An Iterative Approach to Building Sustainable Repository Services on Fedora

4th International Conference on Open RepositoriesThis presentation was part of the session : Conference PresentationsDate: 2009-05-19 10:00 AM – 11:30 AMNorthwestern University Library is engaged in a multiyear project to implement a robust digital repository on Fedora. Building a system that accommodates richly heterogeneous collections, empowers professional staff engaged in a variety of production workflows, and provides access commensurate with the richness materials afford is not achieved all at once. In order to support specific near-term project commitments while building broadly applicable content models and services for the long term, we devised a cyclic three-phase strategy. It is cyclic in that feedback and demand from users will result in revision and expansion of core models, services and associated end-user tools.Institute for Museum and Library Service

An Analysis of Risk Factors Associated with High Rates of Cesarean Births in Three Selected Northeast Tennessee Hospitals.

This study consists of an analysis of hospital discharge data from three Northeast Tennessee hospitals to identify maternal demographic factors that may be linked to higher rates of cesarean sections in this region of Appalachia. Maternal age, race, insurance status, length of stay, and birth weight were evaluated to identify regional trends in the prevalence of these factors over a two-year period. There were 1,678 (23.3%) singleton live births by cesarean section of which 7.6% were repeat cesarean section deliveries. Less than one percent of the 7,181 births were vaginal births after cesarean (VBAC) delivery. Overall, insurance and maternal age was found to be significant predictors of cesarean delivery. Using stepwise logistic regression, age was found to be a significant predictor of cesarean birth for women less than 35 years of age. Significance was found for cesarean birth and insurance status (OR=1.09, 95% CI=1.00,1.19) and for cesarean birth and mother’s age (OR=1.31, 95% CI=1.21,1.41). Mothers under the age of 35 who were insured under a managed care plan were at significant risk for cesarean section delivery. This study was limited in that only hospital discharge data were available and the study population was relatively homogeneous. Further research of this population is needed to continue investigation of the predictors of cesarean birth

Experimental manure handling systems for reducing airborne contamination

A laboratory was built at Prairie Swine Centre Inc. (PSCI) to study air quality in swine barns and its effect on pigs and people. The first focus of that research program was to design and test a manure handling system to control the air contamination from the excreta. The goal was to get close to zero air contamination from manure with these systems, in order to measure the contamination from other sources, and to also have a range of contamination levels for future health and productivity testing. Two manure handling systems were designed and tested: a washing gutter system with pressurized heated wash water periodically directed across the dunging area, and a washed inclined conveyor belt used directly as a dunging area. Ammonia emissions were used as a measure of the air contamination originating from the excreta in two experimental chambers. Ammonia originates only from the manure and is released quickly from any manure (especially urine) in contact with the air. Both systems were tested with 30 kg pigs at running time intervals of 30, 60 and 120 minutes. Trials lasted one week, with three trials completed at each frequency. The average ammonia emissions from the washing gutter and the conveyor belt systems were 48.7 mg day-1 kgpig-1 and 57.0 mg day-1 kgpig-1, respectively. Even though these emissions were 38% and 47% lower than previous observations from grower-finisher rooms with a pit plug design in the same swine building, both systems failed to give the desired “close-to-zero” contamination. This means another system will have to be found to totally eliminate air contamination from manure in the chambers when testing for the origin of the individual contaminants. There were no differences at a statistically significant level (P>0.05) between the ammonia emissions from the two manure handling systems or the three frequencies tested. However, the washing gutter system was simpler and easier to run, and is recommended for future studies dealing with the effects of different ranges of air quality on pigs and people

Expert performers' socialisation into sport

This thesis investigates the developmental socialisation process of the expert performer into sport, and considers the influence of significant others such as the family, coaches and peers within this process. The study complements existing research in the field of youth sport such as Cote and colleagues' Developmental Model of Sport Participation (DMSP) by using life story interviews to explore retrospectively the experiences of senior expert sport performers (defined in this study as international level performers age 18 years and over) in both team and individual sports. The participants were 36 expert performers (male (n = 16) and female (n = 20)) in rugby union, field hockey, track and field athletics, swimming and taekwondo. Qualitative research forms the basis of the study and life story interviews were employed as the primary tool to generate data. The four main analysis chapters present the key themes generated from the data, which include: 'The developmental socialisation process of expert performers'; 'The family'; 'Coaches'; and 'Peers'. In broad terms the data reported in this study support the concept of developmental socialisation proposed by Cote and colleagues' DMSP model, as well as raising some further questions around, for example, the nature of transition through the three phases of sampling, specialising and investing, early specialisation, the role of deliberate play and deliberate practice, and the so-called '1 0 year rule'. The findings also provide clear evidence of the complexity of the process with no two individuals sharing identical experiences of socialisation .. Additionally, evidence from this study showed that most experts sampled a range of sports before specialising, suggesting . that delaying specialisation to a later age can be beneficial to the young performer. The family, coaches and peers all play a key part in the expert performers' socialisation into sport, although their influence varied at different phases of the developmental socialisation process. The thesis concludes that a developmental socialisation perspective on youth sport provides a robust means of conceptualising the pathways many young people follow to become experts in specific sports and provides a basis for policy development in youth sport

The Role of Occupational Therapy in Unplanned Motherhood

For women experiencing unplanned pregnancy, the thought of becoming a mother can increase stress and affect the mother’s mental health. Maternal adjustment can include depression, anxiety, worry, stress, and happiness (Mihelic et al., 2016). The impact that this new role has effects daily demands, leading to a disruption in occupational engagement, environmental changes, and overall less time for the mother (Horne et al., 2005). There is currently not a well-defined role for occupational therapy within pregnancy medical clinics to support women experiencing unplanned pregnancy and their transition to motherhood. The purpose of this project is to provide care to new moms and support, educate, provide resources, train, and care for the mother both prenatal and postnatal. The themes that emerged from the conducted needs assessments were that women identified lack of time management skills, occupational disruption, lack of sleep and self-care skills, balancing multiple roles, lack of occupational balance, and lack of time for self. Additional factors to consider was the discovery through conversation and building rapport with the participants, that all participants were Hispanic, and shared that mental health is a low priority in Hispanic culture. Based on these needs, a 6-week occupational therapy group program was created with an emphasis on mental health. The program was adapted from Karen Moore’s Sensory Connection Program: Curriculum for Self-Regulation (2015), and included classes titled: Goal Setting, Crisis Intervention, Healthy Sleep, Stress Management, Healthy Ways to Feel Good, and Balancing Work, Rest, and Play. All program material and curriculum was created in English and Spanish to ensure that all participants could participate and were included. The program was successful, and all 13 participants reported that their mental health had increased with use of the tools, strategies, exercises, and education provided. One participant stated, “I really appreciate her giving us tools to push ourselves and be motivated to achieve our goals…and learning to take care of our MENTAL HEALTH”. Based on the results from the post-program survey, participants identified an increase in ability to balance occupations, incorporate stress management skills, an increase in feeling supported, prioritizing mental health and self-care, and increase in confidence. The results indicate a great need for OT working with this population. OTs can support women through this program by providing mental health intervention, practicing client centered care, providing resources, equipping women with tools and strategies, self-advocacy training, etc.https://soar.usa.edu/otdcapstonessummer2022/1005/thumbnail.jp

Fat a Taxing Matter

With increasing rates of obesity and associated obesity related diseases, much attention has been drawn to the latest obesity epidemic, with a variety of solutions proffered. There is a growing amount of evidence relating high intake of trans fats to obesity and coronary heart disease. It has been estimated that “obesity and its associated illnesses cost Australian society and governments a total of $21 billion in 2005”. (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2008) Whilst rates of obesity in upper and middle classes is slowing down, obesity and diabetes rates in the lower socio-economic bracket of society (see Table 1) continue to climb at alarming rates (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2008

Using normalisation process theory to understand barriers and facilitators to implementing mindfulness-based stress reduction for people with multiple sclerosis

Objectives: To study barriers and facilitators to implementation of mindfulness-based stress reduction for people with multiple sclerosis. Methods: Qualitative interviews were used to explore barriers and facilitators to implementation of mindfulness-based stress reduction, including 33 people with multiple sclerosis, 6 multiple sclerosis clinicians and 2 course instructors. Normalisation process theory provided the underpinning conceptual framework. Data were analysed deductively using normalisation process theory constructs (coherence, cognitive participation, collective action and reflexive monitoring). Results: Key barriers included mismatched stakeholder expectations, lack of knowledge about mindfulness-based stress reduction, high levels of comorbidity and disability and skepticism about embedding mindfulness-based stress reduction in routine multiple sclerosis care. Facilitators to implementation included introducing a pre-course orientation session; adaptations to mindfulness-based stress reduction to accommodate comorbidity and disability and participants suggested smaller, shorter classes, shortened practices, exclusion of mindful-walking and more time with peers. Post-mindfulness-based stress reduction booster sessions may be required, and objective and subjective reports of benefit would increase clinician confidence in mindfulness-based stress reduction. Discussion: Multiple sclerosis patients and clinicians know little about mindfulness-based stress reduction. Mismatched expectations are a barrier to participation, as is rigid application of mindfulness-based stress reduction in the context of disability. Course adaptations in response to patient needs would facilitate uptake and utilisation. Rendering access to mindfulness-based stress reduction rapid and flexible could facilitate implementation. Embedded outcome assessment is desirable

Les conséquences du sida dans la vie des hémophiles et de leurs soignants familiaux au Québec : stress, réponse au stress et soutien social

Le présent article présente les résultats de l'échantillon québécois d'une enquête nationale sur les besoins de soutien des hémophiles atteints du sida ou du VIH. Portant aussi sur les besoins des soignants et des proches (endeuillés ou non) de ces personnes, cette enquête se fondait sur une problématique qui considère le soutien social comme un moyen de faire face au stress. Les participants ont signalé avoir éprouvé plus de stress à cause de l'absence de soutien ou d'un soutien négatif que par suite de la détérioration physique due à la maladie. La question de la confidentialité a été fréquemment soulevée. En général, les participants se sont déclarés satisfaits du soutien reçu, surtout de la part des membres de leurs familles.The following article focuses on the Québec portion of a national survey on the care needed by hemophiliacs with AIDS or having contracted the HIV virus. The survey was based on an approach that considers social support as a means to face stress. It also examined the needs of dispensers of care and relatives (whether mourning or not) of these persons. Participants revealed having experienced more stress because of an absence of support or simply negative support, than because of the physical deterioration caused by the disease. In addition, the question of confidentiality was often raised. In general, participants said they were satisfied with the support they had received, especially on the part of members of their family

Lessons from the Heart of Soweto Study and future directions

South Africa is concurrently experiencing epidemiological transition with diseases of lifestyle on the increase, while still burdened by poverty related diseases. Chronic diseases of lifestyle such as CVD are rapidly becoming major causes of death in developing countries and by all predictions, will continue rising.(4,7,8,9) Of concern is the fact that in developing countries, CVD is occurring in younger individuals than in the developed countries and as the epidemic evolves, the poor are affected the most in both developed and developing countries.(1) The Heart of Soweto (HOS) study aimed to investigate and describe this emerging problem of CVD, and especially heart disease, amongst the urban African population in Soweto, who presented for the first time to a tertiary-care centre. Overall we found multiple challenges to the community of Soweto and surrounding regions from a combination of high levels of modifiable CV risk factors (with the exception of lipid disorders) and surprisingly high levels of advanced and deadly forms of heart disease affecting predominantly younger cases and women. Lessons learned from the HOS include, (1) building partnerships, (2) establish clear objectives with achievable goals, (3) think big and assume nothing, (4) provide an enabling environment, (5) be innovative and (6) never compromise on quality. The prevention of CVD other chronic diseases of lifestyle, as well as the management thereof, needs to be a multidisciplinary effort with all the necessary healthcare workers involved, implemented at the primary, as well secondary level. Our goal is the development of specific community based intervention programmes directed towards prevention and management of chronic diseases of lifestyle in Soweto and to document the aetiology, presentation and management thereof. Our data collection will be not only meaningful for the population in Soweto, but also in other areas of South Africa and the broader Africa. It will be indicative of any urban African population in transition