362 research outputs found
A year into the pandemic:shifts, improvisations and impacts for people, place, and policy
No full textThis chapter provides an overarching framework for exploring the relationships between people, place and policy and living with the COVID-19 pandemic. It recognises that these three Ps are interdependent; people are embedded in places and local and national policy is developed and applied to places. The chapter starts by exploring the debate on risk societies, non-calculable uncertainty, and the emergence of Jenga capitalism as a precursor for exploring the impacts of Covid-19. It then explores the relationship between globalisation and disease, before outlining national responses to COVID-19, including the emergence of socially distanced economies. The chapter also considers some dimensions of life after the pandemic, including a discussion of the impacts on policy and taxation. In so doing, the Chapter highlights Covid-19 as a cultural inflection point. The Chapter concludes by providing an outline of the contributions to the edited collection of the same name, to which this chapter forms the introduction
Twenty-six novel EFNB1 mutations in familial and sporadic craniofrontonasal syndrome (CFNS)
No full textCraniofrontonasal syndrome (CFNS) is an X-linked disorder characterized by a more severe manifestation in heterozygous females than in hemizygous males. Heterozygous females have craniofrontonasal dysplasia (CFND) and occasionally extracranial manifestations including midline defects and skeletal abnormalities, whereas hemizygous males show no or only mild features such as hypertelorism and rarely show cleft lip or palate. Mutations in the EFNB1 gene in Xq12 are responsible for familial and sporadic CFNS. The EFNB1 gene encodes ephrin-B1, a transmembrane ligand that also exhibits receptor-like effects. We performed mutation analysis in nine unrelated families and 29 sporadic patients with CFNS. DNA sequencing revealed mutations in 33 (86.8%) cases including 26 distinct novel mutations. A recurrent nonsense mutation, c.196C>T/R66X, was detected in one family and four sporadic patients. The majority of mutations (26/33) were located in exons 2 and 3 of the EFNB1 gene encoding the extracellular ephrin domain. The mutation spectrum includes frameshift, nonsense, missense, and splice site mutations, with a predominance of frameshift and nonsense mutations resulting in premature truncation codons. For the first time we describe mutations in exons 4 and 5 of EFNB1. Of particular interest are the frameshift mutations located in the last 25 codons of EFNB1 encoding the carboxyterminal end of ephrin-B1. They result in an extension by 44 residues. These mutations disrupt the intracellular binding sites for Grb4 and PDZ-effector proteins involved in reverse signaling. We conclude that the major causes of familial as well as sporadic CFNS are loss of function mutations in the EFNB1 gene that comprise premature termination or abrogate receptor-ligand interaction, oligomerization, and ephrin-B1 reverse signaling.Wieland, Ilse ; Reardon, William ; Jakubiczka, Sibylle ; Franco, Brunella ; Kress, Wolfram ; Vincent‐delorme, Catherine ; Thierry, Patrick ; Edwards, Matt ; König, Rainer ; Rusu, Cristina ; Schweiger, Susann ; Thompson, Elizabeth ; Tinschert, Sigrid ; Stewart, Fiona ; Wieacker, Pete
Effects of Agricultural Commercialization on Food Crop Input Use and Productivity in Kenya
No full textThe objective of this report is to analyze the effects of smallholder commercialization on food crop input use and productivity in rural Kenya. The main research issues were: (1) To examine the determinants of smallholder fertilizer use on food crops, with a focus on the effects of household and regional agricultural commercialization; (2) To examine the determinants of food crop productivity, again with a focus on the effects of commercialization; and (3) To discuss the implications of the findings for policy and additional research necessary to improve the contribution of cash cropping to rural food productivity growth and food security. A main premise of the paper is that the effects of commercialization are not uniform and cannot be generalized. The effects are hypothesized to differ both according to differences in the institutional/contractual arrangements between firms and smallholders, management decisions, and the level of credit and extension support provided to smallholders by the various private and parastatal firms involved in promoting smallholder cash crops.food security, food policy, food crop productivity, food crop input, Crop Production/Industries, Productivity Analysis, Downloads May 2008 - July 2009: 78, Q18,
Location, location, location: A comparative analysis of UK, Malaysian and Singaporean consumer views of palm oil
No full textWith the ever-increasing population, global demand for palm oil has increased exponentially due its use in food, cosmetics, detergents and biofuel. In the UK, palm oil has been represented negatively in the media and online campaigns, predominately due to known environmental concerns. Yet with consumers exposed to such a perspective, how much do they really know about palm oil? Contrastingly, it appears that consumers from Southeast Asian palm oil-producing countries view this commodity in a more positive light, focusing more on its economic and social benefits. With much existing literature focusing on the environmental and health concerns of palm oil, consumer views have been neglected. Accordingly, this study aims to fill a gap in literature by investigating to what extent and in which ways such consumer awareness, knowledge and perceptions on palm oil differ between UK and Malaysian consumers. Essentially, consumers are the key to change; understanding what they know allows institutions to act accordingly to facilitate such change. Central to this is the values beliefs norms theory that explores how values affect beliefs, which in turn affect norms and subsequently action. Using a mixed methods triangulation approach of semi-structured interviews, an online survey and focus groups, data collection reveals that Malaysian consumers are generally significantly more aware as to what palm oil is and its uses, as well as having a more positive view of palm oil than UK consumers. This wider knowledge can be accredited to the types of media and ways in which the media portrays palm oil
Spectroscopic Analysis and Image Processing of the Optically-Thin Solar Corona
No full textThis thesis examines the emission, radiative transfer, and interpretation of spectral observations of the optically-thin solar corona. The first half of this work presents a forward model called the Global Heliospheric Optically-thin Spectral Transport Simulation (GHOSTS), which uses data from other physical models to determine the plasma parameters in the solar environment. The model then performs optically-thin radiative transfer through the corona for a set of commonly observed coronal ions, generating ensembles of simulated lines. We develop GHOSTS starting with a timesteady model, and we focus on characterizing spectral lines that are influenced by three primary factors: solar wind outflow, preferential ion heating, and non-equilibrium ion populations along the Line-of-Sight (LOS) due to strong temperature gradients. We extend the GHOSTS model into the time domain to characterize how the spectral lines are affected by dynamic phenomena like dense magnetic polar plumes along the LOS shaken by Alfven waves propagating outward from the photosphere. The photosphere is very bright relative to the corona, so these two regions cannot be readily examined at the same time, even when they are both observed together. In the second half of this work, we review the literature regarding algorithms that are commonly applied to High Dynamic Range (HDR) filtergram imagery of the corona, like those recorded by the Atmospheric Imaging Assembly (AIA) aboard the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO). We then present two new tools for examining these images, and evaluate them relative to algorithms from the literature: Quantile Radial Normalization (QRN) is a variation of a traditional Radial Graded Filter (RGF) that normalizes the image using percentile curves. The Radial Histogram Equalizing Filter (RHEF) is a more powerful algorithm, a hybrid of RGF and Adaptive Histogram Equalization (AHE), which equalizes the histogram of intensity at each radius. We conclude by offering a brief overview of the preliminary work we have performed modeling polarization observations for the PUNCH mission.</p
Spectroscopic Analysis and Image Processing of the Optically-Thin Solar Corona
No full textThis thesis examines the emission, radiative transfer, and interpretation of spectral observations of the optically-thin solar corona. The first half of this work presents a forward model called the Global Heliospheric Optically-thin Spectral Transport Simulation (GHOSTS), which uses data from other physical models to determine the plasma parameters in the solar environment. The model then performs optically-thin radiative transfer through the corona for a set of commonly observed coronal ions, generating ensembles of simulated lines. We develop GHOSTS starting with a timesteady model, and we focus on characterizing spectral lines that are influenced by three primary factors: solar wind outflow, preferential ion heating, and non-equilibrium ion populations along the Line-of-Sight (LOS) due to strong temperature gradients. We extend the GHOSTS model into the time domain to characterize how the spectral lines are affected by dynamic phenomena like dense magnetic polar plumes along the LOS shaken by Alfven waves propagating outward from the photosphere. The photosphere is very bright relative to the corona, so these two regions cannot be readily examined at the same time, even when they are both observed together. In the second half of this work, we review the literature regarding algorithms that are commonly applied to High Dynamic Range (HDR) filtergram imagery of the corona, like those recorded by the Atmospheric Imaging Assembly (AIA) aboard the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO). We then present two new tools for examining these images, and evaluate them relative to algorithms from the literature: Quantile Radial Normalization (QRN) is a variation of a traditional Radial Graded Filter (RGF) that normalizes the image using percentile curves. The Radial Histogram Equalizing Filter (RHEF) is a more powerful algorithm, a hybrid of RGF and Adaptive Histogram Equalization (AHE), which equalizes the histogram of intensity at each radius. We conclude by offering a brief overview of the preliminary work we have performed modeling polarization observations for the PUNCH mission.</p
IIE Trans Occup
No full textBackgroundMaintenance and repair work in mining is particularly hazardous and yet has received little focus in ergonomics research.PurposeIn this article, an attempt has been made to determine if patterns can be identified to categorize maintenance and repair fatalities in mining, to compare occurrence of fatalities between coal and metal/nonmetal sectors, and to use this information to identify safety deficiencies and associated proposed remedial measures.MethodsA classification scheme was developed to identify patterns in fatalities, including proximal causes, tasks, and contributing factors. This scheme was tested to ensure adequacy of the categories, and fatalities were categorized using the scheme. All testing and categorization were done by two of the authors to ensure reliability of the coding scheme.ResultsPatterns were successfully identified to categorize the fatalities, and these patterns were different between coal and metal/nonmetal mines. Coal mines had a greater proportion of electrical-related fatalities, while more fatalities related to potential energy occurred at metal/nonmetal mines. Most of the fatalities were caused by the victim coming into contact with an object or machine or the victim falling from height, and they occurred most often while the victim was performing maintenance or repair on equipment, cleaning, or removing blockages. The most frequent factors contributing to these incidents were failure to properly de-energize or lock out/tag out equipment, violation of work procedures, missing or inadequate safety equipment, and failure to block equipment properly.ConclusionsThe classification approach used was successful in identifying hazard patterns during maintenance and repair fatalities in mining. These patterns identify areas to focus attention when developing interventions to prevent the occurrence of future fatalities.CC999999/Intramural CDC HHSUnited States
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2005 BRAC Commission
No full textMr. H.T. Johnson, ASN (I&E) met with five members of the Everett, Washington Task Force (EWST) in Room 4C549 at 1030 on 6 Feb 04. The five members were: Aaron G. Reardon, Snohomish County Executive; Patrick J. McClain, Director of Governmental Affairs for Everett; Paul A. Roberts, Board Member, Everett School District; Douglas R. Roulstone, Capt, USN (Ret.), Vice President, Everett Council Navy League; and, James M. Seely, RADM, USN (Ret.) . Commander Robert. E. Vincent 11. JAGC, USN, IAT Recorder, was also present
Pedagogy and adverse childhood experiences : a teacher's action-learning journey in mitigating the impact of trauma through changing teaching practice
No full textSchool–university partnerships can be transformative for all involved; however, rarely are reports provided of the deep reciprocal changes that can occur as a result of this relationship. This chapter describes an Australian teacher’s action-learning journey from teacher, to teacher-scholar, and finally university-school researcher. Over this time, the author initiated a series of action-research cycles designed to alleviate the impact of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and maximize educational and social-emotional outcomes for children by increasing the capacity of teachers to understand and effectively respond to traumatized students. These action-research cycles employed knowledge of ACEs to (a) understand the impact of student trauma on teachers and schools, (b) develop a tiered framework of trauma-informed professional development and support for staff and students impacted by ACEs, and (c) understand the impact of student trauma on teachers and schools. Early findings from a state-wide school-university research project are discussed
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