Characterization of Mauritius parakeet (Psittacula eques) microsatellite loci and their cross-utility in other parrots (Psittacidae, Aves).

We characterized 21 polymorphic microsatellite loci in the endangered Mauritius parakeet (Psittacula eques). Loci were isolated from a Mauritius parakeet genomic library that had been enriched separately for eight different repeat motifs. Loci were characterized in up to 43 putatively unrelated Mauritius parakeets from a single population inhabiting the Black River Gorges National Park, Mauritius. Each locus displayed between three and nine alleles, with the observed heterozygosity ranging between 0.39 and 0.96. All loci were tested in 10 other parrot species. Despite testing few individuals, between seven and 21 loci were polymorphic in each of seven species tested

A systematic review of speech recognition technology in health care

BACKGROUND To undertake a systematic review of existing literature relating to speech recognition technology and its application within health care. METHODS A systematic review of existing literature from 2000 was undertaken. Inclusion criteria were: all papers that referred to speech recognition (SR) in health care settings, used by health professionals (allied health, medicine, nursing, technical or support staff), with an evaluation or patient or staff outcomes. Experimental and non-experimental designs were considered. Six databases (Ebscohost including CINAHL, EMBASE, MEDLINE including the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, OVID Technologies, PreMED-LINE, PsycINFO) were searched by a qualified health librarian trained in systematic review searches initially capturing 1,730 references. Fourteen studies met the inclusion criteria and were retained. RESULTS The heterogeneity of the studies made comparative analysis and synthesis of the data challenging resulting in a narrative presentation of the results. SR, although not as accurate as human transcription, does deliver reduced turnaround times for reporting and cost-effective reporting, although equivocal evidence of improved workflow processes. CONCLUSIONS SR systems have substantial benefits and should be considered in light of the cost and selection of the SR system, training requirements, length of the transcription task, potential use of macros and templates, the presence of accented voices or experienced and in-experienced typists, and workflow patterns.Funding for this study was provided by the University of Western Sydney. NICTA is funded by the Australian Government through the Department of Communications and the Australian Research Council through the ICT Centre of Excellence Program. NICTA is also funded and supported by the Australian Capital Territory, the New South Wales, Queensland and Victorian Governments, the Australian National University, the University of New South Wales, the University of Melbourne, the University of Queensland, the University of Sydney, Griffith University, Queensland University of Technology, Monash University and other university partners

Fault-tolerant quantum computation with high threshold in two dimensions

We present a scheme of fault-tolerant quantum computation for a local architecture in two spatial dimensions. The error threshold is 0.75% for each source in an error model with preparation, gate, storage and measurement errors.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figures; v2: A single 2D layer of qubits (simple square lattice) with nearest-neighbor translation-invariant Ising interaction suffices. Slightly improved threshol

Plausible responses to the threat of rapid sea-level rise for the Thames Estuary

This paper considers the perceptions and responses of selected stakeholders to a scenarion of rapid rise in sea-level due to the collapse of the West Antarctic ice sheet, which could produce a global rise in sea-level of 5 to 6 metres. Through a process of dialogue involving one-to one interviews and a one-day policy exercise, we addressed influences on decision-making when information is uncertain and our ability to plan, prepare for and implement effective ways of coping with this extreme scenario. Through these interactions we hoped to uncover plausible responses to the scenario and identify potential weaknesses in our current flood management approaches to dealing with such an occurrence. By undertaking this exploratory exercise we hoped to find out whether this was a feasible way to deal with such a low probability but high consequence scenario. It was the process of finding a solution that interested us rather than the technical merits of one solution over another. We were not intending to produce definitive set of recommendations on how to respond but to gain insights into the process of making a decision, specifically what influences it and what assumptions are made.Sea level rise, London

Seizing the Moment: Realizing the Promise of Student-Centered Learning

This brief outlines policy recommendations for supporting student-centered learning at the local, state, and federal level

Seismic Hazard Evaluation for Design of San Vicente Dam Raise

The San Diego County Water Authority (Water Authority) is undertaking a raise of the existing San Vicente Dam to provide both emergency and carryover storage to increase local reservoir supplies in San Diego County, California, USA. The emergency storage is required in case of a disruption to the imported water transmission system from floods or earthquakes and the carry-over storage would be utilized to store water during “wet” seasons to carry-over to seasons of drought. The existing San Vicente Dam is a 220 foot (67 m) high concrete gravity dam completed in 1943 with 90,063 acre-feet of storage. The raised San Vicente Dam will be about 337 feet (102.3 m) high, creating an approximately 247,000 acre-foot reservoir. The dam raise will be constructed using the roller compacted concrete (RCC) method. This paper presents details of the seismic hazard evaluation that formed the basis for development of strong ground motions that were considered in final design of the dam raise. The dam is under the jurisdiction of the California Department of Water Resources, Division of Safety of Dams (DSOD) which requires the use of deterministic ground motions for design. However, the earthquake ground motions at the site are largely controlled by background (or random) earthquakes, which cannot be adequately addressed using deterministic methods alone. This prompted the development of supplemental seismic design ground motions based on a probabilistic seismic hazard analysis (PSHA). The PSHA was performed incorporating the latest information on seismic sources and recently developed Next Generation of Attenuation (NGA) relationships. Based on the results of the PSHA, ground motion parameters (response spectra and time histories) were developed for final design of the dam raise. Comparisons of the deterministic and probabilistic ground motions are provided. Application of the NGA relationships resulted in lower estimates of peak ground accelerations than what were obtained based on the previous attenuation relationships due to the use of the site-specific shear wave velocities of the foundation materials

Aquilegia, Vol. 13 No. 3, May-June 1989: Newsletter of the Colorado Native Plant Society

https://epublications.regis.edu/aquilegia/1046/thumbnail.jp

A systematic review of speech recognition technology in health care

Background To undertake a systematic review of existing literature relating to speech recognition technology and its application within health care. Methods A systematic review of existing literature from 2000 was undertaken. Inclusion criteria were: all papers that referred to speech recognition (SR) in health care settings, used by health professionals (allied health, medicine, nursing, technical or support staff), with an evaluation or patient or staff outcomes. Experimental and non-experimental designs were considered. Six databases (Ebscohost including CINAHL, EMBASE, MEDLINE including the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, OVID Technologies, PreMED-LINE, PsycINFO) were searched by a qualified health librarian trained in systematic review searches initially capturing 1,730 references. Fourteen studies met the inclusion criteria and were retained. Results The heterogeneity of the studies made comparative analysis and synthesis of the data challenging resulting in a narrative presentation of the results. SR, although not as accurate as human transcription, does deliver reduced turnaround times for reporting and cost-effective reporting, although equivocal evidence of improved workflow processes. Conclusions SR systems have substantial benefits and should be considered in light of the cost and selection of the SR system, training requirements, length of the transcription task, potential use of macros and templates, the presence of accented voices or experienced and in-experienced typists, and workflow patterns

ISSSEEM AND ACEP PANEL DISCUSSION

Dawson Church moderates this dynamic discussion. Members of both groups are passionate about science and healing, subtle energies, consciousness and spirituality, and paths to embrace our wholeness. When the work of both organizations is wildly thriving, how will the world be changed