Research utilization among pediatric health professionals

The present study investigated research use and attitudes toward research among pediatric health professionals. All nurses and allied health professionals in a pediatric teaching hospital were surveyed using previously tested and published measures. Over half of the participants had some formal education in research but, for some participants, that education was many years ago. Most participants reported poor or very poor understanding of research design. Two variables were independently associated with a positive attitude towards research: (i) better understanding of how to conduct a literature search; and (ii) higher level of education. Five variables were independently associated with research use: better understanding of research design; having presented at a conference in the past two years; sense of calling to the profession; better understanding of how to conduct a literature search; and attending rounds. A small proportion of variance in both research use and a positive attitude towards research was explained by the independent predicator variables. Further research is required to identify characteristics of the workplace environment that support research use.

Adolescent risk behaviors and communication research - Current directions

Examples of recent research into adolescent risk behaviors from a variety of disciplines and methodologies, denoting the range of researchers interested in this area and whose interest in communication and language articulates and exemplifies the extent of the field, are surveyed in this article.

Critical comparison of Julius Kruttschnitt Mineral Research Centre (JKMRC) blast fragmentation models

Blast fragmentation can have a significant impact on the profitability of a mine. An optimum run of mine (ROM) size distribution is required to maximise the performance of downstream processes. If this fragmentation size distribution can be modelled and controlled, the operation will have made a significant advancement towards improving its performance. Blast fragmentation modelling is an important step in Mine to Mill™ optimisation. It allows the estimation of blast fragmentation distributions for a number of different rock mass, blast geometry, and explosive parameters. These distributions can then be modelled in downstream mining and milling processes to determine the optimum blast design. When a blast hole is detonated rock breakage occurs in two different stress regions - compressive and tensile. In the-first region, compressive stress waves form a 'crushed zone' directly adjacent to the blast hole. The second region, termed the 'cracked zone', occurs outside the crush one. The widely used Kuz-Ram model does not recognise these two blast regions. In the Kuz-Ram model the mean fragment size from the blast is approximated and is then used to estimate the remaining size distribution. Experience has shown that this model predicts the coarse end reasonably accurately, but it can significantly underestimate the amount of fines generated. As part of the Australian Mineral Industries Research Association (AMIRA) P483A Mine to Mill™ project, the Two-Component Model (TCM) and Crush Zone Model (CZM), developed by the Julius Kruttschnitt Mineral Research Centre (JKMRC), were compared and evaluated to measured ROM fragmentation distributions. An important criteria for this comparison was the variation of model results from measured ROM in the-fine to intermediate section (1-100 mm) of the fragmentation curve. This region of the distribution is important for Mine to Mill™ optimisation. The comparison of modelled and Split ROM fragmentation distributions has been conducted in harder ores (UCS greater than 80 MPa). Further work involves modelling softer ores. The comparisons will be continued with future site surveys to increase confidence in the comparison of the CZM and TCM to Split results. Stochastic fragmentation modelling will then be conducted to take into account variation of input parameters. A window of possible fragmentation distributions can be compared to those obtained by Split . Following this work, an improved fragmentation model will be developed in response to these findings.

Ocular melanoma is not associated with CDKN2A or MC1R variants - a population-based study

Germline variants in the melanocortin 1 receptor gene (MC1R) and the p16 gene (CDKN2A) are associated with an increased risk of cutaneous melanoma. The frequency of these germline variants was examined in a population-based, incident series of 62 ocular melanoma cases and ethnicity-matched population controls. In both cases and controls, 59% of individuals carried at least one MC1R variant and there were no significant differences in the frequency of any of the five most common variants of MC1R. We also found no significant differences between cases and controls in the frequency of any of the four most common variants of CDKN2A, and no melanoma case carried a deleterious germline CDKN2A mutation. Our findings argue against an important predisposing effect of the MC1R and CDKN2A genes for ocular melanoma.

Heroin overdose: Research and evidence-based intervention

Drug overdose is a major cause of Premature death and morbidity among heroin users. This article examines recent research into heroin overdose to inform interventions that will reduce the rate of overdose death. The demographic characteristics of overdose cases are discussed, including factors associated with overdose: polydrug use, drug purity, drug tolerance, routes of administration, and suicide. Responses by heroin users at overdoses are also examined. Potential interventions to reduce the rate of overdose and overdose-related morbidity are examined in light of the emerging data in this field.

Key issues in determining the ethics of research subject payment: the special case of drug abuse epidemiology

The authors identify key issues that researchers, funding bodies, ethics committees and ethicists might consider in contemplating research subject payment ethics. They argue that what is missing from the broader debate is due consideration of ethics committee decision processes; research subject reasons for participation; and current research practices. The authors explore these issues and how they relate to existing guidelines on voluntary consent, and arguments that have been proposed for and against research subject payments. (non- author abstract)

The case for emotional intelligence in organizational research

Since its popularization by Goleman (1995), the concept of emotional intelligence has been the subject of ongoing controversy, so it is understandable that the model we proposed, which includes emotional intelligence as a moderator variable, would attract its share of criticism.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health research and the conduct of longitudinal studies: issues for debate

The National Health and Medical Research Council, Research Agenda Working Group (RAWG), and the literature on Indigenous health have identified the need to fill gaps in descriptive data on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and noted both the lack of research with urban populations and the need for longitudinal studies. This paper presents some of the broad ethical and methodological challenges associated with longitudinal research in Indigenous health and focuses particularly on national studies and studies in urban areas. Our goal is to advance debate in the public health arena about the application of ethical guidelines and the conduct of longitudinal studies in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. We encourage others to offer their experiences in this field.

A comparison of the whole-body and segmental methodologies of bioimpedance analysis

Theory supports the use of a segmental methodology (SM) for bioimpedance analysis (BIA) of body water (BW). However, previous studies have generally failed to show a significant improvement when the SM is used in place of a whole-body methodology. A pilot study was conducted to compare the two methodologies in control and overweight subjects. BW of each subject was measured by D2O dilution and also estimated from BIA measurements. Bland and Altman analysis was used to compare the two values of BW. The SM resulted in a small but not significantly improved limits of agreement of measured and BIA estimated BW (psimilar to0.3). This and the results of previous studies suggest that improvements in prediction of BW obtained from application of the SM may be intrinsically small and may not justify the additional effort in application.

Believing is not enough: Predicting support for the NTEU on an Australian campus

Asurvey-based field study was conducted with 232 members and nonmembers of the National Tertiary Education Union to investigate the psychological processes underpinning union support. Drawing on value-expectancy models and social identity/self-categorisation theory, this study investigated the role that both individual and grouprelated factors play in predicting attitudinal and behavioural support for the union. Variables investigated included instrumental and ideological attitudes, perceptions of a normative climate of union-support, and perceptions of higher education being under threat. Further to support for previous findings for the role of instrumental and ideological attitudes it was found that the perceived workplace norm had the anticipated direct effect on behaviour and evaluation and also moderated the behavioural expression of ideological and instrumental attitudes. The perception of threat to employment and higher education also directly impacted on behaviour and moderated the behavioural expression of ideological beliefs. The implications of these findings for collective action research will he discussed.

Methodologies for calibration and predictive analysis of a watershed model

The use of a fitted parameter watershed model to address water quantity and quality management issues requires that it be calibrated under a wide range of hydrologic conditions. However, rarely does model calibration result in a unique parameter set. Parameter nonuniqueness can lead to predictive nonuniqueness. The extent of model predictive uncertainty should be investigated if management decisions are to be based on model projections. Using models built for four neighboring watersheds in the Neuse River Basin of North Carolina, the application of the automated parameter optimization software PEST in conjunction with the Hydrologic Simulation Program Fortran (HSPF) is demonstrated. Parameter nonuniqueness is illustrated, and a method is presented for calculating many different sets of parameters, all of which acceptably calibrate a watershed model. A regularization methodology is discussed in which models for similar watersheds can be calibrated simultaneously. Using this method, parameter differences between watershed models can be minimized while maintaining fit between model outputs and field observations. In recognition of the fact that parameter nonuniqueness and predictive uncertainty are inherent to the modeling process, PEST's nonlinear predictive analysis functionality is then used to explore the extent of model predictive uncertainty.

Formação, educação física e inclusão : compreendendo os processos inclusivos

No intuito de contribuir para a problematização da Educação, numa perspectiva inclusiva, esta dissertação procura conhecer e analisar a prática pedagógica inclusiva experimentada pelos professores de Educação Física na escola, por meio de suas narrativas, em uma ação de formação continuada. O projeto de extensão intitulado Formação Continuada de Professores de Educação Física para a Educação Inclusiva foi a estratégia utilizada para a criação de um grupo de estudos, denominado Grupo Operativo de Formação (GOF). A ação de formação continuada foi realizada durante o período de julho a dezembro de 2011, em um encontro presencial semanal, totalizando dezesseis encontros, com uma carga horária final de 90h. Participaram da ação de formação quatro professores da Secretaria Municipal de Educação de Vitória-ES. A pesquisa baseia-se em elementos da pesquisa-ação, utilizando como instrumentos e procedimentos para a produção dos dados a narrativa, o diário de campo, o memorial e a entrevista. Da análise dos dados produzidos identifica três categorias norteadoras das discussões: a) o trabalho coletivo como possibilidade para inclusão; b) trilhando caminhos para o desenvolvimento de práticas inclusivas: o autismo como foco do percurso; c) o olhar dos professores sobre a ação de formação experimentada no GOF. As análises realizadas revelam que essa ação de formação traz resultados que sinalizam positivamente para sua efetivação como instrumento ativo no processo de formação de professores para a educação básica, na perspectiva da inclusão. Portanto, essa é uma interessante ferramenta a ser utilizada pelas redes de ensino como alternativa metodológica em programas de formação continuada. Além disso, a proposta promove momentos para a prática reflexiva dos professores, representando uma rica oportunidade, capaz de fazer com que eles se apropriem de teorias educacionais que poderão contribuir na elaboração de suas aulas.

O grupo como estratégia terapêutica nos Centros de Atenção Psicossocial Álcool e Drogas do Espírito Santo

Este estudo teve por objetivo descrever a assistência grupal prestada pelos profissionais de nível superior nos Centros de Atenção Psicossocial – Álcool e Drogas (CAPSad) do Estado do Espírito Santo. Para tanto, foi realizado uma pesquisa exploratório-descritiva, do tipo qualitativo, que adotou, como técnica de coleta de dados, a entrevista semiestruturada. Os cenários da pesquisa foram os três CAPSad do Estado do Espírito Santo. Foram entrevistados 17 profissionais de nível superior de diversas categorias. As entrevistas foram transcritas e todo o material qualitativo foi submetido à análise de conteúdo, que resultou em quatro categorias de análise: concepções de grupo; metodologias adotadas nos grupos; dificuldades encontradas nos grupos; e formação e preparação profissional para o trabalho com grupos. Os resultados desta pesquisa mostram que os grupos são estratégias muito utilizadas nos CAPSads. Recebem diferentes denominações, dependendo de sua finalidade e contexto, e são coordenados por profissionais de várias áreas. O funcionamento dos grupos se dá por meio de metodologias diversas, a depender do tipo de grupo, dos recursos disponíveis e do referencial teórico adotado pelo profissional que coordena. As principais dificuldades encontradas nos grupos estiveram associadas aos usuários, ao profissional, à falta de recursos e ao processo grupal. Em relação à formação e preparação do profissional, constatou que a experiência do trabalho grupal com os usuários de substâncias psicoativas coloca os profissionais diante de inúmeros desafios que, muitas vezes, esses profissionais não estão preparados para enfrentar e isso influencia fortemente sua prática. Diante disso, conclui que os grupos constituem importantes estratégias no atendimento aos usuários de substâncias psicoativas, sendo práticas ainda pouco sistematizadas nesses contextos.

Design de Ações Culturais Participativas: um Caso de Estudo no Centro Histórico da Cidade do Porto

In this paper we present the methodologies and preliminary conclusions of the first phase of the work of construction of audiovisual narratives related to the project “Manobras no Porto”, which will serve as a case study for the main research project entitled: “The Museum of All: Institutional Communication Practices in a Participatory Networked World”. The main objective of this research project is to understand how the use of collective and participatory creation of identities and narratives can contribute to get audiences engaged with cultural institutions and events. We intend to identify the effects and measure the dynamics of participation of audiences in the construction of audiovisual objects, and understand how these may influence the reconfiguration of the missions of the institutions and cultural projects, in the development of societies.