Using a Grid-Enabled Wireless Sensor Network for Flood Management

Flooding is becoming an increasing problem. As a result there is a need to deploy more sophisticated sensor networks to detect and react to flooding. This paper outlines a demonstration that illustrates our proposed solution to this problem involving embedded wireless hardware, component based middleware and overlay networks

Geographic and Age-Based Variations in Medicare Reimbursement Among ASSH Members.

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate how American Society for Surgery of the Hand (ASSH) members\u27 Medicare reimbursement depends on their geographical location and number of years in practice. Methods: Demographic data for surgeons who were active members of the ASSH in 2012 were obtained using information publicly available through the US Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Hand-surgeons-per-capita and average reimbursement per surgeon were calculated for each state. Regression analysis was performed to determine a relationship between (1) each state\u27s average reimbursement versus the number of ASSH members in that state, (2) average reimbursement versus number of hand surgeons per capita, and (3) total reimbursement from Medicare versus number of years in practice. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to detect a difference in reimbursement based on categorical range of years as an ASSH member. Results: A total of 1667 ASSH members satisfied inclusion in this study. Although there was significant variation among states\u27 average reimbursement, reimbursement was not significantly correlated with the state\u27s hand surgeons per capita or total number of hand surgeons in that given state. Correlation between years as an ASSH member and average reimbursement was significant but non-linear; the highest reimbursements were seen in surgeons who had been ASSH members from 8 to 20 years. Conclusions: Peak reimbursement from Medicare for ASSH members appears to be related to the time of surgeons\u27 peak operative volume, rather than any age-based bias for or against treating Medicare beneficiaries. In addition, though geographic variation in reimbursement does exist, this does not appear to correlate with density or availability of hand surgeons

Late Miocene to early Pliocene biofacies of Wanganui and Taranaki Basins, New Zealand: Applications to paleoenvironmental and sequence stratigraphic analysis

The Matemateaonga Formation is late Miocene to early Pliocene (upper Tongaporutuan to lower Opoitian New Zealand Stages) in age. The formation comprises chiefly shellbeds, siliciclastic sandstone, and siltstone units and to a lesser extent non-marine and shallow marine conglomerate and rare paralic facies. The Matemateaonga Formation accumulated chiefly in shelf paleoenvironments during basement onlap and progradation of a late Miocene to early Pliocene continental margin wedge in the Wanganui and Taranaki Basins. The formation is strongly cyclothemic, being characterised by recurrent vertically stacked facies successions, bounded by sequence boundaries. These facies accumulated in a range of shoreface to mid-outer shelf paleoenvironments during conditions of successively oscillating sea level. This sequential repetition of facies and the biofacies they enclose are the result of sixth-order glacio-eustatic cyclicity. Macrofaunal associations have been identified from statistical analysis of macrofossil occurrences collected from multiple sequences. Each association is restricted to particular lithofacies and stratal positions and shows a consistent order and/or position within the sequences. This pattern of temporal paleoecologic change appears to be the result of lateral, facies-related shifting of broad biofacies belts, or habitat-tracking, in response to fluctuations of relative sea level, sediment flux, and other associated paleoenvironmental variables. The associations also show strong similarity in terms of their generic composition to biofacies identified in younger sedimentary strata and the modern marine benthic environment in New Zealand

Understanding clinical reasoning in osteopathy: a qualitative research approach.

BACKGROUND: Clinical reasoning has been described as a process that draws heavily on the knowledge, skills and attributes that are particular to each health profession. However, the clinical reasoning processes of practitioners of different disciplines demonstrate many similarities, including hypothesis generation and reflective practice. The aim of this study was to understand clinical reasoning in osteopathy from the perspective of osteopathic clinical educators and the extent to which it was similar or different from clinical reasoning in other health professions. METHODS: This study was informed by constructivist grounded theory. Participants were clinical educators in osteopathic teaching institutions in Australia, New Zealand and the UK. Focus groups and written critical reflections provided a rich data set. Data were analysed using constant comparison to develop inductive categories. RESULTS: According to participants, clinical reasoning in osteopathy is different from clinical reasoning in other health professions. Osteopaths use a two-phase approach: an initial biomedical screen for serious pathology, followed by use of osteopathic reasoning models that are based on the relationship between structure and function in the human body. Clinical reasoning in osteopathy was also described as occurring in a number of contexts (e.g. patient, practitioner and community) and drawing on a range of metaskills (e.g. hypothesis generation and reflexivity) that have been described in other health professions. CONCLUSIONS: The use of diagnostic reasoning models that are based on the relationship between structure and function in the human body differentiated clinical reasoning in osteopathy. These models were not used to name a medical condition but rather to guide the selection of treatment approaches. If confirmed by further research that clinical reasoning in osteopathy is distinct from clinical reasoning in other health professions, then osteopaths may have a unique perspective to bring to multidisciplinary decision-making and potentially enhance the quality of patient care. Where commonalities exist in the clinical reasoning processes of osteopathy and other health professions, shared learning opportunities may be available, including the exchange of scaffolded clinical reasoning exercises and assessment practices among health disciplines

Simulation of tillage systems impact on soil biophysical properties using the SALUS model

A sustainable land management has been defined as the management system that allows for production, while minimizing risk, maintaining quality of soil and water. Tillage systems can significantly decrease soil carbon storage and influence the soil environment of a crop. Crop growth models can be useful tools in evaluating the impact of different tillage systems on soil biophysical properties and on the growth and final yield of the crops. The objectives of this paper were i) to illustrate the SALUS model and its tillage component; ii) to evaluate the effects of different tillage systems on water infiltration and time to ponding, iii) to simulate the effect of tillage systems on some soil biophysical properties. The SALUS (System Approach to Land Use Sustainability) model is designed to simulate continuous crop, soil, water and nutrient conditions under different tillage and crop residues management strategies for multiple years. Predictions of changes in surface residue, bulk density, runoff, drainage and evaporation were consistent with expected behaviours of these parameters as described in the literature. The experiment to estimate the time to ponding curve under different tillage system confirmed the theory and showed the beneficial effects of the residue on soil surface with respect to water infiltration. It also showed that the no-tillage system is a more appropriate system to adopt in areas characterized by high intensity rainfal

Analisis Penerapan Corporate Social Responsibility Terhadap Profitabilitas

Corporate Social Responsibility merupakan peningkatan kualitas kehidupan mempunyai adanya kemampuan manusia sebagai individu anggota masyarakat untuk menanggapi keadaan sosial yang ada dan dapat dinikmati, memanfaatkan serta memelihara lingkungan hidup. Tujuan dilakukannya penelitian ini yaitu untuk menganalisis sebelum dan setelah penerapan CSR terhadap profitabilitas pada PT. Bank Tabungan Negara (Persero), Tbk. Penelitian ini menggunakan metode deskriptif. Jenis data yang digunakan adalah data kualitatif yang diperoleh dari data primer. Sedangkan teknik pengumpulan data yang digunakan berupa dokumentasi dan observasi. Untuk mengukur rasio profitabilitas peneliti menggunakan ROA sebagai alat ukur kemampuan Perusahaan menghasilkan laba bersih berdasarkan tingkat aset tertentu. Hasil penelitian menunjukan bahwa ROA PT. Bank Tabungan Negara (Persero), Tbk. setelah penerapan CSR mengalami peningkatan dibandingkan sebelum penerapan CSR

Performance Testing and Analysis of Synchronous Reluctance Motor Utilizing Dual-phase Magnetic Material

While interior permanent magnet (1PM) machines have been considered the state-of-the art for traction motors, synchronous reluctance (SynRel) motors with advanced materials can provide a competitive alternative. 1PM machines typically utilize Neodymium 1ron Boron (NdFeB) permanent magnets, which pose an issue in terms of price, sustainability, demagnetization at higher operating temperatures, and uncontrolled generation. On the other hand, SynRel machines do not contain any magnets and are free from these issues. However, the absence of magnets as well the presence of bridges and centerposts limit the flux-weakening capability of a SynRel machine and limit the achievable constant power speed ratio (CPSR) without having to significantly oversize the machine and/or the power converter. 1n this paper, a new material referred to as the dual-phase magnetic material where nonmagnetic regions can be selectively introduced within each lamination will be evaluated for SynRel designs. The dual-phase feature of this material enables non-magnetic bridges and posts, eliminating one of the key limitations of the SynRel designs in terms of torque density and flux-weakening. This paper will present, the design, analysis and test results of an advanced proof-of-concept SynRel design utilizing dual-phase material with traction applications as the ultimate target application

Efektivitas Penerimaan Pajak Pengambilan dan Pengolahan Mineral Bukan Logam dan Batuan sebagai Sumber Pendapatan Asli Daerah Kota Tomohon

Pendapatan Asli Daerah (PAD) merupakan sumber keuangan daerah dan pembiayaan pemerintah. Salah satu penerimaan PAD berasal dari Pajak Daerah, dan yang menjadi salah satu perhatian Pemkot Tomohon adalah Pajak Mineral Bukan Logam dan Batuan. Penelitian ini dilakukan untuk mengetahui besarnya tingkat efektivitas dan kontribusi Pajak Mineral Bukan Logam dan Batuan sebagai sumber PAD Kota Tomohon. Metode analisis yang digunakan adalah metode deskriptif kuantitatif, yaitu menganalisis data target dan realisasi penerimaan Pajak Mineral Bukan Logam dan Batuan tahun 2009-2013 dengan menggunakan rasio efektivitas dan kontribusi. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa tingkat efektivitas Pajak Mineral Bukan Logam dan Batuan pada tahun 2009, 2010, 2012, dan 2013 tidak efektif, sedangkan pada tahun 2011 tingkat efektivitasnya memenuhi kriteria efektif. Kontribusi Pajak Mineral Bukan Logam dan Batuan sebagai sumber PAD selama lima tahun terakhir dinilai tidak maksimal dan masuk dalam kriteria kontribusi Sangat kurang. Hasil analisis data historis menunjukkan bahwa proyeksi penerimaan Pajak Mineral Bukan Logam dan Batuan Kota Tomohon pada tahun 2014 adalah sebesar Rp.67.135.104. Sistem pemungutan yang harus lebih diperhatikan dan diperbaiki oleh Pemkot Tomohon, agar penerimaan Pajak Mineral Bukan Logam dan Batuan lebih efektif. Kata kunci: pajak mineral, pendapatan asli daerah, efektivita

Diversity, Distribution and Biological Activity of Soft Corals (Octocorallia, Alcyonacea) in Singapore

The Southern Islands of Singapore are known to contain coral reefs which are high in biodiversity. However, the diversity of soft corals had received little attention to date. This study was conducted to determine the soft coral diversity in Singapore reefs as well as to conduct preliminary bioactivity tests on the organic extracts from these soft corals. A 100-meter line transect was used to survey soft corals at a 3m depth at ten different sample sites. Sclerites from samples were used to identify the soft corals to the generic level. This study uncovered the following genera of soft corals: Carijoa spp., Cladiella spp., Sinularia spp., Lobophytum spp., Sarcophyton spp., Stereonephthya spp., and Nephthea spp. In addition, an unidentified genus of soft coral was observed at Kusu Island. Cladiella spp. yielded the highest number of colonies, and Sarcophyton spp. had the highest coverage in terms of total colony diameter. The brine shrimp (Artemia salina) toxicity assay was carried out to screen for toxicity of the soft coral extracts at concentrations of 10, 100, and 1000 ppm. Results showed high levels of toxicity in extracts of Sarcophyton spp. and Cladiella spp., indicating that these soft corals are potentially good sources of bioactive compounds for drug discovery