First time mothers social networking sites

Section A: This section presents a systematic review of the literature base pertaining to first-time mothers’ use of social networking sites (SNS) and the impact. The methods used to conduct the electronic literature search are detailed. The ten retrieved studies are critiqued and synthesised. This review highlights future research recommendations and gaps in the literature. This review considers the clinical implications and presents recommendations. Section B: This section presents empirical research exploring first-time mothers’ experiences of using social networking sites (SNS) and how they make sense of the impact of SNS on their sense of identity and meaningful relationships. The research design involved an interpretative phenomenological analysis of individual semi-structured interviews conducted with purposively sampled self -identified first-time mothers with experience in using SNS. This research discusses the process of conducting interpretative phenomenological analysis and the resulting overarching themes. The research links the themes to the extant literature. The research then considers the clinical and research implications of the research findings

Conservation of Angular Momentum in a Flux Qubit

Oscillations of superconducting current between clockwise and counterclockwise directions in a flux qubit do not conserve the angular momentum of the qubit. To compensate for this effect the solid containing the qubit must oscillate in unison with the current. This requires entanglement of quantum states of the qubit with quantum states of a macroscopic body. The question then arises whether slow decoherence of quantum oscillations of the current is consistent with fast decoherence of quantum states of a macroscopic solid. This problem is analyzed within an exactly solvable quantum model of a qubit embedded in an absolutely rigid solid and for the elastic model that conserves the total angular momentum. We show that while the quantum state of a flux qubit is, in general, a mixture of a large number of rotational states, slow decoherence is permitted if the system is macroscopically large. Practical implications of entanglement of qubit states with mechanical rotations are discussed.Comment: 10 page

Quantum Tunneling of the Magnetic Moment in a Free Particle

We study tunneling of the magnetic moment in a particle that has full rotational freedom. Exact energy levels are obtained and the ground-state magnetic moment is computed for a symmetric rotor. The effect of the mechanical freedom on spin tunneling manifests itself in a strong dependence of the magnetic moment on the moments of inertia of the rotor. Energy of the particle exhibits quantum phase transitions between states with different values of the magnetic moment. Particles of various shapes are investigated and quantum phase diagram is obtained.Comment: 7 Figures, 5 Figure Captions, submitted to PR

Bayesian regression discontinuity designs: Incorporating clinical knowledge in the causal analysis of primary care data

The regression discontinuity (RD) design is a quasi-experimental design that estimates the causal effects of a treatment by exploiting naturally occurring treatment rules. It can be applied in any context where a particular treatment or intervention is administered according to a pre-specified rule linked to a continuous variable. Such thresholds are common in primary care drug prescription where the RD design can be used to estimate the causal effect of medication in the general population. Such results can then be contrasted to those obtained from randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and inform prescription policy and guidelines based on a more realistic and less expensive context. In this paper we focus on statins, a class of cholesterol-lowering drugs, however, the methodology can be applied to many other drugs provided these are prescribed in accordance to pre-determined guidelines. NHS guidelines state that statins should be prescribed to patients with 10 year cardiovascular disease risk scores in excess of 20%. If we consider patients whose scores are close to this threshold we find that there is an element of random variation in both the risk score itself and its measurement. We can thus consider the threshold a randomising device assigning the prescription to units just above the threshold and withholds it from those just below. Thus we are effectively replicating the conditions of an RCT in the area around the threshold, removing or at least mitigating confounding. We frame the RD design in the language of conditional independence which clarifies the assumptions necessary to apply it to data, and which makes the links with instrumental variables clear. We also have context specific knowledge about the expected sizes of the effects of statin prescription and are thus able to incorporate this into Bayesian models by formulating informative priors on our causal parameters.Comment: 21 pages, 5 figures, 2 table

The Development of Low Cost Sensor technology to provide Augmented Feedback for On-Water Rowing

Investigations to identify ways to improve stroke technique of rowers are on going (Anderson et al 2005). However, the majority of these studies are laboratory based and thus neglect the effects of the oar and water have on the rowing stroke. Traditionally on-water testing has tended to concentrate on the forces produced by the rower at the oar handle, foot stretcher and on boat by the rower but not the actual rowing technique (Hill, 2001). The purpose of this study was to design and develop a system that would provide quantitative feedback of the rowers’ technique on the water. This was accomplished through the integration of low cost electronic sensors, specific software interface and use of wireless technology (Anderson & Collins 2004)

Chapter Optical fibers and optical fiber sensors used in radiation monitoring

Communications engineering / telecommunication

Comparison of Glasgow Admission Prediction Score and Amb Score in predicting need for inpatient care.

AIM: We compared the abilities of two established clinical scores to predict emergency department (ED) disposition: the Glasgow Admission Prediction Score (GAPS) and the Ambulatory Score (Ambs). METHODS: The scores were compared in a prospective, multicentre cohort study. We recruited consecutive patients attending ED triage at two UK sites: Northern General Hospital in Sheffield and Glasgow Royal Infirmary, between February and May 2016. Each had a GAPS and Ambs calculated at the time of triage, with the triage nurses and treating clinicians blinded to the scores. Patients were followed up to hospital discharge. The ability of the scores to discriminate discharge from ED and from hospital at 12 and 48 hours after arrival was compared using the area under the curve (AUC) of their receiving-operator characteristics (ROC). RESULTS: 1424 triage attendances were suitable for analysis during the study period, of which 567 (39.8%) were admitted. The AUC for predicting admission was significantly higher for GAPS at 0.807 (95% CI 0.785 to 0.830), compared with 0.743 (95% CI 0.717 to 0.769) for Ambs, P12 hour and >48 hour. GAPS was also more accurate as a binary test, correctly predicting 1057 outcomes compared with 1004 for Ambs (74.2vs70.5%, P=0.012). CONCLUSION: The GAPS is a significantly better predictor of need for hospital admission than Ambs in an unselected ED population

Paper trials: a qualitative study exploring the place of portfolios in making revalidation recommendations for Responsible Officers

A portfolio of supporting information (SI) reflecting a doctors entire medical practice is now a central aspect of UK appraisal for revalidation. Medical revalidation, introduced in 2012, is an assessment of a doctors competence and passing results in a five yearly license to practice medicine. It assesses of a doctors professional development, workplace performance and reflection and aims to provide assurance that doctors are up-to-date and fit to practice. The dominant assessment mechanism is a portfolio. The content of the revalidation portfolio has been increasingly prescribed and the assessment of the SI is a fundamental aspect of the appraisal process which ultimately allows Responsible Officers (ROs) to make recommendations on revalidation. ROs, themselves doctors, were the first to undergo UK revalidation. This qualitative study explored the perceptions of ROs and their appraisers about the use of this portfolio of evidence in a summative revalidation appraisal.28 purposefully sampled London ROs were interviewed following their revalidation appraisal and 17 of their appraisers participated in focus groups and interviews. Thematic analysis was used to identify commonalities and differences of experience.SI was mostly easy to provide but there were challenges in gathering certain aspects. ROs did not understand in what quantities they should supply SI or what it should look like. Appraisers were concerned about making robust judgements based on the evidence supplied. A lack of reflection from the process of collating SI and preparing for appraisal was noted and learning came more from the appraisal interview itself.More explicit guidance must be available to both appraisee and appraiser about what SI is required, how much, how it should be used and, how it will be assessed. The role of SI in professional learning and revalidation must be clarified and further empirical research is required to examine how best to use this evidence to make judgments as part of this type of appraisal