Mitigating the effects of atmospheric distortion using DT-CWT fusion

This paper describes a new method for mitigating the effects of atmospheric distortion on observed images, particularly airborne turbulence which degrades a region of interest (ROI). In order to provide accurate detail from objects behind the dis-torting layer, a simple and efficient frame selection method is proposed to pick informative ROIs from only good-quality frames. We solve the space-variant distortion problem using region-based fusion based on the Dual Tree Complex Wavelet Transform (DT-CWT). We also propose an object alignment method for pre-processing the ROI since this can exhibit sig-nificant offsets and distortions between frames. Simple haze removal is used as the final step. The proposed method per-forms very well with atmospherically distorted videos and outperforms other existing methods. Index Terms — Image restoration, fusion, DT-CWT 1

Agencies in Transition: A Report on the Views of the Members of the Federal Senior Executive Service

Many think of leadership transition in government as something that happens only once every four or eight years. While presidential transitions are undoubtedly the largest in scope, leadership transition in government is a constant process. In fact, the average tenure of Senate-confirmed appointees is only 3.3 years, while appointees at executive departments generally spend only 2.8 years in a single post.In a federal government made up of departments and agencies as large and complex as any Fortune 500 company, a strong leadership team is critical to effective governance. Members of the Senior Executive Service (SES) serve as the primary link between political appointees and the broader federal workforce, operating and overseeing nearly every government activity. They play a significant role during leadership transitions, ensuring the continuity of operations within government. Members of the SES are also uniquely positioned to help incoming political leaders build on the positive reforms of the past, and provide insight from lessons learned that can inform success in the future.The National Academy saw the 2008 Presidential transition as an opportunity to draw upon the experience of the SES to find ways to strengthen the partnerships between political and career leaders and build a more efficient and effective government. The results of our study reinforced the critical role played by members of the SES, and revealed that the majority of these career leaders, though experienced in government, were relatively new to managing transition issues as executives.Key FindingsThe findings demonstrated that despite the newness of presidential transitions for most SES, they have a clear understanding about the role they must play in assisting new political appointees, the importance of forming an effective partnership, and their role in the process. At the same time, they wanted help to prepare for those roles, and were eager to engage in training and other activities that would promote success. These SES preferred to receive assistance in preparing for the transition through: (1) policy briefings; (2) discussions with their peers; (3) written materials; and (4) attendance at seminars or training sessions

A standardised, holistic framework for concept-map analysis combining topological attributes and global morphologies

Motivated by the diverse uses of concept maps in teaching and educational research, we have developed a systematic approach to their structural analysis. The basis for our method is a unique topological normalisation procedure whereby a concept map is first stripped of its content and subsequently geometrically re-arranged into a standardised layout as a maximally balanced tree following set rules. This enables a quantitative analysis of the normalised maps to read off basic structural parameters: numbers of concepts and links, diameter, in- and ex-radius and degree sequence and subsequently calculate higher parameters: cross-linkage, balance and dimension. Using these parameters, we define characteristic global morphologies: ‘Disconnected’, ‘Imbalanced’, ‘Broad’, ‘Deep’ and ‘Interconnected’ in the normalised map structure. Our proposed systematic approach to concept-map analysis combining topological normalisation, determination of structural parameters and global morphological classification is a standardised, easily applicable and reliable framework for making the inherent structure of a concept map tangible. It overcomes some of the subjectivity inherent in analysing and interpreting maps in their original form while also avoiding the pitfalls of an atomistic analysis often accompanying quantitative concept-map analysis schemes. Our framework can be combined and cross-compared with a content analysis to obtain a coherent view of the two key elements of a concept map: structure and content. The informed structural analysis may form the starting point for interpreting the underlying knowledge structures and pedagogical meanings

Why do people choose nephrology? Identifying positive motivators to aid recruitment and retention

Increasing concerns about recruitment and retention of junior doctors have led to renewed interest in how and when trainees choose their specialties. To our knowledge, no study has yet reported what attracts UK applicants to nephrology nor how clinicians develop vocational interests or make occupational choices. With this in mind, we sought to explore the motivation behind current nephrologist's career choices in the UK. We interviewed 11 nephrologists using a semi-structured face-to-face approach and used interpretative phenomenological analysis to conduct and analyse the interviews. We found role models were pivotal in encouraging specialization in nephrology, particularly those encountered in early postgraduate training. The diversity, diagnostic challenge and cross-specialty knowledge was highlighted as well as the ability to 'make a difference to patients' lives'. Nephrologists enjoyed the challenge of managing very sick, acutely unwell patients as well as the holistic continuity of long-term care offered to dialysis patients and their families. Academic and procedural components were attractive motivators to the specialty and the flexibility to have multiple interests was noted, with many nephrologists having 'portfolio' careers. Based on these results, we suggest strategies the specialty can use to aid policy decision making, promote recruitment and improve educational experiences within current training programmes

Thinking critically about beliefs it\u27s hard to think critically about

There are some beliefs that are difficult to think critically about, even for those who have critical thinking skills and are committed to applying them to their own beliefs. These resistant beliefs are not all of a kind, and so a range of different strategies may be needed to get ourselves and others (in particular our students) to think critically about them. In this paper we suggest some such strategies

A Qualitative Metasynthesis of Published Research Exploring the Pregnancy and Resettlement Experience Among Refugee Women

The number of refugees and asylum seekers throughout the world continues to increase, leading to increasing challenges in meeting healthcare needs of these individuals. Women’s antenatal health is of particular concern due to their vulnerability to sexual violence and the substantial proportion of refugees consisting of women and girls of or nearing reproductive age. The purpose of this qualitative metasynthesis was to integrate and interpret findings from previously published research reports in which authors explored aspects of pregnancy among resettled refugee women. Following a systematic search process, we used Dedoose qualitative data analysis software to manage the process of extracting and condensing data from primary sources. We developed themes including: comparing pregnancy care in resettlement with care at home; navigating unfamiliar language and cultural practices; making meaning through pregnancy and associated healthcare experiences. Our analysis revealed authors used thematic analysis regardless of research design, limiting the range of reported findings. Prior research focused on identifying challenges to pregnancy in resettlement; our findings expand this by considering how women navigate and make meaning from challenges. Service providers might encourage mentally healthy resettlement by guiding refugees to consider differences in an open-minded rather than judgmental attitude that respects old and new cultures

Developing Continuing Education for Ohio’s Local Boards of Health

Background: Public health functions at the county level and city level through the work of local health departments (LHDs). Local boards of health (LBoHs) work closely with LHDs as an administrative oversight body. In 2013, legislation was passed in the state of Ohio pertaining to the accreditation of LHDs, which included a provision requiring that Ohio’s LBoH members engage in 2 hours of continuing education (CE) per year. To assist LBoHs in fulfilling these requirements, a partnership was developed between the Ohio Association of Boards of Health (OABH) and the Kent State University College of Public Health (KSU-CPH) to deliver CE content. Methods: The process for developing the CE modules encompasses 3 steps: (1) needs assessment, (2) module development and delivery, and (3) evaluation. Feedback was solicited from Ohio’s LBoH members to determine topics of interest for CE modules. Taking this feedback, a curated set of 8 modules will be developed. Module content will be derived from graduate courses within KSU-CPH as well as from subject matter experts. The modules will be delivered online to LBoH members during their regularly scheduled meetings. Results: This program proposes to fulfill state requirements that LBoH members regularly engage in CE. Partner-ing with KSU-CPH allows for the use of academic content in these trainings. Conclusion: An adequately trained public health workforce is essential for a well-functioning public health system, which includes governing entities like LBoHs. There is limited understanding of how workforce development can be targeted specifically to LBoHs. This CE program contributes to current efforts to promote workforce development within the field of public health