May Day and the Moon

"May Day and the Moon" is a playful audio exploration of childhood dreams of adult work. The storyteller, Grant Miller, is a non-binary queer disabled white person born with disabilities and having acquired disability later in life as well. Unlike mainstream disability-related stories, Grant never describes their disability nor names any diagnoses. This is done to invite audiences to trust the storyteller and to disinvite the possibility of an objectifying medical gaze. We approach the idea of work indirectly in a sound-rich audio story, challenging the standard interview format. Rather than overtly discuss unemployment, underemployment, and capitalism, the story focuses on the lack of disabled role models in the working world and lack of family encouragement to consider pursuing adult work. The story concludes with a celebration of the innovation and creativity that Grant has incorporated into their self-empowered, self-directed, joy-filled artistic life

Perspectives on kinship care, foster care and adoption: the voices of children, carers and adoptive parents

This report has been completed as one part of the study 'Permanently Progressing? Building secure futures for children in Scotland'. The study is the first in Scotland to investigate decision making, permanence, progress, outcomes and belonging for children who became ‘looked after’ at home, or were placed away from their birth parents (with kinship carers, foster carers or prospective adoptive parents) when they were aged five and under. Phase One of the research ran from 2014-18 and was designed to be the first phase in a longitudinal mixed methods study following a large cohort of young children into adolescence and beyond. It is anticipated that Phase Two will commence in 2020. Phase One of the research was fully funded by a legacy and was undertaken by a team from the universities of Stirling, York, and Lancaster, in conjunction with Adoption and Fostering Alliance (AFA) Scotland. This phase of the study had five strands: Pathways to permanence for children who become looked after in Scotland (the Pathways strand)- This analysed data from the Children Looked After Statistics (CLAS) provided to the Scottish Government by all 32 local authorities on the total cohort of children who became looked after during the year 1 August 2012 - 31 July 2013 when they were aged five and under (n=1,836). Of the 1,836 children, 481 children were looked after at home and 1,355 children were looked after away from home. This strand of the study investigated children’s pathways into and through the looked after system over four years from 2012-16, including the route and timescales to permanence. Children looked after away from home aged five and under in Scotland: experiences, pathways and outcomes (the Outcomes strand)- Questionnaires were sent to the kinship carers/foster carers/adoptive parents and social workers of a sample of 643 children from 19 participating local authorities who became looked after away from home in 2012-13 and remained (or were again) looked after away from home a year later. Questionnaires were returned by 433 social workers and 166 carers or adoptive parents, providing detailed information on the children’s histories, circumstances, relationships, health and educational progress. Linking two administrative datasets about looked after children: testing feasibility and enhancing understanding (the Linkage strand) - Information about children who are looked after is collected from all 32 local authorities by the Scottish Government (CLAS data). Data is also collected by the Scottish Children’s Reporter Administration (SCRA) on all children who have contact with the Children’s Hearings System. For the first time, these two data sets have been linked through the Administrative Data Research Network (ADRN). Within the ADRN’s safe haven we were able to safely and successfully link SCRA and CLAS data on 1,000 children. As well as testing the feasibility of linkage this enabled a more complete picture of the experiences of children. Decision making for children (the Decision making strand)- During 2015-17, 160 decision makers were interviewed across Scotland mainly in groups, but some individually. These included social workers and allied professionals, members of Children’s Hearings, Reporters to the Children’s Hearings, independent consultants, members of permanence panels, and a sheriff. This enabled us to identity from a range of perspectives the factors which influence decision making for children Perspectives on kinship care, foster care and adoption: the voices of children, carers and adoptive parents (the Children and carers strand)- Although the children in our cohort are young, we wanted to hear directly about their experiences. Play and talk sessions took place with a sample of 10 children aged between three and eight years, and 20 kinship carers, foster carers, and adoptive parents were interviewed. The focus was what helped children feel secure, and what carers/adoptive parents said they needed to enable them to meet children’s needs. This report details this strand. The findings of the four other strands of this study will be reported separately. Please see the project website for further details

Exercise facilities for neurologically disabled populations : perceptions from the fitness industry

BACKGROUND: People with neurological disabilities (pwND) face many barriers to undertaking physical activity. One option for exercise alongside formal physiotherapy is local fitness facilities but accessibility is often found wanting and gyms are seen as unwelcoming to pwND. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this exploratory study was to investigate the perceptions of fitness facility managers with respect to exercise for pwND in a gym environment. The aim was to identify potential barriers to provision by the fitness industry for pwND. METHODS: The participants included those who were in a position to influence provision at a policy level and those working at management level within fitness providers. A mixed methods approach was used: a quantitative questionnaire and 4 qualitative interviews. Descriptive and correlational analysis, thematic content analysis and concurrent triangulation analysis was undertaken. RESULTS: Specially trained staff is perceived to be necessary to make fitness facilities accessible for pwND. CONCLUSIONS: Ensuring the provision of specially trained staff to support pwND to exercise in gyms may be the main barrier to provision for this population. Investigation into the standard training of fitness professionals combining the expertise of neurological physiotherapists with that of fitness professionals to meet the needs of pwND would be advantageous

Decision Making for Looked After Children in Scotland. Insights for policymakers and practitioners

Every year thousands of children in Scotland become looked after either at home or away from home. Many of those children will remain with or be reunified with their parents, but others will be placed permanently with kinship carers, foster carers or adoptive parents. The decisions made will have far-reaching consequences for children and their families, so it is important to understand what factors influence decision making processes. This briefing paper draws on findings from Phase One of the Permanently Progressing? Building secure futures for children in Scotland research study (2014-2018). The study followed the progress of all children who became looked after in Scotland aged five or under in 2012-2013 (n=1,836) investigating decision making, pathways, and outcomes. This paper provides insights into the processes and pressures that influence decision making for looked after children in Scotland. It is produced at a time when systems are under review given that in 2017 the Scottish Government established the Independent Care Review, examining the underpinning legislation, practices, culture and ethos of Scotland’s care system. Key findings The legislative, policy and practice context for permanence decisions in Scotland is complex. The range of options offers flexibility to tailor decisions to a child’s needs but is potentially overwhelming. Decision making can be driven by processes and policies rather than a child’s specific needs. Use of legislation and guidance varies across Scotland, with differences in local practice. Making decisions is intellectually and emotionally challenging. The interface between local authorities, Children’s Hearings and courts was characterised as difficult and complicated; the focus can shift from the child to the dynamic between the systems and individuals involved. Decisions are influenced by capacity issues in terms of time, resources (including availability and number of carers or adoptive parents) and the skills and knowledge of professionals. The formalisation of kinship care has been a positive development, however, it does not meet the needs of all children and an emphasis on kinship care may exclude some children from other forms of permanence

Decision making for children

Every year thousands of children in Scotland become looked after either at home or away from home. Many of those children will remain with or be reunified with their parents, but others will be placed permanently with kinship carers, foster carers or adoptive parents. The decisions made will have far-reaching consequences for children and their families, so it is important to understand what factors influence decision making processes. This report draws on findings from Phase One of the Permanently Progressing? Building secure futures for children in Scotland research study (2014-2018). The study followed the progress of all children who became looked after in Scotland aged five or under in 2012-2013 (n=1,836) investigating decision making, pathways, and outcomes. This report provides insights into the processes and pressures that influence decision making for looked after children in Scotland

Estimating Price Premiums for Breads Marketed as “Low-Carbohydrate Breadsâ€

Retail data are used in a hedonic pricing framework to estimate the premium paid for the “low-carbohydrate†attribute and other attributes of bread at grocery and non-grocery stores in a regional market. Results show that consumer willingness to pay is influenced by the “low-carbohydrate†attribute as well as by sugar, fiber, and fat content; serving size; and size of loaf. Implicit price premiums vary significantly by retail location. However, price differentials may be compounded by the absence of an acceptable definition for low-carbohydrate foods.Demand and Price Analysis, Marketing,

Predictions of sediment trap biases in turbulent flows: A theoretical analysis based on observations from the literature

The physical variables affecting the trapping of particles in sediment collectors are grouped into a set of six dimensionless parameters, as a function of a dimensionless particle collection efficiency. Relevant laboratory calibration studies on sediment trap biases are evaluated to determine the quantitative dependence between collection efficiency and three of the parameters, trap Reynolds number, the ratio of flow speed to particle fall velocity and the ratio of trap height to mouth diameter, as well as trap geometry. We find that few of the parameters have been systematically tested in the laboratory and that trap Reynolds number-similarity for field conditions is maintained only for the slowest flow speeds and/or smallest trap diameters. However, the literature results do suggest some intriguing trends in biased trapping which also can be explained physically. The physical mechanisms are derived from a physical description of particle trapping based on observations of flow through traps, the mass balance for particles entering and leaving traps and a definition of particle collection efficiency, coupled with model development for cases where collection efficiency, as specified by the mass balance, deviates from one.The following testable hypotheses for biased trapping by unbaffied, straight-sided cylinders and noncylindrical traps result from our analysis. For fixed values of the other two parameters, collection efficiency of cylinders will decrease over some range of increasing trap Reynolds number, decrease over some range of decreasing particle fall velocity and increase over some range of increasing trap aspect ratio. Traps will be undercollectors or overcollectors depending on the physical mechanisms causing the biased collections. Predicting biased collections for noncylindrical traps is more complex but, in most cases, small-mouth, wide-body traps will be overcollectors and funnel-type traps will be undercollectors. Future laboratory studies are required to test these hypotheses and, in particular, parameter combinations representative of field conditions, where traps are deployed, must be tested

Bridging the Krill Divide: Understanding Cross-Sector Objectives for Krill Fishing and Conservation

In June 2014, the ICED programme, the British Antarctic Survey and WWF co-hosted a two day workshop entitled “Understanding the objectives for krill fishing and conservation in the Scotia Sea and Antarctic Peninsula region” which involved participants from the science, conservation, and fishing industry sectors. The workshop used structured dialogue, led by an independent facilitator, to explore each sector’s objectives and information requirements for the krill-based ecosystem and to identify constructive ways for the three sectors to work together. The issue of krill fishing has previously provoked passionate debate but participants in this workshop showed broad crosssector accord. This included shared commitment to maintaining a healthy ecosystem and support for management of the krill fishery that minimises the risk of negative impacts on ecosystem health. Participants generally agreed that current levels of fishing have a low risk of significant impacts but that there is no need to increase catch limits. Participants also agreed that the objectives of management must include a healthy krill stock and a healthy ecosystem. However, they were not able to define ecosystem states that are desirable or healthy. This reflects the gaps in the currently available information and the indirect nature of the links between the krill-based ecosystem and human well being. The workshop produced a range of recommendations including the need to articulate a clear research and development strategy to support progress in the management of the krill fishery, and to improve communication between the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) and its stakeholders. The workshop also revealed a cooperative and productive relationship between the various sectors. Further cross-sector work could progress some key tasks such as identifying priority information requirements and assessing the potential future demand for krill catch

Ethnoveterinary medicines used for horses in Trinidad and in British Columbia, Canada

This paper investigates the commonalities in ethnoveterinary medicine used for horses between Trinidad (West Indies) and British Columbia (Canada). These research areas are part of a common market in pharmaceuticals and are both involved in the North American racing circuit. There has been very little research conducted on medicinal plants used for horses although their use is widespread. The data on ethnoveterinary medicines used for horses was obtained through key informant interviews with horse owners, trainers, breeders, jockeys, grooms and animal care specialists in two research areas: Trinidad and British Columbia (BC). A participatory validation workshop was held in BC. An extensive literature review and botanical identification of the plants was also done. In all, 20 plants were found to be used in treating racehorses in Trinidad and 97 in BC. Of these the most-evidently effective plants 19 of the plants used in Trinidad and 66 of those used in BC are described and evaluated in this paper. Aloe vera, Curcuma longa and Ricinus communis are used in both research areas. More research is needed in Trinidad to identify plants that respondents claimed were used in the past. Far more studies have been conducted on the temperate and Chinese medicinal plants used in BC and therefore these ethnoveterinary remedies reflect stronger evidence of efficacy

Lost conversations: finding new ways for black and white Australians to lead together

It\u27s time for a game-changer in how black and white Australians relate.   The difficulties we have in coming together—to talk, to work, to lead change—are core to our challenge to reconcile, as a country. But if we want to shift the status quo, if we want to lead change on entrenched Indigenous disadvantage, we don\u27t need another program, initiative or money to try and \u27fix\u27 the problem. We need to start having a different conversation.  The result of two years experience working together as part of a Social Leadership Australia initiative, Lost Conversations brings together the diverse perspectives and personal stories of five Aboriginal and four non-Indigenous authors, all with first-hand knowledge of what happens when black and white Australians come together to try and work on change.  Lost Conversations asks the questions and starts the conversations that we daren\u27t have in Australia ... until now:  What is \u27black\u27 power? What is \u27white\u27 power?  What qualifies someone to lead in this cross-cultural space?  Why is this so hard to talk about?  Can we start to name these things and try to shift the status quo?  Can we change?  Should we?  &nbsp