The ATLAS forward physics program

The ATLAS forward detector system is presented. Luminosity determination using the LUCID and ALFA detectors is discussed in addition to diffractive measurements that should be possible with early data. A possible high luminosity upgrade strategy involving new forward proton detectors is also briefly reviewed

Forward Physics at ATLAS

Presentation on behalf of ATLAS at Low-x 200

Partners to parents: Development of an on-line intervention for enhancing partner support and preventing perinatal depression and anxiety

Background. Perinatal mood problems are a significant public health issue that adversely affect the individual, compromise the partner relationship, and can have significant deleterious effects on the child’s development. Despite the availability of effective treatments, few parents who experience emotional difficulties during pregnancy or following childbirth seek professional help. The high prevalence of perinatal depression and anxiety and low rates of help-seeking indicate a need for effective universal prevention approaches. Partner support is an ideal target for prevention efforts because it is consistently identified as one of the strongest protective factors against perinatal mood problems. The aim of this thesis by publication was to develop a father and same-sex partner inclusive on-line intervention for preventing perinatal depression and anxiety that enhances partners’ understanding of how they can be mutually supportive of one another during the transition to parenthood. Method. An evidence-informed intervention named Partners to Parents (http://www.partnerstoparents.org) was developed using a mixed methods sequential design. First, a systematic review was conducted to evaluate existing interventions that aim to prevent perinatal depression and anxiety by targeting the intimate partner relationship. Second, the risk and protective factors for perinatal depression and anxiety that are potentially modifiable by partners without professional assistance were identified via a systematic review and meta-analysis. Third, a Delphi consensus study was conducted to translate the research evidence identified by the meta-analysis into specific actions that partners can take to be mutually supportive of one another and reduce their vulnerability to perinatal depression and anxiety. The resulting recommendations were (1) formatted into a guidelines document for dissemination to new and expectant parents, and (2) translated into a prototype of the Partners to Parents on-line intervention. The website was refined through usability testing with a sample of men and women who were pregnant or parenting an infant aged up to 24 months. Results. The initial systematic review of interventions for preventing perinatal distress that address partner support or the couple relationship found that a number of these have shown benefits. Nonetheless, the findings indicated that there remains a need for interventions that are easily accessible, scalable, father-inclusive, and target both antenatal and postnatal outcomes. The systematic review and meta-analysis of risk and protective factors that are modifiable by partners found that there is sound evidence that emotional closeness and partner support protect against perinatal depression and anxiety. There was also sound evidence for the protective effect of communication, emotional and instrumental support, and relationship satisfaction against perinatal depression, while conflict increases risk. The Delphi consensus study recruited two panels of experts in perinatal mental health (21 consumer advocates and 39 professionals) to rate the extent to which they believed a series of actions, derived from a review of academic and lay literature, are important for the prevention of perinatal depression and anxiety. A total of 214 recommendations on how partners can support one another were endorsed as important or essential by at least 80% of both panels, and formed the basis for the content of a prototype of the on-line intervention. Usability testing with 12 parents (7 women and 5 men) to inform development of the website yielded more than 250 comments on system and content quality, potential barriers to accessing the website, and suggestions for improvement. Generally, the findings suggested that the Partners to Parents intervention is perceived as appealing and relevant by expectant and new parents. The feedback also facilitated a series of refinements, including improved graphic design, layout, and navigability, smart phone and tablet compatibility, Search Engine Optimisation, and improved readability. Conclusion. Partners to Parents provides a novel approach to the prevention of perinatal depression and anxiety. It is supported by the research literature, endorsed by perinatal mental health professionals and consumers, and seen as acceptable and relevant by parents. This web-based intervention has the potential to contribute to reducing the public health burden of perinatal depression and anxiety and optimising parental and infant outcomes. Future research is necessary to establish the extent to which the intervention enhances relationship satisfaction and support, and prevents perinatal depression and anxiety

An Exploration of the Pre-Tenure and Tenure Process Experiences of Canadian Nursing Faculty

The number of PhD prepared nurses seeking employment in academia in Canada is not keeping up with the rate of retirements and the demands for new hires in the same settings. The current number of vacancies is expected to grow over the coming decade as an aging professoriate prepares to leave full time employment. Retention of newly hired faculty will become a critical issue for administrators in an increasingly competitive environment. Purpose: The purpose of this mixed methods study was to explore how organizational culture, mentorship and the perceived level of psychological and structural empowerment are associated with one’s work environment among pre-tenure and newly tenured nursing faculty in Canada. Methodology: This article reports the qualitative findings from the in-depth, semi-structured interviews conducted with 10 faculty volunteers after they completed an online survey. Results: Respondents overwhelmingly expressed a desire for a collegial and supportive working environment with clearly articulated policies and a transparent process for achieving tenure in academia. A healthy work environment was clearly identified as critical to the tenure process. Mentorship was identified as critical to creating a productive research culture. Résumé Le nombre d’infirmières détentrices d\u27un doctorat à la recherche d’un emploi dans les milieux universitaires au Canada ne suit pas le rythme du taux des retraites et des ouvertures de postes dans les mêmes milieux. Il est à prévoir que le nombre actuel de postes vacants augmentera au cours de la prochaine décennie, en raison d’un corps professoral vieillissant qui se prépare à quitter le travail à temps complet. Le maintien en poste des professeurs récemment embauchés devient un enjeu majeur pour les administrateurs dans un environnement de plus en plus compétitif. But : Le but de cette étude, réalisée à l’aide d’une méthodologie mixte, était d’explorer auprès de professeurs en sciences infirmières en voie d’être agrégés ou nouvellement agrégés, comment la culture organisationnelle, le mentorat et le niveau perçu d’empowerment psychologique et structurale sont associés à son environnement de travail.Méthodologie : cet article présente les résultats qualitatifs d’entrevues en profondeur, semi-structurées menées avec 10 professeurs qui se sont portés volontaires, après qu’ils aient complété un sondage en ligne. Résultats : Les répondants ont exprimé massivement leur désir de travailler dans un milieu où règne un climat de collégialité et de soutien, où les politiques sont clairement articulées et où le processus pour atteindre l’agrégation au niveau universitaire est transparent. Un milieu de travail sain a été clairement identifié comme étant essentiel au processus d’agrégation. Le mentorat a été identifié comme étant central au développement d’une culture de la recherche productiv

Overprotective parenting experiences and early maladaptive schemas in adolescence and adulthood : A systematic review and meta-analysis

Young's schema model identifies overprotection as a type of childhood experience associated with early maladaptive schemas. This review evaluated the evidence base examining overprotective parenting as a predictor of schema endorsement in adolescence and adulthood. A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines, and registered on PROSPERO (CRD42021258990). PsycINFO, CINAHL and PubMed databases were searched on 5 June 2021 for eligible studies reporting original data on unadjusted association(s) between overprotective parenting and schema endorsement in samples with a mean age of 12 years or older. Studies were excluded if they were not in English or peer reviewed or participants were exposed to an intervention. Meta-analyses using Meta-Essentials software examined the relationship between maternal and paternal overprotective parenting with Young's 18 schemas. An adapted version of the Appraisal tool for Cross-Sectional Studies (AXIS) was used to assess methodological quality. A total of 16 articles were included. Based on 36 meta-analyses (Pooled N = 1,496 to 3,218), several schemas demonstrated positive small correlations with maternal overprotective parenting (range: r = 0.15, 95% CI = 0.10, 0.19 [Entitlement] to r = 0.29, 95% CI = 0.13, 0.43 [Enmeshment]) and paternal overprotective parenting (range: r = 0.15, 95% CI = 0.10, 0.20 [Abandonment] to r = 0.24, 95% CI = 0.10, .36 [Enmeshment]). Considerable heterogeneity was detected, but subgroup analyses were not significant. Overall, recollections of overprotective parenting experiences were primarily associated with schemas relating to disconnection and rejection, and impaired autonomy and performance. However, the literature has thus far relied on retrospective measures of parenting, and longitudinal research is needed to establish causality

Identifying the research priorities for schema therapy : A Delphi consensus study

Despite the popularity of schema therapy, there exist several important gaps in research on the schema therapy model and its effectiveness. The number of gaps makes it difficult to determine the research areas of the highest strategic priority to advance schema therapy. The objective of this study was to establish consensus among schema therapy clinicians and researchers on the priority areas for future schema therapy research. A panel of experts in schema therapy (43 clinicians and 13 researchers) participated in a Delphi consensus study. The research areas rated were developed by interviewing the founder of schema therapy, Jeffrey Young, conducting a focus group with the executive board of the International Society for Schema Therapy and screening recent reviews on schema therapy for recommendations for future research. The panel rated 81 research areas in terms of priority across three rounds. Nineteen research areas were rated by 75% of the panel as ‘Very high priority’ or ‘High priority’. These priorities reflected four broad themes: (1) schema therapy constructs and measures, (2) the theoretical assumptions underlying schema therapy, (3) schema therapy and theory in relation to different contexts and outcomes and (4) schema therapy effectiveness and mechanisms of change. The findings are important for establishing a clear research agenda for the future of schema therapy

Status of Forward Proton Tagging at ATLAS

Status of ATLAS forward proton tagging. To be presented in January at the DIFF2010 Conference