A Critique of the Proposed Military Retirement System

Any significant change in the military retirement system will have a major impact on both the serviceman and the military personnel management system. The DOD Study Group\u27s proposed retirement changes outline much needed revisions to a system that has become archaic in view of changes in philosophy underlying military pay

Au@TiO2 Nanocomposites Synthesized by X-ray Radiolysis as Potential Radiosensitizers

Radiosensitization is a novel targeted therapy strategy where chemical compounds are being explored to enhance the sensitivity of the tissue to the effects of ionizing radiation. Among the different radiosensitizers alternatives, nanomaterials have shown promising results by enhancing tumor injury through the production of free radicals and reactive oxygen species (ROS). In this work, Gold-supported titania (Au@TiO2) nanocomposites were synthesized through an innovative strategy using X-ray irradiation, and their potential as radiosensitizers was investigated. Radiosensitization of Au@TiO2 nanocomposites was assessed by monitoring the decomposition of Methylene Blue (MB) under X-ray irradiation in the presence of the nanomaterial. Radiosensitization of Au@TiO2 was thoroughly investigated as a function of parameters such as Au loading, TiO2 particle size, nanomaterial concentration, different irradiation voltages, and dose rates. Results showed that the presence of Au@TiO2 increases significantly the absorbed dose, thus enhancing MB decomposition. The mechanism behind Au@TiO2 radiosensitization relies on their interaction with X-rays. TiO2 produces reactive ROS whereas Au leads to the generation of photoelectrons and Auger electrons upon exposure to X-rays. These species lead to an enhanced degradation rate of the dye, a feature that could translate to cancerous cells damage with minimal side effects. The radiosensitization effect of Au@TiO2 nanocomposites was also tested in biological settings using Microcystis Aeruginosa cells. The results showed an increase in cell damage when irradiated in the presence of Au@TiO2 nanocomposites. Au@TiO2 nanocomposites were fabricated using X-ray radiolytic synthesis, a method that diverges from conventional fabrication processes and leads to negligible by-product formation, an important feature for medical and catalytic applications. In this work, Au nanoparticles are supported on TiO2 with a mean particle size of either 6.5 nm or 21.6 nm, using different ligands such as NaOH or urea, and under different absorbed doses to determine the effects of these parameters on the nanomaterials’ characteristics. Overall, Au@TiO2 synthesized by X-rays showed remarkable promise as radiosensitizers, a concept relevant to a number of medical, biological and environmental applications

Multimorbidity and socioeconomic deprivation in primary care consultations

Purpose: The influence of multimorbidity on the clinical encounter is poorly understood, especially in areas of high socioeconomic deprivation where burdensome multimorbidity is concentrated. The aim of the current study was to examine the effect of multimorbidity on general practice consultations, in areas of high and low deprivation. Methods: We conducted secondary analyses of 659 video-recorded routine consultations involving 25 general practitioners (GPs) in deprived areas and 22 in affluent areas of Scotland. Patients rated the GP’s empathy using the Consultation and Relational Empathy (CARE) measure immediately after the consultation. Videos were analyzed using the Measure of Patient-Centered Communication. Multilevel, multi-regression analysis identified differences between the groups. Results: In affluent areas, patients with multimorbidity received longer consultations than patients without multimorbidity (mean 12.8 minutes vs 9.3, respectively; P = .015), but this was not so in deprived areas (mean 9.9 minutes vs 10.0 respectively; P = .774). In affluent areas, patients with multimorbidity perceived their GP as more empathic (P = .009) than patients without multimorbidity; this difference was not found in deprived areas (P = .344). Video analysis showed that GPs in affluent areas were more attentive to the disease and illness experience in patients with multimorbidity (P < .031) compared with patients without multimorbidity. This was not the case in deprived areas (P = .727). Conclusions: In deprived areas, the greater need of patients with multimorbidity is not reflected in the longer consultation length, higher GP patient centeredness, and higher perceived GP empathy found in affluent areas. Action is required to redress this mismatch of need and service provision for patients with multimorbidity if health inequalities are to be narrowed rather than widened by primary care

Trends and needs in the Australian child welfare workforce : An exploratory study

[Extract] Until recently, there has been limited focus on the nature and readiness of the broader child welfare workforce for stronger engagement in child abuse intervention and prevention, particularly the universal workforce. There is a concentration of effort and funding in the tertiary sector but there are now increasing calls to prioritise public health prevention. An effective system of family supports, and early interventions entails an integration of programs and services across the three tiers of a public health system: primary, secondary and tertiary. To support workers in ensuring the safety and wellbeing of children and young people, all organisations that offer services to vulnerable children, young people and families—directly or indirectly—need to be able to attract, recruit and sustain a reliable and appropriately qualified and skilled workforce. This report presents findings from an exploratory study that examined broad-ranging, publicly available data to investigate emerging trends, issues and needs in the child welfare workforce and the educational profile of the workforce

"Letting myself go forward past wrongs": How regulatory modes affect self-forgiveness

The present research addresses the question of whether regulatory-mode orientations affect self-forgiveness. We expected that people with a strong locomotion orientation would be more inclined to self-forgiveness because of their tendencies toward movement and change, which focus them on the future, whereas people with a strong assessment orientation would refrain from self-forgiveness due to their evaluative tendencies which focus them on the past. These hypotheses were supported by the results in four studies that tested the relation between regulatory modes and self-forgiveness by measuring (Studies 1, 3 and 4) and manipulating (Study 2) regulatory-mode-orientations. Finally, in Study 4 we examined more closely our hypothesis that the relation between self-forgiveness and regulatory modes is mediated by past and future temporal foci. The implications of the results for regulatory mode theory are also discussed

The development and optimisation of a primary care-based whole system complex intervention (CARE Plus) for patients with multimorbidity living in areas of high socioeconomic deprivation

<B>OBJECTIVES</B> To develop and optimise a primary care-based complex intervention (CARE Plus) to enhance the quality of life of patients with multimorbidity in the deprived areas. <B>METHODS</B> Six co-design discussion groups involving 32 participants were held separately with multimorbid patients from the deprived areas, voluntary organisations, general practitioners and practice nurses working in the deprived areas. This was followed by piloting in two practices and further optimisation based on interviews with 11 general practitioners, 2 practice nurses and 6 participating multimorbid patients. <B>RESULTS</B> Participants endorsed the need for longer consultations, relational continuity and a holistic approach. All felt that training and support of the health care staff was important. Most participants welcomed the idea of additional self-management support, though some practitioners were dubious about whether patients would use it. The pilot study led to changes including a revised care plan, the inclusion of mindfulness-based stress reduction techniques in the support of practitioners and patients, and the stream-lining of the written self-management support material for patients. <B>DISCUSSION</B> We have co-designed and optimised an augmented primary care intervention involving a whole-system approach to enhance quality of life in multimorbid patients living in the deprived areas. CARE Plus will next be tested in a phase 2 cluster randomised controlled trial

Agency, identity and imagination in an urban primary school in Southern Mexico

This paper presents an ethnographic study of two studentteachers in a Mexican public primary school in a fifth-grade English-asa-Foreign-Language classroom. Typical of classroom ethnography, this study incorporates systematic observation, description, micro-analysis of events, and discourse analysis. Utilizing a sociocultural perspective as a theoretical framework, the activities created by the two student-teachers are contrasted to the exercises and tasks prescribed in the official textbook. The analysis reveals that although the official textbook reflected a traditional, transmission-oriented pedagogy, the two student-teachers were able to adopt a socio constructivist and transformative teaching approach. They created activities that enabled their learners to work together through a variety of modes and to participate in a wide range of tasks that were relevant to their worlds beyond the classroom. Key words: sociocultural theory, ethnography, identity, second language education.</p

Agência, identidade e imaginação em uma escola primária urbana no sul do México

This paper presents an ethnographic study of two studentteachers in a Mexican public primary school in a fifth-grade English-asa-Foreign-Language classroom. Typical of classroom ethnography, this study incorporates systematic observation, description, micro-analysis of events, and discourse analysis. Utilizing a sociocultural perspective as a theoretical framework, the activities created by the two student-teachers are contrasted to the exercises and tasks prescribed in the official textbook. The analysis reveals that although the official textbook reflected a traditional, transmission-oriented pedagogy, the two student-teachers were able to adopt a socio constructivist and transformative teaching approach. They created activities that enabled their learners to work together through a variety of modes and to participate in a wide range of tasks that were relevant to their worlds beyond the classroom. Key words: sociocultural theory, ethnography, identity, second language education.Este artigo apresenta um estudo etnográfico das praticas pedagógicas de duas estagiárias em uma classe de inglês de quinta série em uma escola pública mexicana. Típico da etnografia de sala de aula, este estudo incorpora a observação sistemática, descrição, microanálise de eventos, e análise do discurso. Utilizando uma perspectiva sociocultural como referencial teórico, as atividades criadas pelas duas estagiárias são contrastadas com os exercícios prescritos pelo livro-texto oficial. A análise revela que, embora o livro-texto refletisse uma orientação pedagógica tradicional de transmissão, as duas estagiárias conseguiram adotar uma forma de ensino sócio-construtivista e transformadora. Elas criaram dinâmicas que possibilitaram a seus alunos trabalhar juntos através de diversas modalidades e de participar de várias atividades relevantes aos seus mundos fora da sala de aula. Palavras-chaves: teoria sociocultural, etnografia, identidade, ensino de línguas estrangeiras