Asymptotic Solutions for Mean-Field Slab Dynamos

We discuss asymptotic solutions of the kinematic $\alpha\omega$-dynamo in a thin disc (slab). Focusing upon the strong dynamo regime, in which the dynamo number $D$ satisfies $|D|\gg1$, we resolve uncertainties in the earlier treatments and conclude that some of the simplifications that have been made in previous studies are questionable. Comparing numerical solutions with asymptotic results obtained for $|D|\gg1$ and $|D|\ll1$ we find that the asymptotic solutions give a reasonably accurate description of the dynamo even far beyond their formal ranges of applicability. Indeed, our results suggest a simple analytical expression for the growth rate of the mean magnetic field that remains accurate in the range $-200< D< -10$ (which is appropriate for dynamos in spiral galaxies and accretion discs). Finally, we analyse the role of various terms in the dynamo equations to clarify the fine details of the dynamo process.Comment: "This is an Author's Original Manuscript of an article submitted for consideration in Geophysical and Astrophysical Fluid Dynamics [copyright Taylor & Francis]; Geophysical and Astrophysical Fluid Dynamics is available online at http://www.tandfonline.com/gafd

Young People's Narrative Accounts of Participation in the Design and Delivery of NHS Mental Health Services

Rationale and Aims: Youth participation in the design and delivery of mental health services has continued to gain momentum both nationally and internationally over recent years. However, research in this area has largely focussed on discrete participatory projects and service outcomes, rather than the experiences of young people involved. This research looks at the ways in which young people story the experiences and meaning of participation in the design and delivery of mental health services within the NHS. Methods: A qualitative approach was used in order to explore the accounts of six young people with experience of participating in mental health service design and delivery. Face-to-face semi-structured interviews were held with young people, each lasting approximately 60 minutes. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analysed using narrative analysis. Narrative analysis was used to explore the content, performance, context and discursive elements of the accounts individually and collectively. Consideration was given to the social and political contexts that arguably shaped these accounts. A participatory research design was used at supervisory level and across different stages of the research. This allowed collaboration on areas such as identifying and prioritising interview questions, co-designing information material, input on analysing and interpreting data, and disseminating the findings. Analysis: Transcripts were read multiple times as a way to develop individual summaries and construct an analysis across all of the accounts. Reflective notes were made noticing content, identity performance and context (Wells, 2011). Particular attention was paid to preferred identities around what kind of stories were told (Riessman, 2008) and the way in which narrators employed or challenged dominant societal discourses (Wells, 2011). Findings: The findings demonstrate the ways in which the young people taking part construct rich, multi-layered narratives with the potential to enhance understanding of their experience of service participation in mental health service delivery. Four main storylines were observed across accounts. These were stories of 1. Moving into social spaces and holding out a helping hand; 2. Having to become the ‘right fit’ for participation; 3. Repositioning from patient to person; 4. Strengthening alternative identity stories through relationships. Strategies of resisting dominant narratives around ‘patient’ subjectivity and societal views of what it means to be a young person are highlighted, with survivor discourse key for constructing an alternative subjectivity. Implications: The findings are discussed with reference to existing literature along with their potential bearing for clinical practice, strengths and limitations of the methodology are considered, and directions for future research, policy, and service delivery specified

The Role of Evidence-Based Practice in Alzheimer\u27s Disease and/or Dementia

Background: As the aging population continues to grow, it is necessary to identify the most up to date and appropriate Evidenced Based Practice (EBP) treatment methods to ensure quality of life for adults in long term care settings. The rapid increase of dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease with this population treated in skilled nursing facilities impacts understanding of and continued competency for occupational therapy practitioners in effectively evaluate and treat clients with cognitive deficits. Purpose: To identify the frequency of use of standardized cognitive assessments in evaluation and treatment in long-term care facilities and skilled nursing facilities and to identify which cognitive assessments are most frequently utilized. Theoretical Framework: The model of human occupation (MOHO) utilizes an individual’s interests as the main focus during research as well as within the evaluation/treatment being provided. Methods: An electronic survey was created to determine the use of evidence-based approaches in which occupational therapy practitioners utilize in daily practice for evaluation and intervention and how they determine appropriate treatment approaches. The survey was posted on two social media sites and completed voluntarily. Results: This survey yielded a useable response of 87%. It was determined that 28% of participants complete standardized assessments between 26%-75% of the time. The most commonly utilized and familiar assessment was the Mini-Mental State Examination. It was determined that most occupational therapy practitioners participate in continuing education on an annual basis and that time was the greatest contributing factor as to why occupational therapy practitioners do not participate in continuing education more frequently about EBP for long term care interventions. Almost half of participants (49%) suggest that reimbursement does not impact or influence their role in the evaluation or treatment of individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and/or dementia. Conclusions: Occupational therapy practitioners identify time as the barrier that limits them from providing up-to-date evidence-based practice interventions for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and/or dementia in the long-term care setting. The use of standardized assessments is frequent; however, it is undetermined if the results of cognitive assessments guide treatment/intervention

Designated Directors in the Boardroom: Their Impact on Governance and Performance and Shareholder Wealth Effects

This dissertation examines the appointment of designated directors on boards of directors. Designated director appointments are uncontested board appointments by activist investors, whereby normal nominating and voting election procedures are circumvented. Instances such as these, where directors are appointed rather than elected, are a form of shareholder access to the proxy. In this dissertation, new evidence is provided that is relevant to the proxy access debate by investigating the hypothesis that firms with appointed designated directors have different firm and governance characteristics than firms with elected directors. In particular, the following questions are asked: what are the shareholder wealth effects surrounding the announcement of (i) a designated director on a board, (ii) the appointment of a new designated director to a board, and (iii) a designated director continuing service on the board? Also, what firm and governance characteristics lead to the appointment of a designated director on the board? The answers to these questions can help determine whether firms with better corporate governance structures are more likely to have designated directors appointed to their boards because they are serving all shareholders’ interests, or whether firms with worse corporate governance are less likely to have designated directors appointed because of the board of directors’ insulation

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Modulated cycles in an illustrative solar dynamo model with competing alpha effects

The large-scale magnetic field in the Sun varies with a period of approximately 22 years, although the amplitude of the cycle is subject to long-term modulation with recurrent phases of significantly reduced magnetic activity. It is believed that a hydromagnetic dynamo is responsible for producing this large-scale field, although this dynamo process is not well understood. Within the framework of mean-field dynamo theory, our aim is to investigate how competing mechanisms for poloidal field regeneration (namely a time delayed Babcock-Leighton surface alpha-effect and an interface-type alpha-effect), can lead to the modulation of magnetic activity in a deep-seated solar dynamo model. We solve the standard alpha-omega dynamo equations in one spatial dimension, including source terms corresponding to both of the the competing alpha-effects in the evolution equation for the poloidal field. This system is solved using two different methods. In addition to solving the one-dimensional partial differential equations directly, using numerical techniques, we also use a local approximation to reduce the governing equations to a set of coupled ordinary differential equations (ODEs), which are studied using a combination of analytical and numerical methods. In the ODE model, it is straightforward to find parameters such that a series of bifurcations can be identified as the time delay is increased, with the dynamo transitioning from periodic states to chaotic states via multiply periodic solutions. Similar transitions can be observed in the full model, with the chaotically modulated solutions exhibiting solar-like behaviour.Comment: Reproduced with permission from Astronomy & Astrophysic

An Introduction to Collaboration with SharePoint for First-Year Business Students

The need for collaboration skills in today’s market is increasing, with more businesses looking for ways to streamline communication, improve innovation, and share corporate knowledge. Students at the beginning of their college careers have had numerous opportunities to work in groups, but very few opportunities to engage in true collaboration. This Teaching Tip provides an approach to teaching collaboration as part of an Introduction to Computer Information Systems course, and incorporating it into course work so students can begin to develop the skills they will need for workplace collaboration. Initially, students tend to see collaboration and cooperation as interchangeable terms; the approach outlined here focuses on the collaboration concepts of content sharing, feedback, and iteration. By applying these concepts and using a collaboration tool like Microsoft SharePoint, the instructor can guide the students to understanding true collaboration

Self-Care with Self-Compassion (SC2): A Program to Foster Well-Being in Graduate Speech-Language Pathology Students

This article describes elements of Self-Care with Self-Compassion (SC2), a novel program designed to foster well-being in graduate speech-language-pathology (SLP) students. Graduate SLP students experience elevated levels of perceived stress, which can ultimately impact their professional competence. University programs, faculty, and staff are uniquely positioned to help students learn to cope with stress. Self-care and self-compassion may buffer some of the effects of stress, and at the same time foster qualities in students that facilitate learning and promote healthy clinical practice. Twenty-five incoming SLP graduate students participated in SC2, a required, two-part workshop. Levels of perceived stress and self-compassion were collected, along with program evaluations and perceptions of/engagement with self-care pre- and post-program. Results confirm that graduate SLP students experience elevated levels of stress, along with moderate levels of self-compassion. Students value self-care, and most want to maintain or increase their engagement in self-care practices. However, students face several barriers in implementing and maintaining self-care plans. Students provided positive reviews of the program. Program limitations and possible future modifications of the program are discussed

Unravelling the threads of war and conflict : introduction

This article introduces the Special Issue 'Unravelling the threads of war and conflict'. We offer a careful curation of three threads of conversation generated from the exhibition Threads, war and conflict and its associated programme: 'Reflections on curating, exhibiting and making'; 'Layers of war and conflict: sightings and soundings'; and 'Conversations and collaborations, stories and solidarities'. Beginning from the context of the exhibition, the threads of conversation unravel (across) a variety of intricate sites and intimate experiences of war and conflict.Publisher PDFPeer reviewe