Elements Of Practice Research Articles

Diversity and biological activities of medicinal plants of Santiago island (Cabo Verde)

Plants continue to constitute key elements of medical practice in West African countries. The Cabo Verde archipelago hosts a great diversity of medicinal plants and local markets are considered important sites for trading plants harvested by rural communities. This study has two main goals: (i) to assess the medicinal uses of native species in Santiago, the biggest island of the archipelago, and (ii) to evaluate the antioxidant, antimicrobial and antidiabetic/antihyperglycemic activities of two native trees (Tamarix senegalensis and Sideroxylon marginatum) used in traditional medicine and traded in local markets. Our results revealed that on Santiago Island, 24 native plants are used in traditional medicine. The main uses of these species (e.g., forage, timber, food and fibres), their medicinal applications, the plant parts used, their mode of administration and conservation status are presented here for the first time. Moreover, the pharmacological characterization of two native tree species revealed that hydroethanolic extracts were richer in phenolic compounds and more active than their aqueous counterparts. All the studied extracts revealed significant antioxidant properties (DPPH and FRAP assays) and were generally moderately active against Gram-positive bacteria. All the extracts inhibited the activities of the carbohydrate digestive enzymes α-glucosidase and α-amylase in a dose-dependent manner. For α-glucosidase, the detected inhibitory activity (IC50 values from 2.0 ± 0.2 μg/mL to 9.9 ± 1.2 μg/mL) was significantly higher than that of acarbose, suggesting that extracts of both species can delay glucose absorption, thereby assisting in slowing down the progression of diabetes. Our findings highlight the crucial importance that medicinal plants have for the Cabo Verdean population, while also raising awareness on the need for sustainable use and conservation of native flora, and of tree species traded in local markets in particular.

Религиозно-мистический опыт и психоаналитическая традиция

Introduction. The purpose of the article is to consider the specifics of the approach to religious and mystical experience in the psychoanalytic tradition from the point of view of revealing the degree of its interdisciplinarity. Theoretical analysis. Using the methods of critical philosophical reflection and dialectical logic, as well as relying on the principle of development, the authors analyze the emergence of the figure of a “psychoanalytic mystic”, going in the direction of overcoming the antithesis of the scientific nature of psychoanalytic theory and the non-scientific nature of religious and mystical phenomena. At the same time, special attention is focused on the factors of interdisciplinary interaction that contributed to the meaningful renewal of psychoanalysis. Conclusion. The logic of the study led to the conclusion that interdisciplinarity manifested itself not simply in borrowing, but in the germination of religious and mystical, and along with them, esoteric elements of spiritual practice within the framework of theory and practice of psychoanalysis.

A Meta-Analysis of Behavior Interventions for Students With Emotional-Behavioral Disorders in Self-Contained Settings

Students with emotional-behavioral disorders (EBDs) often learn in alternative classroom settings to provide more intensive instruction that meets their educational needs. Although research has demonstrated promise for several behavior intervention practices in general education settings, the generalizability of these practices to more restricted environments is unknown. Thus, this meta-analysis aimed to examine the class-wide behavior interventions tested in self-contained learning environments for students with EBDs. Studies investigating behavioral interventions in alternative elementary settings were systematically screened. Fifteen studies with 20 effect sizes met inclusion criteria and results from each study were synthesized. An estimated average effect was calculated ( g = 0.93, SE = 0.16), demonstrating that tested interventions are typically effective in self-contained learning environments to improve student behaviors. A thematic analysis and multi-level meta-regression were conducted to determine which elements are most beneficial to students in these unique learning environments. Results indicated that interventions that included relational supports, such as daily parent communication, differentially benefited students ( B = 1.26, SE = 0.15). Limitations include the small number of studies meeting inclusion criteria that have investigated behavior interventions in self-contained settings and the need for improved research quality. Implications suggest support for adapting standardized practice elements, such as group contingencies, to improve student behaviors in multiple learning environments.

Nurses' perception of identity, practice and support needed in primary care: A descriptive qualitative study.

To explore how primary care registered nurses (PCRNs) describe their professional identity, their perception of their practice, and the support they need to effectively perform the responsibilities of their role. A qualitative descriptive design using inductive content analysis. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with registered nurses (n=14) working in primary care settings in the United States between June 2018 and December 2020. Inductive content analysis was used and comprised three phases: preparation, organizing, and reporting. COREQ reporting guidelines were used. Three categories were discovered related to PCRN identity and practice: Wearing Multiple Hats, Practicing Within Bounds and Change is a Part of Practice. There were also three categories for support needed: Entering In, Ongoing Support and Making it a Better Place. Within each category, subcategories were identified. Primary care registered nurses have a unique professional identity and practice. When entering the setting, nurses must acquire the skills and knowledge to ask the right questions and navigate the system to meet the diverse and complex needs of their patients. PCRNs recognize change is a part of practice and have ideas and visions for what the role of PCRNs could be. Recognizing the unique identity and practice of PCRNs is necessary to create an environment that leverages their skills and knowledge. We identified key elements of PCRN identity and practice and the support necessary to meet their needs. Healthcare organizations must ensure nurses new to the practice setting receive training and support for their unique and essential role. Additionally, leaders must partner with nurses to enhance nursing practice and achieve optimal patient outcomes. Adherence to COREQ guidelines were maintained. No patient or public contribution.

Clinical experience can compensate for inferior academic achievements in an undergraduate objective structured clinical examination

BackgroundPractical and non-cognitive skills are essential to medical professions; yet, success in medical studies is primarily assessed with cognitive criteria. We show that practical exams can benefit students who have only average high school final grades, but working experience in medical professions.MethodsWith a cross-sectional study, we compare the performance of undergraduate medical students with working experience in adjacent health-care professions (and below-average school leaving-grades) with students who entered medical school directly based on their excellent school records in an Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE). For a sample of more than 1,200 students, we use information on OSCE scores in medical and practical skills, doctor-patient communication/interaction, performance in MC-exams, and core sociodemographic variables.ResultsWaiting list students outperformed their classmates in the demonstration of practical skills. Students admitted via their excellent school grades scored best overall. This difference vanishes once we control for school-leaving grade and age, the two main factors separating the analysed groups. Students from the waiting list have a significantly smaller overall chance to reach excellent grades in the first two years of study.ConclusionsStudents who gathered experiences in health-care professions before enrolling at medical school can benefit from an expanded role of practical elements in medical studies. Student selection instruments should take these different starting positions and qualities of applicants into account, for example with a quota for the professionally experienced.

How Far Do Current Theories and Techniques Go Towards Helping the Families and Couples of Today?

The author reviews his own history of applying psychoanalysis to the understanding and treatment of families and couples over a career of more than fifty years to ask the question: what elements of analytic understanding and practice still apply to the changing forms of families in the world and the complexity of situations in which families find themselves? He also considers the recent changes brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic and by deteriorating geopolitical situations. He concludes that analytic understanding of the unconscious organisation of the individual and the shared unconscious of the family, and the consideration of historical and cultural contexts, continues to offer a rich set of orienting ideas for our work.

Let’s talk about chefs, baby: Comparing three types of home cooks on recipe use before and during COVID-19

Not everyone comes to the kitchen equally equipped and, as such, does not have the same opportunities for gaining cooking skills, resulting in different taste standards and less healthy food intake. This paper aimed to cluster home cooks based on their ‘cooking capital’, consisting of their incorporated capital (self-reported cooking skills, attitudes, behaviors) and objectivized capital (access to cooking means), and investigate the differences in food-related preferences and behaviors. In total, 19.378 home cooks, older than 26 and living in one of the 38 participating countries, completed an online survey. Two-step clustering was used to create clusters that were then compared on recipe use, bread baking at home, and food intake, both before and during COVID-19. Three segments emerged: low-priority cooks (lowest cooking capital), everyday cooks (middle bracket), and hobby chefs (highest cooking capital). Clusters differed significantly regarding recipe sources, valued recipe aspects, and food intake. Hobby chefs appraised high-capital aspects more (taste, healthiness, sustainability) and reported overall healthier diets. Practical elements (ease, preparation time) were valued highest by low-priority and everyday cooks. During COVID-19, all segments used all recipe sources less frequently; practical ingredient-related variables, tastiness, innovativeness, and health increased in importance for all. Some gaps between clusters on practical and high-capital recipe preferences grew smaller during the pandemic. Implications are made for a segmented communication approach adapted to each cluster of home cooks rather than focusing on upper classes with higher levels of cooking capital.

Exploring students' experiences of technical and vocational learning in University Technical Colleges during the pandemic

AbstractUniversity Technical Colleges (UTCs) are newly established (since 2010–11) technical and vocational secondary schools in England, catering for young people aged 14–19. The schools focus strongly on delivering vocational, alongside Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)‐focused academic, qualifications. The colleges have been introduced as a new means of improving technical and vocational education and training—a sector which in England has faced problems of low quality and low esteem—and in a wider international context of STEM‐trained worker shortages. University Technical Colleges have been advertised as offering state‐of‐the‐art vocational learning, involving access for students to the latest equipment and technologies in key industrial sectors, alongside extensive project‐based learning in partnership with employers. However, how have UTC students fared in these respects since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic and associated lockdowns in 2020? In this paper we report on results from a survey of 252 students across two UTCs in England, exploring the technical and vocational learning experiences of these students during the exceptional 2019–20 academic year. Findings from the survey reveal lost learning and training opportunities during the pandemic, particularly where courses with practical elements relied on specific equipment and facilities that became inaccessible during lockdown. The survey also highlights disruptions to apprenticeship arrangements, work experience plans and other engagement with employers. Students in some instances have been effectively forced to stay on in education owing to reduced apprenticeship and employment opportunities for school‐leavers. We find evidence of students adapting their aspirations and career goals to the new economic circumstances.

An Alternative Model for Describing the Reliability Data: Applications, Assessment, and Goodness-of-Fit Validation Testing

We provide a new extension of the exponential distribution with an emphasis on the practical elements of the model. Six different classical estimation methods were applied and compared. The main test was evaluated on complete data using four sets of data. Additionally, four applications and the derivation of the new Nikulin statistic test for the new probability model under the censored situation are described. Both tests were evaluated through simulation experiments on complete data and on artificial and censored data. In addition, a set of simulation experiments were presented, which were used and employed to evaluate the original statistical test and the new modified statistical test based on statistical controls in the evaluation processes.

Security Mindset Fundamentals and Second Language Learning

Security mindsets can be said to engage elements of situational awareness and analytical, creative, and practical elements of adversarial thinking. Scholars have debated whether this is taught or fostered, but they have acknowledged that security mindsets are critical. Here, the argument is made that implicit features of language itself can be drawn on in everyday K12+ second language (L2) learning settings to introduce members of the general populace and, among them, potential future members of the cybersecurity workforce, to security thinking. Beyond the features of language itself, L2 lessons can also be adapted to familiarize students with explicit security-related topics and scenarios. By exploiting these novel connections between language learning and security thinking, L2 learning contexts can become a security mindset training ground for millions of U.S. students.

Pentecostal Environmentalism: A Symbiosis for Eco-Theology and Biodiversity Conservation

Pentecostal Movements are those Christian religious movements founded in the 1950s and 1960s to date. Pentecostal environmentalism focuses attention on the need to maintain the environment according to the dictate of the Christian religious injunctions. This practice is achieved through the practice of sacred place, which is a designation of some earth surface as holy ground, and is retained for religious and spiritual purposes. These places include mountains, hills, rivers, streams, valley etc. and are deemed to possess religious mysteries and potent spiritual qualities. This practice is also observed in the Old Testament and is also part of the practice of the African traditional religions. In similar fashion, the Pentecostal movement shares many elements of traditional practices and the Old Testament, and as such sacred place has found its way into the practices of the Pentecostal movement. Environmental degradation, pollution, climate change, deforestation are all major global challenges today. Hence, the practice of sacred places and environmental ethics are among several efforts that can be used to tackle the problem of biodiversity loss arising from a range of environmental challenges. Furthermore, Pentecostal environmentalism further engages in the debate on eco-theology. This paper, therefore, serves as a platform to showcase the efforts of the Pentecostal movement towards ecological preservation, biodiversity conservation and the debate among scholars of eco-theology through environmental ethics and sacred places within the purview of Pentecostal religious spirituality. The paper employed a literary descriptive method since the research is qualitative in nature.

Residents Socioeconomic Characteristics and Their Level of Development Control Regulations in Gated Communities of Ibadan Metropolis, Nigeria

This paper examines the socioeconomic characteristics of residents and their level of awareness of development control regulations in gated communities (GCs) of Ibadan Municipality, Nigeria. Multistage sampling technique was employed in selecting 268 residential buildings from the identified 23 gated communities in the five (5) local government areas (LGAs) of Ibadan Municipality. Random sampling technique was employed in selection one gated community in each of the situated housing schemes of the LGAs of Ibadan Municipality. Findings revealed that socioeconomic characteristics of the people is a determinant in evaluating residents’ awareness and compliance with development control issues. This is substantiated with chi-square and ANOVA test result that revealed a significant relationship between marital status and their level of awareness of development control regulations with χ 2 = 0.630 and significant at p ≤ 0.05 level as well as income of residents and level of awareness with [F (238, 2) = 2.286 and significant at p = 0.104 < 0.05 levels. The study further revealed that the levels of residents’ awareness with the identified elements of physical planning regulations and practices across the three GCs were a little above average. The paper concluded that efforts should be put in place to improve or enhance the socioeconomic characteristics of the residents which will invariably improve their level of awareness of development control regulations and will surely impact on their compliance. Keywords: Gated Communities, Awareness, Ibadan Municipality, Socioeconomic Characteristics DOI: 10.7176/JEES/13-2-03 Publication date: March 31 st 2023

Perspectives on Recovery-Oriented Care in Mental Health Practices: Health Professionals Experiences

In several Western countries, mental health professionals work in accordance with the principles of recovery-oriented practices, but there is little research into what opportunities there are for fostering recovery-oriented practices in mental health settings. To investigate how central elements of recovery-oriented practices are reflected in health professionals experiences of care and treatment in mental health. Four focus group interviews with nurses and other health professionals are conducted and analysed using manifest content analysis to carry out a low-level analysis of the participants’ experiences in mental healthcare. The study was designed in accordance with the ethical principles of the Helsinki Declaration (1) and Danish law (2). The participants gave informed consent after verbal and written information. The main theme, ‘recovery-oriented practices framed within institutional structural conditions’, was based on three subthemes: 1) users need help to find meaning during hospitalisation and find hope, 2) health professionals experience it as an obligation that users achieve personal recovery, and 3) user perspectives versus the mental health practices’ structural logic. This study sheds light on health professionals experiences with a recovery-oriented practice. The health professionals believe in this as a positive approach and see it as an important obligation to help the user find their own aims and hopes. On the other hand, it can be difficult to work in recovery-oriented practices. It requires an active commitment from users; for many, this can be difficult to live up to.

Creative ideas, but elementary mistakes: A reply to Brandner and colleagues to promote best practices in error management theory research

In their commentary on our paper, Brandner et al. commit an elementary statistical mistake that leads to entirely erroneous conclusions. When this statistical error is corrected, the effects described in our original paper appear exactly as reported. In principle, we could end our reply there. However, ending our reply there would be a lost opportunity for promoting best practices in Error Management Theory (EMT) research. The commentators make several other missteps that present the opportunity to draw attention to important principles in EMT research and offer clarifications that we hope assist in the operationalization, design, and interpretation of EMT-inspired studies in the future. We discuss these points and provide several EMT research scenarios to help to illustrate a key principle. We hope this reply highlights some of the key elements of best practices in EMT research and sheds light on pitfalls that researchers must make sure to avoid.

Compassion and burnout syndrome in medical students from the Colombian Caribbean coast

IntroductionCompassion is expected to be a characteristic present in medical students, since it is a key element in subsequent professional practice (Blanco et al., 2021). However, during the degree, students go through various demands that can generate burnout syndrome (Amor et al., 2020) and as a consequence a decrease in compassion. In this sense, it is important to provide empirical evidence on the possible relationship between these two constructs, in order to generate support that allows the implementation of mental health promotion strategies.ObjectivesAnalyze the relationship between compassion and burnout syndrome in medical students.MethodsThis study was done through a cross-sectional study of correlational scope in 250 medical students. The Compassion Scales developed by Gilbert (Gilbert et al., 2017) were used; they assess three general factors (Self-compassion, Compassion for others, and Compassion from others), However, in this study, we used only the self-compassion and compassion for others scales.ResultsThe results revealed a statistically significant, positive correlation between personal accomplishment and self-compassion. In the case of emotional exhaustion and depersonalization, significant associations were also found with self-compassion and compassion for others, but of a negative magnitude (Table 1).Image:ConclusionsIt was concluded that the higher the levels of self-compassion of the medical students evaluated, the greater their personal fulfillment. On the other hand, the lower the levels of self-compassion and compassion for others, the higher levels of depersonalization and emotional exhaustion were found in medical studentsDisclosure of InterestNone Declared

Form, Materiality, and Symbolism in Non-Arabic Muslim Arts: A Case Study from Indonesian Wayang Performance

The puppet theater becomes a popular form of cultural expression in the Muslim world, even though wayang performances are not considered a central part of Islamic theology. Wayang performances are seen as having a spiritual significance among Indonesian Muslims for centuries. Such puppet theater incorporates forms, styles, and elements of Islamic spirituality and traditional Javanese cultural practices into its narratives. The article pays attention to the idiosyncratic forms, elements, and meanings of contemporary wayang through the craftsman’s framework. The analysis takes into account the formulation and presentation of the wayang in contemporary Indonesian art, focusing on the creation of “Wayang Kekayon Khalīfah Paraga Umar ibn al-Khaṭṭāb.” This wayang is associated with the figure of Umar b. Khaṭṭab (d. 644). Umar is a historical figure who played a significant role in the early history of Islam and is revered for his wisdom and leadership by most Muslims. The discussion argues that the materiality of puppets in the non-Arab Muslim world not only functions as a traditional form of entertainment stimulating the sense of “fun” but also as complex semiotic experiences between a dalang (wayang puppeteer) and his audiences using signs of two-dimensional buffalo leather and its silhouettes.

‘Openness in Action’ Early Steps in Cosmic Phenomenology

‘Openness in Action’ Early Steps in Cosmic Phenomenology

Gravimetric assessment of postpartum blood loss: training and implementation in a low resource setting

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the training and implementation of the gravimetric method for estimating postpartum blood loss in clinical practice in Indonesian midwife-led birth centres. Background: Postpartum haemorrhage remains a leading cause of maternal death, particularly in low-resource settings. There is no gold standard for assessing blood loss volume during labour and childbirth. Studies recommended using a gravimetric method to measure blood loss in low-resource settings due to its relative accuracy and simplicity. Study design and methods: An online training module for the use of the gravimetric method was developed. All participants undertook the training and were asked to implement the method in clinical practice. A pre/post-test study design was used to examine midwives’ understanding of the gravimetric method; their implementation experience was explored using a structured questionnaire. Knowledge was assessed pre-training. The training consisted of both theoretical and practical elements and the opportunity for participants to ask questions. Post-training tests were administered, followed by a one-month period of implementation and an evaluation of their experience of using the method in practice. Results: Two hundred and eighty-five midwives from 17 health facilities were recruited to the study, and a total of 101 midwives from 12 health facilities completed all elements. The participants’ understanding of the gravimetric method improved significantly following the training. Although a number of challenges were identified regarding the implementation of the gravimetric method in practice, the participants were generally positive about its use, and 89% said that they would recommend this method to colleagues. Conclusion: A three-hour online training effectively improved participants’ understanding of the gravimetric method for assessing blood loss volume. This study identified midwives’ positive experiences with the gravimetric method and identified areas to improve practitioner experience of implementation in practice. Implications for research, policy, and practice: A three-hour online training followed by a one-month implementation period could be an effective and efficient approach to developing midwives’ understanding and use of the gravimetric method of blood loss estimation postpartum. What is already known about the topic? The gravimetric method estimates the blood loss volume by weighing sanitary materials used during the labour process (i.e., gauze, sheets, swabs, pads, etc.) before and after being contaminated by the blood. In clinical practice, the weight difference (in grams) is considered as ‘blood loss volume’ for ease of measurement and reported in millilitres without any formal conversion of units of weight to volume. The benefits of the gravimetric method have been reported previously. However, there is limited evidence on the evaluation of this method to train midwives regarding implementation of the gravimetric method in clinical practice. What this paper adds An online training programme is effective in increasing midwives’ knowledge and awareness of the gravimetric method for postpartum blood loss assessment. The midwives found the gravimetric method simple to adopt in clinical practice, which increased their confidence in detecting postpartum haemorrhage. The midwives encountered some barriers while implementing the gravimetric method and provided strategies to mitigate the issues raised.

Practical aspects of the use of ventoclax in combination with azacitidine for the treatment of newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukaemia in patients ineligible for intensive chemotherapy

The aim of treating elderly patients with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) ineligible for intensive chemotherapy is to extend survival, but treatment results are often unsatisfactory. Therapy with venetoclax combined with azacitidine allowed remission in two-thirds of patients and significantly prolong the median overall survival. The treatment is increasingly used in clinical practice and establishes a new medical standard. The use of venetoclax in treating AML requires knowledge of drug use rules and their individualization. This review summarizes critical elements of the clinical practice of venetoclax use in combination with azacitidine regarding the dosing regimen, management of cytopenias during therapy and treatment adjustments to prevent drug-to-drug interactions. Treatment with venetoclax can cause the risk of tumor lysis syndrome (TLS), and therefore step-wise dose ramp-up is required with the prophylaxis of TLS and reduction in leucocyte count. Cytopenias that occur during the therapy affect most of the patients; nevertheless, it is not recommended to modify the treatment until the remission of the disease. In haematologic toxicity after disease remission, it is recommended to delay the next cycle and shorten the treatment while maintaining the dose. Knowledge about venetoclax drug-to-drug interactions is necessary for an efficacious and safe therapy. It is essential to reconsider the rationale behind using some agents, e.g., azole derivatives commonly used in the prophylaxis of invasive fungal infections, as well as to be aware of the rules of venetoclax dosing. Detailed knowledge of the above aspects of therapy is essential to ensure the continuity, safety, and efficacy of venetoclax with azacitidine.

Digital transformations in culture and art: new opportunities and challenges

Digitalization covers all areas of social activity. For a long time, cultural and artistic life has been incorporating practical elements of the digital world into its arsenal, while traditionally leaving its creative components unchanged. Technologization, informatization, and digitalization have been used at the stage of production or broadcasting of cultural and artistic content (digital culture, cultural technologies) since their introduction. However, the digital world is gradually beginning to claim the role of a direct creator of cultural elements. Such digital transformations in culture have become a relevant subject of research in the innovation cluster of this sphere of human activity. The purpose of the article is to search for new principles of the process of digitalization of the cultural and artistic cluster in the current conditions of development of the socio-cultural space. It is proposed to find the principles by which the digitalization of culture and art is implemented in two key dimensions: creative and organizational. These principles focus on the flexibility, dynamism and synergy of the cultural and artistic space in the context of digitalization. The research methodology is based on general scientific and cultural methods, as well as synergistic methodological principles. The results of the study indicate that cultural and artistic development in the digital environment is gaining qualitatively new opportunities in the technical, organizational, information, communication, and logistical aspects while demonstrating the potential ability to be realized in the creative segment. Thus, digitalization as a powerful global trend in the development of society shapes innovative trends in the cultural and artistic sphere. The author traces the prospects for synergy of the digital segment in the cultural environment with the actualization of innovative principles.