Re Dartmouth (City of) and Dartmouth Police Association, Local 101

Employee Grievance alleging improper refusal of leave of absence in lieu of statutory holiday. There was no dispute about any of the essential facts. The practice in the Dartmouth Police Department is for a leave calendar to be circulated at the start of each year. Each man writes in his preferred vacation leave in accordance with an order of priorities not here in issue. Thereafter as requests are made and granted for leave for statutory holidays, time off in lieu of overtime and compassionate leave and as members of the department go on training courses, those facts are noted on the leave calendar. Staff Sergeant John Friis has responsibility under art. 12(2)(a) of the collective agreement for coordinating leaves but in fact the maintenance of the leave calendar has been delegated to platoon NCO\u27s, and in the case here relevant to Sergeant Binns and Corporal Lowe of C Platoon

Band gap modulation of zirconium-based metal-organic frameworks by defect engineering

We report a defect-engineering approach to modulate the band gap of zirconium-based metal-organic framework UiO-66, enabled by grafting of a range of amino-functionalised benzoic acids at defective sites. Defect engineered MOFs were obtained by both post-synthetic exchange and modulated synthesis, featuring band gap in the 4.1-3.3 eV range. First principle calculations suggest that shrinking of the band gap is likely due to an upward shift of the valence band energy, as a result of the presence of light-absorbing monocarboxylates. The photocatalytic properties of defect-engineered MOFs towards CO2 reduction to CO in the gas phase and degradation of Rhodamine B in water were tested, observing improved activity in both cases, in comparison to a defective UiO-66 bearing formic acid as the defect-compensating species

Correction of Femoral Acetabular Impingement at the Time of Primary THA

Background: Primary total hip arthroplasty (THA) is considered one of the most cost effective and functionally beneficial procedures to treat end-stage coxarthrosis worldwide. However, in all regions of the world, there is a small percentage of patients that are plagued by residual anterior hip pain and have limited hip flexion. One explanation for this problem is bone and soft tissue impingement in the anterior hip region. In the native hip, the problem is described as femoral acetabular impingement (FAI). FAI is a form of developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH). Not infrequently, these dysplastic acetabula are also retroverted. In primary THA, a retroverted boney acetabulum adversely affects prosthetic hip function. Specifically, when the acetabular cup is inserted in an anteverted position and the native acetabulum is retroverted, the proximal femur will still impinge upon the retroverted acetabular bone with flexion and internal rotation. This causes mechanical instability, pain, and prosthetic subluxation. We aptly name this condition prosthetic femoral acetabular impingement (PFAI). Methods: In this study we address PFAI with an anterior acetabular bone wall reduction (AABWR). In a consecutive series of 426 primary THA’s, we prospectively removed all impinging anterior retroverted bone during the THA procedure. All acetabular cups were placed between 25-35 degrees of anteversion. Retroverted acetabular bone extending beyond the acetabular cup was removed along with impinging capsular tissues. All femoral stems were positioned between 15-20 degrees. Results: The study group consisted of 426 THA’s. Three hundred patients (70%) had an AABWR. There were 140 females (47%) and 160 males (53%). The average amount of bone resected in the AABWR group was 1.32 cm (0.3 cm to 3.4 cm). For females, the average bone resection measured 1.1 cm (0.3 to 2.0 cm). For males, the average bone resection measured 1.53 cm (0.3 cm to 3.4 cm). Harris Hip Scores (HHS) at minimum of 1 year follow-up (range 1 to 11.5 years) averaged 91 (64 to 100) for the entire group. In the AABWR group, HHS averaged 92 (71 to 100). Average hip flexion was 110 degrees (100 to 130 degrees). In the non-AABWR group, HHS averaged 87 (71 to 100). Average flexion was 109 degrees (88 to 125 degrees). In the AABWR group, 12 patients (4%) experienced groin pain symptoms. On a scale from 0 to 4, the peak groin pain rating was 1 in 10 of the 12 patients and the remaining 2 rated his/her pain at a 2. As time progressed, 50% of these patients saw their groin pain resolve. In the non-AABWR group, 2 patients (1.6%) experienced groin pain and both patients rated his/her pain at a 1. Discussion: Maximizing hip flexion and function for the active patient undergoing primary THA requires meticulous surgical technique. PFAI may be one reason for unexplained anterior hip pain in the highly active patient that demands higher hip flexion and rotation. Our experience shows that the anterior acetabular rim and part of the anterior column can be removed at the time of primary THA without compromising the THA procedure. The AABWR is now an integral part of our primary THA technique

Illuminating Choices for Library Prep: A Comparison of Library Preparation Methods for Whole Genome Sequencing of Cryptococcus neoformans Using Illumina HiSeq.

The industry of next-generation sequencing is constantly evolving, with novel library preparation methods and new sequencing machines being released by the major sequencing technology companies annually. The Illumina TruSeq v2 library preparation method was the most widely used kit and the market leader; however, it has now been discontinued, and in 2013 was replaced by the TruSeq Nano and TruSeq PCR-free methods, leaving a gap in knowledge regarding which is the most appropriate library preparation method to use. Here, we used isolates from the pathogenic fungi Cryptococcus neoformans var. grubii and sequenced them using the existing TruSeq DNA v2 kit (Illumina), along with two new kits: the TruSeq Nano DNA kit (Illumina) and the NEBNext Ultra DNA kit (New England Biolabs) to provide a comparison. Compared to the original TruSeq DNA v2 kit, both newer kits gave equivalent or better sequencing data, with increased coverage. When comparing the two newer kits, we found little difference in cost and workflow, with the NEBNext Ultra both slightly cheaper and faster than the TruSeq Nano. However, the quality of data generated using the TruSeq Nano DNA kit was superior due to higher coverage at regions of low GC content, and more SNPs identified. Researchers should therefore evaluate their resources and the type of application (and hence data quality) being considered when ultimately deciding on which library prep method to use

Of less known literary work of Ivan Golub before the 1990s

Kronologija objavljivanja književnih djela svećenika, književnika i znanstvenika Ivana Goluba sugerira da se, osim rijetkih izuzetaka iz ranijeg razdoblja, književnim stvaralaštvom intenzivnije počeo baviti tek 1990-ih godina. No, kada u obzir uzmemo do danas uglavnom nepoznata njegova djela koja su nastala znatno prije, ali su objavljena tek 1990-ih godina, i to vjerojatno prije svega zahvaljujući slomu komunističkog društveno-političkog poretka koji je do tada proskribirao književnost kršćanskog nadahnuća, postaje jasno da se Golub književnim stvaralaštvom u kontinuitetu i otprilike jednakim intenzitetom ustvari bavio još od 1970-ih pa sve do danas.The order in which literary works by Ivan Golub, a Croatian priest, author and scientist, were published suggests, with some rare exceptions early on, that he started writing intensely only after the 1990s. However, we should take into consideration his works that are mostly unknown today and were created well before, but published only in the 1990s. That is probably because of the collapse of the communist socio-political order, which had prohibited literature of Christian inspiration up until then. It then becomes clear that Golub has been writing with the same intensity ever since the 1970s and to this day

Acceptability and feasibility of peer assisted supervision and support for intervention practitioners: a Q-methodology evaluation

Evidence-based interventions often include quality improvement methods to support fidelity and improve client outcomes. Clinical supervision is promoted as an effective way of developing practitioner confidence and competence in delivery; however, supervision is often inconsistent and embedded in hierarchical line management structures that may limit the opportunity for reflective learning. The Peer Assisted Supervision and Support (PASS) supervision model uses peer relationships to promote the self-regulatory capacity of practitioners to improve intervention delivery. The aim of the present study was to assess the acceptability and feasibility of PASS amongst parenting intervention practitioners. A Q-methodology approach was used to generate data and 30 practitioners volunteered to participate in the study. Data were analyzed and interpreted using standard Q-methodology procedures and by-person factor analysis yielded three factors. There was consensus that PASS was acceptable. Participants shared the view that PASS facilitated an environment of support where negative aspects of interpersonal relationships that might develop in supervision were not evident. Two factors represented the viewpoint that PASS was also a feasible model of supervision. However, the third factor was comprised of practitioners who reported that PASS could be time consuming and difficult to fit into existing work demands. There were differences across the three factors in the extent to which practitioners considered PASS impacted on their intervention delivery. The findings highlight the importance of organizational mechanisms that support practitioner engagement in supervision

Enhancing effective healthcare communication in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand: Considerations for research, teaching, policy, and practice.

OBJECTIVE In this article we present a conceptual framework for enhancing effective healthcare communication in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand. METHODS Through an iterative, deliberative dialogue approach, we, as experts from a variety of health professions and academic disciplines, worked together to identify core values and considerations for healthcare communication across numerous health professions and disciplines and within research, teaching, policy, and practice contexts. RESULTS The framework developed includes five core values at its centre: equitable, inclusive, evidence-based, collaborative, reflective. Around this are concentric circles showing key elements of collaborators, modality, context, and purpose. Each of these is explored. CONCLUSION This work may support benchmarking for healthcare providers, researchers, policymakers, and educators across a breadth of professions to help improve communication in clinical practice. The framework will also help to identify areas across disciplines that are shared and potentially idiosyncratic for various professions to promote interprofessional recognition, education, and collaboration. INNOVATION This framework is designed to start conversations, to form the foundation of a dialogue about the priorities and key considerations for developing teaching curricula, professional development, and research programs related to healthcare communication, providing a set of values specifically for the unique contexts of Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand. It can also be used to guide interdisciplinary healthcare professionals in advancing research, teaching, policy, and practice related to healthcare communication

Effect of electric field on migration of defects in oxides: Vacancies and interstitials in bulk MgO

Dielectric layers composed of metal oxides are routinely subjected to external electric fields during the course of normal operation of electronic devices. Many phenomenological theories suggest that electric fields strongly affect the properties and mobilities of defects in oxide films and can even facilitate the creation of new defects. Although defects in metal oxides have been studied extensively both experimentally and theoretically, the effect of applied electric fields on their structure and migration barriers is not well understood and still remains subject to speculations. Here, we investigate how static, homogeneous electric fields affect migration barriers of canonical defects—oxygen vacancies and interstitial ions—in a prototypical oxide, MgO. Using the modern theory of polarization within density functional theory (DFT), we apply electric fields to defect migration pathways in three different charge states. The effect of the field is characterized by the change of the dipole moment of the system along the migration pathway. The largest changes in the calculated barriers are observed for charged defects, while those for the neutral defects are barely significant. We show that by multiplying the dipole moment difference between the initial and the transition states, which we define as the effective dipole moment, by the field strength, one can obtain an estimate of the barrier change in excellent agreement with the DFT calculated values. These results will help to assess the applicability of phenomenological models and elucidate linear and nonlinear effects of field application in degradation of microelectronic devices, electrocatalysis, batteries, and other applications

Ethanol reversal of tolerance to the respiratory depressant effects of morphine

Opioids are the most common drugs associated with unintentional drug overdose. Death results from respiratory depression. Prolonged use of opioids results in the development of tolerance but the degree of tolerance is thought to vary between different effects of the drugs. Many opioid addicts regularly consume alcohol (ethanol), and post-mortem analyses of opioid overdose deaths have revealed an inverse correlation between blood morphine and ethanol levels. In the present study, we determined whether ethanol reduced tolerance to the respiratory depressant effects of opioids. Mice were treated with opioids (morphine, methadone, or buprenorphine) for up to 6 days. Respiration was measured in freely moving animals breathing 5% CO(2) in air in plethysmograph chambers. Antinociception (analgesia) was measured as the latency to remove the tail from a thermal stimulus. Opioid tolerance was assessed by measuring the response to a challenge dose of morphine (10 mg/kg i.p.). Tolerance developed to the respiratory depressant effect of morphine but at a slower rate than tolerance to its antinociceptive effect. A low dose of ethanol (0.3 mg/kg) alone did not depress respiration but in prolonged morphine-treated animals respiratory depression was observed when ethanol was co-administered with the morphine challenge. Ethanol did not alter the brain levels of morphine. In contrast, in methadone- or buprenorphine-treated animals no respiratory depression was observed when ethanol was co-administered along with the morphine challenge. As heroin is converted to morphine in man, selective reversal of morphine tolerance by ethanol may be a contributory factor in heroin overdose deaths