Māori Saltwater Commons: Property, wealth, and inequality

This article draws on Māori claims to fisheries in Aotearoa New Zealand as well as their opposition to the establishment of a large scale marine protected area, to question whether commoning, as a conceptual frame, can account for indigenous resistances in ocean environments. It argues that the theorisation of horizontal collective activism, an emphasis on a politics of relationality encompassing humans and non-humans and the potential for transformative practice in commonings, is congruent with the indigenous sociality mobilised by Māori in relation to their seascapes. As an analytical tool, however, commoning pays inadequate attention to inegalitarianism. Inequality may amplify, for instance, in the process of claiming indigenous rights, or it may otherwise be reconfigured as it articulates with the imperative of neoliberal environmental capitalism. Property – alienated, usurped or reappropriated – while considered a reductive representation of the commons is, at least for indigenous peoples, a crucial feature of struggles, a phenomenon clearly articulated in Māori claims to fisheries and marine spaces

Leisure exclusion? Analysing interventions using active leisure with young people offending or at risk

This research considered the role of active leisure-based interventions with young people at risk of offending. It examined some of the claimed outcomes of participation for young people, and the types of provision which can support positive outcomes. A central feature of the research was an analysis of the impact of interventions on leisure-behaviour and attitudes in the medium term. This was underpinned by three stages of research to ensure the appropriateness of the main longitudinal case studies and the framework diagram. [Continues.

Afterword: Kinship Possibilities in Water Futures

This special issue of Oceania interrogates the material and cultural factors underpinning water socio‐economies in Australia; a critical project given the wet and dry crises now unfolding in theAnthropocene. Three themes inform the collection–materialities, imaginaries and temporalities–each of which animates a diverse array of ethnographic inquiry into transformative water futures. Theradical potential of kinship is also a cross‐cutting theme, with the articles collectively revealing howkin relatedness works to disrupt the categorical framing of‘modern water’as an extractive resource

The Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary: Terraqueous Territorialization and Māori Marine Environments

This paper interprets the disrupted establishment of the Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary, a 620,000 square kilometre marine protection area, as a crucial moment in Pacific frontier making. The development of large-scale protected marine areas is a politically charged frontier tool, in which states garner international recognition and environmental renown by setting aside large swathes of their exclusive economic zones. In the Kermadec Sanctuary, this enclosure hit against an assemblage of Indigenous histories, ecologies, repatriated fishing rights, and privatized fishing quota challenging the oftmarginalized agency of Indigenous people in frontier narratives. This paper argues that three factors are fundamental to untangling this conflict: first, the historical trajectory of terraqueous territorialization in the Kermadec region, second, the post-Treaty of Waitangi settlement dynamics of Maori marine environments, and third, the common ecosystem services model underlying conservation and extraction

Women, homelessness and multiple disadvantage in Stoke-on-Trent: the need for safe places in the context of wider health and social inequalities

This article is based on two qualitative studies related to women’s experiences of homelessness and multiple disadvantage in Stoke-on-Trent (one of the 20% most ‘deprived’ districts in England, with higher than average rates of statutory homelessness). This research utilised a participatory approach, with collaboration between researchers from Staffordshire University’s Centre for Health and Development (CHAD) and Expert Citizens C.I.C. Qualitative data collection occurred with 10 women with lived experiences of homelessness and local services (conducted by Expert Citizens) and 20 frontline workers/wider stakeholders (conducted by CHAD). For this article, we conducted thematic analysis to identify patterns across both studies. Three themes are discussed: “So much unmet need” and revolving doors for women; the lack of safe accommodation for women and ‘risky’ alternatives; creating safe spaces for women and the need for longer term investment and opportunities. There was surprise at how many women came forward for accommodation during ‘Everyone In’ and evolving recognition of gendered experiences of homelessness combined with other experiences. Next steps for action are discussed, highlighting the importance of partnerships and collaboration with people with lived experience. We have strong foundations to build on, and far more to be done, to improve women’s experiences within Stoke-on-Trent

Fibronectin-binding protein B variation in Staphylococcus aureus

BACKGROUND: Fibronectin binding proteins A and B (FnBPA and FnBPB) mediate adhesion of S. aureus to fibrinogen, elastin and fibronectin. We previously identified seven different isotypes of FnBPA based on divergence in the fibrinogen- and elastin-binding A domains. The variation created differences in antigenicity while ligand binding functions were retained. Here, FnBPB variation was examined in both human and bovine isolates and compared to that of FnBPA. RESULTS: Seven different fnbB allelic variants were identified. Some strains that cluster by phylogenetic analysis contain different fnbB variants, whereas more divergent strains contain the same fnbB variant. The phylogeny of fnbB alleles does not match the phylogeny of fnbA alleles. Some FnBPA and FnBPB isotypes that are specified by human S. aureus strains are also found in bovine strains. The seven fnbB allelic variants encode seven distinct isotypes of the FnBPB A domain that are 61 to 85% identical in amino acid sequence. Variant amino acid residues were mapped on a three-dimensional model of the FnBPB A domain and were predicted to be surface-exposed. They are responsible for the antigenic diversity detected with polyclonal antibody and a monoclonal antibody raised against isotype I. Ligand binding by recombinant FnBPB N23 isotypes was compared by ELISA-based solid phase assays and surface plasmon resonance. Each bound to immobilized fibrinogen, elastin and fibronectin dose-dependently and saturably with similar affinities. Binding to fibronectin was surprising because the A domains do not contain any known motifs that mediate binding to fibronectin. This raises the possibility that the A domain of FnBPB contains a novel fibronectin binding motif that binds fibronectin by a novel mechanism. CONCLUSIONS: Seven different isoforms of FnBPB A domain retain ligand-binding functions but are antigenically distinct. The variation in FnBPA and FnBPB occurs in human and bovine S. aureus strains and may act as an immune evasion mechanism. All seven isotypes of FnBPB are capable of binding fibronectin though none contain any known fibronectin-binding motifs. These results have implications for the development of vaccines or immunotherapeutics that target FnBPB

Response to call for views on the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (Incorporation) (Scotland) Bill

Our submission is based on our collective academic and policy work on children’s human rights. We draw particularly on two recent foci: the Children (Scotland) Bill’s passage through Parliament and the efforts made to ensure that Bill was compliant with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) (1); and the independent Children’s Rights Impact Assessment undertaken for the children and Young People’s Commissioner Scotland, on COVID-19 related policies (2)

Response to call for views on the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (Incorporation) (Scotland) Bill

Our submission is based on our collective academic and policy work on children’s human rights. We draw particularly on two recent foci: the Children (Scotland) Bill’s passage through Parliament and the efforts made to ensure that Bill was compliant with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) (1); and the independent Children’s Rights Impact Assessment undertaken for the children and Young People’s Commissioner Scotland, on COVID-19 related policies (2) .Response 78993564 to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child Bill: https://yourviews.parliament.scot/session-5/un-convention-on-the-rights-of-the-child-bill/consultation/view_respondent?_b_index=60&uuId=7899356

Delivering dignified care: A realist synthesis of evidence that promotes effective listening to and learning from older people's feedback in acute care settings

Aims and Objectives This review aims to explore effective mechanisms for listening to and learning from feedback from older people in the context of acute care. Background Maintaining the dignity of older people in acute care has become an issue of international concern. In the United Kingdom, recommendations for care improvement have led to the formation of an implementation group, the 'Listening and Learning Hospitals Pilot Project'. This literature review forms phase 1 of the project. Design Realist synthesis was used to explore and synthesise wide-ranging evidence. Methods Using 12 databases, literature was scoped to propose four principles that underpin the context, mechanism and outcomes (CMO) of effective relation-based interventions with older people and their care partners in the acute care setting. A search was carried out in order to synthesise data to refute or support each principle. 137 studies and 11 sources of grey literature were appraised and included. A final synthesis of evidence across all principles identified key mechanisms for effective relation-based interventions. Results Eight essential mechanisms support effective care interventions. Conclusions This review adds depth and breadth to current nursing knowledge in this field through the process of realist synthesis. Acute care organisations need to make a commitment to supporting relational care at organisation and unit levels. Additionally, they need to value and support the well-being of the nurses delivering it so that interventions to improve care for older people can succeed.sch_nur26pub4783pub23-2

Doctors’ views on how to improve communication and quality of care for patients experiencing end-of-life: a qualitative descriptive study

© 2021 The Authors. Published by MDPI. This is an open access article available under a Creative Commons licence. The published version can be accessed at the following link on the publisher’s website: https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare9101294(1) Background: There remains a lack of sufficient progress in enhancing quality of care for patients experiencing end-of-life. This study aimed to better understand the views of doctors on how to improve end-of-life healthcare, in light of existing challenges and processes. (2) Methods: This qualitative descriptive study used semi-structured individual interviews. Through purposive sampling, sixteen doctors from primary care (three general practices) or acute care (one National Health Service hospital trust) participated. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed and thematic analysis conducted. (3) Results: Two main themes were identified: First, planning for patient-centred care—conversations about end-of-life care should take place earlier to allow for care that is planned and personalised. The need for more training and improvements to documenting patient wishes were highlighted. Second, delivering on patients’ wishes: improvements to the healthcare system—the importance of a record of patient wishes that can be shared across the system was identified. Improved utilisation of available resources is also needed to better deliver quality patient-centred care. (4) Conclusion: More effective communication and coordination across acute and primary care settings is needed. The importance of patient wishes and advance care planning was emphasised. More guidance at a strategic level may help provide clarity about expectations, roles and responsibilities.Published onlin