bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Estimates of Aboveground Biomass from Texture Analysis of Landsat Imagery
Authors: Kelsey Katharine , Neff Jason
Published: July 2014

Maps of forest biomass are important tools for managing natural resources and reporting terrestrial carbon stocks. Using the San Juan National Forest in Southwest Colorado as a case study, we evaluate regional biomass maps created using physical variables, spectral vegetation indices, and image textural analysis on Landsat TM imagery. We investigate eight gray level co-occurrence matrix based texture measures (mean, variance, homogeneity, contrast, dissimilarity, entropy, second moment and correlation) on four window sizes (3 × 3, 5 × 5, 7 × 7, 9 × 9) at four offsets ([1,0], [1,1], [0,1], [1,−1]) on four Landsat TM bands (2, 3, 4, and 5). The map with the highest prediction quality was created using three texture metrics calculated from Landsat Band 2 on a 3 × 3 window and an offset of [0,1]: entropy, mean and correlation; and one physical variable: slope. The correlation of predicted versus observed biomass values for our texture-based biomass map is r = 0.86, the Root Mean Square Error is 45.6 Mg∙ha−1, and the Coefficient of Variation of the Root Mean Square Error is 0.31. We find that models including image texture variables are more strongly correlated with biomass than models using only physical and spectral variables. Additionally, we suggest that the use of texture appears to better capture the magnitude and direction of biomass change following disturbance compared to spectral approaches. The biomass mapping methods we present here are widely applicable throughout the US, as they are based on publically available datasets and utilize relatively simple analytical routines.
On Plant Detection of Intact Tomato Fruits Using Image Analysis and Machine Learning Methods
Authors: Yamamoto Kyosuke , Guo Wei , Yoshioka Yosuke , Ninomiya Seishi
Published: July 2014

Fully automated yield estimation of intact fruits prior to harvesting provides various benefits to farmers. Until now, several studies have been conducted to estimate fruit yield using image-processing technologies. However, most of these techniques require thresholds for features such as color, shape and size. In addition, their performance strongly depends on the thresholds used, although optimal thresholds tend to vary with images. Furthermore, most of these techniques have attempted to detect only mature and immature fruits, although the number of young fruits is more important for the prediction of long-term fluctuations in yield. In this study, we aimed to develop a method to accurately detect individual intact tomato fruits including mature, immature and young fruits on a plant using a conventional RGB digital camera in conjunction with machine learning approaches. The developed method did not require an adjustment of threshold values for fruit detection from each image because image segmentation was conducted based on classification models generated in accordance with the color, shape, texture and size of the images. The results of fruit detection in the test images showed that the developed method achieved a recall of 0.80, while the precision was 0.88. The recall values of mature, immature and young fruits were 1.00, 0.80 and 0.78, respectively.
Vapor Responsive One-Dimensional Photonic Crystals from Zeolite Nanoparticles and Metal Oxide Films for Optical Sensing
Authors: Lazarova Katerina , Awala Hussein , Thomas Sebastien , Vasileva Marina , Mintova Svetlana , Babeva Tsvetanka
Published: July 2014

The preparation of responsive multilayered structures with quarter-wave design based on layer-by-layer deposition of sol-gel derived Nb2O5 films and spin-coated MEL type zeolite is demonstrated. The refractive indices (n) and thicknesses (d) of the layers are determined using non-linear curve fitting of the measured reflectance spectra. Besides, the surface and cross-sectional features of the multilayered structures are characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The quasi-omnidirectional photonic band for the multilayered structures is predicted theoretically, and confirmed experimentally by reflectance measurements at oblique incidence with polarized light. The sensing properties of the multilayered structures toward acetone are studied by measuring transmittance spectra prior and after vapor exposure. Furthermore, the potential of the one-dimensional photonic crystals based on the multilayered structure consisting of Nb2O5 and MEL type zeolite as a chemical sensor with optical read-out is discussed.
A Rapid Process for Fabricating Gas Sensors
Authors: Hsiao Chun-Ching , Luo Li-Siang
Published: July 2014

Zinc oxide (ZnO) is a low-toxicity and environmentally-friendly material applied on devices, sensors or actuators for “green” usage. A porous ZnO film deposited by a rapid process of aerosol deposition (AD) was employed as the gas-sensitive material in a CO gas sensor to reduce both manufacturing cost and time, and to further extend the AD application for a large-scale production. The relative resistance change (△R/R) of the ZnO gas sensor was used for gas measurement. The fabricated ZnO gas sensors were measured with operating temperatures ranging from 110 °C to 180 °C, and CO concentrations ranging from 100 ppm to 1000 ppm. The sensitivity and the response time presented good performance at increasing operating temperatures and CO concentrations. AD was successfully for applied for making ZnO gas sensors with great potential for achieving high deposition rates at low deposition temperatures, large-scale production and low cost.
A Bio-Inspired Herbal Tea Flavour Assessment Technique
Authors: Zakaria Nur , Masnan Maz , Zakaria Ammar , Shakaff Ali
Published: July 2014

Herbal-based products are becoming a widespread production trend among manufacturers for the domestic and international markets. As the production increases to meet the market demand, it is very crucial for the manufacturer to ensure that their products have met specific criteria and fulfil the intended quality determined by the quality controller. One famous herbal-based product is herbal tea. This paper investigates bio-inspired flavour assessments in a data fusion framework involving an e-nose and e-tongue. The objectives are to attain good classification of different types and brands of herbal tea, classification of different flavour masking effects and finally classification of different concentrations of herbal tea. Two data fusion levels were employed in this research, low level data fusion and intermediate level data fusion. Four classification approaches; LDA, SVM, KNN and PNN were examined in search of the best classifier to achieve the research objectives. In order to evaluate the classifiers’ performance, an error estimator based on k-fold cross validation and leave-one-out were applied. Classification based on GC-MS TIC data was also included as a comparison to the classification performance using fusion approaches. Generally, KNN outperformed the other classification techniques for the three flavour assessments in the low level data fusion and intermediate level data fusion. However, the classification results based on GC-MS TIC data are varied.
A New Quantitative Method for the Non-Invasive Documentation of Morphological Damage in Paintings Using RTI Surface Normals
Authors: Manfredi Marcello , Bearman Greg , Williamson Greg , Kronkright Dale , Doehne Eric , Jacobs Megan , Marengo Emilio
Published: July 2014

In this paper we propose a reliable surface imaging method for the non-invasive detection of morphological changes in paintings. Usually, the evaluation and quantification of changes and defects results mostly from an optical and subjective assessment, through the comparison of the previous and subsequent state of conservation and by means of condition reports. Using quantitative Reflectance Transformation Imaging (RTI) we obtain detailed information on the geometry and morphology of the painting surface with a fast, precise and non-invasive method. Accurate and quantitative measurements of deterioration were acquired after the painting experienced artificial damage. Morphological changes were documented using normal vector images while the intensity map succeeded in highlighting, quantifying and describing the physical changes. We estimate that the technique can detect a morphological damage slightly smaller than 0.3 mm, which would be difficult to detect with the eye, considering the painting size. This non-invasive tool could be very useful, for example, to examine paintings and artwork before they travel on loan or during a restoration. The method lends itself to automated analysis of large images and datasets. Quantitative RTI thus eases the transition of extending human vision into the realm of measuring change over time.
Measuring Compact Urban Form: A Case of Nagpur City, India
Authors: Kotharkar Rajashree , Bahadure Pankaj , Sarda Neha
Published: July 2014

The compact city concept is adopted in city planning policies of many developed countries for the following benefits: efficient use of land while curtailing sprawl, reduction in transport network and reliance on mass transport, a socially interactive environment with vibrancy of activities, economic viability, etc. However, it is still debated whether the cities in developing countries like India, which are already dense, will really benefit from the compact city form. Measuring urban form and compactness of these cities becomes more important for understanding the spatial urban structure to intervene accordingly for sustainable urban development. This paper explores various parameters and dimensions of measurement of compactness. Urban form characteristics and their indicators are derived for the study of Nagpur city, India. This study is an attempt to measure the urban form to derive the benefits of compactness. The study indicates that Nagpur city, inherently has a compact form, but may disperse in near future; and there is a need to implement policies to retain its compact character to achieve sustainable urban development.
Challenges, Progress, and Opportunities: Proceedings of the Filovirus Medical Countermeasures Workshop
Authors: Hirschberg Rona , Ward Lucy , Kilgore Nicole , Kurnat Rebecca , Schiltz Helen , Albrecht Mark , Christopher George , Nuzum Ed
Published: July 2014

On August 22–23, 2013, agencies within the United States Department of Defense (DoD) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) sponsored the Filovirus Medical Countermeasures (MCMs) Workshop as an extension of the activities of the Filovirus Animal Non-clinical Group (FANG). The FANG is a federally-recognized multi-Agency group established in 2011 to coordinate and facilitate U.S. government (USG) efforts to develop filovirus MCMs. The workshop brought together government, academic and industry experts to consider the needs for filovirus MCMs and evaluate the status of the product development pipeline. This report summarizes speaker presentations and highlights progress and challenges remaining in the field.
LIETUVOS KAIMO GYVENAMŲJŲ VIETOVIŲ POKYČIŲ TYRIMAI
Authors: Aleknavičius Pranas , Aleknavičius Marius , Akelaitytė Sigita
Published: July 2014

Straipsnyje pateikiama gyventojų surašymo statistinių duomenų analizė pagal savivaldybes ir kaimo gyvenamąsias vietoves, taip pat savivaldybių teritorijų bendrųjų planų analizė. Nustatyta žemės ūkio dirbančiųjų ir gyvulius laikančių šeimų skaičiaus mažėjimo įtaka kaimo gyventojų ir žemės ūkio veiklos subjektų ūkių išsidėstymo tankumui. Analizuojamos stambiosios kaimo gyvenvietės sugrupuotos pagal jų dislokaciją į priemiestines bei atskirai išsidėsčiusias gyvenvietes, tarp jų miestelius ir buvusias žemės ūkio įmonių centrines gyvenvietes, nustatyta jų pokyčių dinamika. Išnagrinėtos galimybės reguliuoti kaimo gyvenamųjų vietovių plėtrą rengiant savivaldybių teritorijų bendruosius planus – parinkti vystymui perspektyvius lokalinius centrus, reikalingus šeimoms ir ūkiniams subjektams aptarnauti agrarinėse bei kitose aplinkinėse vietovėse. Tai padėtų išsaugoti našias žemės ūkio naudmenas ir intensyvinti tradicinę žemės ūkio veiklą, ypač probleminiuose rajonuose, kuriuose yra sparčiai nykstančių kaimų.
THE BOKA KOTORSKA: A VERNACULAR RESPONSE TO SUSTAINABLE URBAN ENVIRONMENTS
Authors: Derbyshire Alan , Kecojevic Tatjana
Published: July 2014

This study focuses on the development of the Boka Kotorska region of Montenegro. As such it attempts to analyse the viability of sustainable development in the region and considers the role of vernacular architecture and ecology as contributory factors. The development of the tourist industry within Montenegro is a key element within the overall strategy for economic growth. This has obvious implications for the urban development of the case study area as uncontrolled deregulated expansion threatens the future viability of attempts to create genuine environmentally sensitive planning policies. Accordingly, this study raises and discusses many of the issues faced by stakeholders in implementing innovative spatial and architectural development.
Le modèle pulsionnel de la psychosomatique
Authors: Smadja Claude
Published: July 2014

L’auteur propose un modèle théorique pour l’intelligibilité des processus psychosomatiques. Ce modèle repose sur la seconde théorie freudienne des pulsions et aboutit à la proposition d’une notion nouvelle, celle de travail de la somatisation.
Brève discussion du texte : « Le modèle pulsionnel de la psychosomatique » par Claude Smadja
Authors: Aisenstein Marilia
Published: July 2014

Il s’agit d’une discussion qui suit le texte de Claude Smadja pas à pas. L’auteur pose quelques questions notamment sur le narcissisme, la question du statut pulsionnel du sadisme, la projection mais souligne l’intérêt de voir l’issue somatique comme une solution qui implique donc un « travail ».
Affect et pulsions en médecine et en psychosomatique : questions cliniques, théoriques et épistémologiques
Authors: Delourmel Christian
Published: July 2014

L’auteur propose de mener une réflexion sur certains obstacles de pensée qui jalonnent le parcours théorisant de la médecine à la psychosomatique via la psychanalyse. Il mène cette réflexion en interrogeant deux théories médicales qui constituent des théories intermédiaires entre médecine et psychosomatique : la théorie du spasme coronarien dans ses rapports avec la maladie athéromateuse et le phénomène placebo/nocebo. Après cette étude introduite par des cas médicaux, l’auteur avance quelques réflexions sur la pensée médicale pour en identifier le soubassement idéologique.
La valeur psychanalytique du « procédé d'investigation » de Pierre Marty
Authors: Botella Sára
Published: July 2014

À l’occasion du colloque de Saint-Malo en 2013, la relecture du texte fondateur de la psychosomatique, L’Investigation psychosomatique (1963), conduit l’auteur à saisir la valeur, dans le travail analytique de toute cure y compris les plus classiques, des notions introduites par Pierre Marty, notamment celle d’ expression associative .
Ochratoxin A induces cytotoxicity, DNA damage and apoptosis in rat hepatocyte primary cell culture at nanomolar concentration
Authors: Goyary D. , Chattopadhyay P. , Giri S. , Aher V. , Upadhyay A. , Veer V.
Published: July 2014

Ochratoxin A (OTA), a mycotoxin produced by several species ofAspergillus andPenicillum, is widely found as a contaminant of food. OTA exhibits a wide range of toxic activities, including nephro- and hepatotoxicity. Although the mechanisms of its genotoxicity and carcinogenicity have been studied before, many controversial results have been published. In addition, the studies were mostly conducted with kidney cells. Therefore, the present study used a primary culture of Wistar rat hepatocytes incubated with increasing concentrations of OTA (2.0-6.0 nanomolar). OTA treatment showed dose-dependent cytotoxicity and DNA damage. Further, flow cytometric analysis of hepatocytes showed dose-dependent apoptosis, suggesting that OTA-induced hepatotoxicity is, may be partly, mediated by apoptosis. Vascular endothelial growth factor gene, a potent pro-angiogenic in hepatocellular carcinoma and responsible for hepatocyte regeneration, did not show any change with OTA treatment, as analysed by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Thus, the present data indicated OTA-induced rat hepatotoxicityin vitro at nanomolar concentration, which inferred a major possible target other than kidney cells.
Variantna intonacija osmega psalmovega tona v kartuzijanski liturgični tradiciji
Authors: Šter Katarina
Published: July 2014

Dva kartuzijanska antifonarja iz 13. stoletja imata v 8. tonu posebno intonacijo f-a-c1 namesto širše uveljavljene intonacije g-a-c1. Razprava poskuša osvetliti vprašanja: 1. Ali je intonacija f-a-c1 v 8. tonu prisotna samo v teh dveh ali pa v več kartuzijanskih glasbenih rokopisih? 2. Ali so kartuzijanski glasbeni rokopisi pri uporabi omenjene intonacije povezani s kako drugo tradicijo? 3. V katerem času je bila intonacija f-a-c1 v kartuzijanskih rokopisih najbolj razširjena?
Pomen Dragotina Cvetka za razvoj slovenskega glasbenega zgodovinopisja
Authors: Barbo Matjaž
Published: July 2014

Članek se posveča delu Dragotina Cvetka s posebnim poudarkom na njegovih prizadevanjih za institucionaliziranje slovenske muzikologije, ki jo je razumel predvsem kot zgodovinsko discipline posebnega nacionalnega pomena. Cvetkova muzikološka dediščina je požela precejšnje mednarodno priznanje in ostala nepogrešljiva za nadaljnji razvoj slovenske muzikologije.
Didaktični priročniki in poučevanje klavirja v prvi polovici 19. stoletja v Ljubljani
Authors: Cigoj Krstulović Nataša
Published: July 2014

Didaktični priročniki za učenje klavirja iz prve polovice 19. stoletja, ki jih hranita Narodna in univerzitetna knjižnica in knjižnica Akademije za glasbo v Ljubljani, so eden izmed virov za prepoznavanje vplivov dunajske klavirske šole na poučevanje na Kranjskem. Časopisno gradivo razkriva še druge pokazatelje za uveljavitev klavirja v družabnem življenju ljubljanskih meščanov v tem času: ponudbo inštrumentov in klavirskih skladb za domače muziciranje ter možnosti zasebnega učenja klavirja.
Tensile Strength and Flexural Strength Testing of Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) Materials for Biomimetic Robotic Applications
Authors: Khuong Tran Linh , Gang Zhao , Farid Muhammad , Yu Rao , Sun Zhuang Zhi , Rizwan Muhammad
Published: July 2014

Biomimetic robots borrow their structure, senses and behavior from animals, such as humans or insects, and plants. Biomimetic design is design ofa machine, a robot or a system in engineeringdomain thatmimics operational and/orbehavioral model of a biological system in nature. 3D printing technology has another name as rapid prototyping technology. Currently it is being developed fastly and widely and is applied in many fields like the jewelry, footwear, industrial design, architecture, engineering and construction, automotive, aerospace, dental and medical industry, education, geographic information system, civil engineering, guns. 3D printing technology is able to manufacture complicated, sophisticated details that the traditional processing method cannot manufacture. Therefore, 3D printing technology can be seen as an effective tool in biomimetic, which can accurately simulate most of the biological structure. Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) is a technology of the typical rapid prototyping. The main content of the article is the focusing on tensile strength test of the ABS-Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene material after using Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) technology, concretization after it’s printed by UP2! 3D printer. The article focuses on two basic features which are Tensile Strength and Determination of flexural properties.
In Vitro Degradation of Poly-L-DL-Lactic Acid (PLDLLA) after Two Processing Methods
Authors: Rodrigues Coimbra Maria Elisa , Gouvea Bernardes Márcia , Nelson Elias Carlos , Coelho Paulo Guilherme
Published: July 2014

This study evaluated thein vitrodegradation of pellet, powder and plates of poly-L-DL-lactic acid (PLDLLA) after two processing methods. Part of the material was reduced to powder by cryogenic milling and part of it molded injected in plate form. The crystallinity was evaluated by Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), and Gel Permeation Chromatography (GPC) before and after immersion in simulated body fluid for 30, 60, and 90 days. The glass transition temperature (Tg) of the pellets and the powder were 61.5°C, 66°C. The Tgs of the plates ranged from 59.55°C to 63.06°C. Their endothermic peaks were observed at 125°C and 120°C, which was not identified to the plates samples. The FTIR spectrum showed bands of amorphous and crystalline content. The XRD results showed a peak related to the crystalline content, and a wide reflection related to the amorphous content. The milling process increased the crystallinity and the molding injection decreased it.
Bone Tissue Response in a Metallic Bone Architecture Microstructure
Authors: Goia Tamiye Simone , Violin Kalan Bastos , Gomez Ágreda Carola , Bressiani José Carlos , Bressiani Ana Helena de Almeida
Published: July 2014

Porous metallic structures have been developed to mimic the natural bone architecture, having interconnected porosity, disposing enough room to cell migration, anchoring, vascularization, nourishing and proliferation of new bone tissue. Research involving porous titanium has been done with purpose to achieve desirable porosity and increasing of bone-implant bond strength interface. Samples of titanium were prepared by powder metallurgy (PM) with addition of different natural polymers (cornstarch, rice starch, potato starch and gelatin) at proportion of 16wt%. In aqueous solution the hydrogenated metallic powder (TiH2) and the polymer were mixed, homogenized and frozen in molds near net shape. The water was removed in kiln and the polymer by thermal treatment in air- (350°C/1h) before sintering in high-vacuum (1300°C/1h). The biological evaluation was performed byin vivotest in rabbits. Histological analysis was performed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) and fluorescence microscopy (FM). The processing methodologies using natural low cost additives propitiate the production of porous metallic implants in a simplified manner, with different porosities, proper porosity degree (40%), distribution, and maximum pore size of 80 μm to 220 μm depending of natural polymer used. The samples added with rice starch, presented the most similar structure organization when compared to the bone tissue microstructure organization of the trabecular bone. All implants osseointegrated, the pore microarchitecture and its interconnected network allowed bone ingrowth in all pore sizes, but the continuous bone maturation occurred in pores bigger than 80 μm.
Nano-Based PSA Biosensors: An Early Detection Technique of Prostate Cancer
Authors: Ani Najeeb Mansoor , Pillai Sankaranarayana , Chavali Murthy
Published: July 2014

Prostate-specific antigen or PSA is a protein biomarker which is produced by the cells of prostate gland. The normal level of PSA in blood is often elevated in men with prostate cancer. In India, prostate cancer is one among the five, mostly cited cancer in men and it is getting increased by 1% every year. The screening test used for prostate cancer is the Prostate Specific Antigen test. The first PSA assay was determined in 1979. Most of the current techniques used for PSA detection are utilizing large analyzers, there by increased time and cost. Increased PSA levels can also because of prostatitis (inflammation of the prostate gland) or due to many other reasons. A proper technique to differential diagnose this disease is also an issue. The benchmark for the PSA level cannot be determined accurately. For this, various types of biosensors are used. This review journal is is trying to analyze variouus Nano-Biosensors used for early detection of PSA from blood in an early stage itself.
Hypocrisy in stewardship: An ethical reading of Malachi 3:6–12 in the context of Christian stewardship
Authors: Bọlọjẹ B. Onoriodẹ , Groenewald Alphonso
Published: July 2014

The biblical concept of stewardship has been subjected to some misunderstanding. Each time the word stewardship is mentioned, the meaning that easily comes to mind is that of money. One of the means through which Christians express their appreciation to God is through dedicated and trustworthy stewardship. In the book of Malachi the focus on the tithe in particularly in the fifth disputation oracle (3:6–12) is closely associated with the issue of disrespect for the Lord. The people’s perspective with respect to and use of their wealth and/or personal effects was simply a symptom of the viability of their covenant relationship with Yahweh. An acknowledgement of Yahweh’s ultimate ownership and/or proprietorship over all things, his generosity and faithfulness in juxtaposition to the deceitfulness of the people as demonstrated by Malachi serves as enough motivation for total Christian stewardship. This article highlights the economic reality of Yehud during Malachi’s day, the intricacies of the prophet’s accusations of hypocrisy concerning the tithe, and in an attempt to be dispassionate as well as careful, the article concludes by emphasising some underlying principles with regard to Christian stewardship which will serve as a reminder to Christians about their ethical responsibility.
The pedagogical role of multicultural leadership in post-apartheid South Africa
Authors: Dames Gordon E. , Dames Glenda A.
Published: July 2014

Practical theology in the 21st century is faced with increasing diversity that requires a new pedagogy to address multicultural challenges. Multiculturalism serves as a subversive agency for monocultural and ‘silent minority’ landscapes. It might also contribute to the development of an identity pedagogue for the three public spaces of theology, specifically in South Africa, where this new democracy seeks a new culture of humanity and has to deal with the dichotomy of a multicultural society and a resistant monocultural ‘laager’ mentality of minority races. Despite the promising start to its democracy, South Africa has many social challenges and practical theology has a role to play by reflecting on how we understand and embody the relationship between faith, culture and public life. To this end, this article seeks to reflect critically on spirituality, leadership and social transformation praxis in search of meaning-forming multicultural praxes.
Assessing Family Medicine Residents' Communication Skills From the Patient's Perspective: Evaluating the Communication Assessment Tool
Authors: Myerholtz Linda
Published: July 2014

Background

The Communication Assessment Tool (CAT), a paper-based patient survey, is 1 method to assess residents' interpersonal and communication skills. To further enhance the interpretation of the CAT, benchmark data are needed.

Objective

We sought to expand upon initial benchmarking data for the use of the CAT as an evaluation tool in family medicine residency programs.

Methods

Data were collected on 120 residents from 7 family medicine residency programs. Following an appointment with a resident, 1703 patients completed the CAT.

Results

The overall mean percentage of items rated as excellent was 73%. Significant differences were found in the overall percentage of items rated as “excellent” based on location of training (78% US graduate versus 71% international medical graduate) and native language of the resident (76% English speaking versus 69% non-English speaking). There were no significant differences found in the overall percentage of items rated as excellent based on the year of training or sex of the residents.

Conclusions

These benchmarking data allow family medicine residency programs to compare the performance of their residents with other programs. The CAT can be used as an evaluation and a learning tool in family medicine and may be applicable to other specialties.
Expanding Health Policy and Advocacy Education for Graduate Trainees
Authors: Long Theodore , Chaiyachati Krisda H. , Khan Ali , Siddharthan Trishul , Meyer Emily , Brienza Rebecca
Published: July 2014

Background

Education in health policy and advocacy is recognized as an important component of health professional training. To date, curricula have only been assessed at the medical school level.

Objective

We sought to address the gap in these curricula for residents and other health professionals in primary care.

Innovation

We created a health policy and advocacy curriculum for the VA Connecticut Healthcare System, Center of Excellence in Primary Care Education, an interprofessional, ambulatory-based, training program that includes internal medicine residents, nurse practitioner fellows, health psychology fellows, and pharmacy residents. The policy module focuses on health care finance and delivery, and the advocacy module emphasizes negotiation skills and opinion-based writing. Trainee attitudes were surveyed before and after the course, and using the Wilcoxon signed rank test, relative change was determined. Knowledge acquisition was evaluated with precourse and postcourse examinations using a paired sample t test.

Results

From July 2011 through June 2013, 16 trainees completed the course. In the postcourse survey, trainees demonstrated improved comfort with understanding health law and the American health care system (Likert mean increased from 2.1 to 3.0, P  =  .01), as well as with associated advocacy skills (Likert mean increased from 2.0 to 2.9, P  =  .04). Knowledge-based test scores also showed significant improvement (increasing from 55% to 78% correct, P ≤ .001).

Conclusions

Our curriculum integrating core health policy knowledge with advocacy skills represents a novel approach in postgraduate health professional education and resulted in sustained improvement in knowledge and comfort with health policy and advocacy.
A Novel Approach to Practice-Based Learning and Improvement Using a Web-Based Audit and Feedback Module
Authors: Boggan Joel C. , Cheely George , Shah Bimal R. , Heffelfinger Randy , Springall Deanna , Thomas Samantha M. , Zaas Aimee , Bae Jonathan
Published: July 2014

Background

Systematically engaging residents in large programs in quality improvement (QI) is challenging.

Objective

To coordinate a shared QI project in a large residency program using an online tool.

Methods

A web-based QI tool guided residents through a 2-phase evaluation of performance of foot examinations in patients with diabetes. In phase 1, residents completed reviews of health records with online data entry. Residents were then presented with personal performance data relative to peers and were prompted to develop improvement plans. In phase 2, residents again reviewed personal performance. Rates of performance were compared at the program and clinic levels for each phase, with data presented for residents. Acceptability was measured by the number of residents completing each phase. Feasibility was measured by estimated faculty, programmer, and administrator time and costs.

Results

Seventy-nine of 86 eligible residents (92%) completed improvement plans and reviewed 1471 patients in phase 1, whereas 68 residents (79%) reviewed 1054 patient charts in phase 2. Rates of performance of examination increased significantly between phases (from 52% to 73% for complete examination, P < .001). Development of the tool required 130 hours of programmer time. Project analysis and management required 6 hours of administrator and faculty time monthly.

Conclusions

An online tool developed and implemented for program-wide QI initiatives successfully engaged residents to participate in QI activities. Residents using this tool demonstrated improvement in a selected quality target. This tool could be adapted by other graduate medical education programs or for faculty development.
Fog scavenging of organic and inorganic aerosol in the Po Valley
Authors: Gilardoni S. , Massoli P. , Giulianelli L. , Rinaldi M. , Paglione M. , Pollini F. , Lanconelli C. , Poluzzi V. , Carbone S. , Hillamo R. , Russell L. M. , Facchini M. C. , Fuzzi S.
Published: July 2014

Abstract. The interaction of aerosol with atmospheric water affects the processing and wet removal of atmospheric particles. Understanding such interaction is mandatory to improve model description of aerosol lifetime and ageing. We analyzed the aerosol–water interaction at high relative humidity during fog events in the Po Valley within the framework of the Agenzia Regionale per la Prevenzione e l'Ambiente (ARPA) – Emilia Romagna supersite project. For the first time in this area, the changes in particle chemical composition caused by fog are discussed along with changes in particle microphysics. During the experiment, 14 fog events were observed. The average mass scavenging efficiency was 70% for nitrate, 68% for ammonium, 61% for sulfate, 50% for organics, and 39% for black carbon. After fog formation, the interstitial aerosol was dominated by particles smaller than 200 nm Dva (vacuum aerodynamic diameter) and enriched in carbonaceous aerosol, mainly black carbon and water-insoluble organic aerosol. For each fog event, the size-segregated scavenging efficiency of nitrate and organic aerosol (OA) was calculated by comparing chemical species size distribution before and after fog formation. For both nitrate and OA, the size-segregated scavenging efficiency followed a sigmoidal curve, with values close to zero below 100 nm Dva and close to 1 above 700 nm Dva. OA was able to affect scavenging efficiency of nitrate in particles smaller than 300 nm Dva. A linear correlation between nitrate scavenging and particle hygroscopicity (κ) was observed, indicating that 44–51% of the variability of nitrate scavenging in smaller particles (below 300 nm Dva) was explained by changes in particle chemical composition. The size-segregated scavenging curves of OA followed those of nitrate, suggesting that organic scavenging was controlled by mixing with water-soluble species. In particular, functional group composition and OA elemental analysis indicated that more oxidized OA was scavenged more efficiently than less oxidized OA. Nevertheless, the small variability of organic functional group composition during the experiment did not allow us to discriminate the effect of different organic functionalities on OA scavenging.
Greenland Ice Sheet sensitivity and sea level contribution in the mid-Pliocene warm period – Pliocene Ice Sheet Model Intercomparison Project PLISMIP
Authors: Koenig S. J. , Dolan A. M. , de Boer B. , Stone E. J. , Hill D. J. , DeConto R. M. , Abe-Ouchi A. , Lunt D. J. , Pollard D. , Quiquet A. , Saito F. , Savage J. , van de Wal R.
Published: July 2014

Abstract. The understanding of the nature and behavior of ice sheets in past warm periods is important to constrain the potential impacts of future climate change. The mid-Pliocene Warm Period (2.97 to 3.29 Ma) has global temperatures similar to those projected for future climates, nevertheless Pliocene ice locations and extents are still poorly constrained. We present results from the efforts to simulate mid-Pliocene Greenland ice sheets by means of the international Pliocene Ice Sheet Modeling Intercomparison Project (PLISMIP). We compare the performance of existing numerical ice sheet models in simulating modern control and mid-Pliocene ice sheets by a suite of sensitivity experiments guided by available proxy records. We quantify equilibrated ice sheet volume on Greenland, identifying a potential range in sea level contributions from warm Pliocene scenarios. A series of statistical measures are performed to quantify the confidence of simulations with focus on inter-model and inter-scenario differences. We find that Pliocene Greenland ice sheets are less sensitive to differences in ice sheet model configurations and internal physical quantities, than to changes in imposed climate forcing. We conclude that Pliocene ice was most likely to be limited to highest elevations in East and South as simulated with the highest confidence and by synthesizing available regional proxies, although extents of those ice caps need to be further constrained by using a range of GCM climate forcings.
A catalytic combustion-type CO gas sensor incorporating aluminum nitride as an intermediate heat transfer layer for accelerated response time
Authors: Hosoya A. , Tamura S. , Imanaka N.
Published: July 2014

Abstract. A catalytic combustion-type carbon monoxide gas sensor exhibiting good sensing performance even at moderate temperatures was previously developed by employing a Pt loaded CeO2–ZrO2–SnO2 solid solution as the CO oxidizing catalyst. The addition of aluminum nitride as an intermediate heat transfer layer between the Pt coil and the CO oxidizing catalyst drastically accelerated the response of this device to CO at temperatures as low as 70 °C.
Nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium and magnesium release from two compressed fertilizers: column experiments
Authors: Fernández-Sanjurjo M. J. , Alvarez-Rodríguez E. , Núñez-Delgado A. , Fernández-Marcos M. L. , Romar-Gasalla A.
Published: July 2014

Abstract. We used soil columns to study nutrients release from two compressed NPK fertilizers. The columns were filled with soil material from the surface horizon of a granitic soil. Tablets of two slow-release NPK fertilizers (11-18-11 or 8-8-16) were placed into the soil, and then water was percolated through the columns in a saturated regime. Percolates were analyzed for N, P, K, Ca and Mg. These nutrients were also determined in soil and fertilizer tablets at the end of the trials. Nutrient concentrations were high in the first percolates, reaching a steady state when 1426 mm water have percolated, which is equivalent to approximately 1.5 years of rainfall in the geographic area. In the whole trial, both tablets lost more than 80% of their initial N, P and K contents. However, K, Ca and Mg were the most leached, whereas N and P were lost in leachates to a lesser extent. Nutrient release was slower from the tablet with composition 8-8-16 than from the 11-18-11 fertilizer. In view of that, the 8-8-16 tablet can be considered more adequate for crops with a nutrient demand sustained over time. At the end of the trial, the effects of these fertilizers on soil chemical parameters were still evident.
Eclecticismo en la intervención con adolescentes en conflicto con la ley
Authors: Botija Yagüe María De las Mercedes
Published: July 2014

El Trabajo Social, como disciplina científica, se dota de marcos conceptuales que derivan de otras ciencias sociales, que legitiman y avalan su práctica profesional. A lo largo de su historia, han ido produciéndose enfoques conceptuales y modelos teóricos que dirigen la intervención profesional con la finalidad de abordar eficazmente, la pluralidad de problemáticas y demandas sociales que integra su ámbito de actuación. En el presente artículo, se exponen aquellos esquemas referenciales cuya aplicación resulta particularmente fructífera en la intervención con adolecentes en conflicto con la ley en el ámbito nacional. Como consecuencia, se describen y contrastan los principales modelos, recogiendo la heterogeneidad de las intervenciones, de enfoques y vertientes teóricas en que se fundamentan y concretan sus principales aportaciones al trabajo con este sector poblacional. Como resultado, se formula un conjunto de principios orientadores de la actuación profesional, que ofrece elementos significativos para el ejercicio del Trabajo Social en este ámbito concreto.
Una experiencia de Trabajo Social de grupo con pacientes con enfermedad mental grave y crónica. Una alternativa de recuperación psicosocial
Authors: Alonso Cristina
Published: July 2014

Este articulo trata de mostrar una forma de intervención en grupo, a través de bajo la mirada de un trabajador social. Los participantes son personas con enfermedad mental grave y crónica, todos ellos incluidos en un programa de rehabilitación psicosocial y con seguimiento terapéutico en lo que denominamos continuidad de cuidados. Los protagonistas muestran relatos y testimonios personales en su manera de vivir y sentir la enfermedad mental. Una intervención grupal que rescata dificultades en la relación social y focaliza la mirada profesional en cómo potenciar y compartir en grupo recursos para abordarlas. Esta intervención de trabajo social se ha realizado en un centro de salud mental, ambulatorio y público, de la Comunidad de Madrid. Con una metodología que trata de poner voz a los testimonios individuales de pacientes a través de textos escritos. En dichos textos, se recuperan y transmiten vivencias, historias, «sus historias» con modos de expresión diferentes y particulares. Experiencias que potencian no solo, la recuperación de la propia imagen e identidad sino la relación y representación de la enfermedad mental en la sociedad.
Análisis de la satisfacción y de la calidad percibida por las personas atendidas en los Servicios Sociales Comunitarios del Centro Municipal de Servicios Sociales Delicias del Ayuntamiento de Zaragoza
Authors: De la Peña Salas Eva
Published: July 2014

La calidad del servicio es un tema de actualidad presente en los discursos políticos, técnicos y de la sociedad en general, así como en los procesos de planificación, programas y proyectos sociales. Utilizando la escala SERVQUAL, conoceremos algunos aspectos de medida de la satisfacción y calidad percibida, a través de la mirada de las personas atendidas en un centro municipal de Servicios Sociales comunitarios, permitiéndonos, al equipo interdisciplinar, la mejor adaptación posible a las necesidades de estas personas. El ámbito más valorado es el de la «seguridad» y la «confianza » que transmiten los profesionales en el trato, mientras que el aspecto que presenta menor puntuación es su «capacidad de respuesta», entendida como la dificultad que tiene los profesionales de hacer frente y con rapidez a las demandas de los usuarios y usuarias. El índice general de satisfacción alcanza el 4.64 en una escala de 5, siendo mayoritariamente, el 76,4 por ciento, quienes valoran como «excelente» su sentimiento por los servicios que presta el centro municipal de Servicios Sociales de Delicias.
Acompañamiento como metodología de Trabajo Social en tiempos de cólera
Authors: Raya Díez Esther , Caparrós Civera Neus
Published: July 2014

En el artículo se presenta el acompañamiento como metodología del Trabajo Social, que trata de dar respuesta a las necesidades y problemas sociales en un contexto fuertemente marcado por la crisis económica, con la agudización de los problemas sociales y la pérdida de intensidad de las políticas públicas en materia social. Ello está generando un cambio en el rol profesional, ante la insuficiencia, cuando no carencia de recursos. El artículo se estructura en tres partes: a) en la primera se parte de una mirada al trabajo social actual, la profesión vive momentos de cólera, rabia, impotencia ante la presión que sobre el sistema de servicios sociales se está produciendo, por el incremento de las situaciones de necesidad y por el recorte de los presupuestos en gasto social; b) en la segunda parte, se presenta la convicción de que el acompañamiento es la metodología propia del Trabajo Social, basada en la relación de ayuda. Se describe la metodología del acompañamiento y los métodos y técnicas de intervención aplicados a la relación de ayuda, que posibilitan el cambio de rol del profesional de gestor de recursos a generador de recursos; c) en la tercera parte se realiza una reivindicación a favor de un trabajo social orientado por la investigación y el contraste teórico-práctico de la intervención en la realidad social.
Garantías en el ejercicio de un derecho social en el marco de una difuminada relación entre público y privado: no da lo mismo
Authors: Montalbá Ocaña Carmen
Published: July 2014

La implementación de la Ley de Promoción de la Autonomía personal y Atención a situaciones de Dependencia (LAPAD), en la Comunidad Valenciana ha sido un escenario privilegiado para la observación y el análisis del impacto de la relación entre público y privado en un derecho social reconocido. Este artículo condensa algunas de las conclusiones que derivan del estudio de caso sobre el ciclo de vida de esta Ley en la Comunidad Valenciana durante el periodo 2006-2012. El objetivo de esta investigación es identificar las razones que contribuyen a incrementar la brecha entre la formulación legal y su efectiva implementación. Los resultados obtenidos fijan la atención en aquellas dimensiones que remiten al modelo institucional que acoge el derecho social y aquellas condiciones que posibilitan o dificultan su pleno ejercicio, siendo uno de los obstáculos identificados en el reconocimiento y ejercicio del derecho la relación público-privada en la política social valenciana.
Translation Is Blind: Reflections on Narcissus and the Possibility of a Queer Echo
Authors: Richmond-Garza Elizabeth
Published: July 2014

Jacques Derrida invites a reconsideration of the myth of Echo and Narcissus. Echo's voice translates and remediates Narcissus's beauty. In this “histoire d'amour,” it is the blind repeating of someone else's words which constitutes her voice. And this translating voice is hers, not merely a borrowing from Narcissus. Derek Jarman's Blue (1993) and the medium of film itself equally promise the power to mirror/echo the human, to translate sound and motion to the flat reflective surface of projection and to preserve voices in a sound track. At least two queer texts from the turn of the nineteenth century anticipate this Derridean “blind echo,” Oscar Wilde's prose poem “The Disciple” (1894) and Rainer Maria Rilke's “Narziß” (1913). Lou Andreas-Salomé, in “Der Mensch als Wieb” (1899), moreover, sees a double directionality of narcissism. All three insist that the surface on which Narcissus views his reflection and Echo's repetition are not an abject predication but rather the initiation of a relationship. Translation does not elide the différence between original and translation. Instead, it asks us to consider closely the surface which ensures that such différence will always be present.
Untranslatable Desire: Interethnic Relationships in Franco–Arab Literature
Authors: Mack Mehammed Amadeus
Published: July 2014

This article examines the sexualization of postcolonial relations at the level of literature, paying special attention to how postcolonial resentment is portrayed via the figure of the “Arab boy,” transplanted from an exploited status in colonial settings to an unassimilated status in contemporary France. The difficulties of communication that occur, when certain French writers aim to depict this Arab figure, are then sourced to problems of cultural translation in a variety of instances. Gay-identified Moroccan authors like Rachid O. and Abdellah Taïa, who write in French from France, have responded to calls for sexual disclosure as “native informants,” while simultaneously supplying disturbing and destabilizing answers in stories often featuring sexualized Arab youth. These writers first reify and then challenge a tradition of sexualized literary collaboration that has existed ever since the writer and translator Paul Bowles fostered the emergence of Moroccan voices for a Western audience. Contemporary writers like Renaud Camus and Frédéric Mitterrand have themselves pursued forms of collaboration with North African cultural actors that recall the collaborative precedent. Between the era of Tangiers as a haven for gay writers and now, however, their young Arab interlocutors have gone from being available and servile, to “difficult” and resentful.
Barbara Branden's Bibliography
Authors: Bissell Roger E.
Published: July 2014

This is an expanded, annotated bibliography of the work of the late Barbara Branden, who was Ayn Rand's first biographer, and who made many contributions to the early Objectivist literature.