The Sydney Conservatorium Early Music Ensemble: An activity-theoretical study of the impact of period instruments, historically-informed performance and a unique pedagogy on tertiary group-learning experiences

This PhD thesis is focused on the learning experiences of students in the Sydney Conservatorium Early Music Ensemble (EME). It sheds light on an area that remains relatively under-researched to date: the group-learning experiences of tertiary-level music students. EME provides its members with an opportunity to experiment with period instruments and to explore repertoire from the late Renaissance to early Classical periods with a historically-informed approach to music making. The tutors of the ensemble, all of whom are expert practitioners in the field of historically-informed performance (HIP), have nurtured a pedagogy that embraces elements of informal peer learning and stimulates active participation and collaboration. The main claim of the thesis is that period instruments, HIP, a broadly constructivist tutor approach and collaborative peer learning all play a significant role in stimulating deeper learning and actively engaged music making. As part of the purely qualitative research design twelve EME students are interviewed about their experiences of learning to play period instruments and their perceptions of a collaborative learning environment, including the role of peers and tutors. A series of open-ended interview questions serves to gain insights into the principal research questions: what learning possibilities do the instruments offer and how do the students experience this alongside the mental and physical rigours of HIP, the unique approach of the tutors and interactions with peers? In seeking a theoretical framework to help explore the interrelationships between the materials and the 'actors' in EME, Cultural-Historical Activity Theory (CHAT) offers a particularly helpful perspective. This research approach incorporates both ‘tools’ and the learning community as integral influences in the learning process. As such it facilitates a holistic investigation of the learning and teaching relationships in the specific EME environment and the ‘affordances’ or learning potential of the materials involved. My research claim is firmly supported by the findings in this study. The students provide ample evidence of a broad range of deep learning experiences associated with period instruments and HIP. In addition the benefits of multiple elements of group-learning are identified: a continuum of formal and informal learning, collaborative peer learning, and a reflective tutor approach that embraces active participation. The study contributes to CHAT in the realm of the arts and has positive implications for the role of period instruments, HIP and the value of group-learning situations in western-style conservatoires and other tertiary music institutions

Let's reflect on processes : task uncertainty as a moderator for feedback effectiveness

Traditionally, when introducing feedback interventions, the focus of performance indicators used as the basis for feedback has mainly been on the final results of tasks. This stemmed from the general contention that providing employees with information about their performance on the final results of their work unconditionally increases their performance. Only over the last few decades have researchers come to realize that findings regarding feedback effectiveness have not been consistent. More recent research has already suggested that several characteristics of feedback and task might act as significant moderators. However, until now, these moderating conditions remained poorly understood. The research reported in this dissertation aimed to contribute to the understanding of feedback effectiveness and examined the until now underexplored combined moderating effect of task uncertainty, type of feedback (outcome versus process feedback) and feedback reflection on feedback effectiveness. The main research question, ‘Dependent on the level of task uncertainty, what type offeedback should employees be provided with for feedback to be effective?’, was addressed in three separate, yet closely related studies. In all studies, the well validated ProMES method (Productivity Measurement and Enhancement System) was used for the development and provision of performance feedback. In the first study (Chapter 2), a meta-analysis, the combined moderating effect of task uncertainty, type of feedback, and feedback reflection on the effectiveness of ProMES feedback was examined using performance data from 83 field studies from a wide variety of organizational settings. Results indicated that when task uncertainty is low, employees higher on reflection on feedback outperform employees lower on reflection on feedback, irrespective of the type of feedback they receive. However, when task uncertainty is high, employees higher on reflection on feedback outperform employees lower on reflection on feedback when the proportion of process feedback is higher. Moreover, the reverse is true when the proportion of process feedback is lower. Thus, this study showed through meta-analysis over a large variety of tasks, teams, organizations, and industries that the effectiveness of feedback on performance is not at all straightforward. Task uncertainty, type of feedback, and reflection on feedback appear to be important moderating conditions for feedback effectiveness, where some combinations of these variables can lead to very large positive effects and others can actually lead to negative effects on performance. In the second study (Chapter 3), a quasi-field experiment, it was examined whether task uncertainty influences the type of performance indicators participatively developed by practitioners from the field. For this purpose, a task uncertainty framework was defined. Then, 50 care providing employees divided over 8 medical rehabilitation teams varying on task uncertainty participated in the development of performance feedback systems using the ProMES method. Results indicated that teams higher on task uncertainty develop relatively more process indicators (compared to outcome indicators) than teams lower on task uncertainty. Moreover, in line with the task uncertainty framework, process indicators developed by teams higher on task uncertainty are more of a problem solving nature, whereas process indicators developed by teams lower on task uncertainty are more of a procedural nature. Thus, this study showed through quasi-field research in health care that the level of uncertainty employees are dealing with during care provision determines which types of indicators are regarded as helpful with the successful fulfillment of their tasks. In the third study (Chapter 4), a quasi-field experiment, it was examined whether task uncertainty, type of feedback, and feedback reflection have a moderating effect on performance with the sequential introduction of outcome and process feedback. For this purpose, 107 care providing employees, belonging to 4 medical rehabilitation teams varying on task uncertainty, periodically received performance feedback through ProMES feedback reports, which were discussed in feedback meetings. Results indicated that a three-way interaction exists between the level of task uncertainty, the type of feedback, and the time spent on reflection on feedback during feedback meetings, such that only with higher levels of task uncertainty and higher levels of reflection process feedback results in higher performance than outcome feedback. In addition, longitudinal questionnaire data from arepeated measures design with three time waves were used in this study to examine the combined effect of task uncertainty and type of feedback on factors enabling the development and use of task knowledge, such as coping with task uncertainty, task information sharing, role clarity, and empowerment. The results indicated that with higher levels of task uncertainty, only the introduction of process feedback (compared to outcome feedback) has a positive effect on these supposedly performance-enhancing factors. Thus, this study showed through a quasi-field experiment in health care that the effectiveness of feedback is dependent on the level of task uncertainty, the type of feedback, and the level of reflection on feedback. Through reflection on process feedback, employees dealing with higher levels of task uncertainty are presented with the opportunity to develop and use appropriate task knowledge. In conclusion, the research presented in this dissertation confirmed through meta analysis and empirical field research that the effects of feedback are not always the same. Instead, moderating conditions such as task uncertainty, type of feedback, and reflection on feedback play important roles in the effects of feedback, both on performance and on underlying psychological factors such as coping with task uncertainty, task information sharing, role clarity, and empowerment. Ignoring these findings when designing and implementing performance feedback systems could be harmful for organizations

Uneven Relationalities, Collective Biography, and Sisterly Affect in Neoliberal Universities

This article deploys a collective biographical methodology as a political and epistemological intervention in order to explore the emotional and affective politics of academic work for women in neoliberal universities. The managerial practices of contemporary universities tend to elevate disembodied reason over emotion; to repress, commodify, or co-opt emotional and affective labor; to increase individualization and competition among academic workers; and to disregard the relational work that the article suggests is essential for well-being at work. The apparent marginalization of feminist and feminine ways of being, thinking, and feeling in academia is examined through close readings of three narrative vignettes, which are based on memories of the everyday academic spaces of meetings, workshops, and mentoring. These stories explore moments of the breaking of ties among women and between men and women, as well as document how feminist relationalities can bind and exclude. The article suggests that academic ties are both part of the problem and the solution to countering neoliberal policies, and that academic relationships, especially with other women, are often experienced as unrealized spaces of hope. Building on feminist scholarship about race and diversity, the article reflects on how relational practices like collective biography create both inclusions and exclusions. Nevertheless, it suggests that the methodology of collective biography might engender more sustainable and ethical ways of being in academic workplaces because it provides the resources to begin to create a new collective imaginary of academia

A systematic review of anatomic predictors of abdominal aortic aneurysm remodeling after endovascular repair

Objective: The long-term outcomes after endovascular abdominal aneurysm repair (EVAR) of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) have been inferior to those after open surgical repair with regard to reinterventions and late mortality. AAA sac remodeling after EVAR has been associated with endoleaks, reinterventions, and mortality. Therefore, knowledge of the predictors of AAA sac remodeling could indirectly give insight into the long-term EVAR outcomes. In the present review, we aimed to provide an overview of the evidence for anatomic predictors of positive and negative AAA sac remodeling after EVAR. Methods: A systematic literature review and analysis were conducted in accordance with the PRISMA (preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses) and Cochrane guidelines. The PubMed and Scopus databases were searched using terms of AAA sac growth, shrinkage, and remodeling. Eligible studies were identified, and only those studies that had included currently used endografts were included. Results: A total of 19 studies that had reported on a total of 27 anatomic parameters of the aortoiliac anatomy were included. Only 4 parameters had been investigated by more than five studies, 7 parameters were investigated by three to five studies, 7 parameters were investigated by two studies, and 9 parameters were investigated by one study. For the presence of neck thrombus, three of four studies had reported similar results, indicating that the presence of neck thrombus might predict for less AAA sac shrinkage. AAA thrombus, the total AAA volume, the flow-lumen volume, aortic calcification, and the number of hostile neck parameters were only investigated by two to three studies. However, these parameters seemed promising for the prediction of sac remodeling. For hostile neck anatomy, neck length, infrarenal neck angulation, and patency of the inferior mesenteric artery, no significant association with any category of AAA sac remodeling was found. Conclusions: The present review demonstrates neck thrombus, AAA thrombus, number of hostile neck parameters, total AAA volume, AAA flow-lumen volume, and aortic calcification as important anatomic features that are likely to play a role in AAA remodeling after endovascular repair and should be further explored using advanced imaging techniques. We also found that strong, consistent evidence regarding the anatomic predictors of AAA sac remodeling after EVAR is lacking. Therefore, further research with large patient groups for a broad range of predictors of AAA sac change after EVAR is needed to complement the current gap in the evidence

Tubal flushing with oil-based or water-based contrast at hysterosalpingography for infertility:long-term reproductive outcomes of a randomized trial

Objective: To determine the impact of oil -based versus water -based contrast on pregnancy and live birth rates <5 years after hysterosalpingography (HSG) in infertile women. Design: A 5 -year follow-up study of a multicenter randomized trial. Setting: Hospitals. Patient(s): Infertile women with an ovulatory cycle, 18 - 39 years of age, and having a low risk of tubal pathology. Intervention(s): Use of oil -based versus water -based contrast during HSG. Main Outcome Measure(s): Ongoing pregnancy, live births, time to ongoing pregnancy, second ongoing pregnancy. Result(s): A total of 1,119 women were randomly assigned to HSG with oil -based contrast (n = 557) or water -based contrast (n = 562). After 5 years, 444 of 555 women in the oil group (80.0%) and 419 of 559 women in the water group (75.0%) had an ongoing pregnancy (relative risk [RR] 1.07; 95% con fi dence interval [CI] 1.00 - 1.14), and 415 of 555 women in the oil group (74.8%) and 376 of 559 women in the water group (67.3%) had live births (RR 1.11; 95% CI 1.03 - 1.20). In the oil group, 228 pregnancies (41.1%) were conceived naturally versus 194 (34.7%) pregnancies in the water group (RR 1.18; 95% CI 1.02 - 1.38). The time to ongoing pregnancy was signi fi cantly shorter in the oil group versus the water group (10.0 vs. 13.7 months; hazard ratio, 1.25; 95% CI 1.09 - 1.43). No difference was found in the occurrence of a second ongoing pregnancy. Conclusion(s): During a 5 -year time frame, ongoing pregnancy and live birth rates are higher after tubal fl ushing with oil -based contrast during HSG compared with water -based contrast. More pregnancies are naturally conceived and time to ongoing pregnancy is shorter after HSG with oil -based contrast. Clinical Trial Registration Number: Netherlands Trial Register (NTR) 3270 and NTR6577(www.trialregister.nl). (Fertil Steril (R) 2020;114:155-62. (C) 2020 by American Society for Reproductive Medicine.

Depression during pregnancy: views on antidepressant use and information sources of general practitioners and pharmacists

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The use of antidepressants during pregnancy has increased in recent years. In the Netherlands, almost 2% of all pregnant women are exposed to antidepressants. Although guidelines have been developed on considerations that should be taken into account, prescribing antidepressants during pregnancy is still a subject of debate. Physicians and pharmacists may have opposing views on using medication during pregnancy and may give contradictory advice on whether or not to take medication for depression and anxiety disorders during pregnancy. In this study, we investigated information sources used by general practitioners (GPs) and pharmacists and their common practices.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A questionnaire on the use of information sources and the general approach when managing depression during pregnancy was sent out to 1400 health care professionals to assess information sources on drug safety during pregnancy and also the factors that influence decision-making. The questionnaires consisted predominantly of closed multiple-choice questions.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>A total of 130 GPs (19%) and 144 pharmacists (21%) responded. The most popular source of information on the safety of drug use during pregnancy is the Dutch National Health Insurance System Formulary, while a minority of respondents contacts the Dutch national Teratology Information Service (TIS). The majority of GPs contact the pharmacy with questions concerning drug use during pregnancy. There is no clear line with regard to treatment or consensus between GPs on the best therapeutic strategy, nor do practitioners agree upon the drug of first choice. GPs have different views on stopping or continuing antidepressants during pregnancy or applying alternative treatment options. The debate appears to be ongoing as to whether or not specialised care for mother and child is indicated in cases of gestational antidepressant use.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Primary health care workers are not univocal concerning therapy for pregnant women with depression. Although more research is needed to account for all safety issues, local or national policies are indispensable in order to avoid undesirable practices, such as giving contradictory advice. GPs and pharmacists should address the subject during their regular pharmacotherapeutic consensus meetings, preferably in collaboration with the TIS or other professionals in the field.</p