Semi-structured interviews with 29 probation officers were conducted about their experiences addressing youths’ criminogenic needs in accordance with the Risk-Need-Responsivity framework. Probation officers discussed barriers they face at the individual, organizational, and systemic level (‘environmental’ issues that transcend – but impact on – the individual youth). Results revealed that challenges probation officers faced included ambiguity with respect to their role addressing certain risk-need domains, waitlist for services, having to prioritize certain noncriminogenic needs, involving parents, and the prevalence of mental illness (particularly concurrent diagnoses). Probation officers also discussed systemic barriers that they felt were out of their control but significantly impacted youths’ risk. Results are discussed in terms of implications for theory, research, policy, and practice.

Semi-structured interviews with 29 probation officers were conducted about their experiences addressing youths’ criminogenic needs in accordance with the Risk-Need-Responsivity framework. Probation officers discussed barriers they face at the individual, organizational, and systemic level (‘environmental’ issues that transcend – but impact on – the individual youth). Results revealed that challenges probation officers faced included ambiguity with respect to their role addressing certain risk-need domains, waitlist for services, having to prioritize certain noncriminogenic needs, involving parents, and the prevalence of mental illness (particularly concurrent diagnoses). Probation officers also discussed systemic barriers that they felt were out of their control but significantly impacted youths’ risk. Results are discussed in terms of implications for theory, research, policy, and practice.

The purpose of the current dissertation was to develop a measure of mother’s reward responsivity in parenting. I proposed that deficits in reward responsivity may contribute to maladaptive parenting behaviors, especially among depressed mothers. Reward responsivity is conceptualized as an individual difference in reactivity to pleasurable stimuli and represents a key motivational component that could contribute to the frequency and quality of mothers’ interactions with their infants. To empirically evaluate the link between mother reward responsivity, behaviors towards their infant, and infant behavior outcomes, a measure of reward responsivity in relation to parenting behavior was needed. The current dissertation addressed this need and developed a self-report measure of reward responsivity in parenting named the Mother Inventory of Reward Experience (MIRE). The MIRE was evaluated in two studies: the first study was among 31 adolescent mothers (M = 16.97, SD = 1.22) and the second was among 200 adult mothers (M = 28.45, SD = 5.50). Following guidelines on scale development, the development of MIRE started with an initial item pool of 105 items that were examined for psychometric performance of item mean, item kurtosis and item-total correlations. Seventy-two items were deleted because the mean of the item was at the top or bottom of its range, the kurtosis was above or below the absolute value of three, or the item remainder coefficient was less than 0.3. The remaining 33 items displayed high internal consistency reliability and test re-test reliability over two weeks. Convergent validity was established via a statistically significant correlation with a self-report measure of general reward responsivity. Concurrent validity was established via statistically significant correlations with depressive symptoms, parenting stress, and child behavior. Incremental validity of the MIRE over measures of general reward responsivity was supported via significant predictions of parenting stress, infant positive affectivity, and infant regulatory capacity. These results support the reliability and initial validation of the MIRE. Future directions are presented with a focus on understanding the role of maternal reward responsivity, maternal depression, and parenting behaviors.

There are many potential areas for the utilization of GaN-based nitride materials, including ultraviolet photodetectors. Ultraviolet photodetectors are used in the military for missile plume detection and space communications. Medically, ultraviolet photodiodes are used in monitoring skin cancer. Schottky barrier metal-semiconductor contacts are choice devices for the manufacture of ultraviolet photodiodes due to higher short wavelength sensitivity and fast response. They also require simple fabrication technology; suffer lower breakdown voltages, and record larger leakage currents at lower voltages as compared to p-n structures of the same semiconductor material. Thus the formation of a Schottky contact with high barrier height, low leakage current, and good thermal stability in order to withstand high temperature processing and operation are some of the most important factors in improving the performance of Schottky barrier photodiodes to be used for ultraviolet detection. The first stage of this study was to establish a chemical cleaning and etching technique. It was found that KOH was suitable in reducing C from the surface and that (NH4)2S further reduced the surface oxides. The next phase of the work was to select a metal that will allow UV light to pass through at a high transmission percentage: a combination of annealed Ni/Au was found to be ideal. The transmission percentage of this alloy was found to be above 80%. The next phase was the fabrication of Ni/Au Schottky barrier diodes on GaN to study the electrical characteristics of the diodes. Electrical characterization of the diodes showed that the dominant current transport mechanism was thermionic emission, masked by the effects of series resistance, which resulted from the condition of the GaN surface. Finally, we fabricated GaN UV photodiodes and characterized them in the optoelectronic station designed and produced during this research. Device responsivity as high as 31.8 mA/W for GaN and 3.8 mA/W for AlGaN were recorded. The calculated quantum efficiencies of the photodiodes were 11 % for GaN and 1.7 % for AlGaN respectively. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2010. / Physics / unrestricted

The purpose of this research was to examine the differences between mothers in single- and two-parent families as they interact with their child with a disability. The sample consisted of 240 children with developmental disabilities and their mothers. Maternal interaction behaviors were measured using the Maternal Behavior Rating Scale. Demographic information, child characteristic measures, and family functioning variables were also considered. Analyses of covariance indicated that there were no differences between interaction behaviors of mothers in single- and two-parent families. However, relationships between income, education, and family cohesion, and the types of interactions displayed between mother and child were found. The results of this study have implications for intervention specialists who work with children with disabilities. The importance of examining the family context in order to determine how to best tailor a treatment program to fit the need of the family is discussed.

No description available.

Developmental Dyspraxia and Sensory Modulation Dysfunction are Sensory Integration Disorders that are widely known to occupational therapists practicing in the paediatric occupational therapy field. These disorders have been the subject of numerous research studies that have managed to clarify and explain relations of these disorders with sensory processing as well as their prevalence in different diagnostic groups. Such a clarified relationship is between Developmental Dyspraxia and Sensory Discrimination, while Sensory Modulation Dysfunction is reported to occur in various diagnostic groups. Developments over the past decade in the field of Sensory Integration proposed that Developmental Dyspraxia and Sensory Modulation Dysfunction be regarded as two patterns of a Sensory Processing Disorder and suggested that these two disorder patterns occurred concomitantly. Clinical experience, however, resulted in the researcher questioning the above proposed concomitant relationship and hypothesised that there was a specific relation between Developmental Dyspraxia and Sensory Responsivity (Sensory Modulation Dysfunction). This study was directed at investigating the relationship between Developmental Dyspraxia and Sensory Responsivity. A review of the literature that described these two disorder patterns yielded reference to theories that underpin Developmental Dyspraxia and Sensory Responsivity. From these theories it was possible to identify some common ground between Developmental dyspraxia and Sensory Responsivity that could potentially support a relation. The Sensory Profile, Sensory Profile School Companion and the Sensory Integration and Praxis Tests were used to assess and identify Developmental Dyspraxia and Sensory Responsivity. Obtained data were statistically analysed and compared and did not produce a statistically significant positive relation between Developmental Dyspraxia and Sensory Responsivity, but yielded some weak correlations in supplementary analysis. These weak correlations have value in terms of sensory responsiveness tendencies in the presence of types of dyspraxia. Clinical analyses of the data set were performed to examine the incidence of types of dyspraxia in the sample with sensory over- or under responsiveness. These analyses demonstrated a greater presence of Developmental Dyspraxia in the population with Sensory Under-responsivity. The clinical analyses provided the researcher with additional information that was taken into account when conclusions were made. It also contributed to the recommendations that were made at the end of Chapter 5. Discussion of results was directed at explaining correlations and interpreting the implications of those correlations. A discussion of possible problems included considering possible flaws in the method and procedure that could have contributed to the research outcome. Recommendations were directed at proposals for future research and recommendations for clinical practice. Copyright / Dissertation (MOccTher)--University of Pretoria, 2010. / Occupational Therapy / unrestricted

Este trabalho ambiciona compreender a origem e o funcionamento do sistema de prestação de serviços de saúde a todos os brasileiros sem distinção, e, para tanto, esmiúça as origens a partir do qual sua organização se ergueu. São estudadas as formas de federalismo existentes desde o seu surgimento no Estado Moderno, e o desenvolvimento das limitações aos poderes centrais e dos entes federados, com ênfase na maneira sob as quais as responsabilidades foram e são divididas ou compartilhadas, bem assim como a maneira pelas quais suas balizas foram estabelecidas e modificadas no decorrer do tempo. O direito à saúde no Brasil é colocado no centro do debate e as formas como foi exercido, bem assim como as suas deficiências, foram todas observadas durante a investigação do processo que originou a criação de um formato inédito, amplamente respaldado pela participação popular. Esta legitimidade impressa ao que se denomina Direito Sanitário foi de crucial relevância para o enfrentamento do federalismo sob o prisma do direito à saúde, que se denomina atualmente federalismo sanitário, e é referência para a compreensão das políticas públicas que sucederam sua construção e exercício efetivo. A partir daí, foi possível proceder na avaliação da divisão das responsabilidades entre os integrantes do sistema, a forma de efetivação da divisão, sua vinculação estrita ao sistema federativo e aferir sobre a pertinência de que o federalismo sanitário seja reconhecido como a forma de responsabilização compartilhada nos termos em que o sistema único de saúde foi estruturado. Diante da conclusão a que se chegou, são apreciadas as decisões proferidas pelo Supremo Tribunal Federal. Por fim, são avaliadas de modo a que se conclua pela tese construída, que rechaça a responsabilização solidária da forma como compreendida pelo STF, por não se harmonizar com a estrutura federativa estabelecida para cumprimento do dever de assistência à saúde pelo Estado Brasileiro. / This work aims to understand the origin and functioning of the provision of health care system to all Brazilians without distinction, and, therefore, deeply analyzes the sources from which its organization arose. Existing forms of federalism are studied since its emergence in the Modern State, and the development of limitations to the central authorities and federal agencies, emphasizing the way in which the responsibilities were and are divided or shared, as well as the way the that their beacons have been established and modified over time. The entitlement to health in Brazil is placed in the center of the debate and the ways in which it was exercised, as well as its shortcomings were all observed during the investigation of the process that led to the creation of an unprecedented format, widely supported by popular participation. This printed legitimacy to what is called Health Law was of crucial importance to face the federalism through the prism of the right to health, which is now called health federalism, and is a reference to the comprehension of public policies that followed its construction and effective exercise. From there, it was possible to proceed in assessing the division of responsibilities between system integrators, how to effect the division, their strict adherence to the federal system and check on relevance of the health federalism is recognized as a form of shared accountability in terms in the unified health system was structured. Before the conclusion arrived at, they are appreciated judgments given by the Supreme Court. Finally, are evaluated so that it is determined by the built thesis, which rejects the joint accountability of how understood by the Supreme Court, by not harmonize with the federal structure established to comply with the health care obligation by Brazil.

This mixed methods study evaluated clinical and criminal justice outcomes of the Florida Jail Diversion and Trauma Recovery (JDTR) program that utilized compensated veteran peer mentors. Quantitative results showed veteran participation in JDTR improved clinical outcomes, such as PTSD symptoms, function difficulty and depression scores, but not criminal justice outcomes such as re-arrest rates. Study limitations, however, prevent the drawing of conclusions regarding the potential effectiveness of veteran peer interventions improving criminal justice outcomes. Qualitative results showed participants overwhelmingly viewed their assigned veteran peer mentor as a "peer" and rated them as "very important" to their future success. Improvements in avoidance and numbing and depression symptoms also suggest peer interventions may be effective in improving responsivity to evidence-based criminal justice interventions. Overall, findings were consistent with the RNR model that views mental illness as a responsivity factor, not a criminogenic need. They were also consistent with research on "first generation" forensic mental health interventions that shows improvements in clinical outcomes do not result in reductions in recidivism. Social workers as well as other mental health clinicians and policy makers should be familiar with evidenced-based criminal justice strategies, such as RNR, that focus on reducing recidivism and should incorporate these strategies into the development, implementation and evaluation of "second generation" interventions. Future research should evaluate the fidelity of implementation of such interventions as well as the role of peer mentors and importance of the recovery model and therapeutic alliance in improving criminal justice outcomes and responsivity.

<p>This report has been written at SAAB Bofors Dynamics (SBD) AB in Gothenburg at the department of optronic systems.</p><p>In military observation operations, a target to hit is chosen by illumination of a laser designator. From the targetpoint laser radiation is reflected on a detector that helps identify the target. The detector is a semiconductor PIN-type that has been investigated in a laboratory environment together with a specially designed laser source. The detector is a photodiode and using purchased components, circuits for both the photodiode and the laserdiode has been designed and fabricated. The bandwidth of the op-amp should be about 30 MHz, in the experiments a bandwidth of 42 MHz was used. Initially the feedback network, which consists of a 5.6 pF capacitor in parallel with a 1-kohm resistor determined the bandwidth. To avoid the op-amp saturate under strong illuminated laser radiation the feedback network will use a 56-pF capacitor and a 100-ohm resistor respectively.</p><p>The laser should be pulsed with 10-20 ns width, 10 Hz repetition frequency, about 800 nm wavelength and a maximum output power of 80 mW. To avoid electrical reflection signals at measurement equipment connections, the laser circuit includes a resistor of about 50 ohm, that together with the resistance in the laserdiode forms the right termination that eliminate the reflection signals. The wire-wound type of resistor shall be avoided in this application and instead a surface mounted type was beneficial with much lower inductance. The detector showed a linear behaviour up to 40-mW optical power. Further investigation was hindered by the breakdown of the laserdiodes. The function generator limits the tests to achieve 80 mW in light power. In different experiments the responsivity of the photodiode is different from the nominal value, however it would have required more time to investigate the causes.</p>