Health and Social Care Workers Perceptions of Novel Psychoactive substances in Northern Ireland

Background: The EU Early Warning System currently monitors more than 450 new psychoactive substances (EMCDDA, 2015), far outweighing the total number of illicit drugs under international control (UNODC, 2013). Due to the recent emergence of NPS and rapidly changing nature of the market, evidence about the way in which the emerging drugs are managed in health and social care settings is limited. Methods: The study adopted a mixed methods design, utilising a cross sectional survey and follow up telephone interviews to capture data from staff working in drug and alcohol related services in statutory and voluntary sectors, across the five Health and Social Care (HSC) Trust areas in Northern Ireland. 196 staff participated in the survey and 13 took part in follow up telephone interviews. Results: Study respondents reported that addressing NPS related issues with service users was a key aspect of their daily role and function. Levels of injecting behaviours were also viewed as relatively high by the study participants. Almost all workers used harm reduction as their primary approach when working with service users and the majority of respondents called for additional practical training in relation to addressing drug interactions and intervening with NPS related issues.

Facilitating a culture of responsible and effective sharing of cancer genome data

Rapid and affordable tumor molecular profiling has led to an explosion of clinical and genomic data poised to enhance the diagnosis, prognostication and treatment of cancer. A critical point has now been reached at which the analysis and storage of annotated clinical and genomic information in unconnected silos will stall the advancement of precision cancer care. Information systems must be harmonized to overcome the multiple technical and logistical barriers to data sharing. Against this backdrop, the Global Alliance for Genomic Health (GA4GH) was established in 2013 to create a common framework that enables responsible, voluntary and secure sharing of clinical and genomic data. This Perspective from the GA4GH Clinical Working Group Cancer Task Team highlights the data-aggregation challenges faced by the field, suggests potential collaborative solutions and describes how GA4GH can catalyze a harmonized data-sharing culture.

The effectiveness, acceptability and cost-effectiveness of psychosocial interventions for maltreated children and adolescents: An evidence synthesis

DESIGN We will address our research objectives by searching the published and unpublished literature and conducting an evidence synthesis of i) studies of the effectiveness of psychosocial interventions provided for children and adolescents who have suffered maltreatment, ii) economic evaluations of these interventions and iii) studies of their acceptability to children, adolescents and their carers. SEARCH STRATEGY: Evidence will be identified via electronic databases for health and allied health literature, social sciences and social welfare, education and other evidence based depositories, and economic databases. We will identify material generated by user-led,voluntary sector enquiry by searching the internet and browsing the websites of relevant UK government departments and charities. Additionally, studies will be identified via the bibliographies of retrieved articles/reviews; targeted author searches; forward citation searching. We will also use our extensive professional networks, and our planned consultations with key stakeholders and our study steering committee. Databases will be searched from inception to time of search. REVIEW STRATEGY Inclusion criteria: 1) Infants, children or adolescents who have experienced maltreatment between the ages of 0 17 years. 2) All psychosocial interventions available for maltreated children and adolescents, by any provider and in any setting, aiming to address the sequelae of any form of maltreatment, including fabricated illness. 3) For synthesis of evidence of effectiveness: all controlled studies in which psychosocial interventions are compared with no-treatment, treatment as usual, waitlist or other-treated controls. For a synthesis of evidence of acceptability we will include any design that asks participants for their views or provides data on non-participation. For decision-analytic modelling we may include uncontrolled studies. Primary and secondary outcomes will be confirmed in consultation with stakeholders. Provisional primary outcomes are psychological distress/mental health (particularly PTSD, depression and anxiety, self-harm); ii) behaviour; iii) social functioning; iv) cognitive / academic attainment, v) quality of life, and vi) costs. After studies that meet the inclusion criteria have been identified (independently by two reviewers), data will be extracted and risk of bias (RoB) assessed (independently by two reviewers) using the Cochrane Collaboration RoB Tool (effectiveness), quality hierarchies of data sources for economic analyses (cost-effectiveness) and the CASP tool for qualitative research (acceptability). Where interventions are similar and appropriate data are available (or can be obtained) evidence synthesis will be performed to pool the results. Where possible, we will explore the extent to which age, maltreatment history (including whether intra- or extra-familial), time since maltreatment, care setting (family / out-of-home care including foster care/residential), care history, and characteristics of intervention (type, setting, provider, duration) moderate the effects of psychosocial interventions. A synthesis of acceptability data will be undertaken, using a narrative approach to synthesis. A decision-analytic model will be constructed to compare the expected cost-effectiveness of the different types of intervention identified in the systematic review. We will also conduct a Value of information analysis if the data permit. EXPECTED OUTPUTS: A synthesis of the effectiveness and cost effectiveness of psychosocial interventions for maltreated children (taking into account age, maltreatment profile and setting) and their acceptability to key stakeholders.

Gameful connectivism: social bookmarking no SAPO Campus

A web moderna, ou web 2.0, assenta nos princípios de abertura e participação dos seus utilizadores. A natureza voluntária do uso de serviços da web 2.0, aliada à dependência da participação por parte dos seus utilizadores, leva a uma forte concorrência entre serviços semelhantes na web. Esta concorrência leva à procura de novas formas de diferenciação entre serviços. Neste contexto surge a indústria de gamification, que procura transferir elementos de videojogos a outros contextos para aumentar o envolvimento dos utilizadores. Contudo, o discurso desta indústria recente é alvo de fortes críticas de profissionais de game design. Neste trabalho de investigação apresenta-se tanto o discurso da indústria de gamification como as suas críticas. Assumindo que a abordagem atual da gamification assenta numa compreensão limitada dos videojogos, parte-se para a elaboração de um novo quadro concetual que possa guiar o desenho da interação em ambientes web. Esta abordagem fundamenta-se num levantamento bibliográfico da teoria do game design. O quadro concetual resultante é usado no desenho e desenvolvimento de um serviço de social bookmarking no Sapo Campus UA, uma plataforma de serviços web 2.0 para contextos educativos, com o objetivo explícito de aumentar a participação dos seus utilizadores na aplicação. A utilidade do quadro concetual é avaliada com sessões de teste com utilizadores do público-alvo do serviço. Os resultados obtidos indicam que o game design pode enriquecer o desenho da interação na web através da criação de ciclos de ação com resultado claro e feedback positivo.

A ingerência do conhecimento explícito no conhecimento tácito: a técnica Alexander e a prática e ensino da flauta

O presente trabalho é o resultado duma investigação heurística sobre os efeitos do estudo da Técnica Alexander (TA) na prática e no ensino da flauta. Submeti-me a uma centena de aulas de Técnica Alexander e procedi a uma análise reflexiva da minha aprendizagem e prática individual e pedagógica, registando a sua evolução através da progressiva incorporação dos princípios e metodologias daquela técnica. A primeira parte descreve os princípios e procedimentos da TA enquadrando-a na problemática das relações entre conhecimento tácito e explícito, nos processos de controlo motor voluntário e involuntário, e na eficácia e eficiência dos automatismos neuromusculares. A segunda parte constitui a descrição e análise do processo transformador catalisado pelo estudo da TA: modificações na coordenação muscular; na técnica respiratória; no empunhar da flauta e na preparação para a emissão da primeira nota, e na relação entre o equilíbrio do instrumento e o movimento dos dedos. Vários procedimentos e exercícios desenvolvidos para a resolução de problemas pessoais são apresentados justificando a sua eficácia. A TA não proporciona apenas alterações na coordenação muscular mas pode modificar os processos mentais. Por isso alguns princípios para uma organização eficiente da prática são discutidos e concretizados nalguns exercícios que promovem maior variabilidade, alternância entre análise e integração e clareza na concepção do gesto técnico-musical. Por último, a evolução da minha abordagem pedagógica, incorporando procedimentos inspirados na TA e desenvolvidos ao longo da investigação são ilustrados com alguns alunos. A tese argumenta que a TA pode desempenhar um papel fundamental na melhoria do desempenho dum músico e revela-se uma ferramenta pedagógica que merece ser explorada mais sistematicamente num ensino mais baseado numa experimentação guiada que promova uma maior autoconsciência dos processos neuromusculares do que na instrução prescritiva e explícita.

Dietary biodiesel-derived crude glycerol in gilthead seabream juveniles (Sparus aurata): effects on growth performance and metabolism

In the European Union the turn towards renewable energy sources has increased the production of biodiesel from rapeseed oil, leaving glycerol (also known as glycerin) as a valuable by-product. For every litre of biodiesel produced, approximately 79 g of crude glycerol are generated. As the biodiesel production grows, the quantity of crude glycerol generated will be considerable and its utilization will become an urgent topic. One possibility is the use of crude glycerol on animal feeds. Glycerol has been evaluated as a dietary energy source for several farm animals, including fish. A study was undertaken to assess the effect of dietary biodiesel-derived glycerol (from rapeseed oil) on the overall growth performance, digestive capacity and metabolic nutrient utilization in juvenile gilthead seabream fed a low fishmeal level diet. Two practical diets were formulated to be isonitrogenous (crude protein, 45.4% DM), isolipidic (18.5% DM) and isoenergetic (gross energy, 21.3 kJ/g DM). The control diet (CTRL) was formulated with intermediate levels of marine-derived proteins (19%). In the same basal formulation, 5% glycerol (GLY) was incorporated at the expenses of wheat. Each dietary treatment was tested in triplicate tanks over 63 days, with 20 gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata), with a mean initial body weight (IBW) of 27.9  0.12 g. At the end of the trial, fish fed the CTRL diet reached a final body weight of 84.3  2.2 g (more than 3-fold increase of initial body weight). Fish fed the GLY diet showed a significantly higher (P<0.05) growth, expressed in terms of final body weight and specific growth rate. Voluntary feed intake was similar between the two treatments, but both feed efficiency and protein efficiency ratio were significantly improved (P<0.05) in fish fed the GLY diet. Dietary glycerol had no effect (P>0.05) on the apparent digestibility of protein. In comparison to the control treatment, dietary glycerol significantly improved (P<0.05) protein and fat retention. Activities of digestive enzymes were significantly affected by the various dietary treatments. Fish fed the GLY diet showed an enhanced activity of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and pepsin, while activities of lipase and leucine-alanine peptidase (LAP) were little affected by dietary glycerol. Fish show the ability to use crude glycerol as a dietary energy substrate.

Recreational shore fishing in southern Portugal: biological and socio-economic aspects and perspectives for management

Although overfishing is a concern for many fish stocks, it was for a long time only associated with commercial fishing exploitation, with less or no attention being given to the recreational fisheries. Recent research has shown however that the impact of recreational fishing on particular species can be considerable, and that the recreational harvest needs to be taken into account if fisheries are to be accurately assessed and effectively managed. In Portugal, the first recreational fishing regulations were only recently implemented. However, mirroring other European countries, regulations lacked scientific support, and specific knowledge of the activity was limited to a few studies with limited coverage. This thesis aimed to characterize the biological and socioeconomic aspects of the recreational shore angling activity in southern Portugal, to investigate whether the regulations in place were adequate and effective, and to provide recommendations for improved management and conservation of the inshore fisheries resources. A combined aerial-roving survey was conducted to gather data on fishing effort, catch, fishing trips and socioeconomic aspects (including anglers’ perceptions of regulations) of the recreational angling activity. The analysis of anglers’ catches suggested that compliance with daily bag limits was high, with less than 0.5% of creels exceeding the 10 kg angler-1 day-1 bag limit. Overall, 11.5% of the retained fishes were undersized, but non-compliance with minimum size limits was found to be high for some species (e.g. seabass, 73% undersized). In terms of the impact of recreational shore angling, the total estimated catches corresponded to less than 1% of the commercial landings for the same period (shared species). However, shore angling catches for white sea bream (Diplodus sargus) were found to be considerable, corresponding to 65% of the commercial landings (39.4% of total catch). In terms of anglers’ perceptions about the recreational fishing regulations in Portugal, the present study has shown that the majority of anglers accepted the existence of some kind of SRF regulations, but in general there was a partial or total disagreement with the recreational fishing restrictions recently put in place. Most anglers perceived themselves as not being involved in the decision-making process and claimed that some restrictions lacked a meaningful rationale (e.g. prohibition of fishing from piers/jetties). Fishers’ awareness with regard to specific aspects of the restrictions (such as the rationale for minimum size limits) was found to be very limited. During the same period, catches from sport fishing competitions were examined to test for differences with the recreational activity in terms of catches, and evaluate long term trends in catch and mean size of fish. Catches of the sport fishing competitions were found to be different from those observed for recreational fishing, being dominated by different species (e.g. garfish, mullets), and suggesting different fishing strategies of the the two types of anglers. High percentages of undersized fish were observed to be captured (and retained) during the competitions (in particular seabass, with 100% undersized), probably as a result of a single allowable minimum size (AMS) of 15 cm for all species in use in competitions. Lastly, catch and release fishing experiments were carried out to assess post-release mortality of three recreationally important species: two banded sea bream Diplodus vulgaris; black sea bream Spondyliosoma cantharus; and gilthead sea bream Sparus aurata. Post-release mortalities were found to be low (0-12%). The main predictor of mortality for Sparus aurata was anatomical hooking location, with 63% of the fishes that died being deeply hooked. The results support the release of fish, either from mandatory (e.g. minimum landing sizes) or voluntary practices. In summary, this thesis has demonstrated that the impact of recreational fishing for particular species is significant and needs to be taken into account for more effective management and stock assessment purposes. It has also highlighted several management issues that should be addressed in order to promote more adequate regulations in the future and prevent noncompliance issues. A periodic monitoring of the recreational fishing activity including all fishing modes (i.e. spear fishing, boat, and shore angling) would also be beneficial to ensure a timely knowledge on the global recreational fishing activity and support future management actions.

Déterminants et significations des conduites d’hypertravail : une approche psychosociale et systémique- le cas des travailleurs et des travailleuses des secteurs du multimédia et des services informatiques

Loin de la réduction pressentie du temps de travail et de l’émergence d’une société des loisirs, est plutôt observé, depuis une trentaine d’années, un accroissement du temps consacré au travail pour les travailleurs les plus qualifiés, au Québec comme dans la plupart des sociétés occidentales (Burke et Cooper, 2008; Lapointe, 2005; Lee, 2007). Dans un contexte où les « arrangements temporels » (Thoemmes, 2000) tendent à s’individualiser de façon à mieux prendre en compte les réalités et les besoins des salariés et salariées tout comme ceux des organisations, cette thèse interroge le caractère « volontaire » des conduites d’hypertravail observées chez les travailleurs et les travailleuses des secteurs des services informatiques et du multimédia. Elle s’attarde plus particulièrement aux processus psychosociaux qui sous-tendent la construction de ces conduites. Inscrite au sein d’une approche psychosociale et systémique, notre recherche articule une théorie qui met en résonance les fonctionnements individuel et organisationnel, soutenue par le modèle du Système psychique organisationnel (Aubert et de Gaulejac, 1991), et une théorie de la socialisation plurielle et active, soutenue par le modèle du Système des activités (Baubion-Broye et Hajjar, 1998; Curie, 2000). Opérationnalisée selon une grille articulée autour de cinq niveaux d’analyse (intra-individuel, interpersonnel, positionnel, idéologique et de la tâche et de l’organisation du travail), nous avons mené 34 entretiens biographiques (26 hommes et 8 femmes) auprès de salariés et salariées des secteurs des services informatiques et du multimédia. Les résultats mettent en évidence trois types de processus menant à l’adoption de conduites d’hypertravail ; un cas-type qui illustre un processus de renforcement d’une identité professionnelle de « grand travailleur » ; un cas-type qui rend compte d’un processus de suraffiliation organisationnelle et d’assujettissement de la vie hors-travail; et un cas-type qui expose le maintien d’une conduite d’hypertravail défensive, dans un contexte de mise à l’épreuve organisationnelle. Au final, les résonances particulières observées entre ces niveaux et facteurs nous amènent à souligner l’intérêt de mieux comprendre l’hypertravail en prenant en compte les significations que les individus donnent à leurs conduites, à partir d’un regard diachronique et synchronique. Nous discutons également du caractère dynamique et évolutif de la relation individu-collectif-organisation et du rôle différencié des organisations et des collectifs de travail dans la construction des conduites d’hypertravail. Nous relevons enfin certaines implications des nouvelles pratiques et normes de temps de travail observées dans ces organisations, favorables au développement et au maintien de l’hypertravail. Mots-clés : temps de travail, longues heures de travail, conduites d’hypertravail, articulation travail-vie personnelle, socialisation plurielle et active, domination au travail.

Limitações voluntárias dos direitos de personalidade no ordenamento jurídíco brasileiro:em especial, os direitos à vida e à integridade física

Tese de doutoramento, Ciências Jurídicas (Direito Civil), Universidade de Lisboa, Faculdade de Direito, 2014

An In-depth Appraisal of Career Termination Experiences in Elite Cricket.

This qualitative study explored the career termination experiences of 9 male, retired professional cricketers, between the ages of 28 to 40 (M = 34, SD = 4.65). The participants took part in retrospective, semi-structured interviews. Data from the interviews were inductively content analysed within three transition phases of the retirement process: reasons for retirement, factors affecting adaptation, and reactions to retirement. The reasons for retirement were multicausal with the majority of the participants highlighting contractual pressures and a lack of communication as important precursors to retirement. Three main themes accounted for the factors affecting adaptation: a limited pursuit of other interests, developmental experiences and coping strategies. In terms of reactions to retirement, all of the participants reflected negatively on the termination of their career, with a sense of loss and resentment characterising the post-retirement period. The findings illustrated the sport-specific nature of career termination in professional cricket, and added further support to the emerging consensus that the distinction between voluntary and involuntary retirement is, at best, unclear.

Escola voluntária : partilha transdisciplinar e intercultural no Projeto Fronteiras Urbanas

Relatório Final de Estágio, Mestrado em Ciências da Educação (Área de Especialização Educação Intercultural), Universidade de Lisboa, Instituto de Educação, 2014

Energy Management in UK Non-Domestic Buildings - a New Perspective to Provoke Reduced Carbon Emissions

Politicians, industry and the public generally accept the need for energy consumption to be cut to deliver climate change mitigation measures essential for us to avoid climate disaster. For non-domestic fuel users current energy policy has attempted to drive this through rational economic responses to energy cost pressures. This reliance on voluntary action has created an “Energy Inconsistency”, that is a marked difference between energy opportunities that have been proven technically viable, financially rational and retrofit feasible and those actually adopted. Other factors must therefore be involved to influence what appear to be simple carbon and cost saving opportunities. This paper presents a new approach to energy efficiency and consumption in non-domestic buildings, viewing attitudes and behaviours of building owners and users as the key driver of energy consumption. A new framework is proposed as a method to examine the impact of building ownership on the users’ and owners’ abilities to improve energy efficiency and consumption and identify opportunities to overcome the barriers inherent in these ownership structures.

The potential for neighbourhood regeneration in a period of austerity: changing forms of neighbourhood governance in two cities

Localism is an active political strategy, developed in a period of austerity by the UK's coalition government as a justification for the restructuring of state-civil society relationships. The deprived neighbourhood has long been a site for service delivery and a scale for intervention and action, giving rise to a variety of forms of neighbourhood governance. Prior international comparative research indicated convergence with the US given the rise of the self-help conjuncture and the decline of neighbourhood governance as a medium of regeneration. The subsequent shift in the UK paradigm from ‘big’ to ‘small state’ localism and deficit-reducing cuts to public expenditure confirm these trends, raising questions about the forms of neighbourhood governance currently being established, the role being played by local and central government, and the implications for neighbourhood regeneration. Two emerging forms of neighbourhood governance are examined in two urban local authorities and compared with prior forms examined in earlier research in the case study sites. The emerging forms differ significantly in their design and purpose, but as both are voluntary and receive no additional funding, better organised and more affluent communities are more likely to pursue their development. While it is still rather early to assess the capacity of these forms to promote neighbourhood regeneration, the potential in a period of austerity appears limited. Reduced funding for local services increases the imperative to self-help, while rights to local voice remain limited and the emerging forms provide little scope to influence (declining) local services and (still centralised) planning decisions, especially in neighbourhoods with regeneration needs which are likely to lack the requisite capacities, particularly stores of linking social capital. Initial conclusions suggest greater polarity and the further containment of deprived neighbourhoods.

Housing at the neighbourhood level: a review of the initial approaches to neighbourhood development plans under the Localism Act 2011 in England

The Localism Act 2011 created an opportunity for local communities to form neighbourhood forums and to prepare their own neighbourhood development plans in urban and rural areas in England. Initial reactions suggested that, rather than leading to the development of more housing, these initiatives would confirm all the stereotypes of local residents blocking unwanted development in their defined neighbourhoods. However, neighbourhood plans need to be in general conformity with the core strategies of higher-tier plans and often make provision for more new homes than planned before 2011. This article discusses the role and purpose of neighbourhood plans, the evidence base on which they are founded and some of the legal challenges which have helped clarify procedures. It then identifies two types of plan based on the ways housing strategies and evidence of need are reflected in a sample of 10 plans which have been made to date. It concludes that the voluntary nature of localism to date tends to favour more rural and affluent areas and ends with an assessment of the impact of neighbourhood plans on the planning process. It suggests that the implications for spatial planning may be far-reaching.