Care and compassion at the end of life

Aim: To examine the provision of the ‘end of life care strategy’ and the perception of provision by patients and carers. Introduction: In determining what constitutes excellence in care at the end of life, one must firstly acknowledge ‘what care and compassion is’. Following this it should be established what one should expect as a minimum standard of care. The end of life care strategy was initiated by the Department of Health in 2008. This guidance was intended to drive forward end of life care provision where patients were seen as the priority and encouraged to engage in all decision making at each point in their journey. Standards suggested by NICE (2011) further support patient empowerment and inclusivity in care planning. Method: A literature search was conducted in order to determine whether there has been a change in provision and to identify whether patients and their carers perceive an excellence in the care that has been delivered. Results: The literature is limited but the underlying issues of pre-end of life care strategy (2008) remain apparent. Patients and their carers continue to lack the autonomy they deserve and decisions are made about them rather than by them. Owing to the lack of direction which should come from the patient, care may be fragmented with numerous members of a multidisciplinary team being involved. Conclusion: Patient involvement is paramount. Early discussions relating to choices at the end of life need to be achieved in a timely manner. This should ensure that the patient and carer experience a high standard of excellent care which has been planned with inclusivity in min

Optical coherence tomography:age estimation of <i>Calliphora vicina</i> pupae <i>in vivo</i>?

Necrophagous blowfly pupae are valuable contributors to the estimation of post-mortem interval, should an accurate age estimate be obtained. At present, this is reliant on a combination of rearing and destructive methods conducted on preserved samples, including morphological observation and gene expression analyses. This study demonstrates the use of optical coherence tomography (OCT) as a tool for in vivo morphological observation and pupal age estimation. Using a Michelson OCT microscope, alive and preserved four and ten-day old Calliphora vicina pupae were scanned in different orientations. Two and three-dimensional images were created. Morphological characteristics such as the brain, mouthparts and legs were identifiable in both living and preserved samples, with distinct differences noted between the two ages. Absorption of light by the puparium results in a vertical resolution of 1-2 mm, preventing observation of deeper tissues. The use of contrast agents or a longer wavelength laser would improve the images obtainable. At present, the data suggests OCT provides a primary view of external and internal morphology, which can be used to distinguish younger and older pupae for further analysis of age and PMI estimation

It’s all a Matter of “Choice”. Understanding society’s expectations of older adult ICT use from a birth cohort\ud perspective

Little research exists that examines older adults and their Information and Communication Technology (ICT) use or society’s expectations of their use. Using an intensive interpretive interactionism case study methodology, this paper examines how older adults ages 65-75 (from the Lucky Few birth cohort) view their own use and how other birth cohorts view the Lucky Few's ICT use

Chata Sia “I am Choctaw”. Using Images as a Methodology for Cultural and Technological Discourse

Unlike positivist quantitative designs, many qualitative researchers tend to dive right into data collection without benefit of an exploratory study or other pilot study. The purpose of this paper is twofold: (1) to share an image-based methodology adapted from a community strategic planning process and applied to an exploratory study of one native American tribes reaction to cultural images and\ud ICT’s, and (2) to share the many benefits of a pilot study in advance of a larger qualitative research study, including opportunities for discourse around ICT’s in relation to local culture

Posttranslational modifications of proteins in the pathobiology of medically relevant fungi

Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Using Mindfulness Through Doodling in Interactive Notebooking to Increase Student Achievement

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, which unfolded from 2019 to 2021, disrupted education systems worldwide, leading to significant learning loss and inequities. The shift to digital learning, necessitated by the pandemic, presented challenges such as learning loss and social-emotional impacts. This study investigates the incorporation of Social Emotional Learning(SEL), with mindfulness, into the school curriculum to address these challenges. The focus of the study is on the implementation of Mindful Doodling as a component of SEL within an interactive notebook in a middle school science curriculum to enhance student achievement. The study aimed to analyze how different amounts of Mindful Doodling in various settings impact achievement in a small, private middle school in the Midwest. The investigator assessed student achievement levels using pre- and post-assessment unit tests and evaluated the effectiveness of Mindful Doodling in different settings, including virtual, hybrid, and in-person learning. The rationale for this study stemmed from the disruptive effects of the pandemic on traditional classroom structures and the resulting impact on student achievement and mental health. The shift to virtual learning created isolation and stress, prompting educators to seek ways to mitigate these effects. Mindful activities, including Mindful Doodling, were introduced into the curriculum to reduce stress. The conceptual framework was grounded in the practice of mindfulness, emphasizing being present in the moment. Mindfulness has been associated with improved physical and mental health, reduced stress, and greater life appreciation. The study focused on the impact of Mindful Doodling on student achievement, exploring whether the frequency of Mindful Doodling and the learning environment (virtual, hybrid, or in-person) played a role in this impact. The study set forth four hypotheses to answer the research questions, exploring the relationship between Mindful Doodling and student achievement in different settings. The independent variables included Mindful Doodling practices, frequency of doodling, and the learning environment, while the dependent variable is student achievement. The study\u27s delimitations included a specific time frame and location, focusing on seventh-grade science students in a suburban private middle school during the 2020-2021 school year. The limitations involved the sample demographics and the use of instructor-created assessments. In summary, this research sought to fill the gap in the understanding of how Mindful Doodling can positively impact student achievement, especially in a post-pandemic learning environment characterized by stress and isolation. The results of this study may provide valuable insights for educators and policymakers looking to enhance SEL practices and improve student outcomes, which includes the incorporation of Mindful Doodling across the curriculum, and expansion of further research, by expanding the study population, as well as expanding the Mindful Doodling practice