Validation of the theoretical domains framework for use in behaviour change and implementation research

BACKGROUND: An integrative theoretical framework, developed for cross-disciplinary implementation and other behaviour change research, has been applied across a wide range of clinical situations. This study tests the validity of this framework. METHODS: Validity was investigated by behavioural experts sorting 112 unique theoretical constructs using closed and open sort tasks. The extent of replication was tested by Discriminant Content Validation and Fuzzy Cluster Analysis. RESULTS: There was good support for a refinement of the framework comprising 14 domains of theoretical constructs (average silhouette value 0.29): 'Knowledge', 'Skills', 'Social/Professional Role and Identity', 'Beliefs about Capabilities', 'Optimism', 'Beliefs about Consequences', 'Reinforcement', 'Intentions', 'Goals', 'Memory, Attention and Decision Processes', 'Environmental Context and Resources', 'Social Influences', 'Emotions', and 'Behavioural Regulation'. CONCLUSIONS: The refined Theoretical Domains Framework has a strengthened empirical base and provides a method for theoretically assessing implementation problems, as well as professional and other health-related behaviours as a basis for intervention development

Effects of length of mindfulness practice on mindfulness, depression, anxiety and stress: a randomized controlled experiment

Objectives: Mindfulness-based programs (MBPs) vary in length of mindfulness practices included. It might be expected that longer practice leads to greater benefits in terms of increased mindfulness and decreased psychological distress. However, the evidence for such dose-response effects is mixed and generally does not support such strong causal conclusions given its correlational nature. Therefore, the current study sought to clarify which length of mindfulness practice led to greater benefits using an experimental design. Methods: Participants (N = 71; 71.8% female), who were healthy adults with limited prior mindfulness practice experience, were randomized to either (i) four longer (20-minute) mindfulness practices, (ii) four shorter (5-minute) mindfulness practices or (iii) an audiobook control group. All sessions were held in-person over a two-week period, each group listened to the same total length of material each session, and participants refrained from formal mindfulness practice outside of sessions. Results: Both longer and shorter practice significantly improved trait mindfulness, depression, anxiety, and stress compared to controls. Unexpectedly, shorter practice had a significantly greater effect on trait mindfulness (d = 2.17; p < .001) and stress (d = -1.18; p < .01) than longer practice, with a trend in the same direction for depression and anxiety. Mediation analysis findings were mixed. Conclusions: Even a relatively small amount of mindfulness practice can be beneficial and shorter practices may initially be more helpful for novice practitioners in MBPs with minimal teacher contact. Further research is needed to examine such dose-response effects when teacher involvement is greater and over the longer term

Shock-related radio emission during coronal mass ejection lift-off?

Aims: We identify the source of fast-drifting decimetric-metric radio emission that is sometimes observed prior to the so-called flare continuum emission. Fast-drift structures and continuum bursts are also observed in association with coronal mass ejections (CMEs), not only flares. Methods: We analyse radio spectral features and images acquired at radio, H-alpha, EUV, and soft X-ray wavelengths, during an event close to the solar limb on 2 June 2003. Results: The fast-drifting decimetric-metric radio burst corresponds to a moving, wide emission front in the radio images, which is normally interpreted as a signature of a propagating shock wave. A decimetric-metric type II burst where only the second harmonic lane is visible could explain the observations. After long-lasting activity in the active region, the hot and dense loops could be absorbing or suppressing emission at the fundamental plasma frequency. The observed burst speed suggests a super-Alfvenic velocity for the burst driver. The expanding and opening loops, associated with the flare and the early phase of CME lift-off, could be driving the shock. Alternatively, an instantaneous but fast loop expansion could initiate a freely propagating shock wave. The later, complex-looking decametre-hectometre wave type III bursts indicate the existence of a propagating shock, although no interplanetary type II burst was observed during the event. The data does not support CME bow shock or a shock at the flanks of the CME as the origin of the fast-drift decimetric-metric radio source. Therefore super-Alfvenic loop expansion is the best candidate for the initiation of the shock wave, and this result challenges the current view of metric/coronal shocks originating either in the flanks of CMEs or from flare blast waves.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figures, accepted by A&A (Research Note

Forbush decreases and turbulence levels at CME fronts

We seek to estimate the average level of MHD turbulence near coronal mass ejection (CME) fronts as they propagate from the Sun to the Earth. We examine the cosmic ray data from the GRAPES-3 tracking muon telescope at Ooty, together with the data from other sources for three well observed Forbush decrease events. Each of these events are associated with frontside halo Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs) and near-Earth magnetic clouds. In each case, we estimate the magnitude of the Forbush decrease using a simple model for the diffusion of high energy protons through the largely closed field lines enclosing the CME as it expands and propagates from the Sun to the Earth. We use estimates of the cross-field diffusion coefficient $D_{\perp}$ derived from published results of extensive Monte Carlo simulations of cosmic rays propagating through turbulent magnetic fields. Our method helps constrain the ratio of energy density in the turbulent magnetic fields to that in the mean magnetic fields near the CME fronts. This ratio is found to be $\sim$ 2% for the 11 April 2001 Forbush decrease event, $\sim$ 6% for the 20 November 2003 Forbush decrease event and $\sim$ 249% for the much more energetic event of 29 October 2003.Comment: Accepted for publication in Astronomy and Astrophysics. (Abstract abridged) Typos correcte

The response of a linear baroclinic equatorial ocean to periodic forcing

This paper examines the response of the linear inviscid shallow water equations on a meridionally infinite but zonally bounded equatorial β-plane to periodic zonal forcings at a low frequency ω…

Forced baroclinic ocean motions, III: The linear equatorial basin case

Previous work on the linear spin-up of an equatorial ocean is extended to include the specific effects of the north-south extent of the basin, thus allowing a detailed comparison of analytic spin-up theory with numerical calculations…

Forced baroclinic ocean motions. I. The linear equatorial unbounded case

A method is developed for calculating the response of an unbounded inviscid ocean to wind stress and thermal forcings. Although emphasis is on equatorial baroclinic motions, the mathematical technique is first illustrated in detail for the motions described by the similar but simpler barotropic vorticity equation. This serves to clarify the significance of the asymptotic approximations made for the baroclinic planetary modes...

Forced baroclinic ocean motions: II. The linear equatorial bounded case

This paper extends the results of Cane and Sarachik (1976) to an ocean bounded by two meridians. A complete solution is obtained for the asymptotic linear inviscid response to wind stress and thermal forcings independent of longitude, switched on at t=0 and steady thereafter. The mathematics is greatly simplified by building on the results of the earlier paper. The form of the solution is relatively simple..

Type 2 solar radio events observed in the interplanetary medium. Part 1: General characteristics

Twelve type 2 solar radio events were observed in the 2 MHz to 30 kHz frequency range by the radio astronomy experiment on the ISEE-3 satellite over the period from September 1978 to December 1979. These data provide the most comprehensive sample of type 2 radio bursts observed at kilometer wavelengths. Dynamic spectra of a number of events are presented. Where possible, the 12 events were associated with an initiating flare, ground based radio data, the passage of a shock at the spacecraft, and the sudden commencement of a geomagnetic storm. The general characteristics of kilometric type 2 bursts are discussed