Change communication : the impact on satisfaction with alternative workplace strategies

Communication is fundamental to the Facilities Management (FM) role within organisations; especially when the FM department is implementing changes to the workplace. An evaluation of an instance is presented. A self- administered online questionnaire was used to collect quantitative and qualitative data. The research focused on responses to satisfaction with the communication methods rather than reviewing the merits of alternative workplace strategies. Findings included the impact of communication on staff satisfaction levels, the need to provide timely and relevant information and communication via a range of mediums and the need to ensure there was opportunity to participate in meaningful feedback. The key findings are substantiated with existing internal communication and change literature. Originality / value The research highlights the practical importance of the need to improve communication within the FM industry and especially in change circumstances.</p

Role of death receptor 3 in health and disease

Death receptor 3 (DR3) is a death domain-containing type I transmembrane protein. It can bring about a wide range of responses from apoptosis to proliferation through association with intracellular signaling molecules. The only accepted ligand for DR3 is TNF-like protein 1A (TL1A). An important role for DR3 in inflammatory disease states is emerging with links being made with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), Rheumatoid Arthritis, atherosclerosis, allergic lung inflammation and in renal inflammation. The project undertaken in this thesis investigated the role of DR3 in a murine model for rheumatoid arthritis, namely antigen-induced arthritis (AIA), using mice genetically deficient in DR3. A further aim of this project was to generate reagents for use in DR3 research through the employment of DR3 gene cloning strategies. DR3 deficient animals displayed a high degree of protection from mAIA in terms of resolution of joint swelling and the pathological degenerative alterations occurring within the joint. At day 21 post-arthritis induction, a time-point when maximal structural damage would likely be observed, DR37 animals showed a significant reduction in all histopathological parameters including a complete absence of bone erosion. This effect was shown to be DR3 specific through the administration of TL1A to control animals. Mice receiving increasing concentrations of TL1A showed a dose-dependent increase in synovial hyperplasia and bone erosion. DR3 deficient mice also displayed protection from cartilage depletion following induction of AIA. In an attempt to dissect a mechanism for this reduced disease severity, an analysis of osteoclast numbers and F4/80+ osteoclast precursor cell numbers within the joints was undertaken. DR3 sufficient mice displayed significantly more osteoclasts at sites of focal bone erosion which could not be attributed to differences in F4/80+ precursor cell numbers. The results presented here identify a potentially novel target for the treatment of human inflammatory joint disease.EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo

People matter: a hermeneutic exploration of reflective practice and facilities management

This is a hermeneutic study exploring the use of reflective practice in the context of facilities management. This study engaged facilities management practitioners who had all completed a part time undergraduate certificate in facilities management, delivered via block study and distance learning. The research drew on their life histories and explored how professional facilities management students have engaged with reflective practice in the workplace. The two main drivers for the research were to understand how reflective practice was used by facilities managers and to comprehend whether reflective practice had benefitted individuals from a personal and from an organisational/professional perspective. Four key themes emerged from the research. These themes were drawn from the interview text and the life histories, they were: how reflective practice was used in the workplace; the use of reflective practice in decision making; the impact that reflective practice had on blame culture; and finally, the use of reflective practice in personal and professional development. The thesis has provided a greater understanding of reflective practice in facilities management, as there was a dearth of literature in this area; secondly, there was an unexpected finding in relation to blame culture which led me to exploring how reflective practice can be used to address this. In relation to practice the research has evidenced that there are benefits to facilities managers being more reflective in their working practice and whilst this seems to be nominally added into the ‘requirements’ of the professional body, this needs to be better understood and articulated to the facilities management profession. Secondly, reflective practice should be embedded into all facilities management education and be a core part of the curriculum; and thirdly,facilities managers need encouragement to become reflective practitioners and therefore contributing to the wider organisation through improved service and innovation

Impact of social stigma on the process of obtaining informed consent for genetic research on podoconiosis: a qualitative study

Background The consent process for a genetic study is challenging when the research is conducted in a group stigmatized because of beliefs that the disease is familial. Podoconiosis, also known as 'mossy foot', is an example of such a disease. It is a condition resulting in swelling of the lower legs among people exposed to red clay soil. It is a very stigmatizing problem in endemic areas of Ethiopia because of the widely held opinion that the disease runs in families and is untreatable. The aim of this study was to explore the impact of social stigma on the process of obtaining consent for a study on the genetics of podoconiosis in Southern Ethiopia. Methods We adapted a rapid assessment tool validated in The Gambia. The methodology was qualitative involving focus-group discussions (n = 4) and in-depth interviews (n = 25) with community members, fieldworkers, researchers and staff of the Mossy Foot Treatment and Prevention Association (MFTPA) working on prevention and treatment of podoconiosis. Results We found that patients were afraid of participation in a genetic study for fear the study might aggravate stigmatization by publicizing the familial nature of the disease. The MFTPA was also concerned that discussion about the familial nature of podoconiosis would disappoint patients and would threaten the trust they have in the organization. In addition, participants of the rapid assessment stressed that the genetic study should be approved at family level before prospective participants are approached for consent. Based on this feedback, we developed and implemented a consent process involving community consensus and education of fieldworkers, community members and health workers. In addition, we utilized the experience and established trust of the MFTPA to diminish the perceived risk. Conclusion The study showed that the consent process developed based on issues highlighted in the rapid assessment facilitated recruitment of participants and increased their confidence that the genetic research would not fuel stigma. Therefore, investigators must seek to assess and address risks of research from prospective participants' perspectives. This involves understanding the issues in the society, the culture, community dialogues and developing a consent process that takes all these into consideration

Tailoring consent to context: designing an appropriate consent process for a biomedical study in a low income setting

Background Currently there is increasing recognition of the need for research in developing countries where disease burden is high. Understanding the role of local factors is important for undertaking ethical research in developing countries. We explored factors relating to information and communication during the process of informed consent, and the approach that should be followed for gaining consent. The study was conducted prior to a family-based genetic study among people with podoconiosis (non-filarial elephantiasis) in southern Ethiopia. Methodology/Principal Findings We adapted a method of rapid assessment validated in The Gambia. The methodology was entirely qualitative, involving focus-group discussions and in-depth interviews. Discussions were conducted with podoconiosis patients and non-patients in the community, fieldworkers, researchers, staff of the local non-governmental organisation (NGO) working on prevention and treatment of podoconiosis, and community leaders. We found that the extent of use of everyday language, the degree to which expectations of potential participants were addressed, and the techniques of presentation of information had considerable impact on comprehension of information provided about research. Approaching podoconiosis patients via locally trusted individuals and preceding individual consent with community sensitization were considered the optimal means of communication. Prevailing poverty among podoconiosis patients, the absence of alternative treatment facilities, and participants' trust in the local NGO were identified as potential barriers for obtaining genuine informed consent. Conclusions Researchers should evaluate the effectiveness of consent processes in providing appropriate information in a comprehensible manner and in supporting voluntary decision-making on a study-by-study basis

Role of death receptor 3 in health and disease

Death receptor 3 (DR3) is a death domain-containing type I transmembrane protein. It can bring about a wide range of responses from apoptosis to proliferation through association with intracellular signaling molecules. The only accepted ligand for DR3 is TNF-like protein 1A (TL1A). An important role for DR3 in inflammatory disease states is emerging with links being made with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), Rheumatoid Arthritis, atherosclerosis, allergic lung inflammation and in renal inflammation. The project undertaken in this thesis investigated the role of DR3 in a murine model for rheumatoid arthritis, namely antigen-induced arthritis (AIA), using mice genetically deficient in DR3. A further aim of this project was to generate reagents for use in DR3 research through the employment of DR3 gene cloning strategies. DR3 deficient animals displayed a high degree of protection from mAIA in terms of resolution of joint swelling and the pathological degenerative alterations occurring within the joint. At day 21 post-arthritis induction, a time-point when maximal structural damage would likely be observed, DR37 animals showed a significant reduction in all histopathological parameters including a complete absence of bone erosion. This effect was shown to be DR3 specific through the administration of TL1A to control animals. Mice receiving increasing concentrations of TL1A showed a dose-dependent increase in synovial hyperplasia and bone erosion. DR3 deficient mice also displayed protection from cartilage depletion following induction of AIA. In an attempt to dissect a mechanism for this reduced disease severity, an analysis of osteoclast numbers and F4/80+ osteoclast precursor cell numbers within the joints was undertaken. DR3 sufficient mice displayed significantly more osteoclasts at sites of focal bone erosion which could not be attributed to differences in F4/80+ precursor cell numbers. The results presented here identify a potentially novel target for the treatment of human inflammatory joint disease

Science-Based Recommendations for the Collection of Eyewitness Identification Evidence

For almost 70% of the wrongfully convicted defendants who have been exonerated by new DNA evidence, one or more mistaken eyewitness identifications played a role in their wrongful convictions.1 In recognition of the significant role that mistaken identifications play in miscarriages of justice, social scientists have spent the last 40 years studying which police practices can be improved to increase the reliability of eyewitness identification evidence, including instructions to witnesses,2 selecting fillers (i.e., known innocent persons) for lineups or photo arrays who do not cause the suspect to stand out,3 and eliminating possible feedback from administrators who know which lineup member is the suspect.4 Based on this body of research, the American Psychology-Law Society (AP-LS)5 commissioned a panel of eyewitness scholars to review the extant literature and make evidence-based recommendations about the best police practice for enhancing the reliability of eyewitness identification evidence.

Levels of domain-specific physical activity at work, in the household, for travel and for leisure among 327 789 adults from 104 countries

Objective: To compare the country-level absolute and relative contributions of physical activity at work and in the household, for travel, and during leisure-time to total moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA). Methods: We used data collected between 2002 and 2019 from 327 789 participants across 104 countries and territories (n=24 low, n=34 lower-middle, n=30 upper-middle, n=16 high-income) from all six World Health Organization (WHO) regions. We calculated mean min/week of work/household, travel and leisure MVPA and compared their relative contributions to total MVPA using Global Physical Activity Questionnaire data. We compared patterns by country, sex and age group (25–44 and 45–64 years). Results: Mean MVPA in work/household, travel and leisure domains across the 104 countries was 950 (IQR 618–1198), 327 (190–405) and 104 (51–131) min/week, respectively. Corresponding relative contributions to total MVPA were 52% (IQR 44%–63%), 36% (25%–45%) and 12% (4%–15%), respectively. Work/household was the highest contributor in 80 countries; travel in 23; leisure in just one. In both absolute and relative terms, low-income countries tended to show higher work/household (1233 min/week, 57%) and lower leisure MVPA levels (72 min/week, 4%). Travel MVPA duration was higher in low-income countries but there was no obvious pattern in the relative contributions. Women tended to have relatively less work/household and more travel MVPA; age groups were generally similar. Conclusion: In the largest domain-specific physical activity study to date, we found considerable country-level variation in how MVPA is accumulated. Such information is essential to inform national and global policy and future investments to provide opportunities to be active, accounting for country context

Mitochondrial DNA Indicates Late Pleistocene Divergence of Populations of Heteronympha merope, an Emerging Model in Environmental Change Biology

Knowledge of historical changes in species range distribution provides context for investigating adaptive potential and dispersal ability. This is valuable for predicting the potential impact of environmental change on species of interest. Butterflies are one of the most important taxa for studying such impacts, and Heteronympha merope has the potential to provide a particularly valuable model, in part due to the existence of historical data on morphological traits and glycolytic enzyme variation. This study investigates the population genetic structure and phylogeography of H. merope, comparing the relative resolution achieved through partial DNA sequences of two mitochondrial loci, COI and ND5. These data are used to define the relationship between subspecies, showing that the subspecies are reciprocally monophyletic. On this basis, the Western Australian subspecies H. m. duboulayi is genetically distinct from the two eastern subspecies. Throughout the eastern part of the range, levels of migration and the timing of key population splits of potential relevance to climatic adaptation are estimated and indicate Late Pleistocene divergence both of the Tasmanian subspecies and of an isolated northern population from the eastern mainland subspecies H. m. merope. This information is then used to revisit historical data and provides support for the importance of clinal variation in wing characters, as well as evidence for selective pressure acting on allozyme loci phosphoglucose isomerase and phosphoglucomutase in H. merope. The study has thus confirmed the value of H. merope as a model organism for measuring responses to environmental change, offering the opportunity to focus on isolated populations, as well as a latitudinal gradient, and to use historical changes to test the accuracy of predictions for the future

Medical and Welfare Officers beliefs about post-deployment screening for mental health disorders in the UK Armed Forces:a qualitative study

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to examine currently serving United Kingdom (UK) military Medical and Welfare Officers views on the potential introduction of post-deployment screening for mental ill health. METHODS: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 21 Medical and Welfare Officers. Interview transcripts were analysed using data-driven thematic analysis. RESULTS: Four themes were identified: positive views of screening; reliability of responses; impact on workload; and suggestions for implementation. Interviewees viewed the introduction of screening post-deployment as likely to increase awareness of mental health problems whilst also reporting that service personnel were likely to conceal their true mental health status by providing misleading responses to any screening tool. Concern over reliability of responses may provide one explanation for the reluctance of service personnel to seek help for problems, as they could feel they will not be taken seriously. Welfare Officers felt they would not have the knowledge or experience to respond to help-seeking. Although participants were concerned about potential impact on their personal workload, they indicated a desire to positively engage with the screening programme if research showed it was an effective tool to improve mental health care. CONCLUSIONS: Welfare and healthcare providers are well disposed towards a screening programme for mental health but highlight a few concerns in its implementation. In particular Welfare Officers appear to require more training in how to respond to mental ill health. Concerns about available funding and resources to respond to increased workload will need to be addressed should post-deployment screening for mental health be introduced in the UK military