Short Break Research Articles

Using direct payments to fund short breaks for families with a disabled child

A clear policy trend exists towards promoting the use of direct payments (DPs), including those for families with disabled children who use short breaks. However, uptake has been slow and use of DPs has been socially patterned. Recent programmes in England have dramatically increased investment in short break provision including breaks funded through DPs. This research examines the characteristics, circumstances and experiences of families who use DPs to fund short breaks with those who use short breaks funded in other ways. The paper draws on surveys totalling 348 parents and carers in families with disabled children using short breaks. We investigate associations between the use of DPs and a range of demographic, socio-economic, well-being, service use and satisfaction indicators. Logistic regression identifies which variables are most strongly associated with use of DPs. We also draw on open-ended survey responses which highlight important aspects of families' experience of using DPs. Characteristics significantly associated with increased use of DPs include the presence of main carers who are female, more highly educated and from White British backgrounds, younger children, lower levels of area deprivation, greater access to service and social networks and use of more hours of short breaks. Characteristics not found to be significantly associated with use of DPs include various health and well-being indicators, impairment characteristics of children and service satisfaction. A range of benefits of DPs are described along with problems accessing and using them. Direct payments can have a number of benefits for families using short breaks, but access to them is currently problematic and socially patterned. If the uptake of DPs is to be increased and made more equitable, more attention must be paid to promoting and supporting their use in ways which meet the needs of individual families.

Practice effects on the modified Concept Shifting Task (mCST): A convenient assessment for treatment effects on prefrontal cognitive function

BackgroundTrail-making tests, such as the Concept Shifting Task (CST), can be used to test the effects of treatment on cognitive performance over time in various neuropsychological disorders. However, cognitive performance in such experimental designs might improve as a result of the practice obtained during repeated testing rather than the treatment itself. The current study investigated if practice affects the accuracy and duration of performance on the repeatedly administered Concept Shifting Task modified to make it resistant to practice (mCST). The mCST was administered to 54 healthy participants twice a day, before and after a short break, for eight days. Results. The ANOVA and meta-analysis showed that there was no improvement in the mCST accuracy on the last vs. the first trial (Hedges' g = .14, p = .221) or within the session (after vs. before the break on all days; g = .01, p = .922). However, the participants performed the task faster on the last vs. the first trial (g = -.75, p < .001) and after vs. before the break on all days (g = -.12, p = .002). Conclusions. Repeated administration of the mCST does not affect the accuracy of performance on the test. However, practice might contribute to faster performance on the mCST over time and within each session.

인청동 스위칭 모듈을 이용한 전력계통 및 전자기기 내부회로의 MOV 열폭주 방지와 안전성 개선

The MOV(Metal Oxide Varistor), a voltage limiting element, has been installed in the SPD(Surge Protective Device) or inside the internal circuit of an electronic appliance for protection of the electric power system and electronic device against electrical surge. Such an MOV is exposed, however, to the risk of the thermal runaway resulting from excessive voltage and deterioration. In this paper, a reciprocal action has been tested and analyzed using a phosphorus bronze switching module and the low-temperature solder. And a short current break characteristic test linked with the circuit breaker has been performed to limit the inrush current when the MOV breaks down.BR It has been proven that the phosphorus bronze switching module installed inside the internal circuit can improve the safety of the power line system and the electronic device.

Sport and exercise habits in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA)

Results Mean CHAQ38 scores for JIA: 0.1896 (±0.2025), controls: 0.0359 (±0.0799) indicated only minimal functional impairment in both groups. Pain assessments correlated well to CHAQ38 scores in JIA (p-values <0.01). No significant differences were found between sportactive JIA-children and controls concerning type and number of sport activities or amount of time spent in sport. Significantly more JIA-children were not sportactive (38% (26/68) vs. 25% (29/118)), mainly due to joint pain (12/26) and getting short of breath/sidestitches (9/26). Significantly fewer JIA-children participated fully in gym (p<0.01) and reported pain (91% (62/68)) and difficulties with certain activities (p<0.01). Strategies mainly used when pain; a short break (81%), changing activity (58%), continuing despite pain (37%).

Children's hospices services in Germany – a study on the quality of support

The first Children's Hospice in Germany was founded 1998. At present, there are 10 Children's Hospices which offer short breaks and 73 ambulant Children's Hospice services which provide support at...

An Integrated Approach to Consumer Decision Making for Budget City Breaks: the Role of Emotion

ABSTRACTThe short break market has been neglected from the perspective of consumer decision making (CDM) research despite its economic importance for many destinations. This study examines CDM in the budget city break market; it examines the interrelationship between the key constructs of price, quality, involvement, emotions and attitude in relation to consumer purchasing, repurchasing and recommendation. Emotions were found to have a significant influence on CDM for budget city breaks, their impact varied on the basis of decision type and market segment, and the number of relevant dimensions increased with the complexity of decisions. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley &amp; Sons, Ltd.

The presence of bluetongue virus serotype 8 RNA in Belgian cattle since 2008

After a short winter break, bluetongue virus serotype 8 was responsible in 2007 for a large-scale epidemic among ruminant populations in Western Europe. Little is known about the mechanisms allowing the virus to survive winter conditions. A yearly mass vaccination of cattle and sheep started in spring 2008, which was recognized as successful in terms of clinical protection, but occult circulation of the bluetongue virus has not been adequately addressed. We studied the carriage of bluetongue RNA in the spleen of cattle in the vector-free period and the circulation of bluetongue virus in cattle populations in Belgium since the introduction of vaccination programmes. Overall, the results presented here show evidence for the long-term carriage of bluetongue virus RNA in the spleen of cattle and demonstrated a low but significant circulation and transplacental transmission of bluetongue virus in Belgian cattle in 2009, with apparent disappearance in 2010.

Destination positioning opportunities using personal values: Elicited through the Repertory Test with Laddering Analysis

While in many travel situations there is an almost limitless range of available destinations, travellers will usually only actively consider two to six in their decision set. One of the greatest challenges facing destination marketers is positioning their destination, against the myriad of competing places that offer similar features, into consumer decision sets. Since positioning requires a narrow focus, marketing communications must present a succinct and meaningful proposition, the selection of which is often problematic for destination marketing organisations (DMO), which deal with a diverse and often eclectic range of attributes in addition to self-interested and demanding stakeholders who have interests in different market segments. This paper reports the application of two qualitative techniques used to explore the range of cognitive attributes, consequences and personal values that represent potential positioning opportunities in the context of short break holidays. The Repertory Test is an effective technique for understanding the salient attributes used by a traveller to differentiate destinations, and Laddering Analysis enables the researcher to explore the smaller set of consequences and personal values guiding such decision making. A key finding of the research was that while individuals might vary in their repertoire of salient attributes, there was a commonality of shared consequences and values. This has important implications for DMOs, since a brand positioning theme that is based on a value will subsume multiple and diverse attributes. It is posited that such a theme will appeal to a broader range of travellers, as well as appease a greater number of destination stakeholders, than would an attribute-based theme.

Destination competitiveness through the lens of brand positioning: the case of Australia's Sunshine Coast

The purpose of the paper is to provide a collaborative practitioner/academic interpretation of a destination's competitiveness through the lens of brand positioning in the domestic short break drive market. A 173 item questionnaire, which was mailed to a systematic random sample of 3000 households in the target market, attracted a 17% useable response. The paper compares how one destination, the Sunshine Coast, is positioned in its most important market, in relation to the brand identity intended by the destination marketing organisation (DMO). Key constructs were brand salience, brand associations and brand resonance. The Sunshine Coast was found to hold a leadership position in the minds of consumers, and the results indicated a strong level of congruence between actual market perceptions and the brand identity intended by the DMO. There were strong associations between brand salience, brand associations and brand resonance. The findings provided the destination of interest with both a measure of past marketing effectiveness as well as positive indicators of future performance. The paper represents collaboration between a tourism practitioner and a tourism academic, and attempts a contribution to the emerging literature on destination competitiveness through the lens of positioning theory.

The CeleBRation Choir: Establishing community group choral singing for people living with neurological conditions.

EDITOR'S NOTE - The Journal values translation of research to the broader community and will publish brief descriptions of examples of such translational activities that may serve as precedents or incentives for further research/community interactions. The material is screened and undergoes editorial feedback by one or more members of the Editorial Board but does not undergo formal peer review due to the preliminary or nonrigorous nature. An example is provided in the following submission that is relevant to the Special Volume on Singing and Psychology, particularly the topic of wellbeing. Sufficient information is included in this article to assist the establishment of similar research-linked community choirs elsewhere. ESTABLISHING THE CELEBRATION CHOIR The CeleBRation Choir (www.fmhs.auckland. ac.nz/faculty/cbr/events/choir.aspx) was established in 2009 at the Centre for Brain Research (CBR) at The University of Auckland in New Zealand. The unique CBR partnership between scientists, clinicians, community groups, and patients aims to create a better future for people and families living with brain disease. The choir fulfils a dual role of developing community connections for CBR researchers, as well as potentially providing therapy for participants with neurological conditions. Here we outline the purpose and process of setting up the choir and a pilot-project evaluation. Inspired by the Sing for Joy Choir, which has links with the Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability, London (Magee, Temple, Grimes, & Benson, n.d.), the CeleBRation choir concept was developed by Laura Fogg, through initial discussions with CBR neuroscientists, clinicians and community non-governmental organizations. The name 'CeleBRation Choir' highlights the strengths of people with neurological conditions and emphasizes links to the CBR. A NZ$3000 3-month grant from Music Therapy New Zealand allowed the recruitment of Music Therapist Alison Talmage, who had facilitated a pilot music therapy group for Parkinson's patients in Auckland. The choir was developed as an open social, singing group. CBR scientists, neurological patients, carers and care workers were invited and could join or leave at any time. Fogg organised the choir meetings, while Talmage led the choir and chose the repertoire. Ten initial members gave positive, informal feedback. The CBR subsequently took on the support of the music therapist and absorbed the costs of the organiser's time, song sheets, web advertising and refreshments, but not transportation which limited attendance of some persons. Contact with the CBR's Community Partners1 facilitated reaching a wide target population of neurological groups through field officers, health professionals, mailing lists, newsletters and posters. Media articles and programs also spread the choir concept. The choir roster includes 60 people with neurological conditions, with around 20 participants attending per session. Over 80% of participants either have non-fluent aphasia due to stroke, or they have Parkinson's disease. Other participants include people with mild dementia, traumatic brain injury and autism. Members currently range from age 35 years upwards, with half of the participants over 60 years old. Many have physical as well as vocal disabilities, so carers and family members are also encouraged to participate. Several CBR scientists with an interest in music, and several community volunteers support the choir as singers, accompanists, and in other practical capacities such as providing refreshments or organizing resources. Consideration of fatigue and medication effects reported by people with neurological conditions (Buetow, Giddings, Nayer, & Williams, 2008) led to a session length of 1.5 hours, including a short refreshment break. Feedback prompted daytime sessions only. Music therapy and singing for neurological patients is relatively new (Baker & Tamplin, 2006; Thaut, 2005), and this is particularly true in New Zealand (Croxson, 2007). …

The Impacts of short break provision on families with a disabled child: an international literature review

There are widespread assumptions about the potential impacts of short breaks on family carers and disabled children. This review aims to evaluate the existing international research evidence concerning the impacts of short breaks on families with a disabled child. Electronic literature searches were conducted using ASSIA, PsycInfo, CINAHL, and Web of Science, and requests for information were sent to selected email lists. Of 60 articles or reports identified for inclusion in the review, the vast majority of studies were cross-sectional, with only eight studies using quasi-experimental pre-post designs or longitudinal designs. Nonetheless, the consistency with which some findings have been reported suggests that short breaks appear to have the potential to positively impact on not only the well-being of carers, but also the children receiving short breaks and their families as a whole. Additional research is warranted in a number of areas. First, research needs to consider the impact of short breaks on fathers. Second, there is a need to consider in more depth how short breaks can impact on the siblings of disabled children. Third, research could consider how best short breaks can be combined with other interventions to maximise the impact for disabled children and their families. Fourth, research needs to look at the longer term impact of short breaks on outcomes for disabled children and their families. What is needed is evidence on what type of short breaks are best for children and families with particular characteristics at particular times during the course of the child's maturation towards adulthood.

Soft Biometric Traits for Continuous User Authentication

Most existing computer and network systems authenticate a user only at the initial login session. This could be a critical security weakness, especially for high-security systems because it enables an impostor to access the system resources until the initial user logs out. This situation is encountered when the logged in user takes a short break without logging out or an impostor coerces the valid user to allow access to the system. To address this security flaw, we propose a continuous authentication scheme that continuously monitors and authenticates the logged in user. Previous methods for continuous authentication primarily used hard biometric traits, specifically fingerprint and face to continuously authenticate the initial logged in user. However, the use of these biometric traits is not only inconvenient to the user, but is also not always feasible due to the user's posture in front of the sensor. To mitigate this problem, we propose a new framework for continuous user authentication that primarily uses soft biometric traits (e.g., color of user's clothing and facial skin). The proposed framework automatically registers (enrolls) soft biometric traits every time the user logs in and fuses soft biometric matching with the conventional authentication schemes, namely password and face biometric. The proposed scheme has high tolerance to the user's posture in front of the computer system. Experimental results show the effectiveness of the proposed method for continuous user authentication.

Impact of repetitive theta burst stimulation on motor cortex excitability

Theta burst stimulation (TBS) alters cortical excitability in inhibitory or facilitatory directions depending on the pattern of stimulation used. Although continuous TBS (cTBS) decreases motor cortex excitability, intermittent TBS (iTBS) increases excitability by introducing an 8-second stimulation interval after 2 seconds of TBS. The after-effects induced by TBS last from 30 minutes up to 1 hour. Optimization of TBS techniques might be possible through manipulation of a variety of parameters such as number of pulses, stimulus intensity, duration of stimulation, and repetitive stimulation. The aim of this study was to assess the after-effects induced by introducing an interval between two TBS interventions to identify more efficient protocols. The study was divided in two groups, iTBS protocols and cTBS protocols, each of them with four sessions: classical TBS, TBS - 2 minutes - TBS, TBS - 5 minutes - TBS, TBS - 20 minutes - TBS. Our results show that cTBS - 20 minutes - cTBS and iTBS - 2 minutes - iTBS resulted in similar after-effects as those accomplished by a single TBS session, whereas a suppression of after-effects was observed in the other break durations. Repeated TBS with short break durations does not seem to be suitable to prolong the duration of excitability changes accomplished by single TBS. These results might be relevant for clinical applications of TBS, when long-lasting excitability alterations are needed.

Personal resuscitation plans and end of life planning for children with disability and life-limiting/life-threatening conditions

This article discusses the need for person-specific planning for the increasing numbers of disabled children with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions. It describes the system developed in Nottingham for this client...

Fast predicted handover in IEEE 802.16 networks

AbstractThe handover procedure can have a negative impact on the quality of service due to the short break in the connection. This paper proposes a modification of the hard handover procedure to enable reduction of the handover interruption time by exploiting the results of a handover prediction. The prediction of handover allows performing a part of handover procedure in advance to the interruption of a connection caused by the handover. The simulation results show that the proposed handover procedure fulfils requirements on the handover interruption according to the originating IEEE 802.16m standard for a wide range of frame durations. Moreover, the proposed technique outperforms conventional handover and all well‐known proposals shortening the handover interruption as well. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley &amp; Sons, Ltd.

Lésion isolée des muscles obturateurs chez le footballeur professionnel. À propos de trois cas

We report three cases of isolated acute strain of obturator muscle in professional soccer player. Short competition break, analgesics and physiotherapy lead to a rapid return in the competition.

The Association Between Changes in Auditor Provided Tax Services and Long-Term Corporate Tax Avoidance

This study examines the long-term impact on taxes paid by firms in the time period following the passage of The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Legislators, concerned about auditor independence impairment, eliminated the provision of certain non-audit services by auditing firms and required audit committee pre-approval for tax services. As a result, firms decreasingly engaged their audit firms for tax services, instead possibly turning to other accounting firms or internal tax planning, even though information efficiencies may exist by combining the audit-tax function (i.e. knowledge spillover (Gleason and Mills 2011)). Utilizing a sample of 2,240 unique firms covering 2003-2009, we find an economically and statistically significant long-term negative relationship between firm reductions in auditor-provided tax services (APTS) and taxes paid. Further, a portion of this benefit is lost for some firms when returning to their auditor for tax services after a short break. In summary, firms who engage their audit firms for tax services continue to obtain benefits. Firms that reduce or eliminate their APTS, even if retaining other accounting firms for tax engagements, on average pay more taxes over the long-term.

'Byron's Religions' Nottingham Trent University 1 May 2010

The one-day Byron conference at Nottingham Trent University, organised by the Newstead Abbey Byron Society, Nottingham Trent University and the Midlands Romantic Seminar, traditionally falls on the first weekend of May, and this year it was for the seventh time that scholars and students from near and far gathered at this perhaps most Byronic of British locations to engage in a full day's academic work. Comme d'habitude, on the eve of the conference, a dinner was organised by the Newstead Abbey Byron Society, providing a pleasant social prelude to the academic proceedings. Unlike in previous years, the dinner was held at Pappas, a Greek taverna in the vicinity of the Nottinghamshire County Hall, a warm venue obliterating the caprice of a wet April evening. Having dined and wined and enjoyed the dessert listening to live Greek music, the participants were driven back to the Beeches Hotel for the afterdinner event, another fine and memorable conference tradition. This year's theme being religion, delegates were treated to a brilliant tandem reading of parallel quotations from Byron and the Bible by Bernard Beatty (Liverpool and St Andrews) and Peter Cochran (Newstead Abbey Byron Society), followed by an impromptu meditation on Byron and the emotion of faith by Canon Linda Church, rector of St Mary Magdalene church in Hucknall between 2003 and 2009, and a poignant coda by Beatty inspired by the famous inscription on the manuscript of Canto I of Don Juan: 'I would to heaven that I were so much clay / As I am blood, bone, marrow, passion, feeling'. The evening's entertainment set the mood for contemplation and discussion that was to be continued the following day. In the morning, participants made their way to the Ada Byron Building on Nottingham Trent's Clifton campus and were welcomed by Ken Purslow from the Newstead Abbey Byron Society and Carl Thompson from Nottingham Trent. Due to a concurrent conference at the same venue resulting in a shortage of space, the programme had had to be adjusted a few weeks earlier so that, departing from traditional arrangements, both plenary lectures were rescheduled to take place in the morning, followed by all four parallel sessions in the afternoon. However unorthodox, the morning juxtaposition of the two plenaries proved to be extremely stimulating. The first lecture was given by Mr Beatty and chaired by Dr Cochran. Beatty addressed the theme of Byron's orthodoxy in relation to his sense of sin, which set him apart from his contemporaries, as well as his ability to see unity in multiplicity and his careful construction of poetry that, through wonder and suffering, exceeds mere aesthetic remedy, poised as it is between bright and dark elements. Inter alia, Beatty discussed Schleiermacher's treatise 'On Religion', James Kennedy, Cain, Heaven and Earth, Childe Harold's Pilgrimage and the character of Aurora Raby. After a short break, the second plenary was given by Richard Cardwell (Nottingham) and chaired by Ken Purslow (Newstead Abbey Byron Society). Focusing on Manfred and Cain in relation to the theory of Catastrophism and the works of Buffon and Cuvier, Professor Cardwell traced Byron's metaphysical journey through these works, a journey concerned with the causality of crime and punishment, and revealing the poet's melancholic holding-up of love as the last sustaining illusion as well as his revolt against a system that lacks sense. After the lunch break, the first pair of parallel sessions commenced, featuring three speakers each. One session was chaired by Imke Heuer (York). The first speaker was Merve Tokmakcioglu (Bosphorus) who addressed the duality represented by Byron's strictly Calvinist upbringing in contrast to his scornful attitude to traditional Christian values. Taking up Manfred as a case study, she discussed the themes of salvation, damnation, self-loathing and vanity in relation to the Byronic Hero. The second speaker, Andreas Makrides from Athens, addressed the subject of Gnosticism, tracing the movement's historical origins and characteristics, describing its key topos of the existence of evil in the world and connecting the themes of death, pain and ugliness to Byron's Cain and its biographical aspects. …

Trimps For Forwards And Defensemen During Ice Hockey Games On Different Sized Rinks On Consecutive Days

The scientific understanding of the physiological load during practices and competitions is quite limited. While sports coaches may be able to assess the stresses and cumulative fatigue of their players, these perceptions can be biased and inaccurate. Therefore, a need exists to develop a method of determining acute and cumulative loads throughout a sports season. The Training Impulse (TRIMP) method was devised for this purpose and has been recently revised by Stagno, et, al. (2007) for use with team sports. To compare TRIMP values for forwards and defensemen during ice hockey games on different sized rinks on consecutive days using the new team-based TRIMP formula. Our hypothesis was that TRIMP scores would be greater for the game on the larger ice surface as more area must be covered. The six participants (mean age: 15.7 + 0.5 years) were forwards and defensemen playing on a regionally elite male ice hockey team. Heart rates were collected by a heart rate system that records and saves the data within a chest strap. Two games played on consecutive days (on the 19th week of a 29 week season) on different sized ice rinks were monitored. Game 1 (G1) was played on a rink that measured 200 × 85 feet, while the rink for Game 2 (G2) measured 200 × 100 feet. Each game began with a twenty minute on-ice warm-up. During G1 the ice was resurfaced between all periods. During G2, a short break was taken between the 1st and 2nd periods and the ice was resurfaced between the 2nd and 3rd periods. The TRIMPs were calculated for warm-ups, resurfacing times and playing time. Data is presented for the total time period (from the warm-up to the end of the game) and for the game period (only while the game was in progress). Data are presented in table below: Our research hypothesis was based on the logic that playing on a larger ice surface would lead to greater TRIMPs. This was not found to be true. G1 produced greater TRIMPs and greater TRIMPs per minute than G2 even though the second game was on the larger ice surface. TRIMP values for G2 may have been lower as it was the second game within a 24 hour period. While the athletes are used to playing two or three games during a two-day weekend, the second game may have lower TRIMP values due to fatigue. Thus fatigue may influence TRIMPs more than rink size. Further analyses of other game weekends may indicate a trend. As there is now a heart rate monitoring system that will capture data without the need for an external data capturing module, it is now more feasible to obtain heart rate data from team sports such as hockey and soccer. Since the revised TRIMP formula only requires heart rate data, it can now be used by coaches to track physiological loads during practice sessions and competitions. For coaches and trainers that are concerned about unintended overreaching/overtraining, this method may be a beneficial component to add to their tracking system.

Laboratory Study on Waves and Sediment Transport near Swash Zone by the Combined Short and Long Waves

Experiments with short waves long waves and their combined waves are conducted both on a fixed and on a movable bed. Water and sand surfaces are measured simultaneously by using a video technique. In the uniform depth area the combined waves are linear sum of the component waves as short waves show no reflection. On the slope particularly near the shoreline short waves break riding on the long waves together with considerable modulation which cannot be described by simple sum of component waves. Nor can be sediment transport rate. Sediment transport rate in the surf zone are evaluated for uprush and downrush respectively. Their amount is proportional to 3/2 power of Shields number with large scatter for the downrush the direction being onshore for the uprush and offshore for the downrush.