Ship-based measurements of ice nuclei concentrations over the Arctic, Atlantic, Pacific and Southern oceans

Ambient concentrations of ice-forming particles measured during ship expeditions are collected and summarised with the aim of determining the spatial distribution and variability in ice nuclei in oceanic regions. The presented data from literature and previously unpublished data from over 23 months of ship-based measurements stretch from the Arctic to the Southern Ocean and include a circumnavigation of Antarctica. In comparison to continental observations, ship-based measurements of ambient ice nuclei show 1 to 2 orders of magnitude lower mean concentrations. To quantify the geographical variability in oceanic areas, the concentration range of potential ice nuclei in different climate zones is analysed by meridionally dividing the expedition tracks into tropical, temperate and polar climate zones. We find that concentrations of ice nuclei in these meridional zones follow temperature spectra with similar slopes but vary in absolute concentration. Typically, the frequency with which specific concentrations of ice nuclei are observed at a certain temperature follows a log-normal distribution. A consequence of the log-normal distribution is that the mean concentration is higher than the most frequently measured concentration. Finally, the potential contribution of ship exhaust to the measured ice nuclei concentration on board research vessels is analysed as function of temperature. We find a sharp onset of the influence at approximately 36 C but none at warmer temperatures that could bias ship-based measurements. © Author(s) 2020. This work is distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License

Self-directed behavioral family intervention: Do therapists matter?

Behavioral family intervention is an effective form of intervention for the prevention and treatment of a wide range of emotional and behavioral problems in children. There is a growing need to address the accessibility of these services. This paper reviews the literature on self-directed interventions designed to help parents manage difficult child behaviors. Evidence regarding the efficacy of interventions is reviewed, and some of the difficulties associated with self-directed programs are discussed. The Self-directed Triple P and Teen Triple P-Positive Parenting Programs are highlighted as examples of efficacious and effective behavioral family interventions fitting into a larger multi-level model of family intervention. The discussion of the efficacy and effectiveness of self-directed Triple P has implications for service delivery of parenting programs

Emerging needs, evolving services: the health of Pacific peoples in New Zealand

From 0.1% of the total population in 1945 to 6.9% in 2006, Pacific peoples now resident in New Zealand highlight significant health policy and service delivery issues within an increasingly diverse society. Over the last decade, marked differences in the health status of Pacific New Zealanders and Palagi New Zealanders have been well documented, showing high levels of disparity and continuing negative trends. This paper provides a broad overview of the history of Pacific health and health initiatives in New Zealand from the 1940s through to the mid 2000s, highlighting the interface between Pacific peoples and the New Zealand health sector. While the New Zealand Government has become increasingly responsive to Pacific health needs, significant disparities remain between Pacific and Palagi populations. Furthermore, many of the encouraging health initiatives introduced in the past decade remain at risk due to a variety of factors, including a need to strengthen the Pacific health workforce and management expertise

The natural hazards of South Dunedin

This report describes the environmental and community setting of the South Dunedin plain. The physical characteristics of the plain include its low-lying topography, underlain by poorly-consolidated sediment (mainly sand and silt), its proximity to the ocean and harbour, a shallow water table with strong connectivity between sea and groundwater, and an exposure to heavy rainfall events. The plain is vulnerable to natural processes which occur reasonably frequently (such as coastal storms),¹ and also events which occur rarely but have significant consequences (such as major earthquakes on nearby faults).² The South Dunedin plain is densely populated, with approximately 10,000 permanent residents, and contains infrastructure and other assets which are important at a local, district and regional level. The physical characteristics of the plain mean it can be affected by water ponding on the surface (i.e. flooding) and it is this hazard which poses the greatest risk to community wellbeing, infrastructure and other assets. The most recent example of major flooding was in June 2015, as a result of heavy rainfall, surface runoff, and a corresponding rise in groundwater. However, this report shows that there are a number of naturally occurring physical processes and human activities which together, or separately, could affect flood hazard on the South Dunedin plain. These are listed below, along with a summary of observed trends, future predictions, and interdependencies with other factors. A summary table on the following page highlights the wide range of factors which can influence flood hazard, and that future changes in mean sea level, climate and groundwater level are the processes most likely to exacerbate the effects of this hazard. This report shows how these effects will vary across the plain, with some areas likely to be affected sooner than, or to a greater extent, than others

Pilot study of methods for assessing unmet secondary health care need in New Zealand

AIMS: In this pilot study, the primary aim was to compare four potential methods for undertaking a national survey of unmet secondary healthcare need in New Zealand (one collecting data from GPs, and three from community surveys). The secondary aim was to obtain an estimate of the prevalence of unmet secondary healthcare need, to inform sample size calculations for a national survey. METHODS: An electronic system was set up for GPs in Christchurch (Pegasus PHO) and Auckland (Auckland PHO) to record cases of unmet need as encountered in clinics. For the community surveys, a questionnaire developed by the authors was administered to people from the same electoral wards as the GP clinics. Three modes of questionnaire administration were trialled: online, telephone and face-to-face interview. Random population sampling from the Māori and General Electoral Rolls was used to identify eligible survey participants until there were approximately 200 respondents for each method in each city. Data collection took place from November 2015 to February 2016. RESULTS: GP reports: Pegasus PHO: 8/78 eligible practices recorded 28 cases of unmet secondary healthcare need in 10 weeks. Auckland PHO: 3/26 practices participated and recorded no cases in three weeks. Surveys: 1,277 interviews were completed (online 428, telephone 447, face-to-face 402). For primary healthcare, 211/1,277 (16.5%) had missed a GP visit because of cost (online 25.0%, telephone 11.6%, face-to-face 12.9%). For secondary healthcare, 119/1,277 (9.3%) reported unmet healthcare need that had been identified by a health professional (online 11.2%; telephone 9.2%; face-to-face 7.5%). Of these, 75/119 (63.0%) required a consultation, and 47/119 (39.5%) required a procedure. Completed interview rates as a percentage of names on the Electoral Roll were low (online 8.8%, telephone 15.4%, face-to-face 13.9%), affected by changed addresses and lack of listed telephone numbers. The response rate for those with valid phone numbers was 47.6%, and for those with valid addresses was 31.5%. CONCLUSIONS: Using the Electoral Rolls to identify respondents is problematic. For a national survey, random population sampling by address, similar to the method employed for the New Zealand Health Survey, but giving respondents a choice between face-to-face and phone interviews, is proposed. Asking GPs to record data on unmet need for secondary care was not successful. Our pilot study suggests there is sufficient unmet secondary healthcare need in New Zealand to merit a national surve