Adult mental health and addiction nursing roles: 2014 survey of Vote Health funded services

Introduction: Nurses are the largest registered health professional workforce group in New Zealand. As at 1 March 2014 more than 51,000 nurses had a current practising certificate. Planning for the future of New Zealand’s nursing workforce is challenging, particularly because there is a lack of quality workforce data. Access to reliable information for planning purposes is vital given that half of the present nursing workforce is expected to retire by 2035. This report aims to support future health workforce planning with robust information about the dedicated nurse positions in New Zealand’s adult mental health and addiction services. It describes the size and distribution of this nursing workforce by provider, roles, and services delivered. It also provides information about the number of vacancies and perceived recruitment issues. The information was collected in the 2014 More than numbers organisational workforce survey

A High-Order Imaging Algorithm for High-Resolution Space-Borne SAR Based on a Modified Equivalent Squint Range Model

Two challenges have been faced in signal processing of ultrahigh-resolution spaceborne synthetic aperture radar (SAR). The first challenge is constructing a precise range model, and the second one is to develop an efficient imaging algorithm since traditional algorithms fail to process ultrahigh-resolution spaceborne SAR data effectively. In this paper, a novel high-order imaging algorithm for high-resolution spaceborne SAR is presented. First, a modified equivalent squint range model (MESRM) is developed by introducing equivalent radar acceleration into the equivalent squint range model, and it is more suitable for high-resolution spaceborne SAR. The signal model based on the MESRM is also presented. Second, a novel high-order imaging algorithm is derived. The insufficient pulse-repetition frequency problem is solved by an improved subaperture method, and accurate focusing is achieved through an extended hybrid correlation algorithm. Simulations are performed to validate the presented algorithm

Neuronal response sto face-like and facial stimuli in the monkey superior colliculus

The superficial layers of the superior colliculus (sSC) appear to function as a subcortical visual pathway that bypasses the striate cortex for the rapid processing of coarse facial information. We investigated the responses of neurons in the monkey sSC during a delayed non-matching-to-sample (DNMS) task in which monkeys were required to discriminate among five categories of visual stimuli [photos of faces with different gaze directions, line drawings of faces, face-like patterns (three dark blobs on a bright oval), eye-like patterns, and simple geometric patterns]. Of the 605 sSC neurons recorded, 216 neurons responded to the visual stimuli. Among the stimuli, face-like patterns elicited responses with the shortest latencies. Low-pass filtering of the images did not influence the responses. However, scrambling of the images increased the responses in the late phase, and this was consistent with a feedback influence from upstream areas. A multidimensional scaling (MDS) analysis of the population data indicated that the sSC neurons could separately encode face-like patterns during the first 25-ms period after stimulus onset, and stimulus categorization developed in the next three 25-ms periods. The amount of stimulus information conveyed by the sSC neurons and the number of stimulus-differentiating neurons were consistently higher during the 2nd to 4th 25-ms periods than during the first 25-ms period. These results suggested that population activity of the sSC neurons preferentially filtered face-like patterns with short latencies to allow for the rapid processing of coarse facial information and developed categorization of the stimuli in later phases through feedback from upstream areas

Development and validation of a mindful food parenting instrument to assess the relationship between parent food practices and children’s dietary outcomes

American children’s diets are commonly recorded as deficient in nutrient rich foods such as vegetables, fruits, and whole grains. Such diets often exceed amounts of unhealthy items such as added sugars and sweetened beverages. In addition, 23% of children are considered overweight or obese. Mindfulness techniques in parents have been correlated with improved dietary outcomes in children and a healthier family eating environment. The primary aim of this study was to develop and validate an instrument that reflects the theoretical framework drawn from current models of mindful eating, mindful parenting and mindful food parenting. The instrument is a practical tool that seeks to measure mindful food parenting. The tool is closely related to parental actions that can create an internal and external environment conducive to mindful eating in children ages 4 to 8 years old. The final version of the mindful food parenting instrument (MFPI) includes three components: bringing mindful awareness to eating experience; creating awareness of the hunger and fullness experience; and cultivating awareness of parent and child emotions and reactivity to emotions. Validation of the instrument consisted of a series of steps and included experts and parents review of questions for clarity and understanding. Content validity and reliability tests involved two sets of parents. Additionally, the current study explored the relationship between the components of the mindful food parenting model and young children’s dietary outcomes. Results showed a good content validity and reliability for the instrument. Furthermore, results showed a correlation between mindful food parenting and children’s dietary outcomes. In conclusion, results from this study suggest that the MFPI is an adequate tool to measure mindful food parenting. Additionally this tool has the potential to measure mindful food parenting interventions

Perceived energy expenditure for physical activity in male and female adults

The purpose of this study was to gain further insight into the relationship between perceived energy expenditure (EE) for physical activity (PA) and age, gender, Body Mass Index (BMI), education, and leisure time PA (LTPA) levels. A 19-item interviewer administered questionnaire was completed by 798 individuals to assess accuracy of perception of EE (in calories) for various types of PA (sedentary, moderate and vigorous). Participants, age 21 to 64 years, were recruited from ten sites of the Department of Motor Vehicles in Miami, Florida. Only 30% were able to accurately assess EE for PA. Higher education and age were associated with greater accuracy. The range for estimated EE for PA was from 0-60,000 calories. These results are of interest as they suggest efforts should be made to educate the public regarding EE for PA in reference to energy balance and weight management

E- Retailing: A Preliminary Look at Turkish Customers Expectations and Satisfaction

Geçtiğimiz son bir kaç yılda ekonomik krizlerle karşılaşılmasma rağmen, Türkiye'de İnternet kullanımına büyük bir ilgi gösterilmekte ve bu konuya ayrılmış kayda değer miktarda kaynak bulunmaktadır. İnternet perakendeciliği, yeni bir kanal olarak büyük bir hevesle kabul görmesine karşın, e-perakendecilik beklendiği oranda performans göstermiyor görünmektedir. Bu keşifsel çalışmada, online müşterilerin daha iyi anlaşılabilmesi amacıyla, Türk müşterilerin bu konudaki beklentileri ve bu tür satmalmalardaki tatminleri incelemektedir. Pazardaki sayıları fazla büyük olmayan, ancak son derece talepkar olan bir müşteri grubuna hizmet eden e-perakendecilere, çeşitli önerilerde bulunulmaktadır.Although Turkey has been facing economic crises over the last few years, considerable amount of interest and resources has been devoted towards the utilization of the Internet. Despite an enthusiastic reception for Internet retailing as a new channel, e-retailing does not seem to perform as expected. This exploratory study examines Turkish customers' expectations and satisfaction with online purchasing in order to understand online customers better. Various recommendations are offered for e-retailers who are serving small but demanding customers

Limits of the upper critical field in dirty two-gap superconductors

An overview of the theory of the upper critical field in dirty two-gap superconductors, with a particular emphasis on MgB$_2$ is given. We focus here on the maximum $H_{c2}$ which may be achieved by increasing intraband scattering, and on the limitations imposed by weak interband scattering and paramagnetic effects. In particular, we discuss recent experiments which have recently demonstrated ten-fold increase of $H_{c2}$ in dirty carbon-doped films as compared to single crystals, so that the $H_{c2}(0)$ parallel to the ab planes may approach the BCS paramagnetic limit, $H_p[T] = 1.84T_c[K] \simeq 60-70T$. New effects produced by weak interband scattering in the two-gap Ginzburg-Landau equations and $H_{c2}(T)$ in ultrathin MgB$_2$ films are addressed.Comment: Submitted to the special issue of Physica C on MgB$_2$ on Dec. 3, 200

THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THINK, TALK, WRITE (TTW) STRATEGY IN TEACHING WRITING (A Classroom Action Research for the Eighth Grade Students of SMPN 2 Kalinyamatan Jepara in Academic Year 2013/2014)

Menulis adalah suatu kegiatan mengungkapkan ide, pikiran atau bahkan pengalaman ke dalam bentuk paragraph. Menulis dianggap sebagai skill yang sulit bagi pelajar yang belajar bahasa asing termasuk SMP. Dalam menulis, siswa harus tahu komponen bahasa khususnya kosakata dan tatabahasa. Tanpa mengetahui keduanya, siswa tidak bisa menciptakan tulisan yang bagus. Fakta menunjukkan bahwa siswa menemukan kesulitan dalam menulis. Mereka tidak bisa menyusun kalimat dengan baik karena kurangnya pengetahuan mengenai kosakata. Strategi pengajaran telah digunakan pada penelitian ini untuk meningkatan kemampuan menulis siswa. Strategi Think-Talk-Write adalah sebuah strategi yang dapat membantu siswa meningkatkan kemampuan writing mereka. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menemukan jawaban dari rumusan masalah. Tujuan dari penelitian ini adalah: (1) untuk membuktikan jika strategi Think-Talk-Write dapat meningkatkan kemampuan menulis siswa kelas delapan SMPN 2 Kalinyamatan Jepara tahun akademik 2013/2014, (2) untuk mengetahui penerapan strategi Think-Talk-Write pada pengajaran menulis pada siswa kelas delapan SMPN 2 Kalinyamatan Jepara tahun akademik 2013/2014, (3) untuk mengetahui kemampuan menulis siswa kelas delapan SMPN 2 Kalinyamatan Jepara diajarkan dengan menggunakan strategi Think-Talk-Write. Penelitian ini adalah sebuah penelitian tindakan kelas. Pada satu siklus penelitian tindakan kelas terdiri dari 4 langkah; perencanaan, tindakan, pengamatan dan refleksi. Subjek penelitian ini adalah kelas delapan B dari SMPN 2 Kalinyamatan Jepara yang terdiri dari 35 siswa. Pada penelitian ini peneliti menggunakan dua instrumen yaitu tes dan lembar observasi. Hasil dari penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa ada peningkatan pada kemampuan menulis siswa diajarkan menggunakan strategi Think-Talk-Write. Itu dibuktikan dari hasil tes. Itu dibuktikan dari peningkatan nilai yang diperoleh siswa dari siklus 1 ke siklus 2. Di siklus 1, banyak siswa yang mendapatkan nilai di bawah KKM. 20 siswa gagal dan 14 lulus dalam mengerjakan tes yang pertama. Rata-rata nilai siswa di siklus 1 yaitu 64,1. Sedangkan di siklus 2, 24 siswa lulus dan 9 siswa gagal dalam mengerjakan tes. Rata-rata nilai siswa di siklus 2 adalah 72,7. Peningkatan juga terjadi pada kegiatan siswa. Itu bisa terlihat di siklus 2. Banyak siswa yang aktif di dalam kelas. Kebanyakan mereka merespon dan memerhatikan guru selama process pengajaran dan pembelajaran. Kondisi ini berbeda dengan sebelumnya dimana banyak siswa tidak aktif di dalam kelas. Melihat dari proses dan hasil dari penelitian ini, Penulis menyimpulkan bahwa strategi Think-Talk-Write dapat meningkatkan kemampuan menulis siswa kelas delapan SMPN 2 Kalinyamatan Jepara tahun akademik 2013/2014 dan penerapan strategi Think-Talk-Write bisa membantu siswa menjadi aktif di dalam kelas. Penulis menyarankan guru bahasa inggris seharusnya menerapkan sebuah strategi yang bagus dalam proses pengajaran dan pembelajaran. Strategi Think-Talk-Write dapat digunakan sebagai sebuah strategi yang bagus pada pengajaran menulis. Faktanya, strategi ini dapat meningkatkan kemampuan menulis siswa kelas delapan SMPN 2 Kalinyamatan Jepara tahun akademik 2013/2014