Leading interagency planning and collaboration in mass gatherings: public health and safety in the 2012 London Olympics

OBJECTIVES: Planning and implementing public health initiatives in mass gatherings such as the Olympic Games pose unique challenges for interorganizational collaboration, which involves interaction among multiple and diverse agencies. Nonetheless, there is limited empirical evidence to support interagency collaboration and public health planning decisions in mass gatherings and how leadership can shape such interactions. We empirically explored these topics in the 2012 London Olympics to identify lessons to inform planning for future mass gatherings. STUDY DESIGN: This is a qualitative case study. METHODS: Data comprised 39 semistructured interviews with key informants conducted before, during, and after the games; in addition, direct observations of field exercises and documentary analysis were also used. Open coding and thematic analysis was used to analyze the data. RESULTS: We identified two main leadership challenges that influenced interagency collaboration: organizational public health leadership and coordinating collaborative decision-making. Two facilitative conditions helped overcome the previous challenges: nurturing interorganizational linkages and creating shared understanding by activating codified frameworks at the organizational level. CONCLUSIONS: Our study highlights leadership issues in interagency collaboration in mass gatherings. Practical implications arising from this study may inform the ways the organizers of mass gatherings, public health and safety agencies, and professionals can engage in effective partnerships and joint working

Plane-wave impulse approximation extraction of the neutron magnetic form factor from quasielastic ^3He(e,e') at Q^2=0.3 to 0.6 (GeV/c)^2

A high precision measurement of the transverse spin-dependent asymmetry A_T' in ^3He(e,e') quasielastic scattering was performed in Hall A at Jefferson Lab at values of the squared four-momentum transfer, Q^2, between 0.1 and 0.6 (GeV/c)^2. A_(T') is sensitive to the neutron magnetic form factor, G_M^n . Values of G_M^n at Q^2 = 0.1 and 0.2 (GeV/c)^2, extracted using Faddeev calculations, were reported previously. Here, we report the extraction of G_M^n for the remaining Q^2 values in the range from 0.3 to 0.6 (GeV/c)^2 using a plane-wave impulse approximation calculation. The results are in good agreement with recent precision data from experiments using a deuterium target

Q^2 Evolution of the Neutron Spin Structure Moments using a ^3He Target

We have measured the spin structure functions g_1 and g_2 of ^3He in a double-spin experiment by inclusively scattering polarized electrons at energies ranging from 0.862 to 5.058 GeV off a polarized ^3He target at a 15.5° scattering angle. Excitation energies covered the resonance and the onset of the deep inelastic regions. We have determined for the first time the Q^2 evolution of Γ_1(Q^2)=∫_0^1g_1(x,Q^2)dx, Γ_2(Q^2)=∫_0^1g_2(x,Q^2)dx, and d_2(Q^2)=∫_0^1x^2[2g_1(x,Q^2)+3g_2(x,Q^2)]dx for the neutron in the range 0.1 ≤ Q^2 ≤0.9  GeV^2 with good precision. Γ_1(Q^2) displays a smooth variation from high to low Q^2. The Burkhardt-Cottingham sum rule holds within uncertainties and d_2 is nonzero over the measured range

Precision Measurement of the Spin-Dependent Asymmetry in the Threshold Region of ^3He(e, e')

We present the first precision measurement of the spin-dependent asymmetry in the threshold region of ^3He(e,e′) at Q^2 values of 0.1 and 0.2(GeV/c)^2. The agreement between the data and nonrelativistic Faddeev calculations which include both final-state interactions and meson-exchange current effects is very good at Q^2 = 0.1(GeV/c)^2, while a small discrepancy at Q^2 = 0.2(GeV/c)^2 is observed

OGO-6 gas-surface energy transfer experiment

The kinetic energy flux of the upper atmosphere was analyzed using OGO-6 data. Energy transfer between 10 microwatts/sq cm and 0.1 W/sq cm was measured by short-term frequency changes of temperature-sensitive quartz crystals used in the energy transfer probe. The condition of the surfaces was continuously monitored by a quartz crystal microbalance to determine the effect surface contamination had on energy accommodation. Results are given on the computer analysis and laboratory tests performed to optimize the operation of the energy transfer probe. Data are also given on the bombardment of OGO-6 surfaces by high energy particles. The thermoelectrically-cooled quartz crystal microbalance is described in terms of its development and applications

Meeting the needs of critical care patients after discharge home: a qualitative exploratory study of patient perspectives

Objectives To describe former critical care patients’ perspectives on the support needed to optimise recovery. Background With improved survival rates in critical care, increasing focus is being placed on survivorship and how best to support patients return to former activity. Little is known about what support patients themselves view as important, and this has implications for efficacy and acceptability of services provided. Study design A qualitative exploratory study of the experiences of support received by critical care survivors. Research Methodology Semi-structured interviews were undertaken with twelve critical care survivors, recruited from a charity and a patient and public involvement group. The interviews were analysed using thematic analysis to describe patterns in the participants’ experiences. Findings Four themes of support were described as: effective management of transfer anxiety; tailored information provision; timely access to services and a supportive social network. Conclusion Survivors of critical care should be equipped with information about their critical care stay, ongoing health issues and recovery; and provided with holistic care at home. Critical care follow-up was an effective way of meeting many of these needs, but needs to be flexible to be useful to attendees. Peer support groups (face-to-face and online) provided information, reassurance, a social network and an avenue for those who had longer-lasting problems than current services provide for. Relevance to Clinical Practice Whilst there are commonalities in the problems faced by critical care survivors, recovery is highly individualised, and current support services do not have sufficient flexibility to cater for this. This study shows that many survivors experience aftereffects of critical care that outlast the support they are given. These longer-term survivors are often excluded from research studies because of fears of recall bias, resulting in poor understanding of their experiences