PhD

dissertationThe purpose of this study is to develop a critical perspective which can be used to address the social reality of nursing. The study uses the tradition of the Frankfurt School and critical theory as the primary intellectual frameworks for developing this perspective. The investigation is primarily an exploratory, reflective study which seeks to develop a critical consciousness about nursing. The methodology used in this study differs significantly from empirical-analytic modes of inquiry. The investigation proceeds via the process of reflection. Radical reflection, the method used in this study, contains five stages or steps. They include: bracketing, historical recovery, critique, dialectical imagination and negotiation. The study proceeds in an exploratory way through each of these steps. As in other forms of reflection, findings produced in this study take the form of hypotheses. The study generates insights or interpretive hypotheses about the social construction of reality in nursing. As in other examples of reflection, these are hypotheses whose confirmation depends upon continued negotiation among nurses. Specific findings generated in this study include 1) a critique of scientistic consciousness in nursing, 2) a critique of bourgeois professional ideology in nursing and 3) a critique of sexism in nursing

Arsenic Removal from Drinking Water Using Enhanced Biochar

Naturally occurring arsenic, in the soluble form of arsenate, contaminates groundwater resources for millions of people worldwide (WHO, 2018). While there are several technologies available to remediate arsenic contaminated water, the most effective approaches are expensive to implement and maintain, especially for people who are living in poverty. This research studied an inexpensive method for removing arsenate from drinking water by using enhanced biochar. The treatment method was developed by simulating a process that could be adopted by a low-income family. Aspen wood chips were treated with a 10% (by mass) MgCl2 or MgSO4 solution and were then pyrolyzed in low emission cookstoves. Biochar from the MgCl2 and MgSO4 treatments were determined to have arsenic adsorption coefficients (Kd) of 36.7 and 53.2 L/kg, respectively. In column tests, enhanced biochars were able to achieve 95 percent removal of arsenate from 2 mg/L solutions. However, the treated water exceeded the 10 ug/L maximum contaminant level (MCL) for arsenate, and it averaged an unpotable concentration of total dissolved solids

The effects of attentional focus on the reliability of exercise regulation in children

Many studies of effort perception in children have focused on physiological mediators; far fewer studies have sought to investigate the psychological factors involved in perceived exertion. This study investigates the influence of a psychological factor, attention on effort perception. More specifically this study endeavours to establish whether an internal focus enables children to be more reliable than an external focus at regulating their exercise output on the basis of their effort perception. Thirty-six children (20 girls and 16 boys) aged between 9-11 years, were randomly assigned to one of three conditions; external focus (EF), internal focus (IF) and a control group (CG). Each group received two exercise trials (Tl & T2) seven days apart. On both occasions all subjects were introduced to the 1-10 Children's Effort Elating Table (CERT) and were instructed to produce 3 randomly ordered exercise intensities on a cycle ergometer. These 4 minute bouts corresponded to levels 3, 5 and 7 of the CERT scale, and were interspersed with 2 minute rest periods. Heart rates (HR) and Power outputs (PO) were recorded during the final minute of each level. The variability of these variables was analysed using a two-way ANOVA with repeated measures, and their reliability was quantified for each group via interclass (Pearson) and intraclass correlation coefficients and the 95% Limits of Agreement (LoA, expressed as bias +/- 1.96 x Sd diff). A significant two-way interaction (F = 2.602; p<0.05) was observed between groups and across levels for the HR data. Post hoc analysis revealed significant differences between the EF and both the IF and CG at CERT level 3. These findings appear to support the proposal that psychological factors such as attention are more influential at lower intensities, as heart rates for all groups were similar at the higher intensities. No significant differences were observed between groups for the PO data. Whilst the three reliability statistics lend themselves to different interpretations, there does not appear to be a group effect. The results from this study were interpreted in terms of limited attentional focus. However, with no clear group effect in terms of reliability, there appears little advantage in encouraging children to focus their attention internally to aid them in producing a required exercise intensity

The effect of social media interventions on physical activity and dietary behaviours in young people and adults:a systematic review

BACKGROUND: The objectives of this systematic review were to update the evidence base on social media interventions for physical activity and diet since 2014, analyse the characteristics of interventions that resulted in changes to physical activity and diet-related behaviours, and assess differences in outcomes across different population groups. METHODS: A systematic search of the literature was conducted across 5 databases (Medline, Embase, EBSCO Education, Wiley and Scopus) using key words related to social media, physical activity, diet, and age. The inclusion criteria were: participants age 13+ years in the general population; an intervention that used commercial social media platform(s); outcomes related to changes to diet/eating or physical activity behaviours; and quantitative, qualitative and mixed methods studies. Quality appraisal tools that aligned with the study designs were used. A mixed methods approach was used to analyse and synthesise all evidence. RESULTS: Eighteen studies were included: randomised control trials (n = 4), non-controlled trials (n = 3), mixed methods studies (n = 3), non-randomised controlled trials (n = 5) and cross-sectional studies (n = 3). The target population of most studies was young female adults (aged 18–35) attending college/university. The interventions reported on positive changes to physical activity and diet-related behaviours through increases in physical activity levels and modifications to food intake, body composition and/or body weight. The use of Facebook, Facebook groups and the accessibility of information and interaction were the main characteristics of social media interventions. Studies also reported on Instagram, Reddit, WeChat and Twitter and the use of photo sharing and editing, groups and sub-groups and gamification. CONCLUSIONS: Social media interventions can positively change physical activity and diet-related behaviours, via increases in physical activity levels, healthy modifications to food intake, and beneficial changes to body composition or body weight. New evidence is provided on the contemporary uses of social media (e.g. gamification, multi-model application, image sharing/editing, group chats) that can be used by policy makers, professionals, organisations and/or researchers to inform the design of future social media interventions. This study had some limitations that mainly relate to variation in study design, over-reliance of self-reported measures and sample characteristics, that prevented comparative analysis. Registration number: PROPSERO;CRD42020210806. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12966-021-01138-3

Comparability of accelerometer- and IPAQ-derived physical activity and sedentary time in South Asian women: A cross-sectional study

Background: There is limited research documenting objectively measured physical activity (PA) and sedentary (ST) in South Asian (SA) women, with no published evidence of the validity of self-report methods for assessment of PA/ST in SA. The purpose of this study was to compare accelerometer- and IPAQ-derived PA/ST among SA women in the United Kingdom (UK) via a mixed methods approach. Methods: 140 SA women wore an accelerometer for 7 consecutive days; a sub-sample (n=50) completed the IPAQ-Short form (IPAQ-SF) and a brief structured interview. Results: Accelerometer-derived MET.min.wk-1 MVPA (mean+/-SD) for the full sample was 793.94(+/-519.44) and mean accelerometer-derived STwk was 530.20(+/-81.76). IPAQ-SF derived MVPA (MET.min.wk-1) was 636.80(+/-2113.56) and mean STwk was 315.31(+/-266.98). Pearson correlations were not significant between accelerometer- and IPAQ-SF-assessed MVPA (r=-.119, p=.579), and ST (r=-.140, p=.229). Major themes synthesized from interviews included inability to recall sitting time, and limited general knowledge of real-life examples of MVPA. Conclusions: These results suggest that the IPAQ-SF may not accurately measure PA/ST in UK SA women. These findings are supported by qualitative evidence indicating several issues with interpretation and recall of PA/ST as assessed via this questionnaire

Objectively measured physical activity and sedentary time in south Asian women: a cross-sectional study

Background South Asian (SA) women in the United Kingdom (UK) are known to be at high risk for developing chronic diseases, and to have low levels of physical activity (PA). Increasing levels of PA and reducing sedentary time (ST) are recognized as factors to target in an effort to curb chronic disease morbidity and mortality. There is limited evidence documenting objectively measured PA/ST and their correlates in SA women. Therefore the purpose of this cross-sectional study was to objectively measure and report patterns of PA/ST among SA women in the UK and examine potential socio-demographic correlates of PA/ST. Methods 140 UK SA women (Pakistani and Bangladeshi) wore an accelerometer for 7 consecutive days. Anthropometric measurements and self-reported socio-demographic information were taken. Results Mean daily moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) was 34.66 ± 21.52 minutes and mean daily ST was 530.20 ± 81.76 minutes, with an inverse correlation (r = -.270, N = 140, p < .001) showing that higher ST was associated with lower MVPA. The same was seen for light intensity PA (LPA) (r = -.610, N = 140, p < .001). MVPA was significantly higher for younger women (18–64.5 yrs), with 64.7% of older women (≥65 yrs) failing to meet PA guidelines (t = 3.101, p < 0.05). Overweight/obese women had lower levels of LPA, MVPA and higher ST (p < .001). Multiple linear regression analyses indicated 14.9% of the variance in MVPA was explained by age and waist circumference (F(2,138) = 6.41, p < 0.002). LPA and ST were significantly higher on weekend days than weekdays (p < .001), and MVPA was significantly higher on weekdays than weekend days. Conclusions Results indicate higher levels of PA in this sample than previously assumed. High levels of LPA in this sample indicate the need for health promotion interventions to target not only duration, but also intensity of activity in this population to achieve PA recommendations

Modification of Proteins by Norepinephrine is Important for Vascular Contraction

Norepinephrine (NE) is thought to mediate its effects through G-protein coupled receptors. However, previous studies have shown that NE and another primary amine, serotonin, also have the ability to exert effects in a receptor-independent manner. We hypothesized that the enzyme transglutaminase II (TG II) has the ability to modify proteins with NE and that this modification is physiologically relevant. As our model we used rat aortic and vena cava tissues, two tissues that depend on NE to modulate vascular tone. Immunohistochemical and immunocytochemical staining showed that NE and TG II are present in smooth muscle cells of these tissues. Western analysis shows aorta and vena cava homogenate proteins are recognized by an antibody raised against NE conjugated to bovine serum albumin (NE-BSA). NE and α-actin colocalize in cultured aorta and vena cava smooth muscle cells. Freshly dissociated smooth muscle cells from these vessels were able to take up NE-biotin. In isolated tissue baths, inhibition of TG II with cystamine (0.5 mM) completely abolished NE-induced contraction in the aorta but only attenuated the receptor-independent contractant KCl (max contraction to 100 mM KCl in cystamine treated = 88.8 ± 7.0% of vehicle treated, p < 0.05). In the vena cava, contraction to NE was abolished with 0.1 mM cystamine and KCl contraction was attenuated (max contraction to 100 mM KCl in cystamine treated = 54.8 ± 7.0% of vehicle treated, p < 0.05). Taken together, these results show that vascular smooth muscle cells take up and utilize NE for the modification of proteins, and that this modification may play an important role in vascular contraction