Development of clinical competencies for emergency nurse practitioners : a pilot study

Background: Nurse practitioner education and practice has been guided by generic competency standards in Australia since 2006. Development of specialist competencies has been less structured and there are no formal standards to guide education and continuing professional development for specialty fields. There is limited international research and no Australian research into development of specialist nurse practitioner competencies. This pilot study aimed to test data collection methods, tools and processes in preparation for a larger national study to investigate specialist competency standards for emergency nurse practitioners. Research into specialist emergency nurse practitioner competencies has not been conducted in Australia. Methods: Mixed methods research was conducted with a sample of experienced emergency nurse practitioners. Deductive analysis of data from a focus group workshop informed development of a draft specialty competency framework. The framework was subsequently subjected to systematic scrutiny for consensus validation through a two round Delphi Study. Results: The Delphi study first round had a 100% response rate; the second round 75% response rate. The scoring for all items in both rounds was above the 80% cut off mark with the lowest mean score being 4.1 (82%) from the first round. Conclusion: The authors collaborated with emergency nurse practitioners to produce preliminary data on the formation of specialty competencies as a first step in developing an Australian framework.

A review of "The Peace In Between : Post-war violence and peacebuilding", edited by Astri Suhrke and Mats Berdal, Routledge, 2012

The term post-war violence has been with us for much of the twentieth century but the issue itself has existed for centuries. The study of violence in post-war societies has been explored by philosophers (Erasmus), statesmen (Sir Thomas More) and sociologists (Emile Durkheim). In many cases the cessation of war and the signing of peace accords do not always mean an end to the violence. This book examines in considerable detail the causes and purposes of post-conflict violence and argues that features which constrain or encourage violence accumulate in such a manner as to create distinct and different types of post-war environments...

Environmental incidents in a developing country and corporate environmental disclosures : a study of a multinational gas company

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the environmental disclosure initiatives of Niko Resources Ltd – a Canada-based multinational oil and gas company – following the two major environmental blowouts at a gas field in Bangladesh in 2005. As part of the examination, the authors particularly focus on whether Niko's disclosure strategy was associated with public concern pertaining to the blowouts. Design/methodology/approach – The authors reviewed news articles about Niko's environmental incidents in Bangladesh and Niko's communication media, including annual reports, press releases and stand-alone social responsibility report over the period 2004-2007, to understand whether news media attention as proxy for public concern has an impact on Niko's disclosure practices in relation to the affected local community in Bangladesh. Findings – The findings show that Niko did not provide any non-financial environmental information within its annual reports and press releases as a part of its responsibility to the local community which was affected by the blowouts, but it did produce a stand-alone report to address the issue. However, financial environmental disclosures, such as the environmental contingent liability disclosure, were adequately provided through annual reports to meet the regulatory requirements concerning environmental persecutions. The findings also suggest that Niko's non-financial disclosure within a stand-alone report was associated with the public pressures as measured by negative media coverage towards the Niko blowouts. Research limitations/implications – This paper concludes that the motive for Niko's non-financial environmental disclosure, via a stand-alone report, reflected survival considerations: the company's reaction did not suggest any real attempt to hold broader accountability for its activities in a developing country.

Raman spectroscopic study of the hydroxy-phosphate mineral plumbogummite PbAl3(PO4)2(OH,H2O)6

Plumbogummite PbAl3(PO4)2(OH,H2O)6 is a mineral of environmental significance and is a member of the alunite-jarosite supergroup. The molecular structure of the mineral has been investigated by Raman spectroscopy. The spectra of different plumbogummite specimens differ although there are many common features. The Raman spectra prove the spectral profile consisting of overlapping bands and shoulders. Raman bands and shoulders observed at 971, 980, 1002 and 1023 cm−1 (China sample) and 913, 981, 996 and 1026 cm−1 (Czech sample) are assigned to the ν1 symmetric stretching modes of the (PO4)3−, at 1002 and 1023 cm−1 (China) and 996 and 1026 cm−1 to the ν1 symmetric stretching vibrations of the (O3POH)2− units, and those at 1057, 1106 and 1182 (China) and at 1102, 1104 and 1179 cm−1 (Czech) to the ν3 (PO4)3− and ν3 (PO3) antisymmetric stretching vibrations. Raman bands and shoulders at 634, 613 and 579 cm−1 (China) and 611 and 596 cm−1 (Czech) are attributed to the ν4 (δ) (PO4)3− bending vibrations and those at 507, 494 and 464 cm−1 (China) and 505 and 464 cm−1 (Czech) to the ν2 (δ) (PO4)3− bending vibrations. The Raman spectrum of the OH stretching region is complex. Raman bands and shoulders are identified at 2824, 3121, 3249, 3372, 3479 and 3602 cm−1 for plumbogummite from China, and at 3077, 3227, 3362, 3480, 3518 and 3601 cm−1 for the Czech Republic sample. These bands are assigned to the ν OH stretching modes of water molecules and hydrogen ions. Approximate O–H⋯O hydrogen bond lengths inferred from the Raman spectra vary in the range >3.2–2.62 Å (China) and >3.2–2.67 Å (Czech). The minority presence of some carbonate ions in the plumbogummite (China sample) is connected with distinctive intensity increasing of the Raman band at 1106 cm−1, in which may participate the ν1 (CO3)2− symmetric stretching vibration overlapped with phosphate stretching vibrations.

A vibrational spectroscopic study of philipsbornite PbAl3(AsO4)2(OH)5⋅H2O-molecular structural implications and relationship to the crandallite subgroup arsenates

The presence of arsenic in the environment is a hazard. The accumulation of arsenate by a range of cations in the formation of minerals provides a mechanism for the remediation of arsenate contamination. The formation of the crandallite group of minerals provides a mechanism for arsenate accumulation. Among the crandallite minerals are philipsbornite, arsenocrandallite and arsenogoyazite. Raman spectroscopy complimented with infrared spectroscopy has enabled aspects of the structure of philipsbornite to be studied. The Raman spectrum of philipsbornite displays an intense band at around 840 cm−1 attributed to the overlap of the symmetric and antisymmetric stretching modes. Raman bands observed at 325, 336, 347, 357, 376 and 399 cm−1 are assigned to the ν2 (AsO4)3− symmetric bending vibration (E) and to the ν4 bending vibration (F2). The observation of multiple bending modes supports the concept of a reduction in symmetry of the arsenate anion in philipsbornite. Evidence for phosphate in the mineral is provided. By using an empirical formula, hydrogen bond distances for the OH units in philipsbornite of 2.8648 Å, 2.7864 Å, 2.6896 Å cm−1 and 2.6220 were calculated.

A vibrational spectroscopic study of the phosphate mineral zanazziite - Ca2(MgFe2+)(MgFe2+Al)4Be4(PO4)6⋅6(H2O)

Zanazziite is the magnesium member of a complex beryllium calcium phosphate mineral group named roscherite. The studied samples were collected from the Ponte do Piauí mine, located in Itinga, Minas Gerais. The mineral was studied by electron microprobe, Raman and infrared spectroscopy. The chemical formula can be expressed as Ca2.00(Mg3.15,Fe0.78,Mn0.16,Zn0.01,Al0.26,Ca0.14)Be4.00(PO4)6.09(OH)4.00⋅5.69(H2O) and shows an intermediate member of the zanazziite–greinfeinstenite series, with predominance of zanazziite member. The molecular structure of the mineral zanazziite has been determined using a combination of Raman and infrared spectroscopy. A very intense Raman band at 970 cm−1 is assigned to the phosphate symmetric stretching mode whilst the Raman bands at 1007, 1047, 1064 and 1096 cm−1 are attributed to the phosphate antisymmetric stretching mode. The infrared spectrum is broad and the antisymmetric stretching bands are prominent. Raman bands at 559, 568, 589 cm−1 are assigned to the ν4 out of plane bending modes of the PO4 and HPO4 units. The observation of multiple bands supports the concept that the symmetry of the phosphate unit in the zanazziite structure is reduced in symmetry. Raman bands at 3437 and 3447 cm−1 are attributed to the OH stretching vibrations; Raman bands at 3098 and 3256 are attributed to water stretching vibrations. The width and complexity of the infrared spectral profile in contrast to the well resolved Raman spectra, proves that the pegmatitic phosphates are better studied with Raman spectroscopy.

Is chrysocolla (Cu,Al)2H2Si2O5(OH)4·nH2O related to spertiniite Cu(OH)2? - a vibrational spectroscopic study

Chrysocolla (Cu, Al)2H2Si2O5(OH)4·nH2O is a hydrated copper hydroxy silicate and is commonly known as a semi-precious jewel. The mineral has an ill defined structure but is said to be orthorhombic, although this remains unproven. Thus, one of the few methods of studying the molecular structure of chrysocolla is to use vibrational spectroscopy. Chrysocolla may be defined as a colloidal mineral. The question arises as to whether chrysocolla is a colloidal system of spertiniite and amorphous silica. The main question addressed by this study is whether chrysocolla is (1) a mesoscopic assemblage of spertiniite, Cu(OH)2, silica, and water, (2) represents a colloidal gel or (3) is composed of microcrystals with a distinct structure. Considerable variation in the vibrational spectra is observed between chrysocolla samples. The Raman spectrum of chrysocolla is characterised by an intense band at 3624 cm−1 assigned to the OH stretching vibrations. Intense Raman bands found at 674, 931 and 1058 cm−1 are assigned to SiO3 vibrations. The Raman spectrum of spertiniite does not correspond to the spectrum of chrysocolla and it is concluded that the two minerals are not related. The spectra of chrysocolla correspond to a copper silicate colloidal gel.

The phosphate mineral sigloite Fe3+Al2(PO4)2(OH)3·7(H2O), an exception to the paragenesis rule – a vibrational spectroscopic study

The secondary phosphate mineral sigloite Fe3+Al2(PO4)2(OH)3·7H2O is the exception to the rule that phosphate mineral paragenesis is related to the final phase of hydrothermal mineralization at low temperatures. Sigloite was formed as an oxidation pseudomorph after paravauxite, during the last supergene paragenetic stage. We have studied the secondary phosphate mineral sigloite Fe3+Al2(PO4)2(OH)3·7H2O using vibrational spectroscopic techniques. Because the mineral is a phosphate mineral, it is readily studied by spectroscopic techniques as the phosphate and hydrogen phosphate units are readily measured. Indeed, sigloite shows the presence of both phosphate and hydrogen phosphate units in its structure. Raman bands at 1009 cm−1 with shoulders at 993 and 1039 cm−1 are assigned to stretching vibrations of and units. The Raman band at 993 cm−1 is assigned to the ν1 symmetric stretching mode of the POH units, whereas the Raman band at 1009 cm−1 is assigned to the ν1 symmetric stretching mode. Raman bands observed at 506, 528, 571, 596, 619 and 659 cm−1 are attributed to the ν4 out of plane bending modes of the PO4 and H2PO4 units. The Raman bands at 2988, 3118 and 3357 cm−1 are assigned to water stretching vibration. The series of bands at 3422, 3449, 3493, 3552 and 3615 cm−1 are assigned to the OH stretching vibrations of the hydroxyl units. The observation of multiple bands gives credence to the non-equivalence of the OH units in the sigloite structure.

A Raman spectroscopic study of the basic carbonate mineral callaghanite Cu2Mg2(CO3)(OH)6⋅2H2O

Raman spectrum of callaghanite, Cu2Mg2(CO3)(OH)6⋅2H2O, was studied and compared with published Raman spectra of azurite, malachite and hydromagnesite. Stretching and bending vibrations of carbonate and hydroxyl units and water molecules were tentatively assigned. Approximate O–H…O hydrogen bond lengths were inferred from the spectra. Because of the high content of hydroxyl ions in the crystal structure in comparison with low content of carbonate units, callaghanite should be better classified as a carbonatohydroxide than a hydroxycarbonate.

A baseline study of Australia's community recycling enterprises(CRE)

This report presents the findings on a baseline study of Australia's community recycling enterprises(CREs). The study sought to document the activities and impacts of these enterprises and to understand the conditions under which they succeed. The purposes of the research were to generate evidence that can contribute to the development of practice and policy support for CREs, and to provide information that is useful to community groups wishing to establish new CREs. The study included a review of the existing literature in relation to CREs, an online survey of Australian CREs, and in-depth case studies of three CREs from various regions within Australia

Evaluating the effectiveness of heat warning systems : a systematic review of epidemiological evidence

Objectives To review the existing research on the effectiveness of heat warning systems (HWSs) in saving lives and reducing harm. Methods A systematic search of major databases was conducted, using “heat, heatwave, high temperature, hot temperature, OR hot climate” AND “warning system”. Results Fifteen articles were retrieved. Six studies asserted that fewer people died of excessive heat after HWS implementation. HWS was associated with reduction in ambulance use. One study estimated the benefits of HWS to be 468millionforsaving117livescomparedto210,000 costs of running the system. Eight studies showed that mere availability of HWS did not lead to behavioral changes. Perceived threat of heat dangers to self/others was the main factor related to heeding warnings and taking proper actions. However, costs and barriers associated with taking protective actions, such as costs of running air conditioners, were of significant concern particularly to the poor. Conclusions Research in this area is limited. Prospective designs applying health behavior theories should establish whether HWS can produce the health benefits they are purported to achieve by identifying the target vulnerable groups.

The molecular structure of the phosphate mineral chalcosiderite – a vibrational spectroscopic study

The mineral chalcosiderite with formula CuFe6(PO4)4(OH)8⋅4H2O has been studied by Raman spectroscopy and by infrared spectroscopy. A comparison of the chalcosiderite spectra is made with the spectra of turquoise. The spectra of the mineral samples are very similar in the 1200–900 cm−1 region but strong differences are observed in the 900–100 cm−1 region. The effect of substitution of Fe for Al in chalcosiderite shifts the bands to lower wave numbers. Factor group analysis (FGA) implies four OH stretching vibrations for both the water and hydroxyl units. Two bands ascribed to water are observed at 3276 and 3072 cm−1. Three hydroxyl stretching vibrations are observed. Calculations using a Libowitzky type formula show that the hydrogen bond distances of the water molecules are 2.745 and 2.812 Å which are considerably shorter than the values for the hydroxyl units 2.896, 2.917 and 2.978 Å. Two phosphate stretching vibrations at 1042 and 1062 cm−1 in line with the two independent phosphate units in the structure of chalcosiderite. Three bands are observed at 1102, 1159 and 1194 cm−1 assigned to the phosphate antisymmetric stretching vibrations. FGA predicts six bands but only three are observed due to accidental degeneracy. Both the ν2 and ν4 bending regions are complex. Four Raman bands observed at 536, 580, 598 and 636 cm−1 are assigned to the ν4 bending modes. Raman bands at 415, 420, 475 and 484 cm−1are assigned to the phosphate ν2 bending modes. Vibrational spectroscopy enables aspects of the molecular structure of chalcosiderite to be assessed.

A comparative study of governmental one-stop portals for public service delivery

The continuing need for governments to radically improve the delivery of public services has led to a new, holistic government reform strategy labeled “Transformational Government” that strongly emphasizes customer-centricity. Attention has turned to online portals as a cost effective front-end to deliver services and engage customers as well as to the corresponding organizational approaches for the back-end to decouple the service interface from the departmental structures. The research presented in this paper makes three contributions: Firstly, a systematic literature review of approaches to the evaluation of online portal models in the public sector is presented. Secondly, the findings of a usability study comparing the online presences of the Queensland Government, the UK Government and the South Australian Government are reported and the relative strengths and weaknesses of the different approaches are discussed. And thirdly, the limitations of the usability study in the context of a broader “Transformational Government” approach are identified and service bundling is suggested as an innovative solution to further improve online service delivery.

A comparative study of different porous amorphous silica minerals supported TiO2 catalysts

Three porous amorphous silica minerals, including diatomite, opal and porous precipitated SiO2wereadopted to prepare supported TiO2catalysts by hydrolysis–deposition method. The prepared compoundmaterials were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fouriertransform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray photo-electron spectroscopy (XPS). Through morphology and physical chemistry properties of the resultingTiO2/amorphous SiO2catalysts, it was proposed that the nature of silica supports could affect the particlesize and the crystal form of TiO2and then further influence the photocatalytic property of TiO2/amorphousSiO2catalysts. The catalytic properties of these porous amorphous silica supported photocatalysts(TiO2/SiO2) were investigated by UV-assisted degradation of Rhodamine B (RhB). Compared with pureTiO2(P25) and the other two TiO2/amorphous SiO2catalysts, TiO2/diatomite photocatalyst exhibits bet-ter catalytic performance at different calcined temperatures, the decoloration rate of which can be upto over 85% even at a relatively low calcined temperature. The TiO2/diatomite photocatalyst possessesmixed-phase TiO2with relatively smaller particles size, which might be responsible for higher photo-catalytic activity. Moreover, the stable and much inerter porous microstructure of diatomite could beanother key factor in improving its activity.

Critical attributes of public-private partnerships : a case study in vocational education

The term ‘partnership’ is increasingly used by governments, industry, community organisations and schools in supporting their daily businesses. Similar to the terms ‘ICT’ and ‘learning’, ‘partnerships’ are now ubiquitous in policy discourse. Yet, the term remains ill-defined and ambiguous. This study reviews and reflects on a government led industry-school partnership initiative in the state of Queensland, Australia, to understand how the term is used in this initiative. Given the frequent use of Public Private Partnership (PPP) language, PPP was used as a framework to review this initiative. The methodology of this qualitative case study involved consultations with stakeholders and an analysis of Gateway schools documents, policy documents, and literature. The review suggests that despite the use of terminology akin to PPP projects in Gateway school and policy documents, the implicit suggestion that this initiative is a public-private partnership is untenable. The majority of principles shaping a PPP have not been considered to a significant extent in the Gateway project. Although the review recognises the legitimate and sincere purpose of the Gateway schools initiative, the adoption of a PPP framework during the design, monitoring, or evaluation stages could have strengthened the initiative in terms of outcomes, benefits, and sustainability.