Strength of weak ties in microfinance

Executive briefing paper No. 7, which is an additional project report as part of the 'Optimising the Dual Goals of Microfinance' research being funded by the Leverhulme Trust. The report summarises up-to-date findings arising from the PhD research

Collaborative models in BWDA and their self-help group in India

Collaborative relationships between stakeholders in the microfinance market and amongst members of Self-Help Groups (SHGs) in India are complex and reflect the potential for achieving financial sustainability and poverty reduction. As part of the Leverhulme-funded research project “Optimising the Dual Goals of Microfinance” this briefing paper presents preliminary results of field research undertaken in Tamul Nadu during July 2009.1 A major finding is the high level of dependence of the focal microfinance institution on a public funding organisation in the region and the degree of involvement by group leaders in the SHGs

Pediatric Perceived Pain in Emergency Department Settings

A literature review between September 2023-November 2023 examined the numerous nonpharmacological interventions employed in the Emergency Department setting to reduce perceived pain in the pediatric population during painful procedures. This review explored current research for decreasing perceived pain for children using nonpharmacologic methods and to suggest evidence-based practices that meet the needs of the patient. We suggest several nonpharmacologic interventions that assist in decreasing pain during painful procedures in the Emergency Department setting for the pediatric population

Sail optimization for upwind sailing: application in a Tornado, the Olympic class catamaran.

A study of a boat’s motion is carried out in order to analyze the aerodynamic properties of the optimal sail for obtaining the maximum velocity when sailing to windward. The mechanics study shows the optimal CL and CD for a given sail and how the shape of the aerodynamic polar of the sail should be. A parametrical analysis of the aerodynamics of a sail is then carried out varying the maximum camber, position of the maximum camber in the chord direction and position of the maximum camber in the mast direction. The parametric analysis is done numerically with a vortex lattice method (VLM) and experimentally in a wind tunnel. The results show that the influence of the relevant parameters studied can be reduced to the variation of two parameters, A and B, defining the polar of the sail, CD = B + A2CL 2; and the influence of parameters A and B on the maximum VMG obtainable are calculated

A decade of waiting: experiences of women living with vulvar Crohn’s disease and interactions with healthcare professionals related to their sexual well-being: a qualitative study

Background: Vulvar Crohn’s disease is a rare cutaneous manifestation of inflammatory bowel disease and to date, studies have reported on under 300 cases worldwide. The condition has an increased risk of malignancy, and diagnosis is often difficult. Treatment protocols are yet to be developed. This paper aimed to provide the first account of patients’ experience of living with vulvar Crohn’s. Methods: A previous qualitative study exploring experiences of sexual well-being in inflammatory bowel disease and experiences of discussing sexual well-being with healthcare professionals found 3 participants who self-reported vulvar Crohn’s disease. Data from the whole cohort (n = 43) were previously reported. Telephone semi-structured interviews were used for data collection. van Manen’s phenomenology of practice framework informed analysis. Results: Due to significant differences in experiences, this subgroup of 3 women with vulvar Crohn’s warranted separate attention. The common theme of the group was A decade of waiting, describing the major delays experienced in being diagnosed. The symptoms reported appeared to be very severe, and sexual well-being was very negatively affected. Conclusions: Women with vulvar Crohn’s trust in healthcare professionals was eroded as a result of a decade delay in diagnosis, while the quality of life and relationships suffered

As realidades sócio-educativas enfrentadas pelos professores

Anais do II Seminário Seminário Estadual PIBID do Paraná: tecendo saberes / organizado por Dulcyene Maria Ribeiro e Catarina Costa Fernandes — Foz do Iguaçu: Unioeste; Unila, 2014O presente artigo traz uma reflexão sobre as dificuldades e as diferentes realidades no qual os professores são submetidos no seu dia-a-dia. Dentre eles, os desafios que encontram no âmbito escolar para conseguir desenvolver seu trabalho educativo e, em específico, como enfrentam as adversidades que seus alunos vivem na realidade social em que estão inseridos. Destacam-se como norteadores pedagógicos os seguintes autores: Jaime Pinsky (1999); Pimenta (2010); Almeida e Antonio (2013). Objetiva-se neste trabalho, analisar os problemas enfrentados no cotidiano escolar pelos professores e como as instâncias educacionais procuram resolver esses problemas. Traremos, ainda, em pauta um breve relato sobre as condições sócio- educativas do CMEI em que realizamos as atividades práticas do PIBID, promovido pelo curso de Pedagogi

Vascular Impact of Cancer Therapies: The Case of BTK (Bruton Tyrosine Kinase) Inhibitors.

Novel targeted cancer therapies have revolutionized oncology therapies, but these treatments can have cardiovascular complications, which include heterogeneous cardiac, metabolic, and vascular sequelae. Vascular side effects have emerged as important considerations in both cancer patients undergoing active treatment and cancer survivors. Here, we provide an overview of vascular effects of cancer therapies, focusing on small-molecule kinase inhibitors and specifically inhibitors of BTK (Bruton tyrosine kinase), which have revolutionized treatment and prognosis for B-cell malignancies. Cardiovascular side effects of BTK inhibitors include atrial fibrillation, increased risk of bleeding, and hypertension, with the former 2 especially providing a treatment challenge for the clinician. Cardiovascular complications of small-molecule kinase inhibitors can occur through either on-target (targeting intended target kinase) or off-target kinase inhibition. We will review these concepts and focus on the case of BTK inhibitors, highlight the emerging data suggesting an off-target effect that may provide insights into development of arrhythmias, specifically atrial fibrillation. We believe that cardiac and vascular sequelae of novel targeted cancer therapies can provide insights into human cardiovascular biology

Pig farmers’ perceptions, attitudes, influences and management of information in the decision-making process for disease control

The objectives of this study were (1) to explore the factors involved in the decision-making process used by pig farmers for disease control and (2) to investigate pig farmers’ attitudes and perceptions about different information sources relating to disease control. In 2011 a qualitative study involving 20 face-to-face interviews with English pig farmers was conducted. The questionnaire was composed of three parts. The first part required farmers to identify two diseases they had experienced and which were difficult to recognize and/or control. They were asked to report how the disease problem was recognized, how the need for control was decided, and what affected the choice of control approach. For the latter, a structure related to the Theory of Planned Behaviour was used. Their verbal responses were classified as associated with: (1) attitude and beliefs, (2) subjective norms, or (3) perceived behavioural control (PBC). In the second part, five key sources of information for disease control (Defra, BPEX, research from academia, internet and veterinarians) and the factors related to barriers to knowledge were investigated. Interviews were recorded and transcribed. A qualitative analysis of the text of the interview transcripts was carried out using templates. Drivers for disease control were ‘pig mortality’, ‘feeling of entering in an economically critical situation’, ‘animal welfare’ and ‘feeling of despair’. Veterinarians were perceived by several participating farmers as the most trusted information source on disease control. However, in particular non-sustainable situations, other producers, and especially experiences from abroad, seemed to considerably influence the farmers’ decision-making. ‘Lack of knowledge’, ‘farm structure and management barriers’ and ‘economic constrains’ were identified in relation to PBC. Several negative themes, such as ‘lack of communication’, ‘not knowing where to look’, and ‘information bias’ were associated with research from academia. This study identified a range of factors influencing the decision-making process for disease control by pig farmers. In addition, it highlighted the lack of awareness and difficult access of producers to current scientific research outputs. The factors identified should be considered when developing communication strategies to disseminate research findings and advice for disease control

Caracterización de un compuesto de polipropileno y polietileno para la producción de ladrillos en muros no estructurales

This paper investigates the feasibility of using recycled plastic composed of polypropylene (PP) and high-density polyethylene (HDPE), as a basis for the fabrication of plastic bricks for non-structural walls starting from the material characterization. The deformation properties of plastic bricks were evaluated under the application of compression, flexural and traction forces; the thermal analysis of the material was carried out by means of the ignition test, differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) and its water ab-sorption capacity was also tested. Satisfactory results were obtained in the tests carried out; It was found that the compressive strength of the material complies with the requirements of standard specifications for conventional bricks (clay - concrete), and the physicochemical properties of the composite meet specifications of material for use in non-structural walls; which makes it an innovative material with enormous potential for use in the construction sector.Este artículo investiga la viabilidad en el uso de plástico reciclado compuesto de polipropileno (PP) y polietileno de alta densidad (HDPE), como base para la generación de ladrillos en muros no estructurales a partir de la caracterización del material. Se evaluaron las propiedades a deformación bajo la aplicación de esfuerzos de compresión, flexión y tracción; se determinó la resistencia al fuego del material mediante el ensayo de inflamabilidad, y se evalúo su capacidad de absorción de agua. Se obtuvieron resultados satisfactorios en los ensayos realizados; se encontró que la resistencia a la compresión del material cumple con los requisitos exigidos en la norma de ladrillos convencionales (arcilla - concreto), y las propiedades físico- químicas del compuesto cumple como material para el uso en muros no estructurales; lo que lo convierte en un material innovador y con un enorme potencial en el sector de la construcción