The Use of Narrative, Dialogue and Critical Reflection in the Development of Women as School Leaders

Through the recursive process of working alone and collectively, the combination of narrative, dialogue and critical reflection offers possibilities for more feminist, collaborative processes in schools and creates relationships in which conversations can take place

Pigeons and pelagics: interpreting the Late Pleistocene avifaunas of the continental 'island' of Gibraltar

Quatre jaciments espeleològics del Pleistocè tardà (la balma de Devil's Tower i les coves de Gorham, Vanguard i Ibex) han lliurat alguns dels conjunts ornítics més abundants i diversos del Paleàrtic Occidental, incorporant devers 130 taxa. Les associacions d'espècies sense equivalents moderns esdevenen a tots els jaciments, però semblen poder-se atribuir amplament als efectes combinats del temps promig de deposició i a la conducta migratòria, i no a l'existència d'ambients no anàlegs als actuals. S'ha confirmat que un total de 18 espècies han criat a la regió de Gibraltar durant el Pleistocè tardà. A més d'espècies típiques de les comunitats modernes d'ocells ibèrics, incloent Cyanopica cyanus, s'han identificat restes immadures de dues ànneres, Melanitta nigra i M.fusca, que actualment crien a les regions Àrtica i Boreal. La presència com a reproductors d'altres espècies marines nord-atlàntiques, com Pinguinus impennis, no s'ha pogut confirmar.Four Late Pleistocene cave sites; Devil's Tower Rock Shelter and Gorham's, Vanguard and Ibex Caves, located on the southern Iberian peninsula of Gibraltar, have yielded some of the most abundant and diverse avifaunal assemblages in the Western Palearctíc, incorporating some 130 taxa. Species associations with no modern equivalents occur throughout the sites, but appear to be largely attributable to the combined effects of depositional time-averaging and migratory behaviour and not the former existence of non-analogue environments. A total of 18 species are confirmed as having bred in the region of Gibraltar during the Late Pleistocene. In addition to species typical of modern Iberian bird communities, including Cyanopica cyanus, immature remains were identified of two ducks, Me/artilla nigra and M. fusca, that currently breed in Boreal-Arctic regions. Breeding presence of other North Atlantic marine species, including Pinguinus impennis cannot be confirmed

Evaluation of the Welsh School-based Counselling Strategy : Final Report

The Welsh Government's School-based Counselling Strategy (the Strategy), implemented from April 2008 in secondary schools across Wales and a pilot selection of primary schools, was evaluated. A range of research tools were used, including desk research, analysis of client outcomes, qualitative interviews and surveys of key stakeholders' views. Implementation of the Strategy and its counselling services was generally perceived as successful by all stakeholders, including counselling clients, with evidence that all key recommendations for its development were implemented. Across six terms, 11,043 episodes of counselling were attended. Participation in counselling was associated with large reductions in psychological distress; with levels of improvement that, on average, were somewhat greater than those found in previous evaluations of UK school-based counselling. Key recommendations are that permanent funding mechanisms should be established to embed counselling in the Welsh secondary school sector, with consideration given to its roll-out into primary schools. Service managers and schools should also look to ensuring equal opportunities of participation in school-based counselling from all sectors of the community, that adequate accommodation is available in schools for the delivery of counselling, and that a system of regular outcome monitoring is established

Engaging and developing front-line clinical nurses to drive care excellence:Evaluating the Chief Nurse Excellence in Care Junior Fellowship initiative

Background Global challenges in the development of a highly skilled and motivated nursing workforce, jeopardises the delivery of high quality care. Flexible and innovative workforce solutions are required to overcome these challenges. Aims To describe the implementation and present the preliminary evaluation of a bespoke initiative called the ‘Chief Nurse Excellence in Care Junior Fellow’ designed to develop foundational clinical and academic skills of frontline junior clinical staff. Methods This initiative was developed and piloted at a large, inner-city, acute NHS Trust. The initiative involved two main components: a bespoke development programme and an improvement project that was supported by clinical and academic mentors. The initiative was evaluated using structured feedback, case studies, and data on dissemination activities. Results Six fellows completed the first cohort of the initiative that commenced in the spring 2016. Results showed positive impact on professional development relating to the acquisition of new knowledge and skills. Case studies of projects showed demonstrable impact on patient experience, outcomes and cost savings. Wider organisation and NHS impact was demonstrated through multiple dissemination activities.Conclusion This preliminary evaluation provides evidence that this initiative is a sustainable, clinically driven career development opportunity at a foundational level with demonstrable positive impact on care and staff development. Further work is underway to carry out a longitudinal structure, process and outcome evaluation with particular focus on impact

Electrochemical method for the rapid in situ screening of heavy metals in soil and water samples

The aim of this work has been to develop a field-based electrochemical sensor for the detection of cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), arsenic (As) and mercury (Hg) in soil and water samples. In situ analysis, using rapid sample screening tools, can facilitate monitoring and remediation processes by minimising delays and substantially reducing costs. Disposable screen-printed electrodes (SPEs) have been fabricated using low-cost thick film technology. Carbon SPEs, coupled with anodic stripping voltammetry (ASV), provided a rapid, inexpensive in situ electrochemical screening sensor capable of simultaneously detecting Cd, Pb and Cu in soil and water samples in the microgram per liter range (pg I*1). A simplified soil extraction procedure, using 1 mol I'1 aqua regia and a three minute ultrasonic sample agitation, was developed for use with the sensor, addressing the lack of existing field-based soil extraction protocol. Extraction efficiency was evaluated using a soil certified reference material (CRM). Recoveries of 64%, 52% and 57% for Cd, Pb and Cu respectively were obtained, with a relative standard deviation (RSD) of <8% for all analytes (n=10). 82 soil samples were tested using the combined extraction + ASV sensor and compared against standard ICP-MS analysis. Correlation coefficients of 0.9782, 0.9728 and 0.9869 for Cd, Pb and Cu, respectively, indicated a good linear relationship between the two methods. A novel gold (Au) SPE, fabricated using a curable Au ink, was next evaluated for the detection of As and Hg. This is an improvement in the current state-of the-art as no surface modification or subsequent electrode adulteration to facilitate metal analyte depositioning is required. Furthermore, the Au ink can be cured at a low temperature (130°C), permitting electrode fabrication using disposable, cheap, plastic substrates. A patent has been filed. A limit of detection (LOD) of 2.7 pg I"1 and 1 pg I"1 for As3+ and Hg2+, respectively, was obtained following a 30 s depositioning. Speciation measurements for As were performed by reducing As5+ effectively over a short (10 min) reduction time using cysteine. An LOD of 42 pg f 1 following a 30 s depositioning was obtained. Initial studies also indicated the possibility of using the Au SPEs for measuring Cd, Pb and Cu, providing an alterative Hg-free procedure.Ph

Developing the Role of the Clinical Academic Nurse, Midwife and Allied Health Professional in Healthcare Organisations

Clinical academics provide key contributions to positive outcomes in the delivery of high-quality health and social care; however, building capacity and capability for these roles for Nurses, Midwives and Allied Health Professionals (NMAHPs) within contemporary healthcare settings is often complex and challenging. Accessing funding and training, such as that provided by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), can remain beyond the reach of NMAHPs at point-of-care delivery because of limited structural empowerment, practical support and a culture inhibiting the growth of clinical academic careers. This article will discuss strategic developments and partnerships from two organisations, both with a positive track record of supporting clinical academic career development for NMAHPs. We aim to provide practical and applicable examples showing how NMAHPs have been supported from foundational to post-doctoral level and outline these under three key headings: strategic commitment; structures to engage, enthuse and empower clinical academic careers; and realising the benefits for staff and patient experience. We contend that a wide-ranging level of support is required to encourage aspiring clinical academics to navigate this complex journey, often where the development of personal confidence, and access to early career models combining clinical and research activity are pivotal. We conclude that when crafted and created effectively with sustainable commitment by organisations, NMAHP clinical academics provide an innovative workforce solution with the knowledge and skills essential for a contemporary NHS healthcare system

Neonatal nursing led research activity in the UK: a survey of current practice

© The Author(s) 2021. This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. To view a copy of this licence, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/.Abstract: Background: Neonatal nurses are ideally placed in practice to undertake research enhancing the care of families. More information is required, however, around neonatal nursing led research to advance leadership in this area. The aim of this study was to determine neonatal nursing led research activity within the UK. Methods: The study used a web-based survey design and neonatal nurses were eligible if they were working at or towards Masters or Doctoral level qualification in the UK. The survey was distributed to members of the Neonatal Nurses Association, UK Schools of Nursing and shared on social media pages of authors and professional organisations. Results were analysed using descriptive and frequency statistics and content analysis. Results: Of the 56 respondents, 14% (n = 8) had a Doctoral level qualification and 43% (n = 24) of participants held a Masters qualification. Lack of time and funding knowledge was the largest barrier to research. Only 30% (n = 3) of participants had a research mentor and only 18% (n = 3) were from a neonatal nursing background. Conclusions: There are limited numbers of neonatal nurses undertaking or leading nursing research in the UK. Further support is required to enhance clinical academic career trajectories to ensure research is a viable pathway for future generations of neonatal nurses.Peer reviewedFinal Published versio

Long‐term cardiovascular effects of vandetanib and pazopanib in normotensive rats

Vandetanib and pazopanib are clinically available, multi‐targeted inhibitors of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and platelet‐derived growth factor (PDGF) receptor tyrosine kinases. Short‐term VEGF receptor inhibition is associated with hypertension in 15%‐60% of patients, which may limit the use of these anticancer therapies over the longer term. To evaluate the longer‐term cardiovascular implications of treatment, we investigated the “on”‐treatment (21 days) and “off”‐treatment (10 days) effects following daily administration of vandetanib, pazopanib, or vehicle, in conscious rats. Cardiovascular variables were monitored in unrestrained Sprague‐Dawley rats instrumented with radiotelemetric devices. In Study 1, rats were randomly assigned to receive either daily intraperitoneal injections of vehicle (volume 0.5 mL; n = 5) or vandetanib 25 mg/kg/day (volume 0.5 mL; n = 6). In Study 2, rats received either vehicle (volume 0.5 mL; n = 4) or pazopanib 30 mg/kg/day (volume 0.5 mL; n = 7), dosed once every 24 hours for 21 days. All solutions were in 2% Tween, 5% propylene glycol in 0.9% saline solution. Vandetanib caused sustained increases in mean arterial pressure (MAP), systolic blood pressure (SBP), and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) compared to baseline and vehicle. Vandetanib also significantly altered the circadian cycling of MAP, SBP, and DBP. Elevations in SBP were detectable 162 hours after the last dose of vandetanib. Pazopanib also caused increases in MAP, SBP, and DBP. However, compared to vandetanib, these increases were of slower onset and a smaller magnitude. These data suggest that the cardiovascular consequences of vandetanib and pazopanib treatment are sustained, even after prolonged cessation of drug treatment