scholarly journals The Integrated Neurophysiology of Emotions during Labour and Birth: a Feminist Standpoint Exploration of the Women's Perspectives of Labour Progress

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Lesley Ann Dixon
Keyword(s):  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Theoretical Development ◽  
Cervical Dilatation ◽  
Maternal Behaviour ◽  
Birth Process ◽  
Theoretical Understanding ◽  
Feminist Standpoint ◽  
Linear Pattern ◽  
Physical Support ◽  
Spontaneous Labour

<p>Within childbirth there is a common and widely known explanation of labour and birth which describes and defines the birth process as that of stages and phases. The boundaries between the stages and phases have been determined by cervical dilatation with time parameters set to measure progress. The measurement of cervical dilatation is determined by a health professional and has resulted in an apparent inability of women to determine themselves whether they are in labour and their closeness to the impending birth. The aims of this thesis were threefold; the first was to critically examine the knowledge base of labour progress, so that the influences on knowledge development were fully understood. Through exploring the historical and theoretical development I found that the current knowledge has come from a male understanding of female anatomy and observational data constructed within a discourse of male, medical, scientific superiority. The second aim of the thesis was to explore the perspectives of women who had experienced a spontaneous labour and birth in order to determine whether the discourse of labour as stages and phases resonated with them. This leads to the third aim of providing a description of the women’s voices and perspectives based on their experiential knowledge of spontaneous labour and birth. A critical feminist ontology and feminist standpoint methodology guided the research which used in-depth one-to-one interviews with 18 women who had experienced a spontaneous labour and birth. Early thematic analysis was developed further through feedback from the participants supporting a coconstruction of knowledge. Analysis revealed that women considered the stages and phases of labour to be an abstract concept which did not resonate with their experiences of labour and birth. An important aspect of labour was having support during the process, in terms of both emotional and physical support from midwives, partners, family and friends present during the labour and birth. Women’s perceptions were dominated by their feelings and a linear pattern of feelings was discerned consistently amongst the participants. The emotions of labour were an important finding in this research but during the feedback process the women requested a scientific foundation to support the findings. I therefore explored the recent advances in theoretical understanding of the role of emotion, cognition, physiology and behaviour. Contemporary theories define emotions and neurohormones as bi-directional and intricately linked to behaviour change and physiological adaptations. I argue that the feelings women have described give an indication of an underlying hormonal influence and a directing of behaviour, necessary for labour to move towards birth. The hormones involved in labour also support maternal behaviour and attachment to the baby. I suggest a new conceptual understanding of labour as the integration of the mind, body and behaviour in which the feelings and hormones that initiate and sustain labour to birth also support the necessary adaptation and transition to becoming a mother. This integrated neurophysiologic concept will help midwives and other health professionals involved in maternity to recognise emotions as a key to understanding physiological labour and birth. It has also highlighted the importance of emotional and physical support during labour. Further research is necessary to test the hypothesis that women experience a similar range of emotions at similar times during a spontaneous labour and birth and to what extent the described emotions resonate with other women’s experiences.</p>

scholarly journals The Integrated Neurophysiology of Emotions during Labour and Birth: a Feminist Standpoint Exploration of the Women's Perspectives of Labour Progress

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Lesley Ann Dixon
Keyword(s):  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Theoretical Development ◽  
Cervical Dilatation ◽  
Maternal Behaviour ◽  
Birth Process ◽  
Theoretical Understanding ◽  
Feminist Standpoint ◽  
Linear Pattern ◽  
Physical Support ◽  
Spontaneous Labour

<p>Within childbirth there is a common and widely known explanation of labour and birth which describes and defines the birth process as that of stages and phases. The boundaries between the stages and phases have been determined by cervical dilatation with time parameters set to measure progress. The measurement of cervical dilatation is determined by a health professional and has resulted in an apparent inability of women to determine themselves whether they are in labour and their closeness to the impending birth. The aims of this thesis were threefold; the first was to critically examine the knowledge base of labour progress, so that the influences on knowledge development were fully understood. Through exploring the historical and theoretical development I found that the current knowledge has come from a male understanding of female anatomy and observational data constructed within a discourse of male, medical, scientific superiority. The second aim of the thesis was to explore the perspectives of women who had experienced a spontaneous labour and birth in order to determine whether the discourse of labour as stages and phases resonated with them. This leads to the third aim of providing a description of the women’s voices and perspectives based on their experiential knowledge of spontaneous labour and birth. A critical feminist ontology and feminist standpoint methodology guided the research which used in-depth one-to-one interviews with 18 women who had experienced a spontaneous labour and birth. Early thematic analysis was developed further through feedback from the participants supporting a coconstruction of knowledge. Analysis revealed that women considered the stages and phases of labour to be an abstract concept which did not resonate with their experiences of labour and birth. An important aspect of labour was having support during the process, in terms of both emotional and physical support from midwives, partners, family and friends present during the labour and birth. Women’s perceptions were dominated by their feelings and a linear pattern of feelings was discerned consistently amongst the participants. The emotions of labour were an important finding in this research but during the feedback process the women requested a scientific foundation to support the findings. I therefore explored the recent advances in theoretical understanding of the role of emotion, cognition, physiology and behaviour. Contemporary theories define emotions and neurohormones as bi-directional and intricately linked to behaviour change and physiological adaptations. I argue that the feelings women have described give an indication of an underlying hormonal influence and a directing of behaviour, necessary for labour to move towards birth. The hormones involved in labour also support maternal behaviour and attachment to the baby. I suggest a new conceptual understanding of labour as the integration of the mind, body and behaviour in which the feelings and hormones that initiate and sustain labour to birth also support the necessary adaptation and transition to becoming a mother. This integrated neurophysiologic concept will help midwives and other health professionals involved in maternity to recognise emotions as a key to understanding physiological labour and birth. It has also highlighted the importance of emotional and physical support during labour. Further research is necessary to test the hypothesis that women experience a similar range of emotions at similar times during a spontaneous labour and birth and to what extent the described emotions resonate with other women’s experiences.</p>

scholarly journals Using Systems Thinking to Improve Tourism and Hospitality Research Quality and Relevance: A Critical Review and Conceptual Analysis

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 153-172
Author(s):  
Gianna Moscardo
Keyword(s):  
Systems Thinking ◽  
Critical Review ◽  
Systems Approach ◽  
Problem Area ◽  
Theoretical Development ◽  
Research Quality ◽  
Theoretical Understanding ◽  
Theoretical Concepts ◽  
Tourism And Hospitality ◽  
Published Research

This paper argues that that much published tourism and hospitality research has had little influence on tourism or hospitality practice especially with regard to the problems of sustainability because of a failure to use systems thinking to guide research questions and approaches. This critical review and conceptual paper demonstrates how a systems thinking approach could be used to improve both the relevance of, and theoretical development in, tourism and hospitality research in the area of sustainability. This paper reviewed recent published research into tourism’s social impacts to demonstrate the power of taking a systems approach to map out the research problem area. It then critically reviewed the use of concepts from psychology in published research into guest engagement in sustainability programs in hospitality businesses to demonstrate the value of systems thinking for organising theoretical concepts. In both of the reviewed areas the overwhelming conclusion was that the majority of the research lacked both practical relevance and was based on inappropriate or deficient theoretical understanding.

scholarly journals The oxytocin receptor signalling system and breast cancer: a critical review

Oncogene ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 39 (37) ◽  
pp. 5917-5932 ◽  
Author(s):  
Huiping Liu ◽  
Christian W. Gruber ◽  
Paul F. Alewood ◽  
Andreas Möller ◽  
Markus Muttenthaler
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Oxytocin Receptor ◽  
Cancer Development ◽  
Breast Cancer Cell Lines ◽  
Maternal Behaviour ◽  
Supporting Evidence ◽  
Breast Cancer Development ◽  
Signalling System ◽  
Cancer Management

Abstract Breast cancer is making up one-quarter of all new female cancer cases diagnosed worldwide. Breast cancer surgeries, radiation therapies, cytotoxic chemotherapies and targeted therapies have made significant progress and play a dominant role in breast cancer patient management. However, many challenges remain, including resistance to systemic therapies, tumour recurrence and metastasis. The cyclic neuropeptide oxytocin (OT) elicits a plethora of biological responses via the oxytocin receptor (OTR) in both the central and peripheral nervous system, including social bonding, stress, maternal behaviour, sexual activity, uterus contraction, milk ejection and cancer. As a typical member of the G protein-coupled receptor family, OTR represents also an intriguing target for cancer therapy. There is emerging evidence that OTR plays a role in breast cancer development and progression, and several breast cancer cell lines express OTR. However, despite supporting evidence that OT lowers breast cancer risks, its mechanistic role in breast cancer development and the related signalling pathways are not fully understood. Here, we review the current knowledge of the OT/OTR signalling system in healthy breast tissue as well as in breast cancer, and discuss OTR as a potential therapeutic target for breast cancer management.

scholarly journals Service-Sales Ambidexterity: Evidence, Practice, and Opportunities for Future Research

2019 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 13-21 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ko de Ruyter ◽  
Debbie Isobel Keeling ◽  
Ting Yu
Keyword(s):  
Service Delivery ◽  
Current Practice ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Theoretical Development ◽  
Structural Knowledge ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Organizational Boundaries ◽  
Current Knowledge Base ◽  
Effective Service

Aligning the service-sales interface within and beyond organizational boundaries is worthwhile, yet many firms are not reaping the rewards of such practice. The managerial need for in-depth insights into the blending of selling and service delivery could be better informed through resolution of current open theoretical debates. This position article extends the current knowledge base on the service-sales interface in three ways. First, we offer a synopsis of current scholarly progress on blending service delivery with sales and identify contextual conditions that foster effective service-sales ambidexterity. Second, turning to current practice, we use an empirical case study to demonstrate how a multinational company strategically deploys online learning to bridge structural knowledge and skills gaps within its reseller network to build ambidextrous capacity in the channel and support solution selling. Complementing this human learning approach, we also explore recent advances in machine learning and their impact on the service-sales interface. Third, we blend these academic and practice perspectives to offer a service-sales interface agenda that identifies directions for future research in terms of both the theoretical development of ambidexterity and defining the effective blending of technologies at the service-sales interface that enables ambidexterity in practice.

scholarly journals Prion Strains and Transmission Barrier Phenomena

Pathogens ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 5 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
◽  
◽  
Keyword(s):  
Human Health ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Species Barrier ◽  
Barrier Crossing ◽  
Prion Strain ◽  
Differential Selection ◽  
Physical Support ◽  
Prion Strains ◽  
Selection Of ◽  
Host Characteristics

Several experimental evidences show that prions are non-conventional pathogens, which physical support consists only in proteins. This finding raised questions regarding the observed prion strain-to-strain variations and the species barrier that happened to be crossed with dramatic consequences on human health and veterinary policies during the last 3 decades. This review presents a focus on a few advances in the field of prion structure and prion strains characterization: from the historical approaches that allowed the concept of prion strains to emerge, to the last results demonstrating that a prion strain may in fact be a combination of a few quasi species with subtle biophysical specificities. Then, we will focus on the current knowledge on the factors that impact species barrier strength and species barrier crossing. Finally, we present probable scenarios on how the interaction of strain properties with host characteristics may account for differential selection of new conformer variants and eventually species barrier crossing.

scholarly journals Parturition in Mammals: Animal Models, Pain and Distress

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (10) ◽  
pp. 2960
Author(s):  
Julio Martínez-Burnes ◽  
Ramon Muns ◽  
Hugo Barrios-García ◽  
Dina Villanueva-García ◽  
Adriana Domínguez-Oliva ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Animal Species ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Labour Pain ◽  
Domestic Animals ◽  
Domestic Animal ◽  
Birth Process ◽  
Pain Mechanisms ◽  
The Public ◽  
Human Labour ◽  
Experience Pain

Parturition is a complex physiological process and involves many hormonal, morphological, physiological, and behavioural changes. Labour is a crucial moment for numerous species and is usually the most painful experience in females. Contrary to the extensive research in humans, there are limited pain studies associated with the birth process in domestic animals. Nonetheless, awareness of parturition has increased among the public, owners, and the scientific community during recent years. Dystocia is a significant factor that increases the level of parturition pain. It is considered less common in polytocous species because newborns’ number and small size might lead to the belief that the parturition process is less painful than in monotocous animal species and humans. This review aims to provide elements of the current knowledge about human labour pain (monotocous species), the relevant contribution of the rat model to human labour pain, and the current clinical and experimental knowledge of parturition pain mechanisms in domestic animals that support the fact that domestic polytocous species also experience pain. Moreover, both for women and domestic animal species, parturition’s pain represents a potential welfare concern, and information on pain indicators and the appropriate analgesic therapy are discussed.

scholarly journals Breakage of Ice Sheets by Underwater Explosions

1977 ◽  
Vol 19 (81) ◽  
pp. 661-663
Author(s):  
E. Vittoratos ◽  
M. E. Charles
Keyword(s):  
Elastic Plate ◽  
High Speed ◽  
Plate Theory ◽  
Ice Sheets ◽  
Theoretical Development ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Theory Approach ◽  
Classical Plate Theory ◽  
Theoretical Understanding ◽  
Deformation And Failure

AbstractWe have attempted to develop a theoretical understanding of the field experience on the destruction of floating ice sheets by explosives, by performing small-scale laboratory explosions and developing a theory based on the elastic plate. Glass spheres 4.5 × 10¯2 m in diameter and c. 4 × 10¯4 m thick were immersed in water underneath a floating ice sheet c. 2 × 10¯2 m in thickness. The air pressure was raised till the sphere burst at pressures around 15 atmospheres. A high-speed camera (up to several thousand frames per second) recorded the details of the explosion: the growth of the gas bubble and the corresponding deformation and failure of the ice. We observed radial and circumferential cracks develop within 2 ms of the bursting of the sphere.As a first step in the theoretical development, we have considered the response of an infinite elastic plate to impulsive pressure loading due to an underwater explosion. We have assumed potential, incompressible flow which is a valid approximation for the case of the above experiments and the analogous compressed-gas blasting in the field (Mellor and Kovacs, 1972). However the effects caused by the intense shock wave that is radiated by the detonation of a high explosive are thus not considered. We relate the maxima in the tensile stress with the crack pattern and the eventual damage, and have achieved qualitative agreement with the laboratory observations. The model does reproduce and clarify some aspects of the field data, in particular the role of the thickness (Mellor, unpublished); but it fails to relate the crater diameter to the weight of the explosive. It appears that at optimum blasting conditions with high explosives an incompressible-fluid, classical-plate-theory approach is inadequate.

scholarly journals A Temporary Liminal Space Counteracting the Permanent ‘in between’ in Working Life

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hanne Vesala ◽  
Seppo Tuomivaara
Keyword(s):  
Work Environment ◽  
Working Life ◽  
Theoretical Development ◽  
Liminal Space ◽  
Theoretical Understanding ◽  
Work Related ◽  
Continuous State ◽  
Social Structural ◽  
Work Routines ◽  
Original Sense

Ambiguous liminality used to exist ‘in between’, in a transition to a new social-structural order, but recently, it has gained a more permanent and normalized presence in working life, where existing boundaries are becoming blurred. However, liminality as a continuous state can be individually demanding. This paper elaborates upon a theoretical understanding of permanent and temporary liminality in working life and examines possible measures to tame excessive liminality. To illustrate the theoretical development, forms of permanent and temporary liminality in the lives of three professionals are analyzed. We found that dealing with multiple and complex work roles independently could be conducive to fracturing work routines, which we identify as habitualized, permanent liminality. Withdrawal to an alternative work environment – a rural Finnish archipelago – formed a liminal space in its original sense, a creative and reflective phase that illuminated work-related challenges. It is suggested that such spaces are designed to achieve simplicity.

scholarly journals Breakage of Ice Sheets by Underwater Explosions

1977 ◽  
Vol 19 (81) ◽  
pp. 661-663
Author(s):  
E. Vittoratos ◽  
M. E. Charles
Keyword(s):  
Elastic Plate ◽  
High Speed ◽  
Plate Theory ◽  
Ice Sheets ◽  
Theoretical Development ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Theory Approach ◽  
Classical Plate Theory ◽  
Theoretical Understanding ◽  
Deformation And Failure

Abstract We have attempted to develop a theoretical understanding of the field experience on the destruction of floating ice sheets by explosives, by performing small-scale laboratory explosions and developing a theory based on the elastic plate. Glass spheres 4.5 × 10¯2 m in diameter and c. 4 × 10¯4 m thick were immersed in water underneath a floating ice sheet c. 2 × 10¯2 m in thickness. The air pressure was raised till the sphere burst at pressures around 15 atmospheres. A high-speed camera (up to several thousand frames per second) recorded the details of the explosion: the growth of the gas bubble and the corresponding deformation and failure of the ice. We observed radial and circumferential cracks develop within 2 ms of the bursting of the sphere. As a first step in the theoretical development, we have considered the response of an infinite elastic plate to impulsive pressure loading due to an underwater explosion. We have assumed potential, incompressible flow which is a valid approximation for the case of the above experiments and the analogous compressed-gas blasting in the field (Mellor and Kovacs, 1972). However the effects caused by the intense shock wave that is radiated by the detonation of a high explosive are thus not considered. We relate the maxima in the tensile stress with the crack pattern and the eventual damage, and have achieved qualitative agreement with the laboratory observations. The model does reproduce and clarify some aspects of the field data, in particular the role of the thickness (Mellor, unpublished); but it fails to relate the crater diameter to the weight of the explosive. It appears that at optimum blasting conditions with high explosives an incompressible-fluid, classical-plate-theory approach is inadequate.

scholarly journals Canadian Arctic Contaminants and Their Effects on the Maternal Brain and Behaviour: A Scoping Review of the Animal Literature

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 926
Author(s):  
Claire Fong-McMaster ◽  
Sandra Konji ◽  
Amanda Nitschke ◽  
Anne TM Konkle
Keyword(s):  
Animal Models ◽  
Polychlorinated Biphenyls ◽  
Organochlorine Pesticides ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
Maternal Care ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Maternal Behaviour ◽  
Environmental Toxicants ◽  
Combined Effects ◽  
Maternal Brain

Background: Environmental toxicants such as methylmercury, polychlorinated biphenyls, and organochlorine pesticides are potentially harmful pollutants present in contaminated food, soil, air, and water. Exposure to these ecologically relevant toxicants is prominent in Northern Canadian populations. Previous work focused on toxicant exposure during pregnancy as a threat to fetal neurodevelopment. However, little is known about the individual and combined effects of these toxicants on maternal health during pregnancy and post-partum. Methods: A scoping review was conducted to synthesize the current knowledge regarding individual and combined effects of methylmercury, polychlorinated biphenyls, and organochlorine pesticides on maternal behaviour and the maternal brain. Relevant studies were identified through the PubMed, Embase, and Toxline databases. Literature involving animal models and one human cohort were included in the review. Results: Research findings indicate that exposures to these environmental toxicants are associated with neurochemical changes in rodent models. Animal models provided the majority of information on toxicant-induced alterations in maternal care behaviours. Molecular and hormonal changes hypothesized to underlie these alterations were also addressed, although studies assessing toxicant co-exposure were limited. Conclusion: This review speaks to the limited knowledge regarding effects of these persistent organic pollutants on the maternal brain and related behavioural outcomes. Further research is required to better comprehend any such effects on maternal brain and behaviour, as maternal care is an important contributor to offspring neurodevelopment.

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