Taught postgraduate employability and employer engagement: Masters with a purpose, Higher Education Careers Services Unit, Universities UK

This report documents and explores higher education institutions' engagement with employers in respect of postgraduate taught Masters courses. Findings suggest that there might be better outcomes for graduates and employers where Masters study is approached in a 'purposeful' way.Universities UK

BSC Football: The Swenson Era

A recollection of Bridgewater State College Coach Edward Swenson’s efforts to bring varsity-level football back into a Massachusetts state college and the stories of the trials and tribulations of his first eight years as head coach. The book is a Bridgewater State University Football Alumni project inspired by many of Coach Swenson’s former players, commemorating the coach and several of their former teammates

Begonia yapenensis (sect. Symbegonia, Begoniaceae), a new species from Papua, Indonesia

A new species, Begonia yapenensis M.Hughes, in Begonia section Symbegonia (Begoniaceae) is described and diagnosed against Begonia sympapuana. The new species is endemic to Yapen Island, Papua, Indonesia, and is currently known from a single collection

Begonia yapenensis (sect. Symbegonia, Begoniaceae), a new species from Papua, Indonesia

A new species, Begonia yapenensis M.Hughes, in Begonia section Symbegonia (Begoniaceae) is described and diagnosed against Begonia sympapuana. The new species is endemic to Yapen Island, Papua, Indonesia, and is currently known from a single collection

How does specialist nursing contribute to HIV service delivery across England?

Objectives: This study aimed to examine what specialist nursing contributes to HIV service delivery across England and how it could be optimized. Methods: A three part multi-method qualitative study involving: (1) interviews with 19 stakeholders representing professional or service user groups; (2) interviews with nurse/physician pairs from 21 HIV services; (3) case studies involving site visits to 5 services. A framework analysis approach was used to manage and analyse the data. Results: There was substantial variability in specialist nursing roles and the extent of role development. Most hospital-based HIV nurses (13/19) were running nurse-led clinics, primarily for stable patients with almost half (6/13) also managing more complex patients. Role development was supported by non-medical prescribing, a robust governance framework and appropriate workload allocation. The availability and organisation of community HIV nursing provision determined how services supported vulnerable patients to keep them engaged in care. Four service models were identified. Conclusion: There is scope for providing a greater proportion of routine care through nurse-led clinics. HIV community nursing can influence health outcomes for vulnerable patients, but provision is variable. With limited financial resources, services may need to decide how to deploy their specialist nurses for best effect

A workforce in jeopardy - identifying the challenges of ensuring a sustainable advanced HIV nursing workforce.

Introduction: HIV services in England face substantial challenges arising from financial pressures and changes to commissioning. A sustainable HIV specialist nursing workforce will be vital to enable them to respond to those challenges. This paper examines the current workforce situation in HIV services across the country. Methods: This mixed method study involved semi-structured interviews with 19 key stakeholders and with 44 nurses / physicians from 21 purposively selected HIV services across England. Data were interpreted using a framework analysis approach. Findings: 'Building a career in HIV nursing' identified problems associated with retention and recruitment. Changes in commissioning are disrupting common career routes from sexual health to HIV nursing and a perceived lack of clear career pathway was seen as a barrier to recruitment. 'Developing a specialist workforce' explored professional development of the current workforce which was hampered by poor access to funding or study time for advanced study, and the absence of an HIV-specific advanced nursing qualification. Conclusion: The HIV nursing workforce, which provides an increasing proportion of HIV care, is facing serious recruitment and retention challenges. A strategic approach to workforce development and training is essential to overcome systemic barriers and secure the next generation of skilled practitioners

Sudden death, aortic rupture in horses, literature review, case studies reported and risk factors

Sudden deaths of horses in multiple equestrian disciplines have been attributed to acute and chronic respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. The aim of this study was to perform a review of aortic rupture in horses analyzing, case studies and assessing risk factors. The literature has reported a total of 137 cases of aortic rupture in horses for 28 years (1986-2014), with approximately five horses dying of aortic rupture per year. Histopathologically, there are observed discrete macroscopic degenerative changes in the intima layer only in the aorta. The histological evaluation in the beginning portion of the aorta of the heart evidenced degenerative changes with loss of continuity and distribution of elastic fibers. Risk factors for the rupture of the aorta are: spontaneous rupture associated with hypertension, preexisting vascular injury (aneurysm), dilated or hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, copper levels in the endothelium, genetic factors such as inbreeding, toxicology or pharmacological factors. Aortic rupture shows similarity with pulmonary hemorrhage induced by exercise especially under the locomotors induced trauma theory of exercise that can induce pulmonary hemorrhage. In conclusion, degenerative changes to discrete elastic fiber of the intima of the aorta in the emergence of the heart seem to predispose the aorta wall rupture at the time of maximum blood pressure during exercise and the consequent collapse and athletic horse’s death.As mortes súbitas de cavalos em várias provas equestres têm sido atribuídas a doenças respiratórias e cardiovasculares agudas e crônicas. O objetivo deste estudo foi efetuar uma revisão de literatura da ruptura da aorta em cavalos analisando estudos de caso e estabelecendo os possíveis fatores de risco. Na revisão da literatura no período de 28 anos (1986-2014) foram localizados 137 casos de ruptura da aorta em cavalos com aproximadamente cinco cavalos morrendo por essa causa por ano. Histologicamente, são observadas alterações macroscópicas discretas degenerativas na camada íntima da aorta. A avaliação histológica na porção inicial da aorta do coração evidencia alterações degenerativas com perda de continuidade e distribuição das fibras elásticas. Fatores de risco para a ruptura da aorta dos cavalos são: ruptura espontânea associada com hipertensão, lesão vascular pré-existente (aneurisma), cardiomiopatia dilatada ou hipertrófica, níveis de cobre no endotélio, fatores genéticos, tais como a consanguinidade na criação, toxicologia e aspectos farmacológicos. A ruptura aórtica mostra semelhança com hemorragia pulmonar induzida pelo exercício. Em conclusão, alterações degenerativas discretas das fibras elásticas da íntima da aorta parecem predispor a ruptura da parede da aorta, no momento da pressão máxima de sangue durante o exercício determinando o consequente colapso e morte do cavalo atleta

Developing and testing a community-based nursing intervention to improve engagement of HIV Patients in care and treatment (Conect) (Abstract only)

The health outcomes now achievable for people living with HIV require long-term engagement with treatment and care. This is problematic for a significant minority. Disengagement from HIV services is strongly associated with poor health outcomes and reduced life expectancy. It accounts for a large proportion of avoidable hospital admissions and has considerable public health implications associated with onward transmission. Preventing disengagement is a major challenge for HIV services. Those who disengage from care commonly have complex needs and a range of psychosocial problems. This indicates the need for reengagement interventions that take an individualised approach. The aim of this project is to develop and test a community-delivered nursing intervention designed to prevent individuals disengaging from HIV treatment and care. The project involves development of a reengagement intervention and delivery of the intervention through a pilot community HIV nursing service. The intervention is structured around a strengths-based approach and theoretically based on the Behaviour Change Wheel. A process and outcome evaluation will establish effectiveness and acceptability of the intervention. A structured and theoretically informed intervention has the potential to make a significant contribution to reducing disengagement rates in this population. Establishing a pilot service to deliver this intervention and conducting a comprehensive evaluation will enable us to assess its effectiveness and identify the key determinants of success to inform transferability of this approach

The contribution of mental health services to a new strategic direction for sexual assault and abuse services

A new strategy for sexual assault and abuse services was published by NHS England earlier this year. It called for better coordination of services along the Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) pathway following a sexual assault including mental health services for children, young people and adults. Previous research has highlighted the fact that up to two-thirds of those attending SARCs either have a history of mental health problems or are being currently treated for one. The NHS England commissioning guidance for SARCs calls for clear pathways between SARCs and different types of mental health services including: Community mental health teams (CMHTs); child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) or crisis teams (CTs). In this survey of Mental Health Trusts, using freedom of information requests (FOIs) we found that very few mental health services had formally negotiated pathways with SARCs however there were several examples of good practice which it is important to report. We conclude that there is an important role for CCG and NHS England commissioners and the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in improving the relationships between SARCs and Mental Health Services