Application of data envelopment analysis to measure technical efficiency on a sample of Irish dairy farms

peer-reviewedThe aim of this study was to determine the levels of technical efficiency on a sample of Irish dairy farms utilizing Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) and to identify key management and production factors that differ between producers indentified as efficient and inefficient. DEA was used in this study to generate technical efficiency scores under assumptions of both constant returns to scale (CRS) and variable returns to scale (VRS). The average technical efficiency score was 0.785 under CRS and 0.833 under VRS. Key production characteristics of efficient and inefficient producers were compared using an analysis of variance. More technically efficient producers used less input per unit of output, had higher production per cow and per hectare and had a longer grazing season, a higher milk quality standard, were more likely to have participated in milk recording and had greater land quality compared to the inefficient producers

Reflective Practice in Anesthesia Clinical Teaching

BackgroundReflective practice is an essential aspect of knowledge generation for professional practice. By reflecting on action, professionals learn to improve their practices. Through processes of reflection, practitioners participate in a dialogue between theory and practice. Even though reflective practice is an important approach for learning from experience, its place remains unclear in anesthesia clinical education as well as anesthesia practice in a broad sense.AimThe aim of this paper was to examine the affordances of reflective practice in anesthesia clinical education.MethodsTwo cases, illustrating critical incidents in the anesthesia clinical teaching environment, were examined to consider how incorporating reflective practice into clinical education can advance knowledge generation in the field.FindingsThe two cases studies show how reflective practice can contribute to experiential learning, particularly through reflection on critical incidents.ConclusionReflective practice can help bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practice in anesthesia education and practice.Rwanda J Med Health Sci 2021;4(3):406-41

Quantification of risks associated with plant disease: the case of Karnal bunt of wheat.

End of Project ReportThe aim of this study was to assess the economic impact of Tilletia indica, the cause of Karnal bunt of wheat (and triticale) in the EU. The methodologies used are relevant to estimating the costs of controlling other plant and animal diseases. The work was carried out as part of an EU funded research project.European Unio

Reframing perceptions: A phenomenological inquiry into students’ written reflections on learning about mindfulness

Introduction Mindfulness practices offer approaches to reflection that have been argued to contribute to positive outcomes for students in the health professions. Despite calls for more phenomenological investigations in the field, few studies examine the lived experience of learning about mindfulness in professional schools.  Objective The objective of this study was to inquire into first-hand written accounts of students’ experiences of learning about mindfulness.  Methods This study reports on occupational therapy health professions students’ phenomenological reflections written during and following a 5 week, 15 hour, mindfulness elective course offered at a Canadian University. The study adopts a hermeneutic phenomenological methodology and is informed by theoretical frameworks of embodiment and practice theories. An indepth thematic analysis of twenty-one students' written reflections on the experience of integrating mindfulness practices into their lives was undertaken.  Results Predominant themes identified in students’ written reflections include: reframing perceptions, ‘being’ while ‘doing’, witnessing the struggle, and compassion for self and others.  Conclusions This research contributes richly textured accounts that advance understandings about the affordances of mindfulness education in the lives of future health care practitioners. The results also hold implications for educational design in higher education professional school contexts, considerations of mindfulness practices in future professional practitioners’ everyday and workplace occupations, and identification of promising avenues for future research. This study is funded by the Social Science and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC).&nbsp

Change in residential prices--a cross-sectional time-series analysis for the Boston metropolitan area

Thesis (M.C.P.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Urban Studies and Planning, 1991.Includes bibliographical references (leaves 202-210).by Anne E. Kinsella.M.C.P

Cease agricultural activity forever? Underestimating the importance of symbolic capital

peer-reviewedSimilar to what is occurring on a global scale, Irish agriculture is populated by an older generation of farmers. Consequently, intergenerational family farm transfer is increasingly viewed as crucial to the survival, continuity and future sustainability of the family farm and agricultural sector. A review of existing research highlights how financial incentives that encourage succession and retirement from farming have stimulated little change in the behavioural intentions and attitudes amongst elderly farmers. Drawing on two previously disparate literature (transferring the family firm and transferring the family farm) and applying Pierre Bourdieu's concept of symbolic capital as a theoretical framework, this paper sets aside financial enticements and presents an insightful, nuanced analysis of the human factors that influence the process of transferring the family farm from the perspective of the senior generation. This research employs a multi-method triangulation design, consisting of self-administered questionnaires in conjunction with complimentary Problem-Centred Interviews, to acquire data on the complex psychodynamic and sociodynamic emotions involved in the process. The prominent themes to emerge from the empirical data are farmer's concerns regarding potential loss of identity, status and control upon transferring management and ownership of the family farm and retiring. Many older farmers appear to prioritise the building and maintenance of their personal accumulation of symbolic capital rather than ceasing agricultural activity. The paper concludes by suggesting that future policies and programmes encouraging family farm transfer must take into account the pervasiveness of symbolic capital and work within this structure to develop effective strategies that addresses the emotional well-being of elderly farmers.Funding for this project was provided by the National University of Ireland, Galway's College of Arts, Social Sciences, and Celtic Studies Galway Doctoral Research Scholarship Scheme and the Geographical Society of Ireland postgraduate travel award bursar

Mindfulness and therapeutic relationships: insights from a phenomenological study of occupational therapists' practices

Background A well-established body of literature highlights the importance of the therapeutic relationship when working with children and youth. A growing body of literature points to the potential of mindfulness to enhance the quality of relationships, including the therapeutic relationship. To date, little attention has been paid to this topic within the profession of occupational therapy. Aim The aim of this study was to inquire into paediatric occupational therapists’ experiences of mindfulness in the therapeutic relationship with children and youth.  Methods Heideggerian-informed hermeneutic phenomenology was employed as the methodological approach. Two key Heideggerian concepts of being-with and care served as theoretical underpinnings of the study. Semi-structured interviews were completed with eight North American occupational therapists to elicit their first-hand accounts of mindfulness in the therapeutic relationship with their paediatric clients. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using a phenomenological approach. Results Four key themes were identified and include: fostering a safe space, enhancing presence, being authentic, and cultivating acceptance. Conclusions The findings offer insights regarding the potential affordances of mindfulness to support clinicians as they form of therapeutic relationships with children and youth. This study highlights research priorities for future inquiry.&nbsp

Canadian Football League Players' Reporting of Concussion Symptoms

Selbstberichte über eine Gehirnerschütterung sind wesentlich für eine angemessene Intervention, unterbleiben sie, kann dies schwerwiegende Folgen haben. In unserer Studie haben wir Faktoren untersucht, die dazu beitrugen, dass Spieler in der Canadian Football League (CFL) von selbst auf Gehirnerschütterungssymptome hinwiesen. Hierzu führten wir teilstrukturierte Interviews mit zehn CFL-Spielern durch; zur Analyse nutzten wir die konstruktivistische Grounded-Theory-Methodologie. In den Ergebnissen wurden komplexe Entscheidungsfíndungsprozesse offensichtlich, an deren Ende die Spieler über ihre Symptome (nicht) informierten. In einer vorläufigen Grounded Theory haben wir in diesem Zusammenhang zwei Stadien identifiziert, zum einen die Vorbereitung vor den Spielen und zum anderen die Bewertung möglicher Folgen. Hinzu kamen drei verwandte Themen: eine Art individuelle Checkliste, der wahrgenommene Druck, an einem Spiel teilzunehmen sowie die Sicherheit über die Symptomatik.Self-reporting of concussion is essential to appropriate intervention, and failure to report concussion-like symptoms is a significant issue. In the current study we sought to investigate factors that contribute to the process of self-reporting concussion symptoms within the context of the Canadian Football League. A constructivist grounded theory methodology was adopted, employing in-depth, semi-structured interviews with ten Canadian League Football (CFL) players. We found significant complexity within the decision-making process for CFL players, when assessing whether or not to report a concussion. In the preliminary grounded theory emerging from the study, we identified two stages involving 1. pre-game preparation, and 2. assessing the impact. In addition, we determined three related processes (themes): 1. intrapersonal symptom checklists, 2. perceived pressures to play, and 3. certainty of symptoms