Does a theory of action approach help teachers engage in evidence-informed self-improvement?

The purpose of this article is to evaluate how Theories of Action (TofA) can help teachers develop evidence informed teaching practices by providing a journey guide for impact and aid understanding of why an intervention works and which aspects of the approach drives change. This paper reports on a very specific approach - a partnership between an academic and three schools and is based on interviews with 15 teachers and school leaders, and pre and post intervention surveys relating to teachers’ use of research.The findings suggests that evidence informed practice, when aided by TofA’s can lead to substantial impact on teacher and pupil outcomes. By helping teachers consider how to tailor theories of action so interventions operate most effectively in their own settings this paper concludes that the effective scale up of research-informed interventions is to do with understanding why interventions have been successful and how that success might be realised in a new context.This article reports on how using Theories of Action (TofA) can help teachers scale-up evidence-informed teaching practices by aiding their understanding of why such interventions have been effective and which aspects are key to driving change. This paper reports on a specific approach: a partnership between an academic and three schools. The findings, based on interviews with 15 teachers and school leaders, and pre and post intervention surveys suggests that the scale-up of evidence-informed practice, when aided by TofA’s can lead to substantial impact on teacher and pupil outcomes. The paper concludes that the effective scale up of evidence-informed interventions is grounded in teachers’ understanding of why interventions have been successful and how that success might be realised in a new context. Correspondingly when teachers are shown how to use TofAs to tailor interventions, this helps them ascertain how such interventions can be realised most effectively in their own settings.<br/

Serum Biochemistry and Serum Cortisol Levels of Immobilized and Hunted Muskoxen (Ovibos moschatus) from Northern Canada

Muskoxen (Ovibos moschatus) are Arctic-adapted ruminants native to the Arctic regions of Canada, Alaska, and Greenland. Little is known about the serum biochemistry and serum cortisol of this species, or the effects of chemical immobilization on serum biochemical parameters. This study aimed to describe blood chemistry parameters and cortisol levels in hunted, tame, and chemically immobilized muskoxen and to examine differences in blood chemistry parameters and levels of stress associated with different capture techniques. Serum was collected from 91 adult female muskoxen in northern Canada. For analysis, these muskoxen were classified into six groups, five of free-ranging muskoxen (10 animals shot from snowmobiles near Kugluktuk, Nunavut; 18 chemically immobilized from a helicopter near Kugluktuk; 8 chemically immobilized from a helicopter near Norman Wells, Northwest Territories; 17 shot from snowmobiles near Cambridge Bay, Nunavut; 33 chemically immobilized from a snowmobile near Kugluktuk) and one of tame muskoxen (five tame animals maintained on pasture near Saskatoon, Saskatchewan). All samples were analyzed for cortisol, and 26 serum biochemistry parameters were measured in serum collected from three of the six groups (n = 36). Comparison of four groups showed that serum cortisol levels of muskoxen chemically immobilized from a helicopter near Kugluktuk were significantly higher(p &lt; 0.05) than those of muskoxen chemically immobilized from snowmobiles or shot. A comparison of serum biochemistry from the groups of muskoxen shot and immobilized near Kugluktuk found that serum sodium, creatinine, phosphorus, magnesium, and creatine kinase were significantly higher (p &lt; 0.05) in hunted muskoxen than in chemically immobilized animals, while urea, glucose and gamma glutamyl transferase were significantly higher (p &lt; 0.05) in immobilized muskoxen. Most serum biochemical parameters, however, were similar to those of captive muskoxen. This evidence of differences between hunted and immobilized muskoxen in several serum biochemistry parameters will contribute to further research on the effects of immobilization and other health assessments in this species.Le boeuf musqué (Ovibos moschatus) est un ruminant adapté à l’Arctique qui est natif des régions arctiques du Canada, de l’Alaska et du Groenland. On en sait peu à propos de la biochimie du sérum et du cortisol du sérum de cette espèce ou encore, à propos des effets de l’immobilisation chimique sur les paramètres biochimiques du sérum. Cette étude visait à décrire les paramètres de la chimie du sang et les taux de cortisol chez les boeufs musqués chassés, apprivoisés et chimiquement immobilisés, de même qu’à examiner les différences sur le plan des paramètres de la chimie du sang et des degrés de stress en fonction de diverses méthodes de capture. Du sérum a été prélevé auprès de 91 femelles adultes du nord du Canada. Aux fins de l’analyse, ces boeufs musqués ont été classés en six groupes, dont cinq des groupes étaient composés de boeufs musqués en liberté (10 des boeufs avaient été tirés depuis des motoneiges près de Kugluktuk, au Nunavut; 18 avaient été chimiquement immobilisés à partir d’un hélicoptère près de Kugluktuk; 8 avaient été chimiquement immobilisés à partir d’un hélicoptère près de Norman Wells, dans les Territoires du Nord-Ouest; 17 avaient été tirés depuis des motoneiges près de Cambridge Bay, au Nunavut; 33 avaient été chimiquement immobilisés depuis une motoneige près de Kugluktuk) et l’autre groupe était composé de boeufs musqués apprivoisés (5 bêtes évoluant dans des pâturages près de Saskatoon, en Saskatchewan). Dans tous les cas, le cortisol des échantillons a été analysé, puis 26 paramètres biochimiques du sérum ont été mesurés à partir du sérum recueilli chez trois des six groupes (n = 36). Les comparaisons établies pour quatre des groupes ont permis de constater que les taux de cortisol du sérum des boeufs musqués chimiquement immobilisés à partir d’un hélicoptère près de Kugluktuk étaient considérablement plus élevés (p &lt; 0,05) que ceux des boeufs musqués qui avaient été chimiquement immobilisés depuis une motoneige ou qui avaient été tirés. La comparaison de la biochimie du sérum chez les boeufs musqués tirés et immobilisés près de Kugluktuk a permis de déceler que le sodium du sérum, la créatinine, le phosphore, le magnésium et la créatine kinase étaient considérablement plus élevés (p &lt; 0,05) chez le boeuf musqué chassé que chez le boeuf musqué chimiquement immobilisé, tandis que l’urée, le glucose et la gamma-glutamyl-transférase étaient considérablement plus élevés (p &lt; 0,05) chez le boeuf musqué immobilisé. Cependant, la plupart des paramètres biochimiques du sérum étaient semblables à ceux des boeufs musqués en captivité. Ces différences évidentes sur le plan de nombreux paramètres biochimiques du sérum entre le boeuf musqué chassé et le boeuf musqué immobilisé permettront d’approfondir les recherches sur les effets de l’immobilisation et d’autres évaluations de santé de cette espèce

The geomorphic evolution of the Warrumbungle Volcanic Complex, New South Wales, Australia

Geomorphic analysis of the mid-Miocene Warrumbungle volcanic complex in north-central New South Wales revealed a highly dissected multi-vent ovoid shield, 55 km long and averaging 32 km wide. The volcanics rest unconformably on a pre-volcanic medium-relief sandstone landscape of broad valleys and flat interfluves. The degree of dissection, a function of the exceptionally large proportion of easily erodible pyroclastic material erupted during the volcano's 3.7 million year active life, varies considerably between the distal and proximal zones of extrusion. The proximal zone is preserved only in a skeletal state and is dominated by less erodible domes, plugs, and dykes. By contrast, the distal zone presents a characteristically gently sloping shield landscape with terraces where flow units are exposed. Remarkably, and probably as a result of the large number of explosive eruptions that were a dominant feature of Warrumbungle activity, four previously unrecorded crater remnants were recognised, as well as other previously unrecognised features. The preferential preservation of their lithology is perhaps a result of the partial/complete burial of these features by coeval activity and the development of dual scale radial drainage networks, with exhumation only occurring when local sub-drainage had been captured

Pla de desenvolupament i coaching per a la pràctica informada en l'evidència per a la inclusió escolar

This document was written under the framework of the Project 'Evidence-Informed Practice for School Inclusion [EIPSI] (2020-1-ES01-KA201-082328)'. Project funded under the Erasmus+ Strategic Partnership ProgramThis resource package comprises a self-assessment tool, EIP general guidelines, EIP implementation guidelines, a coaching plan and an EIP resource package dedicated to school leaders and to schools, aimed at improving EIP for inclusion and at guiding them through their EIP adoption process

‘Emotion is of the essence. … Number one priority’: A nested qualitative study exploring psychosocial adjustment to stroke and aphasia

Background: Stroke and aphasia can have a profound impact on people's lives, and depression is a common, frequently persistent consequence. Social networks also suffer, with poor social support associated with worse recovery. It is essential to support psychosocial well-being post-stroke, and examine which factors facilitate successful adjustment to living with aphasia. Aims: In the context of a feasibility randomized controlled trial of peer-befriending (SUPERB), this qualitative study explores adjustment for people with aphasia in the post-acute phase of recovery, a phase often neglected in previous research. Methods & Procedures: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 20 people with aphasia and 10 significant others, who were purposively sampled from the wider group of 56 people with aphasia and 48 significant others. Interviews took place in participants’ homes; they were analysed using framework analysis. Outcomes & Results: Participants with aphasia were 10 women and 10 men; their median (interquartile range—IQR) age was 70 (57.5–77.0) years. Twelve participants had mild aphasia, eight moderate–severe aphasia. Significant others were six women and four men with a median (IQR) age of 70.5 (43–79) years. They identified a range of factors that influenced adjustment to aphasia post-stroke. Some were personal resources, including mood and emotions; identity/sense of self; attitude and outlook; faith and spirituality; and moving forward. Significant others also talked about the impact of becoming carers. Other factors were external sources of support, including familial and other relationships; doctors, nurses and hospital communication; life on the ward; therapies and therapists; psychological support, stroke groups; and community and socializing. Conclusions & Implications: To promote adjustment in the acute phase, hospital staff should prioritize the humanizing aspects of care provision. In the post-acute phase, clinicians play an integral role in supporting adjustment and can help by focusing on relationship-centred care, monitoring mental health, promoting quality improvement across the continuum of care and supporting advocacy. What this paper adds What is already known on the subject Anxiety and depression are common consequences of stroke, with depression rates high at 33% at 1 year post-onset. There is evidence that the psychological needs of people with aphasia are even greater than those of the general stroke population. Social support and social networks are also negatively impacted. Few studies have examined adjustment when people are still in hospital or in the early stages of post-stroke life in the community (< 6 months). Further, many stroke studies exclude people with aphasia. What this paper adds to existing knowledge Adjustment to living with stroke and aphasia begins in the early stages of recovery. While this partly depends on personal resources, many factors depend on external sources of help and support. These include doctors, nurses and hospital communication, their experience of life on the ward, and their therapists’ person-centred care. What are the potential or actual clinical implications of this work? Clinicians play an integral role in facilitating people with aphasia to utilize their personal resources and support systems to adjust to life after stroke. They can help by focusing on relationship-centred care, monitoring mental health, promoting quality improvement across the continuum of care and supporting advocacy

Training on Evidence-Informed Practice for School Inclusion

Altres ajuts: This document was written under the framework of the Project 'Evidence-Informed Practice for School Inclusion [EIPSI] (2020-1-ES01-KA201-082328)'. Project funded under the Erasmus+ Strategic Partnership ProgramThe purpose of the Training on Evidence-Informed Practice for School Inclusion is to familiarize teachers and other educational stakeholders with the evidence-informed practice approach and to support them to develop the necessary skills and knowledge to facilitate them work in diverse schools' settings

Georgia Abortion Law and Our Commitment to Patients

Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/153775/1/art41143.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/153775/2/art41143_am.pd