Fathers at birth : women\u27s experiences of their partner\u27s presence during childbirth

Childbirth is an ordeal of nature. It is an experience that elicits a range of emotions for the labouring woman; recognition of which has highlighted women’s needs for psychological support during the birth process. Research has shown that a mother’s perception of a positive birth is influenced by how supported she feels throughout her experience. In Australia it is common practice for the labouring woman’s partner to be her main support person; however research into women’s experiences of this phenomenon is scarce. This research aimed to explore the lived experiences of women in this context, asking the question “what meaning do women ascribe to their experiences of their partners presence in childbirth?” Semi-structured interviews were conducted with eight Western Australian women who had given birth in their partner’s presence. Using an interpretative phenomenological approach, five main themes were identified: an essential presence; psychological support; ‘on my side’; education and preparation; and strengthened relationship. It was found that the partners offered a unique approach to supporting the women, guided by the history they had together. The women felt it was important for their partner to be present for a range of reasons and his support was highly valued. It was also found that supporting fathers in their childbirth experience is fundamental to supporting mothers during childbirth. Understanding women’s experiences in this context provides a vital perspective on the ways in which partners can best engage in the childbirth experience and provide support in order to enhance birth outcomes. Further research is required to assess gaps in care for women giving birth, and the men supporting them, to improve service provision in this area

Smart Zabrze: Building on a Mine of Opportunities

In this report the reader is introduced to the vision for the Smart City Zabrze in Poland. This new city district in Zabrze - Nowe Miasto is a ca. 250ha large plot of mostly agricultural land and wetland vegetation. Smart City Zabrze will help pave the way for sustainable development of the Nowe Miasto area. The vision constitutes of three pillars: 1) the creation of a green network along the stream, 2) building a pilot community, a showcase of sustainable urban planning and 3) a golf course which respects the local environment. As the development of Nowe Miasto will be an integral part of Zabrze’s overall transition towards sustainability, we decided to expand our scope beyond the investment area itself and added further recommendations for the old city

Genome-wide analysis of 53,400 people with irritable bowel syndrome highlights shared genetic pathways with mood and anxiety disorders

Funder: Kennedy Trust Rheumatology Research Prize StudentshipFunder: DFG Cluster of Excellence “Precision Medicine in Chronic In-flammation” (PMI; ID: EXC2167)Funder: EC | EC Seventh Framework Programm | FP7 Ideas: European Research Council (FP7-IDEAS-ERC - Specific Programme: “Ideas” Implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for Research, Technological Development and Demonstration Activities (2007 to 2013)); doi: https://doi.org/10.13039/100011199; Grant(s): 715772Funder: NWO-VIDI grant 016.178.056, the Netherlands Heart Foundation CVON grant 2018-27, and NWO Gravitation grant ExposomeNLFunder: Li Ka Shing Foundation (Li Ka Shing Foundation Limited); doi: https://doi.org/10.13039/100007421Abstract: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) results from disordered brain–gut interactions. Identifying susceptibility genes could highlight the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms. We designed a digestive health questionnaire for UK Biobank and combined identified cases with IBS with independent cohorts. We conducted a genome-wide association study with 53,400 cases and 433,201 controls and replicated significant associations in a 23andMe panel (205,252 cases and 1,384,055 controls). Our study identified and confirmed six genetic susceptibility loci for IBS. Implicated genes included NCAM1, CADM2, PHF2/FAM120A, DOCK9, CKAP2/TPTE2P3 and BAG6. The first four are associated with mood and anxiety disorders, expressed in the nervous system, or both. Mirroring this, we also found strong genome-wide correlation between the risk of IBS and anxiety, neuroticism and depression (rg > 0.5). Additional analyses suggested this arises due to shared pathogenic pathways rather than, for example, anxiety causing abdominal symptoms. Implicated mechanisms require further exploration to help understand the altered brain–gut interactions underlying IBS

Large Scale Structure (Semester Unknown) IPRO 315: Large Scale Structure IPRO 315 MidTerm Presentation F08

The intent of the IPRO 315 is to design a large-scale structure. The focus of this IPRO is structural analysis. The advisors of this group thought it would be even more interested if IPRO 335 and IPRO 315 would mesh together to create a large green structure. The intent of IPRO 335 is to design a “green” and innovative building using the skills and input of students studying different majors at Illinois Institute of Technology. Our team has decided to design a replacement apartment building for Gunsaulus Hall on the Illinois Institute of Technology campus. Innovative technologies and practices will be researched and employed to design a “green” building. The decision to design a building for the IIT campus came about because it is an area that all of the team members could relate to and have a more realistic grasp on the project. For the remainder of the semester the two groups are planning on coordinating with each other on each step of the design process.Deliverable

Large Scale Structure (Semester Unknown) IPRO 315: Large Scale Structure IPRO 315 Project Plan F08

The intent of the IPRO 315 is to design a large-scale structure. The focus of this IPRO is structural analysis. The advisors of this group thought it would be even more interested if IPRO 335 and IPRO 315 would mesh together to create a large green structure. The intent of IPRO 335 is to design a “green” and innovative building using the skills and input of students studying different majors at Illinois Institute of Technology. Our team has decided to design a replacement apartment building for Gunsaulus Hall on the Illinois Institute of Technology campus. Innovative technologies and practices will be researched and employed to design a “green” building. The decision to design a building for the IIT campus came about because it is an area that all of the team members could relate to and have a more realistic grasp on the project. For the remainder of the semester the two groups are planning on coordinating with each other on each step of the design process.Deliverable

Large Scale Structure (Semester Unknown) IPRO 315: Large Scale Structure IPRO 315 Handout F08

The intent of the IPRO 315 is to design a large-scale structure. The focus of this IPRO is structural analysis. The advisors of this group thought it would be even more interested if IPRO 335 and IPRO 315 would mesh together to create a large green structure. The intent of IPRO 335 is to design a “green” and innovative building using the skills and input of students studying different majors at Illinois Institute of Technology. Our team has decided to design a replacement apartment building for Gunsaulus Hall on the Illinois Institute of Technology campus. Innovative technologies and practices will be researched and employed to design a “green” building. The decision to design a building for the IIT campus came about because it is an area that all of the team members could relate to and have a more realistic grasp on the project. For the remainder of the semester the two groups are planning on coordinating with each other on each step of the design process.Deliverable

Large Scale Structure (Semester Unknown) IPRO 315: Large Scale Structure IPRO 315 Poster1 F08

The intent of the IPRO 315 is to design a large-scale structure. The focus of this IPRO is structural analysis. The advisors of this group thought it would be even more interested if IPRO 335 and IPRO 315 would mesh together to create a large green structure. The intent of IPRO 335 is to design a “green” and innovative building using the skills and input of students studying different majors at Illinois Institute of Technology. Our team has decided to design a replacement apartment building for Gunsaulus Hall on the Illinois Institute of Technology campus. Innovative technologies and practices will be researched and employed to design a “green” building. The decision to design a building for the IIT campus came about because it is an area that all of the team members could relate to and have a more realistic grasp on the project. For the remainder of the semester the two groups are planning on coordinating with each other on each step of the design process.Deliverable

Large Scale Structure (Semester Unknown) IPRO 315: Large Scale Structure IPRO 315 Final Presentation F08

The intent of the IPRO 315 is to design a large-scale structure. The focus of this IPRO is structural analysis. The advisors of this group thought it would be even more interested if IPRO 335 and IPRO 315 would mesh together to create a large green structure. The intent of IPRO 335 is to design a “green” and innovative building using the skills and input of students studying different majors at Illinois Institute of Technology. Our team has decided to design a replacement apartment building for Gunsaulus Hall on the Illinois Institute of Technology campus. Innovative technologies and practices will be researched and employed to design a “green” building. The decision to design a building for the IIT campus came about because it is an area that all of the team members could relate to and have a more realistic grasp on the project. For the remainder of the semester the two groups are planning on coordinating with each other on each step of the design process.Deliverable