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1 – 10 of 190Edward da Costa, Danielle Adams, Munzer Salmeh, Omar Mahmoud and Ekim Yetkili
The over-reliance on psychotropic medication for the management of patients with learning disabilities with behaviour that challenges is well documented.This paper aims to discuss…
Abstract
Purpose
The over-reliance on psychotropic medication for the management of patients with learning disabilities with behaviour that challenges is well documented.This paper aims to discuss the application of the methodology of clinical audit within community learning disability mental health services to adapt interventions including optimising prescribing practice and behavioural interventions aiming to reduce behaviour that challenges in people with learning disabilities.
Design/methodology/approach
Questionnaire-based review of documentation in electronic patient records, covering relevant audit standards in line with NICE and Royal College of Psychiatrists, was carried out in the North Essex Community Learning Disability Service, Hertfordshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust. The audit included patients on the caseload of consultant psychiatrists.
Findings
The audit demonstrated that the prescribing of psychotropic medication was within BNF maximum limits for all patients, evidence of “consent” procedures was being followed in the majority, and there was some evidence of deprescribing attempts.Improvement was required in several areas e.g. undocumented off label prescribing in a significant proportion of patients. Objective measures to record the severity of behaviours and the effects of the medication were being used by clinicians in only a small proportion of patients. A significant proportion of patients have prescribed medication in the absence of appropriate psychological or environmental interventions.
Originality/value
As a result of the audit findings, the action plan made recommendations such as the development of a database for tracking the prescribing of psychotropic medicines and routine use of standardised measures. This action has been supported by the pharmacy team. Positive developments include a clinical psychologist taking on the role of leading the development of behavioural intervention strategies.
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The decision follows weeks of unrest in the Ethiopian Somali National Regional State (ESNRS), capped by the August 6 resignation of regional President Abdi Mahmoud Omar ‘Iley’…
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DOI: 10.1108/OXAN-DB236781
ISSN: 2633-304X
Keywords
Geographic
Topical
Faezeh Mohammadi Tahroodi and Norsidah Ujang
Functioning as space connectors, path structures in urban parks may rarely present social interaction opportunities, although centralized activity spaces are available. This paper…
Abstract
Purpose
Functioning as space connectors, path structures in urban parks may rarely present social interaction opportunities, although centralized activity spaces are available. This paper investigated the interrelationships between the visual and physical accessibility attributes of path structure and their impacts on passive social interaction intensity across urban parks in Kuala Lumpur.
Design/methodology/approach
The concept of social interaction has been studied elsewhere in social cohesion, social affiliation and sense of communication. Still, it has not been studied in the context of urban park design. This study employed mixed methods using an adaptive and unique combination of qualitative and quantitative data collections to analyze urban parks with a bit of visual vegetation barrier. The experiential landscape method was applied to determine visual accessibility by interpreting experiential landscape maps. The space syntax method based on quantitative analysis is considered to measure physical accessibilities and vigorous activities along the designated paths by conducting integration analysis and gate observation. The data were crossed-analyzed using a Geographic Information System (GIS) classification technique, correlation analysis and Microsoft combo-charts to generate the relationship between patterns of activities and their accessibilities.
Findings
The results suggested that designated paths with higher accessibility attributes, impressively more elevated than other tracks, could influence the intensity of passive social interactions. The findings supported the understanding that activity nodes and active areas adjoining designated routes could make accessibility attribute areas more critical. These findings verify that visually enriching the spaces along the path structure toward activities is a pivotal contributor to urban planners and designers to enhance the paths’ local integration (LI) and visual accessibility to predict more passive eye contact among park visitors.
Research limitations/implications
The proposed interrelationship among variables in this study has limitations because of not considering other qualitative methods and techniques like cognitive maps and interview simultaneously. These techniques could discover why some paths generate more passive eye contact among park users (Mohammadi Tahroodi, 2018).
Practical implications
Kuala Lumpur Structure Plan 2020 emphasizes Kuala Lumpur’s unique image as a tropical garden city via preserving and developing the iconic historical urban parks in the city center (CHKL, 2004, pp. 3–3). The latest Draft Kuala Lumpur Structure Plan 2040 has outlined the strategy to achieve a conducive, good-quality neighborhood that encourages social interaction. The findings could assist urban planners and designers better public parks by considering accessibility and permeability aspects of design. This research endorses the appropriateness of interrelationship between accessibility attributes of path structure and social interaction in urban design research, which local urban designers have not fully considered until now. Evaluating the visual convenience of designated paths and assessing LI of the axial lines constructing each designated route of urban parks during the primary stage could enable urban designers to estimate to what extent the paths are accessible and respond to passive social interaction. Then they could enrich with salient landmarks, views and activity nodes to make them attractive. The considerable number of designated paths connections, specifically while they shape the sides of activity nodes, could increase the connectivity and integration of spaces within the parks. These patterns of positioning the activity nodes make the designated routes more legible and provide ease of movement. As a result, it will give urban park users more information about the activities. Allowing people to use the paths will increase people’s presence and, subsequently, passive social interaction. One way is to locate accessible lands that provide social activities at direct visual access paths within urban parks for legibility.
Social implications
The socially responsive urban design enhances the quality of life and provides life satisfaction, happiness and society’s overall health. Being in urban social parks in any passive and active situations has psychological benefits. It facilitates relief and rests from a stressful modern lifestyle that significantly impacts their mental health and well-being. The framework applied in this research integrates the social, spatial and physical aspects of parks design. With this regard, principles and indicators facilitate physically and socially attractive urban parks for Kuala Lumpur city center and applicable to similar contexts elsewhere.
Originality/value
The concept of social interaction has been studied elsewhere in social cohesion, social affiliation and sense of communication. Still, it has not been studied in the context of urban park design. This study employed mixed methods using an adaptive and unique combination of qualitative and quantitative data collections to analyze urban parks with a bit of visual vegetation barrier.
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ETHIOPIA: Hydrocarbon plans hinge on Ogaden talks
Details
DOI: 10.1108/OXAN-ES238603
ISSN: 2633-304X
Keywords
Geographic
Topical
ETHIOPIA: Ogaden peace deal will be a major boost
ETHIOPIA: ONLF integration will aid regional authority
Details
DOI: 10.1108/OXAN-ES241787
ISSN: 2633-304X
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Geographic
Topical
Ali A. Ali, H. Abd El-Wahab, Moustafa S. Abusaif, Ahmed Ragab, Omar A. Abdel-Jaid, E.A. Eldeeb and Yousry A. Ammar
The paper aims to the preparation of novel disperse dye based on azo salicylaldehyde derivatives TF-A [2-hydroxy-5-((3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)diazenyl)benzaldehyde] and full…
Abstract
Purpose
The paper aims to the preparation of novel disperse dye based on azo salicylaldehyde derivatives TF-A [2-hydroxy-5-((3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)diazenyl)benzaldehyde] and full evaluation of their use as disperse dye TF-ASC [bis 2-hydroxy-5-((3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)diazenyl)benzaldehyde Schiff base with 4,4'-methylenedianiline] for dyeing polyester fabric at various conditions.
Design/methodology/approach
The dispersed dye was synthesized via Schiff base condensation in the presence of ceric ammonium nitrate cerium ammonium nitrate 10 mmole% as an eco-friendly catalyst at room temperature. The chemical structure of the prepared dye was characterized via elemental analysis, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, 1H- and 13 C-NMR spectroscopic analysis tools. This study thoroughly examined the dyeing of disperse dye TF-ASC on polyester at various conditions. The characteristics of dyed polyester fabric were measured by colour measurements, as well as light, washing, crock fastness and finally, colour strength. The discrete fourier transform (DFT) theoretical studies, including EHOMO, ELUMO and optimized geometrical structure, were assumed and discussed in detail.
Findings
The results showed that the synthesized organic dye TF-ASC was highly functional and appropriate for this kind of dyeing method. The dyeing fabrics obtained from disperse dye TF-ASC, properties possess high colour strength as well as good overall fastness properties. These dyes had a high affinity for polyester fabric, with just a tiny change in dye affinity when the pH was changed, even under alkaline circumstances. The dye levelness and shade depth of the colour results were good, and there were a variety of hues from light brownish yellow to deep brownish yellow. The results obtained from DFT computational studies such as EHOMO, ELUMO, optimized structure, diploe moment µ and electrophilicity index deduced that prepared organic dye TF-ASC is more applicable as a dispersed dye.
Originality/value
This research is significant because it provides a new dye for dyeing polyethylene terephthalate fibres with exceptional brightness and levelness; the method of preparation is a useful pathway due to its being known as a green chemistry method.
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The announcement followed days of violent protests in Amhara region resisting ENDF efforts to confine the region’s special forces to their bases for disarmament. The move…
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DOI: 10.1108/OXAN-DB278510
ISSN: 2633-304X
Keywords
Geographic
Topical
Religious tensions and their implications in Ethiopia.