Search

To make better use of brine, it is necessary to detect the element content before mining and processing. Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) is a fast, simple, and flexible analytical method. However, the absorption of laser energy by liquid greatly reduces the plasma life and emission intensity. Although an improvement in the excitation source improves the characterization of the liquid, it makes the device more complicated and increases the cost. This article introduces a method for detecting Na and Mg in brine using LIBS with filter paper adsorption (FPA-LIBS). The limits of detection were 7.98 and 10.57 mg L−1 for sodium (Na) and magnesium (Mg), respectively. The results of six brine samples obtained using this method and inductively coupled plasma – optical emission spectrometry were compared. The discrepancy and recovery values were 1.34–8.94% and 91.64–107.35%, respectively. In addition, the results of the analysis after storage for five days were consistent with those measured initially. These results indicate that FPA-LIBS accurately determined Na and Mg in brine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To identify the definitions of a fall, faller classifications and outcomes used in prospectively-recorded falls research among people with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). A systematic review of peer-reviewed journal articles was conducted using electronic databases. Relevant data were extracted by one reviewer and verified by a second independent reviewer. Twenty-six papers met the inclusion criteria. A relative degree of heterogeneity existed amongst studies for the outcomes of interest to this review. Thirteen different fall definitions were identified. Fourteen different falls outcomes were used across the included studies, with six of these reported by only one study each. Data regarding injurious falls were presented by only eight papers. The majority (n = 17) of papers classified individuals as a faller if they fell at least once. This review highlights the large variation in fall definitions, faller classifications and outcomes used in this research field. This hinders cross-comparison and pooling of data, thereby preventing researchers and clinicians from drawing conclusive findings from existing literature. The creation of an international standard for the definition of a fall, faller classification and falls outcomes would allow for transparent and coordinated falls research for people with MS, facilitating progression in this research field. Falls are a common occurrence among people with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) resulting in numerous negative consequences. There is large heterogeneity in the definitions, methods and outcomes used in falls research for people with MS. This lack of standardisation prevents the accurate cross-comparison and pooling of data, impeding the identification of falls risk factors and effective falls prevention interventions for people with MS. Consequently, clinicians should interpret the outcomes of falls research for people with MS with caution, particularly when comparing studies regarding falls risk assessments and falls prevention interventions for use in clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Drug overdose deaths in Texas have been accelerating in recent years with an increase of 33% in the 12 months leading up to December 2020. Accurate counts of nonfatal overdoses – including associated aspects of overdose, such as substances involved, demographic information, and reversal agents administered is critical to increase timely and adequate response to individuals and communities in need. Methods: Twenty semi-structured interviews were conducted with harm reduction workers across four Texas counties to understand existing methods of reporting overdoses, naloxone dissemination/administration, and recommendations for improving overdose surveillance. Interviews were transcribed and emergent themes were identified based on the a priori research goals. Results: Findings highlighted a variety of overdose data collection methods and tools among harm reduction organizations including Excel spreadsheet, web-based TONI application, notes on personal cell phones, and paper notes. Types of overdose data collected varied widely. Participants noted existing methods are suboptimal and that there is a need for a unified, statewide reporting system to improve overdose data capture. Participants also highlighted that overdose surveillance should include "hidden populations" of people who use drugs that are not currently counted in surveillance methods as a result of not interacting with the healthcare system. Conclusions: Texas lacks a unified overdose reporting system to capture critical data to inform overdose response and prevention efforts. Nontraditional reporters may be critical toward improving overdose syndromic efforts and capturing data among hard-to-reach populations. Harm reduction organizations are uniquely positioned to facilitate reporting among community gatekeepers and people who use drugs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In palliative care in the UK, occupational and/or physiotherapists consult with patients to assess how they are managing their activities for daily living in light of their life-limiting condition(s), and to identify any activities that might benefit from therapeutic intervention. In this paper we use conversation analysis to describe a patient's practice in these consultations, which we call "procedural detailing," whereby they produce a step-by-step description of how they do some everyday activity, such that it is depicted as adequate, stable, and unproblematic. Based on a collection of 15 cases identified in video recordings of consultations in a large English hospice, we demonstrate how patients use this practice to normalize their routine conduct and thereby reject or rule out an actual or anticipated therapeutic recommendation. Our analysis suggests that such descriptions let patients participate in shared decision-making by revealing their preference for routines that preserve their level of independence and dignity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper illustrates the development, value and outcome of co-working with a 'child research advisory group' (CRAG) within healthcare research. The UK qualitative study completed as part of a Doctorate in Education (EdD) primarily explored the child's experience of hospital in Northern Ireland from the perspective of the child (and children's nurse). Essentially the role of the CRAG was to co-develop simple research questions and a data collection tool which was child centered, rather than adult centered – the research tool would be used with the main study child participants aged six to 12 years old in 2017. Five primary school children, with experience of hospital from year six and seven agreed to act as a CRAG in 2016. The outcome being an innovative data collection tool which is an App featuring the choice of two talking cartoon characters who asked the co-designed research questions via an iPad. The characters are Sprinkle Cupcake and Ronaldo Football. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The demand for current practical advice in how to conduct research by videoconference is internationally recognised. Many researchers in medical education are transitioning to using online methods for the first time, through design or necessity. This paper aims to provide practical advice on utilising videoconference technology for research, from design to execution. The tips include how to manage important elements such as ethics approval, online etiquette, contingency planning, technology management, and data capture. Recommendations include how to promote participant engagement with online data collection methods, in some cases paralleling the literature around synchronous online learning. The tried and tested tips have been developed by the authors based on their research experience, a literature review and the results of a post-participation survey of medical students on their experiences engaging in research online via videoconference. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The optimization of the human-centeredness of technological innovations – policy digitalization - has exceedingly proliferated in most policy sectors. Yet, a few studies exist on the implications of digital policy tools in realizing social protection policies for older people, particularly in Africa. This paper discusses this issue. It examines data on the 'digital capabilities' of older persons and how digital technologies impact their usage and access to social safety net programs in Kenya, where digital policy tools like mHealth and e-Payment platforms are used to realize them. The data collection involved interviews with 81 respondents between 65-90 years of age (individuals targeted by social safety net programs and Social Protection officers). Findings show a need for more robust and policy target-sensitive efforts and budget allocation to overcome policy digitalization challenges, especially those arising from structural governance inequalities or older people's capability deficits that underpin digital transformation pathways for different policy targets. Most older people in rural areas have negative attitudes and low user digital capabilities toward digital services. This is partly due to a range of challenges from infrastructural deficiencies, low access to internet resources to inadequate policy communication around digital tools. However, higher digital capabilities of policy targets and positive societal attitudes toward digital platforms could improve effective 'public policy digitalization' with more targeted investments and user-sensitive designs in place. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many health-related measurement instruments have been developed to measure psychological constructs and whilst several instruments are usually available for a particular study, finding the right tool for the job is important. Systematic reviews of measurement properties of instruments have long been identified as a valuable strategy to ensure that we select the right tool to assess mental health. There are many important steps and procedures to guide these types of systematic reviews to find the "best fit" and this paper summarizes some of these key processes and steps. The selection of instrument(s) to use should be made considering the most recent comprehensive review of the quality of the outcome measurement instrument based on unbiased assessment of its psychometric properties, responsiveness, and generalizability of results. Researchers planning to conduct a systematic review of health-related measurement instruments should design the review beforehand using standardized frameworks. Conducting systematic reviews of the quality and psychometric properties of health-related measurement instruments is important to ensure we choose the best tool for the research question and target population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the expansion of the coal mining depth and scales, the content of coal mine methane (CMM) is increasing, bringing the great challenge to the safe coal mining and greenhouse gas control. Researching CMM emission laws and its drainage technologies in underground coal mining is essential. This paper analyzed the sources of CMM emission in the workface and then put forward the grid method to measure the CMM emission laws in the single coal seam, which error was verified by the integral method. The CMM emission laws of the S2107 workface of the Yuwu mine, northeastern Qinshui basin, China were researched as a case study and it is found that the upper corner was the key position of CMM control in the workface. The sub-source CMM drainage methods by the strike high-level roadway and long vertical buried pipes were applied against the different CMM sources in the S2107 workface. The gas concentration in the return air was less than 0.6% during the CMM drainage, verifying the effectiveness of the sub-source CMM drainage methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Critical incidents are unanticipated events (either positive or negative) that teachers may encounter during a lesson or other situation causing them to reflect on their approach and change accordingly..Critical incidents have great potential for learning as they are vividly remembered and set the conditions for systematic reflection. However, despite the importance of the critical incident technique for professional learning in Initial Teacher Education (ITE), it is not generally used in teacher education programmes until the practicum stage when video-analysis is used. This study aims to analyse student teachers' individual and group reflections regarding two cases recorded on video in Portugal and Spain. Under the context of an Erasmus research project entitled 'Digital Practicum 3.0: Exploring Augmented Reality, Remote Classrooms, and Virtual Learning to enrich and expand preservice teacher education preparation (2020–1-ES01-KA226-HE - 096,120)' two cohorts of 39 and 22 student teachers, respectively, reflected upon two critical incidents previously selected by the student teachers who had taught the two lessons that were video recorded. They had to watch the videos and analyse the incidents both in group discussion and individual reflection. Findings suggest that such a strategy is key to enhancing the development of critical reflection in Initial Teacher Education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: It can be challenging to research aspects of people's health behaviour, attitudes, and emotions due to the sensitive nature of these topics. We aimed to develop a novel methodology for discussing sensitive health topics, and explore the effectiveness in focus groups using prostate cancer and screening as an example. Method: We developed a fictitious case and employed it as a projective technique in focus groups on prostate cancer and screening. The participants were men and their partners who lived in Denmark. Results: The technique encouraged emotional and cognitive openness in focus group discussions about the risk of prostate cancer, the benefits and harms of screening, and decision-making about screening. It appeared that using the fictitious case allowed the participants to personally distance themselves from the topic, project emotions onto the case, and thereby openly talk about their emotions. Conclusion: This article presents a methodological contribution to communication about sensitive topics in focus groups, using prostate cancer screening as an example. Further refinement of the methodology is needed to enable participants to transfer improvements in knowledge to their own decision about screening. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate the impact of missing data and imputation with the response function (RF) approach on bias and precision of disability estimates as well as reliability of scale of WHO Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0. Data were collected by face-to-face interviews and self-report surveys from 284 respondents with low back pain. Hypothetical datasets were created by using person and item parameters of real data. A simulation study was devised to assess the ability parameters and reliability measures on incomplete and imputed datasets. Rasch model was used to evaluate latent trait levels. Imputation was carried out using the response function method. Almost the same level of bias and MSE was reached. While the missing rate increases, the Person separation index slightly reduced, still exceeded 0.94 and Cronbach alpha values have similar mean values of 0.99 with larger variations. After deletion of four items of "work or school activities" in domain 5, reliability measures reduced the lowest. Construct validity is preserved. Problems regarding the compliance of the items with the target group still persist. When researchers encounter missingness in data collected with WHODAS 2.0, the response function can be usefully implemented to impute missing values to improve the reliability of disability level estimates. The Turkish version of the 36-item WHODAS is reliable and valid for assessing health and disability status in patients with low back pain. A critical issue is a systematic nonresponse was highly observed in items related to "work/school life activities" which are allowed to be skipped and excluded from the scoring according to WHODAS 2.0 training manual. Imputation of missing values within four items of "work or school activities" in domain 5 using the response function approach showed satisfactory reliability for the estimation of disability in adults with low back pain. This study showed missing data imputations with response function can be implemented by a statistician as contribute to a missing data management process better tailored to clinicians' interpretations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Create a language-independent, ecologically valid auditory processing assessment and evaluate relative stimuli intelligibility in native and non-native English speakers. The Language-Independent Speech in Noise and Reverberation Test (LISiNaR) targets comprised consonant-vowel (CVCV) pseudo-words. Distractors comprised CVCVCVCV pseudo-words. Stimuli were presented over headphones using an iPad either face-to-face or remotely. Scoring occurred adaptively to establish a participant's speech reception threshold in noise (SRT). The listening environment was simulated using reverberant and anechoic head-related transfer functions. In four test conditions, targets originated from 0°. Distractors originated from either ±90°, ±67.5° and ±45° (spatially separated) or 0° azimuth (co-located). Reverberation impact (RI) was calculated as the difference in SRTs between the anechoic and reverberant conditions and spatial advantage (SA) as the difference between the spatially separated and co-located conditions. Young adult native speakers of Australian (n = 24) and Canadian (25) and non-native English speakers (34). No significant effects of language occurred for the test conditions, RI or SA. A small but significant effect of delivery mode occurred for RI. Reverberation impacted SRT by 5 dB relative to anechoic conditions. Performance on LISiNaR is not affected by the native language or accent of groups tested in this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Youth participatory action research (YPAR) centers the experiences of young people as experts in issues impacting their lives. The process of engaging in YPAR has potential to create positive outcomes for youth researchers, including skills associated with empowerment. As such, YPAR is a valuable method for building community power and capacity for change. Little is understood about the process by which empowerment happens through YPAR, including how youth develop a sense of themselves as changemakers and the indicators that an empowering space and process have been created. The current study identified components of youth empowerment rooted in the experiences of young people who were involved in YPAR. Data were collected through an initiative between university researchers and three community-based organizations. The project included development of three YPAR teams with a total of 15 youth and young adult researchers. Data for this study were drawn from post-project focus groups and observation tools that were completed at each YPAR team meeting. Using a theory-driven coding structure for empowerment, the researchers used an iterative qualitative analysis process to identify key indicators of empowerment that emerged from the data. Examples of how they manifested provide valuable insight to community practitioners as well as community-engaged researchers as they work to support community leadership and power building. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article shifts the traditional approach to case studies in healthcare chaplaincy from questions about what chaplains do to questions of who chaplains are and how they experience the work. We draw insights from womanist theology to offer three narratives written by African American healthcare chaplains that illustrate themes of intersectionality, the effects interview contexts have on training and work, and key questions that emerge while doing the work. These narratives honor the largely invisible work of African-American chaplains while raising central hypotheses for research and intervention we outline in conclusion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

1: To determine whether Total UK FIM + FAM scores can identify patients in VS/MCS. 2: Using the identified cut-off points, to examine outcomes from specialist rehabilitation. Part 1: Retrospective analysis of a consecutive clinical cohort (n = 388) presenting to a single specialist PDOC evaluation programme 2007–2021. FIM + FAM scores were analysed by PDOC diagnosis to define cut-off points for vegetative (VS) and minimally conscious states (MCS). Part 2: Multicentre cohort analysis of prospectively-collected clinical outcomes data from the UK Rehabilitation Outcomes Collaborative database of adults in PDOC registered 2011–2020 (n = 2384 in 68 centres). Cut-off points of ≤31 and 32–35 in FIM + FAM total scores respectively identified patients in VS/MCS-Minus and MCS-Plus. Approximately 365 PDOC patients are admitted to specialist rehabilitation units in England each year. By discharge, 43% have emerged into consciousness and demonstrate a wide range of disability. A few reached full independence, but the majority remained severely dependent. Nevertheless, those who emerged generated mean net life-time savings of over £436,000 (£400 million for this cohort). In absence of a dedicated PDOC registry, FIM + FAM scores can identify patients in VS/MCS at population level. Identifying those who emerge and providing timely rehabilitation generates cost-savings well-exceeding the cost of the evaluation/rehabilitation programme. The UK National Health Service currently collects no systematic data to identify patients in PDOC, so we have no accurate information on how many patients there are, where they are managed or what their outcomes are. In the absence of more direct data, total FIM + FAM scores of < =31 and 32–35 respectively can be used to identify patients in vegetative and minimally conscious states. Of the 365 or so patients admitted to specialist rehabilitation units per year, 43% emerge into consciousness leaving about 150 patients per year in PDOC states that are likely to be permanent. Identifying those who emerge and providing timely rehabilitation generates cost-savings that pay for the entire PDOC evaluation/rehabilitation programme many times over. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Green building (GB) policies are continuously being launched and adjusted in China to pursue resource conservation and emission reduction. Though reviewing the policy evolution could reveal the industry's historical experience and strategic development concept and contribute to assessing and enhancing the policy system's effectiveness, a comprehensive review of the whole GB policy system is still lacking in China. Consequently, this study examined the evolution of 1083 GB policies in China over the past two decades from the perspectives of policy objectives, policy content, and policy tools through text mining and content analysis, filling the research gap. Results show that GB policy objectives were gradually being quantified and formulated in greater detail, with the foci changed from innovation award and assessment to energy-saving retrofit and prefabrication. Supervision policies were primarily used among seven policy tool categories in recent years. The policy enhancement recommendations were proposed accordingly, supporting policymakers to improve the policy settings, providing real-time orientations for industrial sustainability development, and enlightening other countries to promote GBs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Public health/risk communication is the foremost responsibility of a government during a pandemic. Risk communication aims to educate people, enhance their risk perceptions to help them engage and understand the benefits of compliance with recommendations. The existing legal enforcement of recommendations in India is criticized for failing to influence the public's compliance. While existing research provides conceptual and empirical support in explaining compliance during COVID-19, we note a lack of studies that might bring out country-specific areas of improvement. We argue that value-aligned risk communication is more likely to influence the public's behavioral intentions to adopt the government's recommendations. We employed a triangulation mixed-method study to link risk communication attributes to the public's end goals and values. We triangulate these findings using the COVID score survey. We found that timeliness and transparency constitute risk communication's functional component, and empathy and trust constitute risk communication's emotional component. We found a difference in the preference of functional and emotional components among the public and health partners. Irrespective of this divide in perception, the study found that both groups unanimously noted engagement as the crucial aspect for empowerment and involvement to aid the public in teaming with the government to combat the pandemic effectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most United States schools include school-based physical fitness testing (SB-PFT), yet little evidence shows how it is implemented, perceived, and used. 1) Explore stakeholders' experiences with SB-PFT; 2) identify: challenges in analyzing fitness data, ways schools can use fitness data, and predictors of meeting fitness benchmarks. Data were collected in a partner school district (King County, Washington, USA). We conducted and analyzed qualitative interviews with middle schoolers (n = 30), parents (n = 20), and school staff (n = 5); and identified student-level predictors of meeting fitness benchmarks with two-level mixed effects logistic regression models using district's fitness assessment data (grades 4–8). Stakeholders identified challenges and provided feedback on SB-PFT, and predictors of meeting fitness benchmarks were identified. Findings suggest SB-PFT has potential to be useful in promoting adolescents' fitness, but opportunities exist to improve the testing process and the ways that results are shared and utilized. Translation to Health Education Practice: Teachers would benefit from resources to understand and discuss the role of SB-PFT in a physically active lifestyle with students, ensure a positive testing experience by conducting assessments more privately and taking the time to practice assessments beforehand, and track testing outcomes and relevant demographics. A AJHE Self-Study quiz is online for this article via the SHAPE America Online Institute (SAOI) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is an increasing amount of research that investigates the needs and wishes of people with aphasia and their relatives with regards to improving the accessibility of communication with healthcare professionals (HCP). An important way to improve this is by training HCP to use supportive conversation techniques and tools. This study aimed to inform the development of such a training, by adding to previous findings in the literature regarding the experiences, needs and wishes of people with aphasia and their relatives. We were interested in their experiences with the accessibility of communication and support from HCP and how they believed this can be improved. An exploratory qualitative research design was chosen. Data was collected through qualitative semi-structured interviews with 20 people with aphasia and 12 relatives. The time post stroke ranged from 3 months to 41 years. Four themes described the data. According to people with aphasia and relatives (1) information transfer in healthcare settings and (2) the use of supported conversation techniques by HCP are inadequate, (3) there is a lack of shared decision-making in healthcare settings, and (4) support, guidance, counseling and education is mainly targeted at the person with aphasia. People with aphasia and relatives reported a variety of positive and negative experiences in all themes. Even though guidelines and interventions have been developed to improve healthcare for people with aphasia and their relatives, we found that people still encounter substantial challenges in access to- and provision of information, shared decision-making, support and communication with HCP. The findings in this study provide some important recommendations for improvement, including the improvement of transfer of information, shared decision-making and individual support for the relatives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although alcohol consumption is a well-known risk factor for intimate partner violence (IPV) perpetration, few studies have been conducted among young males in low- and middle-income countries. Alcohol consumption and IPV are both complex phenomena, whose association requires more in-depth exploration regarding drinking patterns and the alcohol-related manifestation of five different forms of IPV. In this study, we sought to explore the relationship between alcohol use and IPV in young Tanzanian men and to identify differences in the magnitude of past-year IPV perpetration among alcohol drinkers and abstainers. Furthermore, we aimed to assess the association between various drinking patterns with the perpetration of different forms of IPV. A cross-sectional survey of 1002 young males residing in Mwanza, Tanzania, was conducted in 2021–2022. Data on alcohol consumption were collected using the alcohol use disorder identification test. IPV perpetration was assessed using an index total of 19 items on acts of physical, sexual, economic, emotional abuse, and controlling behaviour. Logistic regression models were conducted to estimate the relationship between alcohol use and the perpetration of each form of IPV. Among partnered respondents currently consuming alcohol (n = 189, 18.8%), the most and the least prevalent IPV forms in the past 12 months were controlling behaviour (84.1%) and physical IPV (25.4%), respectively. Those reporting recent alcohol consumption reported higher rates of all forms of past-year IPV perpetration compared to abstainers. While no form of IPV was associated with low-risk consumption versus abstention, all forms of IPV were associated with hazardous drinking. Young men who drink alcohol, especially those drinking hazardously, are also more likely to report perpetrating IPV. An understanding of the different drinking patterns and manifestations of forms of IPV can contribute to better-tailored alcohol-related interventions and has the potential to improve young adults' health and reduce IPV perpetration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although experiencescape has been gaining increasing scholarly attention, there is still a lack of a comprehensive and multi-dimensional scale that can be used to assess destination experiencescape. In addition, how the COVID-19 pandemic has influenced the key components of experiencescape remains unknown. Adopting both qualitative and quantitative approaches, this study proposes a destination experiencescape conceptualization and then empirically tests the proposed scale paying special attention to the challenges the COVID-19 pandemic brought to the travel industry. Specifically, based on the content mining of online reviews posted by travellers and the coding analysis of in-depth interviews as well as a thorough review of literature, this study identifies five second-order dimensions that are formed by 23 first-order constructs. The proposed scale is validated through several content validity check approaches and two rounds of survey data. The nomological validity of this instrument is conducted by examining its influence on two outcome variables: perceived value and destination loyalty. A simplified scale consisting of 22 questions is also validated for future research to adopt. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Puerperal sepsis is an important cause of maternal morbidity and mortality in developing countries. Awareness of local terminology for its signs and symptoms may improve communication about this illness, what actions to take when symptoms appear, timely care seeking, and clinical outcomes. This formative research aimed to improve recognition and management of postpartum sepsis in Pakistan by eliciting local terms used for postpartum illnesses and symptoms. We conducted 32 in-depth interviews with recently delivered women, their relatives, traditional birth attendants, and health care providers to explore postpartum experiences. Terms for symptoms and illness are used interchangeably (i.e. bukhar, the Urdu word for fever), many variations exist for the same term, and gradations of severity for each term as not associated with different types of illnesses. The lack of a designated term for postpartum sepsis in Urdu delays care-seeking and proper diagnosis, particularly at the community level. Ideally, a common lexicon for symptoms and postpartum sepsis would be developed but this may not be feasible or appropriate given the nature of the Urdu language and local understandings of postpartum illness. These insights can inform how we approach educational campaigns, the development of clinical algorithms that focus on symptoms, and counselling protocols. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The author discusses the articles by S. Morain and E. Largent and A. S. Garland, S. Morain, and J. Sugarman which interrogate the differences between pragmatic and explanatory trials as well as the attendant obligations at the researcher, clinician, and health system levels. Topics include role of pragmatic trial designs in the study of a range of interventions, significance of bidirectional flow of information, and how the researcher can communicate effectively about a given pragmatic trial.

Pattern Matching (PM) is a data analysis method used in qualitative research. This article outlines a step-by-step approach to using PM to analyse qualitative data through the example of the author's experience in its use for a master in medical education dissertation. The recommended twelve tips, outlined as steps to be used sequentially in the PM process are: (1) Assess if PM is a suitable technique for you and your research, (2) Consider alternatives, (3) Decide to proceed with PM, (4) Perform literature review, (5) Reflect about your experiences, (6) Define Propositions, (7) Collect your data, (8) Code data, (9) Match data to propositions, (10) Celebrate congruency, (11) Explain discrepancies and, (12) Discuss relevance and utility of findings in your context. PM, when rigorously applied, can increase the internal validity and transferability of qualitative research in medical education. A clear data analysis protocol enhances reliability and dependability of any research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Widely used data-collection methods fail to fully capture the lived experiences and un-met travel demands of marginalized populations and those at disproportionate risk of experiencing transportation disadvantage (TD). This study describes an interdisciplinary collaboration between social work, civil -engineering, and computer science on the development of a transportation data collection tool, MyAmble. The theoretical framework of social exclusion was used as part of the study design in order to better understand the process of marginalization as a result of inability to participate in wider society, in part through lack of transportation. Thus, MyAmble augments the best practices in transportation daily diary research using features designed to characterize and quantify latent travel demand among individuals experiencing TD, as well as the subjective impact of lack of transportation on quality of life and well-being. MyAmble includes several innovations – a daily digital trip planning that captures latent demand, a text-messaging based qualitative interview tool, a self-guided travel history survey, and a challenge logger. We describe the design process and implementation that occurred during a five-day pilot test and present a case study. Finally, findings from the case study suggest that MyAmble was able to successfully capture planned, unplanned, and unserved trips as well as the lived experiences of TD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using both statistical methods and conversation analysis, we examined how support workers in a mental health rehabilitation community encourage clients to participate in joint decision-making processes. Drawing on video-recordings of 29 community meetings as data, we considered support workers' proposals (N = 449) and clients' responsiveness to them. Support workers' proposals were coded for their linguistic and other features and clients' responsiveness was assessed by three independent raters. Multiple linear regression (MLR) analysis was carried out. A significant regression equation with seven predictor variables accounted for 24% of the variance in the data. Four variables predicted a higher level of client responsiveness: the use of explicit recipient address term, "quasi-open" proposal form, support worker's long work experience, and the average level of client participation during a session. Three variables predicted a lower level of client responsiveness: grammatical complexity of proposal form, modal declarative proposal form, and the presence of only one support worker in a session. The qualitative conversation-analytic investigation highlighted the advantages of the careful fine-tuning of openness vs. closedness of proposal form, the reflexive awareness of which, we argue, may help mental health professionals to encourage clients' responsiveness in joint decision-making processes and thereby their participation in communal life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Video modelling (VM) has been found to be an effective intervention in supporting the improvement of social capabilities for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This study examined the effectiveness using video modelling in developing two specific social skills of four students with ASD in a special boys' school namely, playing with friends and how to greet someone at school. The multiple-baseline design across participants was used to evaluate the effectiveness of the video modelling intervention for developing social skills over a period of 18 weeks. The data collected during the study were analysed and discussed in the context of the research questions and literature on the effectiveness of video modelling interventions in developing social skills of children with ASD. The study found that video modelling was effective in developing the targeted social skills in the participating students with ASD and there was evidence that some generalisation of skills had been achieved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of European Journal of Social Work is the property of Routledge and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Following the paradigm shift to recovery in the Anglophone world, recovery is also gaining momentum in drug policy and practice in Flanders (Belgium) and the Netherlands. Since the meaning of recovery is being debated internationally, broadening the assessment of how the recovery framework is applied in policy discourse and how it is implemented in various international contexts is imperative. This comparative policy analysis aims to assess similarities and differences in addiction recovery vision, implementation, and evaluation in Flanders and the Netherlands. The thematic analysis draws upon a triangulation of different data collection methods: a focus group (n = 14) and interviews (n = 21) with key figures in the addictions field, followed by analyses of relevant policy documents (n = 9). Our findings show that a holistic vision of addiction recovery is endorsed in both countries. Although differences in policy development occurred (i.e. centrally driven in Flanders versus 'bottom-up' in the Netherlands), similar challenges emerged concerning recovery-oriented addiction policies. While policymakers in Flanders and the addiction sector in the Netherlands strongly proclaim recovery, structural implementation, dedicated funding, and systematic evaluation of recovery-oriented policies are lacking. This study suggests that systematic inclusion of experts by experience and aligning government and practice level funding and policies are crucial. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]