191 research outputs found
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 studentsâ 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 studentsâ experiences of learning about mindfulness. Methods
This study reports on occupational therapy health professions studentsâ 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 studentsâ written reflections include: reframing perceptions, âbeingâ while âdoingâ, 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 practitionersâ 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). 
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 therapistsâ 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. 
Exploring state pension provision policy for the farming community
his paper explores Irish Government Pensions Reform proposals, from the perspective of the self-employed community and specifically the farming community. It investigates whether the proposed changes to the State Pension System set out in the Governments âRoadmap for Pensions reform 2018â2023â will, in the context of farmers and the stated objectives of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, keep pensioners above the poverty line and help ensure the survival of rural Ireland or whether, the family interdependencies which currently exist and the vulnerabilities that arise as a consequence, will remain largely unaddressed.
This paper illustrates the stark reality that under the current State Pension System, low-income farmers can fail to qualify either for the State Pension (Contributory) or the State Pension (Non-Contributory) leaving them faced with working long into their retirement years or financially dependent on family members in their old age, and that proposed changes to the State Welfare System do not alleviate this predicament. This has subsequent consequences for the sustainability of generational renewal in the agricultural industry and consequently could have far reaching societal impacts.
Conscious of the view that farmers should âpay their wayâ as far as state pensions are concerned, we recommend a model for achieving undisputed entitlement for all farmers to the Contributory State Pension, going forward
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