benefits issues in these firms are taken at a headquarters or at the regional, business unit or country/local level. In addition, the author provides more qualitative information on the degree to which the respondents are satisfied with the decision-making process as well as their concrete suggestions for improvement. Finally, the author deals with the question of whether centralization or decentralization is the preferable option
Sexual Aspects of Pregnancy and the Postpartum in Non-Mainstream Orientations
No full textIn some parts of the World, one can barely imagine that a woman could have a sexual relationship with another woman. However, in other countries, same-sex marriage has become accepted and legalised. As a logical part of that social and legal development, lesbian couples can decide on pregnancy and motherhood. This chapter will deal with relevant aspects of sexuality and reproductive options in lesbian couples who have decided to start a family with their own children. At first, some information is shared on the prevalence of lesbianism and lesbian motherhood and then on the marital and reproductive rights of women with a non-mainstream orientation. In the next part, the chapter will pay attention to the phase of decision, conception, and beyond. It will also make recommendations on providing good care to the lesbian couple, especially concerning sexuality. Those lessons are relevant for everyone, especially for HCPs in cultures where people have not yet developed a greater degree of acceptance (and respect) for lesbian women. This chapter is part of ‘Midwifery and Sexuality’, a Springer Nature open-access textbook for midwives and related healthcare professionals.</p
Testing a Home Solution for Preparing Young Children for an Awake MRI: A Promising Smartphone Application
No full textThanks to its non-invasive nature and high-resolution imaging capabilities, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a valuable diagnostic tool for pediatric patients. However, the fear and anxiety experienced by young children during MRI scans often result in suboptimal image quality and the need for sedation/anesthesia. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of a smartphone application called COSMO@home to prepare children for MRI scans to reduce the need for sedation or general anesthesia. The COSMO@home app was developed incorporating mini-games and an engaging storyline to prepare children for learning goals related to the MRI procedure. A multicenter study was conducted involving four hospitals in Belgium. Eligible children aged 4-10 years were prepared with the COSMO@home app at home. Baseline, pre-scan, and post-scan questionnaires measured anxiety evolution in two age groups (4-6 years and 7-10 years). Eighty-two children participated in the study, with 95% obtaining high-quality MRI images. The app was well-received by children and parents, with minimal technical difficulties reported. In the 4-6-year-old group (N = 33), there was a significant difference between baseline and pre-scan parent-reported anxiety scores, indicating an increase in anxiety levels prior to the scan. In the 7-10-year-old group (N = 49), no significant differences were observed between baseline and pre-scan parent-reported anxiety scores. Overall, the COSMO@home app proved to be useful in preparing children for MRI scans, with high satisfaction rates and successful image outcomes across different hospitals. The app, combined with minimal face-to-face guidance on the day of the scan, showed the potential to replace or assist traditional face-to-face training methods. This innovative approach has the potential to reduce the need for sedation or general anesthesia during pediatric MRI scans and its associated risks and improve patient experience.This research was funded by EIT Health (https://eithealth.eu/product-service/cosmohome, accessed on 1 January 2019).
We want to thank the team that developed and designed the Cosmo@home app, which included Erik Einebrant, László Sall Vesselényi, and Niels Stor Swinkels (RISE); Samira Khodaei Dolouei and Anas Abdelrazeq (RWTH Aachen); and Ozgur Tasar, Privender Saini, Sanne Nauts, and Annerieke Heuvelink (Philips). We also want to thank Josefien Vandereydt, Anneleen Gijsbers, Corrie Steegmans, and Lut Geurts (ZOL Genk); Jade Lowyck, Geraldine De Smet, and Karolien Maes (Sint-Jan Brugge); Sofie Vandormael and Veerle Lynen (Jessa Hasselt); and Chantal Van Ongeval, Ron Peeters, Marjolein Verly, and Koen Vanhonsebrouck (University Hospitals Leuven) for their support in this study
Adjoint-Based Inverse Design of Axial Compressor Airfoils: Development & Evaluation of a New Design Method
No full textDirect design optimisation methods for turbomachinery blades have consistently gained in popularity over time. This has been accomplished by significant advances in optimisation algorithms, and notably the development of adjoint-based gradient computation, which provides objective sensitivity information at comparatively low computational cost. This enables the use of first-order optimisation methods for more complex design problems. On the other hand, interest in inverse design methods has steadily diminished over time. This is because these methods come with significant disadvantages or weaknesses, such as requiring strong simplification or only being narrowly applicable, e.g. incompressible, potential flow. However, by applying the advances in optimisation techniques to an inverse design strategy, a versatile and effective design tool can be created with functionalities not offered by direct design techniques.In order to evaluate the feasibility and usefulness of such a method, an adjoint-based inverse design tool for 2D axial compressor blades was developed. The tool requires a baseline geometry and a target pressure or isentropic Mach distribution along the blade wall. It then analyses the flow field around the initial geometry and modifies autonomously the shape to reach closer to the desired target distribution. A discrete adjoint approach is used to compute the gradients of the objective with respect to each of the design variables. The objective and its gradients are used by a the first-order SQP optimisation algorithm to iterate the design until it matches the target distribution as closely as possible.The newly developed design tool was used in an attempt of improving the performance of the NASA stage 35 stator blade. For comparison, also single- and multi-objective direct design optimisations were performed. It became clear that while significantly cheaper in computational cost and simpler in program complexity, the inverse design method cannot be used to reliably produce improved designs. The value of the resulting design is entirely dependent on the quality of the target distribution. It is up to the designer to create a target which is physically possible and leads to increased performance. Still, inverse design does provide unique capabilities not offered by direct design. The tool was successfully used to retrieve the blade geometry used in a different work based on published isentropic Mach number distributions. The obtained geometry closely matched the actual geometry used in the source work. This demonstrates the accuracy of the method and the fulfilment of a use case not offered by other design methods.Aerospace Engineerin
How sex works (and when it’s not working)
No full textSex is one of the central aspects of the human condition and one of the driving factors
of our evolution as a species. It is a necessary element of midwifery because,
aside from modern medical-assisted reproduction techniques, there will be no pregnancies
without sex.
Various publications have clarified that midwives need expertise—both skills
and knowledge—concerning human sexuality. This chapter will broadly focus on
how sex works and when sex is not working, both on an individual and couple level.
Other chapters of this book will tackle sexuality and sexual health from a more biological,
psychological or social perspective, concerning different parts of the midwife’s
field of practice—from pre-conception to young parenthood.
What makes sex work? Can we define parameters for promoting satisfying sexual
experiences or understanding how sexual experiences can be disappointing or
frustrating, e.g. when sex does not work?
This chapter strives to go beyond the mere description of models of sexual
response [1] and aims to outline a simple to use ‘3-Conditions Framework’, describing
the necessary conditions that sexual experiences have to meet to be ‘good’.
‘Good’ meaning pleasant, satisfying, fulfilling, bonding, fun or whatever one wants
it to be
Do pornography use and masturbation play a role in erectile dysfunction and relationship satisfaction in men?
No full textHet concept intimiteit in de context van partnerrelaties: een kwalitatief onderzoek bij jongvolwassenen
No full textIn dit artikel staat de zoektocht naar een antwoord op de vraag 'Wat is intimiteit ?' centraal. Eerst wordt op basis van een uitgebreide literatuurstudie een theoretische conceptualisering van intimiteit in partnerrelaties beschreven. Vervolgens wordt de validiteit en houdbaarheid van deze conceptualisering aan de hand van een kwalitatief onderzoek getoetst. Aan de hand van een aantal (n=20) interviews bij studenten die (ooit) een vaste relatie hadden, werd onderzocht naar welke handelingen jongvolwassenen verwijzen wanneer ze over intimiteit binnen een partnerrelatie spreken. Deze studie toont aan dat de wijze waarop jongvolwassenen intimiteit beschrijven erg in de lijn ligt van wat er in de wetenschappelijke literatuur over intimiteit is geschreven. Niettemin heeft dit onderzoek ook aan aantal lacunes aangetoond en blijkt dat de bestaande theoretische opvattingen moeten worden aangevuld met een aantal handelingen en contextuele factoren die als noodzakelijke voorwaarden werden geformuleerd om in een partnerrelatie tot intimiteit te kunnen komen. De resultaten van dit onderzoek dat werd verricht bij een studentenpopulatie en een kwalitatieve methode hanteerde, zijn uiteraard niet generaliseerbaar naar andere levensfasen. Om een volledig beeld te krijgen van wat intimiteit in de context van een partnerrelatie betekent, dient dit onderzoek op grotere schaal gebruik makende van kwantitatieve methoden te worden herhaald en uitgebreid naar andere relatievormen zoals o.a. gehuwde koppels zonder kinderen, gehuwde koppels met kinderen en koppels van ouderen
Midwifery and Sexuality
No full textThis first open-access book on midwifery and sexuality integrates sexual health into the care for the pregnant and postpartum couple. It addresses sexuality and intimacy from an education and prevention perspective instead of just focusing on treating problems, aiming to foster the development of sexual well-being and happy couplehood. Sexuality and intimacy are essential elements in the bonding of the couple and the parents-to-be. That process can be seriously hampered by sexual problems due to mutual misunderstanding, fear and sexual troubles (especially when the natural processes of conceiving, pregnancy and delivery are disturbed). In this phase of life, disruption of intimacy, sexuality and sexual relationship is a significant risk factor for developing couple and family problems. The need for such a book stems from the very limited attention given to this health area in the daily practice of most midwives and related healthcare professionals. In building a close relationship with the couple through frequent, intense, longstanding contact, the midwife acquires a perfect position to address sexuality and intimacy. With 36 authors from 14 countries, the book comprises five modules: 1. Sexuality; 2. Sexual aspects of the various phases of reproduction when things develop without complications; 3. Sexual aspects when those same phases deviate from physiology; 4. Special topics on sexuality relevant to daily midwifery practice; 5. Teaching, learning, skills and competencies with regard to sexuality. This new practical textbook guides healthcare professionals such as midwives, obstetricians, gynaecologists, nurses, general practitioners, pelvic floor therapists, etc., by offering both basic knowledge and skills on sexual health and wellbeing, combined with modern sexological knowledge, like the entirely new topic of sexual aspects of preconception care
Back to Basics: A Solution Focused Take on Using and Teaching Basic Communication Skills for Health Care Professionals
No full text本方案认为，结合焦点解决工作于教导医疗保健专业人员基本沟通技巧，将为医疗服务提供商及服务对象带来治疗效益。 本文首先针对焦点解决工作的部分核心原则的发展为介绍的重点；这些原则是很容易向任何读者解释的。 其次，本文说明了“如何结合焦点解决工作方式于基本沟通技巧的进行？
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