Action research at the Sea Fish Industry Authority:improving the quality of our knowing- how do practices achieve organisational learning and renewal and how does this change overtime?

DUE TO COPYRIGHT RESTRICTIONS ONLY AVAILABLE FOR CONSULTATION AT ASTON UNIVERSITY LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SERVICES WITH PRIOR ARRANGEMENT

A comparison of the environmental management practices in three British universities

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Cross-infection mechanisms in a ward with controlled practices

DUE TO COPYRIGHT RESTRICTIONS ONLY AVAILABLE FOR CONSULTATION AT ASTON UNIVERSITY LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SERVICES WITH PRIOR ARRANGEMENT

The tonglen experiences of individuals with established sitting meditation practices: a grounded theory study

While there is an ever expanding body of research on various forms of meditation, there is currently a relative absence of academic literature on tonglen. A form of meditation which involves both visualizations and breathing elements, during tonglen one takes in the negativity and suffering experienced by others and, in return, sends back happiness and compassion. The current study explores the tonglen meditation experiences of individuals who have established sitting meditation practices. A qualitative, grounded theory approach was used in looking at what tonglen means to participants, how they engage with the practice, why they practice tonglen, and what they perceive to be the benefits of tonglen in the context of a 28 day practice period. Based on the findings from this study, a model was developed that describes the tonglen experiences of participants.

Effect of the environment on condition and quality of cultured blue mussels (Mytilus edulis) with reference to culture depth and post-harvest practices

The condition and quality of cultured blue mussels (Mytilus edulis) are affected by various environmental characteristics including temperature, salinity, food concentration, composition and year-to-year variability, waves, tides, and currents. Mussels are a keystone species in the ecosystem, affecting the surrounding environment through filtration, biodeposition and nutrient recycling. This study evaluated the effects of culture depth and post-harvest handling on cultured blue mussels in Newfoundland, Canada. Depth was examined over two years; three shallow water (5 m depth) and three deep water sites (15 m depth) were compared for environmental characteristics, mussel physiological stress response, growth, and biochemical composition. The area examined presented complex hydrodynamic characteristics; deep water sites appeared to be located more often near or within the pycnocline than shallow water sites. Deep water sites presented lower temperatures than shallow sites from spring to fall. Physiological stress response varied seasonally, but was unaffected by culture depth. In Year 1 shallow and deep water mussels presented similar growth, while in Year 2 deep water mussels showed better final condition. Lipid and glycogen showed seasonal variation, but no significant differences between shallow and deep water were noted. Fatty acid profiles showed a higher content of omega-3s PUFA in deep water sites at the end of Year 2. Under extreme weather conditions, deep water appeared to provide a more stable environment for mussel growth than shallow water. Harvested mussels were kept under ambient live-holding conditions for one month during the fall, winter, and spring seasons. They were compared to freshly harvested mussels for condition, biochemical profile and palatability. A progressive loss of dry tissue weight and an increase in water content were shown over the holding period during the fall and spring seasons, when compared to field controls. The biochemical analysis suggested seasonal changes; differences in triacylglycerol content were found in the spring season when compared with controls. The palatability data indicated that the panellists were unable to determine a difference between mussels kept in holding and those freshly harvested from the site. This study presents new knowledge for mussel farming, especially in terms of environmental interactions and deep water culture.

Solution-focused practices in child welfare supervision

This research was an exploratory pilot study on the use and need of solution-focused practices in supervision according to child welfare workers and child welfare supervisors in Nova Scotia, Canada. Child welfare workers and supervisors were invited to participate in an online questionnaire exploring the use and need of solution-focused practices in child welfare supervision. The collected data indicated that these practices were being implemented and that workers and supervisors believe there is a need for them. Further research and training on solution-focused practices in the supervision of child welfare workers could be beneficial to help create the most productive supervision experience that positively impacts everyone involved.

CAUTI prevention bundles: improving best practices within Western Health for continued success

Background: Persons in acute care settings who have indwelling urethral catheters are at higher risk of acquiring a urinary tract infection (UTI). Other complications related to prolonged indwelling urinary catheters include decreased mobility, damage to the meatus and/or urethra, increase use of antibiotics, increased length of stay, and pain. UTIs in acute care settings account for 30 to 40% of all health care associated infections (HAIs). Of these, 80% are catheter associated UTIs (CAUTIs). Purpose: To utilized the CDC (2009) bundle approach for CAUTI prevention and create a program which supports a multimodal method to improving urinary catheter use, maintenance, and removal, including a continuing competency program where role expansion is anticipated. Methods: A comprehensive review of the literature was conducted. Physicians were consulted through a power point presentation followed by a letter explaining the project, a questionnaire, and two selections of relevant literature. Nursing staff and allied health professionals from the target units of 3A and 3B medicine attended one of two lunch and learns. They were presented the project via a power point presentation and the same questionnaire as distributed to physicians. Results: Five e-learning modules, a revised policy, and clinical pathway have been developed to support staff with best practice knowledge transfer. Conclusion: Behaviour changes need to be approached with a framework, extensive consultation, and education. Sustainability of any practice change cannot occur without having completed the background work to ensure staff have access to tools to support the change.

Community library programs that work: Building youth and family literacy

A collection of versatile best practices for promoting literacy development by utilizing local community connections in school and public libraries. This book provides a fresh approach to learning as well as guidelines for creating dynamic and relevant library programs for children, teens, and families. Organized thematically, each chapter includes relevant topical research and three to eight community-focused approaches. Programs range from small, single-library initiatives in rural communities to multi-site, cross-border initiatives. This resource includes collaborative and locally inspired programs, many of which can be scaled to the budget of any library, school, or community organization.

Youth sport coaches’ reflections on leadership behaviours during games and practices

Youth sport coaches shape the developmental sporting experience for their athletes (Camiré, Trudel, & Forneris, 2014). Specifically, coaches who form individualized, supportive relationships with their athletes can increase the development of personal and social skills (Fraser-Thomas, Côté, & Deakin, 2005). In light of the value of these relationships, increasing evidence is prompting the application of leadership theories, such as Transformational Leadership (TFL), in youth sport (Vella et al., 2013). The aim of this study was to explore coach perceptions of how and why leadership behaviours are applied in the youth sport context. Eleven coaches (Mage= 42.3, SD= 15.2) were recruited from competitive youth soccer and volleyball clubs (athletes’ Mage= 15.8, SD= 1.9) in Eastern Ontario and participated in a stimulated recall interview. During the interviews, coaches reflected upon their own coaching behaviours and provided insight into the application of leadership behaviours in youth sport. Responses were prompted by relevant video sequences from recorded practice and game sessions. A thematic content analysis revealed that; i) coaches use a variety of leadership behaviours in youth sport, ii) the use of leadership behaviours vary across sport contexts or settings, and iii) contrasting leadership styles (e.g., transactional vs. transformational) are associated with distinctive coach objectives (e.g., promoting confidence vs. establishing respect). These findings have helped identify gaps within coach education, and provide theoretical insight for applying leadership theories, and more specifically TFL, to help improve the sport experiences of young athletes.

Supporting Metacognitive Development in Early Science Education: Exploring Elementary Teachers' Beliefs and Practices in Metacognition

Metacognition is the understanding and control of cognitive processes. Students with high levels of metacognition achieve greater academic success. The purpose of this mixed-methods study was to examine elementary teachers’ beliefs about metacognition and integration of metacognitive practices in science. Forty-four teachers were recruited through professional networks to complete a questionnaire containing open-ended questions (n = 44) and Likert-type items (n = 41). Five respondents were selected to complete semi-structured interviews informed by the questionnaire. The selected interview participants had a minimum of three years teaching experience and demonstrated a conceptual understanding of metacognition. Statistical tests (Pearson correlation, t-tests, and multiple regression) on quantitative data and thematic analysis of qualitative data indicated that teachers largely understood metacognition but had some gaps in their understanding. Participants’ reported actions (teaching practices) and beliefs differed according to their years of experience but not gender. Hierarchical multiple regression demonstrated that the first block of gender and experience was not a significant predictor of teachers' metacognitive actions, although experience was a significant predictor by itself. Experience was not a significant predictor once teachers' beliefs were added. The majority of participants indicated that metacognition was indeed appropriate for elementary students. Participants consistently reiterated that students’ metacognition developed with practice, but required explicit instruction. A lack of consensus remained around the domain specificity of metacognition. More specifically, the majority of questionnaire respondents indicated that metacognitive strategies could not be used across subject domains, whereas all interviewees indicated that they used strategies across subjects. Metacognition was integrated frequently into Ontario elementary classrooms; however, metacognition was integrated less frequently in science lessons. Lastly, participants used a variety of techniques to integrate metacognition into their classrooms. Implications for practice include the need for more professional development aimed at integrating metacognition into science lessons at both the Primary and Junior levels. Further, teachers could benefit from additional clarification on the three main components of metacognition and the need to integrate all three to successfully develop students’ metacognition.

In Service to Iowa : Public Library Standards, 4th edition, 2004

The State Library of Iowa’s Standards and Accreditation Program exists to encourage the ongoing development of high quality public library services in Iowa. The Public Library Standards Advisory Task Force will work with State Library staff to review current standards in light of known best practices and current trends, and to develop the 4th edition of In Service to Iowa: Public Library Measures of Quality.

INFORMATION PRACTICES DURING LIFE TRANSITION: KOREAN IMMIGRANT WOMEN’S EVERYDAY LIFE INFORMATION SEEKING AND ACCULTURATION

In this dissertation, I explore information practices during life transition in the context of immigration. This study aims to understand how their unique personal, social, and life contexts shape immigration experiences, and how these diverse contexts are related to various information practices that they engage in to resolve daily information needs and achieve immigration goals. In my study I examined daily information needs and acquisition of Korean immigrant women. Data were collected through two interview sessions, diary entries on everyday information seeking up to three weeks, post-diary debriefing interviews to reveal contexts surrounding information practices, and observation sessions. My study shows that one’s accumulated experiences with information-related situations shape the person’s attitudes toward diverse information resources and habitual information practices. Both personal and social contexts surrounding immigrant women change during life transition and shape how they interpret their immigration experiences, what information they need to deal with both daily and long-term goals, and how they modify their information practices to obtain the relevant information in an unfamiliar information environment. Also, life transition of immigration entails changes in immigrant women’s social roles, which engender their daily responsibilities in the new society. These daily responsibilities motivate immigrant women’s everyday interactions with a variety of communities in order to exchange information and conduct their social roles in the new sociocultural environment. While immigrant women had common information needs around culture learning, social roles and associated responsibilities explain differences in their differing information needs and tend to direct daily information practices. The advancement of ICTs allows immigrant women to conduct their social roles in a remote city as well as to maintain multiple connections with both the heritage and host society. Limited cultural knowledge influences immigrant women’s evaluation and use of the obtained information as well as their acquisition of relevant information. This study provides understandings on the role of information during life transition as well as Korean immigrant women’s information practices.

Youth Sport Coaches’ Reflections on Leadership Behaviours During Games and Practices

Thesis (Master, Kinesiology & Health Studies) -- Queen's University, 2016-10-03 07:59:09.638

Best management practices for wildlife in maritime forest developments

This project was guided by a single question: if coastal or maritime forests are going to be developed, what advice can the S.C. Department of Natural Resources provide to minimize development impacts on wildlife and their habitats? To answer this question, this report will first provide a general description of the maritime forest’s biological community, including some of its typical plants and animals, as well as coastal species that are rare and possibly declining. This document provides information on the dominant habitats within, and adjacent to, maritime forest and some of the ecological relationships between plants and animals. And finally, the report provides guidelines on how to minimize impacts on wildlife while building a home in a wooded area.

[strategies For Integration Of Health Care Practices And Sanitary Surveillance In The Context Of The Implementation Of Rede Cegonha - A Brazilian Mother And Infant Health Care Network].

Mother and infant mortality has been the scope of analysis throughout the history of public health in Brazil and various strategies to tackle the issue have been proposed to date. The Ministry of Health has been working on this and the Rede Cegonha strategy is the most recent policy in this context. Given the principle of comprehensive health care and the structure of the Unified Health System in care networks, it is necessary to ensure the integration of health care practices, among which are the sanitary surveillance actions (SSA). Considering that the integration of health care practices and SSA can contribute to reduce mother and infant mortality rates, this article is a result of qualitative research that analyzed the integration of these actions in four cities in the State of São Paulo/Brazil: Campinas, Indaiatuba, Jaguariúna and Santa Bárbara D'Oeste. The research was conducted through interviews with SSA and maternal health managers, and the data were evaluated using thematic analysis. The results converge with other studies, identifying the isolation of health care practices and SSA. The insertion of SSA in collectively-managed areas appears to be a potential strategy for health planning and implementation of actions in the context under scrutiny.