The role of the group in mindfulness-based interventions.

Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) such as Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction and Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy utilise a group format. Experts in the field of mindfulness endorse the group as beneficial to participants and professional practice literature promotes the need for mindfulness teachers to develop competence in group skills. However, the role of the group in MBIs has been largely overlooked in empirical research to date and the utility of existing group theory in this area is unconvincing. The current study presents a grounded-theory of the role of the group in MBIs. The theory was developed from semi-structured interviews conducted with mindfulness students, teachers and trainers (N=12) exploring their experiences and views related to the MBI group format. Through analysis, three higher-order categories emerged from the data describing five stages of group experiences, four group-based tasks the teacher attended to from a position of ‘embodiment’, and the impact of the MBI group. Findings were situated within existing group theory, facilitating differentiation between generic and MBI specific group factors. The sense of connection developed through non-verbal group meditation, the multi-layered experience of normalization, and the grounding of the teacher’s group-based responses in the embodiment of mindfulness, emerged as unique MBI group factors. The implications for clinical practice, research and theory are discussed

Natural convection in a shallow cavity with differentially heated end walls. Part 2. Numerical solutions

Numerical solutions of the full Navier-Stokes equations are obtained for the problem of natural convection in closed cavities of small aspect ratio with differentially heated end walls. These solutions cover the parameter range Pr = 6.983, 10 ≤ Gr ≤ 2x10^4 and 0.05 ≤ A ≤ 1. A comparison with the asymptotic theory of part 1 shows excellent agreement between the analytical and numerical solutions provided that A ≾ 0.1 and Gr^2A^3Pr^2 ≾ l0^5. In addition, the numerical solutions demonstrate the transition between the shallow-cavity limit of part 1 and the boundary-layer limit; A fixed, Gr → ∞

A “collective effort to make yourself feel better”: The group process in mindfulness-based interventions.

There is growing interest in mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) in the management of multiple physical and mental health issues. Although MBIs utilize a group format, research on how this format impacts teaching and learning mindfulness is lacking. This study aimed to develop a detailed theory of MBI group processes utilizing a grounded theory methodology. This article presents our subsequent model, developed from semistructured interviews conducted with MBI students, teachers, and trainers (N = 12). A core category, the group as a vessel on a shared journey, and three higher-order categories emerged from the data. They illustrate how MBI group processes navigate a characteristic path. Teachers build and steer the group “vessel” in a way that fosters a specific culture and sense of safety. The group is facilitated to share communal experiences that augment learning and enrich mindfulness practice. Limitations and implications for clinicians and researchers are discussed

Synthesis and application of hypercrosslinked polymers with weak cation-exchange character for the selective extraction of basic pharmaceuticals from complex environmental water samples

The synthesis of high specific surface area sorbents (HXLPP-WCX) in the form of hypercrosslinked polymer microspheres with narrow particle size distributions, average particle diameters around 6 µm, and weak cation exchange (WCX) character, is described. The WCX character arises from carboxylic acid moieties in the polymers, derived from the comonomer methacrylic acid. A novel HXLPP-WCX sorbent with an attractive set of chemical and physical properties was then used in an off-line solid-phase extraction (SPE) protocol for the selective extraction of a group of basic compounds from complex environmental samples, a priority being the clean separation of the basic compounds of interest from acidic compounds and interferences. The separation power of the new sorbent for basic pharmaceuticals was compared to two commercially available, mixed-mode sorbents, namely Oasis WCX and Strata X-CW. Under identical experimental conditions, HXLPP-WCX was found to deliver both higher capacity and better selectivity in SPE than either of the two commercially available materials. In an optimised SPE protocol, the HXLPP-WCX sorbent gave rise to quantitative and selective extractions of low µg l-1 levels of basic pharmaceuticals present in 500 ml of river water and 250 ml of effluent waste water

Hydrophilic hypercrosslinked polymeric sorbents for the solid-phase extraction of polar contaminants from water

Three new hypercrosslinked polymers with hydrophilic character arising from hydroxyl moieties in their skeletons have been prepared in microsphere format and applied to the off-line solid-phase extraction (SPE) of polar compounds from water samples. For sample volumes of 1000 ml, the recoveries of various polar pesticides, such as oxamyl, methomyl, selected phenolic compounds, as well as some pharmaceuticals, were close to 90%. The HXLPP-polar polymer with the best performance characteristics was applied to real samples. Its performance was also compared to commercially available sorbents, such as LiChrolut EN (hydrophobic, hypercrosslinked), Oasis HLB (hydrophilic, macroporous) and Isolute ENV+ (hydrophilic, hypercrosslinked); the new sorbent out-performed the commercially available sorbents. The polymer was applied successfully in off-line SPE of river water samples followed by liquid chromatography and ultraviolet detection, providing a good linear range and detection limits of 0.2 μg l-1 for the majority of the compounds, with the exception of oxamyl, methomyl, guaiacol and salicylic acid where the detection limit was 0.5 μg l-1

Feedback-enhanced algorithm for aberration correction of holographic atom traps

We show that a phase-only spatial light modulator can be used to generate non-trivial light distributions suitable for trapping ultracold atoms, when the hologram calculation is included within a simple and robust feedback loop that corrects for imperfect device response and optical aberrations. This correction reduces the discrepancy between target and experimental light distribution to the level of a few percent (RMS error). We prove the generality of this algorithm by applying it to a variety of target light distributions of relevance for cold atomic physics.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figure

General practice ethnicity data: evaluation of a tool

INTRODUCTION: There is evidence that the collection of ethnicity data in New Zealand primary care is variable and that data recording in practices does not always align with the procedures outlined in the Ethnicity Data Protocols for the Health and Disability Sector. In 2010, The Ministry of Health funded the development of a tool to audit the collection of ethnicity data in primary care. The aim of this study was to pilot the Ethnicity Data Audit Tool (EAT) in general practice. The goal was to evaluate the tool and identify recommendations for its improvement. METHODS: Eight general practices in the Waitemata District Health Board region participated in the EAT pilot. Feedback about the pilot process was gathered by questionnaires and interviews, to gain an understanding of practices’ experiences in using the tool. Questionnaire and interview data were analysed using a simple analytical framework and a general inductive method. FINDINGS: General practice receptionists, practice managers and general practitioners participated in the pilot. Participants found the pilot process challenging but enlightening. The majority felt that the EAT was a useful quality improvement tool for handling patient ethnicity data. Larger practices were the most positive about the tool. CONCLUSION: The findings suggest that, with minor improvements to the toolkit, the EAT has the potential to lead to significant improvements in the quality of ethnicity data collection and recording in New Zealand general practices. Other system-level factors also need to be addressed