Psychological impacts of challenging behaviour and motivational orientation in staff supporting individuals with autistic spectrum conditions

Despite increased risk of experiencing challenging behaviour, psychological impacts on community and residential staff supporting adults with autistic spectrum conditions are under-explored. Studies examining related roles indicate protective psychological factors may help maintain staff well-being. This study investigated relationships between motivational orientation (eudaimonic or hedonic), challenging behaviour frequency and type (physical, verbal or self-injurious), and psychological impacts (anxiety, depression and life satisfaction). Participants (N=99) were recruited from six organisations providing autism-specific adult services within Scotland. A series of binary logistic regressions demonstrated weekly challenging behaviour exposure (compared to monthly or daily) significantly increased the likelihood of anxiety caseness. Increased eudaimonic motivation significantly reduced the likelihood of anxiety caseness while also predicting higher life satisfaction. Further, having high levels of eudaimonic motivation appeared to moderate the impact of weekly challenging behaviour exposure on anxiety. No motivational orientation or challenging behaviour factor significantly predicted depression. This sample also demonstrated higher anxiety, lower depression, and equivalent life satisfaction levels compared to general population norms. The results highlight the need for considering staff’s motivational orientations, their frequency of exposure to challenging behaviour, and both positive and negative psychological outcomes, if seeking to accurately quantify or improve well-being in this staff population

Large antenna apertures and arrays for deep space communications

Effect of frequency on communications capability, single antennas and arrays, and economic balance between ground station and spacecraft developmen

A job analysis of selected health educators in colleges and universities.

Thesis (Ed.D.)--Boston University

Influence of Mach Number and Dynamic Pressure on Cavity Tones and Freedrop Trajectories

Weapons release at supersonic speeds from an internal weapons bay is a highly desirable capability. To ensure a successful release at multiple Mach numbers, the aerodynamic environment must be well-understood and repeatable, with a robust system for safe testing of store separation. For this reason, experimental methods were used to investigate the characteristics of a scaled WICS bay with a length-to-depth ratio of 4.5 at multiple Mach numbers and stagnation pressures. Three new nozzles were designed, manufactured, and characterized for the AFIT small supersonic tunnel, yielding freestream Mach numbers of 2.22, 1.84, and 1.43. In addition, a control valve was reconfigured to achieve stagnation pressures as low as 1.0 psia. These nozzles were then used in conjunction with piezosresistive pressure transducers and high-speed Schlieren photography to capture the time-varying pressure signal and spectra of the cavity. Resonant frequencies from these tests matched very well with analytically predicted results for the Mach 2.3 and Mach 1.9 nozzles. The Mach 1.5 nozzle posed some difficulties for the configuration tested due to shocks reflecting into the cavity. The Mach 2.3 nozzle was utilized in freedrop testing of a 1:20 scaled sphere and compared to computational simulations. The computational solution was obtained using the OVERFLOW solver with incorporated 6DOF motion and the DDES/SST hybrid turbulence model. Analysis of the Schlieren video generated by the experimental tests allowed direct comparison of computational and experimental trajectories. Measured trajectories compared closely to computational trajectories, especially for the lowest stagnation pressure settings, where heavy Mach scaling yielded operationally relevant results, despite the small scale of the tests

Application of A Distributed Nucleus Approximation In Grid Based Minimization of the Kohn-Sham Energy Functional

In the distributed nucleus approximation we represent the singular nucleus as smeared over a smallportion of a Cartesian grid. Delocalizing the nucleus allows us to solve the Poisson equation for theoverall electrostatic potential using a linear scaling multigrid algorithm.This work is done in the context of minimizing the Kohn-Sham energy functionaldirectly in real space with a multiscale approach. The efficacy of the approximation is illustrated bylocating the ground state density of simple one electron atoms and moleculesand more complicated multiorbital systems.Comment: Submitted to JCP (July 1, 1995 Issue), latex, 27pages, 2figure

Octilinear Force-Directed Layout with Mental Map Preservation for Schematic Diagrams

We present an algorithm for automatically laying out metro map style schematics using a force-directed approach, where we use a localized version of the standard spring embedder forces combined with an octilinear magnetic force. The two types of forces used during layout are naturally conflicting, and the existing method of simply combining these to generate a resultant force does not give satisfactory results. Hence we vary the forces, emphasizing the standard forces in the beginning to produce a well distributed graph, with the octilinear forces becoming prevalent at the end of the layout, to ensure that the key requirement of line angles at intervals of 45? is obtained. Our method is considerably faster than the more commonly used search-based approaches, and we believe the results are superior to the previous force-directed approach. We have further developed this technique to address the issues of dynamic schematic layout. We use a Delaunay triangulation to construct a schematic “frame”, which is used to retain relative node positions and permits full control of the level of mental map preservation. This technique is the first to combine mental map preservation techniques with the additional layout criteria of schematic diagrams. To conclude, we present the results of a study to investigate the relationship between the level of mental map preservation and the user response time and accuracy

210 ft advanced antenna system - Report on hydrostatic bearing damage

Advanced antenna thrust bearing accident investigatio

Translating research into policy and practice in developing countries: a case study of magnesium sulphate for pre-eclampsia.

BACKGROUND: The evidence base for improving reproductive health continues to grow. However, concerns remain that the translation of this evidence into appropriate policies is partial and slow. Little is known about the factors affecting the use of evidence by policy makers and clinicians, particularly in developing countries. The objective of this study was to examine the factors that might affect the translation of randomised controlled trial (RCT) findings into policies and practice in developing countries. METHODS: The recent publication of an important RCT on the use of magnesium sulphate to treat pre-eclampsia provided an opportunity to explore how research findings might be translated into policy. A range of research methods, including a survey, group interview and observations with RCT collaborators and a survey of WHO drug information officers, regulatory officials and obstetricians in 12 countries, were undertaken to identify barriers and facilitators to knowledge translation. RESULTS: It proved difficult to obtain reliable data regarding the availability and use of commonly used drugs in many countries. The perceived barriers to implementing RCT findings regarding the use of magnesium sulphate for pre-eclampsia include drug licensing and availability; inadequate and poorly implemented clinical guidelines; and lack of political support for policy change. However, there were significant regional and national differences in the importance of specific barriers. CONCLUSION: The policy changes needed to ensure widespread availability and use of magnesium sulphate are variable and complex. Difficulties in obtaining information on availability and use are combined with the wide range of barriers across settings, including a lack of support from policy makers. This makes it difficult to envisage any single intervention strategy that might be used to promote the uptake of research findings on magnesium sulphate into policy across the study settings. The publication of important trials may therefore not have the impacts on health care that researchers hope for