Negotiating the Spaces: Relational Pedagogy and Power in Drama Teaching

While there is a growing body of literature on relational pedagogy as a concept, less attention is given to the details of just how relational pedagogy manifests in classroom practice. Similarly, while issues of power, democracy and co-constructed learning feature in contemporary research, the details of how power relationships can be effectively altered between teachers and children warrants closer scrutiny. This paper explores how pedagogy is enhanced when spaces are negotiated between teachers and children in the real and fictional worlds of drama. The findings emerge from a two year collaborative research project between generalist elementary teachers and university researchers. Salient issues of trust, power sharing, and metaxis, which are part of relational pedagogy in the drama classroom, are explored. In particular, the paper discusses how traditional power and knowledge positions are 'disrupted' through the drama strategy of 'teacher-in-role' - a strategy with both political significance and pedagogical force

Amy Jane Price in a Senior Piano Recital

This is the program for the senior piano recital of Amy Jane Price. This recital took place on April 15, 2005, in the McBeth Recital Hall

Household waste recycling in the UK and the Netherlands: a comparative study of Sheffield and Amsterdam

A thesis submitted to the Faculty of Science and Computing, University of Luton, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of PhilosophyWaste and its management is a dynamic subject that has far reaching implications. These extend beyond basic practical issues of producer responsibility and consumer behaviour, and encompass pollution and environmental problems in a global context. Economic concerns, such as scarcity of resources and the emergence of environmental issues such as sustainability, have influenced the need for a waste management strategy that will increase material re-use and recycling, and energy recovery. Increasing quantities of waste and changes in its composition have placed an ever increasing pressure on traditional disposal routes, namely landfill, giving impetus to the development of alternative management options. The emphasis on management through a waste hierarchy has resulted in a trend throughout Europe of striving towards numerical targets to induce movement away from landfill. In 1990 the UK government set a target of recycling 25% of household waste by the year 2000. The Dutch have set a general waste target to separate 65% of waste for recycling, by the year 2000. Currently, achievement of the UK target is unlikely. Explanations for this do not stem from the target being too high, as it has been illustrated in Europe and more specifically in the Netherlands, that more stringent targets are already being attained. Therefore this research is of importance in developing a greater understanding of the barriers and alternative policy incentives that exist in achieving materials reclamation and energy recovery, and aims to contribute to the development of suitable policies and strategic options. Previous research has focused on specific aspects or singular concepts within the field of waste management. Although this has proved useful in specific contexts, the results and applications have been limited. This research extends such experience further in developing a model that can link the barriers that exist with regard to the 'successful' implementation of waste management strategies. This model focuses on evaluating data gained from the case study, having identified causal relationships and underlying pressures. It introduces a way of relating national data with local data, and it is at this interface that the 'success' of a waste management strategy can be determined, or barriers to its application can be identified and policies developed to overcome such barriers. The research design has been developed within the framework of a comparative embedded case study. The methodology enables a fuller understanding of the current situation at national, regional and local level, incorporating a number of different data collection techniques. The selection of Sheffield and Amsterdam allows a greater focus on crosscultural issues with specific reference to environmental awareness, recycling behaviour and implementation strategies within each local political framework. These results can then be placed within the context of the model to identify the feasibility of policy targets, and propose modifications to the policy or strategic options available

CORA Digital Hub Guide: An operational guide for setting up and running a rural digital hub

The CORA Digital Hub Guide provides an overview of digital hubs and their potential place in enhancing the rural digital landscape. The Guide reviews what a ‘Digital Hub’ is: setting out the types of digital hubs and how we may consider them in the rural context (Section 2). Benefits of a digital hub and potential impacts it can have for rural communities and businesses are then outlined (Section 3), before providing an ‘operational’ section to discuss taking the idea of a digital hub and turning it into reality (Section 4). Finally, an in-depth look at three different digital hubs operating in Europe is provided (Section 5)

Predictors of obstetric anal sphincter injury during waterbirth: A secondary analysis of a prospective observational study

Introduction and Hypothesis: Obstetric Anal Sphincter Injury (OASI) during childbirth is associated with urino-genital pain and dysfunction. Waterbirth is a popular birth choice for women, but controversy remains around the risk of OASI during waterbirth. This study reports on the incidence of OASI, and factors associated with OASI, for a cohort of women who gave birth in water. Methods: This secondary analysis used prospectively collected data from 2,908 women who gave birth in water in the hospital setting. Incidence of OASI was calculated. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analysis evaluated factors associated with OASI. Results: The incidence of OASI was 1.9% (95% CI 1.4, 2.4) for all women. In nulliparae it was higher (3.2%, 95% CI 2.3, 4.3), than for multiparae (0.9%, 95% CI 0.5, 1.4). In the multivariable analysis two variables were associated with OASI; multiparity was negatively associated with OASI (aOR 0.24, 95% CI 0.12, 0.50, p < 0.001), and birth weight was positively associated with OASI (aOR 1.001, 95% CI 1.000, 1.002, p = 0.02). A ‘hands-on’ technique was used during only 13% of births. Birth position supporting a flexible sacrum did not influence OASI risk. Conclusions: A low incidence of OASI was found for this cohort of women. The low proportion of midwives using a hands-on technique suggests that it may not be required in waterbirth.

What are we missing by ignoring text records in the Clinical Practice Research Datalink? Using three symptoms of cancer as examples to estimate the extent of data in text format that is hidden to research

Electronic medical record databases (e.g. the Clinical Practice Research Datalink, CPRD) are increasingly used in epidemiological research. The CPRD has two formats of data: coded, which is the sole format used in almost all research; and free-text (or ‘hidden’), which may contain much clinical information but is generally unavailable to researchers. This thesis examines the ramifications of omitting free-text records from research. Cases with bladder (n=4,915) or pancreatic (n=3,635) cancer were matched to controls (n=21,718, bladder; n=16,459, pancreas) on age, sex and GP practice. Coded and text-only records of attendance for haematuria, jaundice and abdominal pain in the year before cancer diagnosis were identified. The number of patients whose entire attendance record for a symptom/sign existed solely in the text was quantified. Associations between recording method (coded or text-only) and case/control status were estimated (χ2 test). For each symptom/sign, the positive predictive value (PPV, Bayes' Theorem) and odds ratio (OR, conditional logistic regression) for cancer were estimated before and after supplementation with text-only records. Text-only recording was considerable, with 7,951/20,958 (37%) of symptom records being in that format. For individual patients, text-only recording was more likely in controls (140/336=42%) than cases (556/3,147=18%) for visible haematuria in bladder cancer (χ2 test, p<0.001), and for jaundice (21/31=67% vs 463/1,565=30%, p<0.0001) and abdominal pain (323/1,126=29% vs 397/1,789=22%, p<0.001) in pancreatic cancer. Adding text records reduced PPVs of visible haematuria for bladder cancer from 4.0% (95% CI: 3.5–4.6%) to 2.9% (2.6–3.2%) and of jaundice for pancreatic cancer from 12.8% (7.3–21.6%) to 6.3% (4.5–8.7%). Coded records suggested that non-visible haematuria occurred in 127/4,915 (2.6%) cases, a figure below that generally used for study. Supplementation with text-only records increased this to 312/4,915 (6.4%), permitting the first estimation of its OR (28.0, 95% CI: 20.7–37.9, p<0.0001) and PPV (1.60%, 1.22–2.10%, p<0.0001) for bladder cancer. The results suggest that GPs make strong clinical judgements about the probable significance of symptoms – preferentially coding clinical features they consider significant to a diagnosis, while using text to record those that they think are not

Childcare Practitioners’ Knowledge and Perceptions of Play Therapy

This study investigated the awareness of play therapy in childcare practitioners working in the areas of health, social care, education and childcare. Questionnaires were distributed to 65 workers drawn from these occupational categories in order to investigate their understanding of issues such as the nature of play therapy, the referral process, and the distinction between play therapy and other forms of play based interventions. In addition, one child care professional from each of the four sectors was selected to take part in a follow-up interview to build on the information generated from the questionnaires. The results from the questionnaires and follow-up interviews showed that while most of the child care professionals had heard of this approach, they had a limited knowledge of the nature of play therapy. There was also much confusion amongst the child care professionals around the difference between play therapy and other play based interventions as well as around different professionals’ roles and responsibilities for referring children and young people to therapeutic interventions. The implications of these findings for the practice of play therapy are considered

The effect of Lactobacillus reuteri supplementation on anthropometric measurements, lung function and lung infections in a cystic fibrosis population in KwaZulu-Natal.

BACKGROUND: Cystic fibrosis (CF) patients grow poorly and tend to be malnourished. They frequently suffer from lung infections necessitating the repeated use of antibiotics. AIM: This study was conducted to determine whether supplementation with a probiotic Lactobacillus reuteri (L. reuteri) could reduce the incidence and duration of lung infections, and whether this would impact on their anthropometric data. The secondary purpose was to compare the nutritional status of the CF patients attending CF clinics in Kwazulu-Natal (KZN) with CF patients attending CF clinics in Cape Town (CT). METHODS: Twenty three CF patients 6-31 years of age from 2 CF clinics in Kwazulu-Natal started the study although only 16 patients completed it. The study was a randomized, double blind, placebo controlled crossover trial with six months on placebo and six months on probiotic. Weight, height, mid arm circumference (MAC), triceps skin fold thickness (TSF), forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC) were measured, sputum collected and a symptom diary completed over the 12 month period. Anthropometric data of CF patients attending CF clinics in CT was obtained from the publication by Westwood & Saitowitz (1999). RESULTS: Compliance with taking the L. reuteri was poor. Most took only 50% of the required daily dose. Probiotic supplementation showed a slight (non significant) trend to improve FEV1 and FVC, while no significant difference could be seen in the number and duration of the lung infections. Sputum analysis showed a non significant trend towards the probiotic reducing the number of bacteria in the sputum. There was a significant reduction of symptoms for fever, running nose, sore throat and ear ache while on placebo. There was a significant increase in weight gained off probiotic compared to the probiotic period. The changes in height, weight for age (WFA) percentiles, height for age (HFA) percentiles, WFA and HFA Z-scores, percentage expected weight for age and percentage expected height for age all showed no difference whether on or off probiotic. Over half the CF children in the KZN clinics were underweight for their actual height compared to one third in the CT clinics with a higher number of subjects below the 5th percentile for MAC and TSF readings compared to CT. CONCLUSION: Due to a small sample size and poor compliance no firm conclusions could be drawn. However a slight (non significant) improvement could be seen in favour of the probiotic for FEV1, FVC, and sputum analysis. Although all other findings were not significantly different it would be of benefit to carry out further investigation with improved compliance with the probiotic to see if the parameters set out above could be improved. The KZN and CT CF groups were comparable and the nutritional status of CF patients on KZN was well below that of the CT CF clinics and further monitoring would need to be carried out.Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2007

Subjective sensory sensitivities as a transdiagnostic experience: characterisation, impact, and the development of the Cardiff Hypersensitivity Scale

Subjective sensory sensitivity refers to first person reports of experiencing sensory information as aversive, distracting, or overwhelming. Precursors to the experience occur across sensory modalities, ranging from bright lights and loud noises to rough fabrics and strong tastes. Study of subjective sensitivities commonly focuses on specific groups; for example, sensitivities are well studied in individuals with autism. This thesis sought to extend this work, and reports that subjective sensitivities are both present and cross-modal in a range of diagnoses and areas of neurodiversity, and in the general population. Similarities and differences in the nature of experience across groups is considered, and the implications for our understanding of mechanism are described. Throughout empirical chapters, the role and relevance of anxiety to the occurrence of subjective sensitivities is also explored, with results suggesting a possible pivotal role for somatic anxiety symptoms. Beyond characterizing these experiences, thematic analysis was also used to understand the impact of subjective sensitivities, and participants described varied and extensive effects upon daily functioning, personal relationships, and wellbeing. Exacerbating factors and associated coping mechanisms were also defined to ultimately support the need for enhanced understanding and support for sensory differences in clinical management (where appropriate) but additionally in educational, healthcare, and commercial settings. Finally, investigation into possible subtypes of subjective visual sensitivities using a novel self-report measure is described. Across four large samples, four highly replicable factors of visual sensitivity were found using bifactor modelling of the newly developed Cardiff Hypersensitivity Scale (visual). This has clear implications for existing measures which often use only a limited number of items to assess what appears to be a multidimensional construct and provides a useful tool for future work to investigate causes and correlates of these experiences