What are the barriers that discourage young mothers from continuing breastfeeding following hospital discharge? A grounded theory study

Abstract Breastfeeding is widely recognised as the method of infant feeding that provides the greatest health benefits for mother and child (World Health Organisation, 2003). Despite the benefits of breastfeeding, among young mothers (under 20) the prevalence of breastfeeding remains significantly lower than the national average. 57% of young mothers who elect to breastfeed discontinue during the early postpartum period (6-8 weeks) and by six months only 11% of young mothers are breastfeeding (Office National Statistics, 2012). In the UK, young motherhood is associated with social exclusion and domestic violence (Beers and Hollo, 2009; ONS, 2012). Young mothers are more likely to engage in negative health behaviours such as smoking and are less likely to access antenatal care (Department of Health, 2008). The combined consequences of these factors increase the risk of poor maternal and infant health, notably an infant mortality rate 60% higher than among older mothers (DH, 2008). For these reasons, current healthcare policy has identified the promotion of breastfeeding among young mothers as a key strategy in reducing health inequalities (DH, 2012). Within this study, individual interviews were conducted with eight young mothers in order to explore the lived experience of breastfeeding. Concurrent data collection and analysis were conducted following the principle of Classic Grounded Theory (Glaser and Strauss, 1967). The study findings highlight the diverse experiences of young mothers who elect to breastfeed and the barriers to accessing support services. The process of constant comparative analysis led to the development of three core categories: barriers to breastfeeding, overcoming barriers and the transition from breastfeeding to formula feeding. These findings are explored in light of relevant literature and the implications for nursing and midwifery practice are discussed. Recommendations for future practice include: raising the public profile of breastfeeding, promoting antenatal education and improving postnatal support for young mothers

What are the barriers that discourage young mothers from continuing breastfeeding following hospital discharge? A grounded theory study

Abstract Breastfeeding is widely recognised as the method of infant feeding that provides the greatest health benefits for mother and child (World Health Organisation, 2003). Despite the benefits of breastfeeding, among young mothers (under 20) the prevalence of breastfeeding remains significantly lower than the national average. 57% of young mothers who elect to breastfeed discontinue during the early postpartum period (6-8 weeks) and by six months only 11% of young mothers are breastfeeding (Office National Statistics, 2012). In the UK, young motherhood is associated with social exclusion and domestic violence (Beers and Hollo, 2009; ONS, 2012). Young mothers are more likely to engage in negative health behaviours such as smoking and are less likely to access antenatal care (Department of Health, 2008). The combined consequences of these factors increase the risk of poor maternal and infant health, notably an infant mortality rate 60% higher than among older mothers (DH, 2008). For these reasons, current healthcare policy has identified the promotion of breastfeeding among young mothers as a key strategy in reducing health inequalities (DH, 2012). Within this study, individual interviews were conducted with eight young mothers in order to explore the lived experience of breastfeeding. Concurrent data collection and analysis were conducted following the principle of Classic Grounded Theory (Glaser and Strauss, 1967). The study findings highlight the diverse experiences of young mothers who elect to breastfeed and the barriers to accessing support services. The process of constant comparative analysis led to the development of three core categories: barriers to breastfeeding, overcoming barriers and the transition from breastfeeding to formula feeding. These findings are explored in light of relevant literature and the implications for nursing and midwifery practice are discussed. Recommendations for future practice include: raising the public profile of breastfeeding, promoting antenatal education and improving postnatal support for young mothers

Models of Speech Processing

One of the fundamental questions about language is how listeners map the acoustic signal onto syllables, words, and sentences, resulting in understanding of speech. For normal listeners, this mapping is so effortless that one rarely stops to consider just how it takes place. However, studies of speech have shown that this acoustic signal contains a great deal of underlying complexity. A number of competing models seek to explain how these intricate processes work. Such models have often narrowed the problem to mapping the speech signal onto isolated words, setting aside the complexity of segmenting continuous speech. Continuous speech has presented a significant challenge for many models because of the high variability of the signal and the difficulties involved in resolving the signal into individual words. The importance of understanding speech becomes particularly apparent when neurological disease affects this seemingly basic ability. Lesion studies have explored impairments of speech sound processing to determine whether deficits occur in perceptual analysis of acoustic-phonetic information or in stored abstract phonological representations (e.g., Basso, Casati,& Vignolo, 1977; Blumstein, Cooper, Zurif,& Caramazza, 1977). Furthermore, researchers have attempted to determine in what ways underlying phonological/phonetic impairments may contribute to auditory comprehension deficits (Blumstein, Baker, & Goodglass, 1977). In this chapter, we discuss several psycholinguistic models of word recognition (the process of mapping the speech signal onto the lexicon), and outline how components of such models might correspond to the functional anatomy of the brain. We will also relate evidence from brain lesion and brain activation studies to components of such models. We then present some approaches that deal with speech perception more generally, and touch on a few current topics of debate.National Institutes of Health under grant NIH DC R01–3378 to the senior author (SLS

Embedding Peer Support as a Core Learning Skill in Higher Education

Abstract Information, digital and academic literacy skills are more important than ever as the nature of global information streams becomes more complex and increasingly online. New methods are needed to ensure that students are taught to identify, use and critically evaluate this complex information myriad during their education and in their future careers. Peer assisted learning is one method that has been shown to help, and previous research in the field of peer support has indicated that the interaction between students at different levels enhances a first-year student’s successful transition into higher education (HE). In 2016, a peer support scheme was introduced at the Technological University Dublin (ITT Dublin) as collaboration between the Department of Mechanical Engineering and the library. Initial evaluation of the programme showed that some students respond positively to the inclusion of peer support within an academic module. We also found that peer tutors have a critical role in the support of a first-year student’s learning and their transition into higher education. They act as role models and guides and can help students form the essential linkages between the different resources they will need to be successful in higher education and beyond. An attractive social strand to the programme can act as a critical motivator for students. Further research is needed to identify the essential elements required

Self Healing Coating/Film Project

Kennedy Space Center (KSC) has been developing self healing materials and technologies. This project seeks to further develop self healing functionality in thin films for applications such as corrosion protective coatings, inflatable structures, space suit materials, and electrical wire insulation

Difficulties quitting for smokers with and without a respiratory disease and use of a tailored intervention for smoking cessation – a qualitative study

Introduction: Smokers with respiratory diseases are less likely to quit than those without impaired lung function, yet few studies have investigated the effectiveness of smoking cessation interventions with this population, and none have used a computer-tailored approach. Aims: This paper aims to fill this gap in the literature by exploring smokers’ experiences when trying to quit and their perceptions of a computer-tailored intervention. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 26 smokers recruited from six GP practices in North London. Thematic analysis was conducted to examine participants’ previous experiences of quitting and their perceptions of receiving personal tailored feedback reports to aid smoking cessation. Results: Participants discussed how their positive smoking experiences coupled with their negative cessation experiences led to conflicts with quitting smoking. Although the computer-tailored intervention was key in prompting quit attempts and participants valued its personal approach; it was not sufficient as a stand-alone intervention. Conclusion: The results highlight the difficulties that smokers experience when quitting and the need for a more personalised stop smoking service in smokers with respiratory diseases. The study also demonstrates the application and potential for computer tailored intervention as part of a wider programme of long-term smoking cessation

Roomful of Teeth

Roomful of Teeth is a GRAMMY-winning vocal project dedicated to reimagining the expressive potential of the human voice. Through study with masters from vocal traditions the world over, the eight-voice ensemble continually expands its vocabulary of singing techniques and, through an ongoing commissioning process, forges a new repertoire without borders.https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/music_programs/1084/thumbnail.jp

NASA Goddard Space Flight Center's Compendium of Recent Total Ionizing Dose and Displacement Damage Dose Results

Total ionizing dose and displacement damage dose testing were performed to characterize and determine the suitability of candidate electronics for NASA spacecraft and program use

Developmental Delays in Executive Function from 3 to 5 Years of Age Predict Kindergarten Academic Readiness

Substantial evidence has established that individual differences in executive function (EF) in early childhood are uniquely predictive of children’s academic readiness at school entry. The current study tested whether growth trajectories of EF across the early childhood period could be used to identify a subset of children who were at pronounced risk for academic impairment in kindergarten. Using data that were collected at the age 3, 4, and 5 home assessments in the Family Life Project (N = 1,120), growth mixture models were used to identify 9% of children who exhibited impaired EF performance (i.e., persistently low levels of EF that did not show expected improvements across time). Compared to children who exhibited typical trajectories of EF, the delayed group exhibited substantial impairments in multiple indicators of academic readiness in kindergarten (Cohen’s ds = 0.9–2.7; odds ratios = 9.8–23.8). Although reduced in magnitude following control for a range of socioeconomic and cognitive (general intelligence screener, receptive vocabulary) covariates, moderate-sized group differences remained (Cohen’s ds = 0.2–2.4; odds ratios = 3.9–5.4). Results are discussed with respect to the use of repeated measures of EF as a method of early identification, as well as the resulting translational implications of doing so

Artificial intelligence and real-world data for drug and food safety - A regulatory science perspective

In 2013, the Global Coalition for Regulatory Science Research (GCRSR) was established with members from over ten countries (www.gcrsr.net). One of the main objectives of GCRSR is to facilitate communication among global regulators on the rise of new technologies with regulatory applications through the annual conference Global Summit on Regulatory Science (GSRS). The 11th annual GSRS conference (GSRS21) focused on "Regulatory Sciences for Food/Drug Safety with Real-World Data (RWD) and Artificial Intelligence (AI)." The conference discussed current advancements in both AI and RWD approaches with a specific emphasis on how they impact regulatory sciences and how regulatory agencies across the globe are pursuing the adaptation and oversight of these technologies. There were presentations from Brazil, Canada, India, Italy, Japan, Germany, Switzerland, Singapore, the United Kingdom, and the United States. These presentations highlighted how various agencies are moving forward with these technologies by either improving the agencies' operation and/or preparing regulatory mechanisms to approve the products containing these innovations. To increase the content and discussion, the GSRS21 hosted two debate sessions on the question of "Is Regulatory Science Ready for AI?" and a workshop to showcase the analytical data tools that global regulatory agencies have been using and/or plan to apply to regulatory science. Several key topics were highlighted and discussed during the conference, such as the capabilities of AI and RWD to assist regulatory science policies for drug and food safety, the readiness of AI and data science to provide solutions for regulatory science. Discussions highlighted the need for a constant effort to evaluate emerging technologies for fit-for-purpose regulatory applications. The annual GSRS conferences offer a unique platform to facilitate discussion and collaboration across regulatory agencies, modernizing regulatory approaches, and harmonizing efforts