'Wet' care homes for older people with refractory alcohol problems: a qualitative study

Background This study describes a registered care home in England and a registered nursing home in Norway which provide permanent care for alcohol-dependent older people who are unable or unwilling to stop drinking and cannot maintain an adequate standard of self-care and/or live independently. Prior to admission, most residents have been living unsafely in their own home or were homeless. They have high levels of contact with health, social and criminal justice services and complex needs as a result of mental illness, poor physical health and physical disabilities. Most have lost contact with their families. The aim is to stabilise drinking, physical and mental health and improve quality of life. The homes are based on a harm reduction philosophy, that is, they focus on strategies to reduce harm from high-risk alcohol use, rather than insisting on abstinence. Residents can drink as much alcohol as they want on the premises but staff encourage them to drink less and in a less harmful way (e.g. spreading drinking throughout the day and having ‘dry’ days). Method We carried out interviews and focus groups with staff and residents, observed verbal exchanges, experiences and routines in communal areas, took field notes during staff rounds and analysed documents such as care plans for individual residents. Key findings • Most residents’ drinking, physical and mental health stabilises and their use of health, social and criminal justice services reduces following admission. • This is achieved by encouraging less harmful drinking, providing on-site health care, assistance with medication and self-care and provision of nutritious meals and social activities. • Wet care homes are viewed by some residents as a safe refuge which has improved their quality of life. • Other residents are frustrated by a lack of personal autonomy. • Suitable outcomes include improved hygiene and nutrition, increased self-esteem, better compliance with healthcare, healthier living which is not entirely alcohol focused and more hope for the future. • Homes should have processes in place to collect quantitative measures which provide clear evidence of impact.        

Aspects of Silicon Solar Cells: Thin-Film Cells and LPCVD Silicon Nitride

This thesis discusses the growth of thin-film silicon layers suitable for solar cells using liquid phase epitaxy and the behaviour of oxide LPCVD silicon nitride stacks on silicon in a high temperature ambient.¶ The work on thin film cells is focussed on the characteristics of layers grown using liquid phase epitaxy. The morphology resulting from different seeding patterns, the transfer of dislocations to the epitaxial layer and the lifetime of layers grown using oxide compared with carbonised photoresist barrier layers are discussed. The second half of this work discusses boron doping of epitaxial layers. Simultaneous layer growth and boron doping is demonstrated, and shown to produce a 35um thick layer with a back surface field approximately 3.5um thick.¶ ..

Reclaiming social work? an evaluation of systemic units as an approach to delivering children’s services

This report presents the findings of an evaluation of the systemic unit model as an approach to the delivery of Children‘s Social Services. The systemic unit model has sometimes been referred to as the ―Hackney Model‖ or ―Reclaiming Social Work‖ (Cross et al, 2010; Munro, 2011a; Trowler and Goodman, 2012). The evaluation is an in-depth comparative description of practice and the factors shaping it in three local authorities. One of the authorities used the systemic unit model; the other two authorities differed but both had a more conventional model for the structure of services. This involved individual allocation to social workers who received supervision from a line manager

Examining the longer-term impact of a home-visiting intervention program on the school readiness skills of English language learners in kindergarten

Young English Language Learners (ELL) present with varied profiles in their language and literacy development with parental involvement promoting development. The Home Instruction for Parents and Preschool Youngsters Program (HIPPY) is a free home-visiting intervention designed to empower parents to be their child’s first teacher. The current study examined the effectiveness of the HIPPY program on language, reading, and social/emotional skills of kindergarten aged ELLs. The HIPPY group was compared to an English as a first language group (EL1) and a control group of ELL students who did not participate in HIPPY (ESL). Participants were assessed at two time points, approximately eight months apart, to uncover differences in achievement across groups and over time. Students in the EL1 group preformed significantly better than the HIPPY and ESL groups on measures of English vocabulary at each time point. All the groups demonstrated improvement in scores from Time 1 to Time 2, however, the HIPPY group demonstrated the greatest improvement among the groups on narrative storytelling scores. Results are discussed in terms of the relationships between measures and the implications of the HIPPY program for promoting language development in young learners. Key words: English language learners, kindergarten, early literacy skill

The Regional Response to Federal Funding for Bicycle and Pedestrian Projects

Examines the efficacy of federal funding for non-motorized modes of transportation based on funding patterns across metropolitan regions, case studies of policies and projects, and an analysis of the funding's impact on bicycling and walking behavior

Boron doping of silicon layers grown by liquid phase epitaxy

This paper presents the results of a study of the incorporation of boron into silicon layers grown from a tin melt by liquid phase epitaxy. Boron was added to the melt through the use of boron-doped silicon source wafers. There is a large discrepancy between the amount of boron incorporated into the epitaxial layer and that available in the source wafer. This mismatch is explained by the gradual removal of boron from our system, most likely as a result of boron precipitation in the tin melt. This situation allows for control of the boron profile by adjusting the cooling rate and adding a dwell time. In this way, we have grown an epitaxial layer with an abrupt and highly doped p-type region at the epitaxial layer/substrate interface. This is useful for thin film solar cell applications as it allows the growth of a back surface field and a lightly doped bulk in a single growth step

A randomized controlled trial of training in Motivational Interviewing for child protection.

There has been interest in developing more evidence-based approaches to child and family social work in the UK in recent years. This study examines the impact of a skills development package of training and supervision in Motivational Interviewing (MI) on the skills of social workers and the engagement of parents through a randomized controlled trial. All workers in one local authority were randomly assigned to receive the package (n = 28) or control (n = 33). Families were then randomized to trained (n = 67) or untrained (n = 98) workers. Family meetings with the worker shortly after allocation were evaluated for MI skill. Research interviews gathered data including the WAI. Follow-up interviews 20 weeks later repeated the WAI, and other outcome measures including Goal Attainment Scaling (GAS) and rating of family life. Between group analysis found statistically significant difference in MI skills, though these were not substantial (2.49 in control, 2.91 MI trained, p = .049). There was no statistically significant difference between groups in any other outcome measures. The package of training and supervision did not create sufficient increase in MI skills to influence engagement or outcomes. Implications for understanding the relationship between skills, engagement and organizational change are discussed

ERA: On-the-fly networking for collaborative geology fieldwork

BACKGROUND Field-based activities are regarded as essential to the development of a range of professional and personal skills for undergraduate students within geography, earth and environmental sciences. Students are taught investigative skills to enable them to interpret features within the landscape, establish technical skills such as sketching and the use of field equipment, and learn to collaborate with peers. Students enjoy field activities, and these improve deeper learning and understanding. However, due to issues such as cost and access some have little opportunity to participate in field-based studies. The ERA (Enabling Remote Activity) project is investigating how mobile and communication technologies might enhance field learning experiences for all participants. We identify two ways in which supporting technologies can enable greater participation and add value to existing fieldwork: remote access and collaborative groupwork. METHODS In 2006 we enabled a single mobility impaired student to direct a remote geologist in the field, supporting remote access. A rapidly deployable, lightweight, battery powered wireless network was built (which we refer to as an ‘on-the fly network’) to enable the transmission of video, audio, and high resolution still images from the field to the student. In 2007 we supported three groups of volunteers undertaking remote collaboration, with half the participants in a university laboratory and the others in the field location. Each group was carrying out a separate specific geological investigation; graphic logging, paleontology, or mineralogy and paleocurrents. A network infrastructure supported communication and data transmission between the groups. Field and laboratory participants had their own distinct, significant roles and the trials explored how technology enhanced collaboration may be used to improve student learning. CONTRIBUTION ERA has tested highly mobile, easily configurable low cost network tools to explore how on-the-fly networking can support geology field studies at undergraduate level in remote locations. We have explored two differing configurations, developed through a collaborative design process undertaken between technology developers and course managers. EVALUATION AND REFLECTION A range of evaluation tools were used to enable analysis of the trials. Field journals were kept by all participants, which found ready acceptance with the geologists as an extension of their standard practice of keeping field notes. A wiki was used by the technical team to capture lessons learnt during the development and trial periods. Participants were gathered together for post-trial debrief sessions. In the second trial, participants’ responses were collected through written questionnaires and focus group discussions (audio recorded). Participants’ activities were also captured on video camera and this was analysed to capture critical incidents. Key findings underline the importance of co-designing technology and pedagogy, orchestration of multiple groups, on-site testing, and planning for graceful degradation of technologies and learning activities. In 2008 we will be looking to move the system from a development prototype to a production model that could be could be replicated by geology departments across the UK without intensive technical support, and the proving of specific technical enhancements including VOIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol) communication and the use of wireless digital cameras

Addressing the needs of older adults receiving alcohol treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic: a qualitative study

Objectives. The COVID-19 global pandemic resulted in major changes to the provision of alcohol treatment in the UK, these changes coincided with increases in the use of alcohol. This study sought to understand the impact of the pandemic on older adults in alcohol treatment, and to explore how changes in the provision of alcohol treatment were experienced. Method. Semi-structured interviews were completed with older adults (aged 55+) in alcohol treatment, as well as alcohol practitioners providing support to older adults. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. Alcohol use was assessed using the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test – Consumption (AUDIT-C). Results. Thirty older adults in alcohol treatment and fifteen alcohol practitioners were recruited. The COVID-19 pandemic was found to result in both increases and decreases in alcohol use; changes in alcohol use depended on a number of factors, such as living arrangements, family support, physical and mental health. Many alcohol treatment services moved to a model of remote support during the pandemic. However, face-to-face service provision was considered to be essential by both older adults in alcohol treatment and alcohol practitioners. Engagement with online support was low, with older adults facing barriers in using online technology. Conclusion. The study highlights the importance of face-to-face treatment and intervention for older adults in alcohol treatment. Addiction services may see increased demand for treatment as a result of the pandemic; it is important that services consider the needs of older adults, many of whom may be marginalised by a remote model of service provision