Wounded-healer healing: a first-person narrative inquiry into wounds as places of learning

This thesis is a first person narrative inquiry into my life as a woman in midlife, leaning into and learning from my ‘woundedness’—with a focus on relational-wounds. Making wounds ‘useful’ and the idea of providing ‘hospitality’ as a healer is explored as part of my professional practice as a coach. In this capacity, I identify myself as a wounded-healer. I also explore such wounded-healer moments in my role as a friend, family member and partner in my personal life. As such, this research is based on two key premises: that human beings are storied creatures and meaning-makers, and that emotional wounding is an inevitable human condition. Grounded in the methodology of narrative inquiry, the research is a consideration of wounded stories, and the influences of place, sociality and temporality for the purposes of the following: identifying dominant narratives and stuck-stories, storying and re-storying restorative meanings and generating different action choices. This is enriched with the reflective practices and action imperative of first person action research. A feminist position is taken in exploring the importance of the human need for relationality, connection and love. Dominant patriarchal structures of thought that legitimise what is valid as academic research are disrupted through the perspective and writing practice of making the personal political, sharing intimate, personal and professional stories of relational wounding and positing the need for women writing women’s stories. Empirical evidence is demonstrated through vignettes, and inquiry and the analyses of these are presented through a written dialogue of the researcher’s internal conversations in three different voices as a way of being evocative and creative in contributing to experimental ways of writing and presenting doctoral research. This research hopes to contribute to what seems to be limited research into the importance of and practices of healing professionals attending to their own healing. Primacy is given to emotional wounds identified as ‘life interrupted wounds’, along with a brief exploration of ‘everyday wounds’ and ‘primary wounds’. Specific ideas of my wounded-healer practices of conscious vulnerability, boundaried openness, self-compassion, emotional agility and hospitality are inquired into, along with how Buddhism (as a philosophical awareness) has influenced these practices. A Foucauldian lens is applied to examine how therapy and the therapeutic field is potentially a site for power, using the concepts of technology of the self, dividing practices and docile bodies and bio-power. Ideas of space, place and liminality are explored to expand the ideas around hospitality in wounded-healer work

Psychological Factors Influencing Credit Card Usage of Employees in Colombo District, Sri Lanka

Credit card is one of the trending cashless transaction methods used worldwide with the advancement of technology. Records in Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) show the demand and the number of credit cards issued are increasing day by day due to different reasons. Researchers have revealed that different demographic, socio-economic and credit card attributes were reasons for use of credit cards among different types of credit card holders. But the influence of psychological factors is also a subject of considerable research. Therefore, the objective of this research is to identify the influential psychological factors on credit card usage of employees in the Colombo district. With the aid of different sampling techniques where necessary, 385 respondents were selected for the sample. Required data were collected through a structured questionnaire and psychological variables were measured by ten-point Likert Scale Statements. Multiple linear regression analysis was carried out with the aid of Minitab 20. Results of the study revealed that the perceived financial cost, user pattern, social status and attitudes are highly influential psychological factors while convenience and financial optimism have not significantly influenced the credit card usage of employees in the Colombo district. Future research is suggested to identify the influence of similar factors for other districts and commercial banks separately, and apply advanced analysis to identify the latent factors that affect credit card usage of employees in the Colombo district. DOI: http://doi.org/10.31357/fhss/vjhss.v07i02.0

Effect of hydrolysed fish protein and autolysed yeast as alternative nitrogen sources on gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata) growth performances and gut morphology

The aim of the present study was to compare the effects of two different nitrogen-rich ingredients such as hydrolysed fish protein and autolysed yeast, on gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata) growth performances and histological gut morphology. Animals were allocated to three experimental groups: the first received a fishmeal-based diet (FM), the second and the third received hydrolysed fish protein (HFP) and autolysed yeast (AY), respectively, to replace an equal amount of fishmeal. The experiment lasted 92 days. No significant differences in body weight and mortality were observed among the different groups. Villus branching, intraepithelial lymphocytes and inflammatory infiltrate of the submucosa were more prominent in AY than HFP and FM. The gut absorbent surface ratio was 5.94, 6.44 and 7.28 for group FM, HFP and AY, respectively, with statistical significant difference between FM and AY and between HFP and AY. A significant increment in the goblet cell density was observed for HFP and AY in comparison to FM. A statistically significant increase in small-sized goblet cells was observed in AY compared to FM. All our findings suggest that it is possible to use either HFP or AY, as partial replacer of FM in the S. aurata diet.Highlights Yeast-derived products as a suitable alternative nitrogen source. Autolyzed yeast as a novel approach in the use of yeast products. Use of autolysed yeast for replacing fishmeal in aqua feed. Use of hydrolysed fish protein for replacing fishmeal in aqua feed

AGROFORESTRY SYSTEMS OF THE TEA SMALLHOLDINGS IN MATARA DISTRICT SELECTION OF TREES AND ECONOMIC VIABILITY

The tea sector in Matara district is dominated by small-scale holdings as monoculture andmixed gardens. High shade trees consisting of forest trees and perennial crops have been anintegral component in tea lands which is analogous to natural forest conditions. Recently.with the rapid increase of demand for timber. there is an increasing trend to remove highshade trees neglecting the sustainable agro-forestry system in tea small holdings.The study attempted to asses growers' interests, agronomic problems and financial benefitsof managing high shade trees in tea small holdings. Findings arc mainly based on datagathered from 200 indiscriminately selected small scale « I ha.) tree growers in Malaradistrict by administering a questionnaire based interviews. Direct observations were alsomade to assess the canopy of high shade trees, tea cultivations and cultivated lands. Pricesof timber and marketing process of timber were gathered using participatory approachesStudy reveals that coconut, jak. mahogany, areeanut and lunumidella arc the dominant highshade tree species in tea small holdings less than 0.25 ha, while albizia dominates in theholdings larger than 0.5 ha. Thirty three percent of the growers arc not interested in plantingnew high shade tree species in their holdings except coconut and fruit trees due to prevailingmarket imperfections resulting [rom existing timber trade policies. Profit margins of timbertrade earned by merchants are vcry large compared to the low revenues received by thegrowers due to lack of clear tittles for many lands and lack of market information.Discounted financial value of land equivalency ratio (LER) is higher for tea small holdingswith albizia trees compared to other tea based agroforestry systems.Critical assessments and restructuring of policy related to land tittles, subsidy schemes fortea cultivation, high shade tree replanting programs, and timber trade have becomeimportant issues to sustain the agro-Iorestry system in tea small holdings.

Analysis of Water Management towards Achieving Sustainable Development Goal 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation for All); Case Study of WilpitaWewa (Hali-Ella), Kamburupitiya, Sri Lanka

Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) or 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is an ambitious plan on achieving social, environmental and economic sustainability at global level. SDG6 is the dedicated goal on water and sanitation among 17 goals of SDGs. It sets out to ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all. Goal contains 8 targets and 11 global indicators. SDG6 is targeting on managing global water resource though collaborative actions on improved water quality, increased water-use efficiency, implemented integrated water resources management, protected and restored water-related ecosystems, expanded international cooperation and capacity-building support on water and sanitation management. The main objective of this study is to assess the user values of water and status of water management in Wilpitawewa (Hali-Ella); small scale irrigation tank in Kamburupitiya, Matara to determine the status of the targets of SDG6. A household survey was conducted with a pre-tested questionnaire among the tank water user community of the area. Stratified random sampling was carried out and 75 households from four distances were selected (350 m, 2120 m, 2816 m and 3000 m) where the water gates are located along the tank irrigation channel. The respondents were asked to indicate usages of water, obtained output and associated monetary values. Collected data was analyzed quantitatively using Minitab 16. According to the results, total economic values of water of the sample indicate that 54% is for paddy cultivation, and 31%, 12% and 2% of economic values were represented by vegetable and fruit cultivation, fishery and domestic consumption respectively. Provision of tank water for paddy cultivation had decreased with the distance and caused for the reduction of the productivity of paddy fields. Supply and withdrawals of tank water for paddy cultivation had mismatches and mismanagement which led to water stress and reduction of water use efficiency of the tank. The quantity of tank water shows gradual fluctuation with prevailing weather variations, especially in recent years and this caused impact in domestic water consumption of the community. Waste dumping into the tank and surrounding area has increased and local community does not practice any water conservation method in their household levels. Therefore, majority of indicators of the SDG6 targets do not fulfill with existing conditions of the Wilpitawewa tank and its water users. The study emphasizes for responsible actions on improvements in water and sanitation management on achieving SDG6Keywords: Sustainable Development Goals, Water management, Water user value

GREEN PRODUCTIVITY: AN APPROACH FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF AGRO-FORESTRY IN SRI LANKA.

The agricultural and forest resources in Sri Lanka are diminishing while thepopulation is still growing. Hence, designing of resource-efficient agroforestrysystems has considerable potential not only to improve forest andagricultural production but also to enhance and maintain overall productivityof sustainable small farm units. The different types of agro forestry systemsin the country are highly diverse and complex in characters and functions.However, the productivity of agro-forestry system and the role inenvironmental conservation are lower than their potential due to lack ofproper management practices. Green Productivity (GP) approach emphasizesthe sustainable development of agro-forestry systems enhancing productivityand using resources efficiently while protecting the environment.The paper attempts to discuss the concept, methodology, principle stage,implementation strategies and impact assessment of GP approach with theview of sustainable development of agro-forestry systems in Sri Lanka. TheGP concept emphasizes environmentally sound technology transfer to keepagro forestry systems competitive; environmental regulations to extendfarmers responsibility; and cleaner production enhancing productivity andenvironmental performance of the agro-forestry systems. The methodologyof GP would consist of problem-solving steps, selecting tools, techniques andtechnologies useful for solving problems in agro forestry and application ofsocio-economic and environmental principles and values for agro-forestryimprovements. The six principle stages of GP are described in terms ofgetting started to gain base-line information and identify problems in agroforestrysystems: generation and evaluation of GP options to meet theobjectives and targets of the agro-forestry system: implementation of GPoptions involving performance and the targets being achieved: and sustainingGP through corrective options to achieve objectives and targets of thesustainable agro forestry systems

Enhanced motivational interviewing for reducing weight and increasing physical activity in adults with high cardiovascular risk: the MOVE IT three-arm RCT.

BACKGROUND: Motivational interviewing (MI) enhanced with behaviour change techniques (BCTs) and deployed by health trainers targeting multiple risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD) may be more effective than interventions targeting a single risk factor. OBJECTIVES: The clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of an enhanced lifestyle motivational interviewing intervention for patients at high risk of CVD in group settings versus individual settings and usual care (UC) in reducing weight and increasing physical activity (PA) were tested. DESIGN: This was a three-arm, single-blind, parallel randomised controlled trial. SETTING: A total of 135 general practices across all 12 South London Clinical Commissioning Groups were recruited. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 1742 participants aged 40-74 years with a ≥ 20.0% risk of a CVD event in the following 10 years were randomised. INTERVENTIONS: The intervention was designed to integrate MI and cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), delivered by trained healthy lifestyle facilitators in 10 sessions over 1 year, in group or individual format. The control group received UC. RANDOMISATION: Simple randomisation was used with computer-generated randomisation blocks. In each block, 10 participants were randomised to the group, individual or UC arm in a 4 : 3 : 3 ratio. Researchers were blind to the allocation. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcomes are change in weight (kg) from baseline and change in PA (average number of steps per day over 1 week) from baseline at the 24-month follow-up, with an interim follow-up at 12 months. An economic evaluation estimates the relative cost-effectiveness of each intervention. Secondary outcomes include changes in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and CVD risk score. RESULTS: The mean age of participants was 69.75 years (standard deviation 4.11 years), 85.5% were male and 89.4% were white. At the 24-month follow-up, the group and individual intervention arms were not more effective than UC in increasing PA [mean 70.05 steps, 95% confidence interval (CI) -288 to 147.9 steps, and mean 7.24 steps, 95% CI -224.01 to 238.5 steps, respectively] or in reducing weight (mean -0.03 kg, 95% CI -0.49 to 0.44 kg, and mean -0.42 kg, 95% CI -0.93 to 0.09 kg, respectively). At the 12-month follow-up, the group and individual intervention arms were not more effective than UC in increasing PA (mean 131.1 steps, 95% CI -85.28 to 347.48 steps, and mean 210.22 steps, 95% CI -19.46 to 439.91 steps, respectively), but there were reductions in weight for the group and individual intervention arms compared with UC (mean -0.52 kg, 95% CI -0.90 to -0.13 kg, and mean -0.55 kg, 95% CI -0.95 to -0.14 kg, respectively). The group intervention arm was not more effective than the individual intervention arm in improving outcomes at either follow-up point. The group and individual interventions were not cost-effective. CONCLUSIONS: Enhanced MI, in group or individual formats, targeted at members of the general population with high CVD risk is not effective in reducing weight or increasing PA compared with UC. Future work should focus on ensuring objective evidence of high competency in BCTs, identifying those with modifiable factors for CVD risk and improving engagement of patients and primary care. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN84864870. FUNDING: This project was funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Health Technology Assessment programme and will be published in full in Health Technology Assessment; Vol. 23, No. 69. See the NIHR Journals Library website for further project information. This research was part-funded by the NIHR Biomedical Research Centre at South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust and King's College London

Range extension of Oziothelphusa mineriyaensis Bott, 1970 (Decapoda, Gecarcinucidae) in North Central province, Sri Lanka

The known distribution in Sri Lanka of the endemic freshwater crab Oziothelphusa mineriyaensis Bott, 1970 was limited to 2 known localities in the dry zone. In this study of the distribution of this species in the North Central Province of Sri Lanka, we identified 5 new localities. Our findings expand the extent of occurrence from 168 km2 to 1467 km2. Our new records are 62 km from the type locality and up to 89 km from the previous records in Anuradhapura District and 20 km from previous record in Polonnaruwa District. These data provide important new information needed for the conservation of this endangered species in Sri Lanka