Controlling air leaks using free pericardial fat pads as surgical sealant in pulmonary resection.

PubMed

Ikeda, Takeshi; Sasaki, Masato; Yamada, Narihisa; Takamori, Atsushi; Tanabe, Sawaka; Okada, Akitoshi; Sakon, Kayo; Mizunaga, Tae; Koshiji, Takaaki

2015-04-01

This study evaluated the feasibility and efficacy of a new operative method for controlling intraoperative air leaks using free pericardial fat pads as a covering sealant in pulmonary resection. To manage air leaks that must be controlled in pulmonary resection at the first water sealing test, collected free pericardial fat was used as a covering sealant and sewn on by the suture closing the lesion. In cases of uncontrolled air leaks at the second sealing test, fibrin glue was used to fill the residual lesion between the fat and visceral pleura. Fifty-one eligible patients were enrolled in this study to evaluate the duration of postoperative air leaks and the condition of the implanted fat on chest computed tomography (CT) 6 months later. The mean duration of postoperative air leaks was 1.05 ± 1.84 days in the 39 cases that received the pericardial fat covering technique only and 2.66 ± 3.42 days in the 12 cases that received the pericardial fat covering technique combined with fibrin glue. Prolonged alveolar air leaks occurred in 1 case and 2 cases, respectively. No cases required conversion to conventional methods, and there were no further adverse events. On follow-up chest CT approximately 62.7% of obvious engrafted fat survived. Using free pericardial fat pads as a sealant to control air leaks in pulmonary resection is safe and has good feasibility and potent efficacy. This new method can be an innovative technique for preventing prolonged air leaks. Copyright © 2015 The Society of Thoracic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Understanding natural capital

USGS Publications Warehouse

Stallard, Robert F.; Hall, Jefferson S.; Kirn, Vanessa; Yanguas-Fernandez, Estrella

2015-01-01

This chapter serves to introduce the geophysics of Neotropical steeplands. Topics are covered in a general manner with hyperlinks to active research and monitoring sites (such as the National Hurricane Center and US Geological Survey publication). Topics covered include ‘tropical climate and weather,’ ‘climate variations and trends,’ Neotropical ‘geology, and soils,’ ‘hillslopes and erosion,’ ‘lakes and reservoirs,’ and ‘effects of land cover on water quality and quantity.’ Obviously, this is a lot of information to cover in a short chapter, hence the use of hyperlinks. The last theme ‘effects of land cover on water quality and quantity’ is covered by case studies, in all of which I have been centrally involved. These studies were chosen because they are among the few studies with sufficient data of high enough quality to reach definitive conclusions.

Electro-thermometric study on the healing of free gingival grafts covered by two different dressings.

PubMed

Jańczuk, Z; Banach, J; Pastusiak, J; Syryńska, M; Zakrzewski, J

1990-01-01

The aim of the study was to evaluate the healing of the gingival grafts covered with Solcoseryl dental adhesive paste (Solco Basel AG) in comparison with the grafts covered with Peripac. By means of thermistor thermometer coupled with a chart recorder, three series of temperature as time recordings of grafted tissues after normalized cooling were performed--before grafting, 2 and 12 weeks after grafting. On the basis of temperature recovery curves obtained, the blood supply coefficients were computed. It was revealed that in the Solcoseryl group there was an improvement in blood supply in 75% of the cases--2 weeks, and 66%--12 weeks after grafting. In the other group, the same reaction was observed only in 50% and 30% of the cases respectively.

A Study on the Failure of Conventional Deterrence: The Case Study of the Bombardment of Yeonpyeong in 2010

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-12-01

December 2016 3. REPORT TYPE AND DATES COVERED Master’s thesis 4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE A STUDY ON THE FAILURE OF CONVENTIONAL DETERRENCE: THE CASE ...Approved for public release. Distribution is unlimited A STUDY ON THE FAILURE OF CONVENTIONAL DETERRENCE: THE CASE STUDY OF THE BOMBARDMENT OF...necessary to analyze these diverse elements comprehensively. E. RESEARCH DESIGN This thesis focuses on a single case study about the bombardment of

Richer histories for more relevant policies: 42 years of tree cover loss and gain in Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia.

PubMed

Kelley, Lisa C; Evans, Samuel G; Potts, Matthew D

2017-02-01

Understandings of contemporary forest cover loss are critical for policy but have come at the expense of long-term, multidirectional analyses of land cover change. This is a critical gap given (i) profound reconfigurations in land use and land control over the past several decades and (ii) evidence of widespread 'woodland resurgence' throughout the tropics. In this study, we argue that recent advancements within the field of land change science provide new opportunities to address this gap. In turn, we suggest that multidecadal and multidirectional analyses of land cover change can facilitate richer social analyses of land cover change and more relevant conservation policies and practice. Our argument is grounded in a case study from Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia. Using a novel analytical platform, Google Earth Engine, and open access to high-quality Landsat data, we map land cover change in Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia, from 1972 to 2014. We find that tree cover loss constitutes the single largest net change over the period 1972-2014 but that gross rates of tree cover gain were three times higher than gross loss rates from 1972 to 1995 and equivalent to loss rates from 1995 to 2014. We suggest the smallholder tree crop economy likely produced both forest loss and Imperata grassland restoration in this region. This case points to the need to expand rather than collapse the baselines used to study carbon and biodiversity change in tropical regions. It also demonstrates the possible utility of applying such methods to other regions. © 2016 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Reverse radial artery flap for soft tissue defects of hand in pediatric age group.

PubMed

Cheema, Saeed Ashraf; Talaat, Nabeela

2009-01-01

To highlight the usefulness of reverse radial artery flap in covering various soft tissue defects of hand in paediatric age group. A total of 16 reverse radial artery flaps were utilized in a period of three years to cover various soft tissue defects of hand for paediatric age group patients. The age ranged from 5-18 years. The two common causes of soft tissue defects in this series were mechanical trauma and fireworks trauma with five cases in each group. Three of the cases were burn victims and other two presented with earth quake injuries. One patient had wound because of road traffic accident. Soft tissue defects of palm were covered with this flap in eight cases while in three cases it was wrapped around the thumb. First web space defects were covered with this flap in two cases. Two cases required coverage of amputation stump at transmetacarpal level and yet another required a big flap to cover the soft tissue defects at palm, dorsum and thumb. Donor site was covered with split skin graft in all cases but one, which was closed primarily. We had partial loss of flap in one case. Grafted donor sites healed uneventfully and were quite acceptable to the patients in due course of time. Reverse radial artery flap has a quite long arc of rotation which brings it great ease to cover the soft tissue defects of various areas of hand like palm, dorsum, first web space and thumb.

A comparison between conventional and LANDSAT based hydrologic modeling: The Four Mile Run case study

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ragan, R. M.; Jackson, T. J.; Fitch, W. N.; Shubinski, R. P.

1976-01-01

Models designed to support the hydrologic studies associated with urban water resources planning require input parameters that are defined in terms of land cover. Estimating the land cover is a difficult and expensive task when drainage areas larger than a few sq. km are involved. Conventional and LANDSAT based methods for estimating the land cover based input parameters required by hydrologic planning models were compared in a case study of the 50.5 sq. km (19.5 sq. mi) Four Mile Run Watershed in Virginia. Results of the study indicate that the LANDSAT based approach is highly cost effective for planning model studies. The conventional approach to define inputs was based on 1:3600 aerial photos, required 110 man-days and a total cost of $14,000. The LANDSAT based approach required 6.9 man-days and cost $2,350. The conventional and LANDSAT based models gave similar results relative to discharges and estimated annual damages expected from no flood control, channelization, and detention storage alternatives.

Training for Corrections: Rationale and Techniques.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Southern Illinois Univ., Carbondale. Center for the Study of Crime, Delinquency and Corrections.

A manual focuses on how to teach in inservice training programs for professional personnel in correctional agencies. A chapter on rationale discusses training objectives and curriculum. A second chapter covers learning environment, lesson plans, and learning problems. One, on teaching techniques, covers lecture, group discussion, case study,…

Case Studies in Educational Performance Contracting. Part 1. Conclusions and Implications.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Carpenter, Polly; Hall, George R.

This volume presents conclusions and implications derived from five cities' experience with performance contracting in education: Norfolk, Virginia; Texarkana, Arkansas (with Liberty-Eylau, Texas); Gary, Indiana, Gilroy, California; and Grand Rapids, Michigan. The five case studies cover eight programs in 15 schools. While each study is treated in…

How and Why of User Studies: RLG's RedLightGreen as a Case Study

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Proffitt, Merrilee

2006-01-01

This article documents a lifecycle approach to employing user-centered design, covering both qualitative and quantitative data gathering methods in support of using this approach for product design, usability testing, and market research. The author provides specific case studies of usability studies, focus groups, interviews, ethnographic…

Global Inequalities: Gender, Class, and Race/Ethnicity.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Shope, Janet Hinson; Singer, Eric

1996-01-01

Discusses a case study approach to internationalizing an undergraduate interdisciplinary sociology course that explores the sources and consequences of inequality. Presents three case studies from Baltimore (Maryland), Japan, and Zimbabwe, each one detailing social and economic causes of inequality. Briefly covers class assignments and a…

Response of Arctic Snow and Sea Ice Extents to Melt Season Atmospheric Forcing Across the Land-Ocean Boundary

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bliss, A. C.; Anderson, M. R.

2011-12-01

Little research has gone into studying the concurrent variations in the annual loss of continental snow cover and sea ice extent across the land-ocean boundary, however, the analysis of these data averaged spatially over three study regions located in North America and Eastern and Western Russia, reveals a distinct difference in the response of anomalous snow and sea ice conditions to the atmospheric forcing. This study compares the monthly continental snow cover and sea ice extent loss in the Arctic, during the melt season months (May-August) for the period 1979-2007, with regional atmospheric conditions known to influence summer melt including: mean sea level pressures, 925 hPa air temperatures, and mean 2 m U and V wind vectors from NCEP/DOE Reanalysis 2. The monthly hemispheric snow cover extent data used are from the Rutgers University Global Snow Lab and sea ice extents for this study are derived from the monthly passive microwave satellite Bootstrap algorithm sea ice concentrations available from the National Snow and Ice Data Center. Three case study years (1985, 1996, and 2007) are used to compare the direct response of monthly anomalous sea ice and snow cover areal extents to monthly mean atmospheric forcing averaged spatially over the extent of each study region. This comparison is then expanded for all summer months over the 29 year study period where the monthly persistence of sea ice and snow cover extent anomalies and changes in the sea ice and snow conditions under differing atmospheric conditions are explored further. The monthly anomalous atmospheric conditions are classified into four categories including: warmer temperatures with higher pressures, warmer temperatures with lower pressures, cooler temperatures with higher pressures, and cooler temperatures with lower pressures. Analysis of the atmospheric conditions surrounding anomalous loss of snow and ice cover over the independent study regions indicates that conditions of warmer temperatures advected via southerly winds are effective at forcing melt, while conditions of anomalously cool temperatures with persistent, strong northeasterly winds in the later melt season months are also effective at removing anomalous extents of sea ice cover, likely through ice divergence. Normalized sea ice extent anomalies, regardless of the snow cover, tend to persist in the same positive or negative directions (or remain near normal) from month to month over the summer season in 73.6% of cases from June to July, in 69% of cases from July to August, and in 54% of cases for the entire season (June-August) for the 29 year study period. However, when shifts in the sea ice extent anomaly directions from the conditions present in the early melt season occur, it is generally associated with a shift in the atmospheric conditions forcing the change in sea ice extent loss for the region.

Application of MODIS Products to Infer Possible Relationships Between Basin Land Cover and Coastal Waters Turbidity Using the Magdalena River, Colombia, as a Case Study

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Madrinan, Max Jacobo Moreno; Cordova, Africa Flores; Olivares, Francisco Delgado; Irwin, Dan

2012-01-01

Basin development and consequent change in basin land cover have been often associated with an increased turbidity in coastal waters because of sediment yield and nutrients loading. The later leads to phytoplankton abundance further exacerbating water turbidity. This subsequently affects biological and physical processes in coastal estuaries by interfering with sun light penetration to coral reefs and sea grass, and even affecting public health. Therefore, consistent estimation of land cover changes and turbidity trend lines is crucial to design environmental and restoration management plans, to predict fate of possible pollutants, and to estimate sedimentary fluxes into the ocean. Ground solely methods to estimate land cover change would be unpractical and traditional methods of monitoring in situ water turbidity can be very expensive and time consuming. Accurate monitoring on the status and trends of basin land cover as well as the water quality of the receiving water bodies are required for analysis of relationships between the two variables. Use of remote sensing (RS) technology provides a great benefit for both fields of study, facilitating monitoring of changes in a timely and cost effective manner and covering wide areas with long term measurements. In this study, the Magdalena River basin and fixed geographical locations in the estuarine waters of its delta are used as a case to study the temporal trend lines of both, land cover change and the reflectance of the water turbidity using satellite technology. Land cover data from a combined product between sensors Terra and Aqua (MCD12Q1) from MODIS will be adapted to the conditions in the Magdalena basin to estimate changes in land cover since year 2000 to 2009. Surface reflectance data from a MODIS, Terra (MOD09GQ), band 1, will be used in lieu of in situ water turbidity for the time period between 2000 and present. Results will be compared with available existing data.

Patriot War and the Fenian Raids: Case Studies in Border Security on the U.S. Canada Border in the Nineteenth Century

DTIC Science & Technology

2017-06-09

THE PATRIOT WAR AND THE FENIAN RAIDS: CASE STUDIES IN BORDER SECURITY ON THE U.S.-CANADA BORDER IN THE NINETEENTH CENTURY...3. DATES COVERED (From - To) AUG 2016 – JUN 2017 4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE The Patriot War and the Fenian Raids: Case Studies in Border Security on ...nineteenth century. The Patriot War and Fenian Raids are examined as case studies on the same border occurring roughly thirty years apart. The

CASE STUDIES OF RADON REDUCTION RESEARCH IN 13 SCHOOL BUILDINGS

EPA Science Inventory

The report details 13 case studies covering radon mitigation research in school buildings from 1990 to 1992. he 13 schools are in Colorado, Maine, Minnesota, Ohio, South Dakota, Tennessee, and the State of Washington. iagnostics were carried out in all of these schools, and sugge...

CASE STUDIES OF RADON REDUCTION RESEARCH IN 13 SCHOOL BUILDINGS

EPA Science Inventory

The report details 13 case studies covering radon mitigation research in school buildings from 1990 to 1992. The 13 schools are in Colorado, Maine, Minnesota, Ohio, South Dakota, Tennessee, and the State of Washington. Diagnostics were carried out in all of these schools, and s...

The Association Between Urban Tree Cover and Gun Assault: A Case-Control and Case-Crossover Study.

PubMed

Kondo, Michelle C; South, Eugenia C; Branas, Charles C; Richmond, Therese S; Wiebe, Douglas J

2017-08-01

Green space and vegetation may play a protective role against urban violence. We investigated whether being near urban tree cover during outdoor activities was related to being assaulted with a gun. We conducted geographic information systems-assisted interviews with boys and men aged 10-24 years in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, including 135 patients who had been shot with a firearm and 274 community controls, during 2008-2011. Each subject reported a step-by-step mapped account of where and with whom they traveled over a full day from waking until being assaulted or going to bed. Geocoded path points were overlaid on mapped layers representing tree locations and place-specific characteristics. Conditional logistic regressions were used to compare case subjects versus controls (case-control) and case subjects at the time of injury versus times earlier that day (case-crossover). When comparing cases at the time of assault to controls matched at the same time of day, being under tree cover was inversely associated with gunshot assault (odds ratio (OR) = 0.70, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.55, 0.88), especially in low-income areas (OR = 0.69, 95% CI: 0.54, 0.87). Case-crossover models confirmed this inverse association overall (OR = 0.55, 95% CI: 0.34, 0.89) and in low-income areas (OR = 0.54, 95% CI: 0.33, 0.88). Urban greening and tree cover may hold promise as proactive strategies to decrease urban violence. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health 2017. This work is written by (a) US Government employee(s) and is in the public domain in the US.

Drying firewood in a temporary solar kiln: a case study.

Treesearch

George R. Sampson; Anthony F. Gasbarro

1986-01-01

A pilot study was undertaken to determine drying rates for small diameter, unsplit paper birch firewood that was dried: (1) in a conventional top-covered pile; (2) in a simple, temporary solar kiln; and (3) in tree length. Drying rates were the same for firewood piles whether they were in the temporary solar kilns or only covered on top to keep rain or snow from...

Planning Additions to Academic Library Buildings: A Seamless Approach.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hawthorne, Pat, Ed.; Martin, Ron G., Ed.

This document presents three case studies that illustrate how library staffs and architectural design teams can work together to plan additions that are successful solutions to building problems. The case studies cover the experiences of Hope College, Holland, Michigan (David Jensen, Margaret Jensen), Western Maryland College, Westminster,…

Effect of the 80-hour work week on resident case coverage.

PubMed

Shin, Susanna; Britt, Rebecca; Britt, L D

2008-05-01

On July 1, 2003, residency training programs were required to institute restricted duty hours as mandated by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education. A major concern, voiced by both surgical residents and faculty, was an expectation that this would result in a decrease in operative experience. We hypothesized that implementing restricted duty hours would decrease case coverage by resident trainees. A retrospective study was performed of operative and endoscopic cases scheduled for a single general surgery practice for a year before and after July 1, 2003. Data collected included operation performed, number of attending surgeons present, whether a resident was present, and level of resident. From July 2002 to June 2003, there were 1,278 cases scheduled; 890 records were available. From July 2004 to June 2005, there were 1,182 cases scheduled; 960 records were available. Before institution of the restricted duty hours, 24.6% of junior-level (PGY1 and 2) cases, 21.7% of intermediate-level (PGY3) cases, and 6.2% of senior-level (PGY4 and 5) cases were not covered by residents. After restricted duty hours were implemented, 27.3% of junior-level cases, 15.9% of intermediate-level cases, and 8.1% of senior-level cases were not covered by residents. Overall 20.8% (185 of 890) and 20.4% (196 of 960) of cases were not covered by residents before and after instituting restricted duty hours, respectively. No difference in case coverage was statistically significant in each category or overall. Restricted duty hours have not affected resident case coverage.

Effect of the 80-hour work week on resident case coverage: corrected article.

PubMed

Shin, Susanna; Britt, Rebecca; Britt, L D

2008-07-01

On July 1, 2003, residency training programs were required to institute restricted duty hours as mandated by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education. A major concern,voiced by both surgical residents and faculty, was an expectation that this would result in a decrease in operative experience. We hypothesized that implementing restricted duty hours would decrease case coverage by resident trainees. A retrospective study was per formed of operative and endoscopic cases scheduled for a single general surgery practice for a year before and after July 1, 2003. Data collected included operation per formed, number of attending surgeons present, whether a resident was present,and level of resident. From July 2002 to June 2003, there were 1,278 cases scheduled; 890 records were available. From July 2004 to June 2005, there were 1,182 cases scheduled; 960 records were available. Before institution of the restricted duty hours, 24.6% of junior-level (PGY1 and 2) cases, 21.7%of intermediate-level (PGY3) cases, and 6.2% of senior-level (PGY4 and 5) cases were not covered by residents. After restricted duty hours were implemented, 27.3% of junior-level cases,15.9% of intermediate-level cases, and 8.1% of senior-level cases were not covered by residents. Overall 20.8% (185 of 890) and 20.4% (196 of 960) of cases were not covered by residents before and after instituting restricted duty hours, respectively. No difference in case coverage was statistically significant in each category or overall. Restricted duty hours have not affected resident case coverage.

RETROSPECTIVE LANDSCAPE ANALYSIS, AN APPROACH FOR EVALUATION LAND COVER CHANGE: SAN PEDRO RIVER CASE STUDY

EPA Science Inventory

Vegetation change in the American West has been the subject of much concern and controversy throughout the twentieth century. Over the years, a considerable number and variety of 'claims have been made regarding cause related to changes in land cover. The evidence for vegetat...

Monitoring urban growth and detection of land use with GIS and remote sensing: a case study of the Kyrenia region

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kara, Can; Akçit, Nuhcan

2016-08-01

Land-cover change is considered one of the central components in current strategies for managing natural resources and monitoring environmental changes. It is important to manage land resources in a sustainable manner which targets at compacting and consolidating urban development. From 2005 to 2015,urban growth in Kyrenia has been quite dramatic, showing a wide and scattered pattern, lacking proper plan. As a result of this unplanned/unorganized expansion, agricultural areas, vegetation and water bodies have been lost in the region. Therefore, it has become a necessity to analyze the results of this urban growth and compare the losses between land-cover changes. With this goal in mind, a case study of Kyrenia region has been carried out using a supervised image classification method and Landsat TM images acquired in 2005 and 2015 to map and extract land-cover changes. This paper tries to assess urban-growth changes detected in the region by using Remote Sensing and GIS. The study monitors the changes between different land cover types. Also, it shows the urban occupation of primary soil loss and the losses in forest areas, open areas, etc.

Citizen science land cover classification based on ground and satellite imagery: Case study Day River in Vietnam

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nguyen, Son Tung; Minkman, Ellen; Rutten, Martine

2016-04-01

Citizen science is being increasingly used in the context of environmental research, thus there are needs to evaluate cognitive ability of humans in classifying environmental features. With the focus on land cover, this study explores the extent to which citizen science can be applied in sensing and measuring the environment that contribute to the creation and validation of land cover data. The Day Basin in Vietnam was selected to be the study area. Different methods to examine humans' ability to classify land cover were implemented using different information sources: ground based photos - satellite images - field observation and investigation. Most of the participants were solicited from local people and/or volunteers. Results show that across methods and sources of information, there are similar patterns of agreement and disagreement on land cover classes among participants. Understanding these patterns is critical to create a solid basis for implementing human sensors in earth observation. Keywords: Land cover, classification, citizen science, Landsat 8

Drivers of forest cover dynamics in smallholder farming systems: the case of northwestern Vietnam.

PubMed

Jadin, Isaline; Vanacker, Veerle; Hoang, Huong Thi Thu

2013-04-01

The national-scale forest recovery of Vietnam started in the early 1990s and is associated with a shift from net deforestation to net reforestation. Large disparities in forest cover dynamics are, however, observed at the local scale. This study aims to unravel the mechanisms driving forest cover change for a mountainous region located in northwest Vietnam. Statistical analyses were used to explore the association between forest cover change and household characteristics. In Sa Pa district, deforestation rates are decreasing, but forest degradation continues at similar rates. Deforestation is not necessarily associated with impoverished ethnic communities or high levels of subsistence farming, and the largest forest cover dynamics are found in villages with the best socio-economic conditions. Our empirical study does not provide strong evidence of a dominant role of agriculture in forest cover dynamics. It shows that empirical studies on local-scale forest dynamics remain important to unravel the complexity of human-environment interactions.

Tracing the Knowledge Building Process through Discussions Mediated by a CSCL Environment: A Case Study

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Adanir, Gülgün Afacan

2017-01-01

This case study demonstrates the use of interaction analysis techniques to explore students' knowledge building process evidenced in time-stamped logs of a CSCL environment that consists of chat, shared whiteboard, and wiki features. The study was performed in a graduate level course, which covers online assignments that expect students to…

The Physics of Music with Interdisciplinary Approach: A Case of Prospective Music Teachers

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Turna, Özge; Bolat, Mualla

2016-01-01

Physics of music is an area that is covered by interdisciplinary approach. In this study it is aimed to determine prospective music teachers' level of association with physics concepts which are related to music. The research is a case study which combines qualitative and quantitative methods. Eighty-four students who were studying at the…

Case studies of violations of workers' freedom of association: migrant agricultural workers.

PubMed

2002-01-01

As part of its report "Unfair Advantage: Workers' Freedom of Association in the United States under International Human Rights Standards," Human Rights Watch conducted a series of case studies in a dozen states, covering a variety of industries and employment sectors, analyzing the U.S. experience in the light of both national law and international human rights and labor rights norms. Presented here are the case studies of migrant agricultural workers.

Changing Land Use: The Fens of England. A Case Study in Land Reclamation [And] Student Work Book.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Laws, Kevin

A social studies unit and student workbook explore changes in land use that have occurred in the Fenlands of England since the time it was first inhabited. Fens are lowlying land which is partially or completely covered with water. The English Fens are located on the eastern side of the British Isles and cover a total area of about 2,000 square…

A Case Study of Land Treatment in a Cold Climate-West Dover, Vermont,

DTIC Science & Technology

1982-12-01

Research & ADA124~i8Engineering Laboratory A case study of land treatment in a cold climate- West Dover, Vermont IT C;0 ~󈨜 03 09 052 CRREL Report 82...44 December 1982 A case study of land treatment in a cold climate- West Dover, Vermont J.R. Bouzoun, D.W. Meals and E.A. Cassell Prepared for OFFICE OF...4. TITLE (end SL : 5. TYPE OF REPORT & PERIOD COVERED A CASE STUDY OF LAND TREATMENT IN A COLD CLIMATE-WEST DOVER, VERMONT 6. PERFORMING ORG. REPORT

Indoor Air Quality and Student Performance [and Case Studies].

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC. Office of Radiation and Indoor Air.

This report examines how indoor air quality (IAQ) affects a child's ability to learn and provides several case studies of schools that have successfully addressed their indoor air problems, the lessons learned from that experience, and what long-term practices and policies emerged from the effort. The report covers the effects from…

Stormwater Non-Potable Beneficial Uses and Effects on Urban Infrastructure (WERF Report INFR3SG09)

EPA Science Inventory

This project shows that lessons learned and successes from a wide variety of international stormwater beneficial use projects cover a range of conditions that may be found in the U.S. Examined are case studies from developing countries in both arid and wet climates, case studies...

Impact of urbanization-related land use land cover changes and urban morphology changes on the urban heat island phenomenon.

PubMed

Zhou, Xuefan; Chen, Hong

2018-04-24

Urban growth and development caused by urbanization influence the urban heat island (UHI) phenomenon. With the rapid development of urbanization, China's major cities are facing more serious climate change problems, especially the UHI phenomenon. Proper planning and urban design of compact cities may improve the ventilation of street canyons and change the heat balance in the urban canopy and thus mitigate the UHI phenomenon. The aim of this study is to evaluate and discuss the mitigation of UHI with different types of land-use and land-cover (LUCC), as well as different development patterns for compact cities. To this end, we applied the weather research and forecasting model (WRF) with urban canopy model (WRF/UCM) in this study. To evaluate the impact of LUCC changes on the UHI, we set 2 cases based on land use and land cover statistical data from 1965 and 2008 of Wuhan. Also, to evaluate the impact of urban morphology changes on the UHI, we designed 2 hypothetical cases based on 2 different urban developing patterns, one is high rise case and another is high density case, to simulate the impact of urban morphology on the UHI. As for the results of this study, with different LUCC of 1965 and 2008, UHI intensity of Wuhan increased by 0.2 °C-0.4 °C in average. Moreover, the critical wind speed which can mitigate UHI of case 1965 is much lower than case 2008. With different urban morphology, the high-rise case may lead to lower UHI intensity at the pedestrian level due to the shading effects of high-rise buildings. However, the critical value of wind speed in the high-rise case was almost 1.5-2 times greater than that of the high-density case, which illustrates the reduced possibility of mitigating the UHI phenomenon for high-rise buildings in Wuhan City. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

ASSESSING THE ACCURACY OF SATELLITE-DERIVED LAND COVER CLASSIFICATION USING HISTORICAL AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY DIGITAL ORTHOPHOTO QUADRANGLES, AND AIRBORNE VIDEO DATA

EPA Science Inventory

As the rapidly growing archives of satellite remote sensing imagery now span decades'worth of data, there is increasing interest in the study of long-term regional land cover change across multiple image dates. In most cases, however, temporally coincident ground sampled data are...

ASSESSING THE ACCURACY OF SATELLITE-DERIVED LAND COVER CLASSIFICATION USING HISTORICAL AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY, DIGITAL ORTHOPHOTO QUADDRANGLES, AND AIRBORNE VIDEO DATA

EPA Science Inventory

As the rapidly growing archives of satellite remote sensing imagery now span decades'worth of data, there is increasing interest in the study of long-term regional land cover change across multiple image dates. In most cases, however, temporally coincident ground sampled data are...

ASSESSING THE ACCURACY OF SATELLITE-DERIVED LAND COVER CLASSIFICATION USING HISTORICAL AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY, DIGITAL ORTHOPHOTO QUADRANGLES, AND AIRBORNE VIDEO DATA

EPA Science Inventory

As the rapidly growing archives of satellite remote sensing imagery now span decades' worth of data, there is increasing interest in the study of long-term regional land cover change across multiple image dates. In most cases, however, temporally coincident ground sampled data ar...

Analysis of Mission Effectiveness: Modern System Architecture Tools for Project Developers

DTIC Science & Technology

2017-12-01

operator input and scripted instructions to describe low-level flow. Note that the case study in Chapter IV describes one pass through evaluation...capability of the sensors. A constraint on the case study is that each sensor type must cover the entire operations area. Cost is a function of 53...completed. 5. Assessment This case study focuses on the first recursive refinement phase completed in a multi-phase effort to demonstrate the effects

Automated and Autonomous Systems for Combat Service Support: Scoping Study and Technology Prioritisation

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-10-01

workshop, and use case development for automated and autonomous systems for CSS. The scoping study covers key concepts and trends, a technology scan, and...requirements and delimiters for the selected technologies. The report goes on to present detailed use cases for two technologies of interest: semi...selected use cases . As a result of the workshop, the large list of technologies and applications from the scoping study was narrowed down to the top

Cases on Interdisciplinary Research Trends in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics: Studies on Urban Classrooms. Advances in Educational Technologies and Instructional Design

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lansiquot, Reneta D.

2013-01-01

Involving two or more academic subjects, interdisciplinary studies aim to blend together broad perspectives, knowledge, skills, and epistemology in an educational setting. By focusing on topics or questions too broad for a single discipline to cover, these studies strive to draw connections between seemingly different fields. Cases on…

Cases and Materials on Women and the Law for GS 200: Introduction to Women's Studies.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Knowles, Marjorie Fine, Ed.

Cases and materials used in an undergraduate course, "Women and the Law," are divided to cover women and the Constitution of the U.S. (including the Equal Rights Amendment), the Supreme Court Abortion Decision, and the contemporary legal status of women including employment, education, and criminal law. Fifteen cases highlight the issues…

Lecturing: Case Studies, Experience and Practice. Case Studies of Teaching in Higher Education.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Edwards, Helen, Ed.; Smith, Brenda, Ed.; Webb, Graham, Ed.

The essays in this collection explore how different lecturing situations can be handled and how lecturing confidence and techniques can be improved. The book covers a wide range of scenarios in these chapters: (1) "Learning from Objectives" (Stanley Yeo); (2) "New at This" (Sally Brown); (3) "The Smart Student" (Marilyn Baird); (4) "The Mobile…

Best Practices Case Study: Tindall Homes - Princeton, NJ, Legends at Mansfield, Columbus, NJ

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

None

2011-09-01

Case Study of Tindall Homes, who worked with Building America to design an optimal package including advanced framing, insulated precast concrete basement walls, polyurethane foam in the walls, and R-49 of batt plus blown cellulose in the attics. Some homes included a detached garden shed with photovoltaic panel-covered roofs.

Geostationary Collocation: Case Studies for Optimal Maneuvers

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-03-01

NAVAL POSTGRADUATE SCHOOL MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA THESIS Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited GEOSTATIONARY ...DATES COVERED Master’s thesis 4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE GEOSTATIONARY COLLOCATION: CASE STUDIES FOR OPTIMAL MANEUVERS 5. FUNDING NUMBERS 6...The geostationary belt is considered a natural resource, and as time goes by, the physical spaces for geostationary satellites will run out. The

Estimation of Fractional Plant Lifeform Cover Using Landsat and Airborne LiDAR/hyperspectral Data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Parra, A. S.; Xu, Q.; Dilts, T.; Weisberg, P.; Greenberg, J. A.

2017-12-01

Land-cover change has generally been understood as the result of local, landscape or regional-scale processes with most studies focusing on case-study landscapes or smaller regions. However, as we observe similar types of land-cover change occurring across different biomes worldwide, it becomes clear that global-scale processes such as climate change and CO2 fertilization, in interaction with local influences, are underlying drivers in land-cover change patterns. Prior studies on global land-cover change may not have had a suitable spatial, temporal and thematic resolution for allowing the identification of such patterns. Furthermore, the lack of globally consistent spatial data products also constitutes a limiting factor in evaluating both proximate and ultimate causes of land-cover change. In this study, we derived a global model for broadleaf tree, needleleaf tree, shrub, herbaceous, and "other" fractional cover using Landsat imagery. Combined LiDAR/hyperspectral data sets were used for calibration and validation of the Landsat-derived products. Spatially explicit uncertainties were also created as part of the data products. Our results highlight the potential for large-scale studies that model local and global influences on land-cover transition types and rates at fine thematic, spatial, and temporal resolutions. These spatial data products are relevant for identifying patterns in land-cover change due to underlying global-scale processes and can provide valuable insights into climatic and land-use factors determining vegetation distributions.

The Application of an Engineering Design and Information Systems Case Study in a Senior Level Product Data Management Course

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Connolly, Patrick

2011-01-01

This study examines the use of an engineering design and information systems case study over a three week period in a senior level class covering the topics of product data management (PDM) and product lifecycle management (PLM). Students that have taken the course in the past have struggled with the sometimes nebulous and difficult to…

Coupling of Markov chains and cellular automata spatial models to predict land cover changes (case study: upper Ci Leungsi catchment area)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Marko, K.; Zulkarnain, F.; Kusratmoko, E.

2016-11-01

Land cover changes particular in urban catchment area has been rapidly occur. Land cover changes occur as a result of increasing demand for built-up area. Various kinds of environmental and hydrological problems e.g. floods and urban heat island can happen if the changes are uncontrolled. This study aims to predict land cover changes using coupling of Markov chains and cellular automata. One of the most rapid land cover changes is occurs at upper Ci Leungsi catchment area that located near Bekasi City and Jakarta Metropolitan Area. Markov chains has a good ability to predict the probability of change statistically while cellular automata believed as a powerful method in reading the spatial patterns of change. Temporal land cover data was obtained by remote sensing satellite imageries. In addition, this study also used multi-criteria analysis to determine which driving factor that could stimulate the changes such as proximity, elevation, and slope. Coupling of these two methods could give better prediction model rather than just using it separately. The prediction model was validated using existing 2015 land cover data and shown a satisfactory kappa coefficient. The most significant increasing land cover is built-up area from 24% to 53%.

A Comparison of Math Cover, Copy, Compare Intervention Procedures for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

PubMed

Morton, Reeva C; Gadke, Daniel L

2018-03-01

Cover, Copy, Compare (CCC) and Copy, Cover, Compare (MCCC) procedures are effective interventions for improving math fluency. However, there is a gap in literature exploring the use of these interventions for children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). The purpose of the current study was to compare the use of CCC and MCCC for children with ASD using a multi-component single-case experimental design. The results showed no notable difference between the interventions. Implications and limitations, particularly surrounding experimental control, are discussed in detail.

A Talk on Sex Discrimination.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Evers, Irving C.

The topic of this speech covers the 1972 amendments to Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the subsequent court cases dealing with sex discrimination. The cases discussed cover maternity leaves for tenured as well as untenured teachers and other public employees. The issues basic to these cases involve mandatory maternity leaves at…

Fully covered stents versus partially covered stents for palliative treatment of esophageal cancer: Is there a difference?

PubMed

Alonso Lárraga, J O; Flores Carmona, D Y; Hernández Guerrero, A; Ramírez Solís, M E; de la Mora Levy, J G; Sánchez Del Monte, J C

2018-02-26

Malignant dysphagia is difficulty swallowing resulting from esophageal obstruction due to cancer. The goal of palliative treatment is to reduce the dysphagia and improve oral dietary intake. Self-expandable metallic stents are the current treatment of choice, given that they enable the immediate restoration of oral intake. The aim of the present study was to describe the results of using totally covered and partially covered esophageal stents for palliating esophageal cancer. A retrospective study was conducted on patients with inoperable esophageal cancer treated with self-expandable metallic stents. The 2 groups formed were: group A, which consisted of patients with a fully covered self-expandable stent (SX-ELLA ® ), and group B, which was made up of patients with a partially covered self-expandable stent (Ultraflex ® ). Of the 69-patient total, 50 were included in the study. Group A had 19 men and 2 women and their mean age was 63.6 years (range 41-84). Technical success was achieved in 100% (n=21) of the cases and clinical success in 90.4% (n=19). Group B had 24 men and 5 women and their mean age was 67.5 years (range 43-92). Technical success was achieved in 100% (n=29) of the cases and clinical success in 89.6% (n=26). Complications were similar in both groups (33.3 vs. 51.7%). There was no difference between the 2 types of stent for the palliative treatment of esophageal cancer with respect to technical success, clinical success, or complications. Copyright © 2018 Asociación Mexicana de Gastroenterología. Publicado por Masson Doyma México S.A. All rights reserved.

Covered biliary stents with proximal bare stent extension for the palliation of malignant biliary disease: can we reduce tumour overgrowth rate?

PubMed

Krokidis, Miltiadis; Hatzidakis, Adam

2017-08-01

Covered biliary stents have shown significant effectiveness in the palliative management of patients with malignant biliary disease due to prevention of tumour ingrowth. However, stent dysfunction may still occur due to growth of tumour at the borders of the covered stent (tumour overgrowth). The aim of this study is to assess the effectiveness of a bare extension in the prevention of tumour overgrowth when covered stents are used in the palliative treatment of malignant biliary strictures. This is a prospective, single arm, cohort study. Twenty-two patients with inoperable malignant biliary strictures in the distal common bile duct (Bismuth I-II) and life expectancy more than 6 months were included in the study. The combination of a fully covered biliary stent and a bare proximal and distal extension was used in all cases. All patients were followed-up until death. Primary patency, survival, complication rates and dysfunction cause were assessed. Mean survival was 263.7 days (median 255, SD: 77.6). Mean patency was 240 days (median: 237, SD: 87). The primary patency rate at 3, 6 and 12 months was 90%, 86% and 86% respectively. Tumour inor overgrowth did not occur in any of the patients. Dysfunction due to sludge formation occurred in three cases; all three were treated with bilioplasty. The combined use of a covered biliary stent and a bare extension appears to be a very effective tool in the palliation of malignant biliary disease, offering long-term patency for patients with inoperable malignant distal common bile duct strictures and increasing the quality of life of such patients.

On the Role of Urban and Vegetative Land Cover in the Identification of Tornado Damage Using Dual-Resolution Multispectral Satellite Imagery

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kingfield, D.; de Beurs, K.

2014-12-01

It has been demonstrated through various case studies that multispectral satellite imagery can be utilized in the identification of damage caused by a tornado through the change detection process. This process involves the difference in returned surface reflectance between two images and is often summarized through a variety of ratio-based vegetation indices (VIs). Land cover type plays a large contributing role in the change detection process as the reflectance properties of vegetation can vary based on several factors (e.g. species, greenness, density). Consequently, this provides the possibility for a variable magnitude of loss, making certain land cover regimes less reliable in the damage identification process. Furthermore, the tradeoff between sensor resolution and orbital return period may also play a role in the ability to detect catastrophic loss. Moderate resolution imagery (e.g. Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS)) provides relatively coarse surface detail with a higher update rate which could hinder the identification of small regions that underwent a dynamic change. Alternatively, imagery with higher spatial resolution (e.g. Landsat) have a longer temporal return period between successive images which could result in natural recovery underestimating the absolute magnitude of damage incurred. This study evaluates the role of land cover type and sensor resolution on four high-end (EF3+) tornado events occurring in four different land cover groups (agriculture, forest, grassland, urban) in the spring season. The closest successive clear images from both Landsat 5 and MODIS are quality controlled for each case. Transacts of surface reflectance across a homogenous land cover type both inside and outside the damage swath are extracted. These metrics are synthesized through the calculation of six different VIs to rank the calculated change metrics by land cover type, sensor resolution and VI.

Training and Jobs Programs in Action: Case Studies in Private-Sector Initiatives for the Hard-to-Employ.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Robison, David

This book contains fifty-three case studies covering a wide variety of private-sector activities and public-private partnerships designed to increase training and employment opportunities for the hard-to-employ and speed the transition of the unemployed from government support and subsidized jobs to permanent private employment. Compiled from a…

Learners' and Teachers' Perceptions of Learning Analytics (LA): A Case Study of Southampton Solent University (SSU)

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Khan, Osama

2017-01-01

This paper depicts a perceptual picture of learning analytics based on the understanding of learners and teachers at the SSU as a case study. The existing literature covers technical challenges of learning analytics (LA) and how it creates better social construct for enhanced learning support, however, there has not been adequate research on…

Understanding the Impact of Anthropogenic and Environmental Changes on Dengue Fever Cases in Puerto Rico

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Akanda, A. S.; Serman, E. A.; Couret, J.; Puggioni, G.; Ginsberg, H. S.

2016-12-01

Worldwide, there are an estimated 50-100 million cases of dengue fever each year, roughly 30 times the number of cases as 50 years ago. Dengue was introduced to Puerto Rico (PR) in 1963 and it has experienced epidemic activity ever since. There have been 4 large epidemics since 1990, the most recent in 2010 where almost 27,000 cases were reported. Vaccine development remains in the testing stages, and years away from mass distribution. Effective control thus depends on our understanding of the complex relationships between environmental and anthropogenic factors, mosquito vector ecology, and disease epidemiology. Dengue virus is primarily transmitted by Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, which also carry the Zika virus, and humans in urban environments are their preferred hosts. The purpose of our analysis is to identify trends between anthropogenic and environmental changes and dengue fever cases in PR over the past 15 years. Data on housing and population density, percent impervious surface, and percent tree canopy at the municipality level were procured from the U.S. Census Bureau and the Multi-Resolution Land Characteristics Consortium (MLRC) project, respectively. Land cover data from the National Land Cover Database, created by USGS and NOAA, as well as environmental data from the National Climatic Data Center (NCDC), were also used. Smaller land cover and green space analysis studies have been performed for PR, but this is the first study to consider the island as a whole, and in six distinct regions, with regards to increases in dengue fever cases. The results from this study can be used to understand the effects of urbanization and climate change on vector-borne disease transmission in PR and to project the impact of growing sub-urban and urban areas on dengue cases in coming years. Our results could also be used to assess Dengue and Zika transmission in growing megacites of the world, where urban slums provide a favorable habitat for Ae. aegypti and foster efficient transmission patterns.

Estimating accuracy of land-cover composition from two-stage cluster sampling

USGS Publications Warehouse

Stehman, S.V.; Wickham, J.D.; Fattorini, L.; Wade, T.D.; Baffetta, F.; Smith, J.H.

2009-01-01

Land-cover maps are often used to compute land-cover composition (i.e., the proportion or percent of area covered by each class), for each unit in a spatial partition of the region mapped. We derive design-based estimators of mean deviation (MD), mean absolute deviation (MAD), root mean square error (RMSE), and correlation (CORR) to quantify accuracy of land-cover composition for a general two-stage cluster sampling design, and for the special case of simple random sampling without replacement (SRSWOR) at each stage. The bias of the estimators for the two-stage SRSWOR design is evaluated via a simulation study. The estimators of RMSE and CORR have small bias except when sample size is small and the land-cover class is rare. The estimator of MAD is biased for both rare and common land-cover classes except when sample size is large. A general recommendation is that rare land-cover classes require large sample sizes to ensure that the accuracy estimators have small bias. ?? 2009 Elsevier Inc.

A method for locating potential tree-planting sites in urban areas: a case study of Los Angeles, USA

Treesearch

Chunxia Wua; Qingfu Xiaoa; Gregory E. McPherson

2008-01-01

A GIS-based method for locating potential tree-planting sites based on land cover data is introduced. Criteria were developed to identify locations that are spatially available for potential tree planting based on land cover, sufficient distance from impervious surfaces, a minimum amount of pervious surface, and no crown overlap with other trees. In an ArcGIS...

75 FR 48707 - Proposed Vaccine Information Materials for Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine and Human...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-08-11

... the parent or legal representative in the case of a child) receiving vaccines covered under the... United States who intends to administer one of these covered vaccines is required to provide copies of... (less than 1 case per 100,000 people each year) it is fatal in about 1 of 10 cases in children...

Lessons learned: A comparative study of the integration experiences of Armenian and Palestinian refugees in Lebanon

DTIC Science & Technology

2017-06-01

design is based on two comparative case studies, examining Palestinian and Armenian refugees in Lebanon, respectively. These two cases are particularly...A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF THE INTEGRATION EXPERIENCES OF ARMENIAN AND PALESTINIAN REFUGEES IN LEBANON by Pascal Ghobeira June 2017 Thesis...REPORT DATE June 2017 3. REPORT TYPE AND DATES COVERED Master’s thesis 4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE LESSONS LEARNED: A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF THE

Trend of brain tumor incidence by histological subtypes in Japan: estimation from the Brain Tumor Registry of Japan, 1973-1993.

PubMed

Kaneko, Satoshi; Nomura, Kazuhiro; Yoshimura, Takesumi; Yamaguchi, Naohito

2002-10-01

In order to estimate the risk of primary brain tumor (PBT), we attempted to estimate the national incidence rates of PBT by histological subtypes using the Brain Tumor Registry of Japan (BTR). The number of deaths due to PBT in a certain year is the sum of the deaths among patients diagnosed in different years. Registered cases in the BTR represent incident cases of PBT in the whole country multiplied by a cover rate. The cover rate is defined as the proportions of PBT cases that the Registry counts in relation to all the cases in the country in a given year. If the survival experience among the registered cases represents the survival experience of all cases, then the rate of registered deaths represents all deaths due to PBT in Japan. By this logic, we estimated the cover rates and incidence rates from 1973 to 1993 using the BTR and National Vital Statistics data. Our estimates showed three patterns of time trends: (1) a gradual linear increasing trend before the 1980s followed by a plateau (total PBT, gliomas, meningioma, and hemangioblastoma), (2) a trend with a step-up increase in the 1980s followed by a plateau (germ cell tumor and pituitary tumor), and (3) a linear increasing trend throughout the observation period with no plateau (malignant lymphoma and neurinoma). Furthermore, obvious sex differences in time trends were observed in rates of meningioma, germ cell tumor, and pituitary tumor. The results of this study demonstrated several distinctive patterns in time trends, which give us insight into the possible etiologies of brain tumors. Further epidemiological study is needed to elucidate these findings.

Nutrient loads of small-scale swine manure composting to groundwater and its prevention by covering: a case study.

PubMed

Cheng, Jianbo; Qiao, Junjing; Chen, Yucheng; Yang, Zhimin

2015-10-01

Small-scale composting is applied to recycle manure and biomass around the globe. Piles frequently site outside near field where bio-waste comes or compost goes within developing rural regions. However, little equipment or policy besides cover of common materials addressed concerns about its exposure to rainfall and subsequent leachate towards groundwater. In addition, little is known about its nutrient load to groundwater and covers' effect on nutrient unloading. Differently covered swine manure piles were composted outdoors with exposure to rain, then columns consisted of resultant compost of varying maturing age and soil were leached by simulated rainfall. Leachate TN, NH4 (+)-N, NO3 (-)-N, TP, and DP were modeled by regression analysis, and further, integral of quadratic curve or nutrient load index (NLI) was designated as proxy for nutrient load. Log response ratio was employed to qualify covers' effect on nutrient unloading. This case raised higher concern about leachate NH4 (+)-N than NO3 (-)-N for former's lower category in groundwater quality standard. The integrated NLIs or general nutrient load for six intervals, averagely divided from composting day of 60-120, decreased by 31, 37, 45, 56, and 73 % consecutively. Covers could unload nutrient to underground and function better to prevent P than N from leaching. Capabilities of piles covered by rice straw (CR) and soil (CS) to unload respectively are 77 and 72 % of by film (CF).

A half century retrospective study of homicide-suicide in Geneva--Switzerland: 1956-2005.

PubMed

Shiferaw, Kebede; Burkhardt, Sandra; Lardi, Christelle; Mangin, Patrice; La Harpe, Romano

2010-02-01

This study provides a retrospective review from the forensic files of the University Centre of Legal Medicine in Western Switzerland in Geneva, from January 1956 to December 2005. The studied homicide-suicide cases cover a period of half a century (50 years). As a rule, all police-ordered forensic examinations of violent death cases in the Canton of Geneva are conducted by the University Centre of Legal Medicine. All of the data necessary for an exhaustive retrospective study are thus readily available. During the period covered in this work, 228 homicides were perpetrated in Geneva. In 23 cases, the homicide was followed by the suicide of the aggressor. The 34 victims of these homicides (18 women, 1 man and 15 children) had either an intimate or filial relationship with the perpetrator. Most of the suicidal perpetrators were men that killed their spouses or intimate partners, with children as additional victims in some cases. Shooting was the most common means to kill, followed by stabbing. The majority of the victims and perpetrators were Swiss nationals. This retrospective study shows that in the last 50 years, homicide-suicide cases in the Canton of Geneva have been a rare and an episodic phenomena with a very variable frequency from 1 year to another. Copyright 2009 Elsevier Ltd and Faculty of Forensic and Legal Medicine. All rights reserved.

The Entrepreneurial University: A Case Study of the University of New Mexico in a Competitive Research Environment, 1972-1978.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bjork, Lars G.

Factors affecting the emergence of the University of New Mexico as a research institution in a period of increased competition for research support are discussed. The case study covers the period of 1972-1978 and focuses on the development of the Office of the Vice President for Research and its entrepreneurial activities, including its increased…

Bulgaria, Romania, and Poland: Case Studies of a Changing Region. Fulbright-Hays Summer Seminar Abroad 1996 (Bulgaria and Romania).

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mallory-Boyle, Nancy

This paper presents a unit for government and economics and one for world history on the dramatic regional changes which have occurred in Central and Eastern Europe since the late 1980s. The units can be taught cohesively covering 2-3 weeks or as modules integrated into relevant themes in the curriculum. The "case studies" approach…

Detection of land-use and land cover changes in Franklin, Gulf, and Liberty Counties, Florida, with multitemporal landsat thematic mapper images

Treesearch

Shufen Pan; Guiying Li

2007-01-01

Florida Panhandle region has been experiencing rapid land transformation in the recent decades. To quantify land use and land-cover (LULC) changes and other landscape changes in this area, three counties including Franklin, Liberty and Gulf were taken as a case study and an unsupervised classification approach implemented to Landsat TM images acquired from 1985 to 2005...

Quantization of noncompact coverings and its physical applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ivankov, Petr

2018-02-01

A rigorous algebraic definition of noncommutative coverings is developed. In the case of commutative algebras this definition is equivalent to the classical definition of topological coverings of locally compact spaces. The theory has following nontrivial applications: • Coverings of continuous trace algebras, • Coverings of noncommutative tori, • Coverings of the quantum SU(2) group, • Coverings of foliations, • Coverings of isospectral deformations of Spin - manifolds. The theory supplies the rigorous definition of noncommutative Wilson lines.

Applications systems verification and transfer project. Volume 5: Operational applications of satellite snow-cover observations, northwest United States

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dillard, J. P.

1981-01-01

The study objective was to develop or modify methods in an operational framework that would allow incorporation of satellite derived snow cover observations for prediction of snowmelt derived runoff. Data were reviewed and verified for five basins in the Pacific Northwest. The data were analyzed for up to a 6-year period ending July 1978, and in all cases cover a low, average, and high snow cover/runoff year. Cloud cover is a major problem in these springtime runoff analyses and have hampered data collection for periods of up to 52 days. Tree cover and terrain are sufficiently dense and rugged to have caused problems. The interpretation of snowlines from satellite data was compared with conventional ground truth data and tested in operational streamflow forecasting models. When the satellite snow-covered area (SCA) data are incorporated in the SSARR (Streamflow Synthesis and Reservoir Regulation) model, there is a definite but minor improvement.

What is the potential of cropland albedo management in the fight against global warming? A case study based on the use of cover crops

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Carrer, Dominique; Pique, Gaétan; Ferlicoq, Morgan; Ceamanos, Xavier; Ceschia, Eric

2018-04-01

Land cover management in agricultural areas is a powerful tool that could play a role in the mitigation of climate change and the counterbalance of global warming. First, we attempted to quantify the radiative forcing that would increase the surface albedo of croplands in Europe following the inclusion of cover crops during the fallow period. This is possible since the albedo of bare soil in many areas of Europe is lower than the albedo of vegetation. By using satellite data, we demonstrated that the introduction of cover crops into the crop rotation during the fallow period would increase the albedo over 4.17% of Europe’s surface. According to our study, the effect resulting from this increase in the albedo of the croplands would be equivalent to a mitigation of 3.16 MtCO2-eq.year‑1 over a 100 year time horizon. This is equivalent to a mitigation potential per surface unit (m2) of introduced cover crop over Europe of 15.91 gCO2-eq.year‑1.m‑2. This value, obtained at the European scale, is consistent with previous estimates. We show that this mitigation potential could be increased by 27% if the cover crop is maintained for a longer period than 3 months and reduced by 28% in the case of no irrigation. In the second part of this work, based on recent studies estimating the impact of cover crops on soil carbon sequestration and the use of fertilizer, we added the albedo effect to those estimates, and we argued that, by considering areas favourable to their introduction, cover crops in Europe could mitigate human-induced agricultural greenhouse gas emissions by up to 7% per year, using 2011 as a reference. The impact of the albedo change per year would be between 10% and 13% of this total impact. The countries showing the greatest mitigation potentials are France, Bulgaria, Romania, and Germany.

Case study:-calender covers in a hospital laundry. Energy Efficiency Office, Department of Energy.

PubMed

1992-01-01

Whipps Cross Hospital laundry is typical of many laundries, both in the commercial sector and NHS, in that it uses old calenders which are substantially less efficient than more modern machines. Although calendering is a relatively efficient method of moisture removal, the quantity of flatwork processed by this laundry means that the calendering section uses a significant proportion of the total laundry energy consumption. In common with many other laundries, the four calenders were producing a great deal of airborne lint which required expensive cleaning at regular intervals, and made the working environment uncomfortable, reducing the performance and morale of the operators. In an effort to improve this situation, covers were fitted to all the calenders in early 1989. These were claimed to improve energy efficiency by reducing the heat losses from the calender's upper surfaces and to improve the local atmosphere by reducing the quantity of lint and moist air escaping into the laundry. This case study examines the savings (both energy savings and others) achieved by the installation of the covers, and assesses any drawbacks which may have become apparent after extended use.

Computer generated maps from digital satellite data - A case study in Florida

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Arvanitis, L. G.; Reich, R. M.; Newburne, R.

1981-01-01

Ground cover maps are important tools to a wide array of users. Over the past three decades, much progress has been made in supplementing planimetric and topographic maps with ground cover details obtained from aerial photographs. The present investigation evaluates the feasibility of using computer maps of ground cover from satellite input tapes. Attention is given to the selection of test sites, a satellite data processing system, a multispectral image analyzer, general purpose computer-generated maps, the preliminary evaluation of computer maps, a test for areal correspondence, the preparation of overlays and acreage estimation of land cover types on the Landsat computer maps. There is every indication to suggest that digital multispectral image processing systems based on Landsat input data will play an increasingly important role in pattern recognition and mapping land cover in the years to come.

Thermocapillary convection in zone-melting crystal growth - An open-boat physical simulation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kim, Y. J.; Kou, Sindo

1989-01-01

Thermocapillary convection in a molten zone of NaNO3 contained in a boat with a free horizontal surface, that is heated from above by a centered wire heater, was studied to simulate flow in zone-melting crystal growth. Using a laser-light-cut technique and fine SiO powder as a tracer, convection in the melt zone was visualized in two different cases. In the first case, the entire melt surface was free, while in the second the melt surface was free only in the immediate vicinity of one vertical wall and was covered elsewhere, this wall being to simulate the melt/crystal interface during crystal growth. It was observed that thermocapillary convection near this wall prevailed in the first case, but was reduced significantly in the second. Since thermocapillary rather than natural convection dominated in the melt, the effect of the partial covering of the melt surface on thermocapillary convection in the melt observed in this study is expected to be similar under microgravity.

Follow-on cable coupling lightning test. Volume 2: Appendixes A, B, C, and D

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1990-01-01

The following information from the follow-on cable coupling lightning test of the Space Shuttle Booster is presented: (1) resistance measurements (cover-to-cover and cover-to-floor plate); (2) resistance measurements (external bond strap-to-case); (3) resistance measurements (internal bond strap-to-case) and; (4) follow-on cable coupling lightning test data plots. The bulk of the document comprises the follow-on cable coupling lightning test data plots.

A View from the Elementary Schools: The State of Reform in Chicago. A Report of the Steering Committee, Consortium on Chicago School Research.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bryk, Anthony S.; And Others

Through a synthesis of ongoing case studies covering over 500 schools, this report highlights the story of school reform in the Chicago Public Schools (Illinois) at the elementary school level. The analysis draws on a case-study syntheses of field research over the past 3 years, new analyses of survey data from principals and teachers, and…

The Need for Integrative Communication within a Multicultural Communication Model: A Case Study of Public Relations Functions and Leadership in Community Development.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Neff, Bonita Dostal; And Others

A case study analyzed a special event, AmeriFlora '92, held from April 1992 to October 1992 in Columbus, Ohio. AmeriFlora '92 was established as a temporary organization covering nearly 8 years of planning, operations, and dismantling. The lack of attendance and the resulting financial impact inspired a major effort to examine the role of public…

Aquatic pollution, 2nd ed

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Laws, E.A.

1993-01-01

This book systematically covers all aspects of water pollution in marine and freshwater systems. Didactic style, frequent use of case studies and an extensive bibliography facilitate understanding of fundamental concepts. Offers basic, relevant ecological and toxicological information. Straightforward presentation of the scientific aspects of environmental issues. Information updated, particularly the discussion of toxicology and the case studies of water pollution. Three new chapters on acid rain, groundwater pollution and plastics are added.

Effects of the Copy, Cover, and Compare Procedure on the Math and Spelling Performance of a High School Student with Behavioral Disorder: A Case Report

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Cieslar, Whitney; McLaughlin, T. F.; Derby, K. Mark

2008-01-01

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of the copy, cover, and compare (CCC) procedure on improving the mathematics and spelling performance of a freshman attending a high school special education class. The participant was a 16-year-old high school student enrolled in special education classes for 3 periods of the school day. Math…

Wide area lithologic mapping with ASTER thermal infrared data: Case studies for the regions in/around the Pamir Mountains and the Tarim basin

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ninomiya, Yoshiki; Fu, Bihong

2017-07-01

After the authors have proposed the mineralogical indices, e.g., Quartz Index (QI), Carbonate Index (CI), Mafic Index (MI) for ASTER thermal infrared (TIR) data, many articles have been applied the indices for the geological case studies and proved to be robust in extracting geological information at the local scale. The authors also have developed a system for producing the regional map with the indices, which needs mosaicking of many scenes considering the relatively narrow spatial coverage of each ASTER scene. The system executes the procedures very efficiently to find ASTER data covering a wide target area in the vast and expanding ASTER data archive. Then the searched ASTER data are conditioned, prioritized, and the indices are calculated before finally mosaicking the imagery. Here in this paper, we will present two case studies of the regional lithologic and mineralogic mapping of the indices covering very wide regions in and around the Pamir Mountains and the Tarim basin. The characteristic features of the indices related to geology are analysed, interpreted and discussed.

Authoritarianism as a Driver of U.S. Foreign Policy: The Cases of Myanmar, Vietnam, and North Korea

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-12-01

environments. E. RESEARCH DESIGN The methodology of this paper employs statistical analysis and comparative case studies. With proxy scales that...U.S. FOREIGN POLICY: THE CASES OF MYANMAR, VIETNAM, AND NORTH KOREA by Rang Lee December 2016 Thesis Co-Advisor: Tristan Mabry Thesis Co-Advisor...COVERED Master’s thesis 4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE AUTHORITARIANISM AS A DRIVER OF U.S. FOREIGN POLICY: THE CASES OF MYANMAR, VIETNAM, AND NORTH KOREA 5

L2 Literacy and Biliteracy: Linguistic Consequences.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Pugh, Stefan M.

1991-01-01

In a study of literacy and linguistics that focuses on bilingual and multilingual societies, the following topics are covered: bilingualism and biliteracy; biliteracy in the Soviet Union; case studies in Karelia and Ukraine; and predicting the future of biliteracy. (43 references. (LB)

Perspectives.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bandy, Patricia, Ed.

Designed to encourage informed and critical thinking on contemporary political issues and processes, the articles, case studies, and activities in this student handbook can be incorporated into secondary school social studies units on government or current events. Eight chapters cover the presidency, the federal bureaucracy, the Congress, the…

Birth Weight and Acute Childhood Leukemia: A Meta-analysis of Observational Studies

DTIC Science & Technology

2005-03-22

22 MAR 2005 2. REPORT TYPE 3. DATES COVERED - 4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE Birth Weight and Acute Childhood Leukemia: A Meta - analysis of Observational...and to quantify the strength of the relationships. We conducted a meta - analysis of nine case-control studies (published between 1991 and 2004...Based on a meta - analysis of only three case-control studies (published between 1997 and 2004) involving over 700 children with AML and over 1,900

Endovascular treatment of arterio-ureteral fistulae with covered stents: Case series and review of the literature.

PubMed

Patel, Dhruv; Kumar, Abhishek; Ranganath, Praveen; Contractor, Sohail

2014-01-01

Arterio-ureteral fistulae are abnormal connections between an artery and the ureter and carry a high mortality. We present two cases of arterio-ureteral fistulae that presented with life-threatening hematuria. Both patients were treated with endovascular covered stent placement.

Endovascular treatment of arterio-ureteral fistulae with covered stents: Case series and review of the literature

PubMed Central

Patel, Dhruv; Ranganath, Praveen; Contractor, Sohail

2014-01-01

Arterio-ureteral fistulae are abnormal connections between an artery and the ureter and carry a high mortality. We present two cases of arterio-ureteral fistulae that presented with life-threatening hematuria. Both patients were treated with endovascular covered stent placement. PMID:27489652

Tribal 319: 2010 NPS Workshop

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

This tribal training was offered during the first day of the National Water Quality Monitoring Council conference held in Denver, Colorado. The session covered CWA Section 106 and 319 topics, and featured three tribal case studies.

Proton facility economics: the importance of "simple" treatments.

PubMed

Johnstone, Peter A S; Kerstiens, John; Richard, Helsper

2012-08-01

Given the cost and debt incurred to build a modern proton facility, impetus exists to minimize treatment of patients with complex setups because of their slower throughput. The aim of this study was to determine how many "simple" cases are necessary given different patient loads simply to recoup construction costs and debt service, without beginning to cover salaries, utilities, beam costs, and so on. Simple cases are ones that can be performed quickly because of an easy setup for the patient or because the patient is to receive treatment to just one or two fields. A "standard" construction cost and debt for 1, 3, and 4 gantry facilities were calculated from public documents of facilities built in the United States, with 100% of the construction funded through standard 15-year financing at 5% interest. Clinical best case (that each room was completely scheduled with patients over a 14-hour workday) was assumed, and a statistical analysis was modeled with debt, case mix, and payer mix moving independently. Treatment times and reimbursement data from the investigators' facility for varying complexities of patients were extrapolated for varying numbers treated daily. Revenue assumptions of $X per treatment were assumed both for pediatric cases (a mix of Medicaid and private payer) and state Medicare simple case rates. Private payer reimbursement averages $1.75X per treatment. The number of simple patients required daily to cover construction and debt service costs was then derived. A single gantry treating only complex or pediatric patients would need to apply 85% of its treatment slots simply to service debt. However, that same room could cover its debt treating 4 hours of simple patients, thus opening more slots for complex and pediatric patients. A 3-gantry facility treating only complex and pediatric cases would not have enough treatment slots to recoup construction and debt service costs at all. For a 4-gantry center, focusing on complex and pediatric cases alone, there would not be enough treatment slots to cover even 60% of debt service. Personnel and recurring costs and profit further reduce the business case for performing more complex patients. Debt is not variable with capacity. Absent philanthropy, financing a modern proton center requires treating a case load emphasizing simple patients even before operating costs and any profit are achieved. Copyright © 2012 American College of Radiology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

An ontological case base engineering methodology for diabetes management.

PubMed

El-Sappagh, Shaker H; El-Masri, Samir; Elmogy, Mohammed; Riad, A M; Saddik, Basema

2014-08-01

Ontology engineering covers issues related to ontology development and use. In Case Based Reasoning (CBR) system, ontology plays two main roles; the first as case base and the second as domain ontology. However, the ontology engineering literature does not provide adequate guidance on how to build, evaluate, and maintain ontologies. This paper proposes an ontology engineering methodology to generate case bases in the medical domain. It mainly focuses on the research of case representation in the form of ontology to support the case semantic retrieval and enhance all knowledge intensive CBR processes. A case study on diabetes diagnosis case base will be provided to evaluate the proposed methodology.

Optimal Subset Selection of Time-Series MODIS Images and Sample Data Transfer with Random Forests for Supervised Classification Modelling

PubMed Central

Zhou, Fuqun; Zhang, Aining

2016-01-01

Nowadays, various time-series Earth Observation data with multiple bands are freely available, such as Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) datasets including 8-day composites from NASA, and 10-day composites from the Canada Centre for Remote Sensing (CCRS). It is challenging to efficiently use these time-series MODIS datasets for long-term environmental monitoring due to their vast volume and information redundancy. This challenge will be greater when Sentinel 2–3 data become available. Another challenge that researchers face is the lack of in-situ data for supervised modelling, especially for time-series data analysis. In this study, we attempt to tackle the two important issues with a case study of land cover mapping using CCRS 10-day MODIS composites with the help of Random Forests’ features: variable importance, outlier identification. The variable importance feature is used to analyze and select optimal subsets of time-series MODIS imagery for efficient land cover mapping, and the outlier identification feature is utilized for transferring sample data available from one year to an adjacent year for supervised classification modelling. The results of the case study of agricultural land cover classification at a regional scale show that using only about a half of the variables we can achieve land cover classification accuracy close to that generated using the full dataset. The proposed simple but effective solution of sample transferring could make supervised modelling possible for applications lacking sample data. PMID:27792152

[Measuring the effect of eyeglasses on determination of squint angle with Purkinje reflexes and the prism cover test].

PubMed

Barry, J C; Backes, A

1998-04-01

The alternating prism and cover test is the conventional test for the measurement of the angle of strabismus. The error induced by the prismatic effect of glasses is typically about 27-30%/10 D. Alternatively, the angle of strabismus can be measured with methods based on Purkinje reflex positions. This study examines the differences between three such options, taking into account the influence of glasses. The studied system comprised the eyes with or without glasses, a fixation object and a device for recording the eye position: in the case of the alternate prism and cover test, a prism bar was required; in the case of a Purkinje reflex based device, light sources for generation of reflexes and a camera for the documentation of the reflex positions were used. Measurements performed on model eyes and computer ray traces were used to analyze and compare the options. When a single corneal reflex is used, the misalignment of the corneal axis can be measured; the error in this measurement due to the prismatic effect of glasses was 7.6%/10 D, the smallest found in this study. The individual Hirschberg ratio can be determined by monocular measurements in three gaze directions. The angle of strabismus can be measured with Purkinje reflex based methods if the fundamental differences between these methods and the alternate prism and cover test, and if the influence of glasses and other sources of error are accounted for.

Optimal Subset Selection of Time-Series MODIS Images and Sample Data Transfer with Random Forests for Supervised Classification Modelling.

PubMed

Zhou, Fuqun; Zhang, Aining

2016-10-25

Nowadays, various time-series Earth Observation data with multiple bands are freely available, such as Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) datasets including 8-day composites from NASA, and 10-day composites from the Canada Centre for Remote Sensing (CCRS). It is challenging to efficiently use these time-series MODIS datasets for long-term environmental monitoring due to their vast volume and information redundancy. This challenge will be greater when Sentinel 2-3 data become available. Another challenge that researchers face is the lack of in-situ data for supervised modelling, especially for time-series data analysis. In this study, we attempt to tackle the two important issues with a case study of land cover mapping using CCRS 10-day MODIS composites with the help of Random Forests' features: variable importance, outlier identification. The variable importance feature is used to analyze and select optimal subsets of time-series MODIS imagery for efficient land cover mapping, and the outlier identification feature is utilized for transferring sample data available from one year to an adjacent year for supervised classification modelling. The results of the case study of agricultural land cover classification at a regional scale show that using only about a half of the variables we can achieve land cover classification accuracy close to that generated using the full dataset. The proposed simple but effective solution of sample transferring could make supervised modelling possible for applications lacking sample data.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Doros, Attila, E-mail: dorattila@yahoo.com; Nemeth, Andrea; Deak, Akos Pal

The role of covered stent in the management of biliary complications is not yet defined in liver transplant recipients. This Case Report presents a patient with anastomotic stricture and leakage with biloma treated with a covered stent 32 months following liver transplantation. Signs of in-stent restenosis developed 52 months following covered stent placement, which was resolved by balloon dilation. There were no complications during the interventions. The latest follow-up, at 69 months following primary and 19 months following secondary percutaneous intervention, shows a patent covered stent without any clinical or morphological sign of further restenosis. The clinical success with long-termmore » follow-up data suggests that covered stent implantation can be a rational, minimally invasive option for simultaneous treatment of bile duct stenosis and bile leak following liver transplantation in selected cases.« less

49 CFR 826.3 - Proceedings covered.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

....” For the Board, the type of proceeding covered includes (but may not be limited to) aviation enforcement cases appealed to the Board under sections 501, 609, 611 and 901 of the Federal Aviation Act (49 U... believes the proceeding is covered by the Act; whether the procedure is covered will then be an issue for...

49 CFR 826.3 - Proceedings covered.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

....” For the Board, the type of proceeding covered includes (but may not be limited to) aviation enforcement cases appealed to the Board under sections 501, 609, 611 and 901 of the Federal Aviation Act (49 U... believes the proceeding is covered by the Act; whether the procedure is covered will then be an issue for...

São Paulo urban heat islands have a higher incidence of dengue than other urban areas.

PubMed

Araujo, Ricardo Vieira; Albertini, Marcos Roberto; Costa-da-Silva, André Luis; Suesdek, Lincoln; Franceschi, Nathália Cristina Soares; Bastos, Nancy Marçal; Katz, Gizelda; Cardoso, Vivian Ailt; Castro, Bronislawa Ciotek; Capurro, Margareth Lara; Allegro, Vera Lúcia Anacleto Cardoso

2015-01-01

Urban heat islands are characterized by high land surface temperature, low humidity, and poor vegetation, and considered to favor the transmission of the mosquito-borne dengue fever that is transmitted by the Aedes aegypti mosquito. We analyzed the recorded dengue incidence in Sao Paulo city, Brazil, in 2010-2011, in terms of multiple environmental and socioeconomic variables. Geographical information systems, thermal remote sensing images, and census data were used to classify city areas according to land surface temperature, vegetation cover, population density, socioeconomic status, and housing standards. Of the 7415 dengue cases, a majority (93.1%) mapped to areas with land surface temperature >28°C. The dengue incidence rate (cases per 100,000 inhabitants) was low (3.2 cases) in high vegetation cover areas, but high (72.3 cases) in low vegetation cover areas where the land surface temperature was 29±2°C. Interestingly, a multiple cluster analysis phenogram showed more dengue cases clustered in areas of land surface temperature >32°C, than in areas characterized as low socioeconomic zones, high population density areas, or slum-like areas. In laboratory experiments, A. aegypti mosquito larval development, blood feeding, and oviposition associated positively with temperatures of 28-32°C, indicating these temperatures to be favorable for dengue transmission. Thus, among all the variables studied, dengue incidence was most affected by the temperature. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Editora Ltda. All rights reserved.

ME 5620 Fracture Mechanics in Engineering Design. Case Study Project

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-04-03

14 UNCLASSIFIED References 1 . A First Course in the Finite Element Method, 4th edition, by D.L. Logan, Thomson Engineering, 2006. 2. Altair ...collection of information is estimated to average 1 hour per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources...currently valid OMB control number. 1 . REPORT DATE 03 APR 2011 2. REPORT TYPE N/A 3. DATES COVERED - 4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE Case Study

ENGINEERING BULLETIN: LANDFILL COVERS

EPA Science Inventory

Landfill covers are used at Superfund sites to minimize surface water infiltration and control gas migration. In many cases covers are used in conjunction with other waste treatment technologies, such as slurry walls, ground water pump-and-treat systems, and gas collection. This ...

Warming experiments elucidate the drivers of observed directional changes in tundra vegetation

PubMed Central

Hollister, Robert D; May, Jeremy L; Kremers, Kelseyann S; Tweedie, Craig E; Oberbauer, Steven F; Liebig, Jennifer A; Botting, Timothy F; Barrett, Robert T; Gregory, Jessica L

2015-01-01

Few studies have clearly linked long-term monitoring with in situ experiments to clarify potential drivers of observed change at a given site. This is especially necessary when findings from a site are applied to a much broader geographic area. Here, we document vegetation change at Barrow and Atqasuk, Alaska, occurring naturally and due to experimental warming over nearly two decades. An examination of plant cover, canopy height, and community indices showed more significant differences between years than due to experimental warming. However, changes with warming were more consistent than changes between years and were cumulative in many cases. Most cases of directional change observed in the control plots over time corresponded with a directional change in response to experimental warming. These included increases in canopy height and decreases in lichen cover. Experimental warming resulted in additional increases in evergreen shrub cover and decreases in diversity and bryophyte cover. This study suggests that the directional changes occurring at the sites are primarily due to warming and indicates that further changes are likely in the next two decades if the regional warming trend continues. These findings provide an example of the utility of coupling in situ experiments with long-term monitoring to accurately document vegetation change in response to global change and to identify the underlying mechanisms driving observed changes. PMID:26140204

Biodiversity as a multidimensional construct: a review, framework and case study of herbivory's impact on plant biodiversity

PubMed Central

Naeem, S.; Prager, Case; Weeks, Brian; Varga, Alex; Flynn, Dan F. B.; Griffin, Kevin; Muscarella, Robert; Palmer, Matthew; Wood, Stephen; Schuster, William

2016-01-01

Biodiversity is inherently multidimensional, encompassing taxonomic, functional, phylogenetic, genetic, landscape and many other elements of variability of life on the Earth. However, this fundamental principle of multidimensionality is rarely applied in research aimed at understanding biodiversity's value to ecosystem functions and the services they provide. This oversight means that our current understanding of the ecological and environmental consequences of biodiversity loss is limited primarily to what unidimensional studies have revealed. To address this issue, we review the literature, develop a conceptual framework for multidimensional biodiversity research based on this review and provide a case study to explore the framework. Our case study specifically examines how herbivory by whitetail deer (Odocoileus virginianus) alters the multidimensional influence of biodiversity on understory plant cover at Black Rock Forest, New York. Using three biodiversity dimensions (taxonomic, functional and phylogenetic diversity) to explore our framework, we found that herbivory alters biodiversity's multidimensional influence on plant cover; an effect not observable through a unidimensional approach. Although our review, framework and case study illustrate the advantages of multidimensional over unidimensional approaches, they also illustrate the statistical and empirical challenges such work entails. Meeting these challenges, however, where data and resources permit, will be important if we are to better understand and manage the consequences we face as biodiversity continues to decline in the foreseeable future. PMID:27928041

Biodiversity as a multidimensional construct: a review, framework and case study of herbivory's impact on plant biodiversity.

PubMed

Naeem, S; Prager, Case; Weeks, Brian; Varga, Alex; Flynn, Dan F B; Griffin, Kevin; Muscarella, Robert; Palmer, Matthew; Wood, Stephen; Schuster, William

2016-12-14

Biodiversity is inherently multidimensional, encompassing taxonomic, functional, phylogenetic, genetic, landscape and many other elements of variability of life on the Earth. However, this fundamental principle of multidimensionality is rarely applied in research aimed at understanding biodiversity's value to ecosystem functions and the services they provide. This oversight means that our current understanding of the ecological and environmental consequences of biodiversity loss is limited primarily to what unidimensional studies have revealed. To address this issue, we review the literature, develop a conceptual framework for multidimensional biodiversity research based on this review and provide a case study to explore the framework. Our case study specifically examines how herbivory by whitetail deer (Odocoileus virginianus) alters the multidimensional influence of biodiversity on understory plant cover at Black Rock Forest, New York. Using three biodiversity dimensions (taxonomic, functional and phylogenetic diversity) to explore our framework, we found that herbivory alters biodiversity's multidimensional influence on plant cover; an effect not observable through a unidimensional approach. Although our review, framework and case study illustrate the advantages of multidimensional over unidimensional approaches, they also illustrate the statistical and empirical challenges such work entails. Meeting these challenges, however, where data and resources permit, will be important if we are to better understand and manage the consequences we face as biodiversity continues to decline in the foreseeable future. © 2016 The Authors.

MODIS Snow-Cover Products

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hall, Dorothy K.; Riggs, George A.; Salomonson, Vinvent V.; DiGirolamo, Nicolo; Bayr, Klaus J.; Houser, Paul (Technical Monitor)

2001-01-01

On December 18, 1999, the Terra satellite was launched with a complement of five instruments including the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS). Many geophysical products are derived from MODIS data including global snow-cover products. These products have been available through the National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC) Distributed Active Archive Center (DAAC) since September 13, 2000. MODIS snow-cover products represent potential improvement to the currently available operation products mainly because the MODIS products are global and 500-m resolution, and have the capability to separate most snow and clouds. Also the snow-mapping algorithms are automated which means that a consistent data set is generated for long-term climates studies that require snow-cover information. Extensive quality assurance (QA) information is stored with the product. The snow product suite starts with a 500-m resolution swath snow-cover map which is gridded to the Integerized Sinusoidal Grid to produce daily and eight-day composite tile products. The sequence then proceeds to a climate-modeling grid product at 5-km spatial resolution, with both daily and eight-day composite products. A case study from March 6, 2000, involving MODIS data and field and aircraft measurements, is presented. Near-term enhancements include daily snow albedo and fractional snow cover.

7 CFR 1794.23 - Proposals normally requiring an EA.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... Administrator on a case-by-case basis. (c) Electric program. Applications for financial assistance for certain... items covered by § 1794.22(a)(8). All new associated facilities and related electric power lines shall... covered by § 1794.22(a)(8). All new associated facilities and related electric power lines shall be...

75 FR 48712 - Proposed Vaccine Information Materials for Influenza Vaccine

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-08-11

... the parent or legal representative in the case of a child) receiving vaccines covered under the... who intends to administer one of these covered vaccines is required to provide copies of the relevant.... In such cases, the only revision to the influenza VIS is the notation of the flu season for which the...

49 CFR 192.361 - Service lines: Installation.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... installed with at least 12 inches (305 millimeters) of cover in private property and at least 18 inches (457 millimeters) of cover in streets and roads. However, where an underground structure prevents installation at... building must: (1) In the case of a metal service line, be protected against corrosion; (2) In the case of...

Land use and land cover data changes in Indian Ocean Islands: Case study of Unguja in Zanzibar Island.

PubMed

Mwalusepo, Sizah; Muli, Eliud; Faki, Asha; Raina, Suresh

2017-04-01

Land use and land cover changes will continue to affect resilient human communities and ecosystems as a result of climate change. However, an assessment of land use and land cover changes over time in Indian Ocean Islands is less documented. The land use/cover data changes over 10 years at smaller geographical scale across Unguja Island in Zanzibar were analyzed. Downscaling of the data was obtained from SERVIR through partnership with Kenya-based Regional Centre for Mapping of Resources for Development (RCMRD) database (http://www.servirglobal.net), and clipped down in ArcMap (Version 10.1) to Unguja Island. SERVIR and RCMRD Land Cover Dataset are mainly 30 m multispectral images include Landsat TM and ETM+Multispectral Images. Landscape ecology Statistics tool (LecoS) was used to analysis the land use and land cover changes. The data provide information on the status of the land use and land cover changes along the Unguja Island in Zanzibar. The data is of great significance to the future research on global change.

Long-term Evaluation of Landuse Changes On Landscape Water Balance - A Case Study From North-east Germany

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wegehenkel, M.

In this paper, long-term effects of different afforestation scenarios on landscape wa- ter balance will be analyzed taking into account the results of a regional case study. This analysis is based on using a GIS-coupled simulation model for the the spatially distributed calculation of water balance.For this purpose, the modelling system THE- SEUS with a simple GIS-interface will be used. To take into account the special case of change in forest cover proportion, THESEUS was enhanced with a simple for- est growth model. In the regional case study, model runs will be performed using a detailed spatial data set from North-East Germany. This data set covers a mesoscale catchment located at the moraine landscape of North-East Germany. Based on this data set, the influence of the actual landuse and of different landuse change scenarios on water balance dynamics will be investigated taking into account the spatial distributed modelling results from THESEUS. The model was tested using different experimen- tal data sets from field plots as well as obsverded catchment discharge. Additionally to such convential validation techniques, remote sensing data were used to check the simulated regional distribution of water balance components like evapotranspiration in the catchment.

Perspectives. 1983 Edition.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Close Up Foundation, Arlington, VA.

Designed to encourage informed and critical thinking on contemporary political issues and processes, the articles, case studies, and activities in this student handbook can be incorporated into secondary school social studies units on government or current events. Seven chapters cover the executive branch of government, Congress, the judiciary,…

Influence of Wall Material on VUV Emission from Hydrogen Plasma in H- Source

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bacal, M.; Glass-Maujean, M.; Ivanov, A. A., Jr; Nishiura, M.; Sasao, M.; Wada, M.

2002-11-01

The study of VUV emission from a hydrogen plasma produced in a filament discharge in a magnetic multicusp device showed that the use of tantalum and tungsten filaments leads to significant differences in the spectra. The effect of the filament material is interpreted in terms of the fresh film of this material, deposited on the wall. The synthetic spectrum convoluted with our apparatus function for the conditions of this experiment (gas temperature 500 K, electron energy 100 eV) agrees roughly well with the spectrum obtained with tungsten covered walls, but not with the spectrum obtained with tantalum covered walls. We show that in the case of tungsten covered walls the E-V singlet excitation is indeed a two-step Franck-Condon transition, going through either B or C state from an initial H2 molecule with v"=0, added to a Franck-Condon transition to highly excited states cascading to the B or C states. The excitation process to high v" states in the case of tantalum covered walls is a three step process, in which the first step is the formation by recombinative desorption on the wall of a vibrationally excited molecule with v"=1 or 2, which serves as the initial molecule in the subsequent E-V excitation through the B state. The results indicate a larger recombination coefficient of atoms on the tantalum covered wall.

Integration of environmental simulation models with satellite remote sensing and geographic information systems technologies: case studies

USGS Publications Warehouse

Steyaert, Louis T.; Loveland, Thomas R.; Brown, Jesslyn F.; Reed, Bradley C.

1993-01-01

Environmental modelers are testing and evaluating a prototype land cover characteristics database for the conterminous United States developed by the EROS Data Center of the U.S. Geological Survey and the University of Nebraska Center for Advanced Land Management Information Technologies. This database was developed from multi temporal, 1-kilometer advanced very high resolution radiometer (AVHRR) data for 1990 and various ancillary data sets such as elevation, ecological regions, and selected climatic normals. Several case studies using this database were analyzed to illustrate the integration of satellite remote sensing and geographic information systems technologies with land-atmosphere interactions models at a variety of spatial and temporal scales. The case studies are representative of contemporary environmental simulation modeling at local to regional levels in global change research, land and water resource management, and environmental simulation modeling at local to regional levels in global change research, land and water resource management and environmental risk assessment. The case studies feature land surface parameterizations for atmospheric mesoscale and global climate models; biogenic-hydrocarbons emissions models; distributed parameter watershed and other hydrological models; and various ecological models such as ecosystem, dynamics, biogeochemical cycles, ecotone variability, and equilibrium vegetation models. The case studies demonstrate the important of multi temporal AVHRR data to develop to develop and maintain a flexible, near-realtime land cover characteristics database. Moreover, such a flexible database is needed to derive various vegetation classification schemes, to aggregate data for nested models, to develop remote sensing algorithms, and to provide data on dynamic landscape characteristics. The case studies illustrate how such a database supports research on spatial heterogeneity, land use, sensitivity analysis, and scaling issues involving regional extrapolations and parameterizations of dynamic land processes within simulation models.

Recent land cover changes and sensitivity of the model simulations to various land cover datasets for China

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Liang; Ma, Zhuguo; Mahmood, Rezaul; Zhao, Tianbao; Li, Zhenhua; Li, Yanping

2017-08-01

Reliable land cover data are important for improving numerical simulation by regional climate model, because the land surface properties directly affect climate simulation by partitioning of energy, water and momentum fluxes and by determining temperature and moisture at the interface between the land surface and atmosphere. China has experienced significant land cover change in recent decades and accurate representation of these changes is, hence, essential. In this study, we used a climate model to examine the changes experienced in the regional climate because of the different land cover data in recent decades. Three sets of experiments are performed using the same settings, except for the land use/cover (LC) data for the years 1990, 2000, 2009, and the model default LC data. Three warm season periods are selected, which represented a wet (1998), normal (2000) and a dry year (2011) for China in each set of experiment. The results show that all three sets of land cover experiments simulate a warm bias relative to the control with default LC data for near-surface temperature in summertime in most parts of China. It is especially noticeable in the southwest China and south of the Yangtze River, where significant changes of LC occurred. Deforestation in southwest China and to the south of Yangtze River in the experiment cases may have contributed to the negative precipitation bias relative to the control cases. Large LC changes in northwestern Tibetan Plateau for 2000 and 2009 datasets are also associated with changes in surface temperature, precipitation, and heat fluxes. Wind anomalies and energy budget changes are consistent with the precipitation and temperature changes.

Analysis of data acquired by synthetic aperture radar over Dade County, Florida, and Acadia Parish, Louisiana

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wu, S. T.

1983-01-01

Results of digital processing of airborne X-band synthetic aperture radar (SAR) data acquired over Dade County, Florida, and Acadia Parish, Louisiana are presented. The goal was to investigate the utility of SAR data for land cover mapping and area estimation under the AgRISTARS Domestic Crops and Land Cover Project. In the case of the Acadia Paris study area, LANDSAT multispectral scanner (MSS) data were also used to form a combined SAR and MSS data set. The results of accuracy evaluation for the SAR, MSS, and SAR/MSS data using supervised classification show that the combined SAR/MSS data set results in an improved classification accuracy of the five land cover classes as compared with SAR-only and MSS-only data sets. In the case of the Dade County study area, the results indicate that both HH and VV polarization data are highly responsive to the row orientation of the row crop but not to the specific vegetation which forms the row structure. On the other hand, the HV polarization data are relatively insensitive to the orientation of row crop. Therefore, the HV polarization data may be used to discriminate the specific vegetation that forms the row structure.

Physically based approaches incorporating evaporation for early warning predictions of rainfall-induced landslides

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Reder, Alfredo; Rianna, Guido; Pagano, Luca

2018-02-01

In the field of rainfall-induced landslides on sloping covers, models for early warning predictions require an adequate trade-off between two aspects: prediction accuracy and timeliness. When a cover's initial hydrological state is a determining factor in triggering landslides, taking evaporative losses into account (or not) could significantly affect both aspects. This study evaluates the performance of three physically based predictive models, converting precipitation and evaporative fluxes into hydrological variables useful in assessing slope safety conditions. Two of the models incorporate evaporation, with one representing evaporation as both a boundary and internal phenomenon, and the other only a boundary phenomenon. The third model totally disregards evaporation. Model performances are assessed by analysing a well-documented case study involving a 2 m thick sloping volcanic cover. The large amount of monitoring data collected for the soil involved in the case study, reconstituted in a suitably equipped lysimeter, makes it possible to propose procedures for calibrating and validating the parameters of the models. All predictions indicate a hydrological singularity at the landslide time (alarm). A comparison of the models' predictions also indicates that the greater the complexity and completeness of the model, the lower the number of predicted hydrological singularities when no landslides occur (false alarms).

ARSENIC REMOVAL

EPA Science Inventory

Presentation covered five topics; arsenic chemistry, best available technology (BAT), surface water technology, ground water technology and case studies of arsenic removal. The discussion on arsenic chemistry focused on the need and method of speciation for AsIII and AsV. BAT me...

Economics

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1975-01-01

Tables covering the selling price of hydrogen as a function of each process temperature studied are presented. Estimated selling price, based on capital costs and operating and maintenance costs, is included. In all cases, no credit was given for the methane component of hydrogen.

Incorporating weather impacts in traffic estimation and prediction systems (TREPS)

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2009-09-01

This document provides quantitative benefits of using Intelligent Transportation Systems in highway construction and maintenance work zones. The technical report covers case study sites in the District of Columbia, Texas, Michigan, Arkansas, and Nort...

Book Review

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fritz, Steffen

2017-07-01

The book titled European Landscape Dynamics is a comprehensive compendium on the European CORINE land cover (CLC) and some other aspects such as fragmentation and ecosystem services in Europe. The authors constitute a wide selection of researchers and practitioners from across Europe active in this field. It contains 29 chapters of very different sizes ranging between 2 pages (Chapter 8) to 43 pages (Chapter 20). The book is structured in 5 different sections: 1. Introduction; 2. Methodology; 3. European CORINE data layers; 4. Case studies; and 5. CORINE Land Cover Perspective.

Impact of Export Control and Technology Transfer Regimes: International Perspectives

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-01-07

major national security and public policy issue. Exploring the ITAR environment through a set of case studies was the central idea in a project...cover) was based on a survey of UK stakeholders. The results were unambiguous and striking. Our British partners conclude ITAR is a good idea gone...ITAR) regime is a major national security and public policy issue. Exploring the ITAR environment through a set of case studies was the central idea

Relationship among mismatch repair deficiency, CDX2 loss, p53 and E-cadherin in colon carcinoma and suitability of using a double panel of mismatch repair proteins by immunohistochemistry.

PubMed

Sayar, Ilyas; Akbas, Emin Murat; Isik, Arda; Gokce, Aysun; Peker, Kemal; Demirtas, Levent; Gürbüzel, Mehmet

2015-09-01

Biomarkers such as mismatch repair proteins, CDX2, p53, and E-cadherin are blamed for colon cancers, but the relationships of these biomarkers with each other and with pathological risk factors in colon carcinoma are still not clear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of these biomarkers with each other by using immunohistochemical staining and to compare their expression with pathological risk factors for colonic adenocarcinoma. We also aimed to study the usability of a double panel of mismatch repair proteins. One hundred and eleven cases with colonic adenocarcinoma were examined. There was a statistically significant relationship between tumor histological differentiation and perineural invasion, vascular invasion, mismatch repair deficiency, p53, CDX2, and E-cadherin (p < 0.05). PMS2 and MSH6 loss covered 100% of cases with mismatch repair deficiency. Mismatch repair deficiency was correlated with CDX2 loss and E-cadherin expression (p < 0.05). It was also observed that cases with PMS2 loss covered all the cases with CDX2 loss. In conclusion, this double panel may be used instead of a quadruple panel for detecting mismatch repair deficiency. Association of CDX2 and PMS2 in the present study is necessary to conduct further genetic and pathological studies focusing on these two markers together.

9 CFR 381.190 - Transactions in slaughtered poultry and other poultry products restricted; vehicle sanitation...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... enclosed with tight fitting doors or other covers for all openings. In all cases, the means of conveyance... case, and the type and extent of such inspection shall be at the Inspection Service's discretion and... of product covering, and effect of restowage at stops en route. Any means of conveyance found upon...

9 CFR 381.190 - Transactions in slaughtered poultry and other poultry products restricted; vehicle sanitation...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... enclosed with tight fitting doors or other covers for all openings. In all cases, the means of conveyance... case, and the type and extent of such inspection shall be at the Inspection Service's discretion and... of product covering, and effect of restowage at stops en route. Any means of conveyance found upon...

9 CFR 381.190 - Transactions in slaughtered poultry and other poultry products restricted; vehicle sanitation...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... enclosed with tight fitting doors or other covers for all openings. In all cases, the means of conveyance... case, and the type and extent of such inspection shall be at the Inspection Service's discretion and... of product covering, and effect of restowage at stops en route. Any means of conveyance found upon...

A Novel Treatment of Denuded Areas in Newborns: A Report of 2 Successful Cases

PubMed Central

Milanés, Felipe; Vergara, Teresa; Lara, Laura; Duran, Andres; Robayo, Adriana

2015-01-01

Summary: Covering denuded areas in the extremes of life is challenging for the plastic surgeon. In newborns, this becomes a greater challenge because of the immaturity of all of their systems, making any injury a potential risk for death. We present in this case report a successful treatment of 2 cases covered with cultured autologous keratinocytes. In this procedure, a small skin biopsy is taken from the retroauricular area and the keratinocytes are cultured. After 5 days, a membrane with the cells cultured is applied covering the denuded area. We find the autologous keratinocyte method a suitable option for the treatment of denuded areas in newborns, without causing any additional morbidity and in a very short period of time. PMID:26495236

[Scanning microscopy aspects of the corneal endothelium in disciform keratitis and graft rejection].

PubMed

Renard, G; Pouliquen, Y

1975-05-01

Scanning electron microscopic study of corneal endothelium in two cases of corneal disease. In one case of herpetic keratitis with stromal oedema and anterior uveitis an important cellular reaction is found with different cells forming a retrocorneal membrane. In a case of graft rejection there are two different aspects. On somes places there is an inflammatory reaction with lymphocytes and macrophages. The main surface of the graft is covered with indifferenciated cells whose origine is probably the receiver's endothelium.

77 FR 38282 - Final Test Guidelines; OCSPP 850 Series; Notice of Availability

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-06-27

... conditions. EPA is changing the title of OPPTS 850.4450 ``Aquatic Plants Field Study, Tier III'' test....4300 ``Terrestrial Plants Field Study, Tier III'' test guideline. Public Draft OPPTS 850.4025 ``Target..., OCSPP 850.4300 ``Terrestrial Plants Field Study.'' The target area test guideline covers a special case...

Prevalence and effects of rape myths in print journalism: the Kobe Bryant case.

PubMed

Franiuk, Renae; Seefelt, Jennifer L; Cepress, Sandy L; Vandello, Joseph A

2008-03-01

Two studies examine the prevalence and effects of rape myths in the print media covering a real-life case of alleged sexual assault. Study 1 was an archival study of 156 sources from around the country. Articles about the Kobe Bryant case were coded for instances of rape myths, among other variables. Of the articles, 65 mentioned at least one rape myth (with "she's lying" being the single most common myth perpetuated). Study 2 assessed participants' (N = 62) prior knowledge of the Bryant case and exposed them to a myth-endorsing or myth-challenging article about the case. Those exposed to the myth-endorsing article were more likely to believe that Bryant was not guilty and the alleged victim was lying. The implications for victim reporting and reducing sexual assault in general are discussed.

Clinical feasibility of a new through-the-scope fully covered esophageal self-expandable metallic stent: an in vivo animal study.

PubMed

Cheon, Young Koog; Lee, Tae Yoon; Sung, In Kyung; Shim, Chan Sup

2014-01-01

Most delivery devices used for esophageal stents for obstructing esophageal cancer have a diameter of 5-8 mm, a size that is too large to pass through the endoscopic working channel. The conventional esophageal stent requires multiple endoscopic procedures for implantation. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the clinical feasibility of a newly developed fully covered, self-expanding, through-the-scope (TTS) esophageal stent in a porcine model. Eight mini pigs were used. Each animal underwent placement of a fully covered TTS stent (Hanarostent® Esophagus TTS) and the upper part of the stent was fixed by suturing with nylon. Fluoroscopy was carried out every week to assess migration of the stent. Follow-up endoscopy was done every month for 3 months to evaluate the status of the membrane, stent mesh, grade of tissue hyperplasia, and mucosal changes at both ends of the stent. All stents were successfully and easily deployed, and were placed without any distortion in the stent or without rupture of the membrane. In two cases, stent migration was observed after 8 weeks. No case of membrane disruption, stent mesh disruption or tissue hyperplasia at either end of the stent was found at the completion of the study. Our findings indicate that the new fully covered self-expanding TTS esophageal stent is easy and simple to implant, and no significant distortion of mesh or disruption of membrane was observed. © 2013 The Authors. Digestive Endoscopy © 2013 Japan Gastroenterological Endoscopy Society.

OUTER LOOP LANDFILL CASE STUDY

EPA Science Inventory

This presentation will describe the interim data reaulting from a CRADA between USEPA and Waste Management, Inc. at the outer Loop Landfill Bioreactor research project located in Louisville, KY. Recently updated data will be presented covering landfill solids, gas being collecte...

A comparison of different transarterial embolization techniques for direct carotid cavernous fistulas: a single center experience in 32 patients

PubMed Central

Lu, Xiaojian; Hussain, Mohammed; Ni, Lanchun; Huang, Qinfeng; Zhou, Fei; Gu, Zhikai; Chen, Jian; Ding, Yuchuan; Xu, Feng

2014-01-01

Objective Transarterial treatment of direct carotid cavernous fistulas (DCCF) via embolic materials has been well documented. This study reports, validates, and compares with existing literature our experience treating DCCFs via endovascular approaches by using detachable balloons, coils, and covered stents. Methods Between June 2006 to October 2011, 32 patients (21 male, 11 female) with 32 DCCFs (30 traumatic, 2 spontaneous cavernous ICA aneurysms) were embolized endovascularly. Followup was performed for at least 6 months. Results Among the 32 DCCFs, 21 (65.6%) were embolized using detachable balloons, eight (25.0%) with coils, one (3.1%) with balloons and coils, and two (6.3%) with covered stents. Complete DCCF obliteration was achieved in 31 (96.9%) cases. One fistula failed to respond due to premature balloon detachment. Intracranial bruit in 31 (100%) chemosis and exophthalmos in 28 (100%) cases resolved after embolization. Visual acuity and oculomotor palsy improved in 18 (90%) and 18 (69.2%) cases, respectively. There was no evidence of DCCF recurrence. Thirteen DCCFs were followed up by MRI and five by DSA. In these cases, four (4/13, 30.8%) balloon-embolized DCCFs showed pseudoaneurysms. Three patients were asymptomatic; one had minor left oculomotor palsy. Conclusions Our results correlate and reinforce literature regarding endovascular treatment of DCCFs. Application of Transarterial embolization with detachable balloons, despite extensive use has been decreasing. Coil embolization is an effective and safe alternative for treatment, especially when balloon embolization fails. Covered stent placement may be used as another alternative for selected cases. PMID:25566340

Effectiveness of inactivated quadrivalent influenza vaccine in the 2015/2016 season as assessed in both a test-negative case-control study design and a traditional case-control study design.

PubMed

Kimiya, Takahisa; Shinjoh, Masayoshi; Anzo, Makoto; Takahashi, Hiroki; Sekiguchi, Shinichiro; Sugaya, Norio; Takahashi, Takao

2018-04-21

Both traditional case-control studies (TCCSs) and test-negative case-control studies (TNCCSs) are commonly used to assess influenza vaccine effectiveness (VE). To compensate for the fact that observational studies are susceptible to bias, we combined both methods to assess VE in one geographical area during the 2015/2016 season, when influenza A (H1N1)pdm was dominant. Our TNCCS covered 331 children aged 6 months to 15 years who visited our hospital with fever, including 182 with influenza, and our TCCS covered 812 pediatric outpatients aged 6 months to 15 years, including 214 with influenza. Influenza infection and vaccination history were reviewed, and VE was calculated as (1 - odds ratio) × 100. In the TNCCS, VE against influenza A was 68% (95% CI 47-81) overall, and 70% (48-83) for those given two doses; against influenza B, VE was 37% (- 12-64) overall and 49% (2-74) for two doses. In the TCCS, VE against influenza A was 44% (15-63) overall and 44% (13-64) for two doses, and VE against influenza B was 24% (- 19-52) overall and 41% (3-64) for two doses. Both studies confirmed significant VE against influenza A, significant two-dose VE against influenza B, and better two-dose VE than one-dose VE. What is Known: • Influenza vaccine effectiveness (VE) varies from year to year. • Observational studies are conventionally used for VE assessment. However, they are inherently susceptible to bias and confounding. What is New: • This is the first report of influenza VE assessment using more than one observational study and performed in a specific area during the same season. • VE estimates obtained in our traditional case-control study were lower than those in our test-negative case-control study, but both studies found significant VE against influenza.

Application of chitosan-covered gauze in combination with intrauterine balloon tamponade for postpartum hemorrhage treatment - Case report of a novel "uterine sandwich" approach.

PubMed

Seidel, Vera; Braun, Thorsten; Weizsäcker, Katharina; Henrich, Wolfgang

2018-05-26

Postpartum or peripartum hemorrhage (PPH) is a major cause of maternal death worldwide. Fertility preserving second stage interventions following uterotonic medications may include compression sutures, uterine balloon tamponade and ligation or embolization of arteries. We present a case of PPH where a novel "uterine sandwich" approach (combination of chitosan-covered gauze with intrauterine balloon tamponade) was effectively used to stop further blood loss and prevented more invasive second stage interventions. Furthermore, we present the ultrasonographic image of chitosan-covered gauze in the uterine cavity. Chitosan-covered gauze and intrauterine balloon tamponade are complementary in their mechanism of work, the balloon reducing blood flow into the uterus and the chitosan-covered gauze enhancing the coagulation. This novel "uterine sandwich" approach can be a useful method for fertility preserving management of PPH. Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Using Amniotic Membrane as a Novel Method to Reduce Post-burn Hypertrophic Scar Formation: A Prospective Follow-up Study

PubMed Central

Mohammadi, Ali Akbar; Eskandari, Shima; Johari, Hamed Ghoddusi; Rajabnejad, Ata'ollah

2017-01-01

Background: Several studies have shown that the application of amniotic membrane as a biological dressing in the management of burns is accompanied by rapid re-epithelialisation. In this follow-up study, we aimed to evaluate the possible role of amniotic membrane as an adjunct to split thickness skin grafting on reducing itching and severity of hypertrophic scar formation. Materials and Methods: From October 2013 to January 2015, in a prospective follow-up study, 54 patients (108 limbs) with second and third degree burns, covering 4%–15% of total body surface area (TBSA), were included in the study. All patients needed split-thickness skin grafts for burn-wound coverage. Selected patients had symmetric burns on two (upper or lower) extremities. Then, in every patient, the extremities were randomly divided into two groups: In one limb, the skin graft was traditionally fixed with skin staples (control group) and in the other limb, the skin graft was covered with an amniotic membrane (amnion group). Therefore, in every patient, the graft was covered with an amniotic membrane in one extremity and fixed with skin staples in the other extremity. Finally, after 6 months, the degree of itching and hypertrophic scar formation was compared between the two groups. Results: The study group was composed of 108 limbs in 54 patients (27 males and 27 females) with a mean age of 23.54 ± 4.9 years and burn 9.03 ± 2.69% TBSA. The patients were divided into two groups: 54 limbs in amnion group and 54 limbs in control group. In 59.25% of the cases, patient had less itching in the extremity covered with amniotic membrane. Furthermore, in 64.81% of the cases, patients had less hypertrophic scar formation in the extremity covered with amniotic membrane. These differences were statistically significant (P < 0.001). Conclusions: Amniotic membrane used as an adjunct in split thickness skin grafting is a novel modality which significantly reduces scar formation and itching that can be greatly distressing to burn patients. However, still more prospective well designed studies are needed to prove it. PMID:28529415

Promoting Cultural Understanding: The Case of the Saudi Arabian Social Studies Curriculum.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Alaklobi, Fahad

A study investigated the role of the Saudi Arabian social studies curriculum in helping Saudi students to understand other cultures. Analysis of the content of social studies textbooks revealed that they cover a wide range of cultural information related to countries from around the world. Saudi students start their cultural education in grade 5…

Sponge epibionts on ecosystem-engineering ascidians: The case of Microcosmus sabatieri

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Voultsiadou, Eleni; Kyrodimou, Marianthi; Antoniadou, Chryssanthi; Vafidis, Dimitris

2010-03-01

The study of epibionts on habitat engineering ascidians is of increasing interest because changes in the population structure of the latter may affect associated communities, especially in the case of commercially exploited species. The solitary ascidian Microcosmus sabatieri lives on rocky cliffs in the Eastern Mediterranean and is harvested in certain Aegean areas. Its hard, wrinkled tunic is usually fouled by various epibionts both sessile and motile. Sponges are an important component of this complex and their biomass may be higher than that of the ascidian itself, strongly affecting diversity and abundance of the motile epifauna. The aim of this study was to examine in detail the structure of the epibiotic sponge assemblage on ascidians collected from their main fishing grounds in the South Aegean Sea. A rich (41 species) and taxonomically diverse sponge assemblage was found, while only eight species contributed 80% of the total sponge cover. Most of the epibiotic sponges commonly grow on the surrounding sublittoral cliffs. The encrusting sponge growth form prevailed in cover of the ascidian tunic, while two massive species dominated in terms of frequency of appearance and abundance. Ascidian dimensions, weight and volume were significantly correlated with sponge diversity, abundance and cover area, thus structuring the epibiotic sponge assemblage. Spatial patterns in sponge cover were not clear, but a general declining NW to SE trend in sponge richness, abundance and cover appeared in accordance with previous records. Sponge distribution on the ascidian tunic presented a clear pattern related with characteristic features of the ascidian: the posterior zone supported the richest and most expansive sponge fauna. The ecosystem-engineering process performed by the ascidian is enhanced by the diverse epibiotic sponge assemblage, thus further increasing habitat complexity in this space-limited, temperate, sublittoral, rocky environment.

Treatment of a coronary artery aneurysm by use of a covered stent graft – a case report

PubMed Central

Gundoğdu, Fuat; Arslan, Sakir; Buyukkaya, Eyup; Senocak, Huseyin

2007-01-01

Coronary artery aneurysm is a rare finding at coronary angiography. Most coronary aneurysms remain asymptomatic. There is no consensus on its management; some advocate aggressive approach while others advocate conservative management. A case of coronary artery aneurysm successfully treated by implantation of a polytetrafluoroethylene-covered coronary stent is presented. PMID:22477247

Case study for the assessment of the biogeophysical effects of a potential afforestation in Europe

PubMed Central

2013-01-01

Background A regional-scale sensitivity study has been carried out to investigate the climatic effects of forest cover change in Europe. Applying REMO (regional climate model of the Max Planck Institute for Meteorology), the projected temperature and precipitation tendencies have been analysed for summer, based on the results of the A2 IPCC-SRES emission scenario simulation. For the end of the 21st century it has been studied, whether the assumed forest cover increase could reduce the effects of the greenhouse gas concentration change. Results Based on the simulation results, biogeophysical effects of the hypothetic potential afforestation may lead to cooler and moister conditions during summer in most parts of the temperate zone. The largest relative effects of forest cover increase can be expected in northern Germany, Poland and Ukraine, which is 15–20% of the climate change signal for temperature and more than 50% for precipitation. In northern Germany and France, potential afforestation may enhance the effects of emission change, resulting in more severe heavy precipitation events. The probability of dry days and warm temperature extremes would decrease. Conclusions Large contiguous forest blocks can have distinctive biogeophysical effect on the climate on regional and local scale. In certain regions of the temperate zone, climate change signal due to greenhouse gas emission can be reduced by afforestation due to the dominant evaporative cooling effect during summer. Results of this case study with a hypothetical land cover change can contribute to the assessment of the role of forests in adapting to climate change. Thus they can build an important basis of the future forest policy. PMID:23369380

Producing Information for Corine Database by Using Classification Method: a Case Study of Sazlidere Basin, Istanbul

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sarıyılmaz, F. B.; Musaoğlu, N.; Uluğtekin, N.

2017-11-01

The Sazlidere Basin is located on the European side of Istanbul within the borders of Arnavutkoy and Basaksehir districts. The total area of the basin, which is largely located within the province of Arnavutkoy, is approximately 177 km2. The Sazlidere Basin is faced with intense urbanization pressures and land use / cover change due to the Northern Marmara Motorway, 3rd airport and Channel Istanbul Projects, which are planned to be realized in the Arnavutkoy region. Due to the mentioned projects, intense land use /cover changes occur in the basin. In this study, 2000 and 2012 dated LANDSAT images were supervised classified based on CORINE Land Cover first level to determine the land use/cover classes. As a result, four information classes were identified. These classes are water bodies, forest and semi-natural areas, agricultural areas and artificial surfaces. Accuracy analysis of the images were performed following the classification process. The supervised classified images that have the smallest mapping units 0.09 ha and 0.64 ha were generalized to be compatible with the CORINE Land Cover data. The image pixels have been rearranged by using the thematic pixel aggregation method as the smallest mapping unit is 25 ha. These results were compared with CORINE Land Cover 2000 and CORINE Land Cover 2012, which were obtained by digitizing land cover and land use classes on satellite images. It has been determined that the compared results are compatible with each other in terms of quality and quantity.

An Application of an IDEFO Model to Improve the Process of Base Closure: A Case Study

DTIC Science & Technology

1993-12-01

Leave blank) 2. REPORT DATE 3. REPORT TYPE AND DATES COVERED December 1993 Master’s Thesis 4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE AN APLICATION OF AN IDEFO MODEL 5...Closure: A Case Study by Varanda K. Phillips December, 1993 Thesis Advisor: Kenneth J. Euske Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited. AY...10. SPONSOR ING/MONITORING AGENCY REPORT NUMBER 11. SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES The views expressed in this thesis are those of the author and do not reflect

Land cover change impact on urban flood modeling (case study: Upper Citarum watershed)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Siregar, R. I.

2018-03-01

The upper Citarum River watershed utilizes remote sensing technology in Geographic Information System to provide information on land coverage by interpretation of objects in the image. Rivers that pass through urban areas will cause flooding problems causing disadvantages, and it disrupts community activities in the urban area. Increased development in a city is related to an increase in the number of population growth that added by increasing quality and quantity of life necessities. Improved urban lifestyle changes have an impact on land cover. The impact in over time will be difficult to control. This study aims to analyze the condition of flooding in urban areas caused by upper Citarum watershed land-use change in 2001 with the land cover change in 2010. This modeling analyzes with the help of HEC-RAS to describe flooded inundation urban areas. Land cover change in upper Citarum watershed is not very significant; it based on the results of data processing of land cover has the difference of area that changed is not enormous. Land cover changes for the floods increased dramatically to a flow coefficient for 2001 is 0.65 and in 2010 at 0.69. In 2001, the inundation area about 105,468 hectares and it were about 92,289 hectares in 2010.

Group Sparse Optimization by Alternating Direction Method

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-11-22

to solving the following linear system: (β1G TG+ β2A TA)x = β1G T z −GTλ1 + β2AT b+ATλ2. (3.5) Note that GTG ∈ Rn×n is a diagonal matrix whose i-th...diagonal entry is the number of repetitions of xi in x̃. When the groups form an complete cover of the solution, the diagonal entries of GTG will be...positive, so GTG is invertible. In the next subsection, we will show that an incomplete cover case can be converted to a complete cover case by

HIPAA Business Associate Contracts: the value of contracts for case managers.

PubMed

Muller, Lynn S

2003-01-01

Case Managers are in the middle of the upcoming HIPAA regulation changes, with the issuance of the Final Privacy Rule. Every case obliges case managers to work with Individually Identifiable Health Information (IIHI) and Protected Health Information (PHI). The purpose of this article is to provide case managers in all practice settings with a clear understanding of a "Business Associate," of a "Covered Entity," and of the specifics of a Business Associate Contract. This information will demonstrate how case managers can benefit from the use of these contracts in their business life. As an essential component of an organization's compliance plan, Business Associate Contracts can become a sword or a shield. This article is particularly helpful to case managers in independent practice, as well as those who work for Covered Entities.

Case Study of the Denver Regional Transportation District Eco Pass Program

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1993-11-01

This report documents the Denver Regional Transportation District (RTD) Eco Pass Program and evaluates its impacts. The Eco Pass is an annual, unlimited-use photo identification pass covering transportation on all RTD transit routes. Employers in the...

Swimming Associated Disease Outbreaks.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Cabelli, V. J.

1978-01-01

Presents a literature review of recreational waterborne outbreaks and cases of disease, covering publications of 1976-77. This review includes: (1) retrospective and prospective epidemiological studies; (2) predictive models of the risk of recreational waterborn disease. A list of 35 references is also presented. (HM)

Facility Benchmarking Trends in Tertiary Education - An Australian Case Study.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Fisher, Kenn

2001-01-01

Presents how Australia's facility managers are responding to the growing impact of tertiary education participation and the increase in educational facility usage. Topics cover strategic asset management and the benchmarking of education physical assets and postsecondary institutions. (GR)

[Membrane-covered self-expanding stents in the treatment of high-positioned esophageal stenosis or fistula].

PubMed

Liu, Jing-zheng; Zhong, Yun-shi; Xu, Mei-dong; Chen, Wei-feng; Zhou, Ping-hong; Yao, Li-qing

2013-12-01

To investigate the efficacy and safety of membrane-covered self-expanding metal stent in the treatment of high-positioned esophageal diseases, including esophageal stenosis, esophagotracheal fistula and anastomotic stricture. Clinical data of 84 patients who underwent stenting in our center from May 2005 to July 2013 were retrospectively analyzed. Of 84 patients, 31 were diagnosed as esophageal malignant stenosis, 2 compression stenosis, 10 radiation stenosis, 4 recurrent malignant stenosis, 27 anastomotic stricture, 1 esophageal stenosis after endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD), 7 esophageal-tracheal fistula, 1 esophageal-mediastinal fistula, and 1 remnant stomach fistula. Distance from stenosis or fistula to central incisor was 15-20 cm in 48 cases, and more than 20 cm in 36 cases. All the patients were treated by 16 mm membrane-covered self-expanding metal stents. Main clinical manifestations and complications were evaluated. A total of 100 stents were placed in 84 patients,with a success rate of 100%. There were no complications such as perforation and bleeding during operation. Dysphagia and cough were improved quickly with a success rate of 100%. After the placement of stents, the incidence of complication was 6.0% (5/84), of which 2 cases were severe retrosternal pain, 1 was tracheal collapse, and 2 were stent displacement. Seventy-six patients (90.5%) received complete follow-up of 1 to 36 months (mean 15 months). Re-stenosis occurred in 4 cases, new esophageal-tracheal fistula in 2 cases. Among these 6 cases, 5 cases underwent successfully stent placement once again, and another one case received Savary bougie and Argon-ion coagulation with good efficacy. Endoscopic membrane-covered self-expanding metal stent placement is effective and safe for the relieve of dysphagia symptoms and the sealing of esophagotracheal fistula.

Need Assessment of Computer Science and Engineering Graduates

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Surakka, Sami; Malmi, Lauri

2005-01-01

This case study considered the syllabus of the first and second year studies in computer science. The aim of the study was to reveal which topics covered in the syllabi were really needed during the following years of study or in working life. The program that was assessed in the study was a Masters program in computer science and engineering at a…

Groundwater monitoring system

DOEpatents

Ames, Kenneth R.; Doesburg, James M.; Eschbach, Eugene A.; Kelley, Roy C.; Myers, David A.

1987-01-01

A groundwater monitoring system includes a bore, a well casing within and spaced from the bore, and a pump within the casing. A water impermeable seal between the bore and the well casing prevents surface contamination from entering the pump. Above the ground surface is a removable operating means which is connected to the pump piston by a flexible cord. A protective casing extends above ground and has a removable cover. After a groundwater sample has been taken, the cord is disconnected from the operating means. The operating means is removed for taking away, the cord is placed within the protective casing, and the cover closed and locked. The system is thus protected from contamination, as well as from damage by accident or vandalism.

Hyperspectral Sensor Data Capability for Retrieving Complex Urban Land Cover in Comparison with Multispectral Data: Venice City Case Study (Italy)

PubMed Central

Cavalli, Rosa Maria; Fusilli, Lorenzo; Pascucci, Simone; Pignatti, Stefano; Santini, Federico

2008-01-01

This study aims at comparing the capability of different sensors to detect land cover materials within an historical urban center. The main objective is to evaluate the added value of hyperspectral sensors in mapping a complex urban context. In this study we used: (a) the ALI and Hyperion satellite data, (b) the LANDSAT ETM+ satellite data, (c) MIVIS airborne data and (d) the high spatial resolution IKONOS imagery as reference. The Venice city center shows a complex urban land cover and therefore was chosen for testing the spectral and spatial characteristics of different sensors in mapping the urban tissue. For this purpose, an object-oriented approach and different common classification methods were used. Moreover, spectra of the main anthropogenic surfaces (i.e. roofing and paving materials) were collected during the field campaigns conducted on the study area. They were exploited for applying band-depth and sub-pixel analyses to subsets of Hyperion and MIVIS hyperspectral imagery. The results show that satellite data with a 30m spatial resolution (ALI, LANDSAT ETM+ and HYPERION) are able to identify only the main urban land cover materials. PMID:27879879

Child Protection and Case Management Team Performance Evaluation Tool (CPCMT P.E.T.).

DTIC Science & Technology

1982-05-01

audit): ( 1 ) Structural measures - the environment, physical facilities, personnel capability, and organizational characteristics of the program (e.g...Need objective criteria for the measurement - define terms . Examples: Under organization, what is ( 1 ) "complete interdisciplinary composition" and (5...VATALOG NUMBER Health Care Studies Div Rpt #82-00 1 4. TITLE (and SubtUo) S. TYPE OF REPORT & PERIOD COVERED Child Protection and Case Management Team

Air Force Fitness Program. Case Studies on the Impact on Aircraft Maintenance

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-04-01

reduced or avoided pain after childbirth if one is muscularly fit. Also, in menopausal women, exercise reduces the effects of osteoporosis. Post ...workforce, show that exercise and increased productivity are directly linked. The first case, covered in the New Zealand Dominion Post , directly...menopausal depression has shown to greatly reduce with participation in a regular exercise program.20 While benefits of regular exercise and healthy

Error and Uncertainty in the Accuracy Assessment of Land Cover Maps

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sarmento, Pedro Alexandre Reis

Traditionally the accuracy assessment of land cover maps is performed through the comparison of these maps with a reference database, which is intended to represent the "real" land cover, being this comparison reported with the thematic accuracy measures through confusion matrixes. Although, these reference databases are also a representation of reality, containing errors due to the human uncertainty in the assignment of the land cover class that best characterizes a certain area, causing bias in the thematic accuracy measures that are reported to the end users of these maps. The main goal of this dissertation is to develop a methodology that allows the integration of human uncertainty present in reference databases in the accuracy assessment of land cover maps, and analyse the impacts that uncertainty may have in the thematic accuracy measures reported to the end users of land cover maps. The utility of the inclusion of human uncertainty in the accuracy assessment of land cover maps is investigated. Specifically we studied the utility of fuzzy sets theory, more precisely of fuzzy arithmetic, for a better understanding of human uncertainty associated to the elaboration of reference databases, and their impacts in the thematic accuracy measures that are derived from confusion matrixes. For this purpose linguistic values transformed in fuzzy intervals that address the uncertainty in the elaboration of reference databases were used to compute fuzzy confusion matrixes. The proposed methodology is illustrated using a case study in which the accuracy assessment of a land cover map for Continental Portugal derived from Medium Resolution Imaging Spectrometer (MERIS) is made. The obtained results demonstrate that the inclusion of human uncertainty in reference databases provides much more information about the quality of land cover maps, when compared with the traditional approach of accuracy assessment of land cover maps. None

The challenges associated with applying global models in heterogeneous landscapes: A case study using MOD17 GPP estimates in Hawaii

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kimball, H.; Selmants, P. C.; Running, S. W.; Moreno, A.; Giardina, C. P.

2016-12-01

In this study we evaluate the influence of spatial data product accuracy and resolution on the application of global models for smaller scale heterogeneous landscapes. In particular, we assess the influence of locally specific land cover and high-resolution climate data products on estimates of Gross Primary Production (GPP) for the Hawaiian Islands using the MOD17 model. The MOD17 GPP algorithm uses a measure of the fraction of absorbed photosynthetically active radiation from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's Earth Observation System. This direct measurement is combined with global land cover (500-m resolution) and climate models ( 1/2-degree resolution) to estimate GPP. We first compared the alignment between the global land cover model used in MOD17 with a Hawaii specific land cover data product. We found that there was a 51.6% overall agreement between the two land cover products. We then compared four MOD17 GPP models: A global model that used the global land cover and low-resolution global climate data products, a model produced using the Hawaii specific land cover and low-resolution global climate data products, a model with global land cover and high-resolution climate data products, and finally, a model using both Hawaii specific land cover and high-resolution climate data products. We found that including either the Hawaii specific land cover or the high-resolution Hawaii climate data products with MOD17 reduced overall estimates of GPP by 8%. When both were used, GPP estimates were reduced by 16%. The reduction associated with land cover is explained by a reduction of the total area designated as evergreen broad leaf forest and an increase in the area designated as barren or sparsely vegetated in the Hawaii land cover product as compared to the global product. The climate based reduction is explained primarily by the spatial resolution and distribution of solar radiation in the Hawaiian Islands. This study highlights the importance of accuracy and resolution when applying global models to highly variable landscapes and provides an estimate of the influence of land cover and climate data products on estimates of GPP using MOD17.

The Affordances of Using a Flipped Classroom Approach in the Teaching of Mathematics: A Case Study of a Grade 10 Mathematics Class

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Muir, Tracey; Geiger, Vince

2016-01-01

Teaching secondary mathematics has a number of challenges, including the expectations that teachers cover the prescribed curriculum, help students learn difficult concepts, prepare students for future studies, and, increasingly, that they do so incorporating digital technologies. This study investigates a teacher's, and his students', perceptions…

Appraisal of neurobehavioral methods in environmental health research: the developing brain as a target for neurotoxic chemicals.

PubMed

Winneke, Gerhard

2007-10-01

Psychological tests as developed and validated in the field of differential psychology have a longstanding tradition as tools to study individual differences. In clinical neuropsychology, global or more specific tests are used as neuropsychological tools in the differential diagnosis of various forms of brain damage or neurobehavioral dysfunction following chemical insults, such as mental sequelae of prenatal alcohol consumption by pregnant mothers (fetal alcohol syndrome) or of maternal thyroid deficiency during pregnancy. Psychometric tests are constructed to fulfill basic quality criteria, namely objectivity, reliability and validity. For strictly diagnostic purposes in individual cases they must also possess normative values based on representative reference groups. Intelligence tests or their developmental variants are often used as endpoints in environmental health research for studying neurodevelopmental adversity due to early exposure to neurotoxic chemicals in the environment. Intelligence as treated in psychology is a complex construct made up of specific cognitive functions which usually cover verbal, numerical and spatial skills, as well as perceptual speed, memory and reasoning. In this paper, case studies covering neurodevelopmental adversity of inorganic lead, of methylmercury and of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are reviewed, and the issue of postnatal behavioral sequelae of prenatal exposure is covered. In such observational studies precautions must be taken in order to avoid pitfalls of causative interpretation of associations between exposure and neurobehavioral outcome. This requires consideration of co-exposure and confounding. Important confounders considered in most modern developmental cohort studies are maternal intelligence and quality of the home environment.

Vegetation cover dynamics of the Mongolian semiarid zone according to multi-temporal LANDSAT imagery (the case of Darkhan test range)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zharnikova, M. A.; Alymbaeva, ZH B.; Ayurzhanaev, A. A.; Garmaev, E. ZH

2016-11-01

At present much attention is given to the spatio-temporal dynamics of plant communities of steppes to assess their response to the current climate changes. In this study, a mapping of a selected modeling polygon was carried out on the basis of data decoding and field surveys of vegetation cover in the semi-arid zone. The resulting large-scale map of actual vegetation reflects the current state of the vegetation cover and its horizontal structure. It is a valuable material for monitoring of changes in the chosen area. With multi-temporal satellite Landsat imagery we consider the vegetation cover dynamics of the test range. To analyze the transformation of the environment by the climatic factors, we compared series of NDVI versus the precipitation and of NDVI versus the temperatures. Then we calculated the degree of correlation between them.

Characterizing the fabric of the urban environment: A case study of Greater Houston, Texas

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Rose, Leanna Shea; Akbari, Hashem; Taha, Haider

2003-01-15

In this report, the materials and various surface types that comprise a city are referred to as the ''urban fabric.'' Urban fabric data are needed in order to estimate the impact of light-colored surfaces (roofs and pavements) and urban vegetation (trees, grass, shrubs) on the meteorology and air quality of a city, and to design effective urban environmental implementation programs. We discuss the results of a semi-automatic Monte-Carlo statistical approach used to develop data on surface-type distribution and city-fabric makeup (percentage of various surface-types) using aerial color orthophotography. The digital aerial photographs for Houston covered a total of about 52more » km2 (20 mi2). At 0.30-m resolution, there were approximately 5.8 x 108 pixels of data. Four major land-use types were examined: (1) commercial, (2) industrial, (3) educational, and (4) residential. On average, for the regions studied, vegetation covers about 39 percent of the area, roofs cover about 21 percent, and paved surfaces cover about 29 percent. For the most part, trees shade streets, parking lots, grass, and sidewalks. At ground level, i.e., view from below the vegetation canopies, paved surfaces cover about 32 percent of the study area. GLOBEIS model data from University of Texas and land-use/land-cover (LULC) information from the United States Geological Survey (USGS) were used to extrapolate these results from neighborhood scales to Greater Houston. It was found that in an area of roughly 3,430 km2, defining most of Greater Houston, over 56 percent is residential. The total roof area is about 740 km2, and the total paved surface area (roads, parking areas, sidewalks) covers about 1000 km2. Vegetation covers about 1,320 km2.« less

The Spatial Resolution in the Computer Modelling of Atmospheric Flow over a Double-Hill Forested Region

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Palma, J. L.; Rodrigues, C. V.; Lopes, A. S.; Carneiro, A. M. C.; Coelho, R. P. C.; Gomes, V. C.

2017-12-01

With the ever increasing accuracy required from numerical weather forecasts, there is pressure to increase the resolution and fidelity employed in computational micro-scale flow models. However, numerical studies of complex terrain flows are fundamentally bound by the digital representation of the terrain and land cover. This work assess the impact of the surface description on micro-scale simulation results at a highly complex site in Perdigão, Portugal, characterized by a twin parallel ridge topography, densely forested areas and an operating wind turbine. Although Coriolis and stratification effects cannot be ignored, the study is done under neutrally stratified atmosphere and static inflow conditions. The understanding gained here will later carry over to WRF-coupled simulations, where those conditions do not apply and the flow physics is more accurately modelled. With access to very fine digital mappings (<1m horizontal resolution) of both topography and land cover (roughness and canopy cover, both obtained through aerial LIDAR scanning of the surface) the impact of each element of the surface description on simulation results can be individualized, in order to estimate the resolution required to satisfactorily resolve them. Starting from the bare topographic description, in its coursest form, these include: a) the surface roughness mapping, b) the operating wind turbine, c) the canopy cover, as either body forces or added surface roughness (akin to meso-scale modelling), d) high resolution topography and surface cover mapping. Each of these individually will have an impact near the surface, including the rotor swept area of modern wind turbines. Combined they will considerably change flow up to boundary layer heights. Sensitivity to these elements cannot be generalized and should be assessed case-by-case. This type of in-depth study, unfeasible using WRF-coupled simulations, should provide considerable insight when spatially allocating mesh resolution for accurate resolution of complex flows.

Dating human skeletal remains using 90Sr and 210Pb: case studies.

PubMed

Schrag, Bettina; Uldin, Tanya; Mangin, Patrice; Bochud, François; Froidevaux, Pascal

2014-01-01

In legal medicine, the post mortem interval (PMI) of interest covers the last 50 years. When only human skeletal remains are found, determining the PMI currently relies mostly on the experience of the forensic anthropologist, with few techniques available to help. Recently, several radiometric methods have been proposed to reveal PMI. For instance, (14)C and (90)Sr bomb pulse dating covers the last 60 years and give reliable PMI when teeth or bones are available. (232)Th series dating has also been proposed but requires a large amount of bones. In addition, (210)Pb dating is promising but is submitted to diagenesis and individual habits like smoking that must be handled carefully. Here we determine PMI on 29 cases of forensic interest using (90)Sr bomb pulse. In 12 cases, (210)Pb dating was added to narrow the PMI interval. In addition, anthropological investigations were carried out on 15 cases to confront anthropological expertise to the radiometric method. Results show that 10 of the 29 cases can be discarded as having no forensic interest (PMI>50 years) based only on the (90)Sr bomb pulse dating. For 10 other cases, the additional (210)Pb dating restricts the PMI uncertainty to a few years. In 15 cases, anthropological investigations corroborate the radiometric PMI. This study also shows that diagenesis and inter-individual difference in radionuclide uptake represent the main sources of uncertainty in the PMI determination using radiometric methods. Copyright © 2013 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd.. All rights reserved.

Analysis of Synthetic Aperture Radar data acquired over a variety of land cover

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wu, S. T.

1983-01-01

An analysis has been conducted of two-look-angle, multipolarization X-band SAR results. On the basis of the variety of land covers studied, the vertical-vertical polarization (VV) data is judged to contain the highest degree of contrast, while the horizontal-vertical (HV) polarization contained the least. VV polarization data is accordingly recommended for forest vegetation classification in those cases where only one data channel is available. The inclusion of horizontal-horizontal polarization data, however, is noted to be capable of delineating special surface features.

Mejoramiento de la Produccion de Materiales de Educacion en Poblacion para la Ensenanza Primaria y la Post-Alfabetizacion. Taller Regional (Santiago, Chile, 27 mayo-5 junio, 1987). Informe Final (Upgrading the Production of Population Education Materials for Primary Education and Post-Literacy. Regional Workshop (Santiago, Chile, May 27-June 5, 1987). Final Report.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization, Santiago (Chile). Regional Office for Education in Latin America and the Caribbean.

This report contains the results of an operational training workshop covering 11 case studies on the production of teaching materials for population education and used for elementary education, literacy, and post-literacy programs. The workshop covered the planning and design for the production of teaching materials including an eight step…

The course of the buccal nerve: relationships with the temporalis muscle during the prenatal period

PubMed Central

MÉRIDA-VELASCO, J. R.; RODRÍGUEZ-VÁZQUEZ, J. F.; CUADRA, C.; MÉRIDA-VELASCO, J. A.; JIMÉNEZ-COLLADO, J.

2001-01-01

The aim of this study was to describe the course of the buccal nerve and its relationships with the temporalis muscle during the prenatal period. Serial sections of 90 human fetal specimens ranging from 9 to 17 wk development were studied by light microscopy. Each fetal specimen was studied on both right and left sides, making a total of 180 cases for study. A 3-D reconstruction of the region analysed in one of the specimens was made. In 89 cases the buccal nerve was located medial to the temporalis muscle; in 73 cases it penetrated the muscle; in 15 cases it lay in a canal formed by the muscle fibres and was covered by fascia, and finally, in 3 cases it was a branch of the inferior alveolar nerve. The study has revealed that in a large number of cases the buccal nerve maintains an intimate association with the temporalis muscle. PMID:11327204

Cultural Collision: The Interference of First Language Cultural Identity on Pragmatic Competence of the Target Language

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Liu, Yi-Fen Cecilia

2016-01-01

This reflective study explores a different perspective of intercultural communicative competency (ICC) by focusing on the speech acts that nonnative speakers of Spanish from diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds find difficult to perform competently in various contexts in Colombia. This article covers a qualitative case study using…

Successful approaches to recycling urban wood waste

Treesearch

Solid Waste Association of North America

2002-01-01

This report presents eight case studies of successful urban wood waste recycling projects and businesses. These studies document the success of recovered products such as lumber and lumber products, mulch, boiler fuel, and alternative cover for landfills. Overall, wood waste accounts for about 17% of the total waste received at municipal solid waste landfills in the...

[Latency problems with smothering using soft cover].

PubMed

Wirth, Ingo; Strauch, Hansjürg; Schmeling, Andreas

2007-01-01

Smothering by covering the respiratory orifices with soft material is one of the rarely established forms of mechanically induced death by asphyxia. An important reason of latency is that this kind of homicide leaves almost no traces. The two described cases from the autopsy material of the Institute of Legal Medicine in Berlin (CCM) show the limits of medico-legal interpretation and the resulting special responsibility of the investigator. In the first case the defendant denied the offence and was acquitted of the charge, while in the second case the self-confessed offender was convicted.

Effects of over-winter green cover on soil solution nitrate concentrations beneath tillage land.

PubMed

Premrov, Alina; Coxon, Catherine E; Hackett, Richard; Kirwan, Laura; Richards, Karl G

2014-02-01

There is a growing need to reduce nitrogen losses from agricultural systems to increase food production while reducing negative environmental impacts. The efficacy of vegetation cover for reducing nitrate leaching in tillage systems during fallow periods has been widely investigated. Nitrate leaching reductions by natural regeneration (i.e. growth of weeds and crop volunteers) have been investigated to a lesser extent than reductions by planted cover crops. This study compares the efficacy of natural regeneration and a sown cover crop (mustard) relative to no vegetative cover under both a reduced tillage system and conventional plough-based system as potential mitigation measures for reducing over-winter soil solution nitrate concentrations. The study was conducted over three winter fallow seasons on well drained soil, highly susceptible to leaching, under temperate maritime climatic conditions. Mustard cover crop under both reduced tillage and conventional ploughing was observed to be an effective measure for significantly reducing nitrate concentrations. Natural regeneration under reduced tillage was found to significantly reduce the soil solution nitrate concentrations. This was not the case for the natural regeneration under conventional ploughing. The improved efficacy of natural regeneration under reduced tillage could be a consequence of potential stimulation of seedling germination by the autumn reduced tillage practices and improved over-winter plant growth. There was no significant effect of tillage practices on nitrate concentrations. This study shows that over winter covers of mustard and natural regeneration, under reduced tillage, are effective measures for reducing nitrate concentrations in free draining temperate soils. © 2013.

Difficult removal of fully covered self expandable metal stents (SEMS) for benign biliary strictures: the "SEMS in SEMS" technique.

PubMed

Tringali, Andrea; Blero, Daniel; Boškoski, Ivo; Familiari, Pietro; Perri, Vincenzo; Devière, Jacques; Costamagna, Guido

2014-06-01

Removal of biliary Fully Covered Self Expandable Metal Stents can fail due to stent migration and/or hyperplastic ingrowth/overgrowth. A case series of 5 patients with benign biliary strictures (2 post-cholecystectomy, 2 following liver transplantation and 1 related to chronic pancreatitis) is reported. The biliary stricture was treated by temporary insertion of Fully Covered Self Expandable Metal Stents. Stent removal failed due to proximal stent migration and/or overgrowth. Metal stent removal was attempted a few weeks after the insertion of another Fully Covered Metal Stent into the first one. The inner Fully Covered Self Expandable Metal Stent compressed the hyperplastic tissue, leading to the extraction of both the stents in all cases. Two complications were reported as a result of the attempt to stents removal (mild pancreatitis and self-limited haemobilia). In the present series, the "SEMS in SEMS" technique revealed to be effective when difficulties are encountered during Fully Covered Self Expandable Metal Stents removal. Copyright © 2014 Editrice Gastroenterologica Italiana S.r.l. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Climate and landscape explain richness patterns depending on the type of species' distribution data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tsianou, Mariana A.; Koutsias, Nikolaos; Mazaris, Antonios D.; Kallimanis, Athanasios S.

2016-07-01

Understanding the patterns of species richness and their environmental drivers, remains a central theme in ecological research and especially in the continental scales where many conservation decisions are made. Here, we analyzed the patterns of species richness from amphibians, reptiles and mammals at the EU level. We used two different data sources for each taxon: expert-drawn species range maps, and presence/absence atlases. As environmental drivers, we considered climate and land cover. Land cover is increasingly the focus of research, but there still is no consensus on how to classify land cover to distinct habitat classes, so we analyzed the CORINE land cover data with three different levels of thematic resolution (resolution of classification scheme ˗ less to more detailed). We found that the two types of species richness data explored in this study yielded different richness maps. Although, we expected expert-drawn range based estimates of species richness to exceed those from atlas data (due to the assumption that species are present in all locations throughout their region), we found that in many cases the opposite is true (the extreme case is the reptiles where more than half of the atlas based estimates were greater than the expert-drawn range based estimates). Also, we detected contrasting information on the richness drivers of biodiversity patterns depending on the dataset used. For atlas based richness estimates, landscape attributes played more important role than climate while for expert-drawn range based richness estimates climatic variables were more important (for the ectothermic amphibians and reptiles). Finally we found that the thematic resolution of the land cover classification scheme, also played a role in quantifying the effect of land cover diversity, with more detailed thematic resolution increasing the relative contribution of landscape attributes in predicting species richness.

Humanistic Treatment of Father-Daughter Incest.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Giarretto, Henry

1978-01-01

Following a case study of father-daughter incest, the author comments on the prevalence of incest and describes Santa Clara County's Child Sexual Abuse Treatment Program (CSATP). The founding of CSATP, its treatment model for incestuous families, and its preliminary results are covered. (SJL)

Mild Traumatic Brain Injury: Facilitating School Success.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hux, Karen; Hacksley, Carolyn

1996-01-01

A case study is used to demonstrate the effects of mild traumatic brain injury on educational efforts. Discussion covers factors complicating school reintegration, ways to facilitate school reintegration, identification of cognitive and behavioral consequences, minimization of educators' discomfort, reintegration program design, and family…

Strategic assessment of the Highway Performance Monitoring System

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1995-02-01

The appendix contains a series of border crossing profiles covering the major, and in some cases, minor crossings in the border frontier. The frontier itself is a definition created for the 6015 Study to aid in the analysis of trade and traffic flows...

Nested case-control studies: should one break the matching?

PubMed

Borgan, Ørnulf; Keogh, Ruth

2015-10-01

In a nested case-control study, controls are selected for each case from the individuals who are at risk at the time at which the case occurs. We say that the controls are matched on study time. To adjust for possible confounding, it is common to match on other variables as well. The standard analysis of nested case-control data is based on a partial likelihood which compares the covariates of each case to those of its matched controls. It has been suggested that one may break the matching of nested case-control data and analyse them as case-cohort data using an inverse probability weighted (IPW) pseudo likelihood. Further, when some covariates are available for all individuals in the cohort, multiple imputation (MI) makes it possible to use all available data in the cohort. In the paper we review the standard method and the IPW and MI approaches, and compare their performance using simulations that cover a range of scenarios, including one and two endpoints.

Comparison of Covered Versus Uncovered Stents for Benign Superior Vena Cava (SVC) Obstruction.

PubMed

Haddad, Mustafa M; Simmons, Benjamin; McPhail, Ian R; Kalra, Manju; Neisen, Melissa J; Johnson, Matthew P; Stockland, Andrew H; Andrews, James C; Misra, Sanjay; Bjarnason, Haraldur

2018-05-01

To identify whether long-term symptom relief and stent patency vary with the use of covered versus uncovered stents for the treatment of benign SVC obstruction. We retrospectively identified all patients with benign SVC syndrome treated to stent placement between January 2003 and December 2015 (n = 59). Only cases with both clinical and imaging follow-up were included (n = 47). In 33 (70%) of the patients, the obstruction was due to a central line or pacemaker wires, and in 14 (30%), the cause was fibrosing mediastinitis. Covered stents were placed in 17 (36%) of the patients, and 30 (64%) patients had an uncovered stent. Clinical and treatment outcomes, complications, and the percent stenosis of each stent were evaluated. Technical success was achieved in all cases at first attempt. Average clinical and imaging follow-up in years was 2.7 (range 0.1-11.1) (covered) and 1.7 (range 0.2-10.5) (uncovered), respectively. There was a significant difference (p = 0.044) in the number of patients who reported a return of symptoms between the covered (5/17 or 29.4%) and uncovered (18/30 or 60%) groups. There was also a significant difference (p = < 0.001) in the mean percent stenosis after stent placement between the covered [17.9% (range 0-100) ± 26.2] and uncovered [48.3% (range 6.8-100) ± 33.5] groups. No significant difference (p = 0.227) was found in the time (days) between the date of the procedure and the date of clinical follow-up where a return of symptoms was reported [covered: 426.6 (range 28-1554) ± 633.9 and uncovered 778.1 (range 23-3851) ± 1066.8]. One patient in the uncovered group had non-endovascular surgical intervention (innominate to right atrial bypass), while none in the covered group required surgical intervention. One major complication (SIR grade C) occurred that consisted of a pericardial hemorrhagic effusion after angioplasty that required covered stent placement. There were no procedure-related deaths. Both covered and uncovered stents can be used for treating benign SVC syndrome. Covered stents, however, may be a more effective option at providing symptom relief and maintaining stent patency if validated by further studies.

Diffuse Reflectance Spectroscopy of Hidden Objects. Part II: Recovery of a Target Spectrum.

PubMed

Pomerantsev, Alexey L; Rodionova, Oxana Ye; Skvortsov, Alexej N

2017-08-01

In this study, we consider the reconstruction of a diffuse reflectance near-infrared spectrum of an object (target spectrum) in case the object is covered by an interfering absorbing and scattering layer. Recovery is performed using a new empirical method, which was developed in our previous study. We focus on a system, which consists of several layers of polyethylene (PE) film and underlayer objects with different spectral features. The spectral contribution of the interfering layer is modeled by a three-component two-parameter multivariate curve resolution (MCR) model, which was built and calibrated using spectrally flat objects. We show that this model is applicable to real objects with non-uniform spectra. Ultimately, the target spectrum can be reconstructed from a single spectrum of the covered target. With calculation methods, we are able to recover quite accurately the spectrum of a target even when the object is covered by 0.7 mm of PE.

Seismic Stability Evaluation of Ririe Dam and Reservoir Project. Report 1. Construction History and Field and Laboratory Studies. Volume 1. Main Text

DTIC Science & Technology

1991-09-01

truck Service truck Steel casing, 8-foot diameter with 3/4-inch wall thickness, was installed as the shaft was advanced. A shaft cover, constructed of... steel mats. was hoisted over the shaft at night for security. To obtain in-situ density tests at selected intervals in the bottom of the shaft...subcontractor installed the three wells using an air-rotary rig, and driving steel casing as the wells were advanced. He then perforated the casings

On the Impact of Snow Salinity on CryoSat-2 First-Year Sea Ice Thickness Retrievals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nandan, V.; Yackel, J.; Geldsetzer, T.; Mahmud, M.

2017-12-01

European Space Agency's Ku-band altimeter CryoSat-2 (CS-2) has demonstrated its potential to provide extensive basin-scale spatial and temporal measurements of Arctic sea ice freeboard. It is assumed that CS-2 altimetric returns originate from the snow/sea ice interface (assumed to be the main scattering horizon). However, in newly formed thin ice ( 0.6 m) through to thick first-year sea ice (FYI) ( 2 m), upward wicking of brine into the snow cover from the underlying sea ice surface produces saline snow layers, especially in the bottom 6-8 cm of a snow cover. This in turn modifies the brine volume at/or near the snow/sea ice interface, altering the dielectric and scattering properties of the snow cover, leading to strong Ku-band microwave attenuation within the upper snow volume. Such significant reductions in Ku-band penetration may substantially affect CS-2 FYI freeboard retrievals. Therefore, the goal of this study is to evaluate a theoretical approach to estimate snow salinity induced uncertainty on CS-2 Arctic FYI freeboard measurements. Using the freeboard-to-thickness hydrostatic equilibrium equation, we quantify the error differences between the CS-2 FYI thickness, (assuming complete penetration of CS-2 radar signals to the snow/FYI interface), and the FYI thickness based on the modeled Ku-band main scattering horizon for different snow cover cases. We utilized naturally occurring saline and non-saline snow cover cases ranging between 6 cm to 32 cm from the Canadian Arctic, observed during late-winter from 1993 to 2017, on newly-formed ice ( 0.6 m), medium ( 1.5 m) and thick FYI ( 2 m). Our results suggest that irrespective of the thickness of the snow cover overlaying FYI, the thickness of brine-wetted snow layers and actual FYI freeboard strongly influence the amount with which CS-2 FYI freeboard estimates and thus thickness calculations are overestimated. This effect is accentuated for increasingly thicker saline snow covers overlaying newly-formed ice, which accounted to an overestimated FYI thickness by 250%, when compared to 80% overestimations on thinner saline snow covers, and the error reduces with increase in FYI thickness. Our study recommends the CS-2 sea ice community to add snow salinity as a potential error source, affecting CS-2 Arctic FYI freeboard and thickness retrievals.

The use of FEP Teflon in solar cell cover technology

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Broder, J. D.; Mazaris, G. A.

1973-01-01

FEP plastic film was used as a cover and as an adhesive to bond cover glasses to silicon solar cells. Various anti-reflective coatings were applied to cells and subsequently covered with FEP. Short circuit currents were measured before and after application of the coating and of the FEP. FEP was bonded to seven of the nine differently coated cells, with no change in the total short circuit current in four cases.

The use of FEP Teflon in solar cell cover technology

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Broder, J. D.; Mazaris, G. A.

1974-01-01

FEP plastic film was used as a cover and as an adhesive to bond cover glasses to silicon solar cells. Various anti-reflective coatings were applied to cells and subsequently covered with FEP. Short-circuit currents were measured before and after application of the coating and of the FEP. FEP bonded to seven of the nine differently coated cells, with no change in the total short circuit current in four cases.

Impacts of feral horses on a desert environment

PubMed Central

2009-01-01

Background Free-ranging horses (Equus caballus) in North America are considered to be feral animals since they are descendents of non-native domestic horses introduced to the continent. We conducted a study in a southern California desert to understand how feral horse movements and horse feces impacted this arid ecosystem. We evaluated five parameters susceptible to horse trampling: soil strength, vegetation cover, percent of nonnative vegetation, plant species diversity, and macroinvertebrate abundance. We also tested whether or not plant cover and species diversity were affected by the presence of horse feces. Results Horse trailing resulted in reduced vegetation cover, compacted soils, and in cases of intermediate intensity disturbance, increased plant species diversity. The presence of horse feces did not affect plant cover, but it did increase native plant diversity. Conclusion Adverse impacts, such as soil compaction and increased erosion potential, were limited to established horse trails. In contrast, increased native plant diversity near trails and feces could be viewed as positive outcomes. Extensive trailing can result in a surprisingly large impact area: we estimate that < 30 horses used > 25 km2 of trails in our study area. PMID:19903355

Impacts of feral horses on a desert environment.

PubMed

Ostermann-Kelm, Stacey D; Atwill, Edward A; Rubin, Esther S; Hendrickson, Larry E; Boyce, Walter M

2009-11-10

Free-ranging horses (Equus caballus) in North America are considered to be feral animals since they are descendents of non-native domestic horses introduced to the continent. We conducted a study in a southern California desert to understand how feral horse movements and horse feces impacted this arid ecosystem. We evaluated five parameters susceptible to horse trampling: soil strength, vegetation cover, percent of nonnative vegetation, plant species diversity, and macroinvertebrate abundance. We also tested whether or not plant cover and species diversity were affected by the presence of horse feces. Horse trailing resulted in reduced vegetation cover, compacted soils, and in cases of intermediate intensity disturbance, increased plant species diversity. The presence of horse feces did not affect plant cover, but it did increase native plant diversity. Adverse impacts, such as soil compaction and increased erosion potential, were limited to established horse trails. In contrast, increased native plant diversity near trails and feces could be viewed as positive outcomes. Extensive trailing can result in a surprisingly large impact area: we estimate that < 30 horses used > 25 km2 of trails in our study area.

Observations and Modelling of Alternative Tree Cover States of the Boreal Ecosystem

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Abis, B.; Brovkin, V.

2017-12-01

Recently, multimodality of the tree cover distribution of the boreal forests has been detected, revealing the existence of three alternative vegetation modes. Identifying which are the regions with a potential for alternative tree cover states, and assessing which are the main factors underlying their existence, is important to project future change of natural vegetation cover and its effect on climate.Through the use of generalised additive models and phase-space analysis, we study the link between tree cover distribution and eight globally-observed environmental factors, such as rainfall, temperature, and permafrost distribution. Using a classification based on these factors, we show the location of areas with potentially alternative tree cover states under the same environmental conditions in the boreal region. Furthermore, to explain the multimodality found in the data and the asymmetry between North America and Eurasia, we study a conceptual model based on tree species competition, and use it to simulate the sensitivity of tree cover to changes in environmental factors.We find that the link between individual environmental variables and tree cover differs regionally. Nonetheless, environmental conditions uniquely determine the vegetation state among the three dominant modes in ˜95% of the cases. On the other hand, areas with potentially alternative tree cover states encompass ˜1.1 million km2, and correspond to possible transition zones with a reduced resilience to disturbances. Employing our conceptual model, we show that multimodality can be explained through competition between tree species with different adaptations to environmental factors and disturbances. Moreover, the model is able to reproduce the asymmetry in tree species distribution between Eurasia and North America. Finally, we find that changes in permafrost could be associated with bifurcation points of the model, corroborating the importance of permafrost in a changing climate.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Krokidis, Miltiadis, E-mail: mkrokidis@hotmail.com; Fanelli, Fabrizio; Orgera, Gianluigi

The purpose of this study was to compare the clinical effectiveness of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene/fluorinated-ethylene-propylene (ePTFE/FEP)-covered stents with that of uncovered nitinol stents for the palliation of malignant jaundice caused by inoperable pancreatic head cancer. Eighty patients were enrolled in a prospective randomized study. Bare nitinol stents were used in half of the patients, and ePTFE/FEP-covered stents were used in the remaining patients. Patency, survival, complications, and mean cost were calculated in both groups. Mean patency was 166.0 {+-} 13.11 days for the bare-stent group and 234.0 {+-} 20.87 days for the covered-stent group (p = 0.007). Primary patency rates atmore » 3, 6, and 12 months were 77.5, 69.8, and 69.8% for the bare-stent group and 97.5, 92.2, and 87.6% for the covered-stent group, respectively. Mean secondary patency was 123.7 {+-} 22.5 days for the bare-stent group and 130.3 {+-} 21.4 days for the covered-stent group. Tumour ingrowth occurred exclusively in the bare-stent group in 27.5% of cases (p = 0.002). Median survival was 203.2 {+-} 11.8 days for the bare-stent group and 247.0 {+-} 20 days for the covered-stent group (p = 0.06). Complications and mean cost were similar in both groups. Regarding primary patency and ingrowth rate, ePTFE/FEP-covered stents have shown to be significantly superior to bare nitinol stents for the palliation of malignant jaundice caused by inoperable pancreatic head cancer and pose comparable cost and complications. Use of a covered stent does not significantly influence overall survival rate; nevertheless, the covered endoprosthesis seems to offer result in fewer reinterventions and better quality of patient life.« less

Case control study of thermal environment preceding haemorrhagic shock encephalopathy syndrome

PubMed Central

Bacon, C; Bell, S; Gaventa, J; Greenwood, D

1999-01-01

The purpose of the study was to investigate whether the thermal environment in which babies slept before developing haemorrhagic shock encephalopathy syndrome (HSES) differed from that of other babies. Data were collected by standardised interview from parents of 31 babies who had had HSES before the age of 7 months and compared with equivalent data for 124 control babies, with matching for outside temperature on the relevant night and for age. Multivariate analysis showed a strong association between HSES and covering of the baby's head by bedding, the odds ratio being 30.7 (95% confidence interval, 2.5 to 384). There were weaker associations with other aspects of the thermal environment. This suggests a link between HSES and some cases of cot death, supports the suggestion that HSES may be caused by overheating, and reinforces advice that babies should be placed to sleep in such a way that they are less likely to become totally covered.

 PMID:10490526

Coastal aquaculture development in Bangladesh: unsustainable and sustainable experiences.

PubMed

Azad, A Kalam; Jensen, Kathe R; Lin, C Kwei

2009-10-01

Coastal aquaculture in Bangladesh consists mainly of two shrimp species (Penaeus monodon and Macrobrachium rosenbergii). Currently, there are about 16,237 marine shrimp (P. monodon) farms covering 148,093 ha and 36,109 fresh water shrimp (M. rosenbergii) farms covering 17,638 ha coastal area. More than 0.7 million people are employed in the farmed shrimp sector and in 2005-2006 the export value of shrimp was 403.5 million USD. Thus, coastal aquaculture contributes significantly to rural employment and economy but this is overshadowed by negative social and ecological impacts. This article reviews the key issues, constraints and opportunities of sustainable shrimp farming. In addition we present the results of two case studies from southwestern coastal areas where shrimp farming originated and central coastal areas where shrimp farming, especially M. rosenbergii, began in recent years. Lessons learned from the review and case studies are considered in the context of recommendations to encompass a socially equitable and ecologically sound coastal aquaculture.

Connectivity and distant drivers of land change: A case study of land use, land cover, and livelihood changes in Quang Tri, Vietnam

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rounds, Eric

The urban lowland areas of Vietnam have been at the forefront of economic liberalization over the last 30 years, while the more remote mountainous areas of the country have lagged behind. Upland areas in the Northern and Central portions of Vietnam in particular remain largely impoverished and disconnected from broader national and regional markets. To address this economic inequality in the uplands, recent economic development efforts such as the East-West Economic Corridor (EWEC) have aimed at expanding road infrastructure to remote areas in Central Vietnam. This study examines the impact of road expansion in the EWEC on a single village in Quang Tri, Vietnam. It draws from social economic data gathered during fieldwork and a historical land cover analysis to address how land use, land cover, and livelihoods have changed in recent decades. Moreover, the paper discusses the distal and proximate drivers of these changes. Findings show that the improved road connectivity provided by new roads has facilitated the transmission of distant market-related drivers into the study area, and that these drivers have fostered significant changes in land use, land cover, and livelihoods.

[Economic evaluation of rapid diagnostic tests in malaria treatment].

PubMed

Faye, Adama; Ndiaye, Papa; Diagne-Camara, Maty; Badiane, Ousseynou; Wone, Issa; Diongue, Mayassine; Seck, Ibrahima; Dia, Anta Tal; Dia, Amadou Lamine

2010-01-01

This study aimed to evaluate the economic implications of rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) on malaria management through the rational use of artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT). The study was carried out in 2006 from November 10th to December 10th; it focused on patients who were seen and treated with ACT for suspicion of uncomplicated malaria in the health district of Ziguinchor, Senegal. The variables studied included age, sex, RDT results, and costs of care and RDT. The cost of care for malaria, estimated in CFA Francs, was evaluated both with and without the use of RDT. Among the 379 patients, 25,1% were aged 0-4 years, 12,7% of 5-14 years and 62,2% of at least 15 years; 51% were women. The result of the RDT was negative in 60% of cases. Without the use of diagnostic testing, the cost of care for all 379 cases was estimated at 299 957 CFA: patient contributions would cover 184 500 CFA and the State would cover the rest (115 457 CFA). With the use of RDTs, the overall cost of the RDT screening for 379 patients and the cost of treatment for the 150 positive cases amounted to 254 786 CFA, with patients bearing the cost of 205 550 CFA and the State subsidizing up to 49 236 CFA. RDT can help identify the positive cases of malaria, and avoid up to 60% of unnecessary treatments, corresponding to an estimated 27 297 cases at the district level and 584 630 cases nationally. The RDT also allow a more rational use of ACTs and a lower risk of emergence of Plasmodium resistance. The use of RDTs could result in savings of 45 171 CFA at the level of the district health centre and 111 240 136 CFA nationally.

Treatment of the Theme Islam in German Geographical Education: Case Study of Bavarian Geographical Curriculum

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Zecha, Stefanie; Popp, Stephan

2014-01-01

Several previous studies have looked at the treatment of Islam and Muslim culture in western curricula. However in Germany, especially in Bavaria where Muslim immigration has been growing since the 1990s, no recent research has covered this theme. As a first step, an exploratory study of Islamic themes in the curricula of Bavarian secondary…

Wind erosion in the alpine zone - a case study at Latschuelfurgga (Davos, Switzerland)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Graf, F.; Gromke, Ch.

2012-04-01

Protection against wind erosive processes ranks among the most important challenges in natural hazard mitigation, worldwide. Today, it is generally accepted that the (re-)establishment of a protective vegetation cover is the most promising and efficient measure in restoring degraded land in the long term. Sustainable protection against wind erosion requires adequate information about suitable plant species regarding ecological aspects as well as with respect to their proper contribution to wind erosion control. The latter, however, is widely lacking. Within a broader conceptual framework, wind tunnel studies have been performed using naturally grown vegetation covers. The use of live plants aimed at simulating the behaviour of natural canopies as accurately as possible compared to previous studies using artificial objects. The goals of the presented field study are to record reliable data on windblown erosion rates under natural alpine conditions on the one hand and, on the other hand, to interrelate the findings with the results of the wind tunnel experiments with live plants. The wind erosion test field was established at 2409 m a.s.l. on a small saddle like pass in an alpine meadow and includes two east-west orientated test tracks of the dimension 2x10 m2. One track is left as is, representing the naturally alpine vegetated soil (15-20% plant cover). The other track is equipped with a plastic covering sheet, mimicking desertified soil (0% plant cover) and serving as control plot as well as providing a direct link to the wind tunnel experiments. Blue and red quartz sand (grain size: 0.2-0.6 mm) was spread on the vegetated and sheet-covered track, respectively, to visualise and measure the effect of vegetation on wind erosion control. During summer and fall 2010 field experiments were performed of which experiment no. 4 is presented here as a case study as well as compared with and discussed in relation to a wind tunnel run with medium-density configuration (16% plant cover). The measuring equipment consists of three climate stations recording wind direction and wind speed at 50, 100, and 200 cm, air temperature and humidity, incoming and reflected short- and long wave radiation, as well as precipitation. Leeward of the two test tracks, panels and ground-plates were installed equipped with sticky foils to trap and quantify vertical and horizontal particle transport. Compared to the desertified soil (0% plant cover) it was found that only small amounts of sand from the vegetated plot (15-20% plant cover) were transported, even during heavy wind events. Overall the ratio varied from 1:50 to 1:175 depending on the position of the panels and ground plates. Qualitatively similar findings, however quantitatively less pronounced, resulted from the wind tunnel experiments (ratio = 1:15). The difference between the field study and the wind tunnel results is quite remarkable and implies that the sheltering effect of vegetation under natural conditions is 3 to 12 times higher than found for the medium-density experiment in the wind tunnel (16% plant cover). However, this conclusion needs careful reflection. After all, the two studies differ in several aspects of their set-up. Correspondingly, the data are speculatively discussed, particularly with respect to meteorological parameters (wind speed, turbulence intensity, humidity, temperature), ecological aspects, and hydrological processes.

Intercomparison of Satellite-Derived Snow-Cover Maps

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hall, Dorothy K.; Tait, Andrew B.; Foster, James L.; Chang, Alfred T. C.; Allen, Milan

1999-01-01

In anticipation of the launch of the Earth Observing System (EOS) Terra, and the PM-1 spacecraft in 1999 and 2000, respectively, efforts are ongoing to determine errors of satellite-derived snow-cover maps. EOS Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) and Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer-E (AMSR-E) snow-cover products will be produced. For this study we compare snow maps covering the same study area acquired from different sensors using different snow- mapping algorithms. Four locations are studied: 1) southern Saskatchewan; 2) a part of New England (New Hampshire, Vermont and Massachusetts) and eastern New York; 3) central Idaho and western Montana; and 4) parts of North and South Dakota. Snow maps were produced using a prototype MODIS snow-mapping algorithm used on Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM) scenes of each study area at 30-m and when the TM data were degraded to 1 -km resolution. National Operational Hydrologic Remote Sensing Center (NOHRSC) 1 -km resolution snow maps were also used, as were snow maps derived from 1/2 deg. x 1/2 deg. resolution Special Sensor Microwave Imager (SSM/1) data. A land-cover map derived from the International Geosphere-Biosphere Program (IGBP) land-cover map of North America was also registered to the scenes. The TM, NOHRSC and SSM/I snow maps, and land-cover maps were compared digitally. In most cases, TM-derived maps show less snow cover than the NOHRSC and SSM/I maps because areas of incomplete snow cover in forests (e.g., tree canopies, branches and trunks) are seen in the TM data, but not in the coarser-resolution maps. The snow maps generally agree with respect to the spatial variability of the snow cover. The 30-m resolution TM data provide the most accurate snow maps, and are thus used as the baseline for comparison with the other maps. Comparisons show that the percent change in amount of snow cover relative to the 3 0-m resolution TM maps is lowest using the TM I -km resolution maps, ranging from 0 to 40%. The highest percent change (less than 100%) is found in the New England study area, probably due to the presence of patchy snow cover. A scene with patchy snow cover is more difficult to map accurately than is a scene with a well-defined snowline such as is found on the North and South Dakota scene where the percent change ranged from 0 to 40%. There are also some important differences in the amount of snow mapped using the two different SSM/I algorithms because they utilize different channels.

Minimum forest cover required for sustainable water flow regulation of a watershed: a case study in Jambi Province, Indonesia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tarigan, Suria; Wiegand, Kerstin; Sunarti; Slamet, Bejo

2018-01-01

In many tropical regions, the rapid expansion of monoculture plantations has led to a sharp decline in forest cover, potentially degrading the ability of watersheds to regulate water flow. Therefore, regional planners need to determine the minimum proportion of forest cover that is required to support adequate ecosystem services in these watersheds. However, to date, there has been little research on this issue, particularly in tropical areas where monoculture plantations are expanding at an alarming rate. Therefore, in this study, we investigated the influence of forest cover and oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) and rubber (Hevea brasiliensis) plantations on the partitioning of rainfall into direct runoff and subsurface flow in a humid, tropical watershed in Jambi Province, Indonesia. To do this, we simulated streamflow with a calibrated Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model and observed several watersheds to derive the direct runoff coefficient (C) and baseflow index (BFI). The model had a strong performance, with Nash-Sutcliffe efficiency values of 0.80-0.88 (calibration) and 0.80-0.85 (validation) and percent bias values of -2.9-1.2 (calibration) and 7.0-11.9 (validation). We found that the percentage of forest cover in a watershed was significantly negatively correlated with C and significantly positively correlated with BFI, whereas the rubber and oil palm plantation cover showed the opposite pattern. Our findings also suggested that at least 30 % of the forest cover was required in the study area for sustainable ecosystem services. This study provides new adjusted crop parameter values for monoculture plantations, particularly those that control surface runoff and baseflow processes, and it also describes the quantitative association between forest cover and flow indicators in a watershed, which will help regional planners in determining the minimum proportion of forest and the maximum proportion of plantation to ensure that a watershed can provide adequate ecosystem services.

49 CFR 826.3 - Proceedings covered.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

....” For the Board, the type of proceeding covered includes (but may not be limited to) aviation enforcement cases appealed to the Board under sections 501, 609, 611 and 901 of the Federal Aviation Act (49 U...

Influence of Projected Changes in North American Snow Cover Extent on Mid-Latitude Cyclone Progression

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Clare, R. M.; Desai, A. R.; Martin, J. E.; Notaro, M.; Vavrus, S. J.

2017-12-01

It has long been hypothesized that snow cover and snow extent have an influence on the development or steering of synoptic mid-latitude cyclones (MLCs). Rydzik and Desai (2014) showed a robust statistical relationship among snow cover extent, generation of low-level baroclinicity, and MLC tracks. Though snow cover extent is highly variable year to year, the changing global climate is expected to continue an already observed pattern of poleward retreat of mean snow cover in North America, particularly in late winter and spring. For this experiment, large ensemble simulations with the Weather Research and Forecasting model (WRF) were forced with output from the Community Earth System Model (CESM) to test the effect contributed solely by snow cover and the projected effects of a changing climate. Our experiment induces an adjustment to the extent of snow cover in North America according to CESM RCP 8.5 projections for each decade from 2020 to 2100 before and during several cases of MLCs moving east across the Great Plains near the snow line. To evaluate mechanisms of pre-existing and current snow influence on MLCs, model cases are started with snow line adjustment occurring from three days prior up to the storm's arrival over the Great Plains. We demonstrate that snow cover changes do alter MLC intensity and path via modification of low-level potential vorticity.

Topics, Aims, and Constraints in English Teacher Research: A Chinese Case Study

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Barkhuizen, Gary

2009-01-01

This article reports on one aspect of a larger study which aimed to explore the context-specific experiences of English teachers at tertiary institutions in China (Wette & Barkhuizen, 2007). Data were collected during a professional development program run in the summer of 2006. The program aimed to cover recent trends in the field of second…

Study of New Youth Initiatives in Apprenticeship. Interim Report. Volume 2: Site Visit Reports.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

CSR, Inc., Washington, DC.

This second volume of the interim report provides detailed case study reports on each of the eight Youth Apprenticeship Projects. (Volume 1, an overview of data from the site visits, is available separately as CE 032 791.) Discussion areas covered in each site visit report are local context/operational environment, administrative information,…

Exposing Students to Repeat Photography: Increasing Cultural Understanding on a Short-Term Study Abroad

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lemmons, Kelly K.; Brannstrom, Christian; Hurd, Danielle

2014-01-01

Traditionally, repeat photography has been used to analyze land cover change. This paper describes how repeat photography may be used as a tool to enhance the short-term study abroad experience by facilitating cultural interaction and understanding. We present evidence from two cases and suggest a five-step repeat photography method for educators…

Relating Change Patterns to Anthropogenic Processes to Assess Sustainability: A Case Study in Amazonia

Treesearch

Libia Patricia Peralta Agudelo

2006-01-01

This work focuses on identifying deforestation patterns and relating these to social processes in an extractive reserve of Acre (western Amazonia). Using multitemporal satellite imagery deforestation is observed as a series of distinctive patches against the background of forest cover. The study of patterns emphasizes the important relationships existing between...

Language Shift of Taiwan's Indigenous Peoples: A Case Study of Kanakanavu and Saaroa

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Liu, Dorinda Tsai-Hsiu; Chang, Ying-Hwa; Li, Paul Jen-Kuei; Lin, Ji-Ping

2015-01-01

This study covers two issues: (1) the language shift process relating to two highly endangered aboriginal languages of Taiwan and (2) the correlations between some variables and their language shift. Both Kanakanavu and Saaroa peoples underwent two waves of migration: (1) a massive in-migration of another Formosan ethnic group (Bunun people) in…

Algorithm for Optimal Urethral Coverage in Hypospadias and Fistula Repair: A Systematic Review.

PubMed

Fahmy, Omar; Khairul-Asri, Mohd Ghani; Schwentner, Christian; Schubert, Tina; Stenzl, Arnulf; Zahran, Mohamed Hassan; Gakis, Georgios

2016-08-01

Although urethral covering during hypospadias repair minimizes the incidence of fistula, wide variation in results among surgeons has been reported. To investigate what type of flap used during Snodgrass or fistula repair reduces the incidence of fistula occurrence. We systematically reviewed published results for urethral covering during Snodgrass and fistula repair procedures. An initial online search detected 1740 reports. After exclusion of ineligible studies at two stages, we included all patients with clear data on the covering technique used (dartos fascia [DF] vs tunica vaginalis flap [TVF]) and the incidence of postoperative fistula. A total of 51 reports were identified involving 4550 patients, including 33 series on DF use, 11 series on TVF use, and seven retrospective comparative studies. For distal hypospadias, double-layer DF had the lowest rate of fistula incidence when compared to single-layer DF (5/855 [0.6%] vs 156/3077 [5.1%]; p=0.004) and TVF (5/244, 2.0%), while the incidence was highest for single-layer DF among proximal hypospadias cases (9/102, 8.8%). Among repeat cases, fistula incidence was significantly lower for TVF (3/47, 6.4%) than for DF (26/140, 18.6%; p=0.020). Among patients with fistula after primary repair, the incidence of recurrence was 12.2% (11/90) after DF and 5.1% (5/97) after TVF (p=0.39). The absence of a minimum follow-up time and the lack of information regarding skin complications and rates of urethral stricture are limitations of this study. A double DF during tubularized incised plate urethroplasty should be considered for all patients with distal hypospadias. In proximal, repeat, and fistula repair cases, TVF should be the first choice. On the basis of these findings, we propose an evidence-based algorithm for surgeons who are still in their learning phase or want to improve their results. We systematically reviewed the impact of urethral covering in reducing fistula formation after hypospadias repair. We propose an algorithm that might help to maximize success rates for tubularized incised plate urethroplasty. Copyright © 2016 European Association of Urology. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Measuring stakeholder participation in evaluation: an empirical validation of the Participatory Evaluation Measurement Instrument (PEMI).

PubMed

Daigneault, Pierre-Marc; Jacob, Steve; Tremblay, Joël

2012-08-01

Stakeholder participation is an important trend in the field of program evaluation. Although a few measurement instruments have been proposed, they either have not been empirically validated or do not cover the full content of the concept. This study consists of a first empirical validation of a measurement instrument that fully covers the content of participation, namely the Participatory Evaluation Measurement Instrument (PEMI). It specifically examines (1) the intercoder reliability of scores derived by two research assistants on published evaluation cases; (2) the convergence between the scores of coders and those of key respondents (i.e., authors); and (3) the convergence between the authors' scores on the PEMI and the Evaluation Involvement Scale (EIS). A purposive sample of 40 cases drawn from the evaluation literature was used to assess reliability. One author per case in this sample was then invited to participate in a survey; 25 fully usable questionnaires were received. Stakeholder participation was measured on nominal and ordinal scales. Cohen's κ, the intraclass correlation coefficient, and Spearman's ρ were used to assess reliability and convergence. Reliability results ranged from fair to excellent. Convergence between coders' and authors' scores ranged from poor to good. Scores derived from the PEMI and the EIS were moderately associated. Evidence from this study is strong in the case of intercoder reliability and ranges from weak to strong in the case of convergent validation. Globally, this suggests that the PEMI can produce scores that are both reliable and valid.

Bacterial, fungal, parasitological and pathological analyses of abortions in small ruminants from 2012-2016.

PubMed

Schnydrig, P; Vidal, S; Brodard, I; Frey, C; Posthaus, H; Perreten, V; Rodriguez-Campos, S

2017-12-01

Abortion in small ruminants presents a clinical and economic problem with legal implications regarding animal health and zoonotic risk by some of the abortive pathogens. Several bacteria, fungi and parasites can cause abortion, but cost-orientated routine diagnostics only cover the most relevant epizootic agents. To cover a broad-range of common as well as underdiagnosed abortifacients, we studied 41 ovine and 36 caprine abortions by Stamp's modification of the Ziehl-Neelsen stain, culture for classical and opportunistic abortive agents, real-time PCR for C. burnetii, C. abortus, pathogenic Leptospira spp., Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum. When the dam's serum was available detection of antibodies against B. melitensis, C. burnetii, C. abortus and Leptospira spp. was performed. In 37 cases sufficient placental tissue was available for pathological and histopathological examination. From the 77 cases 11 (14.3%) were positive by staining whereas real-time PCR detected C. burnetii and C. abortus in 49.3% and 32.5% of the cases. Antibodies against C. abortus and Leptospira spp. (33.3 and 26.7%) were detected. In 23.4% a bacterial culturable pathogen was isolated. Fungal abortion was confirmed in 1.3% of cases. A single abortive agent was identified in 44.2% of the cases and in 31.2% multiple possible abortifacients were present. Our study shows that the highest clarification rate can only be achieved by a combination of methods and evidences the role that multi-infections play as cause of abortion.

Lightning tests and analyses of tunnel bond straps and shielded cables on the Space Shuttle solid rocket booster

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Druen, William M.

1993-01-01

The purposes of the tests and analyses described in this report are as follows: (1) determine the lightning current survivability of five alternative changed designs of the bond straps which electrically bond the solid rocket booster (SRB) systems tunnel to the solid rocket motor (SRM) case; (2) determine the amount of reduction in induced voltages on operational flight (OF) tunnel cables obtained by a modified design of tunnel bond straps (both tunnel cover-to-cover and cover-to-motor case); (3) determine the contribution of coupling to the OF tunnel cables by ground electrical and instrumentation (GEI) cables which enter the systems tunnel from unshielded areas on the surfaces of the motor case; and (4) develop a model (based on test data) and calculate the voltage levels at electronic 'black boxes' connected to the OF cables that run in the systems tunnel.

Explosively separable casing

DOEpatents

Jacobson, A.K.; Rychnovsky, R.E.; Visbeck, C.N.

An explosively separable casing including a cylindrical afterbody and a circular cover for one end of the afterbody is disclosed. The afterbody has a cylindrical tongue extending longitudinally from one end which is matingly received in a corresponding groove in the cover. The groove is sized to provide a picket between the end of the tongue and the remainder of the groove so that an explosive can be located therein. A seal is also provided between the tongue and the groove for sealing the pocket from the atmosphere. A frangible holding device is utilized to hold the cover to the afterbody. When the explosive is ignited, the increase in pressure in the pocket causes the cover to be accelerated away from the afterbody. Preferably, the inner wall of the afterbody is in the same plane as the inner wall of the tongue to provide a maximum space for storage in the afterbody and the side wall of the cover is thicker than the side wall of the afterbody so as to provide a sufficiently strong surrounding portion for the pocket in which the explosion takes place. The detonator for the explosive is also located on the cover and is carried away with the cover during separation. The seal is preferably located at the longitudinal end of the tongue and has a chevron cross section.

Explosively separable casing

DOEpatents

Jacobson, Albin K.; Rychnovsky, Raymond E.; Visbeck, Cornelius N.

1985-01-01

An explosively separable casing including a cylindrical afterbody and a circular cover for one end of the afterbody is disclosed. The afterbody has a cylindrical tongue extending longitudinally from one end which is matingly received in a corresponding groove in the cover. The groove is sized to provide a pocket between the end of the tongue and the remainder of the groove so that an explosive can be located therein. A seal is also provided between the tongue and the groove for sealing the pocket from the atmosphere. A frangible holding device is utilized to hold the cover to the afterbody. When the explosive is ignited, the increase in pressure in the pocket causes the cover to be accelerated away from the afterbody. Preferably, the inner wall of the afterbody is in the same plane as the inner wall of the tongue to provide a maximum space for storage in the afterbody and the side wall of the cover is thicker than the side wall of the afterbody so as to provide a sufficiently strong surrounding portion for the pocket in which the explosion takes place. The detonator for the explosive is also located on the cover and is carried away with the cover during separation. The seal is preferably located at the longitudinal end of the tongue and has a chevron cross section.

High dimensional land cover inference using remotely sensed modis data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Glanz, Hunter S.

Image segmentation persists as a major statistical problem, with the volume and complexity of data expanding alongside new technologies. Land cover classification, one of the most studied problems in Remote Sensing, provides an important example of image segmentation whose needs transcend the choice of a particular classification method. That is, the challenges associated with land cover classification pervade the analysis process from data pre-processing to estimation of a final land cover map. Many of the same challenges also plague the task of land cover change detection. Multispectral, multitemporal data with inherent spatial relationships have hardly received adequate treatment due to the large size of the data and the presence of missing values. In this work we propose a novel, concerted application of methods which provide a unified way to estimate model parameters, impute missing data, reduce dimensionality, classify land cover, and detect land cover changes. This comprehensive analysis adopts a Bayesian approach which incorporates prior knowledge to improve the interpretability, efficiency, and versatility of land cover classification and change detection. We explore a parsimonious, parametric model that allows for a natural application of principal components analysis to isolate important spectral characteristics while preserving temporal information. Moreover, it allows us to impute missing data and estimate parameters via expectation-maximization (EM). A significant byproduct of our framework includes a suite of training data assessment tools. To classify land cover, we employ a spanning tree approximation to a lattice Potts prior to incorporate spatial relationships in a judicious way and more efficiently access the posterior distribution of pixel labels. We then achieve exact inference of the labels via the centroid estimator. To detect land cover changes, we develop a new EM algorithm based on the same parametric model. We perform simulation studies to validate our models and methods, and conduct an extensive continental scale case study using MODIS data. The results show that we successfully classify land cover and recover the spatial patterns present in large scale data. Application of our change point method to an area in the Amazon successfully identifies the progression of deforestation through portions of the region.

Land cover mapping at sub-pixel scales

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Makido, Yasuyo Kato

One of the biggest drawbacks of land cover mapping from remotely sensed images relates to spatial resolution, which determines the level of spatial details depicted in an image. Fine spatial resolution images from satellite sensors such as IKONOS and QuickBird are now available. However, these images are not suitable for large-area studies, since a single image is very small and therefore it is costly for large area studies. Much research has focused on attempting to extract land cover types at sub-pixel scale, and little research has been conducted concerning the spatial allocation of land cover types within a pixel. This study is devoted to the development of new algorithms for predicting land cover distribution using remote sensory imagery at sub-pixel level. The "pixel-swapping" optimization algorithm, which was proposed by Atkinson for predicting sub-pixel land cover distribution, is investigated in this study. Two limitations of this method, the arbitrary spatial range value and the arbitrary exponential model of spatial autocorrelation, are assessed. Various weighting functions, as alternatives to the exponential model, are evaluated in order to derive the optimum weighting function. Two different simulation models were employed to develop spatially autocorrelated binary class maps. In all tested models, Gaussian, Exponential, and IDW, the pixel swapping method improved classification accuracy compared with the initial random allocation of sub-pixels. However the results suggested that equal weight could be used to increase accuracy and sub-pixel spatial autocorrelation instead of using these more complex models of spatial structure. New algorithms for modeling the spatial distribution of multiple land cover classes at sub-pixel scales are developed and evaluated. Three methods are examined: sequential categorical swapping, simultaneous categorical swapping, and simulated annealing. These three methods are applied to classified Landsat ETM+ data that has been resampled to 210 meters. The result suggested that the simultaneous method can be considered as the optimum method in terms of accuracy performance and computation time. The case study employs remote sensing imagery at the following sites: tropical forests in Brazil and temperate multiple land mosaic in East China. Sub-areas for both sites are used to examine how the characteristics of the landscape affect the ability of the optimum technique. Three types of measurement: Moran's I, mean patch size (MPS), and patch size standard deviation (STDEV), are used to characterize the landscape. All results suggested that this technique could increase the classification accuracy more than traditional hard classification. The methods developed in this study can benefit researchers who employ coarse remote sensing imagery but are interested in detailed landscape information. In many cases, the satellite sensor that provides large spatial coverage has insufficient spatial detail to identify landscape patterns. Application of the super-resolution technique described in this dissertation could potentially solve this problem by providing detailed land cover predictions from the coarse resolution satellite sensor imagery.

Endovascular management of radiotherapy-induced injury to brachiocephalic artery using covered stents.

PubMed

Cenizo, Noelia Maria; Gonzalez-Fajardo, Jose A; Ibanez, Maria A; Gastambide, Victoria; Martin-Pedrosa, Miguel; Gutierrez, Vicente; Taylor, James; Vaquero, Carlos

2014-04-01

Actinic vascular lesions tend to be stenotic-occlusive lesions. In this article, we present 2 exceptional cases of pseudoaneurysms caused by radionecrosis of the supra-aortic trunks. Both patients were treated by a retrograde carotid approach and deployment of a self-expanding covered stent. Proper exclusion of the pseudoaneurysm was attained in both cases; the first patient remained asymptomatic 12 months later; the second patient died of mediastinitis. Compared with conventional surgery, endovascular management is a viable, less invasive alternative in select patients, especially in life-threatening cases. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Customized Hinged Covered Metallic Stents for the Treatment of Benign Main Bronchial Stenosis.

PubMed

Han, Xinwei; Al-Tariq, Quazi; Zhao, Yanle; Li, Lei; Cheng, Zhe; Wang, Huaqi; Liu, Chao; Jiao, Dechao; Wu, Gang

2017-08-01

To address the limitations of silicone stents, we designed a hinged self-expandable covered metallic stent. The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the customized stents in clinical applications. This was a retrospective analysis. Under conscious sedation and local anesthesia, the stents were implanted or removed by interventional radiologists, with fluoroscopic guidance. Of 24 patients with benign main bronchial stenosis, stents were successfully placed in 21 (87.5%). The low-pressure balloon before dilation failed in 1 case (4.17%) of left main bronchial cicatricial stenosis. In 2 other cases (8.33%), stent placement was abandoned. Stents were successfully removed between 29 and 103 days after the procedure. After stent removal, the follow-up lasted for at least 12 months. Restenosis occurred only in 1 case (4.55%) owing to bronchial collapse 3 days after stent removal. Dyspnea occurred in another case (4.55%) at 2 months after retrieval; recurrence was confirmed using bronchoscopy, leading to a left pneumonectomy. The described procedure is safe and easy to be performed and avoids the use of intubation, bronchoscopy, and general anesthesia. Copyright © 2017 The Society of Thoracic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Financial Support for Community Colleges: A Bibliographic Summary with Abstracts.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Maricopa County Community Coll. District, Phoenix, AZ.

This annotated bibliography, arranged alphabetically by title, cites ERIC information analysis products; state annual fiscal reports, budget recommendations, and descriptive reports; articles; project reports; case studies; position papers; and monographs. Topics covered by these materials include: issues and trends in community college financing,…

Teaching Discrete Mathematics Entirely from Primary Historical Sources

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Barnett, Janet Heine; Bezhanishvili, Guram; Lodder, Jerry; Pengelley, David

2016-01-01

We describe teaching an introductory discrete mathematics course entirely from student projects based on primary historical sources. We present case studies of four projects that cover the content of a one-semester course, and mention various other courses that we have taught with primary source projects.

Competition and Cooperation in the U.S. Liner Industry : A Case Study of the North Atlantic Trade Routes

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1985-03-01

RUEBEN KYLE MIDDLE TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY, DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMICS AND FINANCE ADDL PLACE OF PUBLCATION: SPRINGFIELD, VA ADDL PUBLISHER: NATIONAL TECHNICAL INFORMATION SERVICE COVER TITLE SPONSORED BY THE U.S. DEPT. OF TRANSPORTATION, OFFICE OF T...

The crack problem for a half plane stiffened by elastic cover plates

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Delale, F.; Erdogan, F.

1981-01-01

An elastic half plane containing a crack and stiffened by a cover plate is discussed. The asymptotic nature of the stress state in the half plane around an end point of the stiffener to determine the likely orientation of a possible fracture initiation and growth was studied. The problem is formulated for an arbitrary oriented radial crack in a system of singular integral equations. For an internal crack and for an edge crack, the problem is solved and the stress intensity factors at the crack tips and the interface stress are calculated. A cracked half plane with two symmetrically located cover plates is also considered. It is concluded that the case of two stiffeners appears to be more severe than that of a single stiffener.

The value of Asamura-Naruke type main bronchus stump closure and pleuro-pericardial flap covering by own method to avoid broncho-pleural fistula (BPF).

PubMed

Kecskés, L; Bátori, G; Gehér, P; Kiss, B

1999-01-01

1. Authors present an "old-new" main bronchus closure procedure, which combines the Sweet's and Overholt's methods, recommended by Asamura-Naruke. 2. The A-N procedure decreased the prevalence of BPF from 2.8% to 0.09% in case of thoracotomy and from 9.5% to 2.4% in case of pneumonectomy compared 2 different stump-closing types. 3. There was not BPF in the "covered subgroup" (0%/92 PN) recommended by us, independent of the closing types. 4. All bronchial stumps closed like A-N and covered by our method (0% BPF/62 PN) healed.

Complex interactions between autotrophs in shallow marine and freshwater ecosystems: implications for community responses to nutrient stress.

PubMed

Havens, K E; Hauxwell, J; Tyler, A C; Thomas, S; McGlathery, K J; Cebrian, J; Valiela, I; Steinman, A D; Hwang, S J

2001-01-01

The relative biomass of autotrophs (vascular plants, macroalgae, microphytobenthos, phytoplankton) in shallow aquatic ecosystems is thought to be controlled by nutrient inputs and underwater irradiance. Widely accepted conceptual models indicate that this is the case both in marine and freshwater systems. In this paper we examine four case studies and test whether these models generally apply. We also identify other complex interactions among the autotrophs that may influence ecosystem response to cultural eutrophication. The marine case studies focus on macroalgae and its interactions with sediments and vascular plants. The freshwater case studies focus on interactions between phytoplankton, epiphyton, and benthic microalgae. In Waquoit Bay, MA (estuary), controlled experiments documented that blooms of macroalgae were responsible for the loss of eelgrass beds at nutrient-enriched locations. Macroalgae covered eelgrass and reduced irradiance to the extent that the plants could not maintain net growth. In Hog Island Bay, VA (estuary), a dense lawn of macroalgae covered the bottom sediments. There was reduced sediment-water nitrogen exchange when the algae were actively growing and high nitrogen release during algal senescence. In Lakes Brobo (West Africa) and Okeechobee (FL), there were dramatic seasonal changes in the biomass and phosphorus content of planktonic versus attached algae, and these changes were coupled with changes in water level and abiotic turbidity. Deeper water and/or greater turbidity favored dominance by phytoplankton. In Lake Brobo there also was evidence that phytoplankton growth was stimulated following a die-off of vascular plants. The case studies from Waquoit Bay and Lake Okeechobee support conceptual models of succession from vascular plants to benthic algae to phytoplankton along gradients of increasing nutrients and decreasing under-water irradiance. The case studies from Hog Island Bay and Lake Brobo illustrate additional effects (modified sediment-water nutrient fluxes, allelopathy or nutrient release during plant senescence) that could play a role in ecosystem response to nutrient stress.

Aggregation of Sentinel-2 time series classifications as a solution for multitemporal analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lewiński, Stanislaw; Nowakowski, Artur; Malinowski, Radek; Rybicki, Marcin; Kukawska, Ewa; Krupiński, Michał

2017-10-01

The general aim of this work was to elaborate efficient and reliable aggregation method that could be used for creating a land cover map at a global scale from multitemporal satellite imagery. The study described in this paper presents methods for combining results of land cover/land use classifications performed on single-date Sentinel-2 images acquired at different time periods. For that purpose different aggregation methods were proposed and tested on study sites spread on different continents. The initial classifications were performed with Random Forest classifier on individual Sentinel-2 images from a time series. In the following step the resulting land cover maps were aggregated pixel by pixel using three different combinations of information on the number of occurrences of a certain land cover class within a time series and the posterior probability of particular classes resulting from the Random Forest classification. From the proposed methods two are shown superior and in most cases were able to reach or outperform the accuracy of the best individual classifications of single-date images. Moreover, the aggregations results are very stable when used on data with varying cloudiness. They also enable to reduce considerably the number of cloudy pixels in the resulting land cover map what is significant advantage for mapping areas with frequent cloud coverage.

Incorporation Kinetics in Mixed Anion Compound Semiconductor Alloys

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-01-01

been studied . 5-8 but few reports attempting to systematically determine the Sb/As incorporation as a function of growth parameters exist other...droplets are not expected to form. In this case , the surface is always covered in either the anion or segregant such that s + a =1. The rate of...values were determined in two different ways. In the first case we started by measuring the growth rates with RHEED oscillations under excess group

20 CFR 30.207 - How does a claimant prove a diagnosis of a beryllium disease covered under Part B?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... beryllium disease covered under Part B? 30.207 Section 30.207 Employees' Benefits OFFICE OF WORKERS... disease covered under Part B? (a) Written medical documentation is required in all cases to prove that the... lavage cells. (c) Chronic beryllium disease is established in the following manner: (1) For diagnoses on...

20 CFR 30.207 - How does a claimant prove a diagnosis of a beryllium disease covered under Part B?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... beryllium disease covered under Part B? 30.207 Section 30.207 Employees' Benefits OFFICE OF WORKERS... disease covered under Part B? (a) Written medical documentation is required in all cases to prove that the... lavage cells. (c) Chronic beryllium disease is established in the following manner: (1) For diagnoses on...

76 FR 76147 - Final Results of Expedited Sunset Review of Countervailing Duty Order: Certain Lined Paper...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-12-06

... wrap). Subject merchandise may or may not contain any combination of a front cover, a rear cover, and... other books that are case bound through the inclusion of binders board, a spine strip, and cover wrap...\\ Products found to be bearing an invalidly licensed or used trademark are not excluded from the scope...

77 FR 53172 - Certain Lined Paper Products From India and the People's Republic of China: Continuation of...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-08-31

... wrap). Subject merchandise may or may not contain any combination of a front cover, a rear cover, and... that are case bound through the inclusion of binders board, a spine strip, and cover wrap; Newspapers... found to be bearing an invalidly licensed or used trademark are not excluded from the scope. Zwipes TM...

20 CFR 30.207 - How does a claimant prove a diagnosis of a beryllium disease covered under Part B?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... beryllium disease covered under Part B? 30.207 Section 30.207 Employees' Benefits OFFICE OF WORKERS... disease covered under Part B? (a) Written medical documentation is required in all cases to prove that the... lavage cells. (c) Chronic beryllium disease is established in the following manner: (1) For diagnoses on...

20 CFR 30.207 - How does a claimant prove a diagnosis of a beryllium disease covered under Part B?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... beryllium disease covered under Part B? 30.207 Section 30.207 Employees' Benefits OFFICE OF WORKERS... disease covered under Part B? (a) Written medical documentation is required in all cases to prove that the... lavage cells. (c) Chronic beryllium disease is established in the following manner: (1) For diagnoses on...

20 CFR 30.207 - How does a claimant prove a diagnosis of a beryllium disease covered under Part B?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... beryllium disease covered under Part B? 30.207 Section 30.207 Employees' Benefits OFFICE OF WORKERS... disease covered under Part B? (a) Written medical documentation is required in all cases to prove that the... lavage cells. (c) Chronic beryllium disease is established in the following manner: (1) For diagnoses on...

Estimation of evapotranspiration for different land covers in a Brazilian semi-arid region: A case study of the Brígida River basin, Brazil

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Santos, Celso Augusto Guimarães; Silva, Richarde Marques da; Silva, Alexandro Medeiros; Brasil Neto, Reginaldo Moura

2017-03-01

In this study, the Surface Energy Balance Algorithm for Land (SEBAL) was used to compute the surface albedo, vegetation indices (NDVI, SAVI and LAI), surface temperature, soil heat flux and evapotranspiration (ET) over two contrasting years (dry and wet) in the Brígida River basin, a semi-arid region of north-eastern Brazil. The actual ET was computed during satellite overpass and was integrated for 24 h on a pixel-by-pixel basis for the daily ET distribution. Due to the topographic effects, an attempt was also made to incorporate DEM information to estimate the net radiation. The land cover types identified in the watershed are cropland, bare land, dense canopy, grassland, and caatinga vegetation. In order to study the variation among the biophysical parameters and ET, two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used. The ET calculated by SEBAL ranged between 2.46 and 6.87 mm/day for the dry year (1990) and 1.31 and 6.84 mm/day for the wet year (2009) for the river basin. The results showed that a reduction in vegetation cover is evident in the temporal and spatial analysis over the studied periods in the region and that these facts influence the values of the energy balance and ET. The results showed significant differences in the variables of land cover type and year at the probability level of 0.05 for all land cover types.

Model-Based Assurance Case+ (MBAC+): Tutorial on Modeling Radiation Hardness Assurance Activities

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Austin, Rebekah; Label, Ken A.; Sampson, Mike J.; Evans, John; Witulski, Art; Sierawski, Brian; Karsai, Gabor; Mahadevan, Nag; Schrimpf, Ron; Reed, Robert A.

2017-01-01

This presentation will cover why modeling is useful for radiation hardness assurance cases, and also provide information on Model-Based Assurance Case+ (MBAC+), NASAs Reliability Maintainability Template, and Fault Propagation Modeling.

Determination of wetland ecosystem boundaries and validation of land use maps using remote sensing: Fuente de Piedra case study (Spain)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sánchez, Antonio; Malak, Dania Abdul; Schröder, Christoph; Martinez-Murillo, Juan F.

2016-04-01

Remote sensing techniques (SRS) are valid tools for wetland monitoring that could support wetland managers in assessing the spatial and temporal changes in wetland ecosystems as well as in understanding their condition and the ecosystem services they provide. This study focuses on the one hand, on drawing hydro-ecological guidelines for the delimitation of wetland ecosystems; and on the other hand, to assess the reliability of widely available satellite images (Landsat) in estimating the land use/ land cover types covering wetlands. This research develops comprehensive guidelines to determine the boundaries of the Fuente de Piedra wetland ecosystem located in Andalusia, Spain and defines the main land use/ land cover classes covering this ecosystem using Landsat 8 images. An accuracy of the SRS results delivered is tested using the regional inventory of land use produced by the regional government of Andalusia in 2011. By using the ecological and hydrological settings of the area, the boundaries of the Fuente de Piedra wetland ecosystem are determined as an alternative to improve the current delimitations methodology (the Ramsar and Natura 2000 delineations), used by the local authorities so far and based mainly on administrative reasoning. In terms of the land use land cover definition in the area, Fuente de Piedra wetland ecosystem shows to cover a total area of 195 km2 composed mainly by agricultural areas (81.46%): olive groves, non-irrigated arable land and pastures, being 54.82%, 25.71% and 0.93% of the surface respectively. Wetland related land covers (water surface, wetland vegetation) represent 6.85% while natural vegetation is distributed in forest, 1.67%, and shrub areas, 4.14%, being 5.81% in total. 4.58% of the area corresponds to urban and other artificial surfaces. The rest, 1.30%, is composed of different areas without vegetation (sands, bare rock, dumps, etc.). The classification of the Landsat images made with the newly developed SWOS toolbox (under the Horizon 2020 SWOS project) provides reliable results (r2= 0.98). The image segmentation corresponds very closely with the plots of land observed in the satellite image, and the allocation of land use coverages corresponds in 82% of the segments. Forest and olive groves are the best identified coverages with an accuracy of 93% in both cases. Wetlands are correctly classified by 87%, where linear features (narrow streams, etc.) are not detected by the methodology used due to the limitations of Landsat resolution. Arable lands are classified with an accuracy of 85.5%; where the methodology seems to confuse this land use with sparse olive grove. In the case of shrubs, accuracy round the 72%, with confusions with this land use are related with arable land, sparse forests in wetland areas. In the case of urban areas, only 60.5% of the segments are correctly classified as the distinction between urban fabric and industrial areas does not seem to be possible and linear features are not detected (highways, secondary roads,…).

Case studies of violations of workers' freedom of association: service sector workers.

PubMed

2001-01-01

Workers' rights violations in the United States are widespread and growing. The bulk of the National Labor Relations Board's work now involves unfair labor practices, most related to employers' violations of workers' rights. Numerous research studies document these violations. As part of its report "Unfair Advantage: Workers' Freedom of Association in the United States under International Human Rights Standards," Human Rights Watch conducted a series of case studies in a dozen states, covering a variety of industries and employment sectors, analyzing the U.S. experience in the light of both national law and international human rights and labor rights norms. The article presented here includes a discussion of the general context of increased workers' rights violations under U.S. law and the first of the case studies: service sector workers.

Industrialization Impact on Worker Mobility and Land Use in Peri Urban Area (Case study of Semarang District, Indonesia)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wijaya, H. B.; Kurniawati, H.; Hutama, S. T. E. W.

2018-02-01

In many cases, industrialization has stimulated the urbanization process massively. It tends to attract substantial number of labor migrants from nearby region to fulfill the demand of workers. The paper reports the research result of industrialization phenomena in Semarang district, Indonesia. It carried out the survey by taking 250 samples of migrant workers. The result shows that the presence of labor-intensive industries becomes the most influence factor for many migrants, rather than the driving factors from the place of origin. The attraction factor could cover regional and across the province force, as indicated that all migrant respondents come from both inside and outside of Central Java Province. Furthermore, based on the land-use distribution of the migrant settlement area, it indicates a growing land-use change, both of land cover and land functions.

Automating the solution of PDEs on the sphere and other manifolds in FEniCS 1.2

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rognes, M. E.; Ham, D. A.; Cotter, C. J.; McRae, A. T. T.

2013-12-01

Differential equations posed over immersed manifolds are of particular importance in studying geophysical flows; for instance, ocean and atmosphere simulations crucially rely on the capability to solve equations over the sphere. This paper presents the extension of the FEniCS software components to the automated solution of finite element formulations of differential equations defined over general, immersed manifolds. We describe the implementation and, in particular detail, how the required extensions essentially reduce to the extension of the FEniCS form compiler to cover this case. The resulting implementation has all the properties of the FEniCS pipeline and we demonstrate its flexibility by an extensive range of numerical examples covering a number of geophysical benchmark examples and test cases. The results are all in agreement with the expected values. The description here relates to DOLFIN/FEniCS 1.2.

Automating the solution of PDEs on the sphere and other manifolds in FEniCS 1.2

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rognes, M. E.; Ham, D. A.; Cotter, C. J.; McRae, A. T. T.

2013-07-01

Differential equations posed over immersed manifolds are of particular importance in studying geophysical flows; for instance, ocean and atmosphere simulations crucially rely on the capability to solve equations over the sphere. This paper presents the extension of the FEniCS software components to the automated solution of finite element formulations of differential equations defined over general, immersed manifolds. We describe the implementation and in particular detail how the required extensions essentially reduce to the extension of the FEniCS form compiler to cover this case. The resulting implementation has all the properties of the FEniCS pipeline and we demonstrate its flexibility by an extensive range of numerical examples covering a number of geophysical benchmark examples and test cases. The results are all in agreement with the expected values. The description here relates to DOLFIN/FEniCS 1.2.

DEVELOPMENT AND APPLICATION OF MATERIALS PROPERTIES FOR FLAW STABILITY ANALYSIS IN EXTREME ENVIRONMENT SERVICE

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Sindelar, R; Ps Lam, P; Andrew Duncan, A

Discovery of aging phenomena in the materials of a structure may arise after its design and construction that impact its structural integrity. This condition can be addressed through a demonstration of integrity with the material-specific degraded conditions. Two case studies of development of fracture and crack growth property data, and their application in development of in-service inspection programs for nuclear structures in the defense complex are presented. The first case study covers the development of fracture toughness properties in the form of J-R curves for rolled plate Type 304 stainless steel with Type 308 stainless steel filler in the applicationmore » to demonstrate the integrity of the reactor tanks of the heavy water production reactors at the Savannah River Site. The fracture properties for the base, weld, and heat-affected zone of the weldments irradiated at low temperatures (110-150 C) up to 6.4 dpa{sub NRT} and 275 appm helium were developed. An expert group provided consensus for application of the irradiated properties for material input to acceptance criteria for ultrasonic examination of the reactor tanks. Dr. Spencer H. Bush played a lead advisory role in this work. The second case study covers the development of fracture toughness for A285 carbon steel in high level radioactive waste tanks. The approach in this case study incorporated a statistical experimental design for material testing to address metallurgical factors important to fracture toughness. Tolerance intervals were constructed to identify the lower bound fracture toughness for material input to flaw disposition through acceptance by analysis.« less

A ghost covered in lice: a case of severe blood loss with long-standing heavy pediculosis capitis infestation.

PubMed

Hau, Veronica; Muhi-Iddin, Nadia

2014-12-19

An 11-year-old child presented with poor school attendance, and signs and symptoms of severe anaemia. He was heavily covered in lice. He was investigated for other causes of anaemia. Following treatment for head lice and also iron supplementation, he was back in full-time education. This case highlights the link between head lice (pediculosis capitis) infestation and iron-deficiency anaemia. 2014 BMJ Publishing Group Ltd.

Higher Education and Employment: A Case Study of Israel.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Globerson, Arye

Unemployment among university graduates in Israel is examined in light of their possible retraining for placement in other professional fields experiencing shortages, including new occupations. After an introduction that includes a retraining model, the following are covered in separate chapters: (1) a profile of humanities and social science…

Censorship: Changing Reality.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Woods, L. B.; Robinson, Cynthia

Based on data compiled from issues of the American Library Association's Newsletter on Intellectual Freedom, this paper analyzes over 500 censorship cases occurring in U.S. educational institutions and public libraries from 1976 through 1980, and makes a comparison with a previous study of U.S. censorship covering 1966 to 1975. Information is…

Challenges in Archetypes Terminology Binding Using SNOMED-CT Compositional Grammar: The Norwegian Patient Summary Case.

PubMed

Marco-Ruiz, Luis; Pedersen, Rune

2017-01-01

In order to cover the requirements for interoperability in the Norwegian context, we studied the terminology binding of archetypes to terminology expressions created with the SNOMED-CT compositional grammar. As a result we identified important challenges categorized as technical, expressivity, human, and models mismatch.

Declining Enrollment--Closing Schools: Problems & Solutions. AASA Critical Issues Report.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Brodinsky, Ben

Nine chapters and an introduction discuss the issues surrounding school closures and declining enrollment and suggest practical solutions. Each chapter examines a particular facet of the problem, presents brief case studies of successful experiences, and mentions sources for further information. The topics covered include: (1) demographic changes…

An assessment of transportation issues under exceptional conditions : the case of the mass media and the Northridge Earthquake

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1998-05-01

This study explores how the mass media covered transportation issues following the 1994 Northridge earthquake. The mass media were a vital channel for travel information, and they provided considerable information to the public about the safety of tr...

Geostatistics and petroleum geology

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Hohn, M.E.

1988-01-01

This book examines purpose and use of geostatistics in exploration and development of oil and gas with an emphasis on appropriate and pertinent case studies. It present an overview of geostatistics. Topics covered include: The semivariogram; Linear estimation; Multivariate geostatistics; Nonlinear estimation; From indicator variables to nonparametric estimation; and More detail, less certainty; conditional simulation.

From Qualitative to Quantitative and Back Again: Philosophical and Methodological Transitions.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Fetterman, David M.

Allegations by a resigning employee of intimidation, cover-up, unethical behavior, legal violations, waste, and mismanagement were investigated at a major university, relying on confidential interviews and a review of relevant documentation. The case study of this evaluation illustrates the advantages of a mix of qualitative and quantitative…

Quantifying spatial and temporal variability of methane emissions from a complex area source: case study of a central Indiana landfill

EPA Science Inventory

strengths, limitations, and uncertainties of these two approaches. Because US landfills are highly-engineered and composed of daily, intermediate, and final cover areas with differing thicknesses, composition, and implementation of gas recovery, we also expected different emissi...

Curriculum Debate and Policy Change

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Elgstrom, Ole; Hellstenius, Mats

2011-01-01

This article investigates the underlying themes and principles that inform curriculum debate and how they are articulated in current school policy discussions. This topic is approached with the help of a case study covering the debate on which subjects should be mandatory for students at the upper secondary school curriculum in Sweden. The focus…

Teaching Integration with Layers and Representations: A Case Study

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Von Korff, Joshua; Rebello, N. Sanjay

2012-01-01

We designed a sequence of seven lessons to facilitate learning of integration in a physics context. We implemented this sequence with a single college sophomore, "Amber," who was concurrently enrolled in a first-semester calculus-based introductory physics course which covered topics in mechanics. We outline the philosophy underpinning these…

Student Activity Guide for "Business in an Information Economy."

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Graf, David; And Others

The 20 chapters of this student activity guide provide study guides (key terms and concepts reviews), projects, cases for analyses, and self-assessment exercises for business and career education classes. Topics covered include the following: business winners (entrepreneurship); growth of the U.S. economy, the basics of economics, comparing…

A Simple Endpoint Assay for Starch-Degrading Enzymes.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kroen, William K.

1998-01-01

Since many of the important energy-transferring pathways involve synthesis or degradation of biological macromolecules, observations of the enzymes responsible for starch breakdown provide a useful case study. Provides a short, one-step assay for the enzymes amylase and amyloglucosidase. Topics covered include goals, preparation, assay procedure,…

Low input and intensified crop production systems effects on soil health and environment

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

The material in this chapter covers the concepts of "low-input" and "intensified" production systems in the context of input intensity and sustainability. Research-based case studies are presented that draw out the practicalities of implementing production practices on an input intensity gradient fr...

A Special Issue: Geomathematics in practice: Case studies from earth- and environmental sciences - Proceedings of the Croatian-Hungarian Geomathematical Congress, Hungary 2015

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hatvani, István Gábor; Horváth, Janina

2016-01-01

The present paper aims to introduce the current problems of geomathematics along with giving on overview on the papers published in the special issue covering the Croatian-Hungarian Geomathematical Congress of 2015 in Hungary.

Health effects of protein intake in healthy adults: A systematic literature review

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

The purpose of this systematic review is to assess the evidence behind the dietary requirement of protein and to assess the health effects of varying protein intake in healthy adults. The literature search covered the years 2000-2011. Prospective cohort, case-control, and intervention studies were i...

Use of Drama Students as "Clients" in Teaching Abnormal Psychology.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gilliland, Kirby

1982-01-01

Describes the use of drama students to role play subjects of case studies in simulations of standard interviews in a college-level abnormal psychology class. Graduate drama students role-played clients in interviews with instructors or student panels. After the interviews, class discussion covered alternative possible diagnoses and possible…

REGIONAL ASSESSMENT OF LANDSCAPE AND DEMOGRAPHIC CHANGE EFFECTS IN THE MEDITERRANEAN REGION, THE MOROCCO CASE STUDY (1981-2003)

EPA Science Inventory

The method presented here allows mapping changes in vegetation cover trends over large areas quickly and inexpensively, thus providing policy-makers with a technical capacity to locate and assess areas of environmental instability and improve their ability to positively respond o...

Evaporation suppression from water reservoirs using floating covers: Lab scale observations and model predictions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Or, D.; Lehmann, P.; Aminzadeh, M.; Sommer, M.; Wey, H.; Wunderli, H.; Breitenstein, D.

2016-12-01

The competition over dwindling fresh water resources is expected to intensify with projected increase in human population in arid regions, expansion of irrigated land and changes in climate and drought patterns. The volume of water stored in reservoirs would also increase to mitigate seasonal shortages due to rainfall variability and to meet irrigation water needs. By some estimates up to half of the stored water is lost to evaporation thereby exacerbating the water scarcity problem. Recently, there is an upsurge in the use of self-assembling floating covers to suppress evaporation, yet the design, and implementation remain largely empirical. Studies have shown that evaporation suppression is highly nonlinear, as also known from a century of research on gas exchange from plant leaves (that often evaporate as free water surfaces through stomata that are only 1% of leaf area). We report a systematic evaluation of different cover types and external drivers (radiation, wind, wind+radiation) on evaporation suppression and energy balance of a 1.4 m2 basin placed in a wind-tunnel. Surprisingly, evaporation suppression by black and white floating covers (balls and plates) were similar despite significantly different energy balance regimes over the cover surfaces. Moreover, the evaporation suppression efficiency was a simple function of the uncovered area (square root of the uncovered fraction) with linear relations with the covered area in some cases. The thermally decoupled floating covers offer an efficient solution to the evaporation suppression with limited influence of the surface energy balance (water temperature for black and white covers was similar and remained nearly constant). The results will be linked with a predictive evaporation-energy balance model and issues of spatial scales and long exposure times will be studied.

Characterizing the fabric of the urban environment: A case study of Salt Lake City, Utah

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Akbari, Hashem; Rose, L. Shea

2001-02-28

Urban fabric data are needed in order to estimate the impact of light-colored surfaces (roofs and pavements) and urban vegetation (trees, grass, shrubs) on the meteorology and air quality of a city, and to design effective implementation programs. In this report, we discuss the result of a semi-automatic Monte-Carlo statistical approach used to develop data on surface-type distribution and city-fabric makeup (percentage of various surface-types) using aerial color orthophotography. The digital aerial photographs for Salt Lake City covered a total of about 34 km2 (13 mi2). At 0.50-m resolution, there were approximately 1.4 x 108 pixels of data. Four majormore » land-use types were examined: (1) commercial, (2) industrial, (3) educational, and (4) residential. On average, for the areas studied, vegetation covers about 46 percent of the area (ranging 44-51 percent), roofs cover about 21 percent (ranging 15-24 percent), and paved surfaces about 26 percent (ranging 21-28 percent). For the most part, trees shade streets, parking lots, grass, and sidewalks. In most non-residential areas, paved surfaces cover 46-66 percent of the area. In residential areas, on average, paved surfaces cover about 32 percent of the area. Land-use/land-cover (LU/LC) data from the United States Geological Survey were used to extrapolate these results from neighborhood scales to metropolitan Salt Lake City. In an area of roughly 560 km2, defining most of metropolitan Salt Lake City, over 60 percent is residential. The total roof area is about 110 km2, and the total paved surface area (roads, parking areas, sidewalks) covers about 170 km2. The total vegetated area covers about 230 km2.« less

Multicriteria analysis for sources of renewable energy using data from remote sensing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Matejicek, L.

2015-04-01

Renewable energy sources are major components of the strategy to reduce harmful emissions and to replace depleting fossil energy resources. Data from remote sensing can provide information for multicriteria analysis for sources of renewable energy. Advanced land cover quantification makes it possible to search for suitable sites. Multicriteria analysis, together with other data, is used to determine the energy potential and socially acceptability of suggested locations. The described case study is focused on an area of surface coal mines in the northwestern region of the Czech Republic, where the impacts of surface mining and reclamation constitute a dominant force in land cover changes. High resolution satellite images represent the main input datasets for identification of suitable sites. Solar mapping, wind predictions, the location of weirs in watersheds, road maps and demographic information complement the data from remote sensing for multicriteria analysis, which is implemented in a geographic information system (GIS). The input spatial datasets for multicriteria analysis in GIS are reclassified to a common scale and processed with raster algebra tools to identify suitable sites for sources of renewable energy. The selection of suitable sites is limited by the CORINE land cover database to mining and agricultural areas. The case study is focused on long term land cover changes in the 1985-2015 period. Multicriteria analysis based on CORINE data shows moderate changes in mapping of suitable sites for utilization of selected sources of renewable energy in 1990, 2000, 2006 and 2012. The results represent map layers showing the energy potential on a scale of a few preference classes (1-7), where the first class is linked to minimum preference and the last class to maximum preference. The attached histograms show the moderate variability of preference classes due to land cover changes caused by mining activities. The results also show a slight increase in the more preferred classes for utilization of sources of renewable energy due to an increase area of reclaimed sites. Using data from remote sensing, such as the multispectral images and the CORINE land cover datasets, can reduce the financial resources currently required for finding and assessing suitable areas.

Synergy of airborne LiDAR and Worldview-2 satellite imagery for land cover and habitat mapping: A BIO_SOS-EODHaM case study for the Netherlands

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mücher, C. A.; Roupioz, L.; Kramer, H.; Bogers, M. M. B.; Jongman, R. H. G.; Lucas, R. M.; Kosmidou, V. E.; Petrou, Z.; Manakos, I.; Padoa-Schioppa, E.; Adamo, M.; Blonda, P.

2015-05-01

A major challenge is to develop a biodiversity observation system that is cost effective and applicable in any geographic region. Measuring and reliable reporting of trends and changes in biodiversity requires amongst others detailed and accurate land cover and habitat maps in a standard and comparable way. The objective of this paper is to assess the EODHaM (EO Data for Habitat Mapping) classification results for a Dutch case study. The EODHaM system was developed within the BIO_SOS (The BIOdiversity multi-SOurce monitoring System: from Space TO Species) project and contains the decision rules for each land cover and habitat class based on spectral and height information. One of the main findings is that canopy height models, as derived from LiDAR, in combination with very high resolution satellite imagery provides a powerful input for the EODHaM system for the purpose of generic land cover and habitat mapping for any location across the globe. The assessment of the EODHaM classification results based on field data showed an overall accuracy of 74% for the land cover classes as described according to the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) Land Cover Classification System (LCCS) taxonomy at level 3, while the overall accuracy was lower (69.0%) for the habitat map based on the General Habitat Category (GHC) system for habitat surveillance and monitoring. A GHC habitat class is determined for each mapping unit on the basis of the composition of the individual life forms and height measurements. The classification showed very good results for forest phanerophytes (FPH) when individual life forms were analyzed in terms of their percentage coverage estimates per mapping unit from the LCCS classification and validated with field surveys. Analysis for shrubby chamaephytes (SCH) showed less accurate results, but might also be due to less accurate field estimates of percentage coverage. Overall, the EODHaM classification results encouraged us to derive the heights of all vegetated objects in the Netherlands from LiDAR data, in preparation for new habitat classifications.

Self, memory, and imagining the future in a case of psychogenic amnesia.

PubMed

Rathbone, Clare J; Ellis, Judi A; Baker, Ian; Butler, Chris R

2015-01-01

We report a case of psychogenic amnesia and examine the relationships between autobiographical memory impairment, the self, and ability to imagine the future. Case study JH, a 60-year-old male, experienced a 6-year period of pervasive psychogenic amnesia covering all life events from childhood to the age of 53. JH was tested during his amnesic period and again following hypnotherapy and the recovery of his memories. JH's amnesia corresponded with deficits in self-knowledge and imagining the future. Results are discussed with reference to models of self and memory and processes involving remembering and imagining.

Work-related deaths among youth: Understanding the contribution of US child labor violations.

PubMed

Rauscher, Kimberly J; Myers, Douglas J; Miller, Mary E

2016-11-01

Evidence shows that violations of the United States (US) child labor regulations are common. The main purpose of this study was to investigate the magnitude and nature of work-related deaths among youth involving violations of US child labor regulations. We analyzed Census of Fatal Occupational Injury data from 2001 to 2012 using descriptive statistics and Chi-square tests. Between 2001 and 2012, 406 workers under age 18 were recorded in the CFOI as having suffered a fatal work-related injury. Among these cases, 233 were covered by the US child labor regulations. Forty-three percent of these cases involved at least one violation. The majority of cases that were not covered by the regulations involved decedents working on their family's farms (N = 139). Violations of federal child labor regulations are a significant contributor to work-related deaths among youth in the United States. Increased investment in enforcement is needed to prevent further young worker deaths involving child labor violations. Am. J. Ind. Med. 59:959-968, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

MODIS Snow-Cover Products

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hall, Dorothy K.; Riggs, George A.; Salomonson, Vincent V.; DiGirolamo, Nicole E.; Bayr, Klaus J.; Houser, Paul R. (Technical Monitor)

2002-01-01

On December 18, 1999, the Terra satellite was launched with a complement of five instruments including the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS). Many geophysical products are derived from MODIS data including global snow-cover products. MODIS snow and ice products have been available through the National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC) Distributed Active Archive Center (DAAC) since September 13, 2000. MODIS snow-cover products represent potential improvement to or enhancement of the currently-available operational products mainly because the MODIS products are global and 500-m resolution, and have the capability to separate most snow and clouds. Also the snow-mapping algorithms are automated which means that a consistent data set may be generated for long-term climate studies that require snow-cover information. Extensive quality assurance (QA) information is stored with the products. The MODIS snow product suite begins with a 500-m resolution, 2330-km swath snow-cover map which is then gridded to an integerized sinusoidal grid to produce daily and 8-day composite tile products. The sequence proceeds to a climate-modeling grid (CMG) product at about 5.6-km spatial resolution, with both daily and 8-day composite products. Each pixel of the CMG contains fraction of snow cover from 40 - 100%. Measured errors of commission in the CMG are low, for example, on the continent of Australia in the spring, they vary from 0.02 - 0.10%. Near-term enhancements include daily snow albedo and fractional snow cover. A case study from March 6, 2000, involving MODIS data and field and aircraft measurements, is presented to show some early validation work.

Including land cover change in analysis of greenness trends using all available Landsat 5, 7, and 8 images: A case study from Guangzhou, China (2000–2014)

USGS Publications Warehouse

Zhu, Zhe; Fu, Yingchun; Woodcock, Curtis; Olofsson, Pontus; Vogelmann, James; Holden, Christopher; Wang, Min; Dai, Shu; Yu, Yang

2016-01-01

An assessment of the consistency of surface reflectance from Landsat 8 with past Landsat sensors indicates biases in the visible bands of Landsat 8, especially the blue band. Landsat 8 NDVI values were found to have a larger bias than the EVI values; therefore, EVI was used in the analysis of greenness trends for Guangzhou. In spite of massive amounts of development in Guangzhou from 2000 to 2014, greenness was found to increase, mostly as a result of gradual change. Comparison of the greening magnitudes estimated from the approach presented here and a Simple Linear Trend (SLT) method indicated large differences for certain time intervals as the SLT method does not include consideration for abrupt land cover changes. Overall, this analysis demonstrates the importance of considering land cover change when analyzing trends in greenness from satellite time series in areas where land cover change is common.

Employees.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sorenson, Gail Paulus; Mawdsley, Ralph D.

This chapter covers the nearly 250 cases reported in 1987 involving precollegiate public-sector employees. Those cases where purely procedural issues are involved are omitted, and procedural issues in the remaining cases are deemphasized. Although no United States Supreme Court cases in 1987 related to school employees, those from prior years are…

Cloud Detection of Optical Satellite Images Using Support Vector Machine

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, Kuan-Yi; Lin, Chao-Hung

2016-06-01

Cloud covers are generally present in optical remote-sensing images, which limit the usage of acquired images and increase the difficulty of data analysis, such as image compositing, correction of atmosphere effects, calculations of vegetation induces, land cover classification, and land cover change detection. In previous studies, thresholding is a common and useful method in cloud detection. However, a selected threshold is usually suitable for certain cases or local study areas, and it may be failed in other cases. In other words, thresholding-based methods are data-sensitive. Besides, there are many exceptions to control, and the environment is changed dynamically. Using the same threshold value on various data is not effective. In this study, a threshold-free method based on Support Vector Machine (SVM) is proposed, which can avoid the abovementioned problems. A statistical model is adopted to detect clouds instead of a subjective thresholding-based method, which is the main idea of this study. The features used in a classifier is the key to a successful classification. As a result, Automatic Cloud Cover Assessment (ACCA) algorithm, which is based on physical characteristics of clouds, is used to distinguish the clouds and other objects. In the same way, the algorithm called Fmask (Zhu et al., 2012) uses a lot of thresholds and criteria to screen clouds, cloud shadows, and snow. Therefore, the algorithm of feature extraction is based on the ACCA algorithm and Fmask. Spatial and temporal information are also important for satellite images. Consequently, co-occurrence matrix and temporal variance with uniformity of the major principal axis are used in proposed method. We aim to classify images into three groups: cloud, non-cloud and the others. In experiments, images acquired by the Landsat 7 Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus (ETM+) and images containing the landscapes of agriculture, snow area, and island are tested. Experiment results demonstrate the detection accuracy of the proposed method is better than related methods.

PREDICTING THE RELATIVE IMPACTS OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT POLICIES AND ON-ROAD VEHICLE TECHNOLOGIES ON AIR QUALITY IN THE UNITED STATES: MODELING AND ANALYSIS OF A CASE STUDY IN AUSTIN, TEXAS

EPA Science Inventory

Urban development results in changes to land use and land cover and, consequently, to biogenic and anthropogenic emissions, meteorological processes, and processes such as dry deposition that influence future predictions of air quality. This study examines the impacts of alter...

Health Care Service Needs and Correlates of Quality of Life: A Case Study of Elderly Chinese Immigrants in Canada

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Chow, Henry P. H.

2012-01-01

This study explored the health care service needs and the major correlates of quality of life among 127 community-dwelling elderly Chinese immigrants in a western Canadian city. Participants were interviewed in their homes by trained, bilingual interviewers employing a structured questionnaire that covered a wide range of topics including health…

Education in South-East Asia. Oxford Studies in Comparative Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Brock, Colin, Ed.; Symaco, Lorraine Pe, Ed.

2011-01-01

This book on education in South-East Asia is the very first of its kind to comprehensively cover and discuss the education systems and issues in all the countries in the region--the ten member nations of the Association of South-East Asian nations (ASEAN) plus Timor Leste. The eleven chapters on country case studies are written by education…

Prediction of climate change impacts on agricultural watersheds and the performance of winter cover crops: Case study of the upper region of the Choptank River Watershed

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Elevated CO2 concentration, temperature, and precipitation intensity driven by climate change are expected to cause significant environmental changes in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed (CBW). Although the potential effects of climate change are widely reported, few studies have been conducted to unders...

Integrating global satellite-derived data products as a pre-analysis for hydrological modelling studies: a case study for the Red River Basin

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

With changes in weather patterns and intensifying anthropogenic water use, there is an increasing need for spatio-temporal information on water fluxes and stocks in river basins. The assortment of satellite-derived open-access information sources on rainfall (P) and land use / land cover (LULC) is c...

Energy Implementation Centers: A Method of Speeding the Use of Solar Energy and Other Energy Conserving Technologies. Final Report.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hirshberg, A. S.; And Others

This report examines the role of implementation centers as a vehicle for speeding the use of solar energy and energy conservation. It covers a study of previous building industry innovations; a brief review of the diffusion of innovation literature, including several case studies; identification of the solar thermal application process and…

Predicting habitat suitability for wildlife in southeastern Arizona using Geographic Information Systems: scaled quail, a case study

Treesearch

Kirby D. Bristow; Susan R. Boe; Richard A. Ockenfels

2005-01-01

Studies have used Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to evaluate habitat suitability for wildlife on a landscape scale, yet few have established the accuracy of these models. Based on documented habitat selection patterns of scaled quail (Callipepla squamata pallida), we produced GIS covers for several habitat parameters to create a map of...

Growing Up: School, Family, and Area Influences on Adolescents' Later Life Chances. CASE Discussion Paper.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Burgess, Simon; Gardiner, Karen; Propper, Carol

This study explored the relationships between adult economic outcomes and three key factors during adolescence: schooling, family background, and county of residence. The empirical analysis was based on data covering the period from 1979-1996. Data came from the 1979 National Longitudinal Survey of Youth. The study examined a sample of people ages…

Biology Teacher and Expert Opinions about Computer Assisted Biology Instruction Materials: A Software Entitled Nucleic Acids and Protein Synthesis

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hasenekoglu, Ismet; Timucin, Melih

2007-01-01

The aim of this study is to collect and evaluate opinions of CAI experts and biology teachers about a high school level Computer Assisted Biology Instruction Material presenting computer-made modelling and simulations. It is a case study. A material covering "Nucleic Acids and Protein Synthesis" topic was developed as the…

Relic components within the soil cover of Mexico: regional variability

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Solleiro Rebolledo, Elizabeth; Sedov, Sergey

2015-04-01

The case of paleosols persisting on the land surface (non-buried paleosols or relict soils) besides paleoecological interest has specific implications for studies of soil geography, ecology and management. In fact these soil bodies form part of the modern soil mantle and provide ecological services for the current (agro)ecosystems but are neither formed nor re-produced by these ecosystems, conforming locally extinct soils (although similar profiles can develop at present under other bioclimatic conditions). In consequence, they are a heritage of past climatic and biotic conditions now extinct, thus presenting a non-restorable component of the present landscape. Mexico has so abundant and diverse paleosols, both surface and buried, that really could be considered to be a "paleopedological paradise". Two groups of factors promote generation of this abundance: Major part of territory of Mexico is occupied by mountainous landscapes with high intensity of tectonic, volcanic and geomorphic processes. These processes create a complex mosaic of geological materials and landforms of different age (like alluvial and lake terraces, eroded slopes, and volcanic deposits of various eruptions). Meanwhile younger landsurfaces are occupied by the recently developed soils, the older ones could bear the relict soil bodies. The same processes produce sedimentary strata (alluvial, colluvial, pyroclastic, etc.) which frequently cover the pre-existing landsurfaces and soils, producing series of buried paleosols. In this work we present three study cases of relict paleosols that are integrated to the modern soil cover of Mexico: the case of reddish-brown soils in the arid landscapes of Sonora (in the north); the pedosediments (tepetates) in central Mexico; and the red soils developed under humid conditions in Yucatan (in the south).

Distribution of female genital tract anomalies in two classifications.

PubMed

Heinonen, Pentti K

2016-11-01

This study assessed the distribution of Müllerian duct anomalies in two verified classifications of female genital tract malformations, and the presence of associated renal defects. 621 women with confirmed female genital tract anomalies were retrospectively grouped under the European (ESHRE/ESGE) and the American (AFS) classification. The diagnosis of uterine malformation was based on findings in hysterosalpingography, two-dimensional ultrasonography, endoscopies, laparotomy, cesarean section and magnetic resonance imaging in 97.3% of cases. Renal status was determined in 378 patients, including 5 with normal uterus and vagina. The European classification covered all 621 women studied. Uterine anomalies without cervical or vaginal anomaly were found in 302 (48.6%) patients. Uterine anomaly was associated with vaginal anomaly in 45.2%, and vaginal anomaly alone was found in 26 (4.2%) cases. Septate uterus was the most common (49.1%) of all genital tract anomalies, followed by bicorporeal uteri (18.2%). The American classification covered 590 (95%) out of the 621 women with genital tract anomalies. The American system did not take into account vaginal anomalies in 170 (34.7%) and cervical anomalies in 174 (35.5%) out of 490 cases with uterine malformations. Renal abnormalities were found in 71 (18.8%) out of 378 women, unilateral renal agenesis being the most common defect (12.2%), also found in 4 women without Müllerian duct anomaly. The European classification sufficiently covered uterine and vaginal abnormalities. The distribution of the main uterine anomalies was equal in both classifications. The American system missed cervical and vaginal anomalies associated with uterine anomalies. Evaluation of renal system is recommended for all patients with genital tract anomalies. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Spring floods prediction with the use of optical satellite data in Québec

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Roy, A.; Royer, A.; Turcotte, R.

2009-04-01

The Centre d'expertise hydrique du Québec (CEHQ) operates a distributed hydrological model, which integrates a snow model, for the management of dams in the south of Québec. It appears that the estimation of the water quantity of snowmelt in spring remains a variable with a large uncertainty and induces generally to an important error in stream flow simulation. Therefore, the National snow and ice center (NSIDC) produces, from MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) data, continuous and homogeneous spatial snow cover (snow/swow-free) data on the whole territory, but with a cloud contamination. This research aims to improve the prediction of spring floods and the estimation of the rate of discharge by integrating snow cover data in the CEHQ's snow model. The study is done on two watersheds: du Nord river watershed (45,8°N) and Aux Écorces river watershed (47,9°N). The snow model used in the study (SPH-AV) is an implementation developed by the CEHQ of the snowmelt model of HYDROLTEL in is hydrological forecast system to simulate the melted water. The melted water estimated is then used as input in the empirical hydrological model MOHYSE to simulate stream flow. MODIS data are considered valid only when the cloud cover on each pixel of the watersheds is less then 30%. A pixel by pixel correction is applied to the snow pack when there is a difference between satellite snow cover and modeled snow cover. In the case of model shows to much snow, a factor is applied on temperatures by iterative process (starting from the last valid MODIS data) to melt the snow. In the opposite case, the snow quantity added to the last valid MODIS data is found by iterative process so that the pixel's snow water equivalent is equal to the nonzero neighbor minimum value. The study shows, through the simulations done on the two watersheds, the interest of the use of snow/snow-free product for the operational update of snow water equivalent with the objective to improve spring snowmelt stream flow simulations. The binary aspect (snow/snowfree) of the data is however a limit. Alternatives are discussed (passive microwave data). Keywords : satellite snow cover data, MODIS, satellite data integration, snow model, hydrological model, stream flow simulation, flood.

Intrahousehold resource allocation and child growth in Mozambique: an ethnographic case-control study.

PubMed

Pfeiffer, J; Gloyd, S; Ramirez Li, L

2001-07-01

This study examines the effect of intrahousehold cash income control and decision-making patterns on child growth in the rural town of Sussundenga in Manica Province, Mozambique. A case-control study design was used to examine the influence of men's and women's disaggregated cash incomes on child growth. The research tested whether greater maternal share of household cash income was associated with (1) increased maternal decision-making and bargaining power in the household, and (2) better child growth. Fifty case households, with children 1-4 years old exhibiting poor growth, were matched with 50 control households of similar socioeconomic status in which all children under five demonstrated healthy growth. Data were gathered on gender-specific income generation and expenditure, specific intrahousehold allocation processes, diet, and sociodemographic variables using a formal survey. Key informant interviews, focus groups, and observation over one year provided ethnographic context for the case-control findings. Case-control differences were analyzed using McNemar's test, paired t-test, and conditional logistic regression. In spite of matching households for socioeconomic status, control household incomes were still slightly greater than cases. Male spouse income was also higher among controls while maternal income, and maternal proportion of household income, were not significantly different. Household meat, fish and poultry consumption, and maternal education were significantly greater among control households than cases. Greater maternal share of household income was not associated with greater maternal decision-making around cash. However, mothers must spend what little cash they earn on daily food supplies and usually request additional cash from spouses to cover these costs. There is evidence that if mothers earn enough to cover these socially prescribed costs, they can spend cash for other needs. Above this threshold, women's earnings may confer more bargaining power. The research also revealed a nuclearization of households, attenuation of community bonds of mutual aid, and increasing importance of cash for survival.

Redundant prepuce increases the odds of chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS).

PubMed

Zhao, Yu-Yang; Xu, Dong-Liang; Zhao, Fu-Jun; Han, Bang-Min; Shao, Yi; Zhao, Wei; Xia, Shu-Jie

2014-01-01

Some published evidence has revealed that the dendritic cells can interact with pathogens that exist in the inner foreskin. This information provides a new vision that pathogens could play a role through the redundant prepuce; numerous studies have failed to find pathogens in prostates of patients who had chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS). However, no studies have reported an association between foreskin length and CP/CPPS. Hence, we conducted a retrospective case-control study of clinical data from 322 CP/CPPS patients (case group) and 341 nonCP/CPPS patients (control group). Demographic characteristics, lifestyle factors, and foreskin lengths were collected and analyzed. Multivariate logistic regression was adopted to calculate the odds of foreskin length for CP/CPPS. According to the multivariate logistic regression results, when the foreskin length covered up more than half of the glans penis, the odds for CP/CPPS were higher with an increased foreskin (odds ratio (OR): 1.66, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.04-2.66). In comparison, when the glans penis was completely covered by the foreskin, the OR value increased to 1.86 (95% CI, 1.2-2.88). The study results showed an association between foreskin length and the odds of CP/CPPS. When the foreskin length covered up more than half of the glans penis, there were greater odds for CP/CPPS. This possible mechanism might result from interaction between pathogens and DCs in the inner foreskin, consequently activating T-cells to mediate allergic inflammation in the prostate and producing the autoimmunizations causing CP/CPPS.

Multisensor earth observations to characterize wetlands and malaria epidemiology in Ethiopia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Midekisa, Alemayehu; Senay, Gabriel B.; Wimberly, Michael C.

2014-11-01

Malaria is a major global public health problem, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa. The spatial heterogeneity of malaria can be affected by factors such as hydrological processes, physiography, and land cover patterns. Tropical wetlands, for example, are important hydrological features that can serve as mosquito breeding habitats. Mapping and monitoring of wetlands using satellite remote sensing can thus help to target interventions aimed at reducing malaria transmission. The objective of this study was to map wetlands and other major land cover types in the Amhara region of Ethiopia and to analyze district-level associations of malaria and wetlands across the region. We evaluated three random forests classification models using remotely sensed topographic and spectral data based on Shuttle Radar Topographic Mission (SRTM) and Landsat TM/ETM+ imagery, respectively. The model that integrated data from both sensors yielded more accurate land cover classification than single-sensor models. The resulting map of wetlands and other major land cover classes had an overall accuracy of 93.5%. Topographic indices and subpixel level fractional cover indices contributed most strongly to the land cover classification. Further, we found strong spatial associations of percent area of wetlands with malaria cases at the district level across the dry, wet, and fall seasons. Overall, our study provided the most extensive map of wetlands for the Amhara region and documented spatiotemporal associations of wetlands and malaria risk at a broad regional level. These findings can assist public health personnel in developing strategies to effectively control and eliminate malaria in the region.

Multisensor earth observations to characterize wetlands and malaria epidemiology in Ethiopia

USGS Publications Warehouse

Midekisa, Alemayehu; Senay, Gabriel; Wimberly, Michael C.

2014-01-01

Malaria is a major global public health problem, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa. The spatial heterogeneity of malaria can be affected by factors such as hydrological processes, physiography, and land cover patterns. Tropical wetlands, for example, are important hydrological features that can serve as mosquito breeding habitats. Mapping and monitoring of wetlands using satellite remote sensing can thus help to target interventions aimed at reducing malaria transmission. The objective of this study was to map wetlands and other major land cover types in the Amhara region of Ethiopia and to analyze district-level associations of malaria and wetlands across the region. We evaluated three random forests classification models using remotely sensed topographic and spectral data based on Shuttle Radar Topographic Mission (SRTM) and Landsat TM/ETM+ imagery, respectively. The model that integrated data from both sensors yielded more accurate land cover classification than single-sensor models. The resulting map of wetlands and other major land cover classes had an overall accuracy of 93.5%. Topographic indices and subpixel level fractional cover indices contributed most strongly to the land cover classification. Further, we found strong spatial associations of percent area of wetlands with malaria cases at the district level across the dry, wet, and fall seasons. Overall, our study provided the most extensive map of wetlands for the Amhara region and documented spatiotemporal associations of wetlands and malaria risk at a broad regional level. These findings can assist public health personnel in developing strategies to effectively control and eliminate malaria in the region.

Percutaneous bail-out treatment of vein graft rupture with a polytetrafluoroethylene-covered stent.

PubMed

Pavlidis, Antonios N; Karamasis, Grigorios V; Clapp, Brian R

2013-12-01

Vessel perforation is an undesirable and life-threatening complication during vein graft angioplasty. We report on a case of vein graft rupture during angioplasty, which was successfully managed with deployment of a polytetrafluoroethylene-covered stent.

Procedures in child deaths in The Netherlands: a comparison with child death review.

PubMed

Gijzen, Sandra; Petter, Jessica; L'Hoir, Monique P; Boere-Boonekamp, Magda M; Need, Ariana

2017-01-01

Child Death Review (CDR) is a method in which every child death is systematically and multidisciplinary examined to (1) improve death statistics, (2) identify factors that give direction for prevention, (3) translate the results into possible interventions, and (4) support families. The aim of this study was to determine to what extent procedures of organizations involved in the (health) care for children in The Netherlands cover these four objectives of CDR. Organizations in the Eastern part of The Netherlands and Dutch umbrella organizations involved in child (health) care were asked to provide their protocols, guidelines or other working agreements that describe their activities and responsibilities in case of a child's death. Eighteen documents and nine interview reports were made available. For the analyses we used scorecards for each CDR objective. The procedures of Perined, the National Cot Death Study Group, Dutch Cot Death Foundation and Child Protection Service cover the largest part of the objectives of CDR. Organizations pay most attention to the translation of results into possible interventions. Family support gets the least attention in protocols, guidelines and other working agreements. Dutch organizations separately cover parts of CDR. When the procedures of organizations are combined, all CDR objectives are covered in the response to only specific groups of child deaths, i.e., perinatal deaths, Sudden Unexpected Deaths in Infants and fatal child abuse cases. Further research into the conditions that are needed for an optimal implementation of CDR in The Netherlands is necessary. This research should also evaluate the recently implemented NODOK procedure (Further Examination of the Causes of death in Children), directed to investigate unexplained deaths in minors 0-18 years old.

Rectus femoris muscle flap based on proximal insertion mobilization to cover a groin infected vascular graft.

PubMed

Silvestre, Luís; Pedro, Luís Mendes; Fernandes e Fernandes, Ruy; Silva, Emanuel; Fernandes e Fernandes, José

2015-10-01

The rectus femoris (RF) muscle flap, which is widely used to cover groin infected vascular grafts, is usually harvested through distal tendon division and an extensive muscle elevation and transposition into the groin wound defect. A case of a vascular prosthetic graft infection in the groin was successfully controlled after coverage with an RF flap that was harvested based on proximal portion mobilization instead of the conventional distal one. This case suggests that the RF muscle flap based on proximal insertion mobilization is a feasible, effective, technically simpler, and less invasive alternative to cover infected vascular grafts in the groin. Copyright © 2015 Society for Vascular Surgery. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Employees.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mawdsley, Ralph D.

This chapter covers over 200 cases reported in 1990 involving precollegiate, public-sector employees. Those cases where procedural issues are involved are omitted, and procedural issues in the remaining cases are deemphasized. Unlike many years in the past, 1990 saw no Supreme Court cases related to school employment. As in previous years, the…

Best Practices Case Study: David Weekley Homes - Eagle Springs and Waterhaven, Houston, TX

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

none,

2011-04-01

Case study describing David Weekley Homes, Houston Division, has qualified more than 1,240 homes for the DOE Builders Challenge. Advanced framed 2x6 walls with open headers and two-stud corners allow more room for R-20 damp sprayed cellulose wall cavity insulation that is covered with R-5 rigid XPS foam. A radiant barrier cuts heat gain in the R-38 insulated vented attics. Draft stopping at fireplace and duct chases and behind tubs, gluing sheetrock to framing, and extensive caulking make for air-tight homes at 3.0 ACH50.

A case study of cost-efficient staffing under annualized hours.

PubMed

van der Veen, Egbert; Hans, Erwin W; Veltman, Bart; Berrevoets, Leo M; Berden, Hubert J J M

2015-09-01

We propose a mathematical programming formulation that incorporates annualized hours and shows to be very flexible with regard to modeling various contract types. The objective of our model is to minimize salary cost, thereby covering workforce demand, and using annualized hours. Our model is able to address various business questions regarding tactical workforce planning problems, e.g., with regard to annualized hours, subcontracting, and vacation planning. In a case study for a Dutch hospital two of these business questions are addressed, and we demonstrate that applying annualized hours potentially saves up to 5.2% in personnel wages annually.

Spatiotemporal Change Detection Using Landsat Imagery: the Case Study of Karacabey Flooded Forest, Bursa, Turkey

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Akay, A. E.; Gencal, B.; Taş, İ.

2017-11-01

This short paper aims to detect spatiotemporal detection of land use/land cover change within Karacabey Flooded Forest region. Change detection analysis applied to Landsat 5 TM images representing July 2000 and a Landsat 8 OLI representing June 2017. Various image processing tools were implemented using ERDAS 9.2, ArcGIS 10.4.1, and ENVI programs to conduct spatiotemporal change detection over these two images such as band selection, corrections, subset, classification, recoding, accuracy assessment, and change detection analysis. Image classification revealed that there are five significant land use/land cover types, including forest, flooded forest, swamp, water, and other lands (i.e. agriculture, sand, roads, settlement, and open areas). The results indicated that there was increase in flooded forest, water, and other lands, while the cover of forest and swamp decreased.

Anatomical study of minor alterations in neonate vocal folds.

PubMed

Silva, Adriano Rezende; Machado, Almiro José; Crespo, Agrício Nubiato

2014-01-01

Minor structural alterations of the vocal fold cover are frequent causes of voice abnormalities. They may be difficult to diagnose, and are expressed in different manners. Cases of intracordal cysts, sulcus vocalis, mucosal bridge, and laryngeal micro-diaphragm form the group of minor structural alterations of the vocal fold cover investigated in the present study. The etiopathogenesis and epidemiology of these alterations are poorly known. To evaluate the existence and anatomical characterization of minor structural alterations in the vocal folds of newborns. 56 larynxes excised from neonates of both genders were studied. They were examined fresh, or defrosted after conservation via freezing, under a microscope at magnifications of 25× and 40×. The vocal folds were inspected and palpated by two examiners, with the aim of finding minor structural alterations similar to those described classically, and other undetermined minor structural alterations. Larynges presenting abnormalities were submitted to histological examination. Six cases of abnormalities were found in different larynges: one (1.79%) compatible with a sulcus vocalis and five (8.93%) compatible with a laryngeal micro-diaphragm. No cases of cysts or mucosal bridges were found. The observed abnormalities had characteristics similar to those described in other age groups. Abnormalities similar to sulcus vocalis or micro-diaphragm may be present at birth. Copyright © 2014 Associação Brasileira de Otorrinolaringologia e Cirurgia Cérvico-Facial. Published by Elsevier Editora Ltda. All rights reserved.

Investigation of the 3-D actinic flux field in mountainous terrain

PubMed Central

Wagner, J.E.; Angelini, F.; Blumthaler, M.; Fitzka, M.; Gobbi, G.P.; Kift, R.; Kreuter, A.; Rieder, H.E.; Simic, S.; Webb, A.; Weihs, P.

2011-01-01

During three field campaigns spectral actinic flux was measured from 290–500 nm under clear sky conditions in Alpine terrain and the associated O3- and NO2-photolysis frequencies were calculated and the measurement products were then compared with 1-D- and 3-D-model calculations. To do this 3-D-radiative transfer model was adapted for actinic flux calculations in mountainous terrain and the maps of the actinic flux field at the surface, calculated with the 3-D-radiative transfer model, are given. The differences between the 3-D- and 1-D-model results for selected days during the campaigns are shown, together with the ratios of the modeled actinic flux values to the measurements. In many cases the 1-D-model overestimates actinic flux by more than the measurement uncertainty of 10%. The results of using a 3-D-model generally show significantly lower values, and can underestimate the actinic flux by up to 30%. This case study attempts to quantify the impact of snow cover in combination with topography on spectral actinic flux. The impact of snow cover on the actinic flux was ~ 25% in narrow snow covered valleys, but for snow free areas there were no significant changes due snow cover in the surrounding area and it is found that the effect snow-cover at distances over 5 km from the point of interest was below 5%. Overall the 3-D-model can calculate actinic flux to the same accuracy as the 1-D-model for single points, but gives a much more realistic view of the surface actinic flux field in mountains as topography and obstruction of the horizon are taken into account. PMID:26412915

Forecasting land-cover growth using remotely sensed data: a case study of the Igneada protection area in Turkey.

PubMed

Bozkaya, A Gonca; Balcik, Filiz Bektas; Goksel, Cigdem; Esbah, Hayriye

2015-03-01

Human activities in many parts of the world have greatly affected natural areas. Therefore, monitoring and forecasting of land-cover changes are important components for sustainable utilization, conservation, and development of these areas. This research has been conducted on Igneada, a legally protected area on the northwest coast of Turkey, which is famous for its unique, mangrove forests. The main focus of this study was to apply a land use and cover model that could quantitatively and graphically present the changes and its impacts on Igneada landscapes in the future. In this study, a Markov chain-based, stochastic Markov model and cellular automata Markov model were used. These models were calibrated using a time series of developed areas derived from Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM) imagery between 1990 and 2010 that also projected future growth to 2030. The results showed that CA Markov yielded reliable information better than St. Markov model. The findings displayed constant but overall slight increase of settlement and forest cover, and slight decrease of agricultural lands. However, even the slightest unsustainable change can put a significant pressure on the sensitive ecosystems of Igneada. Therefore, the management of the protected area should not only focus on the landscape composition but also pay attention to landscape configuration.

Long-term study of patients with congenital pit of the optic nerve and persistent macular detachment.

PubMed

Theodossiadis, G P; Panopoulos, M; Kollia, A K; Georgopoulos, G

1992-08-01

During the period 1970-87 we evaluated the changes of the optic disc, peripapillary area, detached macula and visual acuity in 16 cases with congenital pit of the optic nerve and macular detachment. The study revealed in 9 of the 16 cases (56%) an increase of the dimension of the pit or changes in its color, findings which were directly related to the duration of the macular detachment. Chorioretinal scarring, pigment migration, or both, were also noted mainly at the temporal margin of optic disc. In 5/16 cases we found during the follow-up an extension of macular elevation. In altogether 10 out of 16 cases the retinal elevation covered the larger portion of the mid-periphery temporally. In 7/16 cases the final visual acuity remained unchanged, in 9/16 cases deteriorated. The difference, however, in the latter 9 cases between initial and final visual acuity was negligible. During the follow-up period deterioration of the visual fields was also noted.

Landscape-Level Spatial Patterns of West Nile Virus Risk in the Northern Great Plains

PubMed Central

Chuang, Ting-Wu; Hockett, Christine W.; Kightlinger, Lon; Wimberly, Michael C.

2012-01-01

Understanding the landscape-level determinants of West Nile virus (WNV) can aid in mapping high-risk areas and enhance disease control and prevention efforts. This study analyzed the spatial patterns of human WNV cases in three areas in South Dakota during 2003–2007 and investigated the influences of land cover, hydrology, soils, irrigation, and elevation by using case–control models. Land cover, hydrology, soils, and elevation all influenced WNV risk, although the main drivers were different in each study area. Risk for WNV was generally higher in areas with rural land cover than in developed areas, and higher close to wetlands or soils with a high ponding frequency. In western South Dakota, WNV risk also decreased with increasing elevation and was higher in forested areas. Our results showed that the spatial patterns of human WNV risk were associated with landscape-level features that likely reflect variability in mosquito ecology, avian host communities, and human activity. PMID:22492161

The impact of shallow burial on differential decomposition to the body: a temperate case study.

PubMed

Schotsmans, Eline M J; Van de Voorde, Wim; De Winne, Joan; Wilson, Andrew S

2011-03-20

Extant literature contains a number of specific case studies on differential decomposition involving adipocere formation or desiccation, but few describe the co-occurrence of these features within a temperate climate. The case of a 65-year-old male, partially buried in a shallow grave for 7 months, is presented in which the soft tissues of the body were outwardly well preserved. The right leg was desiccated, some parts of the body were covered with adipocere (head, neck, right shoulder, upper torso and left leg) and other parts could be classified as in the early stages of decomposition. In this study the taphonomic variables resulting in differential decomposition with desiccation and adipocere formation are discussed. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Evaporation suppression from reservoirs using floating covers: Lab scale wind-tunnel observations and mechanistic model predictions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Or, Dani; Lehmann, Peter; Aminzadeh, Milad; Sommer, Martina; Wey, Hannah; Krentscher, Christiane; Wunderli, Hans; Breitenstein, Daniel

2017-04-01

The competition over dwindling fresh water resources is expected to intensify with projected increase in human population in arid regions, expansion of irrigated land and changes in climate and drought patterns. The volume of water stored in reservoirs would also increase to mitigate seasonal shortages due to rainfall variability and to meet irrigation water needs. By some estimates up to half of the stored water is lost to evaporation, thereby exacerbating the water scarcity problem. Recently, there is an upsurge in the use of self-assembling floating covers to suppress evaporation, yet the design and implementation remain largely empirical. We report a systematic experimental evaluation of different cover types and external drivers (radiation, wind, wind plus radiation) on evaporation suppression and energy balance of a 1.4 m2 basin placed in a wind-tunnel. Surprisingly, evaporation suppression by black and white floating covers (balls and plates) were similar despite significantly different energy balance regimes over the cover surfaces. Moreover, the evaporation suppression efficiency was a simple function of the uncovered area (square root of the uncovered fraction) with linear relations with the covered area in some cases. The thermally decoupled floating covers offer an efficient solution to the evaporation suppression with limited influence of the surface energy balance (water temperature for black and white covers was similar and remained nearly constant). The results will be linked with a predictive evaporation-energy balance model and issues of spatial scales and long exposure times will be studied.

[Dermatology consultations in an emergency department prior to establishment of emergency dermatology cover].

PubMed

Martínez-Martínez, M L; Escario-Travesedo, E; Rodríguez-Vázquez, M; Azaña-Defez, J M; Martín de Hijas-Santos, M C; Juan-Pérez-García, L

2011-01-01

an increasing number of patients seek emergency treatment for dermatologic complaints. The aim of this study was to assess the characteristics of skin complaints seen in an emergency department prior to establishment of specialist dermatology cover. a retrospective, descriptive study was undertaken using data on urgent dermatology cases seen by nonspecialist physicians in the emergency department of Hospital General Universitario de Albacete, Spain, in 2008. a total of 3662 patients with skin diseases were seen (2.59% of all emergency cases; approximately 10 patients per day). The mean age was 27.73 years and there was a slight predominance of female patients. Children and adolescents accounted for 5.85% of cases. A total of 96 different conditions were diagnosed and 84% of cases corresponded to one of 21 different diagnostic entities, urticaria being the most frequent (19.27%). The 96 diagnoses were grouped into 16 categories to facilitate analysis. According to this classification, most patients had infectious diseases (47.49%), followed by urticaria and angioedema (20.13%), "nonspecific diagnosis" (11.93%), and "descriptive diagnosis" (6.49%). In 4.8% of cases, the patient was admitted, most frequently for cellulitis. in nonspecialist emergency services, the number of different diagnoses is small in relation to the number of patients seen and the proportion of nonspecific and descriptive diagnoses is relatively large. In our opinion, an on-call dermatologist should be made available within emergency departments in order to offer a higher quality of care to patients with skin conditions. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier España, S.L. y AEDV. All rights reserved.

Attempting to detect and record brushland in the northeastern United States using MSS data - Schoharie County, N.Y., as a case study

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Baumann, Paul R.

1990-01-01

Before county and local governments will utilize satellite data extensively for landcover inventories, digital image processing techniques must be developed to identify transitional land-use conditions and create large-scale, readable land-cover maps. This study examines a satellite-based land-cover inventory done for Schoharie County, New York and reviews the problems encountered in identifying and mapping brushland - a significant transitional land use - within the county and region. Brushland throughout the Northeast represents a barometer for measuring the shift away from agricultural land use to second-home property. Detecting and locating brushland on a regular basis can greatly assist county and local government officials in planning and managing a county's future.

12 CFR 585.40 - What convictions or agreements to enter into pre-trial diversions or similar programs are covered...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

..., breach of trust, or money laundering. Convictions do not cover arrests, pending cases not brought to... for a criminal offense involving dishonesty, breach of trust or money laundering. A pretrial diversion...

Maple River Subbasin, Red River of the North Reconnaissance Report.

DTIC Science & Technology

1980-12-01

slopes are steepest, sheet and gully erosion occurs. This sometimes causes drainage fills and, in some cases, covering of crops . Damages from...which covers all natural disasters including floods. However, actual crop damages could be reduced only to the extent that intensive farming practices...within the subbasin. 8. The potentiality for land treatment measures (e.g., erosion control measures such as cover crops , green belts, reduction in

Phase 2 STS new user development program. Volume 1: Executive summary

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mcdowell, J. R.

1976-01-01

A methodology for developing new users for STS other than NASA and DoD, thereby maximizing the use of the STS system was developed. The approach to user development, reflected in the implementation plan, and attendant informational material to be used were evaluated by conducting a series of test cases with selected user organizations. These test case organizations were, in effect, used as consultants to evaluate the effectiveness, the needs, the completeness, and the adequacy of the user development approach and informational material. The selection of the test cases provided a variety of potential STS users covering industry, other government agencies, and the educational sector. The test cases covered various use areas and provided a mix of user organization types. A summary of the actual test cases conducted is given. The conduct of the test cases verified the general approach of the implementation plan, the validity of the user development strategy prepared for each test case organization and the effectiveness of the STS basic and user customized informational material.

A strategic systems perspective of organizational learning theory: models for a case study at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Neece, O.

2000-01-01

Organizational learning is an umbrella term that covers a variety of topics including; learning curves, productivity, organizational memory, organizational forgetting, knowledge transfer, knowledge sharing and knowledge creation. This treatise will review some of these theories in concert with a model of how organizations learn.

Crossing Borders in Literacy and Science Instruction: Perspectives on Theory and Practice

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Saul, E. Wendy

2004-01-01

This collection brings together the best minds in education to explore the literacy-science connection and to reduce the lack of understanding between the science and humanities communities. The articles cover a range of topics and perspectives, from quasitheoretical pieces and literature reviews to case studies and evaluations of particular…

REGIONAL ASSESSMENT OF LANDSCAPE AND DEMOGRAPHIC CHANGE EFFECTS IN THE MEDITERRANEAN REGION, THE MOROCCO CASE STUDY (1981 - 2003)

EPA Science Inventory

The effect of changes in landscape factors on socioeconomics was analyzed

locally and regionally. The method presented here allows mapping changes in vegetation cover

trends over large areas quickly and inexpensively, thus providing policy-makers with a technical

Cover crops and related methods for enhancing agricultural diversity and conservation biocontrol: Successful case studies

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

The book explores ways in which biodiversity can be harnessed to achieve sustainable insect pest management. Vegetation diversification at scales ranging from the individual field to the landscape can lead to direct reductions in pest numbers. This chapter will be one of several in the penultimate s...

Student Athletes: Shattering the Myths & Sharing the Realities.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kirk, Wyatt D., Ed.; Kirk, Sarah V., Ed.

This book covers the developmental benefits of athletics. It provides a step-by-step model for setting up a comprehensive high school program, a guide for college-bound athletes, seven case studies, and an outline of counselors' responsibilities. The book is divided into three major parts: the athletic environment and the athlete's participation…

Building the Sustainable Library at Macquarie University

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Brodie, Maxine

2012-01-01

This article explores a number of current issues and challenges in sustainability, both of and in academic libraries of the future, using as a case study the new library opened at Macquarie University, Sydney in 2011. Issues covered include sustainable design and operation of library buildings, sustainability in relation to library collections,…

Modeling the impacts of green infrastructure land use changes on air quality and meteorology case study and sensitivity analysis in Kansas City

EPA Science Inventory

Changes in vegetation cover associated with urban planning efforts may affect regional meteorology and air quality. Here we use a comprehensive coupled meteorology-air quality model (WRF-CMAQ) to simulate the influence of planned land use changes from green infrastructure impleme...

Airborne Wind Shear Detection and Warning Systems: Third Combined Manufacturers' and Technologists' Conference, part 1

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Vicroy, Dan D. (Compiler); Bowles, Roland L. (Compiler); Schlickenmaier, Herbert (Compiler)

1991-01-01

Papers presented at the conference on airborne wind shear detection and warning systems are compiled. The following subject areas are covered: terms of reference; case study; flight management; sensor fusion and flight evaluation; Terminal Doppler Weather Radar data link/display; heavy rain aerodynamics; and second generation reactive systems.

Habitat diversity in uneven-aged northern hardwood stands: a case study

Treesearch

Laura S. Kenefic; Ralph D. Nyland

2000-01-01

Habitat characteristics were quantified in an empirically balanced uneven-aged northern hardwood stand in central New York. Canopy structure, wildlife trees, downed woody material, low cover, and richness and abundance of understory vegetation were assessed. High vertical structural diversity and low horizontal patchiness were associated with the single-tree selection...

Turbulence in Compressible Flows

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1997-01-01

Lecture notes for the AGARD Fluid Dynamics Panel (FDP) Special Course on 'Turbulence in Compressible Flows' have been assembled in this report. The following topics were covered: Compressible Turbulent Boundary Layers, Compressible Turbulent Free Shear Layers, Turbulent Combustion, DNS/LES and RANS Simulations of Compressible Turbulent Flows, and Case Studies of Applications of Turbulence Models in Aerospace.

Evaluating the influence of ivy canopy cover on brickwork: A case study from Warnham, West Sussex, UK

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Coombes, Martin; Viles, Heather

2014-05-01

Biogeomorphological understanding is becoming increasingly applied in a range of environmental management contexts. The concept of 'bioprotection' is of particular relevance in the built environment. Here, the influence of higher plants on the condition of buildings and building materials, particularly vulnerable historic structures, is of great interest for conservationists and managing authorities tasked with preserving built cultural heritage. Ivy (Hedera spp.) is a widespread and prolific creeping and climbing plant that is commonly found on built structures. Opinion varies as to whether ivy is good or bad for buildings, but there is evidence to suggest it can have both protective and deteriorative influences. Here we present a case study assessment of ivy removal from a brick and mortar wall (c.100 years old) in West Sussex, UK. Using measurements of hardness (Equotip L), moisture (protimeter %WME) and visual inspection we find that the condition of brickwork varied with ivy canopy cover extent, but that this effect was not consistent between different heights on the wall. The roles of ivy in moderating wall moisture dynamics is discussed as a possible contributing factor.

A technical analysis of medicines request-related decision making in Brazilian courts.

PubMed

Macedo, Eloisa Israel de; Lopes, Luciane Cruz; Barberato-Filho, Silvio

2011-08-01

To analyze judicial requests for medications that are covered by the pharmaceutical assistance components of the Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS - Brazilian Unified Health System). We analyzed 81 judicial requests for medications in the State of São Paulo between 2005 and 2009. The details of these cases were obtained electronically from the Court of Justice of the State of São Paulo. Directives that regulate pharmaceutical assistance were consulted to identify judicially requested medications that are covered by the SUS. To assess the level of evidence supporting the use of these medications to treat the clinical indications described, we consulted the Thomson Micromedex® database. The number of individual medications requested in each case ranged from 1 to 7; in total, 77 different pharmaceuticals agents were identified. Of the medications requested, 14.3% should have been available through SUS primary care, 19.5% were classified under the exceptionally dispensed medications component of the SUS, and 66.2% were not on any official list. Medications of the exceptionally dispensed medications component showed better clinical evidence when indicated for the treatment of medical conditions covered by the Clinical Protocols and Therapeutic Guidelines of Brazil's Ministry of Health. The judicial process has been used to ensure access to medications that are covered by the SUS and to request access to those that are not covered. Our assessment of the level of available evidence reinforces the need for technical analysis in the decision-making process in cases of judicially requested medications.

Analysis of the development and diffusion of technological innovations in oil spill forecasting: The MEDESS-4MS case

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Marcati, Alberto; Prete, M. Irene; Mileti, Antonio; Cortese, Mario; Zodiatis, George; Karaolia, Andria; Gauci, Adam; Drago, Aldo

2016-11-01

This paper presents a case study on the management of users' engagement in the development of a new technology. Based on the experience of MEDESS-4MS, an integrated operational model for oil spill Decision Support System covering the whole Mediterranean Sea, the case study is aimed at the development of a framework for user engagement and for the management of its dual logic. Indeed, users may play a dual role in the innovation process, contributing to both the design of the innovation and its promotion. Users contribute to shaping the innovation, by aggregating and integrating knowledge, and they facilitate its diffusion, by adopting the innovation and fostering its adoption within the socio-economic system.

[Development of "assessment guideline of family power for healthy life"].

PubMed

Fukushima, M; Shimanouchi, S; Kamei, T; Takagai, E; Hoshino, Y; Sugiyama, I

1997-12-01

The purpose of this study is to develop "assessment guideline of family power for healthy life" aiming at expanding self-care power of family in community nursing practice. The subjects of this study covered those families in one hundred and fifty six instances that we had seized as subject for nursing care and study. The method of this study had constructed assessment guideline inductively out of each case, and modified it by applying to cases of families with health problems and others. As a result, we had formed nine items of "family power for healthy life" and three items of "conditions influencing family power for healthy life" for "assessment guideline of family power for healthy life".

Optimization Under Uncertainty for Wake Steering Strategies

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Quick, Julian; Annoni, Jennifer; King, Ryan N

2017-08-03

This presentation covers the motivation for this research, optimization under the uncertainty problem formulation, a two-turbine case, the Princess Amalia Wind Farm case, and conclusions and next steps.

Case study of a full-scale evapotranspiration cover

USGS Publications Warehouse

McGuire, Patrick E.; Andraski, Brian J.; Archibald, Ryan E.

2009-01-01

The design, construction, and performance analyses of a 6.1ha evapotranspiration (ET) landfill cover at the semiarid U.S. Army Fort Carson site, near Colorado Springs, Colo. are presented. Initial water-balance model simulations, using literature reported soil hydraulic data, aided selection of borrow-source soil type(s) that resulted in predictions of negligible annual drainage (⩽1mm∕year). Final construction design was based on refined water-balance simulations using laboratory determined soil hydraulic values from borrow area natural soil horizons that were described with USDA soil classification methods. Cover design components included a 122cmthick clay loam (USDA), compaction ⩽80% of the standard Proctor maximum dry density (dry bulk density ∼1.3Mg∕m3), erosion control measures, top soil amended with biosolids, and seeding with native grasses. Favorable hydrologic performance for a 5year period was documented by lysimeter-measured and Richards’-based calculations of annual drainage that were all <0.4mm∕year. Water potential data suggest that ET removed water that infiltrated the cover and contributed to a persistent driving force for upward flow and removal of water from below the base of the cover.

Influence of die geometry and material selection on the behavior of protective die covers in closed-die forging

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yu, Yingyan; Rosenstock, Dirk; Wolfgarten, Martin; Hirt, Gerhard

2016-10-01

Due to the fact that tooling costs make up to 30% of total costs of the final forged part, the tool life is always one main research topic in closed-die forging [1]. To improve the wear resistance of forging dies, many methods like nitriding and deposition of ceramic layers have been used. However, all these methods will lose its effect after a certain time, then tool repair or exchange is needed, which requires additional time and costs. A new method, which applies an inexpensive and changeable sheet metal on the forging die to protect it from abrasive wear, was firstly proposed in [2]. According to the first investigation, the die cover is effective for decreasing thermal and mechanical loads, but there are still several challenges to overcome in this concept, like wrinkling and thinning of the die cover. Therefore, an experimental study using different geometries and die cover materials is presented within this work. The results indicate the existence of feasible application cases of this concept, since conditions are found under which a die cover made of 22MnB5 still keeps its original shape even after 7 forging cycles.

Unfold the Veil Covering News--A Case Study of English Language and Ideology in Both American and Chinese Press

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gao, Li; You, Qi-Dongmeng

2013-01-01

By taking Systemic Functional Grammar (SFG) as research approach, this study analyzes and discusses two news reports related to the event that a Uyghur man was sentenced to death by the Intermediate People's Court in Xinjiang, a western province of China. Both news reports on that event are taken respectively from two newspapers published in…

Space-Based Space Surveillance Logistics Case Study: A Qualitative Product Support Element Analysis

DTIC Science & Technology

2017-12-01

Facilities and Infrastructure. Product Support Management and Design Interface are also covered, but only in a general manner. Conclusions from the study...core analysis, with the overarching two elements ( Design Interface and Product Support Management) mentioned briefly. G. THESIS STATEMENT This...were implemented. The two overarching elements of Product Support Management and Design Interface will be discussed briefly in the findings section

A Linguistic Analysis on Errors Committed by Jordanian EFL Undergraduate Students: A Case of News Headlines in Jordanian Newspapers

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Al Karazoun, Ghada Abdelmajid

2016-01-01

This study investigated some linguistic errors committed by Jordanian EFL undergraduate students when translating news headlines in Jordanian newspapers from Arabic to English and vice versa. The data of the study was collected through a test composed of (30) English news headlines and (30) Arabic ones covering various areas of news occurring in a…

Spatially heterogeneous land cover/land use and climatic risk factors of tick-borne feline cytauxzoonosis.

PubMed

Raghavan, Ram K; Almes, Kelli; Goodin, Doug G; Harrington, John A; Stackhouse, Paul W

2014-07-01

Feline cytauxzoonosis is a highly fatal tick-borne disease caused by a hemoparasitic protozoan, Cytauxzoon felis. This disease is a leading cause of mortality for cats in the Midwestern United States, and no vaccine or effective treatment options exist. Prevention based on knowledge of risk factors is therefore vital. Associations of different environmental factors, including recent climate were evaluated as potential risk factors for cytauxzoonosis using Geographic Information Systems (GIS). There were 69 cases determined to be positive for cytauxzoonosis based upon positive identification of C. felis within blood film examinations, tissue impression smears, or histopathologic examination of tissues. Negative controls totaling 123 were selected from feline cases that had a history of fever, malaise, icterus, and anorexia but lack of C. felis within blood films, impression smears, or histopathologic examination of tissues. Additional criteria to rule out C. felis among controls were the presence of regenerative anemia, cytologic examination of blood marrow or lymph node aspirate, other causative agent diagnosed, or survival of 25 days or greater after testing. Potential environmental determinants were derived from publicly available sources, viz., US Department of Agriculture (soil attributes), US Geological Survey (land-cover/landscape, landscape metrics), and NASA (climate). Candidate variables were screened using univariate logistic models with a liberal p value (0.2), and associations with cytauxzoonosis were modeled using a global multivariate logistic model (p<0.05). Spatial heterogeneity among significant variables in the study region was modeled using a geographically weighted regression (GWR) approach. Total Edge Contrast Index (TECI), grassland-coverage, humidity conditions recorded during the 9(th) week prior to case arrival, and an interaction variable, "diurnal temperature range × percent mixed forest area" were significant risk factors for cytauxzoonosis in the study region. TECI and grassland areas exhibited significant regional differences in their effects on cytauxzoonosis outcome, whereas others were uniform. Land-cover areas favorable for tick habitats and climatic conditions that favor the tick life cycle are strong risk factors for feline cytauxzoonosis. Spatial heterogeneity and interaction effects between land-cover and climatic variables may reveal new information when evaluating risk factors for vector-borne diseases.

White Arctic vs. Blue Arctic: A case study of diverging stakeholder responses to environmental change

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Newton, Robert; Pfirman, Stephanie; Schlosser, Peter; Tremblay, Bruno; Murray, Maribeth; Pomerance, Rafe

2016-08-01

Recent trends and climate models suggest that the Arctic summer sea ice cover is likely to be lost before climate interventions can stabilize it. There are environmental, socioeconomic, and sociocultural arguments for, but also against, restoring and sustaining current conditions. Even if global warming can be reversed, some people will experience ice-free summers before perennial sea ice begins to return. We ask: How will future generations feel about bringing sea ice back where they have not experienced it before? How will conflicted interests in ice-covered vs. ice-free conditions be resolved? What role will science play in these debates?

Flood Disaster Analysis Using Landsat-8 and SPOT-6 Imagery for Determination of Flooded Areas in Sampang, Madura

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sukojo, B. M.; Alfiansyah, F.

2017-12-01

Based on data of disaster which is defaced by Badan Penanggulangan Bencana Daerah (BPBD) of Sampang that in the period of 2015 - 2017 as many as 25 cases from 31 cases of disaster caused by flood disaster or 80.65% from total disaster. Therefore, the purpose of this research is to create a map of flood vulnerability in Sampang. From the vulnerability map, we can know the area with the impacted flood level in Sampang so that from the map of flood affected areas can be known the extent of the affected area in each class. In this study, two Landsat-8 and SPOT 6 data were used. For Landsat-8 imagery used for land cover on district level disaster level vulnerability maps, while high-resolution SPOT-6 images were used for land cover making maps of flood affected areas Sampang district. With the flood affected areas in this study, it is expected to be used as a determinant of flood affected areas in Sampang district. Based on data processing and analysis it is found that the highest impacted area is located in Sampang district with 12 cases of 17 cases of total flood disaster in Sampang district based on data from BPBD Kabupaten Sampang in 2016. There are 4 classes of flood affected areas in Sampang district i.e. not affected by 9039,540 ha, low impact 46262.881 ha, medium impact 43012.431 ha and high impact of 14009,760 ha.

The spatial heterogeneity between Japanese encephalitis incidence distribution and environmental variables in Nepal.

PubMed

Impoinvil, Daniel E; Solomon, Tom; Schluter, W William; Rayamajhi, Ajit; Bichha, Ram Padarath; Shakya, Geeta; Caminade, Cyril; Baylis, Matthew

2011-01-01

To identify potential environmental drivers of Japanese Encephalitis virus (JE) transmission in Nepal, we conducted an ecological study to determine the spatial association between 2005 Nepal JE incidence, and climate, agricultural, and land-cover variables at district level. District-level data on JE cases were examined using Local Indicators of Spatial Association (LISA) analysis to identify spatial clusters from 2004 to 2008 and 2005 data was used to fit a spatial lag regression model with climate, agriculture and land-cover variables. Prior to 2006, there was a single large cluster of JE cases located in the Far-West and Mid-West terai regions of Nepal. After 2005, the distribution of JE cases in Nepal shifted with clusters found in the central hill areas. JE incidence during the 2005 epidemic had a stronger association with May mean monthly temperature and April mean monthly total precipitation compared to mean annual temperature and precipitation. A parsimonious spatial lag regression model revealed, 1) a significant negative relationship between JE incidence and April precipitation, 2) a significant positive relationship between JE incidence and percentage of irrigated land 3) a non-significant negative relationship between JE incidence and percentage of grassland cover, and 4) a unimodal non-significant relationship between JE Incidence and pig-to-human ratio. JE cases clustered in the terai prior to 2006 where it seemed to shift to the Kathmandu region in subsequent years. The spatial pattern of JE cases during the 2005 epidemic in Nepal was significantly associated with low precipitation and the percentage of irrigated land. Despite the availability of an effective vaccine, it is still important to understand environmental drivers of JEV transmission since the enzootic cycle of JEV transmission is not likely to be totally interrupted. Understanding the spatial dynamics of JE risk factors may be useful in providing important information to the Nepal immunization program.

The Spatial Heterogeneity between Japanese Encephalitis Incidence Distribution and Environmental Variables in Nepal

PubMed Central

Impoinvil, Daniel E.; Solomon, Tom; Schluter, W. William; Rayamajhi, Ajit; Bichha, Ram Padarath; Shakya, Geeta; Caminade, Cyril; Baylis, Matthew

2011-01-01

Background To identify potential environmental drivers of Japanese Encephalitis virus (JE) transmission in Nepal, we conducted an ecological study to determine the spatial association between 2005 Nepal JE incidence, and climate, agricultural, and land-cover variables at district level. Methods District-level data on JE cases were examined using Local Indicators of Spatial Association (LISA) analysis to identify spatial clusters from 2004 to 2008 and 2005 data was used to fit a spatial lag regression model with climate, agriculture and land-cover variables. Results Prior to 2006, there was a single large cluster of JE cases located in the Far-West and Mid-West terai regions of Nepal. After 2005, the distribution of JE cases in Nepal shifted with clusters found in the central hill areas. JE incidence during the 2005 epidemic had a stronger association with May mean monthly temperature and April mean monthly total precipitation compared to mean annual temperature and precipitation. A parsimonious spatial lag regression model revealed, 1) a significant negative relationship between JE incidence and April precipitation, 2) a significant positive relationship between JE incidence and percentage of irrigated land 3) a non-significant negative relationship between JE incidence and percentage of grassland cover, and 4) a unimodal non-significant relationship between JE Incidence and pig-to-human ratio. Conclusion JE cases clustered in the terai prior to 2006 where it seemed to shift to the Kathmandu region in subsequent years. The spatial pattern of JE cases during the 2005 epidemic in Nepal was significantly associated with low precipitation and the percentage of irrigated land. Despite the availability of an effective vaccine, it is still important to understand environmental drivers of JEV transmission since the enzootic cycle of JEV transmission is not likely to be totally interrupted. Understanding the spatial dynamics of JE risk factors may be useful in providing important information to the Nepal immunization program. PMID:21811573

Mosaics of Change: Cross-Scale Forest Cover Dynamics and Drivers in Tibetan Yunnan, China

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Van Den Hoek, Jamon

In reaction to devastating floods on the Yangtze River in the summer of 1998, the Chinese Central Government introduced a logging ban as part of the Natural Forest Protection Program (NFPP) with the goal of dramatically increasing national forest cover. Since then, over 11 billion USD has been allocated to the program, but the NFPP's success at promoting reforestation is unclear as neither the extent of forest cover change, nor the potential factors influencing the spatial variability of change have been examined. This research employs a case study in northwest Yunnan Province, southwest China, to evaluate the spatial variability of forest cover change under the NFPP and investigate drivers that have influenced recent patterns of change. I employ a mixed methods, cross-scale research framework that includes the analysis of areal trajectories and spatial variability of Landsat-5 imagery-derived forest cover change at three administrative levels before and after the NFPP's introduction; landscape ecology-based metrics to measure the shifting patterns of forest cover change at the patch level; and household interview data on village-level forest resource use patterns and processes in three neighboring villages. Prefecture- and county-level analyses suggest rather stable forest cover across the three-county study area since the introduction of the ban, though township-level measures of forest cover change show a degree of spatial variability as well as a temporal delay in policy implementation effectiveness. Village-level remote sensing analysis shows comparable amounts of forest cover change between study villages but disparate forest resource use patterns in terms of location and amount. Though all research villages continue to exploit local forests for firewood and timber relatively unfettered by policy restrictions, villagers with tourism-derived income are able to buy forest products collected in outside forests much more often; this redistributes local-scale deforestation to the benefit of local and detriment of distant forests. Tourism is often heralded as the solution to rural development challenges in China's southwest, but this research shows the unintended consequences that may result from inconsistent participation at the village-level, consequences which merely redirect, not reduce, forest use pressures, and that are contrary to the goals of state policy.

Observation des influences du changement du couvert forestier sur le comportement hydrologique de grands bassins versants tropicaux a l'aide de la teledetection numerique: Cas du bassin versant de Dong Nai, Viet Nam

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pham, Trinh Hung

Monitoring hydrological behavior of a large tropical watershed following a forest cover variation has an important role in water resource management planning as well as for forest sustainable management. Traditional methods in forest hydrology studies are Experimental watersheds, Upstream-downstream, Experimental plots, Statistical regional analysis and Watershed simulation. Those methodes have limitations for large watersheds concerning the monitoring time, the lack of input data especially about forest cover and the capacity of extrapolating results accurately in terms of large watersheds. Moreover, there is still currently a scientific debate in forest ecology on relation between water and forest. The reason of this problem comes from geographical differences in publication concerning study zones, experimental watershed size and applied methods. It gives differences in the conclusions on the influence of tropical forest cover change on the changes of outlet water and yet on the yearly runoff in terms of large watershed. In order to exceed the limitations of actual methods, to solve the difficulty of acquiring forest cover data and to have a better understanding of the relation between tropical forest cover change and hydrological behavior evolution of a large watershed, it is necessary to develop a new approach by using numeric remote sensing. We used the watershed of Dong Nai as a case study. Results show that a fusion between TM and ETM+ Landsat image series and hydro-meteorologic data allow us to observe and detect flooding trends and flooding peaks after an intensive forest cover change from 16% to 20%. Flooding frequency and flooding peaks have clearly decreased when there is an increase of the forest cover from 1983 to 1990. The influence of tropical forest cover on the hydrological behavior is varying with geographical locations of watershed. There is a significant relation between forest cover evolution and environmental facteurs as the runoff coefficient (R = 0,87) and the yearly precipitation (R = 0,93).

Monitoring of environmental parameters for CO2 sequestration: a case study of Nagpur City, India.

PubMed

Chaudhari, P R; Gajghate, D G; Dhadse, Sharda; Suple, Sonali; Satapathy, D R; Wate, S R

2007-12-01

Carbon dioxide concentration is an index of total amount of combustion and natural ventilation in an urban environment and therefore required more careful attention for assessment of CO(2) level in air environment. An attempt was made to monitor CO(2) levels in ambient air of Nagpur city at industrial, commercial and residential sites. In addition to this a remote sensing studies and biotic survey for floral biodiversity were carried out to study the green cover at respective sampling locations. The observations showed that the largest amount of CO(2) occurred at night due to absence of photosynthesis and lowest concentration of CO(2) was observed in the afternoon due to photosynthesis at its maximum level. The most pollution tolerant species found in Nagpur city are having higher Air Pollution Tolerance Index (APTI) value, which acts as a natural sink for CO(2) sequestration. In case of commercial site the CO(2) level is highest (366 ppm) because of lowest vegetation and vehicular pollution. The generation of database of CO(2) concentration and floral biodiversity along with percentage of green cover helps to formulate the strategy for prevention of global worming phenomenon.

Rat-bites of an epidemic proportion in Peshawar vale; a GIS based approach in risk assessment.

PubMed

Fatima, Syeda Hira; Zaidi, Farrah; Adnan, Muhammad; Ali, Asad; Jamal, Qaiser; Khisroon, Muhammad

2018-03-19

Contemporary studies demonstrate that rodent bites do not occur frequently. However, a huge number of cases were reported from Peshawar vale, Pakistan during 2016. Two species, the local black rat Rattus rattus (Linnaeus, 1758) and the invasive brown rat Rattus norvegicus (Berkenhout, 1769) might be the suspected cause. Several studies indicated the invasion of brown rats into Pakistan presumably via port city of Karachi. In this study, we modeled geospatial distribution of rodent bites for risk assessment in the region. Bite cases reported to tertiary care lady reading hospital were monitored from January 1 to August 31, 2016. Among 1747 cases, statistically informative data (n = 1295) was used for analyses. MaxEnt algorithm was employed for geospatial modeling, taking into account various environmental variables (temperature, precipitation, humidity, and elevation) and anthropogenic factors (human population density, distance from roads, distance from water channels, and land use/land cover). MaxEnt results revealed that urban slums (84.5%) are at highest risk followed by croplands (10.9%) and shrublands (2.7%). Anthropogenic factors affecting incidence of rodent bites included host density (contribution: 34.7), distance from water channels (3.2), land use/land cover (2.8), and distance from roads (2). Most of the cases occurred within a radius of 0.3 km from roads and 5 km from water channels. Rodent bite incidence is currently at its peak in Peshawar vale. Factors significantly affecting rodents' bite activity and their distribution and dispersal include urbanization, distance from roads, and water channels. Further studies are needed to determine the impact of invasion by brown rat on bite incidence.

Employees.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mawdsley, Ralph D.

This chapter covers the nearly 220 cases reported in 1989 involving precollegiate, public-sector employees. Those cases where purely procedural issues are involved are omitted, and procedural issues in the remaining cases are deemphasized. As in previous years, the section on dismissal, nonrenewal, demotion, and discipline has the greatest…

Employees.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mawdsley, Ralph D.

This chapter covers the nearly 230 cases reported in 1988 involving precollegiate, public-sector employees. Those cases where purely procedural issues are involved are omitted, and procedural issues in the remaining cases are deemphasized. As in previous years, the section on dismissal, nonrenewal, demotion, and discipline has the greatest…

Case Management: Service or Symptom?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Netting, F. Ellen

1992-01-01

Provides overview of case management, its history, and contemporary models. Examines challenges that case management poses for social work profession: covering up issue that health and human services delivery system is nonsystem; maintaining client-centered perspective in cost-obsessed environment; dealing with quality control; coping with…

Cancer prevalence in Italian cancer registry areas: the ITAPREVAL study. ITAPREVAL Working Group.

PubMed

Micheli, A; Francisci, S; Krogh, V; Rossi, A G; Crosignani, P

1999-01-01

To present data on cancer prevalence for the areas covered by Italian cancer registries, by using a standardized set of data collection and elaboration criteria, and a single method of data analysis. Data on over 250,000 patients with cancer, diagnosed between 1978 and 1992, from 11 Italian cancer registries covering about 12% of the Italian population were collected, validated and analyzed according to the unified protocol of the ITAPREVAL project. The method implemented in the PREVAL computer program was used to provide prevalence estimates for the period covered by cancer registration. The total prevalence for each registry and for the pool of all registries was then estimated by correcting for incomplete observations due to the period in which the registration was not yet activated. All prevalence estimates were for 1992. Prevalence figures are presented by cancer site, age, sex, years from diagnosis and registry area. For all malignancies combined, total prevalence ranged from 1,350 per 100,000 inhabitants in Ragusa to 3,650 per 100,000 inhabitants in Romagna, the ratio between these two extremes being 2.7. For the pool of the areas covered by registration cancer prevalence was 3,100 per 100,000 females and 2,250 per 100,000 males. About a third of the total female cases and about half the male cases were diagnosed in the previous five years. Among those aged over 75 years, total prevalence was higher for males than for females: 11,300 versus 8,900 per 100,000 respectively. This is the first large-scale estimate of the burden of cancer in Italy. It is also one of the first studies in the world which was aimed to study cancer prevalence in detail. These data are necessary for predicting health service needs and help in the evaluation of differences in health service demand by sex, age and Italian regions.

[Treatment of the infected wound with exposed silver-ring vascular graft and delayed Thiersch method of skin transplant covering ].

PubMed

Nenezić, Dragoslav; Pandaitan, Simon; Ilijevski, Nenad; Matić, Predrag; Gajin, Predag; Radak, Dorde

2005-01-01

Although the incidence of prosthetic infection is low (1%-6%), the consequences (limb loss or death) are dramatic for a patient, with high mortality rate (25%-75%) and limb loss in 40%-75% of cases. In case of Szilagyi's grade III infection, standard procedure consists of the excision of prosthesis and wound debridement. Alternative method is medical treatment. This is a case report of a patient with prosthetic infection of Silver-ring graft, used for femoropopliteal reconstruction, in whom an extreme skin necrosis developed in early postoperative period. This complication was successfully treated medically. After repeated debridement and wound-packing, the wound was covered using Thiersch skin graft.

Retrospective analysis of synthetic cannabinoids in serum samples--epidemiology and consumption patterns.

PubMed

Jaenicke, Nathalie J; Pogoda, Werner; Paulke, Alexander; Wunder, Cora; Toennes, Stefan W

2014-09-01

Herbal mixtures contain synthetic cannabinoids, which can cause severe intoxications. Due to the great variety and the changing spectrum of substances on the drug market, prevalence data are limited, and data on prevalence rates of synthetic cannabinoids in forensic cases are not available. The present study was performed to survey the prevalence of synthetic cannabinoids in cases of traffic and criminal offences in the German state Hesse in 2010. The applied analytical method covered all synthetic cannabinoids on the drug market at that time, and with 20% of the blood samples (422 out of 2201) a representative number was reanalyzed. In twelve samples synthetic cannabinoids were identified and a prevalence of 2.8% was estimated. Consumption patterns showed predominantly cases of multi-drug consumption (10 cases); the combination with cannabis or alcohol was frequent (four cases each). The observed deficits were moderate with the exception of aggravation of paranoia in one case. The symptoms were either compatible with the effects of cannabinoid agonists or attributable to alcohol or other drugs found in the blood samples. Our current analytical strategy is to perform such analyses only in cases where use is suspected or where symptoms are not explained by routine toxicological analyses. Hence, the positive rate is rather low highlighting the need to keep up with the developments on the drug market and to establish sensitive screening methods covering a broad range of substances that can be updated fast, e.g., relying on collections of mass spectrometric reference data. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Characterization of Air Emissions from Open Burning and Open Detonation of Gun Propellants and Ammunition

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-11-07

To) 4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE Innovative Technology Development for Comprehensive Air Quality Characterization from Soil -Covered Open Detonation of...the short duration of the event, the heterogeneous emission concentra- tions, large plume lift, soil entrainment, and explosive safety restrictions...energetics and cased munitions, including Comp B, V453, and V548 munitions, were detonated without soil cover (only Comp B) or at soil cover depths of 3

Mental Retardation and the Law: A Report on Status of Current Court Cases.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Friedman, Paul, Ed.; Beck, Ronna Lee, Ed.

Included in the booklet on mental retardation and the law are reports on 11 new court cases and updated information on 35 court cases reported in previous issues. Court cases cover the following issues: architectural barriers, commitment, criminal law, education, employment, guardianship, protection from harm, sterilization, treatment, and zoning.…

[Delimitation of urban growth boundary based on ecological suitability and risk control: A case of Taibai Lake New District in Jining City, Shandong, China.

PubMed

Liu, Yan Xu; Peng, Jian; Sun, Mao Long; Yang, Yang

2016-08-01

Urban growth boundary, with full consideration of regional ecological constraints, can effectively control the unordered urban sprawl. Thus, urban growth boundary is a significant planning concept integrating regional ecological protection and urban construction. Finding the preferential position for urban construction, as well as controlling the ecological risk, has always been the core content of urban growth boundary delimitation. This study selected Taibai Lake New District in Jining City as a case area, and analyzed the scenario of ecological suitability by ordered weighted ave-raging algorithm. Surface temperature retrieval and rain flooding simulation were used to identify the spatial ecological risk. In the result of ecological suitability, the suitable construction zone accounted for 25.3% of the total area, the unsuitable construction zone accounted for 20.4%, and the other area was in the limit construction zone. Excluding the ecological risk control region, the flexible urban growth boundary covered 2975 hm 2 in near term, and covered 6754 hm 2 in long term. The final inflexible urban growth boundary covered 9405 hm 2 . As a new method, the scenario algorithms of ordered weighted averaging and ecological risk modeling could provide effective support in urban growth boundary identification.

22 CFR 1006.220 - Are any procurement contracts included as covered transactions?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... covered transactions? 1006.220 Section 1006.220 Foreign Relations INTER-AMERICAN FOUNDATION GOVERNMENTWIDE... the consent of a(n) Inter-American Foundation official. In that case, the contract, regardless of the... appendix to this part. (3) The contract is for federally-required audit services. ...

47 CFR 64.904 - Independent audits.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... independent auditor every two years, covering the prior two year period, or have a financial audit performed by an independent auditor every two years, covering the prior two year period. In either case, the... of the auditor's report. At least 30 days prior to beginning the attestation engagement, the...

47 CFR 64.904 - Independent audits.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... independent auditor every two years, covering the prior two year period, or have a financial audit performed by an independent auditor every two years, covering the prior two year period. In either case, the... the auditor's report. At least 30 days prior to beginning the attestation engagement, the independent...

Does the spatial arrangement of vegetation and anthropogenic land cover features matter? Case studies of urban warming and cooling in Phoenix and Las Vegas

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Myint, S. W.; Zheng, B.; Fan, C.; Kaplan, S.; Brazel, A.; Middel, A.; Smith, M.

2014-12-01

While the relationship between fractional cover of anthropogenic and vegetation features and the urban heat island has been well studied, the effect of spatial arrangements (e.g., clustered, dispersed) of these features on urban warming or cooling are not well understood. The goal of this study is to examine if and how spatial configuration of land cover features influence land surface temperatures (LST) in urban areas. This study focuses on Phoenix, AZ and Las Vegas, NV that have undergone dramatic urban expansion. The data used to classify detailed urban land cover types include Geoeye-1 (Las Vegas) and QuickBird (Phoenix). The Geoeye-1 image (3 m resolution) was acquired on October 12, 2011 and the QuickBird image (2.4 m resolution) was taken on May 29, 2007. Classification was performed using object based image analysis (OBIA). We employed a spatial autocorrelation approach (i.e., Moran's I) that measures the spatial dependence of a point to its neighboring points and describes how clustered or dispersed points are arranged in space. We used Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) data acquired over Phoenix (daytime on June 10, 2011 and nighttime on October 17, 2011) and Las Vegas (daytime on July 6, 2005 and nighttime on August 27, 2005) to examine daytime and nighttime LST with regards to the spatial arrangement of anthropogenic and vegetation features. We spatially correlate Moran's I values of each land cover per surface temperature, and develop regression models. The spatial configuration of grass and trees shows strong negative correlations with LST, implying that clustered vegetation lowers surface temperatures more effectively. In contrast, a clustered spatial arrangement of anthropogenic land-cover features, especially impervious surfaces, significantly elevates surface temperatures. Results from this study suggest that the spatial configuration of anthropogenic and vegetation features influence urban warming and cooling.

Monitoring land use/land cover changes using CORINE land cover data: a case study of Silivri coastal zone in Metropolitan Istanbul.

PubMed

Yilmaz, Rüya

2010-06-01

The objective of the present study was to assess changes in land use/land cover patterns in the coastal town of Silivri, a part of greater Istanbul administratively. In the assessment, remotely sensed data, in the form of satellite images, and geographic information systems were used. Types of land use/land cover were designated as the percentage of the total area studied. Results calculated from the satellite data for land cover classification were compared successfully with the database Coordination of Information on the Environment (CORINE). This served as a reference to appraise the reliability of the study presented here. The CORINE Program was established by the European Commission to create a harmonized Geographical Information System on the state of the environment in the European Community. Unplanned urbanization is causing land use changes mainly in developing countries such as Turkey. This situation in Turkey is frequently observed in the city of Istanbul. There are only a few studies of land use-land cover changes which provide an integrated assessment of the biophysical and societal causes and consequences of environmental degradation in Istanbul. The research area comprised greater Silivri Town which is situated by the coast of Marmara Sea, and it is located approximately 60 km west of Istanbul. The city of Istanbul is one of the largest metropolises in Europe with ca. 15 million inhabitants. Additionally, greater Silivri is located near the terminal point of the state highway connecting Istanbul with Europe. Measuring of changes occurring in land use would help control future planning of settlements; hence, it is of importance for the Greater Silivri and Silivri Town. Following our evaluations, coastal zone of Silivri was classified into the land use groups of artificial surfaces agricultural areas and forests and seminatural areas with 47.1%, 12.66%, and 22.62%, respectively.

A land classification protocol for pollinator ecology research: An urbanization case study.

PubMed

Samuelson, Ash E; Leadbeater, Ellouise

2018-06-01

Land-use change is one of the most important drivers of widespread declines in pollinator populations. Comprehensive quantitative methods for land classification are critical to understanding these effects, but co-option of existing human-focussed land classifications is often inappropriate for pollinator research. Here, we present a flexible GIS-based land classification protocol for pollinator research using a bottom-up approach driven by reference to pollinator ecology, with urbanization as a case study. Our multistep method involves manually generating land cover maps at multiple biologically relevant radii surrounding study sites using GIS, with a focus on identifying land cover types that have a specific relevance to pollinators. This is followed by a three-step refinement process using statistical tools: (i) definition of land-use categories, (ii) principal components analysis on the categories, and (iii) cluster analysis to generate a categorical land-use variable for use in subsequent analysis. Model selection is then used to determine the appropriate spatial scale for analysis. We demonstrate an application of our protocol using a case study of 38 sites across a gradient of urbanization in South-East England. In our case study, the land classification generated a categorical land-use variable at each of four radii based on the clustering of sites with different degrees of urbanization, open land, and flower-rich habitat. Studies of land-use effects on pollinators have historically employed a wide array of land classification techniques from descriptive and qualitative to complex and quantitative. We suggest that land-use studies in pollinator ecology should broadly adopt GIS-based multistep land classification techniques to enable robust analysis and aid comparative research. Our protocol offers a customizable approach that combines specific relevance to pollinator research with the potential for application to a wide range of ecological questions, including agroecological studies of pest control.

Case studies, cross-site comparisons, and the challenge of generalization: comparing agent-based models of land-use change in frontier regions

PubMed Central

Parker, Dawn C.; Entwisle, Barbara; Rindfuss, Ronald R.; Vanwey, Leah K.; Manson, Steven M.; Moran, Emilio; An, Li; Deadman, Peter; Evans, Tom P.; Linderman, Marc; Rizi, S. Mohammad Mussavi; Malanson, George

2009-01-01

Cross-site comparisons of case studies have been identified as an important priority by the land-use science community. From an empirical perspective, such comparisons potentially allow generalizations that may contribute to production of global-scale land-use and land-cover change projections. From a theoretical perspective, such comparisons can inform development of a theory of land-use science by identifying potential hypotheses and supporting or refuting evidence. This paper undertakes a structured comparison of four case studies of land-use change in frontier regions that follow an agent-based modeling approach. Our hypothesis is that each case study represents a particular manifestation of a common process. Given differences in initial conditions among sites and the time at which the process is observed, actual mechanisms and outcomes are anticipated to differ substantially between sites. Our goal is to reveal both commonalities and differences among research sites, model implementations, and ultimately, conclusions derived from the modeling process. PMID:19960107

Case studies, cross-site comparisons, and the challenge of generalization: comparing agent-based models of land-use change in frontier regions.

PubMed

Parker, Dawn C; Entwisle, Barbara; Rindfuss, Ronald R; Vanwey, Leah K; Manson, Steven M; Moran, Emilio; An, Li; Deadman, Peter; Evans, Tom P; Linderman, Marc; Rizi, S Mohammad Mussavi; Malanson, George

2008-01-01

Cross-site comparisons of case studies have been identified as an important priority by the land-use science community. From an empirical perspective, such comparisons potentially allow generalizations that may contribute to production of global-scale land-use and land-cover change projections. From a theoretical perspective, such comparisons can inform development of a theory of land-use science by identifying potential hypotheses and supporting or refuting evidence. This paper undertakes a structured comparison of four case studies of land-use change in frontier regions that follow an agent-based modeling approach. Our hypothesis is that each case study represents a particular manifestation of a common process. Given differences in initial conditions among sites and the time at which the process is observed, actual mechanisms and outcomes are anticipated to differ substantially between sites. Our goal is to reveal both commonalities and differences among research sites, model implementations, and ultimately, conclusions derived from the modeling process.

Genetic Association Study of Ancestry-Matched African American Prostate Cancer Cases and Control

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-04-01

TO THE ABOVE ADDRESS. 1. REPORT DATE 1 April 2009 2 . REPORT TYPE Final 3. DATES COVERED 1 April 2008 – 31 March 2009 4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE...matching, we have identified and confirmed several prostate cancer susceptibility loci in this study population, on chromosomes 2 , 8 and 17. These and...prostate cancer susceptibility loci in these studies, on chromosomes 2 , 8, and 17. These and other ongoing studies will provide unprecedented insight

Chronological and geomorphological investigation of fossil debris-covered glaciers in relation to deglaciation processes: A case study in the Sierra de La Demanda, northern Spain

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fernández-Fernández, José M.; Palacios, David; García-Ruiz, José M.; Andrés, Nuria; Schimmelpfennig, Irene; Gómez-Villar, Amelia; Santos-González, Javier; Álvarez-Martínez, Javier; Arnáez, José; Úbeda, José; Léanni, Laëtitia; Aumaître, Georges; Bourlès, Didier; Keddadouche, Karim; Aster Team

2017-08-01

In this study, fossil debris-covered glaciers are investigated and dated in the Sierra de la Demanda, northern Spain. They are located in glacial valleys of approximately 1 km in length, where several moraines represent distinct phases of the deglaciation period. Several boulders in the moraines and fossil debris-covered glaciers were selected for analysis of 10Be surface exposure dating. A minimum age of 17.8 ± 2.2 ka was obtained for the outermost moraine in the San Lorenzo cirque, and was attributed to the global Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) or earlier glacial stages, based on deglaciation dates determined in other mountain areas of northern Spain. The youngest moraines were dated to approximately 16.7 ± 1.4 ka, and hence correspond to the GS-2a stadial (Oldest Dryas). Given that the debris-covered glaciers fossilize intermediate moraines, it was deduced that they developed between the LGM and the Oldest Dryas, coinciding with a period of extensive deglaciation. During this deglaciation phase, the cirque headwalls likely discharged large quantities of boulders and blocks that covered the residual ice masses. The resulting debris-covered glaciers evolved slowly because the debris mantle preserved the ice core from rapid ablation, and consequently they remained active until the end of the Late Glacial or the beginning of the Holocene (for the San Lorenzo cirque) and the Holocene Thermal Maximum (for the Mencilla cirque). The north-facing part of the Mencilla cirque ensured longer preservation of the ice core.

Ways and possibilities of controlling turbulent shear flows - A selection of problems pursued at HFI and DLR in Berlin

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fiedler, Heinrich E.

1991-01-01

Recent works on flow stability and turbulence are reviewed with emphasis on the flow control of free and wall-bounded flows. Axisymmetric jets in counterflow are considered for two characteristic cases: a stable case at low velocity ratios and an unstable case at higher velocity ratios. Among mixing layers, excited layers are covered as well as density-inhomogeneous flows, where countergradient, homogeneous, and cogradient cases are reviewed. The influences of boundary conditions are analyzed, and focus is placed on feedback condition, flow distortion, accelerated flow, and two- and three-dimensional studies. Attention is given to stability investigations and riblets as a means for reducing surface friction in a turbulent flow.

Habitat and Biodiversity of On-Farm Water Storages: A Case Study in Southeast Queensland, Australia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Markwell, Kim A.; Fellows, Christine S.

2008-02-01

On-farm water storages (locally known as farm dams or farm ponds) are an important part of many agricultural landscapes, as they provide a reliable source of water for irrigation and stock. Although these waterbodies are artificially constructed and morphologically simple, there is increasing interest in their potential role as habitat for native flora and fauna. In this article, we present results from a case study which examined the habitat characteristics (such as water physical and chemical parameters, benthic metabolism, and macrophyte cover) and the macrophyte and macroinvertebrate biodiversity of eight farm ponds on four properties in the Stanley Catchment, Southeast Queensland, Australia. Each landowner was interviewed to allow a comparison of the management of the ponds with measured habitat and biodiversity characteristics, and to understand landowners’ motivations in making farm pond management decisions. The physical and chemical water characteristics of the study ponds were comparable to the limited number of Australian farm ponds described in published literature. Littoral zones supported forty-five macroinvertebrate families, with most belonging to the orders Hemiptera, Coleoptera, Odonata, and Diptera. Invertebrate community composition was strongly influenced by littoral zone macrophyte structure, with significant differences between ponds with high macrophyte cover compared to those with bare littoral zones. The importance of littoral zone macrophytes was also suggested by a significant positive relationship between invertebrate taxonomic richness and macrophyte cover. The landowners in this study demonstrated sound ecological knowledge of their farm ponds, but many had not previously acknowledged them as having high habitat value for native flora and fauna. If managed for aquatic organisms as well as reliable water sources, these artificial habitats may help to maintain regional biodiversity, particularly given the large number of farm ponds across the landscape.

Effectiveness of various cover scenarios on the rate of sulfide oxidation of mine tailings

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Romano, Connie G.; Ulrich Mayer, K.; Jones, David R.; Ellerbroek, David A.; Blowes, David W.

2003-02-01

Long term environmentally sound disposal of the millions of tons of mining residue is a serious challenge to the international mining industry. This paper evaluates, through a numerical investigation, the potential performance of desulfurized tailings as a cover material for the reduction of acidic drainage from sulfidic tailings. This evaluation is facilitated through a comparison of various cover types as decommissioning options. The cover types considered consist of a desulfurized tailings material cover exposed to ambient climate conditions, a water cover (flooded tailings), and a combination cover type. As part of the evaluation of cover performances, the effect of climatic variability on the potential rate of sulfide oxidation in tailings with an open ground surface, was also assessed. The numerical analysis was conducted using the model PYROX, which was modified to allow for variably-saturated conditions, time varying moisture contents, and to account for the temperature dependence of Henry's law and gas diffusion. In the case study presented here, the benign cover material consists of a low sulfide waste stream (cassiterite float tails, CFT), a by-product of the production of tin concentrate (cassiterite, SnO 2). Modelling results after a simulation period of 100 years indicate that a water cover alone or an exposed CFT cover alone are both less effective options than the combined cover type. A water cover alone leads to a reduction of approximately 99.1%, in the oxidation rate relative to uncovered tailings while the combined cover type results in the lowest potential extent of sulfide oxidation after mine closure-an approximately 99.8% reduction. Importantly, a CFT cover exposed to ambient environmental conditions can still substantially reduce the sulfide oxidation rate, by approximately 75-82% over a 100-year time period, relative to uncovered tailings. Variability in precipitation (and hence percent saturation of the surface layer) had less of an effect on the potential sulfide oxidation rate than did the cover type. The performance of the exposed CFT cover varied by less than 10%, within the range of climatic conditions expected at the Renison Bell mine site in southwest Tasmania, Australia. Although the modelling results indicate that the combined water and CFT cover is the best option, this approach achieves only a minor improvement over the water cover alone.

A Study on the Use of History in Middle School Mathematics: The Case of Connected Mathematics Curriculum

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Haile, Tesfayohannes Kiflemariam

2008-01-01

This dissertation explores the use of history of mathematics in middle school mathematics. A rationale for the importance of the incorporation of historical dimensions (HD) of mathematics is provided through a review of the literature. The literature covers pedagogical, philosophical, psychological, and social issues and provides arguments for the…

Spatial and seasonal variability of forested headwater stream temperatures in western Oregon, USA

Treesearch

J. A. Leach; D. H. Olson; P. D. Anderson; B. N. I. Eskelson

2017-01-01

Thermal regimes of forested headwater streams control the growth and distribution of various aquatic organisms. In a western Oregon, USA, case study we examined: (1) forested headwater stream temperature variability in space and time; (2) relationships between stream temperature patterns and weather, above-stream canopy cover, and geomorphic attributes; and (3) the...

A Film Augmented Course on Social Movements Around the World.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

DeFronzo, James

This article describes and discusses student evaluation of a college-level sociology course on social movements around the world. The course was designed to cover basic theory on the development of social movements and revolutions and to provide case studies from the United States and other nations through the use of documentary films. The course…

Graphical and Numerical Descriptive Analysis: Exploratory Tools Applied to Vietnamese Data

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Haughton, Dominique; Phong, Nguyen

2004-01-01

This case study covers several exploratory data analysis ideas, the histogram and boxplot, kernel density estimates, the recently introduced bagplot--a two-dimensional extension of the boxplot--as well as the violin plot, which combines a boxplot with a density shape plot. We apply these ideas and demonstrate how to interpret the output from these…

Groundwater Resources Assessment under the Pressures of Humanity and Climate Changes

Treesearch

Bret Bruce; Diana Allen; Henrique Chaves; Gordon Grant; Gualbert Oude Essink; Henk Kooi; Ian White; Jason Gurdak; Jay Famiglietti; Jose Luis Martin-Bordes; Kevin Hiscock; Matthew Rodell; Neno Kukuric; Peter B. McMahon; Richard Taylor; Timothy Green; Yoseph Yechieli

2008-01-01

Given the vision and mission statements for GRAPHIC above, this document provides an updated framework for the GRAPHIC program. The approach to addressing global issues under the GRAPHIC umbrella involves case studies designed to cover a broad range of the identified Subjects, Methods, and Regions. Interdependencies of factors and processes affecting subsurface water...

Vegetative Measures for Streambank Stabilization: Case Studies from Illinois and Missouri

Treesearch

Teri Heyer

1997-01-01

Streambank erosion is a common problem throughout the United States. A stream naturally loses bank material and redeposits it elsewhere. However, sediment carried by the stream can decrease water quality especially for the aquatic population by covering substrate and increasing turbidity. Once begun, streambank erosion can be a chronic problem, causing continual loss...

Evaluating MODIS snow products for modelling snowmelt runoff: case study of the Rio Grande headwaters

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Snow-covered area (SCA) is a key variable in the Snowmelt-Runoff Model (SRM). Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM) or Operational Land Imager (OLI) provide remotely sensed data at an appropriate spatial resolution for mapping SCA in small headwater basins, but the temporal resolution of the data is low and ...

Silviculture and multi-resource management case studies for southwestern pinyon-juniper woodlands

Treesearch

Gerald J. Gottfried

2008-01-01

Southwestern pinyon-juniper and juniper woodlands cover large areas of the Western United States. The woodlands are heterogeneous, consisting of numerous combinations of tree, shrub, and herbaceous species and stand densities that are representative of the wide range of sites and habitat types they occupy. Silvicultural methods can be employed on better sites to meet...

Exploring a New Model for Preprint Server: A Case Study of CSPO

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hu, Changping; Zhang, Yaokun; Chen, Guo

2010-01-01

This paper describes the introduction of an open-access preprint server in China covering 43 disciplines. The system includes mandatory deposit for state-funded research and reports on the repository and its effectiveness and outlines a novel process of peer-review of preprints in the repository, which can be incorporated into the established…

People First: A New Zealand Approach to Staff, Structure and Service

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hill, Jane

2007-01-01

This article uses Wellington City Libraries as the basis for a case study of a future-focused, reorganized staffing structure in a public library network. It covers the change from why, how, departure from a building-based hierarchical structure, new staff and line responsibilities, union involvement, implications for staff training to culture and…

Peer Evaluation of Teachers in Maricopa County's Teacher Incentive Fund Program

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Milanowski, Anthony; Heneman, Herbert G., III; Finster, Matthew

2015-01-01

This case study describes the peer evaluation system the Maricopa County Educational Services Agency (MCESA) is using in the districts participating in its Teacher Incentive Fund (TIF) 3 and 4 grants. Maricopa County's TIF districts cover much of the Phoenix, Arizona, metropolitan area. Including both TIF 3 and 4 cohorts, 12 districts with a total…

Older Americans in the Workforce: Challenges and Solutions. A BNA Special Report.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Labor Relations Week, 1987

1987-01-01

This report examines how the aging of the population of the United States will affect the workplace, and how employers, government, and the older employees themselves will adapt to this societal aging. The report covers issues surrounding the aging of the work force and uses case studies to illustrate how some companies and organizations are…

Energy, Economics and the Environment: Case Studies and Teaching Activities for High School.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Day, Harlan; And Others

The purpose of this curriculum is to provide high school teachers and students with a conceptual framework for analyzing energy and environmental issues, especially in regards to economics. A second purpose of the curriculum is to provide teachers with a set of four motivating, interdisciplinary teaching units. The issues covered in the four…

Multilingualism among University Staff: A Case Study of Language Management at an Australian University

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Marriott, Helen

2013-01-01

Employing the language management framework, this paper reports on multilingual use among the staff of a major metropolitan university in Melbourne and covers both simple and organised management. It describes a top-down attempt to survey staffs' (academic and general) background in Languages other than English (LOTE), LOTE usage and evaluative…

The Cultural Cover-Up of College Athletics: How Organizational Culture Perpetuates an Unrealistic and Idealized Balancing Act

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Jayakumar, Uma M.; Comeaux, Eddie

2016-01-01

Using a combined grounded theory and case study methodology, Jayakumar and Comeaux examined the role of organizational culture in shaping the lives of college athletes, particularly related to negotiating dual roles as both student and athlete. Data collection involved 20 interviews with athletes and stakeholders in the affairs of intercollegiate…

Ecological consequences of fragmentation and deforestation in an urban landscape: a case study

Treesearch

W.C. Zipperer; T.W. Foresman; S.P. Walker; C.T. Daniel

2012-01-01

Landscape change is an ongoing process even within established urban landscapes. Yet, analyses of fragmentation and deforestation have focused primarily on the conversion of non-urban to urban landscapes in rural landscapes and ignored urban landscapes. To determine the ecological effects of continued urbanization in urban landscapes, tree-covered patches were mapped...

Using photographic image analysis to assess ground cover: a case study of forest road cutbanks

Treesearch

Kevin C. Bold; Frederica Wood; Pamela J. Edwards; Karl W.J. Williard; Jon E. Schoonover

2010-01-01

Road prisms, including cutbanks, road surfaces, and fillslopes, can be important contributors of sediment to streams in forested watersheds. Following road construction, cutbanks and fillslopes are often seeded, mulched, and sometimes fertilized to limit erosion and sedimentation. Assessing the success of vegetation establishment on cutbanks and fillslopes is a common...

Turning Pupils on to Learning: Creative Classrooms in Action. Creative Teaching/Creative Schools

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Elkington, Rob, Ed.

2011-01-01

"Turning Pupils on to Learning" documents and makes visible how creative learning approaches can engage and motivate children in their learning. The book features six case studies of creative learning projects that cover the early years through to Key Stage 3 which are written by the teachers and creative practitioners involved. From the creation…

Commutative semigroups of real and complex matrices. [with use of the jordan form

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Brown, D. R.

1974-01-01

The computation of divergence is studied. Covariance matrices to be analyzed admit a common diagonalization, or even triangulation. Sufficient conditions are given for such phenomena to take place, the arguments cover both real and complex matrices, and are not restricted to Hermotian or other special forms. Specifically, it is shown to be sufficient that the matrices in question commute in order to admit a common triangulation. Several results hold in the case that the matrices in question form a closed and bounded set, rather than only in the finite case.

RSRM top hat cover simulator lightning test, volume 2. Appendix A: Resistance measurements. Appendix B: Lightning test data plots

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1990-01-01

Resistance measurements are given in graphical for when a simulated lightning discharge strikes on an exposed top hat cover simulator. The test sequence was to measure the electric and magnetic fields induced inside a redesigned solid rocket motor case.

Mapping moderate-scale land-cover over very large geographic areas within a collaborative framework: A case study of the Southwest Regional Gap Analysis Project (SWReGAP)

USGS Publications Warehouse

Lowry, J.; Ramsey, R.D.; Thomas, K.; Schrupp, D.; Sajwaj, T.; Kirby, J.; Waller, E.; Schrader, S.; Falzarano, S.; Langs, L.; Manis, G.; Wallace, C.; Schulz, K.; Comer, P.; Pohs, K.; Rieth, W.; Velasquez, C.; Wolk, B.; Kepner, W.; Boykin, K.; O'Brien, L.; Bradford, D.; Thompson, B.; Prior-Magee, J.

2007-01-01

Land-cover mapping efforts within the USGS Gap Analysis Program have traditionally been state-centered; each state having the responsibility of implementing a project design for the geographic area within their state boundaries. The Southwest Regional Gap Analysis Project (SWReGAP) was the first formal GAP project designed at a regional, multi-state scale. The project area comprises the southwestern states of Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, and Utah. The land-cover map/dataset was generated using regionally consistent geospatial data (Landsat ETM+ imagery (1999-2001) and DEM derivatives), similar field data collection protocols, a standardized land-cover legend, and a common modeling approach (decision tree classifier). Partitioning of mapping responsibilities amongst the five collaborating states was organized around ecoregion-based "mapping zones". Over the course of 21/2 field seasons approximately 93,000 reference samples were collected directly, or obtained from other contemporary projects, for the land-cover modeling effort. The final map was made public in 2004 and contains 125 land-cover classes. An internal validation of 85 of the classes, representing 91% of the land area was performed. Agreement between withheld samples and the validated dataset was 61% (KHAT = .60, n = 17,030). This paper presents an overview of the methodologies used to create the regional land-cover dataset and highlights issues associated with large-area mapping within a coordinated, multi-institutional management framework. ?? 2006 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Application of satellite and GIS technologies for land-cover and land-use mapping at the rural-urban fringe - A case study

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Treitz, P.M.; Howarth, P.J.; Gong, Peng

1992-04-01

SPOT HRV multispectral and panchromatic data were recorded and coregistered for a portion of the rural-urban fringe of Toronto, Canada. A two-stage digital analysis algorithm incorporating a spectral-class frequency-based contextual classification of eight land-cover and land-use classes resulted in an overall Kappa coefficient of 82.2 percent for training-area data and a Kappa coefficient of 70.3 percent for test-area data. A matrix-overlay analysis was then performed within the geographic information system (GIS) to combine the land-cover and land-use classes generated from the SPOT digital classification with zoning information for the area. The map that was produced has an estimated interpretation accuracymore » of 78 percent. Global Positioning System (GPS) data provided a positional reference for new road networks. These networks, in addition to the new land-cover and land-use map derived from the SPOT HRV data, provide an up-to-date synthesis of change conditions in the area. 51 refs.« less

Side-by-side placement of bilateral endoscopic metal stents for the treatment of postoperative biliary stricture.

PubMed

Kaino, Seiji; Sen-Yo, Manabu; Shinoda, Shuhei; Kawano, Michitaka; Harima, Hirofumi; Suenaga, Shigeyuki; Sakaida, Isao

2017-02-01

Postoperative biliary strictures are usually complications of cholecystectomy. Endoscopic plastic stent prosthesis is generally undertaken for treating benign biliary strictures. Recently, fully covered metal stents have been shown to be effective for treating benign distal biliary strictures. We present the case of a 53-year-old woman with liver injury in which imaging studies showed a common hepatic duct stricture. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography also confirmed the presence of a common hepatic duct stricture. Temporally fully covered metal stents with dilated diameters of 6 mm were placed in a side-by-side fashion in the left and right hepatic ducts, respectively. We removed the stents 2 months after their placement. Subsequent cholangiography revealed an improvement in the biliary strictures. Although we were apprehensive about the fully covered metal stents obstructing the biliary side branches, we noted that careful placement of the bilateral metal stents did not cause any complications. Side-by-side deployment of bilateral endoscopic fully covered metal stents can be one of the safe and effective therapies for postoperative biliary stricture.

Innovations in human genetics education. Incorporation of genetics into a problem-based medical school curriculum.

PubMed Central

Swinford, A E; McKeag, D B

1990-01-01

There has been recent interest in the development of problem-based human genetics curricula in U.S. medical schools. The College of Human Medicine at Michigan State University has had a problem-based curriculum since 1974. The vertical integration of genetics within the problem-based curriculum, called "Track II," has recently been revised. On first inspection, the curriculum appeared to lack a significant genetics component; however, on further analysis it was found that many genetics concepts were covered in the biochemistry, microbiology, pathology, and clinical science components. Both basic science concepts and clinical applications of genetics are covered in the curriculum by providing appropriate references for basic concepts and including inherited conditions within the differential diagnosis in the cases studied. Evaluations consist of a multiple-choice content exam and a modified essay exam based on a clinical case, allowing evaluation of both basic concepts and problem-solving ability. This curriculum prepares students to use genetics in a clinical context in their future careers. PMID:2220816

The Long-Term Relationship between Population Growth and Vegetation Cover: An Empirical Analysis Based on the Panel Data of 21 Cities in Guangdong Province, China

PubMed Central

Li, Chao; Kuang, Yaoqiu; Huang, Ningsheng; Zhang, Chao

2013-01-01

It is generally believed that there is an inverse relationship between population growth and vegetation cover. However, reports about vegetation protection and reforestation around the World have been continuously increasing in recent decades, which seems to indicate that this relationship may not be true. In this paper, we have taken 21 cities in Guangdong Province, China as the study area to test the long-term relationship between population growth and vegetation cover, using an AVHRR NDVI data set and the panel cointegrated regression method. The results show that there is a long-term inverted N-shaped curve relationship between population growth and vegetation cover in the region where there are frequent human activities and the influence of climate change on vegetation cover changes is relatively small. The two turning points of the inverted N-shaped curve for the case of Guangdong Province correspond to 2,200 persons·km−2 and 3,820 persons·km−2, and they can provide a reference range for similar regions of the World. It also states that the population urbanization may have a negative impact on the vegetation cover at the early stage, but have a positive impact at the later stage. In addition, the Panel Error Correction Model (PECM) is used to investigate the causality direction between population growth and vegetation cover. The results show that not only will the consuming destruction effect and planting construction effect induced by the population growth have a great impact on vegetation cover changes, but vegetation cover changes in turn will also affect the population growth in the long term. PMID:23435589

Distribution and variability of total mercury in snow cover-a case study from a semi-urban site in Poznań, Poland.

PubMed

Siudek, Patrycja

2016-12-01

In the present paper, the inter-seasonal Hg variability in snow cover was examined based on multivariate statistical analysis of chemical and meteorological data. Samples of freshly fallen snow cover were collected at the semi-urban site in Poznań (central Poland), during 3-month field measurements in winter 2013. It was showed that concentrations of atmospherically deposited Hg were highly variable in snow cover, from 0.43 to 12.5 ng L -1 , with a mean value of 4.62 ng L -1 . The highest Hg concentration in snow cover coincided with local intensification of fossil fuel burning, indicating large contribution from various anthropogenic sources such as commercial and domestic heating, power generation plants, and traffic-related pollution. Moreover, the variability of Hg in collected snow samples was associated with long-range transport of pollutants, nocturnal inversion layer, low boundary layer height, and relatively low air temperature. For three snow episodes, Hg concentration in snow cover was attributed to southerly advection, suggesting significant contribution from the highly polluted region of Poland (Upper Silesia) and major European industrial hotspots. However, the peak Hg concentration was measured in samples collected during predominant N to NE advection of polluted air masses and after a relatively longer period without precipitation. Such significant contribution to the higher Hg accumulation in snow cover was associated with intensive emission from anthropogenic sources (coal combustion) and atmospheric conditions in this area. These results suggest that further measurements are needed to determine how the Hg transformation paths in snow cover change in response to longer/shorter duration of snow cover occurrence and to determine the interactions between mercury and absorbing carbonaceous aerosols in the light of climate change.

Interactions of forests, climate, water resources, and humans in a changing environment: research needs

Treesearch

Ge Sun; Catalina Segura

2013-01-01

The aim of the special issue “Interactions of Forests, Climate, Water Resources, and Humans in a Changing Environment” is to present case studies on the influences of natural and human disturbances on forest water resources under a changing climate. Studies in this collection of six papers cover a wide range of geographic regions from Australia to Nigeria with spatial...

Methods and Measures Used for Follow-up at 15 Years of the English and Romanian Adoptee (ERA) Study

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Monographs of the Society for Research in Child Development, 2010

2010-01-01

This chapter covers the methods and measures used in the ERA study, with a special focus on age 15 outcomes. First, the authors outline the sample participation rate for the 15-year follow-up--the percentages in all cases referring to the numbers at the time of initial sample contact. They then describe the measures used in this monograph,…

Undiagnosed MODY: Time for Action

PubMed Central

Kleinberger, Jeffrey W.; Pollin, Toni I.

2016-01-01

Maturity-Onset Diabetes of the Young (MODY) is a monogenic form of diabetes that accounts for at least 1% of all cases of diabetes mellitus. MODY classically presents as non-insulin requiring diabetes in lean individuals younger than 25 with evidence of autosomal dominant inheritance, but these criteria do not capture all cases and can also overlap with other diabetes types. Genetic diagnosis of MODY is important for selecting the right treatment, yet ~95% of MODY cases in the U.S. are misdiagnosed. MODY prevalence and characteristics have been well-studied in some populations, such as the UK and Norway, while other ethnicities, like African and Latino, need much more study. Emerging next-generation sequencing methods are making more widespread study and clinical diagnosis increasingly feasible. This review will cover the current epidemiological studies of MODY and barriers and opportunities for moving toward a goal of access to an appropriate diagnosis for all affected individuals. PMID:26458381

Analyzing historical land use changes using a Historical Land Use Reconstruction Model: a case study in Zhenlai County, northeastern China

PubMed Central

Yang, Yuanyuan; Zhang, Shuwen; Liu, Yansui; Xing, Xiaoshi; de Sherbinin, Alex

2017-01-01

Historical land use information is essential to understanding the impact of anthropogenic modification of land use/cover on the temporal dynamics of environmental and ecological issues. However, due to a lack of spatial explicitness, complete thematic details and the conversion types for historical land use changes, the majority of historical land use reconstructions do not sufficiently meet the requirements for an adequate model. Considering these shortcomings, we explored the possibility of constructing a spatially-explicit modeling framework (HLURM: Historical Land Use Reconstruction Model). Then a three-map comparison method was adopted to validate the projected reconstruction map. The reconstruction suggested that the HLURM model performed well in the spatial reconstruction of various land-use categories, and had a higher figure of merit (48.19%) than models used in other case studies. The largest land use/cover type in the study area was determined to be grassland, followed by arable land and wetland. Using the three-map comparison, we noticed that the major discrepancies in land use changes among the three maps were as a result of inconsistencies in the classification of land-use categories during the study period, rather than as a result of the simulation model. PMID:28134342

Employees.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sorenson, Gail Paulus

This chapter analyzes more than 200 cases reported in 1986 involving public-sector employees in elementary and secondary education. Also included, where appropriate, are relevant 1986 Supreme Court cases from outside the field of education, as well as leading cases from prior years. Legal issues covered by the review include the following: (1)…

Impact of Rainfall, Land-Cover and Population Growth on Groundwater - A Case Study From Karnataka State, India

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Srivastav, R. K.; Chinnapa Reddy, A. R.

2015-12-01

Recent trends in climate, land-use pattern and population has affected almost every portable water resources in the world. Due to depleting surface water and untimely distribution of precipitation, the demand to use groundwater has increased considerably. Further recent studies have shown that the groundwater stress is more in developing countries like India. This study focuses on understanding the impacts of three major factors (i.e., rainfall, land-cover and population growth) effecting the groundwater levels. For this purpose, the correlation between the trends in groundwater time series is compared with trends in rainfall, land-cover and population growth. To detect the trends in time series, two statistical methods namely, least square method and Mann-Kendall method, are adopted. The results were analyzed based on the measurements from 1800 observation wells in the Karnataka state, India. The data is obtained for a total of 9 year time period ranging from 2005 to 2013. A gridded precipitation data of 0.5o× 0.5o over the entire region is used. The change in land-cover and population data was approximately obtained from the local governing bodies. The early results show significant correlation between rainfall and groundwater time series trends. The outcomes will assess the vulnerability of groundwater levels under changing physical and hydroclimatic conditions, especially under climate change.

Single-stage cartilage repair in the knee with microfracture covered with a resorbable polymer-based matrix and autologous bone marrow concentrate.

PubMed

Enea, D; Cecconi, S; Calcagno, S; Busilacchi, A; Manzotti, S; Kaps, C; Gigante, A

2013-12-01

Different single-stage surgical approaches are currently under evaluation to repair focal cartilage lesions. This study aims to analyze the clinical and histological results after treatment of focal condylar articular lesions of the knee with microfracture and subsequent covering with a resorbable polyglycolic acid/hyaluronan (PGA -HA) matrix augmented with autologous bone marrow concentrate (BMC). Nine patients with focal lesions of the condylar articular cartilage were consecutively treated with arthroscopic PGA -HA-covered microfracture and bone marrow concentrate (PGA -HA-CMBMC). Patients were retrospectively assessed using standardized assessment tools and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Five patients consented to undergo second look arthroscopy and 2 consented biopsy harvest. All the patients but one showed improvement in clinical scoring from the pre-operative situation to the latest follow-up (average 22±2months). The mean IKDC subjective score, Lysholm score, VAS and the median Tegner score significantly increased from baseline to the latest follow-up. Cartilage macroscopic assessment at 12months revealed that one repair appeared normal, three almost normal and one appeared abnormal. Histological analysis proofed hyaline-like cartilage repair tissue formation in one case. MRI at 8 to 12months follow-up showed complete defect filling. The first clinical experience with single-stage treatment of focal cartilage defects of the knee with microfracture and covering with the PGA -HA matrix augmented with autologous BMC (PGA -HA-CMBMC) suggests that it is safe, it improves knee function and has the potential to regenerate hyaline-like cartilage. IV, case series. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

A multi-temporal analysis approach for land cover mapping in support of nuclear incident response

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sah, Shagan; van Aardt, Jan A. N.; McKeown, Donald M.; Messinger, David W.

2012-06-01

Remote sensing can be used to rapidly generate land use maps for assisting emergency response personnel with resource deployment decisions and impact assessments. In this study we focus on constructing accurate land cover maps to map the impacted area in the case of a nuclear material release. The proposed methodology involves integration of results from two different approaches to increase classification accuracy. The data used included RapidEye scenes over Nine Mile Point Nuclear Power Station (Oswego, NY). The first step was building a coarse-scale land cover map from freely available, high temporal resolution, MODIS data using a time-series approach. In the case of a nuclear accident, high spatial resolution commercial satellites such as RapidEye or IKONOS can acquire images of the affected area. Land use maps from the two image sources were integrated using a probability-based approach. Classification results were obtained for four land classes - forest, urban, water and vegetation - using Euclidean and Mahalanobis distances as metrics. Despite the coarse resolution of MODIS pixels, acceptable accuracies were obtained using time series features. The overall accuracies using the fusion based approach were in the neighborhood of 80%, when compared with GIS data sets from New York State. The classifications were augmented using this fused approach, with few supplementary advantages such as correction for cloud cover and independence from time of year. We concluded that this method would generate highly accurate land maps, using coarse spatial resolution time series satellite imagery and a single date, high spatial resolution, multi-spectral image.

An analysis of the growth of silver catalyzed In{sub x}Ga{sub 1−x}As nanowires on Si (100) by metal organic chemical vapor deposition

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Sarkar, K.; Banerji, P., E-mail: pallab@matsc.iitkgp.ernet.in; Palit, M.

2016-08-28

A model is proposed here to understand the nucleation of III–V semiconductor nanowires (NW). Whereas the classical nucleation theory is not adequately sufficient in explaining the evolution of the shape of the NWs under different chemical environment such as flow rate or partial pressure of the precursors, the effect of adsorption and desorption mediated growth, and diffusion limited growth are taken into account to explain the morphology and the crystal structure of In{sub x}Ga{sub 1−x}As nanowires (NW) on Silicon (100) substrates grown by a metalorganic chemical vapor deposition technique. It is found that the monolayer nucleus that originates at themore » triple phase line covers the entire nucleus-substrate (NS) region at a specific level of supersaturation and there are cases when the monolayer covers a certain fraction of the NS interface. When the monolayer covers the total NS interface, NWs grow with perfect cylindrical morphology and whenever a fraction of the interface is covered by the nucleus, the NWs become curved as observed from high resolution transmission electron microscopy images. The supersaturation, i.e., the chemical potential is found to be governed by the concentration of precursors into the molten silver which in the present case is taken as a catalyst. Our study provides new insights into the growth of ternary NWs which will be helpful in understanding the behavior of growth of different semiconducting NWs.« less

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Xiao, Heng; Gustafson, William I.; Wang, Hailong

Subgrid-scale interactions between turbulence and radiation are potentially important for accurately reproducing marine low clouds in climate models. To better understand the impact of these interactions, the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model is configured for large eddy simulation (LES) to study the stratocumulus-to-trade cumulus (Sc-to-Cu) transition. Using the GEWEX Atmospheric System Studies (GASS) composite Lagrangian transition case and the Atlantic Trade Wind Experiment (ATEX) case, it is shown that the lack of subgrid-scale turbulence-radiation interaction, as is the case in current generation climate models, accelerates the Sc-to-Cu transition. Our analysis suggests that in cloud-topped boundary layers subgrid-scale turbulence-radiation interactionsmore » contribute to stronger production of temperature variance, which in turn leads to stronger buoyancy production of turbulent kinetic energy and helps to maintain the Sc cover.« less

Impact of cover crops and tillage on porosity of podzolic soil

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Błażewicz-Woźniak, M.; Konopiñski, M.

2013-09-01

The aim of the study was to determine the influence of cover crops biomass, mixed with the soil on different dates and with the use of different tools in field conditions. The cover crop biomass had a beneficial influence on the total porosity of the 0-20 cm layer of the soil after winter. The highest porosity was achievedwith cover crops of buckwheat, phacelia and mustard, the lowest with rye. During the vegetation period the highest porosity of soil was observed in the ridges. Among the remaining non-ploughing cultivations, pre-winter use of stubble cultivator proved to have a beneficial influence on the soil porosity, providing results comparable to those achieved in conventional tillage. The differential porosity of the soil was modified not only by the catch crops and the cultivation methods applied, but also by the sample collection dates, and it did change during the vegetation period. The highest content of macropores after winter was observed for the phacelia cover crop, and the lowest in the case of cultivation without any cover crops. Pre-winter tillage with the use of a stubble cultivator increased the amount of macropores in soil in spring, and caused the biggest participation of mesopores as compared with other non-ploughing cultivation treatments of the soil. The smallest amount of mesopores was found in the ridges.

Estimating the Limits of Infiltration in the Urban Appalachian Plateau

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lavin, S. M.; Bain, D.; Hopkins, K. G.; Pfeil-McCullough, E. K.; Copeland, E.

2014-12-01

Green infrastructure in urbanized areas commonly uses infiltration systems, such as rain gardens, swales and trenches, to convey surface runoff from impervious surfaces into surrounding soils. However, precipitation inputs can exceed soil infiltration rates, creating a limit to infiltration-based storm water management, particularly in urban areas covered by impervious surfaces. Given the limited availability and varied quality of soil infiltration rate data, we synthesized information from national databases, available field test data, and applicable literature to characterize soil infiltration rate distributions, focusing on Allegheny County, Pennsylvania as a case study. A range of impervious cover conditions was defined by sampling available GIS data (e.g., LiDAR and street edge lines) with analysis windows placed randomly across urbanization gradients. Changes in effective precipitation caused by impervious cover were calculated across these gradients and compared to infiltration rate distributions to identify thresholds in impervious coverage where these limits are exceeded. Many studies have demonstrated the effects of urbanization on infiltration, but the identification of these thresholds will clarify interactions between impervious cover and soil infiltration. These methods can help identify sections of urban areas that require augmentation of infiltration-based systems with additional infrastructural strategies, especially as green infrastructure moves beyond low impact development towards more frequent application during infilling of existing urban systems.

Assessment of land use and land cover change using spatiotemporal analysis of landscape: case study in south of Tehran.

PubMed

Sabr, Abutaleb; Moeinaddini, Mazaher; Azarnivand, Hossein; Guinot, Benjamin

2016-12-01

In the recent years, dust storms originating from local abandoned agricultural lands have increasingly impacted Tehran and Karaj air quality. Designing and implementing mitigation plans are necessary to study land use/land cover change (LUCC). Land use/cover classification is particularly relevant in arid areas. This study aimed to map land use/cover by pixel- and object-based image classification methods, analyse landscape fragmentation and determine the effects of two different classification methods on landscape metrics. The same sets of ground data were used for both classification methods. Because accuracy of classification plays a key role in better understanding LUCC, both methods were employed. Land use/cover maps of the southwest area of Tehran city for the years 1985, 2000 and 2014 were obtained from Landsat digital images and classified into three categories: built-up, agricultural and barren lands. The results of our LUCC analysis showed that the most important changes in built-up agricultural land categories were observed in zone B (Shahriar, Robat Karim and Eslamshahr) between 1985 and 2014. The landscape metrics obtained for all categories pictured high landscape fragmentation in the study area. Despite no significant difference was evidenced between the two classification methods, the object-based classification led to an overall higher accuracy than using the pixel-based classification. In particular, the accuracy of the built-up category showed a marked increase. In addition, both methods showed similar trends in fragmentation metrics. One of the reasons is that the object-based classification is able to identify buildings, impervious surface and roads in dense urban areas, which produced more accurate maps.

Nasojejunal-stent technique (NJST): A new system to prevent fully covered metal stent migration in the treatment of benign esophageal diseases.

PubMed

Hernández Mondragón, Oscar Víctor; Cuellar, Raquel Palos; Murcio Pérez, Enrique

2018-05-19

Fully covered self-expandable metal stents (FCSEMS) have been used for the treatment of benign esophageal conditions such as perforation, leaks, and strictures [1]; high clinical success is reported [2]. Different anchoring methods have been described (clips, suturing devices, over-the-scope clips and Shim technique [2]), because of high migration rates (4-36%) [3,4]. However, not all cases are candidates, mostly in "difficult" cases where enteral feeding is needed [5]. We report the use of the nasojejunal-stent technique (NJST) to prevent migration of FCSEMS in three difficult cases. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Evaluation of an online, case-based interactive approach to teaching pathophysiology.

PubMed

Van Dijken, Pieter Canham; Thévoz, Sara; Jucker-Kupper, Patrick; Feihl, François; Bonvin, Raphaël; Waeber, Bernard

2008-06-01

The aim of this study was to evaluate a new pedagogical approach in teaching fluid, electrolyte and acid-base pathophysiology in undergraduate students. This approach comprises traditional lectures, the study of clinical cases on the web and a final interactive discussion of these cases in the classroom. When on the web, the students are asked to select laboratory tests that seem most appropriate to understand the pathophysiological condition underlying the clinical case. The percentage of students having chosen a given test is made available to the teacher who uses it in an interactive session to stimulate discussion with the whole class of students. The same teacher used the same case studies during 2 consecutive years during the third year of the curriculum. The majority of students answered the questions on the web as requested and evaluated positively their experience with this form of teaching and learning. Complementing traditional lectures with online case-based studies and interactive group discussions represents, therefore, a simple means to promote the learning and the understanding of complex pathophysiological mechanisms. This simple problem-based approach to teaching and learning may be implemented to cover all fields of medicine.

Geographical information system (GIS) modeling territory receptivity to strengthen entomological surveillance: Anopheles (Nyssorhynchus) case study in Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil.

PubMed

Albuquerque, Hermano Gomes; Peiter, Paulo Cesar; Toledo, Luciano M; Alencar, Jeronimo A F; Sabroza, Paulo C; Dias, Cristina G; Santos, Jefferson P C; Suárez-Mutis, Martha C

2018-04-19

Extra-Amazonian malaria mortality is 60 times higher than the Amazon malaria mortality. Imported cases correspond to approximately 90% of extra-Amazonian cases. Imported malaria could be a major problem if it occurs in areas with receptivity, because it can favor the occurrence of outbreaks or reintroductions of malaria in those areas. This study aimed to model territorial receptivity for malaria to serve as an entomological surveillance tool in the State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Geomorphology, rainfall, temperature, and vegetation layers were used in the AHP process for the receptivity stratification of Rio de Janeiro State territory. The model predicted five receptivity classes: very low, low, medium, high and very high. The 'very high' class is the most important in the receptivity model, corresponding to areas with optimal environmental and climatological conditions to provide suitable larval habitats for Anopheles (Nyssorhynchus) vectors. This receptivity class covered 497.14 km 2 or 1.18% of the state's area. The 'high' class covered the largest area, 17,557.98 km 2 , or 41.62% of the area of Rio de Janeiro State. We used freely available databases for modeling the distribution of receptive areas for malaria transmission in the State of Rio de Janeiro. This was a new and low-cost approach to support entomological surveillance efforts. Health workers in 'very high' and 'high' receptivity areas should be prepared to diagnose all febrile individuals and determine the cause of the fever, including malaria. Each malaria case must be treated and epidemiological studies must be conducted to prevent the reintroduction of the disease.

Covered stent graft for treatment of a pseudoaneurysm and carotid blowout syndrome

PubMed Central

Janjua, Nazli; Alkawi, Ammar; Georgiadis, Alexandros L.; Kirmani, Jawad F.; Qureshi, Adnan I.

2008-01-01

Background Carotid blowout syndrome with pseudoaneurysm, a rapidly progressive pathology, may present emergently with massive oral hemorrhage. Use of an endograft prosthesis offers a treatment strategy with salvation of the carotid artery. Case History: A 55 year old man with advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck presented with recurrent transoral hemorrhage, requiring endovascular treatment. Technical Report: Coil embolization was initially performed with little impact on the hemorrhage. A 7 x 40 mm Fluency® Plus covered stent (Bard Peripheral Vascular, Tempe, Arizona, USA) was placed and was supplemented by a second 8 x 40 mm Fluency Plus stent, with resulting cessation of active contrast extravasation. Discussion: The risks and benefits of various treatment options of carotid pseudoaneurysm with blowout are discussed including the use or omission of antiplatelet and anticoagulant regimens, with reference to previously reported cases. Conclusion: Tandem, overlapping covered stent placement in the common carotid artery is feasible and offers a treatment option for carotid blowout syndrome. Risks of aggravation of hemorrhage versus long-term thromboembolic events without antiplatelet therapy must be considered in cases of active ongoing hemorrhage. PMID:22518207

Human avian influenza in Indonesia: are they really clustered?

PubMed

Eyanoer, Putri Chairani; Singhasivanon, Pratap; Kaewkungwal, Jaranit; Apisarnthanarak, Anucha

2011-05-01

Understanding the epidemiology of human H5N1 cases in Indonesia is important. The question of whether cases are clustered or not is unclear. An increase in clustered cases suggests greater transmissibility. In the present study, 107 confirmed and 302 suspected human H5N1 cases in Indonesia during 2005-2007 were analyzed for spatial and temporal distribution. Most confirmed cases (97.2%) occurred on two main islands (Java and Sumatera). There were no patterns of disease occurrence over time. There were also no correlations between occurrence patterns in humans and poultry. Statistical analysis showed confirmed cases were clustered within an area on Java island covered by 8 districts along the border of three neighboring provinces (Jakarta, West Java, and Banten). This study shows human H5N1 cases in Indonesia were clustered at two sites where there was a high rate of infection among poultry. These findings are important since they highlight areas of high risk for possible human H5N1 infection in Indonesia, thus, preventive measures may be taken.

Mental Retardation and the Law: A Report on Status of Current Court Cases.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Levine, Jan Martin, Ed.

Brief reports on the status of approximately 75 ongoing or recently decided court cases in states of relevance to the mentally retarded are provided. Cases cover the following issues: commitment, community living and services, criminal law, discrimination, guardianship, institutions and deinstitutionalization, medical/legal issues, parental rights…

17 CFR 31.8 - Cover of leverage contracts.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... current market value of the commodity represented by each receipt. (ii) Warehouse receipts for gold bullion in the case of leverage contracts on bulk gold coins, bulk gold coins in the case of leverage contracts on gold bullion, silver bullion in the case of leverage contracts on bulk silver coins, bulk...

17 CFR 31.8 - Cover of leverage contracts.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... current market value of the commodity represented by each receipt. (ii) Warehouse receipts for gold bullion in the case of leverage contracts on bulk gold coins, bulk gold coins in the case of leverage contracts on gold bullion, silver bullion in the case of leverage contracts on bulk silver coins, bulk...

17 CFR 31.8 - Cover of leverage contracts.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... current market value of the commodity represented by each receipt. (ii) Warehouse receipts for gold bullion in the case of leverage contracts on bulk gold coins, bulk gold coins in the case of leverage contracts on gold bullion, silver bullion in the case of leverage contracts on bulk silver coins, bulk...

Nest design in a changing world: great tit Parus major nests from a Mediterranean city environment as a case study.

PubMed

Lambrechts, Marcel M; Charmantier, Anne; Demeyrier, Virginie; Lucas, Annick; Perret, Samuel; Abouladzé, Matthieu; Bonnet, Michel; Canonne, Coline; Faucon, Virginie; Grosset, Stéphanie; le Prado, Gaëlle; Lidon, Frédéric; Noell, Thierry; Pagano, Pascal; Perret, Vincent; Pouplard, Stéphane; Spitaliéry, Rémy; Bernard, Cyril; Perret, Philippe; Blondel, Jacques; Grégoire, Arnaud

2017-12-01

Investigations of urbanization effects on birds have focused mainly on breeding traits expressed after the nest-building stage (e.g. first-egg date, clutch size, breeding success, and offspring characteristics). Urban studies largely ignored how and why the aspects of nest building might be associated with the degree of urbanization. As urban environments are expected to present novel environmental changes relative to rural environments, it is important to evaluate how nest-building behavior is impacted by vegetation modifications associated with urbanization. To examine nest design in a Mediterranean city environment, we allowed urban great tits ( Parus major ) to breed in nest boxes in areas that differed in local vegetation cover. We found that different measures of nest size or mass were not associated with vegetation cover. In particular, nests located adjacent to streets with lower vegetation cover were not smaller or lighter than nests in parks with higher vegetation cover. Nests adjacent to streets contained more pine needles than nests in parks. In addition, in nests adjacent to streets, nests from boxes attached to pine trees contained more pine needles than nests from boxes attached to other trees. We suggest that urban-related alterations in vegetation cover do not directly impose physical limits on nest size in species that are opportunistic in the selection of nesting material. However, nest composition as reflected in the use of pine needles was clearly affected by habitat type and the planted tree species present, which implies that rapid habitat change impacts nest composition. We do not exclude that urbanization might impact other aspects of nest building behaviour not covered in our study (e.g. costs of searching for nest material), and that the strengths of the associations between urbanization and nest structures might differ among study populations or species.

Growth Optimization Studies to Develop InAs/GaInSb Superlattice Materials for Very Long Wavelength Infrared Detection (Postprint)

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-10-01

AFRL-RX-WP-JA-2015-0188 GROWTH OPTIMIZATION STUDIES TO DEVELOP INAS/GAINSB SUPERLATTICE MATERIALS FOR VERY LONG WAVELENGTH INFRARED...Interim 3. DATES COVERED (From – To) 17 January 2013 – 28 September 2014 4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE GROWTH OPTIMIZATION STUDIES TO DEVELOP INAS/GAINSB...AVAILABILITY STATEMENT Approved for public release; distribution unlimited. This report contains color. 13. SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES PA Case Number: 88ABW

International study of health care organization and financing: development of renal replacement therapy in Germany.

PubMed

Kleophas, Werner; Reichel, Helmut

2007-09-01

The German health system represents the case of a global budget with negotiated fees and competing medical insurance companies. Physicians in private practice and non-profit dialysis provider associations provide most dialysis therapy. End-stage renal disease (ESRD) modalities are well integrated into the overall health care system. Dialysis therapy, independent of the mode of treatment, is reimbursed at a weekly flat rate. Mandatory health insurance covers health expenses, including those related to ESRD, for more than 90% of the population. Both employees and employers contribute to the premium for this insurance. Private medical insurance covers the remainder of the population. Access to treatment, including dialysis therapy, is uniformly available.

Geothermal Potential Based on Physical Characteristics of the Region (Case Study: Mount Karang, Pandeglang Regency and Banten Province)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Russel, Fhillipo; Damayanti, Astrid; Pin, Tjiong Giok

2018-02-01

This research is about geothermal potential of Mount Karang, Banten Province which is based on the characteristics of the region. This research method used is geochemistry sample of hot springs and integrated with GIS method for spatial of geothermal potential. Based on the geothermal potential, Mount Karang is divided into three regions, ie high potential, normal potential, and low potential. The high geothermal potential region covers an area of 24.16 Km2 and which there are Cisolong and Banjar 2 hot springs. The normal potential covers Kawah hot spring. Index of the fault of Mount Karang region is one of the significant physical characteristics to determine geothermal potential.

A medical bandage in an Italian Renaissance mummy (Naples, XVI century).

PubMed

Giuffra, Valentina; Marinozzi, Silvia; Vultaggio, Claudia; Fornaciari, Gino

2008-01-01

A dressing was observed on the left arm of the mummy of Mary of Aragon (1503-1568), under her precious Renaissance clothes. It consisted of a true medical bandage, covering a large syphilitic cutaneous ulcer, with a sulphur-embedded wad still in situ. The bandage has a very peculiar shape, rather different from the usual dressings described in the contemporary medical texts: a central rectangular pad, used as compressing appliance, is provided with a sort of pocket containing ivy leaves. The function of the dressing was not only to cover and protect the ulcer, but also to apply a plant drug. This is the first case of ancient medical bandage studied directly on a mummified body.

Segmentation schema for enhancing land cover identification: A case study using Sentinel 2 data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mongus, Domen; Žalik, Borut

2018-04-01

Land monitoring is performed increasingly using high and medium resolution optical satellites, such as the Sentinel-2. However, optical data is inevitably subjected to the variable operational conditions under which it was acquired. Overlapping of features caused by shadows, soft transitions between shadowed and non-shadowed regions, and temporal variability of the observed land-cover types require radiometric corrections. This study examines a new approach to enhancing the accuracy of land cover identification that resolves this problem. The proposed method constructs an ensemble-type classification model with weak classifiers tuned to the particular operational conditions under which the data was acquired. Iterative segmentation over the learning set is applied for this purpose, where feature space is partitioned according to the likelihood of misclassifications introduced by the classification model. As these are a consequence of overlapping features, such partitioning avoids the need for radiometric corrections of the data, and divides land cover types implicitly into subclasses. As a result, improved performance of all tested classification approaches were measured during the validation that was conducted on Sentinel-2 data. The highest accuracies in terms of F1-scores were achieved using the Naive Bayes Classifier as the weak classifier, while supplementing original spectral signatures with normalised difference vegetation index and texture analysis features, namely, average intensity, contrast, homogeneity, and dissimilarity. In total, an F1-score of nearly 95% was achieved in this way, with F1-scores of each particular land cover type reaching above 90%.

The effects of poaching and habitat structure on anti-predator behavioral strategies: A guanaco population in a high cold desert as case study

PubMed Central

Campos, Valeria; Giannoni, Stella; Andino, Natalia

2017-01-01

The effects of poaching on wildlife have been widely studied in conservation biology and can be heterogeneous, particularly on ungulates. These effects can be estimated through different methodologies whose use depends on several conditions such as Flight-initiation distance (FID). Our objectives were: 1- to evaluate whether poaching affects the FID and group structure of a guanaco (Lama guanicoe) population in a high cold desert in San Juan (Argentina); 2- to assess whether habitat structure (slope and vegetation cover) influences FID and group structure in this population. The study area included a site with poaching (unprotected area), and a site without poaching (protected area). We recorded 100 groups of guanacos: 70 in the protected and 30 in the unprotected area. FID and group size were greater in the unprotected than in the protected area, whereas proportions of group categories (with offspring, without offspring and solitary) were similar between areas. Besides, in relation to habitat structure, FID increased when vegetation cover decreased. On the other hand, FID and group size were not affected by slope. Our study shows that guanacos respond to poaching pressure as do other ungulate species, and that other factors such as vegetation cover also affect this behavior. Managers should be aware when interpreting FID due to its relation to habitat structure; the guanaco appears to assume greater risk (lower FID) in areas with high vegetation cover. PMID:28859147

The effects of poaching and habitat structure on anti-predator behavioral strategies: A guanaco population in a high cold desert as case study.

PubMed

Cappa, Flavio; Campos, Valeria; Giannoni, Stella; Andino, Natalia

2017-01-01

The effects of poaching on wildlife have been widely studied in conservation biology and can be heterogeneous, particularly on ungulates. These effects can be estimated through different methodologies whose use depends on several conditions such as Flight-initiation distance (FID). Our objectives were: 1- to evaluate whether poaching affects the FID and group structure of a guanaco (Lama guanicoe) population in a high cold desert in San Juan (Argentina); 2- to assess whether habitat structure (slope and vegetation cover) influences FID and group structure in this population. The study area included a site with poaching (unprotected area), and a site without poaching (protected area). We recorded 100 groups of guanacos: 70 in the protected and 30 in the unprotected area. FID and group size were greater in the unprotected than in the protected area, whereas proportions of group categories (with offspring, without offspring and solitary) were similar between areas. Besides, in relation to habitat structure, FID increased when vegetation cover decreased. On the other hand, FID and group size were not affected by slope. Our study shows that guanacos respond to poaching pressure as do other ungulate species, and that other factors such as vegetation cover also affect this behavior. Managers should be aware when interpreting FID due to its relation to habitat structure; the guanaco appears to assume greater risk (lower FID) in areas with high vegetation cover.

SPECIAL ANALYSIS OF OPERATIONAL STORMWATER RUNOFF COVERS OVER SLIT TRENCHES

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Collard, L; Luther Hamm, L

2008-12-18

Solid Waste Management (SWM) commissioned this Special Analysis (SA) to determine the effects of placing operational stormwater runoff covers (referred to as covers in the remainder of this document) over slit trench (ST) disposal units ST1 through ST7 (the center set of slit trenches). Previously the United States Department of Energy (DOE) entered into an agreement with the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SCDHEC) to place covers over Slit Trenches 1 and 2 to be able to continue disposing Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) solid wastemore » (see USDOE 2008). Because the covers changed the operating conditions, DOE Order 435.1 (DOE 1999) required that an SA be performed to assess the impact. This Special Analysis has been prepared to determine the effects of placing covers over slit trenches at about years 5, 10 and 15 of the 30-year operational period. Because some slit trenches have already been operational for about 15 years, results from analyzing covers at 5 years and 10 years provide trend analysis information only. This SA also examined alternatives of covering Slit Trenches 1 and 2 with one cover and Slit Trenches 3 and 4 with a second cover versus covering them all with a single cover. Based on modeling results, minimal differences exist between covering Slit Trench groups 1-2 and 3-4 with two covers or one large cover. This SA demonstrates that placement of covers over slit trenches will slow the subsequent release and transport of radionuclides in the vadose zone in the early time periods (from time of placement until about 100 years). Release and transport of some radionuclides in the vadose zone beyond 100 years were somewhat higher than for the case without covers. The sums-of-fractions (SOFs) were examined for the current waste inventory in ST1 and ST2 and for estimated inventories at closure for ST3 through ST7. In all cases SOFs were less than one (except for one SOF for ST5 that remained at one), indicating that there should be no unacceptable impacts on operations from placing covers for the cover alternatives that were analyzed. Minimal operational limits provided in Table 4 should be used as the new set of limits for Slit Trenches 1 through 7. ST1 and ST2 are expected to be covered about 15 years after the first disposal in ST1. Because the time of actual placement of covers over the other slit trenches is unknown, this SA did not consider limit increases, only limit decreases. Thus, each minimal operational limit is the minimum of the Performance Assessment (PA) final limit and the limit calculated in this SA if covers were placed at about 5, 10 or 15 years. If other cover times are desired, further analysis will be required.« less

Socio-economic status of workers of building construction industry.

PubMed

Tiwary, Guddi; Gangopadhyay, P K; Biswas, S; Nayak, K; Chatterjee, M K; Chakraborty, D; Mukherjee, S

2012-05-01

Informal/unorganised sector covers 92% of the total work force in India. About 50% of the construction industrial workers belonged to informal/unorganised sector. The present study was undertaken to know the socio-economic status of construction worker and availing of the social security measures by this working group. The study covered 150 subjects with an average age of 32 years and mean duration of work was nine years. They were poorly paid with an average income of Rs. 4956/-per month. Though the literacy rate was high (79%) yet most of them were addicted to different habits like drinking alcohol, smoking bidi, tobacco chewing etc., Abusing the family members were noted in (30%) of the cases. Their regular intake of food, usually inadequate in quantity and was mainly consisted of rice, pulses, vegetables. Though most of the subjects (73%) were living in kacha houses yet the latrine facilities were available to 62% of total covered houses. Majority of them were unaware of the different social security schemes/measures. The details have been discussed here.

Socio-economic status of workers of building construction industry

PubMed Central

Tiwary, Guddi; Gangopadhyay, P. K.; Biswas, S.; Nayak, K.; Chatterjee, M. K.; Chakraborty, D.; Mukherjee, S.

2012-01-01

Background: Informal/unorganised sector covers 92% of the total work force in India. About 50% of the construction industrial workers belonged to informal/unorganised sector. Material and Methods: The present study was undertaken to know the socio-economic status of construction worker and availing of the social security measures by this working group. Results and Conclusion: The study covered 150 subjects with an average age of 32 years and mean duration of work was nine years. They were poorly paid with an average income of Rs. 4956/-per month. Though the literacy rate was high (79%) yet most of them were addicted to different habits like drinking alcohol, smoking bidi, tobacco chewing etc., Abusing the family members were noted in (30%) of the cases. Their regular intake of food, usually inadequate in quantity and was mainly consisted of rice, pulses, vegetables. Though most of the subjects (73%) were living in kacha houses yet the latrine facilities were available to 62% of total covered houses. Majority of them were unaware of the different social security schemes/measures. The details have been discussed here. PMID:23580836

Land cover change monitoring within the east central Louisiana study site: A case for large area surveys with LANDSAT multispectral scanner data

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Burns, G. S.

1983-01-01

Results established for four digital procedures developed for characterizing the radiometric changes between multidate LANDSAT spectral data sets into meaningful measures of land cover/use dynamics are documented. Each technique's performance was contrasted against digitized land use change maps, which were produced from contemporaneous, retrospective aerophoto coverage, in a cell by cell comparison over a one half by one degree area in east central Louisiana as a standard for comparison. The four techniques identify from 10.5 to 13.0% loss in area of forestland in a five year period; however, they differ more by how accurately this amount of change is distributed, the need for ancillary ground truth, and amount of usable information that is extractable. All require some method of digitally co-registering the two data sets. All are capable of providing tabular statistics as well as map products. Two are capable of detecting changes and identifying their locations. The other two, in addition to this, provide information to qualify land cover conditions at each end of the study interval.

ESIP's Emerging Provenance and Context Content Standard Use Cases: Developing Examples and Models for Data Stewardship

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ramdeen, S.; Hills, D. J.

2013-12-01

Earth science data collections range from individual researchers' private collections to large-scale data warehouses, from computer-generated data to field or lab based observations. These collections require stewardship. Fundamentally, stewardship ensures long term preservation and the provision of access to the user community. In particular, stewardship includes capturing appropriate metadata and documentation--and thus the context of the data's creation and any changes they underwent over time --to enable data reuse. But scientists and science data managers must translate these ideas into practice. How does one balance the needs of current and (projected) future stakeholders? In 2011, the Data Stewardship Committee (DSC) of the Federation of Earth Science Information Partners (ESIP) began developing the Provenance and Context Content Standard (PCCS). As an emerging standard, PCCS provides a framework for 'what' must be captured or preserved as opposed to describing only 'how' it should be done. Originally based on the experiences of NASA and NOAA researchers within ESIP, the standard currently provides data managers with content items aligned to eight key categories. While the categories and content items are based on data life cycles of remote sensing missions, they can be generalized to cover a broader set of activities, for example, preservation of physical objects. These categories will include the information needed to ensure the long-term understandability and usability of earth science data products. In addition to the PCCS, the DSC is developing a series of use cases based on the perspectives of the data archiver, data user, and the data consumer that will connect theory and practice. These cases will act as specifications for developing PCCS-based systems. They will also provide for examination of the categories and content items covered in the PCCS to determine if any additions are needed to cover the various use cases, and also provide rationale and indicate priorities for preservation. Though the use cases currently focus on two areas, 'creating' a data set and 'using' a data set, the use cases will eventually cover the full data lifecycle. Currently developing a template to be used in future use case creation, the DSC is also preparing and testing more use case scenarios. This presentation will introduce the ESIP use cases based on the PCCS. It will at once expand stakeholder participation and show the application of these materials beyond the ESIP community in which they were developed. More information about the ESIP use case activities can be found on the DSC wiki - http://wiki.esipfed.org/index.php/Preservation_Use_Case_Activity.

Disability weights based on patient-reported data from a multinational injury cohort

PubMed Central

Lyons, Ronan A; Simpson, Pamela M; Rivara, Frederick P; Ameratunga, Shanthi; Polinder, Suzanne; Derrett, Sarah; Harrison, James E

2016-01-01

Abstract Objective To create patient-based disability weights for individual injury diagnosis codes and nature-of-injury classifications, for use, as an alternative to panel-based weights, in studies on the burden of disease. Methods Self-reported data based on the EQ-5D standardized measure of health status were collected from 29 770 participants in the Injury-VIBES injury cohort study, which covered Australia, the Netherlands, New Zealand, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United States of America. The data were combined to calculate new disability weights for each common injury classification and for each type of diagnosis covered by the 10th revision of the International statistical classification of diseases and related health problems. Weights were calculated separately for hospital admissions and presentations confined to emergency departments. Findings There were 29 770 injury cases with at least one EQ-5D score. The mean age of the participants providing data was 51 years. Most participants were male and almost a third had road traffic injuries. The new disability weights were higher for admitted cases than for cases confined to emergency departments and higher than the corresponding weights used by the Global Burden of Disease 2013 study. Long-term disability was common in most categories of injuries. Conclusion Injury is often a chronic disorder and burden of disease estimates should reflect this. Application of the new weights to burden studies would substantially increase estimates of disability-adjusted life-years and provide a more accurate reflection of the impact of injuries on peoples’ lives. PMID:27821883

Inorganic bromine in organic molecular crystals: Database survey and four case studies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nemec, Vinko; Lisac, Katarina; Stilinović, Vladimir; Cinčić, Dominik

2017-01-01

We present a Cambridge Structural Database and experimental study of multicomponent molecular crystals containing bromine. The CSD study covers supramolecular behaviour of bromide and tribromide anions as well as halogen bonded dibromine molecules in crystal structures of organic salts and cocrystals, and a study of the geometries and complexities in polybromide anion systems. In addition, we present four case studies of organic structures with bromide, tribromide and polybromide anions as well as the neutral dibromine molecule. These include the first observed crystal with diprotonated phenazine, a double salt of phenazinium bromide and tribromide, a cocrystal of 4-methoxypyridine with the neutral dibromine molecule as a halogen bond donor, as well as bis(4-methoxypyridine)bromonium polybromide. Structural features of the four case studies are in the most part consistent with the statistically prevalent behaviour indicated by the CSD study for given bromine species, although they do exhibit some unorthodox structural features and in that indicate possible supramolecular causes for aberrations from the statistically most abundant (and presumably most favourable) geometries.

5 CFR 890.1104 - Notification by agency.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... requirements for being considered a covered family member, the employing office must notify the child of his or... notification by the child, another family member, or any other source that the child no longer meets the requirements for being considered a covered family member. (c)(1) In the case of a former spouse who is...

Post-Closure Performance of liner Systems at RCRA Subtitle C Landfills

EPA Science Inventory

In general, field data showed a decline in leachate flow from the LCRS and LDS. In all cases, placement of cover led to a reduction in the LCRS flow rate, including where only 12 inches of intermediate cover soil had been placed. Rainfall has an effect on leachate generation, wit...

Safety in the Elementary Science Classroom.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

National Science Teachers Association, Arlington, VA.

This guide gives elementary school teachers suggestions for providing a safe environment for their students and covers general safety concerns in the science classroom. Information is printed in a flip chart format for easy reference. Safety areas covered include: (1) In Case of Accident; (2) Eye Protection; (3) Plants in the Classroom; (4) First…

76 FR 38051 - Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement; Definition of Sexual Assault (DFARS Case 2010...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-06-29

... offenses addressed in the definition are covered under the Uniform Code of Military Justice. Further, sexual assault offenses in the definition, which are not covered by the Uniform Code of Military Justice.... DATES: Effective date: June 29, 2011. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Julian Thrash, 703-602-0310...

14 CFR 243.3 - Definitions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... control over an aircraft, by force or violence or threat of force or violence, or by any other form of... piracy. Contact means a person not on the covered flight or an entity that should be contacted in case of an aviation disaster. The contact need not have any particular relationship to a passenger. Covered...

14 CFR 243.3 - Definitions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... control over an aircraft, by force or violence or threat of force or violence, or by any other form of... piracy. Contact means a person not on the covered flight or an entity that should be contacted in case of an aviation disaster. The contact need not have any particular relationship to a passenger. Covered...

14 CFR 243.3 - Definitions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... control over an aircraft, by force or violence or threat of force or violence, or by any other form of... piracy. Contact means a person not on the covered flight or an entity that should be contacted in case of an aviation disaster. The contact need not have any particular relationship to a passenger. Covered...

14 CFR 243.3 - Definitions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... control over an aircraft, by force or violence or threat of force or violence, or by any other form of... piracy. Contact means a person not on the covered flight or an entity that should be contacted in case of an aviation disaster. The contact need not have any particular relationship to a passenger. Covered...

14 CFR 243.3 - Definitions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... control over an aircraft, by force or violence or threat of force or violence, or by any other form of... piracy. Contact means a person not on the covered flight or an entity that should be contacted in case of an aviation disaster. The contact need not have any particular relationship to a passenger. Covered...

75 FR 48706 - Proposed Vaccine Information Materials for Rotavirus Vaccine

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-08-11

... the parent or legal representative in the case of a child) receiving vaccines covered under the... who intends to administer one of these covered vaccines is required to provide copies of the relevant... accompanied by vomiting and fever. Rotavirus is not the only cause of severe diarrhea, but it is one of the...

Comparison of covered and uncovered self-expandable stents in the treatment of malignant biliary obstruction.

PubMed

Flores Carmona, Diana Yamel; Alonso Lárraga, Juan Octavio; Hernández Guerrero, Angélica; Ramírez Solís, Mauro Eduardo

2016-05-01

Drainage with metallic stents is the treatment of choice in malignant obstructive jaundice. Technical and clinical success with metallic stents is obtained in over 90% and 80% of cases, respectively. There are self-expandable metallic stents designed to increase permeability. The aim of this study was to describe the results obtained with totally covered self-expandable and uncovered self-expandable metallic stents in the palliative treatment of malignant biliary obstruction. Sixty eight patients with malignant obstructive jaundice secondary to pancreatobiliary or metastatic disease not amenable to surgery were retrospectively included. Two groups were created: group A (covered self-expandable metallic stents) (n = 22) and group B (uncovered self-expandable metallic stents) (n = 46). Serum total bilirubin, direct bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase and gamma glutamyl transferase levels decreased in both groups and no statistically significant difference was detected (p = 0.800, p = 0.190, p = 0.743, p = 0.521). Migration was greater with covered stents but it was not statistically significant either (p = 0.101). Obstruction was greater in the group with uncovered stents but it was not statistically significant either (p = 0.476). There are no differences when using covered self-expandable stents or uncovered self-expandable stents in terms of technical and clinical success or complications in the palliative treatment of malignant obstructive jaundice.

Magazine Influence on Cartridge Case Ejection Patterns with Glock Pistols.

PubMed

Kerkhoff, Wim; Alberink, Ivo; Mattijssen, Erwin J A T

2018-01-01

In this study, the cartridge case ejection patterns of six different Glock model pistols (one specimen per model) were compared under three conditions: firing with a loaded magazine, an empty magazine, and without magazine. The distances, covered by the ejected cartridge cases given these three conditions, were compared for each of the six models. A significant difference was found between the groups of data for each of the tested specimens. This indicates that it is important that, to reconstruct a shooting scene incident based on the ejection patterns of a pistol, test shots are fired with the same pistol type and under the correct magazine condition. © 2017 American Academy of Forensic Sciences.

The challenge of cancer in middle-income countries with an ageing population: Mexico as a case study

PubMed Central

Aggarwal, Ajay; Unger-Saldaña, Karla; Lewison, Grant; Sullivan, Richard

2015-01-01

Mexico is undergoing rapid population ageing as a result of its epidemiological transition. This study explores the interface between this rapid population ageing and the burden of cancer. The number of new cancer cases is expected to increase by nearly 75% by 2030 (107,000 additional cases per annum), with 60% of cases in the elderly (aged ≥ 65). A review of the literature was supplemented by a bibliometric analysis of Mexico’s cancer research output. Cancer incidence projections for selected sites were estimated with Globocan software. Data were obtained from recent national census, surveys, and cancer death registrations. The elderly, especially women and those living in rural areas, face high levels of poverty, have low rates of educational attainment, and many are not covered by health insurance schemes. Out of pocket payments and private health care usage remain high, despite the implementation of Seguro Popular that was designed to achieve financial protection for the lowest income groups. A number of cancers that predominate in elderly persons are not covered by the scheme and individuals face catastrophic expenditure in seeking treatment. There is limited research output in those cancer sites that have a high burden in the elderly Mexican population, especially research that focuses on outcomes. The elderly population in Mexico is vulnerable to the effects of the rising cancer burden and faces challenges in accessing high quality cancer care. Based on our evidence, we recommend that geriatric oncology should be an urgent public policy priority for Mexico. PMID:26015805

Infectious Aetiology of Marginal Zone Lymphoma and Role of Anti-Infective Therapy

PubMed Central

Perrone, Salvatore; D’Elia, Gianna Maria; Annechini, Giorgia; Pulsoni, Alessandro

2016-01-01

Marginal zone lymphomas have been associated with several infectious agents covering both viral and bacterial pathogens and in some cases a clear aetiological role has been established. Pathogenetic mechanisms are currently not completely understood. However, the role of chronic stimulation of the host immune response with persistent lymphocyte activation represents the most convincing explanation for lymphoproliferation. Gastric MALT lymphoma is strictly associated with Helicobacter pylori infection and various eradicating protocols, developed due to increasing antibiotic resistance, represent the first line therapy for gastric MALT. The response rate to eradication is good with 80% of response at 1 year; this finding is also noteworthy because it recapitulates cancer cured only by the antibacterial approach and it satisfies the Koch postulates of causation, establishing a causative relationship between Hp and gastric MALT lymphoma. Patients with chronic HCV infection have 5 times higher risk to develop MZL, in particular, an association with splenic and nodal MZL has been shown in several studies. Moreover, there is evidence of lymphoma regression after antiviral therapy with interferon+ribavirin, thus raising hope that newly available drugs, extremely efficient against HCV replication, could improve outcome also in HCV-driven lymphomas. Another case-study are represented by those rare cases of MZL localized to orbital fat and eye conjunctivas that have been associated with Chlamydophila psittaci infection carried by birds. Efficacy of antibacterial therapy against C. psittaci are conflicting and generally poorer than gastric MALT. Finally, some case reports will cover the relationship between primary cutaneous B-cell Lymphomas and Borrelia Burgdorferi. PMID:26740867

Hidden leprosy cases in tribal population groups and how to reach them through a collaborative effort.

PubMed

Kumar, M Santhosh; Padmavathi, S; Shivakumar, M; Charles, U; Appalanaidu, M; Perumal, R; Thiagarajan, P N; Somasekhar, Y

2015-12-01

Tribal populations are an underserved population group and access to health services is a major challenge for them. Since leprosy treatment is integrated with the general health services, identifying leprosy cases is not be easy in these settings and they remain as endemic reservoirs, unless greater efforts are made to reach them. An active search operation was conducted in the tribal colonies in four pre-identified Health & Nutrition Clusters, Nellore district, Andhra Pradesh, India, in 2013. After a brief training, village health nurses and selected volunteers covered all the households, showing flash cards with photos of leprosy cases and enquiring if there was any resident with a similar condition. Suspects were listed and examined by the district leprosy supervisor and field coordinators from Damien Foundation. Follow up interviews were done after one year to assess the treatment completion rate. Village health workers covered 47,574 people living in the tribal colonies and identified 325 leprosy suspects. Among them, 70 were confirmed as new leprosy cases. The prevalence of previously undetected leprosy cases was found to be 14.7/10,000. Out of 70 cases, 19 (27%) were children, 35 (50%) were female, 32 (45.7%) were classified as MB leprosy, 6 (8.6%) had a leprosy reaction and 11 (15.7%) persons had Grade 2 disability at the time of diagnosis. The treatment completion rate was found to be 74% at the end of one year. The study reveals a very high burden of leprosy among the tribal population and demonstrates how resources can be mobilized from government, NGO and local community sources to promote early case detection among underserved population groups.

Close range gun shot injuries of the hand with the "mole gun".

PubMed

Keskin, Mustafa; Beydes, Tolga; Tosun, Zekeriya; Savaci, Nedim

2009-07-01

A mole gun is a handmade weapon used as a trap to kill moles by farmers. Their action is based on a simple hammer mechanism: when the moles put their head through the metal ring to get hold of the food, they trigger the mechanism. The hammer strikes the primer, which ignites the gunpowder, propelling the pellets from the barrel. The purpose of this study was to report our experiences in a group of patients who accidentally suffered injuries by mole guns to the hand. Since 2000, 20 patients had attended the clinic with mole gun shot injuries to the hand. The mean age of patients was 38 years. Thirteen cases involved skin defects over the dorsum of the hand associated with extensor tendon and bone injuries. The skin defect was covered with posterior interosseous artery (PIA) flap in 12 cases. In one case, the PIA pedicle was found to be injured so radial forearm flap was used. The main intervention time for these cases was 6.2 days. All flaps except two PIA flap survived uneventfully. One flap was completely lost while other survived with distal necrosis. In remaining seven cases the thumb was the main injured part; it had complete disruption of its arterial supply and was managed with amputation with or without matarcarpal removal. These cases were managed immediately. The risk of injury to the PIA by pellets is low in such close range shots to the hand and PIA flap could be used to cover the defects. In such cases, initial debridement should be minimal and the soft tissue, tendon, and bone injury can be managed in the same stage during the first week of injury.

Plaintiff or defendant: using legal cases to teach students pharmacy law.

PubMed

Spies, Alan R

2008-10-15

To demonstrate the value of students using actual legal cases during collaborative "breakout" sessions in a pharmacy law class. Students were broken into smaller groups and randomly assigned a legal case to arbitrate or defend. One week prior to the groups' presentation, all students were given the facts of a case that was reflective of issues covered during the lecture component of the course. Formative assessments were utilized in addition to an overall breakout satisfaction survey administered at the end of the course. Overall, students felt the breakout sessions enhanced their learning environment and reinforced material covered during the didactic portion of the course. Students also recommended the breakout sessions for future pharmacy law courses. Dividing a large pharmacy law class into 2 sections of 12 groups each and conducting mock trials resulted in increased student participation and interaction and deeper understanding of the course content.

Snow cover detection algorithm using dynamic time warping method and reflectances of MODIS solar spectrum channels

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, Kyeong-sang; Choi, Sungwon; Seo, Minji; Lee, Chang suk; Seong, Noh-hun; Han, Kyung-Soo

2016-10-01

Snow cover is biggest single component of cryosphere. The Snow is covering the ground in the Northern Hemisphere approximately 50% in winter season and is one of climate factors that affects Earth's energy budget because it has higher reflectance than other land types. Also, snow cover has an important role about hydrological modeling and water resource management. For this reason, accurate detection of snow cover acts as an essential element for regional water resource management. Snow cover detection using satellite-based data have some advantages such as obtaining wide spatial range data and time-series observations periodically. In the case of snow cover detection using satellite data, the discrimination of snow and cloud is very important. Typically, Misclassified cloud and snow pixel can lead directly to error factor for retrieval of satellite-based surface products. However, classification of snow and cloud is difficult because cloud and snow have similar optical characteristics and are composed of water or ice. But cloud and snow has different reflectance in 1.5 1.7 μm wavelength because cloud has lower grain size and moisture content than snow. So, cloud and snow shows difference reflectance patterns change according to wavelength. Therefore, in this study, we perform algorithm for classifying snow cover and cloud with satellite-based data using Dynamic Time Warping (DTW) method which is one of commonly used pattern analysis such as speech and fingerprint recognitions and reflectance spectral library of snow and cloud. Reflectance spectral library is constructed in advance using MOD21km (MODIS Level1 swath 1km) data that their reflectance is six channels including 3 (0.466μm), 4 (0.554μm), 1 (0.647μm), 2 (0.857μm), 26 (1.382μm) and 6 (1.629μm). We validate our result using MODIS RGB image and MOD10 L2 swath (MODIS swath snow cover product). And we use PA (Producer's Accuracy), UA (User's Accuracy) and CI (Comparison Index) as validation criteria. The result of our study detect as snow cover in the several regions which are did not detected as snow in MOD10 L2 and detected as snow cover in MODIS RGB image. The result of our study can improve accuracy of other surface product such as land surface reflectance and land surface emissivity. Also it can use input data of hydrological modeling.

Perianesthetic and Anesthesia-Related Mortality in a Southeastern United States Population: A Longitudinal Review of a Prospectively Collected Quality Assurance Data Base.

PubMed

Pollard, Richard J; Hopkins, Thomas; Smith, C Tyler; May, Bryan V; Doyle, James; Chambers, C Labron; Clark, Reese; Buhrman, William

2018-05-21

Perianesthetic mortality (death occurring within 48 hours of an anesthetic) continues to vary widely depending on the study population examined. The authors study in a private practice physician group that covers multiple anesthetizing locations in the Southeastern United States. This group has in place a robust quality assurance (QA) database to follow all patients undergoing anesthesia. With this study, we estimate the incidence of anesthesia-related and perianesthetic mortality in this QA database. Following institutional review board approval, data from 2011 to 2016 were obtained from the QA database of a large, community-based anesthesiology group practice. The physician practice covers 233 anesthetizing locations across 20 facilities in 2 US states. All detected cases of perianesthetic death were extracted from the database and compared to the patients' electronic medical record. These cases were further examined by a committee of 3 anesthesiologists to determine whether the death was anesthesia related (a perioperative death solely attributable to either the anesthesia provider or anesthetic technique), anesthetic contributory (a perioperative death in which anesthesia role could not be entirely excluded), or not due to anesthesia. A total of 785,467 anesthesia procedures were examined from the study period. A total of 592 cases of perianesthetic deaths were detected, giving an overall death rate of 75.37 in 100,000 cases (95% CI, 69.5-81.7). Mortality judged to be anesthesia related was found in 4 cases, giving a mortality rate of 0.509 in 100,000 (95% CI, 0.198-1.31). Mortality judged to be anesthesia contributory were found in 18 cases, giving a mortality of 2.29 in 100,000 patients (95% CI, 1.45-3.7). A total of 570 cases were judged to be nonanesthesia related, giving an incidence of 72.6 per 100,000 anesthetics (95% CI, 69.3-75.7). In a large, comprehensive database representing the full range of anesthesia practices and locations in the Southeastern United States, the rate of perianesthestic death was 0.509 in 100,000 (95% CI, 0.198-1.31). Future in-depth analysis of the epidemiology of perianesthetic deaths will be reported in later studies.

Improving the implementation of health workforce policies through governance: a review of case studies

PubMed Central

2011-01-01

Introduction Responsible governance is crucial to national development and a catalyst for achieving the Millennium Development Goals. To date, governance seems to have been a neglected issue in the field of human resources for health (HRH), which could be an important reason why HRH policy formulation and implementation is often poor. This article aims to describe how governance issues have influenced HRH policy development and to identify governance strategies that have been used, successfully or not, to improve HRH policy implementation in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). Methods We performed a descriptive literature review of HRH case studies which describe or evaluate a governance-related intervention at country or district level in LMIC. In order to systematically address the term 'governance' a framework was developed and governance aspects were regrouped into four dimensions: 'performance', 'equity and equality', 'partnership and participation' and 'oversight'. Results and discussion In total 16 case studies were included in the review and most of the selected studies covered several governance dimensions. The dimension 'performance' covered several elements at the core of governance of HRH, decentralization being particularly prominent. Although improved equity and/or equality was, in a number of interventions, a goal, inclusiveness in policy development and fairness and transparency in policy implementation did often not seem adequate to guarantee the corresponding desirable health workforce scenario. Forms of partnership and participation described in the case studies are numerous and offer different lessons. Strikingly, in none of the articles was 'partnerships' a core focus. A common theme in the dimension of 'oversight' is local-level corruption, affecting, amongst other things, accountability and local-level trust in governance, and its cultural guises. Experiences with accountability mechanisms for HRH policy development and implementation were lacking. Conclusion This review shows that the term 'governance' is neither prominent nor frequent in recent HRH literature. It provides initial lessons regarding the influence of governance on HRH policy development and implementation. The review also shows that the evidence base needs to be improved in this field in order to better understand how governance influences HRH policy development and implementation. Tentative lessons are discussed, based on the case studies. PMID:21486438

Improving the implementation of health workforce policies through governance: a review of case studies.

PubMed

Dieleman, Marjolein; Shaw, Daniel Mp; Zwanikken, Prisca

2011-04-12

Responsible governance is crucial to national development and a catalyst for achieving the Millennium Development Goals. To date, governance seems to have been a neglected issue in the field of human resources for health (HRH), which could be an important reason why HRH policy formulation and implementation is often poor. This article aims to describe how governance issues have influenced HRH policy development and to identify governance strategies that have been used, successfully or not, to improve HRH policy implementation in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). We performed a descriptive literature review of HRH case studies which describe or evaluate a governance-related intervention at country or district level in LMIC. In order to systematically address the term 'governance' a framework was developed and governance aspects were regrouped into four dimensions: 'performance', 'equity and equality', 'partnership and participation' and 'oversight'. In total 16 case studies were included in the review and most of the selected studies covered several governance dimensions. The dimension 'performance' covered several elements at the core of governance of HRH, decentralization being particularly prominent. Although improved equity and/or equality was, in a number of interventions, a goal, inclusiveness in policy development and fairness and transparency in policy implementation did often not seem adequate to guarantee the corresponding desirable health workforce scenario. Forms of partnership and participation described in the case studies are numerous and offer different lessons. Strikingly, in none of the articles was 'partnerships' a core focus. A common theme in the dimension of 'oversight' is local-level corruption, affecting, amongst other things, accountability and local-level trust in governance, and its cultural guises. Experiences with accountability mechanisms for HRH policy development and implementation were lacking. This review shows that the term 'governance' is neither prominent nor frequent in recent HRH literature. It provides initial lessons regarding the influence of governance on HRH policy development and implementation. The review also shows that the evidence base needs to be improved in this field in order to better understand how governance influences HRH policy development and implementation. Tentative lessons are discussed, based on the case studies.

Building the Business Case

DTIC Science & Technology

2001-05-15

Building the Business Case Dr Robin Miller Centre for Defence Analysis Report Documentation Page Report Date 15052001 Report Type N/A Dates Covered...from... to) - Title and Subtitle Building the Business Case Contract Number Grant Number Program Element Number Author(s) Miller, Robin...Trade-offs between men/materiel/process can be made coherent – auditable links to operational risk can be maintained Business Case Challenge for SBA

The Learning Experiences of Early-Career Indonesian Government Employees: A Case Study in Cross-Cultural Workforce Development Based in a University Environment

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Elsey, Barry; Omarova, Amina; Grill, Ronald

2016-01-01

The research provides a selective report on the learning experiences covering a whole year of study for a double-degree Master's programme by a cohort of early-career Indonesians. They were undertaking the second half of the programme at The University of Adelaide in South Australia, and for all 18 students it was their first taste of learning in…

Getting Down to Business: Plumbing Business, Module 35. [Student Guide]. Entrepreneurship Training Components.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sanderson, Barbara

This module on owning and operating a plumbing business is one of 36 in a series on entrepreneurship. The introduction tells the student what topics will be covered and suggests other modules to read in related occupations. Each unit includes student goals, a case study, and a discussion of the unit subject matter. Learning activities are divided…

Getting Down to Business: Guard Service, Module 27. [Student Guide]. Entrepreneurship Training Components.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Colby, Pamela G.

This module on owning and operating a guard service is one of 36 in a series on entrepreneurship. The introduction tells the student what topics will be covered and suggests other modules to read in related occupations. Each unit includes student goals, a case study, and a discussion of the unit subject matter. Learning activities are divided into…

Getting Down to Business: Welding Business, Module 32. [Student Guide]. Entrepreneurship Training Components.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gall, Joyce P.

This module on owning and operating a welding business is one of 36 in a series on entrepreneurship. The introduction tells the student what topics will be covered and suggests other modules to read in related occupations. Each unit includes student goals, a case study, and a discussion of the unit subject matter. Learning activities are divided…

Getting Down to Business: Bicycle Store, Module 10. [Student Guide]. Entrepreneurship Training Components.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sanderson, Barbara

This module on owning and operating a bicycle store is one of 36 in a series on entrepreneurship. The introduction tells the student what topics will be covered and suggests other modules to read in related occupations. Each unit includes student goals, a case study, and a discussion of the unit subject matter. Learning activities are divided into…

Getting Down to Business: Pest Control Service, Module 28. [Student Guide]. Entrepreneurship Training Components.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Colby, Pamela G.

This module on owning and operating a pest control service is one of 36 in a series on entrepreneurship. The introduction tells the student what topics will be covered and suggests other modules to read in related occupations. Each unit includes student goals, a case study, and a discussion of the unit subject matter. Learning activities are…

Getting Down to Business: Answering Service, Module 17. [Student Guide]. Entrepreneurship Training Components.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Shapiro, Norma

This module on owning and operating an answering service is one of 36 in a series on entrepreneurship. The introduction tells the student what topics will be covered and suggests other modules to read in related occupations. Each unit includes student goals, a case study, and a discussion of the unit subject matter. Learning activities are divided…

Getting Down to Business: Construction Electrician Business, Module 33. [Student Guide]. Entrepreneurship Training Components.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gall, Joyce P.

This module on owning and operating a construction electrician business is one of 36 in a series on entrepreneurship. The introduction tells the student what topics will be covered and suggests other modules to read in related occupations. Each unit includes student goals, a case study, and a discussion of the unit subject matter. Learning…

Getting Down to Business: Bookkeeping Service, Module 19. [Student Guide]. Entrepreneurship Training Components.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Shapiro, Norma

This module on owning and operating a bookkeeping service is one of 36 in a series on entrepreneurship. The introduction tells the student what topics will be covered and suggests other modules to read in related occupations. Each unit includes student goals, a case study, and a discussion of the unit subject matter. Learning activities are…

Getting Down to Business: Housecleaning Service, Module 24. [Student Guide]. Entrepreneurship Training Components.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

McFarlane, Carolyn

This module on owning and operating a housecleaning service is one of 36 in a series on entrepreneurship. The introduction tells the student what topics will be covered and suggests other modules to read in related occupations. Each unit includes student goals, a case study, and a discussion of the unit subject matter. Learning activities are…

Getting Down to Business: Specialty Food Store, Module 8. [Student Guide]. Entrepreneurship Training Components.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Rassen, Rachel L.

This module on owning and operating a specialty food store is one of 36 in a series on entrepreneurship. The introduction tells the student what topics will be covered and suggests other modules to read in related occupations. Each unit includes student goals, a case study, and a discussion of the unit subject matter. Learning activities are…

Getting Down to Business: Word Processing Service, Module 21. [Student Guide]. Entrepreneurship Training Components.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Shapiro, Norma

This module on owning and operating a word processing service is one of 36 in a series on entrepreneurship. The introduction tells the student what topics will be covered and suggests other modules to read in related occupations. Each unit includes student goals, a case study, and a discussion of the unit subject matter. Learning activities are…

Getting Down to Business: Farm Equipment Repair, Module 2. [Student Guide]. Entrepreneurship Training Components.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

McBain, Susan

This module on owning and operating a farm equipment repair business is one of 36 in a series on entrepreneurship. The introduction tells the student what topics will be covered and suggests other modules to read in related occupations. Each unit includes student goals, a case study, and a discussion of the unit subject matter. Learning…

Getting Down to Business: Home Attendant Service, Module 26. [Student Guide]. Entrepreneurship Training Components.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sanderson, Barbara

This module on owning and operating a home attendant service is one of 36 in a series on entrepreneurship. The introduction tells the student what topics will be covered and suggests other modules to read in related occupations. Each unit includes student goals, a case study, and a discussion of the unit subject matter. Learning activities are…

Getting Down to Business: Fertilizer and Pesticide Service, Module 5. [Student Guide]. Entrepreneurship Training Components.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

McBain, Susan L.

This module on owning and operating a fertilizer and pesticide service is one of 36 in a series on entrepreneurship. The introduction tells the student what topics will be covered and suggests other modules to read in related occupations. Each unit includes student goals, a case study, and a discussion of the unit subject matter. Learning…

Getting Down to Business: Garden Center, Module 4. [Student Guide]. Entrepreneurship Training Components.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

McBain, Susan L.

This module on owning and operating a garden center is one of 36 in a series on entrepreneurship. The introduction tells the student what topics will be covered and suggests other modules to read in related occupations. Each unit includes student goals, a case study, and a discussion of the unit subject matter. Learning activities are divided into…

Getting Down to Business: Software Design Company, Module 20. [Student Guide]. Entrepreneurship Training Components.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Shapiro, Norma

This module on owning and operating a software design company is one of 36 in a series on entrepreneurship. The introduction tells the student what topics will be covered and suggests other modules to read in related occupations. Each unit includes student goals, a case study, and a discussion of the unit subject matter. Learning activities are…

Getting Down to Business: Carpentry Business, Module 34. [Student Guide]. Entrepreneurship Training Components.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gall, Joyce P.

This module on owning and operating a carpentry business is one of 36 in a series on entrepreneurship. The introduction tells the student what topics will be covered and suggests other modules to read in related occupations. Each unit includes student goals, a case study, and a discussion of the unit subject matter. Learning activities are divided…

Getting Down to Business: Sewing Service, Module 25. [Student Guide]. Entrepreneurship Training Components.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kingi, Marcella

This module on owning and operating a sewing service is one of 36 in a series on entrepreneurship. The introduction tells the student what topics will be covered and suggests other modules to read in related occupations. Each unit includes student goals, a case study, and a discussion of the unit subject matter. Learning activities are divided…

Getting Down to Business: Restaurant Business, Module 22. [Student Guide]. Entrepreneurship Training Components.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kingi, Marcella

This module on owning and operating a restaurant is one of 36 in a series on entrepreneurship. The introduction tells the student what topics will be covered and suggests other modules to read in related occupations. Each unit includes student goals, a case study, and a discussion of the unit subject matter. Learning activities are divided into…

Getting Down to Business: Energy Specialist Service, Module 29. [Student Guide]. Entrepreneurship Training Components.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Colby, Pamela G.

This module on owning and operating an energy specialist service is one of 36 in a series on entrepreneurship. The introduction tells the student what topics will be covered and suggests other modules to read in related occupations. Each unit includes student goals, a case study, and a discussion of the unit subject matter. Learning activities are…

Getting Down to Business: Wheelchair Transportation Service, Module 15. [Student Guide]. Entrepreneurship Training Components.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wolman, Jean

This module on owning and operating a wheelchair transportation service is one of 36 in a series on entrepreneurship. The introduction tells the student what topics will be covered and suggests other modules to read in related occupations. Each unit includes student goals, a case study, and a discussion of the unit subject matter. Learning…

Getting Down to Business: Health Spa, Module 16. [Student Module]. Entrepreneurship Training Components.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wolman, Jean

This module on owning and operating a health spa is one of 36 in a series on entrepreneurship. The introduction tells the student what topics will be covered and suggests other modules to read in related occupations. Each unit includes student goals, a case study, and a discussion of the unit subject matter. Learning activities are divided into…

Getting Down to Business: Secretarial Service, Module 18. [Student Guide]. Entrepreneurship Training Components.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Shapiro, Norma

This module on owning and operating a secretarial service is one of 36 in a series on entrepreneurship. The introduction tells the student what topics will be covered and suggests other modules to read in related occupations. Each unit includes student goals, a case study, and a discussion of the unit subject matter. Learning activities are…

Getting Down to Business: Nursing Service, Module 14. [Student Guide]. Entrepreneurship Training Components.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wolman, Jean

This module on owning and operating a nursing service is one of 36 in a series on entrepreneurship. The introduction tells the student what topics will be covered and suggests other modules to read in related occupations. Each unit includes student goals, a case study, and a discussion of the unit subject matter. Learning activities are divided…

A Systematic Case Study of the Course, Offshore Survival Systems Training, To Improve the Practice of Marine Survival Training.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Zambon, Franco

A major applied research project evaluated the effectiveness of a novel course, Offshore Survival Systems Training. The major course outcome that was evaluated was the increase in frequency with which offshore personnel correctly launched the covered powered survival craft on offshore drilling rigs. The evaluation methodology included the 628…

Getting Down to Business: Dairy Farming, Module 6. [Student Guide]. Entrepreneurship Training Components.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

McBain, Susan L.

This module on owning and operating a dairy farm is one of 36 in a series on entrepreneurship. The introduction tells the student what topics will be covered and suggests other modules to read in related occupations. Each unit includes student goals, a case study, and a discussion of the unit subject matter. Learning activities are divided into…

Prison Education and Rehabilitation: Illusion or Reality? A Case Study of an Experimental Program.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lewis, Morgan V.; And Others

A review of the literature, covering a variety of theories as to the causes of criminal behavior in young people and barriers to their rehabilitation, lays the groundwork for a report of an experimental program using the humanities to assist in the rehabilitation of young criminal offenders, at the State Correctional Institution at Camp Hill, Pa.…

News Coverage and Access to Contextual Policy Information in the Case of Recreational Water Rights in Colorado

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Crow, Deserai Anderson

2011-01-01

Local news media help shape the agendas from which new policies emerge. Furthermore, local media help determine public understanding of complex issues. Media should inform citizens and policymakers on important policy issues. This study uses a content analysis of 11 newspapers to understand the manner in which reporters covered a specific…

Getting Down to Business: Apparel Store, Module 7. [Student Guide]. Entrepreneurship Training Components.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Rassen, Rachel L.

This module on owning and operating an apparel store is one of 36 in a series on entrepreneurship. The introduction tells the student what topics will be covered and suggests other modules to read in related occupations. Each unit includes student goals, a case study, and a discussion of the unit subject matter. Learning activities are divided…

Getting Down to Business: Innkeeping, Module 13. [Student Guide]. Entrepreneurship Training Components.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Rassen, Rachel L.

This module on owning and operating an inn is one of 36 in a series on entrepreneurship. The introduction tells the student what topics will be covered and suggests other modules to read in related occupations. Each unit includes student goals, a case study, and a discussion of the unit subject matter. Learning activities are divided into…

Proceedings of the Annual Meeting of the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (84th, Washington, DC, August 5-8, 2001). Newspaper Division.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication.

The Newspaper section, Part 1 of the proceedings contains the following selected papers: "Gatekeeping and the Editorial Cartoon: A Case Study of the 2000 Presidential Campaign Cartoons" (Jennifer M. Proffitt); "Campaign Contributions: Online Newspapers Go Beyond Shovelware in Covering Election 2000" (Jane B. Singer); "At…

Comparison of Methods and Interdisciplinary Possibilities. The Case of Literature Reviews in Social Work and in Nursing Sciences

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Couturier, Yves; Dumas-Laverdiere, Christian

2006-01-01

The reflections on interdisciplinarity cover several dimensions. One, among them, concerns the nature of what occurs between two disciplines. Does inter-disciplinarity relate to an intention, to a metatheory, to the object, or to a method? It is this ultimate space that we propose to study, supported by Reswebers (2000) proposition, putting the…

Learning Science: Putaiao in an Indigenous School--A Review of the Theory and Practice

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Smallbone, Catherine; Rofe, Craig; Moeed, Azra

2017-01-01

This paper presents a literature review of theory and briefly presents insight from a case study. The literature review attempts to explain what Putaiao is, how it is being taught, and the learning of Putaiao. It also investigates the Putaiao curriculum and the challenges currently being faced. The literature covers students from early childhood,…

Application of Standard Project Management Tools to Research--A Case Study from a Multi-National Clinical Trial

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gist, Peter; Langley, David

2007-01-01

PRINCE2, which stands for Projects in Controlled Environments, is a project management method covering the organisation, management, and control of projects and is widely used in both government and commercial IT and building projects in the UK. This paper describes the application of PRINCE2 to the management of large clinical trials…

Energy Smart Guide to Campus Cost Savings: Today's Trends in Project Finance, Clean Fuel Fleets, Combined Heat& Power, Emissions Markets

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Not Available

2003-07-01

The Energy Smart Guide to Campus Cost Savings covers today's trends in project finance, combined heat& power, clean fuel fleets and emissions trading. The guide is directed at campus facilities and business managers and contains general guidance, contact information and case studies from colleges and universities across the country.

Librarians, Faculty, and the Writing Center Partnering to Build an Interdisciplinary Course: A Case Study at the University of Houston, USA

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Simons, Alexandra C.

2017-01-01

This article covers how an interdisciplinary course was developed using the expertise and resources of a history professor, the history and psychology subject librarians, and the university's writing center. The course, supported by a grant, was aimed at helping students improve their research, information literacy, and writing skills across…

Getting Down to Business: Travel Agency, Module 9. [Student Guide]. Entrepreneurship Training Components.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Rassen, Rachel L.

This module on owning and operating a travel agency is one of 36 modules in a series on entrepreneurship. The introduction tells the student what topics will be covered and suggests other modules to read in related occupations. Each unit includes student goals, a case study, and a discussion of the unit subject matter. Learning activities are…

Compact camera technologies for real-time false-color imaging in the SWIR band

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dougherty, John; Jennings, Todd; Snikkers, Marco

2013-11-01

Previously real-time false-colored multispectral imaging was not available in a true snapshot single compact imager. Recent technology improvements now allow for this technique to be used in practical applications. This paper will cover those advancements as well as a case study for its use in UAV's where the technology is enabling new remote sensing methodologies.

Small Island States Green Energy Initiative. Final report

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Khattak, Nasir

1999-10-15

This report covers the activities carried out during a one year period from 7/15/99 to 7/15/00 as part of the Small Islands Green Energy Initiative. The three activities were: 1) Energy Ministerial conference in the Caribbean; 2) Training session on renewable energy for utility engineers; and 3) Case studies compilation on renewable energy in the Caribbean.

Wildfire case study: Butte City Fire, southeastern Idaho, July 1, 1994

Treesearch

Bret W. Butler; Timothy D. Reynolds

1997-01-01

The Butte City Fire occurred on July 1, 1994, west of Idaho Falls, ID. Ignited from a burning flat tire, the blaze was driven by high winds that caused it to cover over 20,500 acres in just over 6.5 hours. Sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis) is the principal shrub species of this high desert rangeland...

The Impact of Oregon's Pension Legacy Costs on New Teacher Turnover and Quality. CEDR Working Paper. WP #2016-5

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Cahill, Kevin E.; Dyke, Andrew; Tapogna, John

2016-01-01

Pension legacy costs can restrict the amount of resources available for current public education, potentially making it more difficult to attract and retain high-quality teachers. Oregon provides a useful case study in pension legacy costs because many school districts in the state are now reallocating General Fund expenditures to cover sizeable…

Use of Physiologically Based Pharmacokinetic (PBPK) Models ...

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

EPA announced the availability of the final report, Use of Physiologically Based Pharmacokinetic (PBPK) Models to Quantify the Impact of Human Age and Interindividual Differences in Physiology and Biochemistry Pertinent to Risk Final Report for Cooperative Agreement. This report describes and demonstrates techniques necessary to extrapolate and incorporate in vitro derived metabolic rate constants in PBPK models. It also includes two case study examples designed to demonstrate the applicability of such data for health risk assessment and addresses the quantification, extrapolation and interpretation of advanced biochemical information on human interindividual variability of chemical metabolism for risk assessment application. It comprises five chapters; topics and results covered in the first four chapters have been published in the peer reviewed scientific literature. Topics covered include: Data Quality ObjectivesExperimental FrameworkRequired DataTwo example case studies that develop and incorporate in vitro metabolic rate constants in PBPK models designed to quantify human interindividual variability to better direct the choice of uncertainty factors for health risk assessment. This report is intended to serve as a reference document for risk assors to use when quantifying, extrapolating, and interpretating advanced biochemical information about human interindividual variability of chemical metabolism.

Wireless Technology Use Case Requirement Analysis for Future Space Applications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Abedi, Ali; Wilkerson, DeLisa

2016-01-01

This report presents various use case scenarios for wireless technology -including radio frequency (RF), optical, and acoustic- and studies requirements and boundary conditions in each scenario. The results of this study can be used to prioritize technology evaluation and development and in the long run help in development of a roadmap for future use of wireless technology. The presented scenarios cover the following application areas: (i) Space Vehicles (manned/unmanned), (ii) Satellites and Payloads, (iii) Surface Explorations, (iv) Ground Systems, and (v) Habitats. The requirement analysis covers two parallel set of conditions. The first set includes the environmental conditions such as temperature, radiation, noise/interference, wireless channel characteristics and accessibility. The second set of requirements are dictated by the application and may include parameters such as latency, throughput (effective data rate), error tolerance, and reliability. This report provides a comprehensive overview of all requirements from both perspectives and details their effects on wireless system reliability and network design. Application area examples are based on 2015 NASA Technology roadmap with specific focus on technology areas: TA 2.4, 3.3, 5.2, 5.5, 6.4, 7.4, and 10.4 sections that might benefit from wireless technology.

A comparative study of satellite estimation for solar insolation in Albania with ground measurements

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Mitrushi, Driada, E-mail: driadamitrushi@yahoo.com; Berberi, Pëllumb, E-mail: pellumb.berberi@gmail.com; Muda, Valbona, E-mail: vmuda@hotmail.com

The main objective of this study is to compare data provided by Database of NASA with available ground data for regions covered by national meteorological net NASA estimates that their measurements of average daily solar radiation have a root-mean-square deviation RMSD error of 35 W/m{sup 2} (roughly 20% inaccuracy). Unfortunately valid data from meteorological stations for regions of interest are quite rare in Albania. In these cases, use of Solar Radiation Database of NASA would be a satisfactory solution for different case studies. Using a statistical method allows to determine most probable margins between to sources of data. Comparison of meanmore » insulation data provided by NASA with ground data of mean insulation provided by meteorological stations show that ground data for mean insolation results, in all cases, to be underestimated compared with data provided by Database of NASA. Converting factor is 1.149.« less

AVHRR composite period selection for land cover classification

USGS Publications Warehouse

Maxwell, S.K.; Hoffer, R.M.; Chapman, P.L.

2002-01-01

Multitemporal satellite image datasets provide valuable information on the phenological characteristics of vegetation, thereby significantly increasing the accuracy of cover type classifications compared to single date classifications. However, the processing of these datasets can become very complex when dealing with multitemporal data combined with multispectral data. Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) biweekly composite data are commonly used to classify land cover over large regions. Selecting a subset of these biweekly composite periods may be required to reduce the complexity and cost of land cover mapping. The objective of our research was to evaluate the effect of reducing the number of composite periods and altering the spacing of those composite periods on classification accuracy. Because inter-annual variability can have a major impact on classification results, 5 years of AVHRR data were evaluated. AVHRR biweekly composite images for spectral channels 1-4 (visible, near-infrared and two thermal bands) covering the entire growing season were used to classify 14 cover types over the entire state of Colorado for each of five different years. A supervised classification method was applied to maintain consistent procedures for each case tested. Results indicate that the number of composite periods can be halved-reduced from 14 composite dates to seven composite dates-without significantly reducing overall classification accuracy (80.4% Kappa accuracy for the 14-composite data-set as compared to 80.0% for a seven-composite dataset). At least seven composite periods were required to ensure the classification accuracy was not affected by inter-annual variability due to climate fluctuations. Concentrating more composites near the beginning and end of the growing season, as compared to using evenly spaced time periods, consistently produced slightly higher classification values over the 5 years tested (average Kappa) of 80.3% for the heavy early/late case as compared to 79.0% for the alternate dataset case).

Stent placement for benign colonic stenosis: case report, review of the literature, and animal pilot data.

PubMed

Geiger, Timothy M; Miedema, Brent W; Tsereteli, Zurab; Sporn, Emanuel; Thaler, Klaus

2008-10-01

Permanent metal stent placement for malignant intestinal obstruction has been proven to be efficient. Temporary stents for benign conditions of the colon and rectum are less studied. This is a case study, review of the literature, and observation from an animal model on placement of stents in the colorectum for benign disease. A 55-year-old man presented with recurrent obstructions from a benign stricture of the distal sigmoid colon. After failed balloon dilations, a polyester coated stent was placed. The purpose of the stent was to improve symptoms and avoid surgery. The stent was expelled after 5 days. We conducted a literature review of stents placed for benign colorectal strictures and an animal study to evaluate stent migration. In the literature, there were 53 reports of uncovered metal stents, four covered metal stents, and six polyester stents. Patency rates were 71%, and migration rate was 43%. Migration occurred earlier with polyester stents (mean=8 days) versus covered (32 days) or uncovered metal stents (112 days). Severe complications were seen in 23% of patients. Four 45-kg pigs underwent rectosigmoid transection with a 21-mm anastomosis and endoscopic placement of a Polyflex stent. Two stents were secured with suture. Stents without fixation were expelled within 24 h of surgery. Stents with fixation were expelled between postoperative days 2 and 14. Stents for the treatment of benign colorectal strictures are safe, with comparable patency rates between stent types. Metal stents can cause severe complications. In a pig model, covered polyester stents tend to migrate early even with fixation. Further investigation needs to focus on new stent designs and/or better fixation.

[Imported malaria in Geneva between 2005 and 2016].

PubMed

Cordaillat, Romain; Delaporte, Elisabeth; Chappuis, François

2018-05-02

As part of the epidemiological surveillance of malaria, cases reported in Geneva during the period 2005‑2016 were analyzed and compared to a similar retrospective study covering the period 1998‑2004. A total of 600 cases were reported, averaging 50 cases per year. African patients traveling to visit friends and relatives remain at particular risk. The disease was acquired in Africa in 89,6% of cases and Plasmodium falciparum was the predominant species (84,2 %). 41% of patients did not benefit from a pre-travel consultation. The recent rise in imported malaria observed in Geneva since 2014 is a reminder of the need to apply effective prevention measures (chemoprophylaxis) in highly endemic countries, and to train all physicians to screen for malaria all febrile travelers returning from the tropics.

Multisensor earth observations to characterize wetlands and malaria epidemiology in Ethiopia

PubMed Central

Midekisa, Alemayehu; Senay, Gabriel B; Wimberly, Michael C

2014-01-01

Malaria is a major global public health problem, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa. The spatial heterogeneity of malaria can be affected by factors such as hydrological processes, physiography, and land cover patterns. Tropical wetlands, for example, are important hydrological features that can serve as mosquito breeding habitats. Mapping and monitoring of wetlands using satellite remote sensing can thus help to target interventions aimed at reducing malaria transmission. The objective of this study was to map wetlands and other major land cover types in the Amhara region of Ethiopia and to analyze district-level associations of malaria and wetlands across the region. We evaluated three random forests classification models using remotely sensed topographic and spectral data based on Shuttle Radar Topographic Mission (SRTM) and Landsat TM/ETM+ imagery, respectively. The model that integrated data from both sensors yielded more accurate land cover classification than single-sensor models. The resulting map of wetlands and other major land cover classes had an overall accuracy of 93.5%. Topographic indices and subpixel level fractional cover indices contributed most strongly to the land cover classification. Further, we found strong spatial associations of percent area of wetlands with malaria cases at the district level across the dry, wet, and fall seasons. Overall, our study provided the most extensive map of wetlands for the Amhara region and documented spatiotemporal associations of wetlands and malaria risk at a broad regional level. These findings can assist public health personnel in developing strategies to effectively control and eliminate malaria in the region. Key Points Remote sensing produced an accurate wetland map for the Ethiopian highlands Wetlands were associated with spatial variability in malaria risk Mapping and monitoring wetlands can improve malaria spatial decision support PMID:25653462

Fascioliasis risk factors and space-time clusters in domestic ruminants in Bangladesh.

PubMed

Rahman, A K M Anisur; Islam, S K Shaheenur; Talukder, Md Hasanuzzaman; Hassan, Md Kumrul; Dhand, Navneet K; Ward, Michael P

2017-05-08

A retrospective observational study was conducted to identify fascioliasis hotspots, clusters, potential risk factors and to map fascioliasis risk in domestic ruminants in Bangladesh. Cases of fascioliasis in cattle, buffalo, sheep and goats from all districts in Bangladesh between 2011 and 2013 were identified via secondary surveillance data from the Department of Livestock Services' Epidemiology Unit. From each case report, date of report, species affected and district data were extracted. The total number of domestic ruminants in each district was used to calculate fascioliasis cases per ten thousand animals at risk per district, and this was used for cluster and hotspot analysis. Clustering was assessed with Moran's spatial autocorrelation statistic, hotspots with the local indicator of spatial association (LISA) statistic and space-time clusters with the scan statistic (Poisson model). The association between district fascioliasis prevalence and climate (temperature, precipitation), elevation, land cover and water bodies was investigated using a spatial regression model. A total of 1,723,971 cases of fascioliasis were reported in the three-year study period in cattle (1,164,560), goats (424,314), buffalo (88,924) and sheep (46,173). A total of nine hotspots were identified; one of these persisted in each of the three years. Only two local clusters were found. Five space-time clusters located within 22 districts were also identified. Annual risk maps of fascioliasis cases correlated with the hotspots and clusters detected. Cultivated and managed (P < 0.001) and artificial surface (P = 0.04) land cover areas, and elevation (P = 0.003) were positively and negatively associated with fascioliasis in Bangladesh, respectively. Results indicate that due to land use characteristics some areas of Bangladesh are at greater risk of fascioliasis. The potential risk factors, hot spots and clusters identified in this study can be used to guide science-based treatment and control decisions for fascioliasis in Bangladesh and in other similar geo-climatic zones throughout the world.

Accuracy of Geophysical Parameters Derived from AIRS/AMSU as a Function of Fractional Cloud Cover

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Susskind, Joel; Barnet, Chris; Blaisdell, John; Iredell, Lena; Keita, Fricky; Kouvaris, Lou; Molnar, Gyula; Chahine, Moustafa

2006-01-01

AIRS was launched on EOS Aqua on May 4,2002, together with AMSU A and HSB, to form a next generation polar orbiting infrared and microwave atmospheric sounding system. The primary products of AIRS/AMSU are twice daily global fields of atmospheric temperature-humidity profiles, ozone profiles, sea/land surface skin temperature, and cloud related parameters including OLR. The sounding goals of AIRS are to produce 1 km tropospheric layer mean temperatures with an rms error of lK, and layer precipitable water with an rms error of 20 percent, in cases with up to 80 percent effective cloud cover. The basic theory used to analyze Atmospheric InfraRed Sounder/Advanced Microwave Sounding Unit/Humidity Sounder Brazil (AIRS/AMSU/HSB) data in the presence of clouds, called the at-launch algorithm, was described previously. Pre-launch simulation studies using this algorithm indicated that these results should be achievable. Some modifications have been made to the at-launch retrieval algorithm as described in this paper. Sample fields of parameters retrieved from AIRS/AMSU/HSB data are presented and validated as a function of retrieved fractional cloud cover. As in simulation, the degradation of retrieval accuracy with increasing cloud cover is small and the RMS accuracy of lower tropospheric temperature retrieved with 80 percent cloud cover is about 0.5 K poorer than for clear cases. HSB failed in February 2003, and consequently HSB channel radiances are not used in the results shown in this paper. The AIRS/AMSU retrieval algorithm described in this paper, called Version 4, become operational at the Goddard DAAC (Distributed Active Archive Center) in April 2003 and is being used to analyze near-real time AIRS/AMSU data. Historical AIRS/AMSU data, going backwards from March 2005 through September 2002, is also being analyzed by the DAAC using the Version 4 algorithm.

Editor's Choice - Incidence of Stroke Following Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair for Descending Aortic Aneurysm: A Systematic Review of the Literature with Meta-analysis.

PubMed

von Allmen, R S; Gahl, B; Powell, J T

2017-02-01

Stroke is an increasingly recognised complication following thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR). The aim of this study was to systematically synthesise the published data on perioperative stroke incidence during TEVAR for patients with descending thoracic aneurysmal disease and to assess the impact of left subclavian artery (LSA) coverage on stroke incidence. A systematic review of English and German articles on perioperative (in-hospital or 30 day) stroke incidence following TEVAR for descending aortic aneurysm was performed, including studies with ≥50 cases, using MEDLINE and EMBASE (2005-2015). The pooled prevalence of perioperative stroke with 95% CI was estimated using random effect analysis. Heterogeneity was examined using I 2 statistic. Of 215 studies identified, 10 were considered suitable for inclusion. The included studies enrolled a total of 2594 persons (61% male) between 1997 and 2014 with a mean weighted age of 71.8 (95% CI 71.1-73.6) years. The pooled prevalence for stroke was 4.1% (95% CI 2.9-5.5) with moderate heterogeneity between studies (I 2  = 49.8%, p = .04). Five studies reported stroke incidences stratified by the management of the LSA, that is uncovered versus covered and revascularised versus covered and not-revascularised. In cases where the LSA remained uncovered, the pooled stroke incidence was 3.2% (95% CI 1.0-6.5). There was, however, an indication that stroke incidence increased following LSA coverage, to 5.3% (95% CI 2.6-8.6) in those with a revascularisation and 8.0% (95% CI 4.1-12.9) in those without revascularisation. Stroke incidence is an important morbidity after TEVAR, and probably increases if the LSA is covered during the procedure, particularly in those without revascularisation. Copyright © 2016 European Society for Vascular Surgery. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Fatal Child Maltreatment in England, 2005-2009

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sidebotham, Peter; Bailey, Sue; Belderson, Pippa; Brandon, Marian

2011-01-01

Objective: This paper presents comprehensive and up-to-date data covering 4 years of Serious Case Reviews into fatal child maltreatment in England. Methods: Information on all notified cases of fatal maltreatment between April 2005 and March 2009 was examined to obtain case characteristics related to a systemic classification of 5 broad groups of…

Using Web 2.0 Tools to Facilitate Case-Based Instruction: Considering the Possibilities

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Koehler, Adrie A.; Ertmer, Peggy A.

2016-01-01

Case-based instruction (CBI) offers a promising method for promoting problem-solving skills in learners. However, during CBI, the instructor shoulders major responsibility for shaping the learning that takes place. Research indicates that the facilitation techniques used during case discussions influence what gets covered, and to what extent,…

Journalists and trauma: a brief overview.

PubMed

Czech, Ted

2004-01-01

In the past decade, journalism experts realized what those in the fields of emergency response and management have known for much longer: That journalists could be psychologically affected by the traumatic events they covered. Although a fledging field of study, groups such as the Dart Center for Journalism and Trauma, based at the University of Washington, in Seattle, WA, have dedicated themselves to advocating the ethical and thorough reporting of trauma, educating working journalists about trauma and serving as a forum for journalists to discuss topics related to covering traumatic events. The three major studies conducted on the subject--focusing on print journalists, photojournalists, and war journalists--have discovered that journalists can suffer sleeplessness, flashbacks, and in most extreme cases, posttraumatic stress disorder. According to Dr. Roger Simpson, director of the Dart Center, there is much work still to be done on the subject.

46 CFR 8.100 - Definitions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

..., guidelines and associated surveys and inspections covering the design, construction and through-life... regarding the design, construction and certification of commercial vessels. Classed means that a vessel... surveys. Independent surveyors, hired on a case-by-case basis, or surveyors of another classification...