Science, Politics, and U.S. Forest Law: The Battle over the Forest Service Planning Rule

This paper reviews the battles over the Forest Service planning rule that culminated in the November 2000 revising of the regulations implementing the National Forest Management Act. In a departure froj the agency’s emphasis on multiple use, the rule established ecological sustainability as the key objective guiding planning for the national forests. The supporting material explicitly states that “it is based on the recommendation of an eminent committee of scientists.” This pape5r examines the Committee of Scientists and the NFMA rule as a case study in the relation between science and politics in the development and implementation of statutory standards for management of the National Forest System. The conclusion considerations the broader question of whether the Committee and Forest Service overstepped their appropriate roles in promoting what is essentially a new statutory mandate.Forest Service, planning, National Forest Management Act, Committee of Scientists, multiple use, sustainability

If You Build It, They Will Come: Creating the Space and Support for Real-Time Strategic Learning

· Learning is a key tool for foundations seeking to improve their effectiveness, and they are beginning to use evaluation to learn about and improve their strategies. The Colorado Trust took this a step further and integrated strategic learning into a grant strategy, including supporting learning coaches for 14 of their grantees. · The strategic learning framework consisted of three steps: systematic data collection, collective interpretation of information, and the use of that interpretation to improve strategies. · This article reviews four of the cases, including three grantees and the foundation as a case, identifying methods of learning and resulting changes in strategies. · Effective strategic learning in real time requires a comprehensive approach where each element of a funding strategy is aligned around the concept of learning and putting learning to use

On the Experimental Evaluation of Vehicular Networks: Issues, Requirements and Methodology Applied to a Real Use Case

One of the most challenging fields in vehicular communications has been the experimental assessment of protocols and novel technologies. Researchers usually tend to simulate vehicular scenarios and/or partially validate new contributions in the area by using constrained testbeds and carrying out minor tests. In this line, the present work reviews the issues that pioneers in the area of vehicular communications and, in general, in telematics, have to deal with if they want to perform a good evaluation campaign by real testing. The key needs for a good experimental evaluation is the use of proper software tools for gathering testing data, post-processing and generating relevant figures of merit and, finally, properly showing the most important results. For this reason, a key contribution of this paper is the presentation of an evaluation environment called AnaVANET, which covers the previous needs. By using this tool and presenting a reference case of study, a generic testing methodology is described and applied. This way, the usage of the IPv6 protocol over a vehicle-to-vehicle routing protocol, and supporting IETF-based network mobility, is tested at the same time the main features of the AnaVANET system are presented. This work contributes in laying the foundations for a proper experimental evaluation of vehicular networks and will be useful for many researchers in the area.Comment: in EAI Endorsed Transactions on Industrial Networks and Intelligent Systems, 201

Collaborative Design Review Sessions In Virtual Reality: Multi-Scale And Multi-User

The use of Virtual Reality (VR) for design reviews in projects is becoming more common in construction. However, the use of VR in these processes has been limited to been used more as a complementary reviewing tool alongside information medias such as 2D drawings and 3D models. Furthermore, immersive VR has been argued to have limitations when it comes to orientation and understanding and reasoning about functional links between physical layouts in a facility. This paper presents a case study of a VR system used during design reviews that support end-users to switch betweendifferent representations and scale i.e., miniature model/bird-eye view, and a 1:1 scale experience of the facility. The data gathered, consisted of recorded observation of the VR based design review process and study what type of discussion and design errors that was found during two VR-workshops connected to a new elementary school. The result shows, that by supporting switching between miniature model and 1:1scale VR experience facilitated spatial orientation and understanding and collaboration across disciplines in the project. The study also show how collaborative immersive VR can be used as an efficient communication-tool during the design process in a real-world project

A visualization platform to analyze contextual links between natural capital and ecosystem services

To prevent further loss of our vital ecosystem services we must understand the linkages to their supporting natural capital attributes. Systematic literature reviews synthesise evidence of natural capital attribute to ecosystem service (NC-ES) linkages. However, such reviews rarely account for the context dependency of evidence that is derived from individual studies undertaken for a particular purpose, at a specific spatial scale or geographic location. To address this deficiency, we developed the LiNCAGES (Linking Natural Capital Attribute Groups to Ecosystem Services) platform for investigating the context dependency of literature-based evidence for NC-ES linkages. We demonstrate the application of the LiNCAGES platform using the OpenNESS systematic literature review of NC-ES linkages. A hypothetical use case scenario of a small-scale European forest manager is described. We find evidence for many NC-ES linkages, and trade-offs and synergies between services, is severely diminished or non-existent under certain contexts, such as larger spatial scales and European study location. The LiNCAGES platform provides a flexible tool that researchers can use to support collation, exploration and synthesis of literature-based evidence on NC-ES linkages. This is vital for providing credible and salient evidence to stakeholders on important NC-ES linkages that occur under their context, to guide effective management strategies

The evaluation of V-Hajj: A courseware for Hajj learning procedures

Previous researches and current initial findings have shown that conventional approaches used in most Hajj supplementary learning materials are less effective in providing clear understanding to users, particularly the pilgrims.Most of the materials are based on passive learning.Thus, in order to cater for those limitations , this study incorporates virtual environment (VE) and multimedia technology in developing V -Hajj courseware as an attempt to provide a better learning aid for supporting active and self-directed learning for Hajj.In addition, this courseware is also intended to persuade users, and in this case elders to use computer technology as their main supplementary learning material. Thus, this study adapted the persuasive design guidelines from persuasive technology. Generally, this paper elaborates the evaluation that has been conducted on the V-Hajj courseware. It also reviews some related literatures about Hajj, multimedia, VE and persuasive technology. Lastly, this paper discusses on the results of the evaluation on the targeted users

Case-Finding Strategies for Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis: Protocol for a Scoping Review.

BACKGROUND Transmission of drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB) is ongoing. Finding individuals with DR-TB and initiating treatment as early as possible is important to improve patient clinical outcomes and to break the chain of transmission to control the pandemic. To our knowledge systematic reviews assessing effectiveness, cost-effectiveness, acceptability, and feasibility of different case-finding strategies for DR-TB to inform research, policy, and practice have not been conducted, and it is unknown whether enough research exists to conduct such reviews. It is unknown whether case-finding strategies are similar for DR-TB and drug-susceptible TB and whether we can draw on findings from drug-susceptible reviews to inform decisions on case-finding strategies for DR-TB. OBJECTIVE This protocol aims to describe the available literature on case-finding for DR-TB and to describe case-finding strategies. METHODS We will screen systematic reviews, trials, qualitative studies, diagnostic test accuracy studies, and other primary research that specifically sought to improve DR-TB case detection. We will exclude studies that invited individuals seeking care for TB symptoms, those including individuals already diagnosed with TB, or laboratory-based studies. We will search the academic databases including MEDLINE, Embase, The Cochrane Library, Africa-Wide Information, CINAHL, Epistemonikos, and PROSPERO with no language or date restrictions. We will screen titles, abstracts, and full-text articles in duplicate. Data extraction and analyses will be performed using Excel (Microsoft Corp). RESULTS We will provide a narrative report with supporting figures or tables to summarize the data. A systems-based logic model, developed from a synthesis of case-finding strategies for drug-susceptible TB, will be used as a framework to describe different strategies, resulting pathways, and enhancements of pathways. The search will be conducted at the end of 2021. Title and abstract screening, full text screening, and data extraction will be undertaken from January to June 2022. Thereafter, analysis will be conducted, and results compiled. CONCLUSIONS This scoping review will chart existing literature on case-finding for DR-TB-this will help determine whether primary studies on effectiveness, cost-effectiveness, acceptability, and feasibility of different case-finding strategies for DR-TB exist and will help formulate potential questions for a systematic review. We will also describe case-finding strategies for DR-TB and how they fit into a model of case-finding pathways for drug-susceptible TB. This review has some limitations. One limitation is the diverse, inconsistent use of intervention terminology within the literature, which may result in missing relevant studies. Poor reporting of intervention strategies may also cause misunderstanding and misclassification of interventions. Lastly, case-finding strategies for DR-TB may not fit into a model developed from strategies for drug-susceptible TB. Nevertheless, such a situation will provide an opportunity to refine the model for future research. The review will guide further research to inform decisions on case-finding policies and practices for DR-TB. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID) DERR1-10.2196/40009

Organising health care services for people with an acquired brain injury: an overview of systematic reviews and randomised controlled trials

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License ( http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly credited. The Creative Commons Public Domain Dedication waiver ( http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/) applies to the data made available in this article, unless otherwise stated.Background Acquired brain injury (ABI) is the leading cause of disability worldwide yet there is little information regarding the most effective way to organise ABI health care services. The aim of this review was to identify the most up-to-date high quality evidence to answer specific questions regarding the organisation of health care services for people with an ABI. Methods We conducted a systematic review of English papers using MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, CINAHL and the Cochrane Library. We included the most recently published high quality systematic reviews and any randomised controlled trials, non-randomised controlled trials, controlled before after studies or interrupted time series studies published subsequent to the systematic review. We searched for papers that evaluated pre-defined organisational interventions for adults with an ABI. Organisational interventions of interest included fee-for-service care, integrated care, integrated care pathways, continuity of care, consumer engagement in governance and quality monitoring interventions. Data extraction and appraisal of included reviews and studies was completed independently by two reviewers. Results A total of five systematic reviews and 21 studies were included in the review; eight of the papers (31%) included people with a traumatic brain injury (TBI) or ABI and the remaining papers (69%) included only participants with a diagnosis of stroke. We found evidence supporting the use of integrated care to improve functional outcome and reduce length of stay and evidence supporting early supported discharge teams for reducing morbidity and mortality and reducing length of stay for stroke survivors. There was little evidence to support case management or the use of integrated care pathways for people with ABI. We found evidence that a quality monitoring intervention can lead to improvements in process outcomes in acute and rehabilitation settings. We were unable to find any studies meeting our inclusion criteria regarding fee-for-service care or engaging consumers in the governance of the health care organisation. Conclusions The review found evidence to support integrated care, early supported discharge and quality monitoring interventions however, this evidence was based on studies conducted with people following stroke and may not be appropriate for all people with an ABI

The DIRECT-MAT Web Database–A Source of Knowledge in Road Recycling

AbstractThis paper describes the DIRECT-MAT web database which gathers European knowledge and practices about the demolition and road-recycling or safe disposal of old road materials. This database has been developed within a three-year coordination and support action under the EC 7th Framework program “Sustainable Surface Transport” for the purpose of supporting the daily work of practitioners, researchers and standardization bodies working in the field of road infrastructures.The database addresses unbound, hydraulically bound and asphalt road materials. It also addresses other materials related to road use but not commonly recycled into road construction. These include tire shreds, sediment from ditches, road reinforcement materials and industrial by-products as long as they come from the demolition of a road into which they were recycled a first time. The database provides on-line access to Best Practice Guides, practical application case studies and international literature reviews elaborated from the review of national documents.There are three different ways for searching the database: 1) Via specific documents – Literature reviews, Case study reports and Best Practice Guides – for each material type; 2) Via quick or advanced search for specific terms; 3) Via a map where case studies are geo-tagged.The DIRECT-MAT database has been developed by some fifty experts from fifteen European countries. This means that national documents, working sites data and research results have now become easily available to road authorities, CEN technical committees and researchers from other countries. This share of national knowledge and practices is expected to boost recycling, thus DIRECT-MAT will contribute to reducing waste disposal associated with roads. Furthermore, the DIRECT-MAT web database is expected to serve as a reference tool for recording and sharing working site data on the demolition and recycling of road materials throughout Europe