Contemporary studies of marriage around the world note increased emphasis on 'choice' and 'conjugality'. In South Asia, such discussions have largely displaced an earlier focus on 'dowry' and its implications for the gendered vulnerability of women. This paper argues that considering together discourses of affinity and practices of dowry adds significantly to understanding of the complex inter-relations of social and economic change. Drawing on data from rural Bangladesh, it emphasises the materiality of marriage, its centrality to family advancement strategies and ongoing commitment to the governing idioms of masculine provision and protection. Against conventional views that dowry compensates for a perceived weakness in women's contribution, the paper argues that it functions to bolster men's. The contradictory faces of marriage as dowry or conjugality in South Asia may cast light on the broader political and economic transformations in which they arise.
In: White , S C & Choudhury , S A 2007 , ' The politics of child participation in international development: the dilemma of agency ' , European Journal of Development Research , vol. 19 , no. 4 , pp. 529-50 . https://doi.org/10.1080/09578810701667508
This paper explores the politics of agency expressed through child participation in international development. Empirically it focuses on Bangladesh, highlighting in particular the experience of one children's organisation. It asks how dynamics have changed over time, and what participation has meant for the children and their families. It raises three major challenges for the current practice of child participation: the need to re-emphasise the priority of survival rights; the danger of 'projectisation', and the need to pay critical attention to the resources through which children's agency is built, and the very different models of development they reflect.
Research has shown the nursery industry needs to seek alternative water sources and adopt water conservation strategies to reduce water use in order to stay viable. This study used a qualitative approach to explore nursery growers' perceptions, attitudes, and opinions about water usage to inform the development of Extension programs that encourage adoption of water conservation strategies. Interviews were conducted with 24 nursery growers across the U.S. The findings indicated growers interact with water in various ways, including meeting plant water needs, facilitating chemical distribution, controlling product quality, and facilitating business operations. The participants felt protecting water was the right thing to do and could provide economic benefits to their business, but water management was perceived as a task enforced by regulations. They reported their future interaction with water would include combatting water issues, engaging in the development and implementation of government regulations, seeking water conservation technologies and information, and dealing with financial challenges. Extension educators should be aware of these needs to alleviate concerns about integrating new processes into business plans. Educational programs should assist in the promotion of water conserving products based on knowledge gaps and provide assistance for easier adoption of new technologies by growers.
Objectives To determine the availability of Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) and to provide an overview of its use in neonatal units in government hospitals across India. Setting Cross-sectional cluster survey of a nationally representative sample of government hospitals from across India. Primary outcomes Availability of CPAP in neonatal units. Secondary outcomes Proportion of hospitals where infrastructure and processes to provide CPAP are available. Case fatality rates and complication rates of neonates treated with CPAP. Results Among 661 of 694 government hospitals with neonatal units that provided information on availability of CPAP for neonatal care, 68.3% of medical college hospitals (MCH) and 36.6% of district hospitals (DH) used CPAP in neonates. Assessment of a representative sample of 142 hospitals (79 MCH and 63 DH) showed that air-oxygen blenders were available in 50.7% (95% CI 41.4,60.9) and staff trained in the use of CPAP were present in 56.0% (45.8,65.8) of hospitals. The nurse to patient ratio was 7.3 (6.4,8.5) in MCH and 6.6 (5.5,8.3) in DH. Clinical guidelines were available in 31.0% of hospitals (22.2,41.4). Upper oxygen saturation limits of above 94% were used in 72% (59.8,81.6) of MCH and 59.3% (44.6,72.5) of DH. Respiratory circuits were reused in 53.8% (42.3,63.9) of hospitals. Case fatality rate for neonates treated with CPAP was 21.4% (16.6,26.2); complication rates were 0.7% (0.2,1.2) for pneumothorax, 7.4% (0.9,13.9) for retinopathy, and 1.4% (0.7,2.1) for bronchopulmonary dysplasia. Conclusions CPAP is used in neonatal units across government hospitals in India. Neonates may be overexposed to oxygen as the means to detect and treat consequences of oxygen toxicity are insufficient. Neonates may also be exposed to nosocomial infections by reuse of disposables. Case fatality rates for neonates receiving CPAP are high. Complications might be under-reported. Support to infrastructure, training, guidelines implementation, and staffing are needed to improve CPAP use.
OBJECTIVES: To determine the availability of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) and to provide an overview of its use in neonatal units in government hospitals across India. SETTING: Cross-sectional cluster survey of a nationally representative sample of government hospitals from across India. PRIMARY OUTCOMES: Availability of CPAP in neonatal units. SECONDARY OUTCOMES: Proportion of hospitals where infrastructure and processes to provide CPAP are available. Case fatality rates and complication rates of neonates treated with CPAP. RESULTS: Among 661 of 694 government hospitals with neonatal units that provided information on availability of CPAP for neonatal care, 68.3% of medical college hospitals (MCH) and 36.6% of district hospitals (DH) used CPAP in neonates. Assessment of a representative sample of 142 hospitals (79 MCH and 63 DH) showed that air-oxygen blenders were available in 50.7% (95% CI 41.4% to 60.9%) and staff trained in the use of CPAP were present in 56.0% (45.8% to 65.8%) of hospitals. The nurse to patient ratio was 7.3 (6.4 to 8.5) in MCH and 6.6 (5.5 to 8.3) in DH. Clinical guidelines were available in 31.0% of hospitals (22.2% to 41.4%). Upper oxygen saturation limits of above 94% were used in 72% (59.8% to 81.6%) of MCH and 59.3% (44.6% to 72.5%) of DH. Respiratory circuits were reused in 53.8% (42.3% to 63.9%) of hospitals. Case fatality rate for neonates treated with CPAP was 21.4% (16.6% to 26.2%); complication rates were 0.7% (0.2% to 1.2%) for pneumothorax, 7.4% (0.9% to 13.9%) for retinopathy and 1.4% (0.7% to 2.1%) for bronchopulmonary dysplasia. CONCLUSIONS: CPAP is used in neonatal units across government hospitals in India. Neonates may be overexposed to oxygen as the means to detect and treat consequences of oxygen toxicity are insufficient. Neonates may also be exposed to nosocomial infections by reuse of disposables. Case fatality rates for neonates receiving CPAP are high. Complications might be under-reported. Support to infrastructure, training, guidelines implementation and staffing are needed to improve CPAP use.
OBJECTIVES: To determine the availability of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) and to provide an overview of its use in neonatal units in government hospitals across India. SETTING: Cross-sectional cluster survey of a nationally representative sample of government hospitals from across India. PRIMARY OUTCOMES: Availability of CPAP in neonatal units. SECONDARY OUTCOMES: Proportion of hospitals where infrastructure and processes to provide CPAP are available. Case fatality rates and complication rates of neonates treated with CPAP. RESULTS: Among 661 of 694 government hospitals with neonatal units that provided information on availability of CPAP for neonatal care, 68.3% of medical college hospitals (MCH) and 36.6% of district hospitals (DH) used CPAP in neonates. Assessment of a representative sample of 142 hospitals (79 MCH and 63 DH) showed that air-oxygen blenders were available in 50.7% (95% CI 41.4% to 60.9%) and staff trained in the use of CPAP were present in 56.0% (45.8% to 65.8%) of hospitals. The nurse to patient ratio was 7.3 (6.4 to 8.5) in MCH and 6.6 (5.5 to 8.3) in DH. Clinical guidelines were available in 31.0% of hospitals (22.2% to 41.4%). Upper oxygen saturation limits of above 94% were used in 72% (59.8% to 81.6%) of MCH and 59.3% (44.6% to 72.5%) of DH. Respiratory circuits were reused in 53.8% (42.3% to 63.9%) of hospitals. Case fatality rate for neonates treated with CPAP was 21.4% (16.6% to 26.2%); complication rates were 0.7% (0.2% to 1.2%) for pneumothorax, 7.4% (0.9% to 13.9%) for retinopathy and 1.4% (0.7% to 2.1%) for bronchopulmonary dysplasia. CONCLUSIONS: CPAP is used in neonatal units across government hospitals in India. Neonates may be overexposed to oxygen as the means to detect and treat consequences of oxygen toxicity are insufficient. Neonates may also be exposed to nosocomial infections by reuse of disposables. Case fatality rates for neonates receiving CPAP are high. Complications might be under-reported. Support to infrastructure, training, guidelines ...
The feasibility of using floating treatment wetlands (FTWs) to treat runoff typical of commercial nurseries was investigated using two 8-week trials with replicated mesocosms. Plants were supported by Beemat rafts. Five monoculture treatments of Agrostis alba (red top), Canna x generalis Firebird' (canna lily), Carex stricta (tussock sedge), Iris ensata Rising Sun' (Japanese water iris), Panicum virgatum (switchgrass), two mixed species treatments, and an unplanted control were assessed. These plant species are used for ornamental, wetland, and biofuel purposes. Nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) removals were evaluated after a 7-day hydraulic retention time (HRT). N removal (sum of ammonium-N, nitrate-N, and nitrite-N) from FTW treatments ranged from 0.255 to 0.738gm(-2)d(-1) (38.9 to 82.4% removal) and 0.147 to 0.656gm(-2)d(-1) (12.9 to 59.6% removal) for trials 1 and 2, respectively. P removal (phosphate-P) ranged from 0.052 to 0.128gm(-2)d(-1) (26.1 to 64.7% removal) for trial 1, and 0.074 to 0.194gm(-2)d(-1) (26.8 to 63.2% removal) for trial 2. Panicum virgatum removed more N and P than any other FTW treatment and the control in both trials. Results show that species selection and timing of FTW harvest impact the rate and mass of nutrient remediation. FTWs can effectively remove N and P from runoff from commercial nurseries. ; Virginia Agricultural Experiment Station; South Carolina Agricultural Experiment Station; Hatch Program of the National Institute of Food and Agriculture; Specialty Crop Research Initiative Project Clean WateR3 by the U.S. Department of Agriculture [2014-51181-22372]; Virginia Water Resources Research Center; William R. Walker graduate fellowship award; USDA Floral and Nursery Research Initiative (FNRI); Horticultural Research Institute (HRI) ; Funding for this work was provided in part by the Virginia Agricultural Experiment Station, the South Carolina Agricultural Experiment Station, and the Hatch Program of the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, including the Specialty Crop Research Initiative Project Clean WateR 3 (2014-51181-22372), provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Additional support was provided by the Virginia Water Resources Research Center, the William R. Walker graduate fellowship award, the USDA Floral and Nursery Research Initiative (FNRI), and the Horticultural Research Institute (HRI). ; Public domain authored by a U.S. government employee
BACKGROUND: Individuals with severe mental health problems are at risk of social exclusion, which may complicate their recovery. Mental health and social care staff have, until now, had no valid or reliable way of assessing their clients' social inclusion. The Social Inclusion Questionnaire User Experience (SInQUE) was developed to address this. It assesses five domains: social integration; productivity; consumption; access to services; and political engagement, in the year prior to first psychiatric admission (T1) and the year prior to interview (T2) from which a total score at each time point can be calculated. AIMS: To establish the validity, reliability, and acceptability of the SInQUE in individuals with a broad range of psychiatric diagnoses receiving care from community mental health services and its utility for mental health staff. METHOD: Participants were 192 mental health service users with psychosis, personality disorder, or common mental disorder (e.g., depression, anxiety) who completed the SInQUE alongside other validated outcome measures. Test–retest reliability was assessed in a sub-sample of 30 participants and inter-rater reliability was assessed in 11 participants. SInQUE ratings of 28 participants were compared with those of a sibling with no experience of mental illness to account for shared socio-cultural factors. Acceptability and utility of the tool were assessed using completion rates and focus groups with staff. RESULTS: The SInQUE demonstrated acceptable convergent validity. The total score and the Social Integration domain score were strongly correlated with quality of life, both in the full sample and in the three diagnostic groups. Discriminant validity and test–retest reliability were established across all domains, although the test–retest reliability on scores for the Service Access and Political Engagement domains prior to first admission to hospital (T1) was lower than other domains. Inter-rater reliability was excellent for all domains at T1 and T2. CONCLUSIONS: The component ...
Dolomite and a micronutrient fertilizer are routinely incorporated into a pine bark-based soilless substrate when producing containerized nursery crops, yet the effect of these amendments on phosphorus (P) is not well understood. The objective of this research was to determine the effect of dolomite and micronutrient fertilizer amendments on P partitioning among four P fractions (i.e., orthophosphate-P EOM non-orthophosphate dissolved P [NODP], total dissolved P [TDP], and particulate P (PPJ) and to model potential P species in leachate of pine bark substrate. Amendment treatments incorporated into bark at experiment initiation included (1) a control (no fertilizer, dolomite, or micronutrient fertilizer), (2) controlled-release fertilizer (CRF), (3) CRF and dolomite, (4) CRF and micronutrient fertilizer, or (5) CRF, dolomite, and micronutrient fertilizer. Phosphorus fractions in leachate of irrigated pine bark columns were determined at eight sampling times over 48 days. Amending pine bark with dolomite and micronutrient fertilizer reduced leachate OP concentrations by 70% when averaged across sampling dates primarily due to retention of OP in the substrate by dolomite. The NODP fraction was unaffected by amendments, and the response of TDP was similar to that of OP. Particulate P was present throughout the study and was strongly correlated particulate Fe and DOC concentrations. Visual MINTEQ indicated MnHPO4 and Ca-5(PO4)(3)(OH) were consistently saturated with respect to their solid phase in treatments containing CRF. Results of this study suggest amending pine bark with dolomite and micronutrients is a best management practice for reducing P leaching from containerized nurseries. ; Virginia Agricultural Experiment Station of the National Institute of Food and Agriculture [SCRI 2014-51181-22372]; Hatch Program of the National Institute of Food and Agriculture [SCRI 2014-51181-22372]; US Dep. of Agriculture; Horticultural Research Institute; Virginia Nursery and Landscape Association ; The authors thank Julie Brindley, Velva Groover, Anna Birnbaum, and Doug Sturtz for technical assistance, as well as Pacific Organics for donating pine bark for this research. Funding was provided by the Virginia Agricultural Experiment Station and the Hatch Program of the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (including SCRI 2014-51181-22372), the US Dep. of Agriculture, the Horticultural Research Institute, and the Virginia Nursery and Landscape Association. ; Public domain authored by a U.S. government employee
We present a progress report of a study of FR I and FR II radio galaxies. Several new morphological features in the radio emission are now revealed using the high (mJy) sensitivity reached in the range 550–1712 MHz, more than a factor of three, at the high ( 400 700) angular resolution with the upgraded Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (uGMRT) and MeerKAT. Therefore, the aim of this study is to understand if we need to revise our current classification scheme for classical radio galaxies. In order to address our goals, we have carefully constructed a sample of 14 (6 FR I, 6 FR II and 2 FR 0) radio galaxies. The uGMRT and MeerKAT images of our four target sources revealed a wealth of morphological details, e.g., filamentary structure in the emission from the lobes, misalignments, radio emission beyond the hot-spots in three sources, etc.; see Fanaroff et al. (2021). Here, we present preliminary results for two more radio galaxies from our sample using uGMRT, in the light of the local environment. Finally, we are awaiting uGMRT and MeerKAT observations of remaining sample sources. Our results show that for the radio galaxies in this study, the morphological classification scheme for the classical FR I/FR II radio galaxies still holds, even with the improved imaging capabilities of the uGMRT and MeerKAT. Furthermore, we need to be cautious when using automated procedures for classification schemes, e.g., in surveys (with poorer sensitivities and angular resolutions) because of the rich morphological details that are shown in our uGMRT and MeerKAT images. ; The Department of Atomic Energy, Government of India; the Ministero degli Affari Esteri e della Cooperazione Internazionale, Direzione Generale per la Promozione del Sistema Paese, Progetto di Grande Rilevanza; the South African Research Chairs Initiative of the Department of Science and Technology; the National Research Foundation; the European Research Council (ERC) under the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme; the Italian Minister ...
In: Killaspy , H , White , S , Wright , C , Taylor , T , Turton , P , Schuetzwohl , M , Schuster , M , Cervilla , J A , Brangier , P , Raboch , J , Kalisova , L , Onchev , G , Alexiev , S , Mezzina , R , Ridente , P , Wiersma , D , Visser , E , Kiejna , A , Adamowski , T , Ploumpidis , D , Gonidakis , F , Caldas-de-Almeida , J , Cardoso , G & King , M B 2011 , ' The development of the Quality Indicator for Rehabilitative Care (QuIRC) : a measure of best practice for facilities for people with longer term mental health problems ' , BMC Psychiatry , vol. 11 , 35 . https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-244X-11-35
Background: Despite the progress over recent decades in developing community mental health services internationally, many people still receive treatment and care in institutional settings. Those most likely to reside longest in these facilities have the most complex mental health problems and are at most risk of potential abuses of care and exploitation. This study aimed to develop an international, standardised toolkit to assess the quality of care in longer term hospital and community based mental health units, including the degree to which human rights, social inclusion and autonomy are promoted. Method: The domains of care included in the toolkit were identified from a systematic literature review, international expert Delphi exercise, and review of care standards in ten European countries. The draft toolkit comprised 154 questions for unit managers. Inter-rater reliability was tested in 202 units across ten countries at different stages of deinstitutionalisation and development of community mental health services. Exploratory factor analysis was used to corroborate the allocation of items to domains. Feedback from those using the toolkit was collected about its usefulness and ease of completion. Results: The toolkit had excellent inter-rater reliability and few items with narrow spread of response. Unit managers found the content highly relevant and were able to complete it in around 90 minutes. Minimal refinement was required and the final version comprised 145 questions assessing seven domains of care. Conclusions: Triangulation of qualitative and quantitative evidence directed the development of a robust and comprehensive international quality assessment toolkit for units in highly variable socioeconomic and political contexts.
BACKGROUND: Despite the progress over recent decades in developing community mental health services internationally, many people still receive treatment and care in institutional settings. Those most likely to reside longest in these facilities have the most complex mental health problems and are at most risk of potential abuses of care and exploitation. This study aimed to develop an international, standardised toolkit to assess the quality of care in longer term hospital and community based mental health units, including the degree to which human rights, social inclusion and autonomy are promoted. METHOD: The domains of care included in the toolkit were identified from a systematic literature review, international expert Delphi exercise, and review of care standards in ten European countries. The draft toolkit comprised 154 questions for unit managers. Inter-rater reliability was tested in 202 units across ten countries at different stages of deinstitutionalisation and development of community mental health services. Exploratory factor analysis was used to corroborate the allocation of items to domains. Feedback from those using the toolkit was collected about its usefulness and ease of completion. RESULTS: The toolkit had excellent inter-rater reliability and few items with narrow spread of response. Unit managers found the content highly relevant and were able to complete it in around 90 minutes. Minimal refinement was required and the final version comprised 145 questions assessing seven domains of care. CONCLUSIONS: Triangulation of qualitative and quantitative evidence directed the development of a robust and comprehensive international quality assessment toolkit for units in highly variable socioeconomic and political contexts.
Abstract Background Despite the progress over recent decades in developing community mental health services internationally, many people still receive treatment and care in institutional settings. Those most likely to reside longest in these facilities have the most complex mental health problems and are at most risk of potential abuses of care and exploitation. This study aimed to develop an international, standardised toolkit to assess the quality of care in longer term hospital and community based mental health units, including the degree to which human rights, social inclusion and autonomy are promoted. Method The domains of care included in the toolkit were identified from a systematic literature review, international expert Delphi exercise, and review of care standards in ten European countries. The draft toolkit comprised 154 questions for unit managers. Inter-rater reliability was tested in 202 units across ten countries at different stages of deinstitutionalisation and development of community mental health services. Exploratory factor analysis was used to corroborate the allocation of items to domains. Feedback from those using the toolkit was collected about its usefulness and ease of completion. Results The toolkit had excellent inter-rater reliability and few items with narrow spread of response. Unit managers found the content highly relevant and were able to complete it in around 90 minutes. Minimal refinement was required and the final version comprised 145 questions assessing seven domains of care. Conclusions Triangulation of qualitative and quantitative evidence directed the development of a robust and comprehensive international quality assessment toolkit for units in highly variable socioeconomic and political contexts.
In: Killaspy , H , White , S , Wright , C , Taylor , T L , Turton , P , Schuetzwohl , M , Schuster , M , Cervilla , J A , Brangier , P , Raboch , J , Kalisova , L , Onchev , G , Alexiev , S , Mezzina , R , Ridente , P , Wiersma , D , Visser , E , Kiejna , A , Adamowski , T , Ploumpidis , D , Gonidakis , F , Caldas-de-Almeida , J , Cardoso , G & King , M B 2011 , ' The development of the Quality Indicator for Rehabilitative Care (QuIRC) : a measure of best practice for facilities for people with longer term mental health problems ' , BMC Psychiatry , vol. 11 , 35 . https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-244X-11-35 ; ISSN:1471-244X
Background: Despite the progress over recent decades in developing community mental health services internationally, many people still receive treatment and care in institutional settings. Those most likely to reside longest in these facilities have the most complex mental health problems and are at most risk of potential abuses of care and exploitation. This study aimed to develop an international, standardised toolkit to assess the quality of care in longer term hospital and community based mental health units, including the degree to which human rights, social inclusion and autonomy are promoted. Method: The domains of care included in the toolkit were identified from a systematic literature review, international expert Delphi exercise, and review of care standards in ten European countries. The draft toolkit comprised 154 questions for unit managers. Inter-rater reliability was tested in 202 units across ten countries at different stages of deinstitutionalisation and development of community mental health services. Exploratory factor analysis was used to corroborate the allocation of items to domains. Feedback from those using the toolkit was collected about its usefulness and ease of completion. Results: The toolkit had excellent inter-rater reliability and few items with narrow spread of response. Unit managers found the content highly relevant and were able to complete it in around 90 minutes. Minimal refinement was required and the final version comprised 145 questions assessing seven domains of care. Conclusions: Triangulation of qualitative and quantitative evidence directed the development of a robust and comprehensive international quality assessment toolkit for units in highly variable socioeconomic and political contexts.
In 2016, the Transplantation Society of Australia and New Zealand, with the support of the Australian Government Organ and Tissue authority, commissioned a literature review on the topic of infectious disease transmission from deceased donors to recipients of solid organ transplants. The purpose of this review was to synthesize evidence on transmission risks, diagnostic test characteristics, and recipient management to inform best-practice clinical guidelines. The final review, presented as a special supplement in Transplantation Direct, collates case reports of transmission events and other peer-reviewed literature, and summarizes current (as of June 2017) international guidelines on donor screening and recipient management. Of particular interest at the time of writing was how to maximize utilization of donors at increased risk for transmission of human immunodeficiency virus, hepatitis C virus, and hepatitis B virus, given the recent developments, including the availability of direct-acting antivirals for hepatitis C virus and improvements in donor screening technologies. The review also covers emerging risks associated with recent epidemics (eg, Zika virus) and the risk of transmission of nonendemic pathogens related to donor travel history or country of origin. Lastly, the implications for recipient consent of expanded utilization of donors at increased risk of blood-borne viral disease transmission are considered.