Latitude and longitude vertical disparities

The literature on vertical disparity is complicated by the fact that several different definitions of the term “vertical disparity” are in common use, often without a clear statement about which is intended or a widespread appreciation of the properties of the different definitions. Here, we examine two definitions of retinal vertical disparity: elevation-latitude and elevation-longitude disparities. Near the fixation point, these definitions become equivalent, but in general, they have quite different dependences on object distance and binocular eye posture, which have not previously been spelt out. We present analytical approximations for each type of vertical disparity, valid for more general conditions than previous derivations in the literature: we do not restrict ourselves to objects near the fixation point or near the plane of regard, and we allow for non-zero torsion, cyclovergence, and vertical misalignments of the eyes. We use these expressions to derive estimates of the latitude and longitude vertical disparities expected at each point in the visual field, averaged over all natural viewing. Finally, we present analytical expressions showing how binocular eye position—gaze direction, convergence, torsion, cyclovergence, and vertical misalignment—can be derived from the vertical disparity field and its derivatives at the fovea

The experience of retirement: a sociological analysis

The retirement experience is examined in this thesis via interviews with four groups - residents in an inner city area miners, car workers and architects The purpose behind these interviews is to explore the everyday experience of retirement relating this experience both to the immediate structures surrounding the individual and to broader economic and political forces. As well as giving detailed descriptions of the retirement experience, this thesis is also concerned with theoretical issues in the field of social gerontology. Here, I have reviewed the main sociological theories and have indicated the outline of an alternative approach. As a final aim of the thesis, I have tried to integrate some of the arguments advanced, with a discussion about the components of a retirement social policy, relating the necessity for such a policy both to the ending of life-time employment and the movement towards an ageing of the population. Further, I have attempted to illustrate the effect of these changes via the interviews conducted for this study, building the elements of a social policy for retirement both on the latter, and on extrapolations about future social changes

Why caregivers of people with dementia don\u27t utilise out-of-home respite services

Carers of people with dementia consistently report an unmet need for respite. Despite this, the overall proportion of carers who utilise available day centre, in-home and residential respite programs tends to be low and, even then, use is often delayed and only at very low intensities. In order to support carers in appropriate and supportive use of respite services, program planners and service providers need a good understanding of the factors influencing use and non-use of respite services. With this in mind, a community based survey of 152 help-seeking caregivers of people with dementia (NSW, Australia) was undertaken to establish what variables make the use of use of day, in-home and residential respite services difficult for caregivers. Results from multivariate logistic regression of survey data reveal that factors such as refusal of the person with dementia to attend services, and low perceived utility of services for the care recipient with dementia, are significantly correlated with caregivers not utilising available services for respite. Such results highlight that whilst the focus of respite services has legitimately emphasised the needs of caregivers for a break, low utilisation of services is likely to persist unless caregivers believe that service use will also be acceptable and of benefit to the person with dementia to whom they provide care

Branding: an adolescent sun protection perspective

Australian adolescents are consistently found to exhibit low levels of adherence to sun protection guidelines, resulting in high levels of skin cancer incidence in later life. Given the importance of image, appearance, and peer approval factors in adolescent sun protection, this study sought to examine adolescents’ perceptions of the “sun protection brand,” its competing brands, and possible complementary brands. A series of 14 focus groups were conducted with adolescents in Years 9 and 10 (junior high school), and the results are examined in the context of potential branding-related marketing strategies to overcome some of the barriers to sun protection

Older patients\u27 attitudes to general practice registrars: a qualitative study

Background Research suggests that older patients may be reluctant to engage general practice registrars (GPRs) in their care. The authors undertook a qualitative study of the attitudes of older patients to GPRs to investigate this issue. Method Thirty-eight patients aged 60 years and over from three training practices participated in semistructured telephone interviews, which explored patients responses to GPRs. The interviews were recorded, transcribed and analysed using a template analysis approach. Results Analysis of the interviews produced five major themes concerning patient attitudes to GPRs: desire for continuity, desire for access, openness, trust and a desire for meaningful communication. Discussion Older patients attitudes to GPRs cannot be viewed in isolation from their relationship with their usual general practitioner, and this needs to be taken into account when engaging GPRs in the care of older patients. Systems need to be developed to maintain relational and informational continuity with older patients\u27 regular GPs

Dryland tree data for the Southwest region of Madagascar: alpha-level data can support policy decisions for conserving and restoring ecosystems of arid and semiarid regions

We present an eco-geographical dataset of the 355 tree species (1 56 genera, 55 families) found in the driest coastal portion of the spiny forest-thickets of southwestern Madagascar. This coastal strip harbors one of the richest and most endangered dryland tree floras in the world, both in terms of overall species diversity and of endemism. After describing the biophysical and socio-economic setting of this semiarid coastal region, we discuss this region’s diverse and rich tree flora in the context of the recent expansion of the protected area network in Madagascar and the growing engagement and commitment to ecological restoration. Our database, DTsMada (short for Desert Trees of Madagascar), is part of a larger ‘work-in-progress’, namely an eco-geographical database on desert and dryland trees of the world. DTsMada draws heavily on the Catalogue of the Vascular Plants of Madagascar (MadCat) project, in which floristic, ecological and endemism parameters are compiled, together with available conservation status assessments based on IUCN Red List criteria. Both are projects within the plant systematics database, Tropicos®, developed at Missouri Botanical Garden and maintained on the Garden’s website. To highlight the need for greater study of the interactions between biological, bioclimatic, and anthropogenic determinants of current and potentially changing biogeographical patterns and community dynamics in the tree strata of vegetation in the study area, we consider four contrasting groups of native trees: Adansonia spp. (Malvaceae), Pachypodium spp. (Apocynaceae), Baudouinia spp. (Fabaceae), and all 1 1 species in the 4 genera of Didiereaceae in Madagascar. We discuss DTsMada as a prototype dataset of alpha level information vital for effective conservation, landscape planning, sustainable use and management, and ecological restoration of degraded arid and semiarid ecosystems, in Madagascar and elsewhere. RÉSUMÉNous présentons un ensemble de données éco-géographiques sur les 355 espèces d’arbres (1 56 genres, 55 familles) présentes dans les fourrés et forêts épineux de la frange côtière aride et semiaride du Sud-ouest de Madagascar. Cette région possède un des assemblages d’arbres de climat sec les plus riches (en termes de diversité spécifique et d’endémisme), et les plus menacés au monde. Après une description du cadre biophysique et de la situation socio-économique de cette région, nous présentons cette flore régionale dans le contexte de la récente expansion du réseau de des aires protégées de Madagascar et de l’engagement croissant dans le domaine de la restauration écologique. Notre base de données DTsMada (raccourci de «d Desert Trees - Madagascar d », en anglais) s’inscrit dans le cadre d’une base de données éco-géographique plus large que nous développons, regroupant les espèces d’arbres des régions arides et semiarides du monde entier, avec un accent particulier mis sur leur utilisation dans la conservation, gestion et restauration écologique. Nombre des informations présentées dans DTsMada proviennent du projet MadCat (Catalogue des plantes vasculaires de Madagascar) qui regroupe des données floristiques et écologiques, et les statuts d’endémisme et de conservation des espèces végétales, basés sur les critères de l’UICN. Ces deux projets font partie de la base de données taxonomique Tropicos®, du Jardin Botanique du Missouri. Pour souligner le besoin de disposer de plus d’études pour comprendre d : les interactions entre les facteurs biologiques, bioclimatiques et anthropiques qui affectent la biogéographie et les dynamiques des communautés dans les strates arborées de la végétation dans la région étudiée, qu’il s’agisse de la situation actuelle ou celle d’un futur qui sera éventuellement modifié, nous considérons quatre groupes bien différents d’espèces d’arbres indigènesd : Adansonia spp. (Malvaceae), Pachypodium spp. (Apocynaceae), Baudouinia spp. (Fabaceae) et les 1 1 espèces dans les 4 genres de la famille des Didiereaceae du Sud-ouest de Madagascar. Nous traitons DTsMada comme prototype d’une base de données de niveau alpha, vitales pour la conservation, la planification, le développement durable, la gestion et la restauration écologique des écosystèmes arides et semiarides de Madagascar et d’ailleurs