scholarly journals Experiences of stroke survivors and measurement of post stroke participation and activity across seasons—A mixed methods approach

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (10) ◽  
pp. e0259307
Author(s):  
Ruth Barclay ◽  
Leanne Leclair ◽  
Sandra C. Webber
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Weather Conditions ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Weather Extremes ◽  
Balance Confidence ◽  
Post Stroke ◽  
Personal Motivation ◽  
Adverse Weather ◽  
Quantitative Results ◽  
One Year

Participation and activity post stroke can be limited due to adverse weather conditions. This study aimed to: Quantify and compare summer and winter participation and activity, and explore how community dwelling people with stroke describe their feelings about their level of participation and activity by season. This embedded mixed-methods observational study took place in a city with weather extremes. Community dwelling individuals at least one year post-stroke, able to walk ≥50 metres +/- a walking aide were included. Evaluations and interviews occurred at participants’ homes in two seasons: Reintegration to Normal living Index (RNL), Activities-specific Balance Confidence (ABC) and descriptive outcomes. Participants wore activity monitors for one week each season. Analysis included descriptive statistics, non-parametric tests and an inductive approach to content analysis. Thirteen individuals participated in quantitative evaluation with eight interviewed. Mean age 61.5 years, 62% female and mean 6.2 years post-stroke. No differences between winter-summer values of RNL, ABC, or activity monitor outcomes. However, participants felt they could do more and were more independent in summer. The winter conditions such as ice, snow, cold and wind restricted participation and limited activities. Nonetheless, many participants were active and participated despite the winter challenges by finding other ways to be active, and relying on social supports and personal motivation. The qualitative findings explained unexpected quantitative results. Participants described many challenges with winter weather, but also ways they had discovered to participate and be active despite these challenges. Changes to future studies into seasonal differences are suggested.

Effects of soil limestone and foliar manganese and zinc applications on field cauliflower growth and element contents

2010 ◽  
Vol 90 (1) ◽  
pp. 177-188 ◽  
Author(s):  
C G Kowalenko ◽  
M. Ihnat
Keyword(s):  
Dry Matter ◽  
Nutrient Dynamics ◽  
Weather Conditions ◽  
Yield Reduction ◽  
Dry Matter Yield ◽  
Variable Response ◽  
Growing Seasons ◽  
Adverse Weather ◽  
One Year ◽  
Potassium Magnesium

A trial was conducted in a field where a previous study suggested that a deficiency of manganese (Mn) or zinc (Zn) was created by the application of limestone, with the objective to confirm whether lime-induced deficiency is a potential problem in coastal British Columbia acidic soils. The trial involved the application and incorporation of limestone at two rates (9 and 19 Mg ha-1) in addition to a control with no limestone, and five foliar applications of Mn and Zn. The foliar applications included a control, Mn at two rates (2.3 and 4.5 kg ha-1), Zn at one rate (2.3 kg ha-1) and a combination of Mn and Zn, both at 2.3 kg ha-1. The trial was conducted at the same location over seven growing seasons (1979-1985), with the cauliflower grown in five of those years. The plot was fallowed in 1981 and 1983. The limestone treatments were applied in the spring of 1979, and again in the summer of 1981, while the foliar applications were applied to the plant each cropped season. Limestone increased plant dry matter yield in three years, decreased it in one, and had no effect in the other. The micronutrient applications did not affect dry matter yield in any of the years. Chemical analyses on the plants showed that limestone increased Ca and decreased Mn and Zn concentrations. The foliar applications increased plant Mn and Zn concentrations. Limestone, but not the micronutrient, applications influenced other element concentrations, with decreased concentrations of potassium, magnesium, sodium, strontium and rubidium. Iron and copper concentrations were not influenced by limestone applications. The decreased concentrations of nutrients could not account for the yield reduction by limestone applications in the one year, since concentrations of the nutrients measured in that year were not significantly different to concentrations in years when yields were increased. Further, basal applications of nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium and boron) had been applied to ensure that non-treatment nutrients were not deficient. Although monthly weather conditions were similar for one year of increased yield and one year of decreased yield, the influence of weather on the variable response by the crop could not be discounted as there could have been adverse weather conditions at critical stages of plant growth. Strontium and rubidium tended to respond to limestone similar to calcium and potassium, showing that their measurements have potential to further evaluate nutrient dynamics since they have characteristics similar to calcium and potassium, respectively. This field trial showed that limestone applications had many and variable effects on the availability of numerous nutrients and associated elements on cauliflower in addition to Mn and Zn. This showed the high degree of complexity of limestone applications on acidic soils.Key words: Liming, soil pH, Ca, nutrient elements, nutrient analogs

Determining Emotional Tone and Verbal Behavior in Patients With Tinnitus and Hyperacusis: An Exploratory Mixed-Methods Study

2019 ◽  
Vol 28 (3) ◽  
pp. 660-672
Author(s):  
Suzanne H. Kimball ◽  
Toby Hamilton ◽  
Erin Benear ◽  
Jonathan Baldwin
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Verbal Behavior ◽  
Coping Strategies ◽  
Mixed Methods Study ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Anxiety And Depression ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Emotional Tone ◽  
Explanatory Mixed Methods ◽  
Quantitative Results

Purpose The purpose of this study was to evaluate the emotional tone and verbal behavior of social media users who self-identified as having tinnitus and/or hyperacusis that caused self-described negative consequences on daily life or health. Research Design and Method An explanatory mixed-methods design was utilized. Two hundred “initial” and 200 “reply” Facebook posts were collected from members of a tinnitus group and a hyperacusis group. Data were analyzed via the LIWC 2015 software program and compared to typical bloggers. As this was an explanatory mixed-methods study, we used qualitative thematic analyses to explain, interpret, and illustrate the quantitative results. Results Overall, quantitative results indicated lower overall emotional tone for all categories (tinnitus and hyperacusis, initial and reply), which was mostly influenced by higher negative emotion. Higher levels of authenticity or truth were found in the hyperacusis sample but not in the tinnitus sample. Lower levels of clout (social standing) were indicated in all groups, and a lower level of analytical thinking style (concepts and complex categories rather than narratives) was found in the hyperacusis sample. Additional analysis of the language indicated higher levels of sadness and anxiety in all groups and lower levels of anger, particularly for initial replies. These data support prior findings indicating higher levels of anxiety and depression in this patient population based on the actual words in blog posts and not from self-report questionnaires. Qualitative results identified 3 major themes from both the tinnitus and hyperacusis texts: suffering, negative emotional tone, and coping strategies. Conclusions Results from this study suggest support for the predominant clinical view that patients with tinnitus and hyperacusis have higher levels of anxiety and depression than the general population. The extent of the suffering described and patterns of coping strategies suggest clinical practice patterns and the need for research in implementing improved practice plans.

The Development of an Online Tobacco Tracker Tool to Crowdsource Campus Environmental Reports for Smoke and Tobacco Free College Policies: A Mixed Methods Study (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sabrina F. Loureiro ◽  
Kim M. Pulvers ◽  
Melissa M. Gosdin ◽  
Keavagh R. Clift ◽  
Myra J. Rice ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Positive Reinforcement ◽  
The United States ◽  
College Campuses ◽  
Policy Enforcement ◽  
Sequential Mixed Methods ◽  
Effective Policy ◽  
Online Tracking ◽  
One Year

BACKGROUND College campuses in the United States have begun implementing Smoke and Tobacco-Free policies to discourage the use of tobacco. Smoke and Tobacco-Free policies, however, are contingent upon effective policy enforcement. OBJECTIVE To develop an empirically-derived online tracking tool (Tracker) for crowdsourcing campus environmental reports of tobacco use and waste to support smoke and tobacco-free college policies. METHODS An exploratory sequential mixed methods approach was utilized to inform the development and evaluation of the Tracker. In October 2018, three focus groups across two California universities were conducted and themes were analyzed, guiding Tracker development. After one year of implementation, users were asked in April 2020 to complete a survey about their experience. RESULTS In the focus groups, two major themes emerged: barriers and facilitators to tool utilization. Further Tracker development was guided by focus group input to address these barriers (e.g. information, policing, and logistical concerns) and facilitators (e.g. environmental motivators, positive reinforcement). Amongst 1,163 Tracker reports, those who completed the user survey (n=316) reported the top motivations to using the tool were having a cleaner environment (79%) and health concerns (69%). CONCLUSIONS Environmental concerns, a motivator which emerged in focus groups, shaped the Tracker’s development and was cited by the majority of users surveyed as a top motivator for utilization.

scholarly journals Impact of COVID-19 pandemic social restriction measures on people with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases in the UK: a mixed-methods study

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. e048772
Author(s):  
Toby O Smith ◽  
Pippa Belderson ◽  
Jack R Dainty ◽  
Linda Birt ◽  
Karen Durrant ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Musculoskeletal Diseases ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Secondary Outcome ◽  
Healthcare Provision ◽  
Social Restriction ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The Impact

ObjectivesTo determine the impact of COVID-19 pandemic social restriction measures on people with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs) and to explore how people adapted to these measures over time.DesignMixed-methods investigation comprising a national online longitudinal survey and embedded qualitative study.SettingUK online survey and interviews with community-dwelling individuals in the East of England.ParticipantsPeople in the UK with RMDs were invited to participate in an online survey. A subsection of respondents were invited to participate in the embedded qualitative study.Primary and secondary outcome measuresThe online survey, completed fortnightly over 10 weeks from April 2020 to August 2020, investigated changes in symptoms, social isolation and loneliness, resilience and optimism. Qualitative interviews were undertaken assessing participant’s perspectives on changes in symptoms, exercising, managing instrumental tasks such a shopping, medication and treatment regimens and how they experienced changes in their social networks.Results703 people with RMDs completed the online survey. These people frequently reported a deterioration in symptoms as a result of COVID-19 pandemic social restrictions (52% reported increase vs 6% reported a decrease). This was significantly worse for those aged 18–60 years compared with older participants (p=0.017). The qualitative findings from 26 individuals with RMDs suggest that the greatest change in daily life was experienced by those in employment. Although some retired people reported reduced opportunity for exercise outside their homes, they did not face the many competing demands experienced by employed people and people with children at home.ConclusionsPeople with RMDs reported a deterioration in symptoms when COVID-19 pandemic social restriction measures were enforced. This was worse for working-aged people. Consideration of this at-risk group, specifically for the promotion of physical activity, changing home-working practices and awareness of healthcare provision is important, as social restrictions continue in the UK.

scholarly journals Ship Handling in Unprotected Waters: A Review of New Technologies in Escort Tugs to Improve Safety

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 46-62
Author(s):  
Santiago Iglesias-Baniela ◽  
Juan Vinagre-Ríos ◽  
José M. Pérez-Canosa
Keyword(s):  
High Performance ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Weather Conditions ◽  
Hull Form ◽  
Best Available Technologies ◽  
Adverse Weather Conditions ◽  
Adverse Weather ◽  
New Type ◽  
Technological Challenge ◽  
And Performance

It is a well-known fact that the 1989 Exxon Valdez disaster caused the escort towing of laden tankers in many coastal areas of the world to become compulsory. In order to implement a new type of escort towing, specially designed to be employed in very adverse weather conditions, considerable changes in the hull form of escort tugs had to be made to improve their stability and performance. Since traditional winch and ropes technologies were only effective in calm waters, tugs had to be fitted with new devices. These improvements allowed the remodeled tugs to counterbalance the strong forces generated by the maneuvers in open waters. The aim of this paper is to perform a comprehensive literature review of the new high-performance automatic dynamic winches. Furthermore, a thorough analysis of the best available technologies regarding towline, essential to properly exploit the new winches, will be carried out. Through this review, the way in which the escort towing industry has faced this technological challenge is shown.

scholarly journals Quality of Diet Among Community-Dwelling Elders Participating in the Mobility and Vitality Lifestyle Program

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 841-841
Author(s):  
Jessica Cheng
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Disease Prevention ◽  
Diet Quality ◽  
Group Intervention ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Effective Means ◽  
Quality Score ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Total Quality ◽  
One Year

Abstract Dietary choices play an important role in disease prevention both through its effect on weight and independent of it. Improving diet can be an effective means of disease prevention among older adults. Participants (n=303) were recruited from the Allegheny County, PA area and received nutritional education in group sessions led by trained community health workers over one year. Diet quality was captured at baseline and final endpoint (either 9 or 13 months) using the Rate Your Plate (RYP) instrument for assessing healthfulness of diet and includes 24 items that can be summed to generate a total quality score. The mean RYP diet quality score improved from baseline (RYP=50.87) to endpoint (RYP=54.85) (p<.001). Over the course of the intervention, 30.9% of participants made enough improvement in diet to move to a better RYP category. A community-based group intervention for older adults was effective in inducing improvements in diet quality.

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