Values and Reflections from the Field: An Informational Interviewing Experience and Collections from the Harvard Leadership Studio

Background: Leadership has been described as the organization of people to achieve a goal, which often entails characteristics such as charisma and intelligence. While the Trait Model in leadership is often used to define characteristics of effective leaders, little is known about how many public health leaders transcend these leadership qualities and values in making decisions, particularly in situations of great uncertainty. Objective: To understand values of leaders in the decision-making process, using informational interviews at the Harvard School of Public Health as well as collections from the Harvard Leadership Studio, Voices from the Field Programming, and other symposiums. Methods: I approached public health pioneers and asked them what personal characteristics they considered to be essential for effective leadership, how they defined personal success, and what advice they would share with the next generation of public health leaders. The quotations expressed were extracted from informational interviews and recorded videos. Opinions expressed were paraphrased from the viewpoint of the writer. Results: The interviews and programming identified values that centered on taking risks, having a vision, open mindedness, knowing where one’s moral compass lies, and willingness to encounter resistance to change. Conclusion: This report represents a reflective and qualitative approach to understanding how value-based characteristics influenced the decision-making of successful leaders as well as provides advice to the next generation of public health leaders. Further analysis could include reflections on successful leadership training models and evaluating performance in leadership

Ideology and Power Relations in Abubakar Shekau’s Speech Texts

This paper explores the phenomenon of power that exists in Abubakar Shekau’s speech text. Drawing from Halliday’s Systemic functional grammar and Norman Fairclough’s perspective on language and ideology Shekau’s speech text was analyzed. The analysis is done using Information structure model of Theme and Rheme to explicate the ideologies embedded in the texts.Results showed that Shekau’s ideologies can be grouped into two namely divinity ideologies and political ideologies .The power-relations are three dimensional –that between Shekau and his God, Shekau and his followers and Shekau and the Nigerian government. The ideologies and power-relations are embedded in shekau’s use of personal pronouns

Analysis of women farmers’ involvement in organic farming of maize in Ohaji-Egbema Local Government Area of Imo State

The study analysed women farmers’ involvement in organic farming of maize in Ohaji-egbema, local government area of Imo state, Nigeria. It  specifically described the socio-economic characteristics of women organic maize farmers, identified the organic practices engaged by women maize farmers, ascertained women farmers’ level of involvement in organic farming of maize and identified the constraints militating against  organic production of maize among farmers in the study area. Data for the study were collected from 80 women organic farmers through a multistage sampling procedure using structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and regression analysis were used for the analysis of the data generated. Results revealed that the majority (98.75%) had formal education with a mean age of 55 years. Investigation on the organic practices showed that women in organic maize farming practiced more of intercropping (98.8%), shifting cultivation (85%) as well as animal manure (54%). Result on the level of involvement showed that 52.5% of the farmers were moderately (6-10 organic practices) involved in organic farming. Lack of certification and distinction between organic and inorganic products in the market (82.5%) were the major constraints. farming experience, income, educational level and household size were significant and positively related to women involvement in organic farming at 5% level of significance. It  was concluded that women are moderately involved in organic farming of maize in the study area. The study therefore recommends that there should be promotion for distinction of organic products in the market. Also the study recommends that the federal Government should enact a  policy that will promote organic farming and their certification. Key words: Organic farming, maize farmers, involvement

Nutritive Value and Heavy Metal Concentrations of Selected Wild and Domesticated Vegetables Consumed in South East, Nigeria

The vitamin composition, amino acid profile and heavy metal levels of Lasianthoreafricana (LA), Heinsia crinata (HC), Vernonia amygdalina (VA) and Telfairiaoccidentalis (TO) were investigated using standard methods. Niacin was highest in Lasianthore Africana (3.61 mg/100 g) followed by Heinsia crinata (3.30 mg/100 g) and lowest in Vernonia amygdalina (1.24 mg/100 g) and Telfairiaoccidentalis (1.04 mg/100 g). Vitamin C content was highest (208 mg/100 g) in Telfairiaoccidentalis (TO) and lowest (29.3 mg/100 g) in Heinsia crinata (HC). There was no significant difference (p>0.05) in vitamin A content of all vegetables. Vernonia amygdalina had the highest (2.99 mg/100 g) vitamin B2 level while Telfairiaoccidentalis (TO) had the lowest value of 1.73 mg/100 g. Telfairiaoccidentalis had the highest value of vitamin E (42.3 mg/100 g) followed by Vernoniaamygdalina (32.6 mg/100 g) and lowest in Heinsia crinata (HC) (1.45 mg/100 g) while vitamin K was highest (2.26 mg/100 g) in Telfairiaoccidentalis (TO) and lowest (1.23 mg/100 g) in Lasianthore Africana (LA). Analysis conducted showed that the vegetables were comparatively rich in total essential amino acids. Telfairiaoccidentalis (TO) had the highest total amino acids (905 mg/100 g protein); Vernoniaamygdalina (VA) had the highest total essential amino acids (52.2 %), Lasianthore Africana (LA) followed with 51.4 %. Lasianthore africana had the highest total sulphur containing amino acids (6.3 %) while Vernoniaamygdalina (VA) had the highest amount of total aromatic amino acids (15.3 %). Zn, Fe and Cu were moderately in low concentrations but Cd and Pb were absent. Keywords: Nutritive value, Heavy metal concentrations, wild and domesticated, vegetables

Conceptions of conservation of energy among grade seven learners in two cape town schools

Magister Educationis - MEdThe clamour in the country about the poor performance of learners in the area of physical science is a concern and this problem had been attributed to different facets of learning which include the amendment of curriculum over the years. But my question is; can the curriculum amendment succeed without effective teaching approaches? This poignant question formed the central concern for this investigation. This study examined two cohorts of grade seven learners’ conceptions of conservation of energy using a Dialogical Argumentation Instructional Model (DAIM) as well as the Traditional Lecture Method (TLM). The study involved 48 learners selected from two public schools in Cape Town. Using a quasi-experimental (Non-equivalent groups) design, the study examined the two groups from different schools (24 learners in each). It exposed one group to the Traditional Lecture Method (TLM) and the other group to a Dialogical Argumentation Instructional Model (DAIM) which was based on two argumentation frameworks– Toulmin’s Argumentation Pattern (TAP) and Contiguity Argumentation Theory (CAT)

Meta-Analysis of Ultrafiltration versus Diuretics Treatment Option for Overload Volume Reduction in Patients with Acute Decompensated Heart Failure

Introduction: Although diuretics are mainly used for the treatment of acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF), inadequate responses and complications have led to the use of extracorporeal ultrafiltration (UF) as an alternative strategy for reducing volume overloads in patients with ADHF. Objective: The aim of our study is to perform meta-analysis of the results obtained from studies on extracorporeal venous ultrafiltration and compare them with those of standard diuretic treatment for overload volume reduction in acute decompensated heart failure. Methods: MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials databases were systematically searched using a pre‑specified criterion. Pooled estimates of outcomes after 48 h (weight change, serum creatinine level, and all-cause mortality) were computed using random effect models. Pooled weighted mean differences were calculated for weight loss and change in creatinine level, whereas a pooled risk ratio was used for the analysis of binary all-cause mortality outcome. Results: A total of nine studies, involving 613 patients, met the eligibility criteria. The mean weight loss in patients who underwent UF therapy was 1.78 kg [95% Confidence Interval (CI): −2.65 to −0.91 kg; p < 0.001) more than those who received standard diuretic therapy. The post-intervention creatinine level, however, was not significantly different (mean change = −0.25 mg/dL; 95% CI: −0.56 to 0.06 mg/dL; p = 0.112). The risk of all-cause mortality persisted in patients treated with UF compared with patients treated with standard diuretics (Pooled RR = 1.00; 95% CI: 0.64–1.56; p = 0.993). Conclusion: Compared with standard diuretic therapy, UF treatment for overload volume reduction in individuals suffering from ADHF, resulted in significant reduction of body weight within 48 h. However, no significant decrease of serum creatinine level or reduction of all-cause mortality was observed

A qualitative study of midwives’ perceptions on using video-calling in early labor

BACKGROUND: Decisions made in early labor influence the outcomes of childbirth for women and infants. Telephone assessment during labor, the current norm in many settings, has been found to be a source of dissatisfaction for women and can present challenges for midwives. The aim of this qualitative study was to explore midwives’ views on the potential of video-calling as a method for assessing women in early labor. METHODS: A series of eight midwife focus groups (n=45) and interviews (n=4) in the Midlands region of England and the mid-South and Northeast regions of the United States were completed. Audio recordings were transcribed verbatim and coded using content analysis. Coding diagrams were used to help develop major themes in the data. Audio recordings were transcribed verbatim and coded using content analysis. Coding diagrams were used to help develop major themes in the data. RESULTS: Midwives were generally positive about the potential of video-calling in early labor and using visual cues to make more accurate assessments and to enhance trust. Some midwives expressed concerns about privacy, both for themselves and for women, and issues of accessibility. They suggested strategies for implementation and further research, such as the need for a private space in birth facilities and training for both staff and service users. CONCLUSIONS: Video-calling was seen as a viable option for assessment of women in early labor with some particular challenges related to implementation. This research focused on midwives’ views; the views of women and their families should also be considered. There is a lack of evidence on the clinical and cost effectiveness of video-calling in maternity care and further research is warranted

Knowledge based decision support system for the selection and appointment of sub-contractors for building refurbishment contracts

SIGLEAvailable from British Library Document Supply Centre-DSC:DX207178 / BLDSC - British Library Document Supply CentreGBUnited Kingdo