Do the stigma of mental illness and the stigma of non-suicidal self-injury intersect?

Background: It is well-known that individuals with a mental illness (MI) are highly stigmatized. Oftentimes, the public views these individuals as blameworthy, and this often leads to discrimination, segregation, and avoidance of those with a MI. Due to high rates of stigmatization, individuals with MI often do not seek help for their issues. Stigmatization can also occur within the scope of non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI), which refers to the deliberate damage of one’s tissue, without suicidal intent (e.g., cutting one’s skin). Often, MI and NSSI cooccur, however currently no research exists as to how the stigma of these two entities intersects. Purpose: To investigate whether the stigmatization of MI and NSSI intersect. In other words, is a person with a MI who engages in NSSI more stigmatized than one who does not self-harm? It was hypothesized that a person who has a MI and self-harms will be more stigmatized than an individual who has a MI, but does not engage in NSSI. Secondarily, is also hypothesized that stigma will manifest in different ways, depending on the disorder described. Based on the previous literature, it is likely that borderline personality disorder (BPD) will be more stigmatized than both post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression (DEP), and that PTSD will be more stigmatized than DEP. [...

What’s the (digital) story? Engaging with practitioners through alternative and participatory forms of adult education

This research is a study into educational potential of digital storytelling (DST), a participatory narrative approach, to promote learning practices that are consistent with critical and liberatory ethos of community adult education. Qualitative participatory research in the format of digital storytelling workshops was conducted with six practitioners who work or volunteer in adult and community education context. My research argues that digital storytelling, as multimodal visual method, has an enormous potential to instil and promote participatory co-learning and the ethos of critical pedagogy, in this inclusive and diverse context. My findings support the argument of appropriateness and potential of narrative pedagogy for adult learning. They contend that narrative and visual methods feature prominently in the teaching arsenal of the community education practitioners. This research also demonstrates the untapped potential of digital resources and urgency to approach the use of learning technologies in this context in a critical and creative manner. This study outlines the findings that indicate that the multimodal and dialogical character of digital storytelling has the potential to enhance learning processes and instil deep personal growth that facilitates reflective practice and an increase in self-esteem. Digital storytelling also facilitates participatory research methodology, grounded in critical theory and humanistic learning, that fosters mutual learning and partnership. Finally, this research reinstates the contested nature of adult community education, admirable resourcefulness and creativity of community education practitioners confronted with continuous lack of recognition and support for the sector

Using Surfaces and Surface Relations in an Early Cognitive Vision System

The final publication is available at Springer via http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00138-015-0705-yWe present a deep hierarchical visual system with two parallel hierarchies for edge and surface information. In the two hierarchies, complementary visual information is represented on different levels of granularity together with the associated uncertainties and confidences. At all levels, geometric and appearance information is coded explicitly in 2D and 3D allowing to access this information separately and to link between the different levels. We demonstrate the advantages of such hierarchies in three applications covering grasping, viewpoint independent object representation, and pose estimation.European Community’s Seventh Framework Programme FP7/IC

Digital Data, Virtual Tours, and 3D Models Integration Using an Open-Source Platform

The site of the 'Balsignano village' in Modugno (Italy), for some years has been the object of attention by scholars. Recently renovated, its valuation is nowadays the main objective for that Municipality. The aim of this article is describing our approach in integrating digital data, virtual tours and 3d models of the village elements to produce an interactive tool available on the internet, stimulating the desire to physically visit the settings. Our findings can be generalized to any context in which a link between a website and a physical site represent a challenge for low-budgeted Administrations

Gender Related Differences in the Clinical Presentation of Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy-An Analysis from the SILICOFCM Database

Background and Objectives: Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is the most common inherited cardiac disease that affects approximately 1 in 500 people. Due to an incomplete disease penetrance associated with numerous factors, HCM is not manifested in all carriers of genetic mutation. Although about two-thirds of patients are male, it seems that female gender is associated with more severe disease phenotype and worse prognosis. The objective of this study was to evaluate the gender related differences in HCM presentation. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted as a part of the international multidisciplinary SILICOFCM project. Clinical information, laboratory analyses, electrocardiography, echocardiography, and genetic testing data were collected for 362 HCM patients from four clinical centers (Florence, Newcastle, Novi Sad, and Regensburg). There were 33% female patients, and 67% male patients. Results: Female patients were older than males (64.5 vs. 53.5 years, p < 0.0005). The male predominance was present across all age groups until the age of 70, when gender distribution became comparable. Females had higher number of symptomatic individuals then males (69% vs. 52%, p = 0.003), most frequently complaining of dyspnea (50% vs. 30%), followed by chest pain (30% vs. 17%), fatigue (26% vs. 13%), palpitations (22% vs. 13%), and syncope (13% vs. 8%). The most common rhythm disorder was atrial fibrillation which was present in a similar number of females and males (19% vs. 13%, p = 0.218). Levels of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide were comparable between the genders (571 vs. 794 ng/L, p = 0.244). Echocardiography showed similar thickness of interventricular septum (18 vs. 16 mm, p = 0.121) and posterolateral wall (13 vs. 12 mm, p = 0.656), however, females had a lower number of systolic anterior motion (8% vs. 16%, p = 0.020) and other mitral valve abnormalities. Conclusions: Female patients are underrepresented but seem to have a more pronounced clinical presentation of HCM. Therefore, establishing gender specific diagnostic criteria for HCM should be considered

Mortality from gastrointestinal congenital anomalies at 264 hospitals in 74 low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries: a multicentre, international, prospective cohort study

Summary Background Congenital anomalies are the fifth leading cause of mortality in children younger than 5 years globally. Many gastrointestinal congenital anomalies are fatal without timely access to neonatal surgical care, but few studies have been done on these conditions in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). We compared outcomes of the seven most common gastrointestinal congenital anomalies in low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries globally, and identified factors associated with mortality. Methods We did a multicentre, international prospective cohort study of patients younger than 16 years, presenting to hospital for the first time with oesophageal atresia, congenital diaphragmatic hernia, intestinal atresia, gastroschisis, exomphalos, anorectal malformation, and Hirschsprung’s disease. Recruitment was of consecutive patients for a minimum of 1 month between October, 2018, and April, 2019. We collected data on patient demographics, clinical status, interventions, and outcomes using the REDCap platform. Patients were followed up for 30 days after primary intervention, or 30 days after admission if they did not receive an intervention. The primary outcome was all-cause, in-hospital mortality for all conditions combined and each condition individually, stratified by country income status. We did a complete case analysis. Findings We included 3849 patients with 3975 study conditions (560 with oesophageal atresia, 448 with congenital diaphragmatic hernia, 681 with intestinal atresia, 453 with gastroschisis, 325 with exomphalos, 991 with anorectal malformation, and 517 with Hirschsprung’s disease) from 264 hospitals (89 in high-income countries, 166 in middleincome countries, and nine in low-income countries) in 74 countries. Of the 3849 patients, 2231 (58·0%) were male. Median gestational age at birth was 38 weeks (IQR 36–39) and median bodyweight at presentation was 2·8 kg (2·3–3·3). Mortality among all patients was 37 (39·8%) of 93 in low-income countries, 583 (20·4%) of 2860 in middle-income countries, and 50 (5·6%) of 896 in high-income countries (p<0·0001 between all country income groups). Gastroschisis had the greatest difference in mortality between country income strata (nine [90·0%] of ten in lowincome countries, 97 [31·9%] of 304 in middle-income countries, and two [1·4%] of 139 in high-income countries; p≤0·0001 between all country income groups). Factors significantly associated with higher mortality for all patients combined included country income status (low-income vs high-income countries, risk ratio 2·78 [95% CI 1·88–4·11], p<0·0001; middle-income vs high-income countries, 2·11 [1·59–2·79], p<0·0001), sepsis at presentation (1·20 [1·04–1·40], p=0·016), higher American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score at primary intervention (ASA 4–5 vs ASA 1–2, 1·82 [1·40–2·35], p<0·0001; ASA 3 vs ASA 1–2, 1·58, [1·30–1·92], p<0·0001]), surgical safety checklist not used (1·39 [1·02–1·90], p=0·035), and ventilation or parenteral nutrition unavailable when needed (ventilation 1·96, [1·41–2·71], p=0·0001; parenteral nutrition 1·35, [1·05–1·74], p=0·018). Administration of parenteral nutrition (0·61, [0·47–0·79], p=0·0002) and use of a peripherally inserted central catheter (0·65 [0·50–0·86], p=0·0024) or percutaneous central line (0·69 [0·48–1·00], p=0·049) were associated with lower mortality. Interpretation Unacceptable differences in mortality exist for gastrointestinal congenital anomalies between lowincome, middle-income, and high-income countries. Improving access to quality neonatal surgical care in LMICs will be vital to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 3.2 of ending preventable deaths in neonates and children younger than 5 years by 2030

What’s the (digital) story? Engaging with practitioners through alternative and participatory forms of adult education

This research is a study into educational potential of digital storytelling (DST), a participatory narrative approach, to promote learning practices that are consistent with critical and liberatory ethos of community adult education. Qualitative participatory research in the format of digital storytelling workshops was conducted with six practitioners who work or volunteer in adult and community education context. My research argues that digital storytelling, as multimodal visual method, has an enormous potential to instil and promote participatory co-learning and the ethos of critical pedagogy, in this inclusive and diverse context. My findings support the argument of appropriateness and potential of narrative pedagogy for adult learning. They contend that narrative and visual methods feature prominently in the teaching arsenal of the community education practitioners. This research also demonstrates the untapped potential of digital resources and urgency to approach the use of learning technologies in this context in a critical and creative manner. This study outlines the findings that indicate that the multimodal and dialogical character of digital storytelling has the potential to enhance learning processes and instil deep personal growth that facilitates reflective practice and an increase in self-esteem. Digital storytelling also facilitates participatory research methodology, grounded in critical theory and humanistic learning, that fosters mutual learning and partnership. Finally, this research reinstates the contested nature of adult community education, admirable resourcefulness and creativity of community education practitioners confronted with continuous lack of recognition and support for the sector

What’s the (digital) story? Engaging with practitioners through alternative and participatory forms of adult education

This research is a study into educational potential of digital storytelling (DST), a participatory narrative approach, to promote learning practices that are consistent with critical and liberatory ethos of community adult education. Qualitative participatory research in the format of digital storytelling workshops was conducted with six practitioners who work or volunteer in adult and community education context. My research argues that digital storytelling, as multimodal visual method, has an enormous potential to instil and promote participatory co-learning and the ethos of critical pedagogy, in this inclusive and diverse context. My findings support the argument of appropriateness and potential of narrative pedagogy for adult learning. They contend that narrative and visual methods feature prominently in the teaching arsenal of the community education practitioners. This research also demonstrates the untapped potential of digital resources and urgency to approach the use of learning technologies in this context in a critical and creative manner. This study outlines the findings that indicate that the multimodal and dialogical character of digital storytelling has the potential to enhance learning processes and instil deep personal growth that facilitates reflective practice and an increase in self-esteem. Digital storytelling also facilitates participatory research methodology, grounded in critical theory and humanistic learning, that fosters mutual learning and partnership. Finally, this research reinstates the contested nature of adult community education, admirable resourcefulness and creativity of community education practitioners confronted with continuous lack of recognition and support for the sector

The use of nipple shields: A review

A nipple shield is a breastfeeding aid with a nipple-shaped shield that is positioned over the nipple and areola prior to nursing. Nipple shields are usually recommended to mothers with flat nipples or in cases in which there is a failure of the baby to effectively latch onto the breast within the first two days postpartum. The use of nipple shields is a controversial topic in the field of lactation. Its use has been an issue in the clinical literature since some older studies discovered reduced breast milk transfer when using nipple shields, while more recent studies reported successful breastfeeding outcomes. The purpose of this review was to examine the evidence and outcomes with nipple shield use. Methods: A literature search was conducted in Ovid MEDLINE, OLDMEDLINE, EMBASE Classic, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and CINAHL. The primary endpoint was any breastfeeding outcome following nipple shield use. Secondary endpoints included the reasons for nipple shield use and the average/median length of use. For the analysis, we examined the effect of nipple shield use on physiological responses, premature infants, mothers’ experiences, and health professionals’ experiences. Results: The literature search yielded 261 articles, 14 of which were included in this review. Of these 14 articles, three reported on physiological responses, two reported on premature infants, eight reported on mothers’ experiences, and one reported on health professionals’ experiences. Conclusion: Through examining the use of nipple shields, further insight is provided on the advantages and disadvantages of this practice, thus allowing clinicians and researchers to address improvements on areas that will benefit mothers and infants the most