Digital Commons Network^™

Family-Centred Care In Intensive Care: Moving The Evidence Forward—A Call For Papers, Jos M. Latour, Maureen Coombs

School of Nursing and Midwifery

No abstract provided.

Understanding Processes Of Risk And Protection That Shape The Sexual And Reproductive Health Of Young Women Affected By Conflict: The Price Of Protection, A Hutchinson, P Waterhouse, J March-Mcdonald, S Neal, R Ingham

School of Nursing and Midwifery

No abstract provided.

Improving Patient Experience In Primary Care: A Multimethod Programme Of Research On The Measurement And Improvement Of Patient Experience, J Burt, J Campbell, G Abel, A Aboulghate, F Ahmed, A Asprey, H Barry, J Beckwith, J Benson, O Boiko, P Bower, R Calitri, M Carter, A Davey, Mn Elliott, N Elmore, C Farrington, Hw Haque, W Henley, V Lattimer, N Llanwarne, C Lloyd, G Lyratzopoulos, I Maramba, L Mounce, J Newbould, C Paddison, R Parker, S Richards, M Roberts, C Setodji, J Silverman, F Warren, E Wilson, C Wright, M Roland

School of Nursing and Midwifery

Background There has been an increased focus towards improving quality of care within the NHS in the last 15 years; as part of this, there has been an emphasis on the importance of patient feedback within policy, through National Service Frameworks and the Quality and Outcomes Framework. The development and administration of large-scale national patient surveys to gather representative data on patient experience, such as the national GP Patient Survey in primary care, has been one such initiative. However, it remains unclear how the survey is used by patients and what impact the data may have on practice. Objectives Our …

The Management Of Discipline And Grievances In British Workplaces: The Evidence From 2011 Wers, S Wood, R Saundry, P Latreille

Plymouth Business School

This study tests the assumptions and prescriptions of the Gibbons' Review of dispute resolution in the UK. Contrary to these, the formalisation of dispute resolution has continued and is not strongly related to the level of disputes or tribunal cases nor is the use of mediation which is complementing not replacing formalisation.

Designing Inclusivity: Reconstructing The Meaning Of The Seven Pointed Star Symbol In The Jordanian Flag Through Design Thinking, Fadwa Barakat

School of Art, Design and Architecture Theses

This thesis is an attempt to explore the Jordanian community of today with its multi-ethnic fusion and its social practices that often appear rooted in the past. It is an examination of what possible series of symbols could be formed from a collective view of the diverse ethnicity in Jordan and that could be culturally relevant to the seven-pointed star of the Jordanian flag. This has been an investigation structured around Design Thinking processes using a mixture of qualitative methods integrated with a social science methodology. The qualitative data collection methods involved close contact between the research participants and the …

Decision-Making In The Selection Of Retrofit Facades For Non-Domestic Buildings, Helen Mary Garmston

School of Art, Design and Architecture Theses

In the UK, boom periods of construction combined with typical building styles of the day, have resulted in a large stock of ageing office buildings at risk of structural vacancy and obsolescence. Despite their lack of insulation, high air infiltration, and solar gain, many such buildings from the 1960s-1970s are still in use today. Moreover, with UK buildings replaced at a rate of less than 2% a year, the majority of today's buildings will still be in use in 2050. Due to the impact of the facade on such aspects as thermal performance and aesthetics, façade retrofit is seen as …

Delivering Energy-Efficient Social Housing: Implications Of The Procurement Process, João Alencastro, Alba Fuertes, Wilde P De

School of Art, Design and Architecture

No abstract provided.

Cadmium, Lead And Bromine In Beached Microplastics., Angelo Massos, Andrew Turner

School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences

Samples of microplastic (n = 924) from two beaches in south west England have been analysed by field-portable-x-ray fluorescence (FP-XRF) spectrometry, configured in a low-density mode and with a small-spot facility, for the heavy metals, Cd and Pb, and the halogen, Br. Primary plastics in the form of pre-production pellets were the principal type of microplastic (>70%) on both beaches, with secondary, irregularly-shaped fragments representing the remainder of samples. Cadmium and Pb were detected in 6.9% and 7.5% of all microplastics, respectively, with concentrations of either metal that exceeded 10(3) μg g(-1) usually encountered in red and yellow pellets …

Design Uncertain, P Davis

School of Art, Design and Architecture

The aim of this paper is to explore the idea that design can be a catalyst for fundamental/sustainable change and that designers can provide imaginative solutions to the questions surrounding sustainability and the integration of business and the corporate world. Every day new solutions are being found to ensure our survival; but it is more than survival it is about evolution and growth not only in terms of economy but also in terms of us as human beings trying to understanding our development. Design, inventions, realisations, however you describe it, are endevouring to benefit all humanity, this paper will seek …

Success And Failure Factors Of Foreign Direct Investment In Transnational Education, Ben Siu

Plymouth Business School Theses

This study identifies the success and failure factors of foreign direct investment in transnational education. With western tertiary education markets becoming more saturated, it becomes essential for higher education institutions (HEI) to pursue new and lucrative opportunities internationally. One approach to internationalisation is the establishment of international branch campuses (IBC). This method provides the highest level of control but incurs the most risk, and failure can result in irrecoverable damage to reputation and substantial loss of resources. A review of the literature shows that numerous facets should be considered when establishing an IBC, but there are limited studies that holistically …

Reflections On The Life Of Father Alexsandr Men, Mark R. Elliott

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

No abstract provided.

Shining Light On Hidden Preferences: The Role Of Religious Institutions In The 1989 Romanian Revolution, Justin Clardie

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

"A spectre is haunting Eastern Europe: the spectre of what in the West is called 'dissent.'" This is how Vaclav Havel, the Czech playwright, dissident, and President, began his influential 1978 essay, "The Power of the Powerless." Havel's statement of dissent in Eastern Europe was certainly true in his country of Czechoslovakia, as well as in countries such as Poland and Hungary. The presence of sustained and organized dissent was largely absent, however, in Romania. Even in countries with the presence of popular and consistent dissent, the collapse of the communist regime was still shocking in both scope and speed. …

Ad Maiorem Dei Gloriam: The Jesuits In Albania, Ines A. Murzaku

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

When Pope Francis addressed students, teachers, and parents of the Jesuit schools of Italy and Albania in 2013, he discussed the core and the value of a Jesuit-Catholic education, which in essence follows St. Ignatius of Loyola’s Spiritual Exercises and the Constitutions of the Society of Jesus. The Jesuits in all multifarious activities and apostolates put Jesus in the center, thereby making him the prototype. It was Jesus who had trodden a novel way for the Society of Jesus to follow and that meant to live a meaningful life, live well, and live joyfully among the people they were serving. …

Using The Medication Cabinet To Predict Fall Risk In Elderly Adults, Jessica Lopez

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

Background: In the United States, 30-60% of older adults fall each year; 10-20% of these falls result in injury, hospitalization, or even death. Better prevention of falls in this population may be facilitated by broader identification of risk factors. The use of statins has emerged as a potential risk factor, but the data provide conflicted results.

Purpose: To examine the relationship between statin use and falls among community-dwelling older adults.

Methods: We evaluated the patient registry of a Level 1 trauma center. All patients aged > 50 years who were admitted for falls in 2015 were included (n=615). Many of these …

The Effect Of Token Reinforcement On Moderate-To-Vigorous Physical Activity Exhibited By Young Children, Rutvi R. Patel

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

We used a multiple-baseline across participants and combined reversal and multielement design to assess the effects of contingent-token-reinforcement, compared to noncontingent-token-reinforcement, on moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) exhibited by four preschool-aged children. Three children engaged in higher levels of MVPA when tokens were delivered contingent on MVPA compared to baseline (no token) and noncontingent-token conditions. Although MVPA was differentiated across contingent-token sessions and corresponding baseline (no token) control probes for three of the four participants, some variability was apparent. The present study demonstrated that the delivery of tokens contingent on MVPA can increase and maintain MVPA exhibited by preschool-aged children, resulting …

Comparison Of Two Bpt Models And Their Effects On Parental Skill Acquisition, Leah E. Ward

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

This study examined the effectiveness of two behavioral parent-training teaching models on the acquisition of six parenting skills (play, praise, tangible rewards, effective commands, ignoring, and time-out). One method focused more on didactic instruction with video modeling using the Incredible Years manualized treatment, while the other method focused more exclusively on rehearsal and structured feedback. Participants were 32 parents with children aged between I month and 20 years from the Central Valley region of California that participated in a group parent-training program. Structured role-plays with corresponding task analyses were used to assess parent skill integrity. Baseline scores were compared to …

The Long-Run Determination Of The Real Exchange Rate. Evidence From An Intertemporal Modelling Framework Using The Dollar-Pound Exchange Rate., Ioannis Litsios, Keith Pilbeam

Plymouth Business School

No abstract provided.

Rapid Rhd Zygosity Determination Using Digital Pcr., Kelly A. Sillence, Amr J. Halawani, Wajnat A. Tounsi, Kirsty A. Clarke, Michele Kiernan, Tracey E. Madgett, Neil D. Avent

School of Biomedical Sciences

BACKGROUND: Paternal zygosity testing is used for determining homo- or hemizygosity of RHD in pregnancies that are at a risk of hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn. At present, this is achieved by using real-time PCR or the Rhesus box PCR, which can be difficult to interpret and unreliable, particularly for black African populations. METHODS: DNA samples extracted from 58 blood donors were analyzed using 2 multiplex reactions for RHD-specific targets against a reference (AGO1)(2) to determine gene dosage by digital PCR. Results were compared with serological data, and the correct genotype for 2 discordant results was determined by …

Kinetic Measurements Of Di- And Tripeptide And Peptidomimetic Drug Transport In Different Kidney Regions Using The Fluorescent Membrane Potential-Sensitive Dye, Dis-C3-(3)., Othman A. Alghamdi, Nicola King, Graham L. Jones, Pierre D.J. Moens

School of Biomedical Sciences

Tri- and dipeptides are transported in the kidney by PEPT1 and PEPT2 isoforms. The aim of this study was to investigate differences in transport kinetics between renal brush border (BBMV) and outer medulla (OMMV) membrane vesicles (where PEPT1 and PEPT2 are sequentially available) for a range of di- and tripeptides and peptidomimetic drugs. This was accomplished through the use of the potential-sensitive fluorescent dye 3,3'-dipropylthiacarbocyanine iodide [DiS-C3-(3)]. BBMV and OMMV were prepared from the rat kidney using standard techniques. The presence of PEPT1 in BBMV and PEPT2 in OMMV was confirmed using Western blotting. Fluorescence changes were measured when extravesicular …

Computational Molecular Networks And Network Pharmacology, K Ning, X Zhao, A Poetsch, W-H Chen, J Yang

School of Biomedical Sciences

No abstract provided.

Variation In Referral And Access To New Psychological Therapy Services By Age: An Empirical Quantitative Study, Sophie Pettit, Adam Qureshi, William Lee, Alex Stirzaker, Alex Gibson, William Henley, Richard Byng

Peninsula Medical School

Background Older people with common mental health problems (CMHPs) are known to have reduced rates of referral to psychological therapy. AimTo assess referral rates to the Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) services, contact with a therapist, and clinical outcome by age. Design and setting Empirical research study using patient episodes of care from South West of England IAPT services. Method By analysing 82 513 episodes of care (2010–2011), referral rates and clinical improvement were compared with both total population and estimated prevalence in each age group using IAPT data. Probable recovery of those completing treatment was calculated for each …

A Novel Functional Bioassay Predicts 90-Day Survival In Patients With Severe Alcoholic Hepatitis, E Yates, M Cramp, A Dhanda

Peninsula Medical School

No abstract provided.

Effect Of Time And Day Of Admission On Hospital Care Quality For Patients With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Exacerbation In England And Wales: Single Cohort Study, Cm Roberts, D Lowe, E Skipper, Mc Steiner, R Jones, C Gelder, Jr Hurst, Ge Lowrey, C Thompson, Ra Stone

Peninsula Medical School

No abstract provided.

Measuring Treatment Satisfaction In Ms: Is The Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire For Medication Fit For Purpose?, Patrick Vermersch, Jeremy Hobart, Catherine Dive-Pouletty, Sylvie Bozzi, Steven Hass, Patricia K. Coyle

Peninsula Medical School

Background: The Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medication (TSQM) was designed to assess patient treatment satisfaction in chronic diseases. Its performance has not been examined in multiple sclerosis (MS). The 14 items of the TSQM cover four domains: Effectiveness, Side Effects, Convenience, and Global Satisfaction. Objective: To evaluate performance of the TSQM in patients with relapsing MS, using data collected from the TENERE study (NCT00883337), in which 324 patients received oral teriflunomide or subcutaneous interferon beta-1a for ≥48 weeks. Methods: Five measurement properties were examined using traditional psychometric methods: data completeness, scale-to-sample targeting, scaling assumptions, reliability (including test-retest), and construct validity …

Assessment Of Fidelity In Individual Level Behaviour Change Interventions Promoting Physical Activity Among Adults: A Systematic Review, Jeffrey D. Lambert, Colin J. Greaves, Paul Farrand, Rosina Cross, Anne M. Haase, Adrian H. Taylor

Peninsula Medical School

No abstract provided.

Medline Transpose: Conversion Tool For Pubmed And Ovid Medline Interfaces, A Wanner, N Baumann

Peninsula Medical School

No abstract provided.

Risk Factors And Functional Abnormalities Associated With Adult Onset Secondary Nocturnal Enuresis In Women, C Madhu, H Hashim, Dg Enki, M Yaasin, M Drake

Peninsula Medical School

Aims The study aims to evaluate bothersome lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), risk factors, and associated functional abnormalities in women reporting adult onset secondary nocturnal enuresis (SNE), to help understand factors associated with SNE. Methods 12,795 women (age >18) attending a tertiary referral centre underwent a comprehensive standardized evaluation including urodynamic testing in accordance with the International Continence Society recommendations. Records of all patients reporting bedwetting while asleep were evaluated under various categories. Multiple logistic regression was used to identify statistically significant risk factors and urodynamic findings associated with SNE. Results The prevalence of SNE in women undergoing urodynamic testing …

Snot-22 In A Control Population, Se Erskine, C Hopkins, A Clark, S Anari, N Kumar, A Robertson, S Sunkaraneni, Ja Wilson, S Carrie, N Kara, J Ray, R Smith, Cm Philpott, Hisham Khalil

Peninsula Medical School

Objectives: To assess SNOT-22 and its subscales in a non-rhinosinusitis UK-wide population. Design: Self-reported questionnaire. Setting: Based from 30 ENT departments around the UK. Participants: 250 Non-rhinosinusitis adults – no self-reported nasal problems in the past, no chronic conditions undergoing active treatment and no hospital admissions in the preceding 12 months. Main outcome measures: SNOT-22, SF-36. Results: The mean SNOT-22 total score overall was 12.0. The mean was 10.2 for males with a median of 6.5 and a mean of 13.2 for females with a median of 9. Females scored significantly more highly than males on the sleep/fatigue and facial …