Coventry University

About: Coventry University is a education organization based out in Coventry, United Kingdom. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Context (language use) & Population. The organization has 4964 authors who have published 12700 publications receiving 255898 citations. The organization is also known as: Lanchester Polytechnic & Coventry Polytechnic.

Optimism and psychological well‐being among parents of children with cancer: an exploratory study

Abstract: Aims: To identify the characteristics of optimistic parents of children with cancer. To examine the relationship between optimism, anxiety, depression, life satisfaction, coping and subjective health perception in parents of children with cancer and parents of healthy children. Methods: One hundred parents of children with cancer were recruited during attendance at Oncology Out-patient Clinics at a UK Regional Cancer Centre. A comparison group of 117 parents of healthy children was also recruited. All parents completed a questionnaire, providing demographic and medical information relating to the child, dispositional optimism, psychological distress, life satisfaction, coping and subjective health perception. Results: Parents of children with cancer had higher levels of anxiety, depression, optimism, satisfaction with life and subjective health perception than the comparison group. Optimism was significantly correlated with satisfaction with life, subjective health perception, anxiety and depression in both groups. Conclusion: The findings highlight the importance of optimism in relationship to psychological distress in parents of children with cancer. Interventions targeting parents' optimism are recommended as a potential source of coping with adversity within this population. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

An optimization approach for analysing nonlinear stability with transition to turbulence in fluids as an exemplar.

Abstract: This article introduces and reviews recent work using a simple optimization technique for analysing the nonlinear stability of a state in a dynamical system. The technique can be used to identify the most efficient way to disturb a system such that it transits from one stable state to another. The key idea is introduced within the framework of a finite-dimensional set of ordinary differential equations (ODEs) and then illustrated for a very simple system of two ODEs which possesses bistability. Then the transition to turbulence problem in fluid mechanics is used to show how the technique can be formulated for a spatially-extended system described by a set of partial differential equations (the well-known Navier–Stokes equations). Within that context, the optimization technique bridges the gap between (linear) optimal perturbation theory and the (nonlinear) dynamical systems approach to fluid flows. The fact that the technique has now been recently shown to work in this very high dimensional setting augurs well for its utility in other physical systems.

The PRISMS taxonomy of self-management support: derivation of a novel taxonomy and initial testing of its utility

Abstract: BackgroundSupporting self-management is a core response of health care systems globally to the increasing prevalence of long-term conditions. Lack of a comprehensive taxonomy (or classification) of self-management support components hinders characterization and, ultimately, understanding of these frequently complex, multi-component interventions.ObjectiveTo develop a comprehensive, descriptive taxonomy of self-management support components.MethodsComponents were derived from the 969 unique randomized controlled trials described in the 102 systematic reviews and 61 implementation trials, examining 14 diverse long-term conditions included in the Practical Reviews in Self-Management Support (PRISMS) project followed by discussion at an expert stakeholder workshop. The utility of the taxonomy was then tested using a self-management support intervention for cancer survivors.ResultsThe PRISMS taxonomy comprises 14 components that might be used to support self-management (e.g. information about condition/managem...

Living with non-state policing in South Africa: the issues and dilemmas

Abstract: Though policing is widely regarded as an inherently public good, in reality non-state policing is widespread in South Africa, doing everything that the public police force does. The paper examines the extent, nature and attitudes towards non-state policing in South Africa in its different forms, that is, autonomous citizen responses, 'responsible' citizen responses and commercial private security. The paper concludes by assessing the social and political implications of non-state policing. Policing is an elastic concept, but is normally associated with an array of functions including regulating society and maintaining order, preventing crime, responding to crime and restoring order, and the use if necessary of instruments of coercion to assist in any of those roles. The nature of these functions causes policing to be widely regarded as an inherently public good, whose provision should reside in the hands of a single monopoly supplier, the democratic state. In the state's hands, it is argued, policing activities can be required to be accountable, consistent and humane. Given this prevailing discourse, therefore, it is remarkable that in reality, policing by formal and informal groups other than the state police is so widespread in democracies and has been for a very long time. In the case of South Africa it is found engaged in street patrolling, guarding private and public property, order main- tenance, arrest, search, detection, surveillance, inspection, traffic control, crowd marshalling, risk management, the transportation of cash and personal escort/protection. In fulfilling many of these duties it bears firearms and other means of coercion, such as handcuffs, truncheons and pepper spray to, if necessary, enforce its activities. In