Wayward Nosh

Design Challenge How do you get 4-8 year olds to understand their food allergy well enough to communicate it to others? When parents learn their child has a food allergy, for them, it is a stressful, life-changing discovery. For the child, this knowledge has no meaning, yet. Here, there is the opportunity to break down connotations associated with allergies. Through design intervention, this book explores the possibilities of transforming food from problems into assets. For instance, Superman might be “allergic” to kryptonite, but he also has superpowers. Rather than label the child with allergies, why not rebrand allergies to turn a perceived negative circumstance into a relatively positive one? There is a moment when a child with food allergies needs to leave their parent’s side for the first time to go to kindergarten. They are plunged into a world of rules and expectations. That alone can be overwhelming for a developing mind, but to add the challenge of having a food allergy on top of it all makes this day all the more intense. The project looks to redesign the overall food allergy experience for both children and their parents, from the moment a parent has that life-changing conversation with their child to when the child is eating lunch at school everyday with their peers. Research for this project was a combination of listening the stories of those people affected by food allergies, gathering literature on the topic of food allergies, market research, and reaching out to professionals with insight into various related topics, such as teachers, librarians, and doctors. The design process was a cycle of sketching, creating, testing, analyzing, refining, and repeat. The idea of having a system of objects that work together to reinforce a narrative began in early design stages. The design process then became about developing a character to use as a vehicle for communicating to children. Wolfelopes are fictional creatures, part wolf, part antelope, designed specifically for this project. In the end, the final prototypes included a children’s book, The Wolfelopes: An Allergy Adventure, a character-based lunch box, and packaging. Each object addresses different design goals, but when they come together, an larger story is created. The collection of objects work together to rewrite the experience children and parents have of learning about and coping with food allergies. The Wolfelopes, the book is meant to be used as a tool by parents to help introduce food allergies to their child. The book can then be brought to show-and-tell and shared with the class. This will help the child with food allergies learn to communicate their allergy to their teachers and peers. While the wolfelope lunch box functions as a toy for the child, it is also a physical representation of a parent’s effort to prepare their child for the world. Further the lunch box signals to carers (i.e. teachers) which students might have food allergies. Since the design works to associate these characters with food allergies, the child will subtly adopt the habit of being conscious of their food allergy during meal times. The book and the lunch box are packaged in a box that, when opened, becomes a toy tray and a poster. The intention of having the revelation of the dominant objects be a process reminiscent of receiving a present is to attach positive connotations to The Wolfelope Kit. In conclusion, these objects each play a role in empowering children with food allergies by turning a perceived flaw into an asset

Ethical Issues Linked to the Development of Telerehabilitation: A Qualitative Study

While telerehabilitation (TR) makes it possible to respond to many significant health system problems, TR still gives rise to debates, particularly concerning ethical issues. This qualitative study collected the opinions of stakeholders with varied profiles. A guided interview focused on discerning strategies that might foster the ethical deployment of TR. Such strategies were found to be linked to the decision-making of the public authorities, the role of scientific and professional bodies, the training of health professionals, and the management of patient information. Ethical issues relating to the development of TR included universal accessibility, patients’ free choice, respect of privacy, and professional confidentiality. The ethical development of TR can be fostered by the provision of information to stakeholders as well as reminding practitioners of the ethical framework that regulates medical practice

Identification of the decision-making elements for social workers regarding sexual intimacy in long-term care facilities

Les pratiques sexuelles ainsi que le milieu de vie sont tous deux des déterminants sociaux de la santé (Ministère de la Santé et des Services Sociaux, 2012). Ces deux déterminants sont des éléments qui peuvent influencer l’état de santé d’une personne (Ministère de la Santé et des Services Sociaux, 2012). La population au Québec est vieillissante et l’espérance de vie tend à augmenter. « Si l’on veut que le vieillissement soit quelque chose de positif, il faut aussi que la vie plus longue s’accompagne de possibilités d’être en bonne santé, de participer et d’être en sécurité » (Organisation mondiale de la santé dans Cardinal et al., 2008 : 5). Plusieurs cadres conceptuels sont développés dans le but de développer des approches et interventions permettant d’améliorer la santé des aînés (Cardinal et al., 2008). Dans la littérature, plusieurs études abordent le sujet de la sexualité des aînés. Il y a également plusieurs publications concernant l’approche et les orientations ministérielles en ce qui a trait au milieu d’hébergement pour aînés. Toutefois, peu d’études ont été faites concernant la sexualité des aînés dans un milieu d’hébergement au Québec, sous l’angle des pratiques et de la prise de décision des différents intervenants agissant dans le milieu. La présente étude a permis d’explorer et de décrire les différents éléments d’aide à la prise de décision des intervenants lors des situations d’intimité sexuelle chez les aînés vivant en milieu d’hébergement ainsi que les interventions qui sont mises en place selon différents contextes exposés par les vignettes cliniques. Il a pu être constaté que les intervenants sont ouverts à permettre les relations d’intimité sexuelle entre deux aînés en milieu d’hébergement, mais peuvent être hésitants selon l’état civil, le diagnostic de l’aîné et l’environnement physique en milieu d’hébergement. Les résultats ont également v indiqué que les intervenants demeuraient prudents quant à la validité du consentement lorsqu’il s’agit de deux aînés qui ne sont pas mariés, notamment en présence d’un trouble neurocognitif (TNC). Ils sont alors portés à impliquer la famille dans la prise de décision. Toutefois, il a été constaté que, souvent, la notion de consentement était plutôt ignorée lorsque les deux aînés étaient mariés malgré la présence d’un TNC. De plus, les intervenants n’ayant jamais vécu de situations similaires présentaient un malaise à mettre des interventions en place. Ces résultats indiquent qu’il serait nécessaire de mieux former les intervenants en matière de consentement lorsque l’aîné présente un TNC

Estilos de socialización parental y autoconcepto en alumnos de 5 y 6 grado de primaria de una institución educativa privada del distrito de Villa Maria del Triunfo

La investigación presente analizó la literatura y antecedentes de estudios nacionales e internacionales con el objetivo de determinar la relación entre estilos de socialización parental y el autoconcepto de los alumnos de 5to y 6to grado de una institución educativa privada del distrito de Villa María del Triunfo. El tipo de muestreo fue no probabilístico, por lo tanto, para la muestra se consideró el total de los alumnos del 5to y 6to grado de primaria del colegio, siendo n=74, a la muestra se le aplicó las Escalas de Autoconcepto Forma 5 (AF5) de Musito y García (2014) y la Escala de Socialización parental (ESPA 29) de Musito y García (2001); la investigación se desarrolló bajo el enfoque cuantitativo, no experimental, y un diseño descriptivo-correlacional. A sí mismo, se probó su validez y confiabilidad, cuyos resultados fueron satisfactorios. Finalmente se concluyó lo siguiente: exite relación significativa entre los estilos de socialización parental en la dimensión Coerción/Imposición de padre y madre y la variable Autoconcepto, en los alumnos del 5to y 6to grado de primaria de una institución educativa del distrito de Villa María del Triunfo

El salario emocional como impulsor del desempeño laboral en una entidad privada sin fines de lucro en el año 2020

Existe evidencia empírica que demuestra que el dinero ya no es considerado el principal impulsor del desempeño de los colaboradores. Sino que aspectos como el equilibrio entre la vida personal y laboral, el desarrollo profesional y el crecimiento personal, están siendo buscados con mayor frecuencia en las organizaciones y más aún en aquellas organizaciones sin ánimos de lucro por su propia naturaleza. Es por esto que el objetivo del presente estudio es determinar la relación entre el salario emocional y el desempeño laboral de los colaboradores de Profonanpe; para lo cual se ha obtenido una amplia literatura de ambas variables y formulado un instrumento de 34 ítems validado para su futura aplicación e interpretación de resultados a una muestra total de 50 colaboradores de Profonanpe

The evolution of social networks through the implementation of evidence-informed decision-making interventions: a longitudinal analysis of three public health units in Canada

BACKGROUND: We studied the evolution of information-seeking networks over a 2-year period during which an organization-wide intervention was implemented to promote evidence-informed decision-making (EIDM) in three public health units in Ontario, Canada. We tested whether engagement of staff in the intervention and their EIDM behavior were associated with being chosen as information source and how the trend of inter-divisional communications and the dominance of experts evolved over time. METHODS: Local managers at each health unit selected a group of staff to get engage in Knowledge Broker-led workshops and development of evidence summaries to address local public health problems. The staff were invited to answer three online surveys (at baseline and two annual follow-ups) including name generator questions eliciting the list of the staff they would turn to for help integrating research evidence into practice. We used stochastic actor-oriented modeling to study the evolution of networks. We tested the effect of engagement in the intervention, EIDM behavior scores, organizational divisions, and structural dynamics of social networks on the tendency of staff to select information sources, and the change in its trend between year 1 and year 2 of follow-up. RESULTS: In all the three health units, and especially in the two units with higher levels of engagement in the intervention, the network evolved towards a more centralized structure, with an increasing significance of already central staff. The staff showed greater tendencies to seek information from peers with higher EIDM behavior scores. In the public health unit that had highest engagement and stronger leadership support, the engaged staff became more central. In all public health units, the engaged staff showed an increasing tendency towards forming clusters. The staff in the three public health units showed a tendency towards limiting their connections within their divisions. CONCLUSIONS: The longitudinal analysis provided us with a means to study the microstructural changes in public health units, clues to the sustainability of the implementation. The hierarchical transformation of networks towards experts and formation of clusters among staff who were engaged in the intervention show how implementing organizational interventions to promote EIDM may affect the knowledge flow and distribution in health care communities, which may lead to unanticipated consequences. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13012-015-0355-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users

Propuesta del plan estratégico para la carrera de tecnologías de la información de la Escuela Superior Politécnica de Chimborazo sede Morona Santiago, periodo 2023-2026

El presente proyecto de investigación tuvo como objetivo realizar el diseño de una propuesta del plan estratégico para la carrera de Tecnologías de la Información de la Escuela Superior Politécnica de Chimborazo sede Morona Santiago, periodo 2023-2026, a fin de garantizar una mejor gestión administrativa mediante el cumplimiento de los objetivos planteados. La modalidad del desarrollo de la investigación es cualitativa y cuantitativa, utilizando como metodología la aplicación de encuestas tanto a actores externos como actores internos. Mediante la información obtenida se determinó la situación actual de la carrera, creando a su vez un análisis FODA. De acuerdo a las tres encuestas realizadas a nivel de docencia, investigación, vinculación y gestión administrativa se encontró un nivel de satisfacción excelente y buena en cuanto al desempeño de las actividades académicas. Sin embargo, se debería mejorar en algunos aspectos relacionados a la infraestructura y socialización de proyectos de vinculación e investigación. En cuanto a nivel externo, se pudo evidenciar que muchos de los empleadores no tienen conocimiento de la existencia de la carrera de TI en la ESPOCH sede Morona Santiago, existe la necesidad de contratar Ingenieros en Tecnologías de la Información en el campo laboral, las materias y valores inculcados van acorde a los requerimientos de la sociedad. En base a los hallazgos encontrados se realiza la propuesta del plan estratégico, mismo que consta de la misión, visión, objetivos estratégicos, programas, proyectos, actividades, metas e indicadores para las funciones sustantivas de la institución (docencia, investigación, vinculación y gestión administrativa), esto con el fin de establecer una programación plurianual que sirva como guía e instrumento para la medición del cumplimiento de las actividades planteadas. La propuesta fue elaborada bajo las necesidades y problemas encontrados mismo que, mediante su correcta ejecución aportará al mejoramiento continuo de la carrera de Tecnologías de la InformaciónThe objective of this research project was to design a proposal for a strategic plan for the Information Technology career of the Escuela Superior Politécnica de Chimborazo, Morona Santiago, period 2023-2026, in order to guarantee better administrative management through the fulfillment of the proposed objectives. The modality of the research development is qualitative and quantitative, using the application of surveys to both external and internal actors as methodology. The information obtained was used to determine the current situation of the career, creating a SWOT analysis. According to the three surveys conducted at the level of teaching, research, liaison, and administrative management, the level of satisfaction was found to be excellent and good in terms of the performance of academic activities. However, some aspects related to infrastructure and socialization of research and outreach projects should be improved. At the superficial level, it was evident that many employers are not aware of the existence of the IT career at ESPOCH Morona Santiago. There is a need to hire Information Technology Engineers in the labor field. The subjects and values inculcated are in line with the requirements of society. Based on the findings, the strategic plan proposal is made, which consists of the mission, vision, strategic objectives, programs, projects, activities, goals, and indicators for the substantive functions of the institution (teaching, research, outreach, and administrative management), in order to establish a multi-year program that serves as a guide and instrument for measuring compliance with the proposed activities. The proposal was elaborated based on the needs and problems encountered, which, through its correct execution, will contribute to the continuous improvement of the Information Technology caree

Integrated reaction-separation processes sequencing and screening at early stages of design

Process intensification and selection of the most efficient chemical process provides resources conservation and decreases the energy consumption to minimize CO2 emissions. Distillation Sequence Efficiency (DSE) method is extended to chemical processes also considering the reactors to provide a very simple and useful process design tool. A minimum amount of input data and computation power is required for a fast screening providing a basis for other more rigorous methods, i.e. including a cost assessment. The method considers, in a rough approach but at very early stages of process design, three factors related to environmental impact resources conservation and catalyst costs. The input data required is the vapour-liquid equilibrium represented by a proper thermodynamic model and some other predictable basic thermodynamic data. As it is an early stage approach, the reactor outputs can be assumed at chemical equilibrium minimizing the free Gibbs Energy. The ∞/∞ analysis is used to check the feasibility and calculate the stream flow rates and compositions. The distillation column output streams are at boiling point, and therefore the input data for the DSE method is available, which quantifies the process efficiency and therefore it is related to its environmental impact. A resources conservation factor, considering reactant losses, relates the product quantity generated to the amount that could be generated. A catalyst cost factor, considering catalyst deactivation, relates the feed raw materials to the system with the total feed stream to the reactor. ETBE (Ethyl Tert-Butyl Ether) production process is used as a case study. According to the results, the best alternative is the intensified process, i.e. reactive distillation, followed by the process proposed in the BREF. Other five alternative process schemes values are all in agreement with Recker et al. (2015) cost assessment results. However, there is disagreement between methods only in one case due to catalyst cost

Informing the implementation of evidence-informed decision making interventions using a social network analysis perspective; a mixed-methods study

BACKGROUND: Workforce development is an important aspect of evidence-informed decision making (EIDM) interventions. The structure of formal and informal social networks can influence, and be influenced, by the implementation of EIDM interventions. METHODS: In a mixed methods study we assessed the outcomes of a targeted training intervention to promote EIDM among the staff in three public health units in Ontario, Canada. This report focuses on the qualitative phase of the study in which key staff were interviewed about the process of engagement in the intervention, communications during the intervention, and social consequences. RESULTS: Senior managers identified staff to take part in the intervention. Engagement was a top-down process determined by the way organizational leaders promoted EIDM and the relevance of staff’s jobs to EIDM. Communication among staff participating in the workshops and ongoing progress meetings was influential in overcoming personal and normative barriers to implementing EIDM, and promoted the formation of long-lasting social connections among staff. Organization-wide presentations and meetings facilitated the recognition of expertise that the trained staff gained, including their reputation as experts according to their peers in different divisions. CONCLUSION: Selective training and capacity development interventions can result in forming an elite versus ordinary pattern that facilitates the recognition of in-house qualified experts while also strengthening social status inequality. The role of leadership in public health units is pivotal in championing and overseeing the implementation process. Network analysis can guide and inform the design, process, and evaluation of the EIDM training interventions

A Hope Intervention Compared to Friendly Visitors as a Technique to Reduce Depression among Older Nursing Home Residents

Depression is common among older persons. An experimental study was undertaken to test the impact of a four-week hope program on depressed nursing home residents. Residents aged 65 or older, who met the criteria for this pilot study and agreed to participate, were randomly assigned to (a) an intervention group, and provided with weekday hope interventions mainly involving positive messages and pictures or (b) a modified control group, and provided with a friendly weekday greeting. The structured hope intervention was not proven effective for reducing depression or raising hope. Instead, a significant reduction in depression among the control subjects was found, as well as a nonsignificant increase in their level of hope. Although these findings suggest friendly visitors may be a more efficacious nonpharmacological approach for reducing depression, further investigations are needed to confirm this and to explore the impact of other hope interventions