Social and Cultural Contexts of Alcohol Use: Influences in a Social-Ecological Framework.

Alcohol use and misuse account for 3.3 million deaths every year, or 6 percent of all deaths worldwide. The harmful effects of alcohol misuse are far reaching and range from individual health risks, morbidity, and mortality to consequences for family, friends, and the larger society. This article reviews a few of the cultural and social influences on alcohol use and places individual alcohol use within the contexts and environments where people live and interact. It includes a discussion of macrolevel factors, such as advertising and marketing, immigration and discrimination factors, and how neighborhoods, families, and peers influence alcohol use. Specifically, the article describes how social and cultural contexts influence alcohol use/misuse and then explores future directions for alcohol research

A note on adjoint error estimation for one-dimensional stationary balance laws with shocks

We consider one-dimensional steady-state balance laws with discontinuous solutions. Giles and Pierce realized that a shock leads to a new term in the adjoint error representation for target functionals.This term disappears if and only if the adjoint solution satisfies an internal boundary condition. Curiously, most computer codes implementing adjoint error estimation ignore the new term in the functional, as well as the internal adjoint boundary condition. The purpose of this note is to justify this omission as follows: if one represents the exact forward and adjoint solutions as vanishing viscosity limits of the corresponding viscous problems, then the internal boundary condition is naturally satisfied in the limit

Optimizing Interprofessional Rounds to Reduce Extended Length of Stay in Complex Patients

Problem: Organizations have taken measures to reduce the length of stay by addressing logistical issues such as care coordination across the continuum. This becomes especially important for patients being discharged to skilled nursing facilities (SNF), where placement can be impeded due to complex care needs. In March 2021, the facility accounted for 20% of all extended length of stay (ELOS) patients across the organization. The average ELOS was 36 days, with 42% of these patients being discharged to a SNF. Context: The Extended Length of Stay (ELOS) team functions at a mesosystem level within twenty-one medical centers across Northern California. The ELOS team identifies appropriate treatment and disposition options for complex patients across the system with lengths of stays greater than 20 days. Interventions: Integrating a SNF liaison, as the subject matter expert, into at least 50% of the biweekly ELOS rounds to improve communication and care coordination for patients being discharged to a SNF. Measures: Primary outcomes include reducing ELOS patient days by 2% (36 days to 35.3 days) during a three-month intervention period from July 2021 to September 2021 and SNF liaison participation in biweekly ELOS rounds at least 50% of the time. Results: A six percent reduction in ELOS patient days was achieved, and 100% participation by the SNF liaison in attending twice-weekly ELOS rounds. Conclusions: Reducing LOS in complex patient populations, especially those discharged to a SNF, is achievable when the appropriate specialty care experts are integrated into multidisciplinary LOS rounds

Transboundary aquifer assessments at the national scale : towards achieving sustainable development goal 6.5

‘Transboundary aquifer’ is the term given to a body of groundwater that is stored in a geological formation that cross an international or state border. Transboundary aquifers thus have the potential to transmit significant volumes of groundwater from one country to another. Transboundary water is a valuable natural resource which accounts for up to 40% of available drinking water and is essential in both agriculture and industry. Transboundary aquifers are, however, poorly understood scientifically and are underrepresented in international law and policy. This thesis addresses the need for countries to examine their transboundary aquifers at a national scale and prioritise them for national and local scale sustainable management. The case study of Malawi and its neighbouring countries of Mozambique, Zambia and Tanzania has been employed to do this. First, the current understanding of transboundary aquifers is examined highlighting the recent drive for transboundary aquifer management that has been growing since 2000. A critical assessment of the current status of the regional approach taken in assessing and identifying transboundary aquifers using a Malawi case study is presented. The popular approach risks only focusing on large, extensive aquifers and missing out smaller, more national and local scale aquifers that may be of importance at a smaller scale. A case is therefore made for systematic transboundary aquifer assessment along its national border length addressing both regional and minor local aquifer systems. Following on, a national border based assessment of Malawi’s transboundary aquifer units is conducted highlighting how best this approach can be done within a developing country context. A methodology for identifying hotspots within transboundary aquifers that may be vulnerable to the groundwater quality and quantity issues is then presented. This method is applied to the Malawi case study allowing for prioritization of transboundary aquifers for directed local level management based on vulnerability hotspot mapping. Finally, isotopic and geochemical techniques are utilised to examine one of these identified hotspots more closely. A conceptual model of the selected hotspot is developed to understand the transboundary implications of the area in greater detail and assist in local scale transboundary management. Throughout the thesis, the themes of multi-scale management of transboundary aquifers within a sustainable development context are also discussed. In order to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 6, and in particular, target 6.5.2, transboundary aquifers need to be understood and managed more effectively. National scale transboundary aquifer assessments, resource prioritization and multi-scale management can assist with this challenge.‘Transboundary aquifer’ is the term given to a body of groundwater that is stored in a geological formation that cross an international or state border. Transboundary aquifers thus have the potential to transmit significant volumes of groundwater from one country to another. Transboundary water is a valuable natural resource which accounts for up to 40% of available drinking water and is essential in both agriculture and industry. Transboundary aquifers are, however, poorly understood scientifically and are underrepresented in international law and policy. This thesis addresses the need for countries to examine their transboundary aquifers at a national scale and prioritise them for national and local scale sustainable management. The case study of Malawi and its neighbouring countries of Mozambique, Zambia and Tanzania has been employed to do this. First, the current understanding of transboundary aquifers is examined highlighting the recent drive for transboundary aquifer management that has been growing since 2000. A critical assessment of the current status of the regional approach taken in assessing and identifying transboundary aquifers using a Malawi case study is presented. The popular approach risks only focusing on large, extensive aquifers and missing out smaller, more national and local scale aquifers that may be of importance at a smaller scale. A case is therefore made for systematic transboundary aquifer assessment along its national border length addressing both regional and minor local aquifer systems. Following on, a national border based assessment of Malawi’s transboundary aquifer units is conducted highlighting how best this approach can be done within a developing country context. A methodology for identifying hotspots within transboundary aquifers that may be vulnerable to the groundwater quality and quantity issues is then presented. This method is applied to the Malawi case study allowing for prioritization of transboundary aquifers for directed local level management based on vulnerability hotspot mapping. Finally, isotopic and geochemical techniques are utilised to examine one of these identified hotspots more closely. A conceptual model of the selected hotspot is developed to understand the transboundary implications of the area in greater detail and assist in local scale transboundary management. Throughout the thesis, the themes of multi-scale management of transboundary aquifers within a sustainable development context are also discussed. In order to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 6, and in particular, target 6.5.2, transboundary aquifers need to be understood and managed more effectively. National scale transboundary aquifer assessments, resource prioritization and multi-scale management can assist with this challenge

Mechanical and Failure Analysis of Multi-Materials Adhesive Joining

The evolvement of joining dissimilar materials using adhesive joining has been vastly improved over the years and has been used in various industries such as medical, automotive and construction. In the automotive industry specifically, the use of multi-materials has proven to improve material properties. However, fewer studies have been done to understand the failure mechanism of multi-material adhesive joining. This study investigates the mechanical failure for lap joints of different materials that have undergone mechanical abrasive treatments and chemical etching, before adhesively joined together. The result showed that sandblasting as surface preparation is very important as it increases the surface roughness of the material, giving a better adhesion bond. Chemical etching also increases the surface roughness minutely and is considered an important step for the purpose of degreasing. Tensile tests were conducted as a destructive test and it was found that mild steel, aluminum, and PVC materials were deemed to be the best choice for multi materials adhesive joining. Multi-material, Failure analysis, Adhesive joining, Automotiv

Development of a project management methodology for use in a university-industry collaborative research environment

This study examines the growth, need for and demands on university-industry collaborative (UIC) partnerships as a vehicle for the nation‟s development through technological innovation. In Malaysia, gaps and weaknesses exist when compared to best practices, these limit the establishment and overall effectiveness of UICs. In the Malaysian context, UICs are by no means a new phenomenon, however the approaches adopted, the success stories and related issues have not received significant academic attention. Thus, this study aims to provide an insight into collaborative endeavours in Malaysia. This study adopted an exploratory interpretative case study approach via semi-structured interviews and self-administered questionnaire survey to collect data from university researchers, industry players and research agencies. This data, along with the findings from an extensive literature review were used to benchmark best practices and define the requirements that are placed on a PMM designed specifically for use in the Malaysian UIC project environment. Based on this analysis, a novel and appropriate PMM was developed and subsequently evaluated by an expert panel and iteratively refined. The primary outcome of this study is a PMM guidebook for use in the initiation, planning, execution, monitoring and closing of UIC research projects. The PMM developed aims to make project management best practices accessible and appropriate for the needs of UIC researchers and also encourages academic researchers to embrace project management knowledge which in turn helps them to understand industrial needs and wants. The PMM developed is customisable for project size and nature. It consists of a set of processes, templates, tools and techniques to assist in the planning and management of the project throughout the entire life cycle. The components of the PMM are (1) project management processes such as initiating, planning, executing and monitoring project progress with (2) a selection of tools and techniques to communicate delivery to the satisfaction of all stakeholders; (3) consolidated and integrated set of appropriate best practices and values of project management and (4) a list of references of terminology as a common denominator and language for us in the project environment. NB Please note that the online version does not include volume 2 of the printed thesis:Project management methodology [PMM] guidebook

Strategien der Parasitenbekämpfung beim Milchvieh in Weideproduktionssystemen: Was kann die Zucht leisten?

Weidebasierte Produktionssysteme haben in den letzten Jahren wieder einen Aufschwung in Deutschland erfahren. Diese Tendenz wird durch die in den öffentlichen und politischen Fokus gerückte Debatte um Tierwohl und Gesundheit in der Nutztierhaltung verstärkt. Immer mehr gewinnen dabei nicht nur Tierwohl-Indikatoren an Bedeutung, welche einen Rückschluss auf die Haltungsbedingungen erlauben, sondern auch Maßnahmen zur Reduktion und Prophylaxe krankheitsverursachender Erreger wird vermehrt Berücksichtigung geschenkt. Insbesondere Infektionen mit Endoparasiten wie Magen-Darm-Strongyliden (MDS), dem Rinderlungenwurm (Dictyocaulus viviparus), aber vor allem solche mit dem großen Leberegel (Fasciola hepatica), stellen bei Milchvieh in Weidehaltung ein hartnäckiges und wirtschaftlich bedeutendes Problem dar. Behandlungen mit Anthelminthika sind in ökologisch geführten Betrieben nur sehr eingeschränkt möglich und aufgrund von Rückständen in der Umwelt im Sinne einer nachhaltigen Landwirtschaft nicht auf Dauer vertretbar. In diesem Zuge erhalten alternative Strategien wie beispielsweise die Zucht parasitenresistenter Rassen wieder vermehrt Aufmerksamkeit. Stellen sich Rassen, welche als robuster im Produktionssystem "Weide" gelten auch als weniger anfällig für endoparasitäre Infektionen heraus? Und ist es möglich, auf eine verbesserte Resistenz zu züchten, um Tierwohl und Tiergesundheit im Betrieb zu verbessern? Über diese Fragen soll der wissenschaftliche Beitrag Auskunft geben und damit über die derzeitigen Möglichkeiten der Zucht beim Milchvieh für funktionale Merkmale wie Parasitenresistenz aufklären

Development of a project management methodology for use in a university-industry collaborative research environment

This study examines the growth, need for and demands on university-industry collaborative (UIC) partnerships as a vehicle for the nation‟s development through technological innovation. In Malaysia, gaps and weaknesses exist when compared to best practices, these limit the establishment and overall effectiveness of UICs. In the Malaysian context, UICs are by no means a new phenomenon, however the approaches adopted, the success stories and related issues have not received significant academic attention. Thus, this study aims to provide an insight into collaborative endeavours in Malaysia. This study adopted an exploratory interpretative case study approach via semi-structured interviews and self-administered questionnaire survey to collect data from university researchers, industry players and research agencies. This data, along with the findings from an extensive literature review were used to benchmark best practices and define the requirements that are placed on a PMM designed specifically for use in the Malaysian UIC project environment. Based on this analysis, a novel and appropriate PMM was developed and subsequently evaluated by an expert panel and iteratively refined. The primary outcome of this study is a PMM guidebook for use in the initiation, planning, execution, monitoring and closing of UIC research projects. The PMM developed aims to make project management best practices accessible and appropriate for the needs of UIC researchers and also encourages academic researchers to embrace project management knowledge which in turn helps them to understand industrial needs and wants. The PMM developed is customisable for project size and nature. It consists of a set of processes, templates, tools and techniques to assist in the planning and management of the project throughout the entire life cycle. The components of the PMM are (1) project management processes such as initiating, planning, executing and monitoring project progress with (2) a selection of tools and techniques to communicate delivery to the satisfaction of all stakeholders; (3) consolidated and integrated set of appropriate best practices and values of project management and (4) a list of references of terminology as a common denominator and language for us in the project environment. NB Please note that the online version does not include volume 2 of the printed thesis:Project management methodology [PMM] guidebook

A Contingency Analysis of Post-Bureaucratic Controls in IT-Related Change

Recent developments in IT-enabled change have sparked many discussions on the emergence of a new management paradigm beyond bureaucracy. However, many of these studies are anecdotal or descriptive in nature, with few empirical studies. This research attempts to address this problem by developing a contingency framework within which the impact of information technology (IT) implementation on forms of post- bureaucratic controls is examined. It identifies post-bureaucratic control as a portfolio comprising empowerment, and panoptic or ideological control and argues that the emergence of these controls will differ, depending on the nature of the task structuredness and the context of IT-enabled change. It argues that the panoptic visibility afforded by the new technology enables management to decentralize power to employees without completely losing control. However, the ability to textualize behaviors in unstructured tasks is limited. In compensation, management will use ideological control to ensure that organization goals are met. Using a mixed methodology of qualitative and quantitative methods, two organizations, one undergoing an automational change and another a transformational change, were selected as cases to illustrate the framework. This study should prove interesting to researchers as it undertakes an empirical examination of post-bureaucratic controls and proposes a contingency framework to tie up apparent contradictions in findings. It also identifies new forms of control beyond bureaucracy, which practitioners may find are becoming increasingly relevant in a more fluid, uncertain “new economy.