Simultaneous fitting of X-ray and neutron diffuse scattering data

Conventional crystallographic refinement uses the Bragg-peak intensities and gives the single-site average crystal structure. Information about short-range order and local order is contained in the diffuse scattering that is distributed throughout reciprocal space. Models of the short-range order in materials can now be automatically refined. The complementarity of X-ray and neutron diffraction data, and the value of simultaneously refining a structural model against both types of data, has long been known. This paper presents the first refinement of a short-range-order model against comprehensive X-ray and neutron diffuse scattering data simultaneously. The sample is the organic molecular crystal benzil, C14H10O2 (for neutron work H is replaced by D). The technique gives new insights into local order in crystalline materials, including the dynamic correlation structure indicative of the dynamics of molecules in the crystalline state, and successfully overcomes limitations of using only the X-ray data set

Traceless Isoprenylation of Aldehydes via N‐Boc‐N‐(1,1‐dimethylallyl)hydrazones

A short isoprenylation protocol starting from non‐conjugated N‐Boc‐N‐(1,1‐dimethylallyl)hydrazones was developed utilising Thomson's traceless bond construction. This type of [3,3]‐sigmatropic rearrangement is catalysed by the Brønsted acid triflimide and liberates only gaseous by‐products. The required N‐Boc‐N‐allylhydrazine precursor is available in three steps starting from a known diazene using biocatalytic aldol addition and Tebbe olefination as key steps. Allylhydrazones are prepared via condensation with appropriate aldehydes. Scope and limitations of the [3,3]‐sigmatropic rearrangements are analysed

Managerial capacity among district health managers and its association with district performance: a comparative descriptive study of six districts in the Eastern Region of Ghana

District health managers play a pivotal role in the delivery of basic health services in many countries, including Ghana, as they are responsible for converting inputs and resources such as, staff, supplies and equipment into effective services that are responsive to population needs. Weak management capacity among local health managers has been suggested as a major obstacle for responsive health service delivery. However, evidence on district health managers' competencies and its association with health system performance is scarce.; To examine managerial capacity among district health managers and its association with health system performance in six districts in the Eastern Region of Ghana.; Fifty-nine district health managers' in six different performing districts in the Eastern Region of Ghana completed a self-administered questionnaire measuring their management competencies and skills. In addition, the participants provided information on their socio-demographic background; previous management experience and training; the extent of available management support systems, and the dynamics within their district health management teams. A non-parametric one-way analysis was applied to test the association between management capacity and district performance, which was measured by 17 health indicators.; Shortcomings within different aspects of district management were identified, however there were no significant differences observed in the availability of support systems, characteristics and qualifications of district health managers across the different performing districts. Overall management capacity among district health managers were significantly higher in high performing districts compared with lower performing districts (p = 0.02). Furthermore, district health managers in better performing districts reported a higher extent of teamwork (p = 0.02), communication within their teams (p<0.01) and organizational commitment (p<0.01) compared with lower performing districts.; The findings demonstrate individual and institutional capacity needs, and highlights the importance of developing management competencies and skills as well as positive team dynamics among health managers at district level

How does district health management emerge within a complex health system? Insights for capacity strengthening in Ghana

Introduction:; District health managers (DHMs) play a pivotal role in the operation of district health systems in low-and middle income countries, including Ghana. Their capacity is determined by their competencies, but also by the organization and system in which they are embedded. The objective of this paper is to explore how district health management emerges from contextual, organizational, and individual factors in order to demonstrate that capacity strengthening efforts at district level need to transcend individual competencies to take on more systemic approaches.; Methods:; Semi-structured interviews (; n; = 21) were conducted to gain insight into aspects that affect district health management in the Eastern Region of Ghana. Interviews were conducted with DHMs (; n; = 15) from six different districts, as well as with their superiors at the regional level (; n; = 4) and peers from non-governmental organizations (; n; = 2). A thematic analysis was conducted by using an analytical approach based on systems theory.; Results:; Contextual aspects, such as priorities among elected officials, poor infrastructure and working conditions, centralized decision-making, delayed disbursement of funds and staff shortages, affect organizational processes and the way DHMs carry out their role. Enabling organizational aspects that provide DHMs with direction and a clear perception of their role, include positive team dynamics, good relations with supervisors, job descriptions, appraisals, information systems, policies and guidelines. Meanwhile, hierarchical organizational structures, agendas driven by vertical programs and limited opportunities for professional development provide DHMs with limited authority to make decisions and dampens their motivation. The DHMs ability to carry out their role effectively depends on their perception of their role and the effort they expend, in addition to their competencies. In regards to competencies, a need for more general management and leadership skills were called for by DHMs as well as by their superiors and peers.; Conclusion:; Systemic approaches are called for in order to strengthen district health management capacity. This study can provide national policy-makers, donors and researchers with a deeper understanding of factors that should be taken into consideration when developing, planning, implementing, and assessing capacity-building strategies targeted at strengthening district health management

Kein "Like" für die Politik: Eine Erklärung der Nichtnutzung politischer Partizipationsangebote bei Facebook

Trotz der hohen Vielfalt und Allgegenwart an Möglichkeiten, der eignen Meinung online Ausdruck zu verleihen, sind viele Menschen nicht oder nur begrenzt bereit, sich daran zu beteiligen. In diesem Beitrag wird daher am Beispiel von Facebook untersucht, warum politische Partizipationsangebote nicht genutzt werden. Dafür werden die etablierten Erklärungen aus dem Civic Voluntarism Model mit spezifischen, auf die Partizipation bei Facebook bezogenen Prädiktoren ergänzt. Zur Überprüfung der Annahmen wird eine Online- Befragung mit n = 463 Personen durchgeführt. Insbesondere Befürchtungen von Folgen im Offline-Bereich sowie eines hohen Aufwandes und eine negative Einschätzung der von politischen Institutionen angebotenen Inhalte können erklären, warum diese Personen Facebook nicht zur politischen Partizipation nutzen. Weitere Prädiktoren sind eine geringe Nutzung von Offline-Partizipationsformen und eine geringe Sichtbarkeit politischer Posts auf der Facebook-Startseite

Health worker transfer processes within the public health sector in Ghana : a study of three districts in the Eastern Region

The lack of appropriate policies and procedures to ensure transparent transfer practices is an important source of dissatisfaction among health workers in low- and middle-income countries. In order to alter and improve current practices, a more in-depth and context-specific understanding is needed. This study aims to (1) identify rationales behind transfer decisions in Ghana and (2) examine how transfers are managed in practice versus in policies.; The study took place in 2014 in three districts in Eastern Ghana. The study population included (1) national, regional, and district health administrators with decision-making authority in terms of transfer decisions and (2) health workers who had transferred between 2011 and 2014. Data was collected through semi-structured and structured face-to-face interviews focusing on rationales behind transfer decisions, health administrators' role in managing transfers, and health workers' experience of transfers. A data triangulation approach was applied to compare identified practices with national policies and procedures.; A total of 44 health workers and 21 administrators participated in the study. Transfers initiated by health workers were mostly based on family conditions and preferences to move away from rural areas, while transfers initiated by administrators were based on service requirements, productivity, and performance. The management of transfers was not guided by clear and explicit procedures and thus often depended on the discretion of decision-makers. Moreover, health workers frequently reported not being involved in transfer decision-making processes. We found existing staff perceptions of a non-transparent system.; Our findings suggest a need to foster incentives to attract and retain health workers in rural areas. Moreover, health worker-centered procedures and systems that effectively guide and monitor transfer practices must be developed to ensure that transfers are carried out in a timely, fair, and transparent way

ACCESS-OM2 v1.0: a global ocean-sea ice model at three resolutions

We introduce ACCESS-OM2, a new version of the ocean–sea ice model of the Australian Community Climate and Earth System Simulator. ACCESS-OM2 is driven by a prescribed atmosphere (JRA55-do) but has been designed to form the ocean–sea ice component of the fully coupled (atmosphere–land–ocean–sea ice) ACCESS-CM2 model. Importantly, the model is available at three different horizontal resolutions: a coarse resolution (nominally 1∘ horizontal grid spacing), an eddy-permitting resolution (nominally 0.25∘), and an eddy-rich resolution (0.1∘ with 75 vertical levels); the eddy-rich model is designed to be incorporated into the Bluelink operational ocean prediction and reanalysis system. The different resolutions have been developed simultaneously, both to allow for testing at lower resolutions and to permit comparison across resolutions. In this paper, the model is introduced and the individual components are documented. The model performance is evaluated across the three different resolutions, highlighting the relative advantages and disadvantages of running ocean–sea ice models at higher resolution. We find that higher resolution is an advantage in resolving flow through small straits, the structure of western boundary currents, and the abyssal overturning cell but that there is scope for improvements in sub-grid-scale parameterizations at the highest resolution