Introduction The primary function of paint in an industrial or marine environment is to ensure that structures are protected against costly corrosive damage during the expected…
Abstract
Introduction The primary function of paint in an industrial or marine environment is to ensure that structures are protected against costly corrosive damage during the expected life span. It is also fundamental that the system chosen should have optimum cost effectiveness. Maintenance engineers will often be faced with the alternative of using a cheap low grade material and repainting frequently or using a high quality system at higher initial cost, but with low cost maintenance. Labour costs in most industrial countries have risen to a level where systems offering low maintenance cost should be the automatic choice. In Great Britain it is normally considered that on average labour accounts for 80% of the cost of any paint job. It is clear therefore that within reasonable limits the cost of the paint is not of great importance if substantial savings in labour costs can be achieved.
The name ‘bronze powder’ is a misnomer as the metal itself cannot be used for bronze powder production at all. Bronze powders are produced from pure copper, and from various…
Abstract
The name ‘bronze powder’ is a misnomer as the metal itself cannot be used for bronze powder production at all. Bronze powders are produced from pure copper, and from various copper/zinc alloys and from aluminium. By varying the copper and zinc content of the alloy, different shades of gold can be produced. Bronze powders are of a flaky character; however fine they are the particle structure remains flaky. To retain this structure only the highest grades of electrolytic copper and zinc are used. With even a lead content of as low as 0·05% the powder would form into granules long before the desired state of thinness had been reached. It can therefore be said that bronze powders, by the very nature of their structure, can not contain lead or metals of a similar character, other than in traces. Being composed from pure copper, zinc and aluminium, they are anti‐toxic and harmless to health.
Michelle Shumate and Liz Howard
In this case, lessons from the Chicago Benchmarking Collaborative illustrate key principles of collaborative action and the importance of using data to achieve SMART goals.In…
Abstract
In this case, lessons from the Chicago Benchmarking Collaborative illustrate key principles of collaborative action and the importance of using data to achieve SMART goals.
In 2015, the Chicago Benchmarking Collaborative (CBC) was a network of seven agencies in Chicago, Illinois, serving 12,000 low-income residents. Each of the agencies had early childhood, school-age children, and adult education programs. At the prompting of the Chicago Community Trust, they came together to (1) benchmark their education programs outputs and outcomes; (2) learn and share best practices through developing a common set of metrics and measurements and implementing these measurements into a case management software system; and (3) share the costs of the case management software system to be used for program evaluation and continuous quality improvement.
Three aspects of CBC are particularly noteworthy. First, there are no joint program activities or clients among these agencies. Their exchange is limited to sharing data and other information. This makes CBC distinct from collaborations formed to begin a program or to advocate for a policy. Second, the group requires each agency to enter data on a timely basis and to set SMART goals based on the data reports. The agencies are held mutually accountable for their work to achieve their own SMART goals during the year and report on progress. Third, CBC used monetary incentives to ensure that data entry and SMART goal action remained a priority for each agency.
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Patricia Gooding, Rebecca Crook, Melissa Westwood and Sarah Peters
Understanding ways to foster wellbeing in postgraduate-research students (PGRs) requires focus especially with respect to positive relationship formation with supervisory teams…
Abstract
Purpose
Understanding ways to foster wellbeing in postgraduate-research students (PGRs) requires focus especially with respect to positive relationship formation with supervisory teams. Hence, the purpose of this study was to explore six different ways of nurturing wellbeing; perceptions of positive relationships with supervisory teams; and interactions between these factors.
Design/methodology/approach
In total, 155 PGRs completed questionnaires at baseline and six months. The predictor variables were six ways of nurturing wellbeing; the outcome variable was psychological wellbeing appraisals overall; and the moderator variables were positive perceptions of relationships with key staff.
Findings
The most effective ways of nurturing wellbeing were Noticing and Being Aware; Discovering and Learning; Connecting with Others; and Being Healthy and Safe. Over time, Noticing and Being Aware predicted psychological wellbeing appraisals overall. Positive relationships with supervisors, co-supervisors and work peers were associated with wellbeing appraisals. Furthermore, positive relationships with co-supervisors most convincingly strengthened the relationships between wellbeing appraisals and Noticing and Being Healthy cross-sectionally, and Giving longitudinally.
Research limitations/implications
It is concerning that PGRs are often overlooked when developing policies and strategies to combat mental health problems. Rather than simply focusing on diminishing mental health problems, the current work evidences ways of optimizing positive aspects of PGR experiences by actively nurturing wellbeing in tandem with enhancing relationships with supervisory team members. However, such initiatives have to be an investment at institutional, as well as individual levels.
Originality/value
Examining the interactions between nurturing positive wellbeing in PGRs and positive relationships with supervisory team members is under-researched.
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Jonathan Catling, Maria Michail, Noureen Lakhani and Rory Devine
The continued increase in mental health problems in students in higher education is a global public health concern. This study aims to examine the predictors of mental health in…
Abstract
Purpose
The continued increase in mental health problems in students in higher education is a global public health concern. This study aims to examine the predictors of mental health in the context of higher education, focusing on first-year female undergraduate students as a particularly vulnerable group.
Design/methodology/approach
Two hundred first-year female undergraduates from a UK Higher Education Institution took part in a quantitative survey. Participants completed a range of questionnaires assessing resilience, perceived stress, levels of depression, hope, general anxiety and levels of exercise.
Findings
Two significant individual predictors of depression were identified: perceived stress and resilience. A mediation analysis showed that resilience acted as mediator for the impact of stress on depression. Two significant individual predictors of anxiety were identified: stress and exercise. There were no significant mediators.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first time a range of psychological and lifestyle predictors of mental health while exploring potential mediators have been investigated. From the findings, the authors suggest that psychoeducational interventions targeting resilience while also providing problem-solving strategies could augment internal resources and promote positive mental health in this particularly vulnerable group of young people.
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Abiola Adeniyi, Leeann Donnelly, Patricia Janssen, Cecilia Jevitt, Michael Siarkowski and Mario Brondani
Integrating preventive oral care into prenatal care is suggested as a strategy for reducing the burden of oral diseases among pregnant women and their offspring. This scoping…
Abstract
Purpose
Integrating preventive oral care into prenatal care is suggested as a strategy for reducing the burden of oral diseases among pregnant women and their offspring. This scoping review sought to synthesize available information and identify knowledge gaps on integrating oral health into prenatal care.
Design/methodology/approach
The scoping review was conducted based on the Joanna Briggs Institute scoping review framework using the following databases: CINAHL, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Medline, ProQuest Dissertation and theses Global, Psychinfo and Web of Science®. No search limits were used. Content analysis of the included articles was performed to identify conceptual frameworks, types of integration used, study designs, study objectives and outcomes.
Findings
Overall, 2,861 references were obtained from the databases search; and based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria 35 references were included in the final analysis. Of these 35 references, one document presented a conceptual model, six documents reviewed guidelines for integrating oral health in prenatal care, two were policy documents aimed at interprofessional collaboration for oral health during pregnancy, eight documents described programs focused on providing oral care during pregnancy, five of the references were literature reviews and the remaining 13 evaluated the impact of integration. Linkages between healthcare professionals were the most common type of integration used.
Research limitations/implications
Despite advances in understanding integrated care concepts for healthcare delivery, there is little evidence available on the impact of the various types of, and strategies for, integrating oral health into prenatal care. Future research to bridge the identified gaps is recommended.
Originality/value
The originality of this study is to provide evidence on integrated oral healthcare during pregnancy.
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Hawal Lateef Fateh and Sameeah Abdulrahman Rashid
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a prevalent and multifaceted metabolic and endocrine disorder that affects a significant number of women in their reproductive years. The…
Abstract
Purpose
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a prevalent and multifaceted metabolic and endocrine disorder that affects a significant number of women in their reproductive years. The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between the lifeline diet score (LLDS) and PCOS.
Design/methodology/approach
In this study, the authors enrolled 105 women who had recently been diagnosed with PCOS. 105 women without PCOS, matched for age and body mass index (BMI), were selected as the control group. The mean age of the participants was 34.80 ± 5.37 years old. Standardized procedures were used to measure anthropometric indicators and assess the body composition of each participant. To determine the dietary patterns, a validated and reliable 147-item food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) was administered. Based on the responses to the FFQ, the LLDS was calculated using 12 specific components. Multiple and univariate logistic regression analyses were performed to estimate the associations between LLDS and PCOS, considering various factors.
Findings
In the control group, the mean LLDS was 45.61 ± 9.67; while in the case group, the mean LLDS was 25.10 ± 7.49, respectively (P = 0.001). After adjusting for socioeconomic status (SES), age, protein, fat, physical activity and BMI, the probability of developing PCOS is 69% lower in the third tertiles of LLDS than in the first tertiles (OR = 0.31, CI 95% = 0.15–0.62), (P < 0.001).
Originality/value
The study finds that a higher LLDS correlates with reduced PCOS risk, echoing dietary advice to boost fruits, dairy, vegetables, legumes, poultry and grains while limiting pasta, rice, bread, eggs, red meat, sweets, sugar and hydrogenated fats.
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Mehran Nouri, Sara Sohaei, Mohammed Nader Shalaby, Sanaz Mehrabani, Atena Ramezani and Shiva Faghih
This paper aims to assess the impact of curcumin supplementation body mass index and glycemic indices in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to assess the impact of curcumin supplementation body mass index and glycemic indices in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
Design/methodology/approach
A systematic search of the literature was conducted in PubMed, Scopus and ISI web of science to identify all randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published from the earliest record up to February 2021. The authors used a random-effects model to estimate pooled effect sizes.
Findings
A total of four potentially related clinical trials met the inclusion criteria which included a total of 198 participants. Random-effects meta-analysis showed significant effects of curcumin on fasting blood sugar (FBS) (−3.62 mg/dl, 95% CI [−5.65, −1.58], p-value < 0.001, I2 = 0.0%), insulin level (−1.67 µU/mL, 95% CI [−3.06, −0.28], p-value = 0.018, I2 = 0.0%) and homeostasis model of assessment insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) (−0.42, 95% CI [−0.76, −0.09], p-value < 0.01, I2 = 0.0%). No evidence of publication bias was discovered in the meta-analyses.
Originality/value
Present systematic review and meta-analysis of RCTs showed beneficial effects of curcumin consumption on FBS, insulin level and HOMA-IR in patients with PCOS. However, further large-scale studies are needed to confirm these results.
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Mesude Duman and Yeter Durgun Ozan
This study was conducted to investigate the Social Physique Anxiety (SPA) level in adolescent and young women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS).
Abstract
Purpose
This study was conducted to investigate the Social Physique Anxiety (SPA) level in adolescent and young women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS).
Design/methodology/approach
This is a descriptive study. It was conducted in Turkey. The study was conducted from January 1, 2017 to December 31, 2017. It was completed with a total of 150 young women – 75 of them had PCOS and 75 of them were healthy. Study data were collected using demographic information form and Social Physique Anxiety Scale (SPAS).
Findings
The study was found that the adolescent and young women with PCOS had higher subscales and total scores for total SPAS at a statistically significant level than healthy adolescent and young women (p < 0.05).
Practice implication
The findings of this study may be used for planning and implementing interventions in health-care practice such as screening and early treatment of SPA of women with PCOS.
Originality/value
It was found that PCOS in adolescent and young women increased the SPA level. In line with these results, health professionals must be particularly aware of the potential psychosocial and health needs of adolescent and young women with PCOS.