86,906 research outputs found
Modelling the spatial distribution of three marine fish species in the southern Benguela
No full textUnderstanding the spatial distribution of species in relationship to climatic and environmental variables is key to conservation and management of important species, as their distribution might change under climate change and variability. Based on presence absence data from scientific trawl surveys, this study used Generalized Additive Model (GAM) and Krigging with External Drift (KED) statistical techniques to determine the spatial distribution of three marine fish species of commercial interest: Merluccius capensis, Merluccius paradoxus, and Thyrsites atun, on the West and South coasts of South Africa. The modelled distributions reflect the previously determined range and habitats of the two species of hake and are in accordance with the common knowledge on the biology of the two species. Presence-absence modelling found depth to be the main factor for explaining hake distribution on both coasts. For the West coast an interaction between sea surface temperature and chlorophyll-a combined with depth as a factor was found to provide the best model. On the South coast depth was the only factor retained. The models for M. capensis and M. paradoxus are potentially useful in mapping and determining future distributions based on environmental factors. The model obtained for the spatial distribution of T. atun has a lower explanatory power than those of the two hake species
Funding infectious disease research: A systematic analysis of UK investments by funders 1997-2010
No full textExploring Issues Limiting the Use of Knowledge in Disaster Risk Reduction
Get PDFThis paper highlights issues that appear to have hampered the development and use of knowledge and discusses what these imply for applying (or
not) the concept of smart cities in different contexts. The conclusions are based on the findings of four sets of work in the context of the KNOW-4-
DRR project. From the findings of these activities, it emerges that although there are differences in context, risk and culture, there is a surprising
degree of commonality in opinions about why there is insufficient development and application of knowledge for disaster risk reduction, despite the
large volumes of information developed on this subject. As regards ICTs, findings suggest that technology, although useful, is not the sole solution
for knowledge- based decision making for DRR. In this respect the benefits of smartness in cities are uncertain and depend on the context, where
the employment of simpler or more traditional means can be more appropriate for enabling knowledge.
A final conclusion is that no matter how useful, knowledge itself is not a panacea for DRR. Decision-making is invariably influenced by conflicting
priorities, objectives and constraints, and not necessarily in all stakeholders’ interests or even reflecting their objectives. For example in the midst of
the Greek economic crisis, disaster risk awareness and acceptability are becoming less a matter of DRR information and knowledge and must rather
be addressed with a view to the new hierarchy of risks (socio-economic, health, emerging) generated by the crisis. However, acknowledging the
complexity of the issue should not stand in the way of much needed efforts towards enabling knowledge for DRR with all the tools available in
today’s changing world
Simulation Results: Global Childhood Cancer Survival
No full textSimulation results (means and 95% uncertainty intervals) for: Ward ZJ, Yeh JM, Bhakta N, Frazier AL, Girardi F, Atun R. Global childhood cancer survival estimates and priority-setting: a simulation-based analysis. Lancet Oncol 2019; 20(7): 972-983
Simulation Results: Global Childhood Cancer Survival
No full textSimulation results (means and 95% uncertainty intervals) for: Ward ZJ, Yeh JM, Bhakta N, Frazier AL, Girardi F, Atun R. Global childhood cancer survival estimates and priority-setting: a simulation-based analysis. Lancet Oncol 2019; 20(7): 972-983
Defining complete post flood scenarios to support risk mitigation strategies
No full textThe chapter starts with a definition of a complete damage scenario after an event. Then, the specific post‐event
assessment methodology, prepared by the collaboration of Umbria Civil Protection Authority and researchers
from Politecnico di Milano, is explained. The methodology has been applied to two cases: the floods that
occurred in the Umbria Region, Central Italy, in November 2012 and November 2013, which provoked significant
damage to multiple sectors. The primary focus of the research is to complete a post‐event scenario that
highlights the different combination of hazard, exposure, and vulnerability factors and specific characteristics that
emerge from those factors across space and time
Variations on the Author
Get PDF“Variations on the Author” discusses two of Eduardo Coutinho’s recent films (Um Dia na Vida, from 2010, and Últimas Conversas, posthumously released in 2015) and their contribution to the general question of documentary authorship. The director’s filmography is characterized by a consistent yet self-effacing form of authorial self-inscription: Coutinho often features as an interviewer that rather than express opinions propels discourses; an interviewer that is good at listening. This mode of self-inscription characterizes him as an author who is not expressive but who is nonetheless markedly present on the screen. In Um Dia na Vida, however, Coutinho is completely absent form the image, while Últimas Conversas, on the contrary, includes a confessional prologue that moves the director from the margins to the center of his films. This article examines the ways in which these works stand out in the filmography of a director who offers new insights into the notion of cinematic authorship
Costs and outcomes of tuberculosis control in the Russian Federation: retrospective cohort analysis.
No full textWe analysed costs and outcomes of tuberculosis care for patients in a traditional Russian tuberculosis control system, using 3-year retrospective cohort data. Of 1749 cases at 3 years of follow-up, 65% were cured, 11.3% (198/1749) still had 'active' or 'chronic' disease, 10.3% had transferred out of the local civilian health care system and 12.7% had died. The mean cost of managing one case over 3 years was 886 US dollars: 1,078 US dollars for bacteriologically confirmed (BK+) cases and 718 US dollars for bacteriologically unconfirmed (BK-) cases. Approximately 60% of treatment costs were incurred in the first 12 months and 40% incurred in the remaining 2 years. Around 60% of the total cost was accounted for by hospital inpatient care. The cost, treatment and outcome of BK+ and BK- cases differed substantially. The cost of treating BK+ cases was 50% higher than treating BK- cases due to higher hospitalization rates and the additional cost of managing BK+ cases that become 'chronic'. While BK+ cases accounted for 55% of total health expenditure on tuberculosis, the share of BK- cases was 45% of the total - due to hospitalization and lengthy periods of follow up. The costs of treating tuberculosis in the Russian tuberculosis control system are very high compared with other high-burden countries due to hospitalization policies and lengthy case management periods. Much of this expenditure can be avoided if the WHO-recommended DOTS strategy is implemented. In particular, the proportion of expenditure for BK- cases is surprisingly high and can be avoided as most of these patients do not need hospitalizing or lengthy periods of follow-up
[Newspaper Clipping: Author Claims Evidence of Second JFK Assassin #1]
No full textNewspaper article titled "Author Claims Evidence of Second JFK Assassin." The article states that author Richard J. Whalen concluded "that there is circumstantial evidence to support the theory of a second assassin in the shooting of President John F. Kennedy.
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