A radio-pulsing white dwarf binary star.

White dwarfs are compact stars, similar in size to Earth but approximately 200,000 times more massive. Isolated white dwarfs emit most of their power from ultraviolet to near-infrared wavelengths, but when in close orbits with less dense stars, white dwarfs can strip material from their companions and the resulting mass transfer can generate atomic line and X-ray emission, as well as near- and mid-infrared radiation if the white dwarf is magnetic. However, even in binaries, white dwarfs are rarely detected at far-infrared or radio frequencies. Here we report the discovery of a white dwarf/cool star binary that emits from X-ray to radio wavelengths. The star, AR Scorpii (henceforth AR Sco), was classified in the early 1970s as a δ-Scuti star, a common variety of periodic variable star. Our observations reveal instead a 3.56-hour period close binary, pulsing in brightness on a period of 1.97 minutes. The pulses are so intense that AR Sco's optical flux can increase by a factor of four within 30 seconds, and they are also detectable at radio frequencies. They reflect the spin of a magnetic white dwarf, which we find to be slowing down on a 107-year timescale. The spin-down power is an order of magnitude larger than that seen in electromagnetic radiation, which, together with an absence of obvious signs of accretion, suggests that AR Sco is primarily spin-powered. Although the pulsations are driven by the white dwarf's spin, they mainly originate from the cool star. AR Sco's broadband spectrum is characteristic of synchrotron radiation, requiring relativistic electrons. These must either originate from near the white dwarf or be generated in situ at the M star through direct interaction with the white dwarf's magnetosphere.

The implications of jumping on nursing bandwagons--the case of nursing models in Newfoundland hospitals.

Nurses are as susceptible as others to trends and fads which have an unproven impact on the provision of quality health care. One enduring trend has been the adoption of nursing models which, it is claimed, unifies nurses in distinctive approaches to caring. In Newfoundland, the current financial constraints in health care have created an opportunity to investigate the soundness of jumping on the nursing model "bandwagon". The author explores the meaning of nursing knowledge, the importance of developing knowledge for safe, effective practice, and explains how nursing models have become associated with nursing knowledge and imbued with almost mystical qualities. One aspect not seen in the literature-that of the cost of implementing a model for nursing care in hospitals-is presented. The implications, financial and ethical, are discussed and, in conclusion, another approach to encourage philosophizing about nursing work is outlined.

Illiteracy: implications for nursing education.

Possession of an internally consistent body of knowledge from which principles and practice can be derived is the pre-eminent characteristic of professional groups. Active, enquiring minds are required as nursing struggles to develop such a base. Yet, recent evidence, such as the 1992 report of the Economic Council of Canada, suggests a pervasive decline in basic language competencies. The illiteracy of candidates entering professional schools of nursing is creating problems for students, faculty and the profession, with ramifications for public safety and professional growth. This article describes problems and proposes action that can, and must, be taken to remedy the situation.

Interviewing for a deanship in nursing--an informed process.

This article has been written to assist those individuals who aspire to administration in nursing education. Being interviewed for a Deanship is an exacting experience during which the candidate must make an impression, as well as, collect enough data upon which an informed decision can be made. Good preparation for the process is essential. Data is gathered about the School, the people in the School (faculty, students and staff), the position (and the University and the professional community), as well as, the community. No one School of Nursing is perfect but the informed candidate will be more able to decide which risks are worth taking.

Nursing work and the implications of "the second shift".

Recently the profession of nursing has been greatly concerned with the recruitment and retention of nurses. Provincial studies have indicated that the problem is multifaceted and very complex. It is not enough merely to raise wages. Another factor which has major implications for the retention of female nurses is the relationship of the work married women do at home to the paid work they do in nursing. Hochschild's (1989) research on the "Second Shift" is presented in this article to illustrate the need for nursing administrators to calculate into the equation of recruitment and retention, the impact of the "second shift."

Nurse Education Tomorrow Conference theme paper--section A. The path to nursing knowledge--personal reflections.

The author provides a definition of nursing knowledge, reviews the critical literature up to 1989 and discusses the current trends. She concludes her paper with her reflections upon the path to true nursing knowledge.

Accreditation of nursing programs--issues raised by formalising accountability in nursing education.

As nurses professionalise, the drive to be seen as accountable intensifies. Formalising accountability has certain dangers which are examined in this paper. The claims for accountability through accreditation processes in three areas--hospital administration, general post secondary institutions and nursing--are considered and questions raised in each. The fact that the move is not unique to nursing, nor is it new, allows for an indepth analysis of the thinking surrounding formalised accountability and for exploration of the issues nurses can debate when initiating such procedures.

Educational achievement of nurses who completed the nursing education and the nursing administration certificate courses of the Department of Nursing Studies, University of Edinburgh, 1958-1975.

This paper describes the educational activity of a group of 149 nurse teachers and administrators following completion of the nursing education and nursing administration certificate courses of the University of Edinburgh (1958-1975). The data were obtained by a postal questionnaire and three particular types of courses reported by the respondents are discussed. Emphasis is given to the analysis involving degree courses as this was a prominent educational activity, especially among nurse teachers. The conclusion discusses the potential of an all graduate nurse teacher group and suggests some implications for the nursing profession.

Nursing careers: findings of a follow-up survey of graduates of the nursing education and administration certificate courses of the Department of Nursing Studies, University of Edinburgh, 1958-1975.

The paper discusses the findings of a survey of the career progress of graduates of certificate courses in nursing administration and education, between 1958 and 1975, at the Department of Nursing Studies, University of Edinburgh. Five sections are presented: age, sex, career patterns, educational attainments and scholarly work. Issues arising within these sections are discussed.

The emergence of nursing leaders--a case of in-spite of, not because-of.

Sharing is an important concept in nursing. In this paper it is explored as a feature of professional development in order to ascertain the status of sharing in the profession. Four factors are considered. First, there is a question related to whether or not nurses demonstrate the characteristics needed for sharing. The argument is that female sex role socialisation precludes nurses from developing the requisite qualities. Second, the status of men in the profession and its potential effects are discussed. Third, the concept of mentoring as seen in the research on women and nurses is developed. Fourth, the critical implications of the type of organisation nurses work in are presented. Each of these factors impinge on the ability to share and the quality of the sharing. This may mean that leaders in nursing emerge in spite of, not because of, the professional sharing that occurs.