What is the potential of distance education for learning and practice development in critical care nursing in the South Island of New Zealand? : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Education in Adult Education at Massey University

This thesis explores the potential of distance approaches to teaching and learning in post registration nursing education within the context of critical care nursing practice. The thesis specifically considers the appropriateness of distance education within the population of critical care nurses in the South Island of New Zealand. The geographical distribution of critical care services and subsequent population distribution of practising critical care nurses within the South Island has resulted in a demand for post registration education from relatively small yet distinct groups of nurses spanning a substantial land area (150,461 Km2). National shortages of experienced and qualified critical care nurses, and consensus regarding the necessity for post registration education for specialist practice have been recognised throughout the Western World (Ball 1992, Charlton, Machin and Clough 2000, Cutler 2000, Johnston 2002). Yet nurses in the South Island of New Zealand have limited provision or access to critical care education programmes (Hardcastle 2003). The thesis therefore presents a pertinent and timely exploration into the potential of distance approaches to educational provision for an area of specialist practice that is currently unable to consistently meet health care demands. The thesis uses descriptive and interpretive research (previously conducted by the author), and relevant literature in order to provide a comprehensive exploration of the study context and consider the research question. The thesis aims to enhance understanding of the specific population in terms of educational provision and demand, and the meaning of 'effective' education for critical care nursing practice. Subsequent examination of the potential of distance education within this context will more clearly indicate whether distance approaches could be compatible with concepts of effective education. The outcome of which will be useful in order to determine educational strategies that may positively influence the future of education for critical care nursing practice within the South Island of New Zealand

Theoretical Justification for Bond Valence -- Bond Length Empirical Correlations

Bond valence – bond length empirical correlations are of great interest in chemistry, biology, geology and materials science because they offer a quick and convenient way of checking and evaluating molecular structures. Linus Pauling’s relationship is the most commonly used, but is a two-parameter fit where R0 and b must be optimized. In this study, a simplified quantum-mechanical approach was used to derive Pauling’s empirical bond valence – bond length relationship. A covalency factor was also introduced to account for the difference in “softness” between cation and anion (resulting in increased orbital overlap). An expression for the b parameter was determined that yields values that are in agreement with experimental data. The derived relationship for the b parameter allows an independent determination of b using orbital exponents and electronegativity values for the cation and anion

Extended X-ray emission around four 3C quasars at 0.55<z<0.75 observed with Chandra

We report on the detection of a soft spatially-extended component of X-ray emission around four intermediate-redshift 3C quasars observed with Chandra: 3C254, 3C263, 3C275.1 and 3C281. The bolometric luminosity of this emission ranges over 0.3-1.6 times 10^{44}erg/s, and extends to lengthscales of over 350 kpc at the redshift of the quasar. The X-rays are most likely thermal emission from the intracluster medium of a cluster of galaxies around each quasar, which provides the working surface for the powerful radio lobes. Some X-ray emission is also seen to be associated with the radio plasma.Comment: 8 pages, 4 panelled figures, MNRAS in pres

On the extragalactic jet asymmetry and composition, and the production of high energy cosmic rays

We probe the role of the directional asymmetry between relativistic outflows to kilo-parsec scale jets in the propagation and acceleration of cosmic rays. Our sample contains powerful AGN hosting dense cluster environments. We attempt a thorough description of where and when ultra high energy cosmic ray production and acceleration takes place also using radio observations of the large scale stucture of the AGNs and X-ray data of the hot dense gas in which the AGNs are situated. As far as the cosmic ray primaries are concerned, the presence of relativistic protons or mildly relativistic electrons/positrons contributes substantially to the energy budget of the jets enabling them to heat efficiently the intracluster gas.Comment: 4 page

Titanium-Oxygen Bond Length -Bond Valence Relationship

A bond length–bond valence correlation is a simple method of checking and evaluating molecular structures and is of great interest in chemistry, biology, geology, and material science. Recently, we used quantum-mechanical arguments to derive Pauling’s bond length-valence relationship and to define the adjustable fitting parameter b in terms of atomic-orbital exponents. Improved orbital exponents were generated for elements 1-103 using published atomic radii and single-bond covalent radii as well as a continuous function for effective principal quantum number. In this study, we use orbital exponents for titanium (Ti) and oxygen (O) to generate a bond length-valence relationship for Ti-O bonds. Recent crystallographic Ti-O bond lengths from 32 environments were collected and converted to Ti-O bond valences to check the reliability of the bond length-valence relationship where Ro was found (bond length of unit valence). This relationship is expected to apply to any Ti-O bond regardless of environment, physical state, or oxidation number