An analysis of the production-regeneration system in the coastal upwelling area off N.W. Africa based on oxygen, nitrate and ammonium distributions

Using the hydrographic and nutrient data from the R/V Jean Charcot CINECA-V cruise and Broenkow\u27s (1965) mixing model, we have calculated the biologically induced changes in the oxygen, nitrate and ammonium distribution patterns of the upwelling system off Cape Blanc, N .W. Africa...

Aceh Free Pasung: Releasing the mentally ill from physical restraint

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Physical restraint and confinement of the mentally ill (called <it>pasung </it>in Indonesia) is common in Aceh. In early 2010, the local government initiated a program called <it>Aceh Free Pasung </it>2010. The main goal of the program is to release the mentally ill in the province from restraint and to provide appropriate medical treatment and care. The aim of the paper is to report the findings of a preliminary investigation of the demographic and clinical characteristics of patients who have been admitted to the Banda Aceh Mental Hospital as part of the <it>Aceh Free Pasung </it>program.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>This is a cross-sectional descriptive study conducted at the Banda Aceh Mental Hospital, where people who had been restrained or confined in the community are being admitted for psychiatric treatment and, where necessary, physical rehabilitation, as part of the <it>Aceh Free Pasung </it>program.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Fifty-nine of former ex-<it>pasung </it>patients were examined. The majority (88.1%) of the patients were male, aged 18 to 68 years. The duration of <it>pasung </it>varied from a few days to 20 years, with a mean duration of 4.0 years. The reasons for applying <it>pasung </it>are many, with concerns about dangerousness being most common. The great majority (89.8%) had a diagnosis of schizophrenia.</p> <p>Discussion</p> <p>The development of a community mental health system and the introduction of a health insurance system in Aceh (together with the national health insurance scheme for the poor) has enabled access to free hospital treatment for people with severe mental disorders, including those who have been in <it>pasung</it>. The demographic and clinical characteristics of this group of ex-<it>pasung </it>patients are broadly similar to those reported in previous studies.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The Aceh Free <it>Pasung </it>program is an important mental health and human rights initiative that can serve to inform similar efforts in other parts of Indonesia and other low and middle-income countries where restraint and confinement of the mentally ill is receiving insufficient attention.</p

Effect of β-PVDF Piezoelectric Transducers’ positioning on the acoustic streaming flows

This paper reports the numerical and experimental analysis of the acoustic streaming effect in a fluidic domain. The actuation of a piezoelectric transducer generates acoustic waves that propagate to the fluids, generating pressure gradients that induce the flow. The number and positioning of the transducers affect the pressure gradients and, consequently, the resultant flow profile. Two actuation conditions were considered: (1) acoustic streaming generated by a 28 μm thick β-poly(vinylidene fluoride) (β-PVDF) piezoelectric transducer placed asymmetrically relative to the fluidic domain and (2) acoustic streaming generated by two 28 μm thick β-PVDF piezoelectric transducers placed perpendicularly to each other. The transducers were fixed to the lower left corner of a poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA)cuvette and were actuated with a 24 Vpp and 34.2 MHz sinusoidal voltage. The results show that the number of transducers and their positioning affects the shape and number of recirculation areas in the acoustic streaming flows. The obtained global flows show great potential for mixing and pumping, being an alternative to the previous geometries studied by the authors, namely, a single transducer placed symmetrically under a fluidic domain.Work funded by FEDER funds through the Operational Programme for Competitiveness Factors—COMPETE, ON.2—O Novo Norte—North Portugal Regional Operational Programme and National Funds through FCT— Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia under the projects: PEst-OE/EME/UI0532 and NORTE-07-0124-FEDER-000025-RL2_Environment & Health, by the Eixo I do Programa Operacional Fatores de Competitividade (POFC) QREN, project reference COMPETE: FCOMP-01-0124-FEDER-020241, and by FCT, project reference PTDC/EBB-EBI/120334/2010

Improving access to and engagement with mental health services among young people from refugee backgrounds: service user and provider perspectives

Limited research has been conducted worldwide on the experiences that children and young people from refugee backgrounds have with mental health services, despite evidence that they have significant vulnerability to the development of mental health problems and to suicidal behaviour and that those with mental ill-health typically underutilise services. The authors were particularly interested in barriers and facilitators to service access and engagement, and conducted two qualitative research projects to improve understanding of the issues – the first with service providers experienced in the refugee area and the second with young refugee service users. The aim of this project was to compare the perspectives of professionals and service users and to identify similarities and differences. The perspectives of the service users and providers were strikingly similar. The analysis identified 21 implications for policy makers, agencies and practitioners, which ranged from issues concerning cultural sensitivity, background matching and mental health literacy to accessibility, setting boundaries and expectations and implementing a holistic and outreach approach. There is a range of specific, practical measures that policy makers and service providers can introduce to enhance access to and engagement with mental health services for young people from refugee backgrounds

A mixed integer programming approach for asset protection during escaped wildfires

Incident management teams (IMTs) are responsible for managing the response to wildfires. One of the objectives of IMTs is the protection of assets and infrastructure. In this paper, we develop a mathematical model to assist IMTs in assigning resources to asset protection activities during wildfires. We present a mixed integer programming model for resource allocation with the aim of protecting the maximum possible total value of assets. The model allows for mixed vehicle types with interchangeable capabilities and with travel times determined by vehicle-specific speed and road network information. We define location-specific protection requirements in terms of vehicle capabilities. The formulated model extends classic variants of the team orienteering problem with time windows. The model capabilities are demonstrated using a hypothetical fire scenario impacting South Hobart, Tasmania, Australia. Computational testing shows that realistically sized problems can be solved within a reasonable time

Dynamic rerouting of vehicles during cooperative wildfire response operations

Incident managers assigning wildfire response vehicles to provide protection to community assets may experience disruptions to their plans arising from factors such as changes in weather, vehicle breakdowns or road closures. We develop an approach to rerouting wildfire response vehicles once a disruption has occurred. The aim is to maximise the total value of assets protected while minimising changes to the original vehicle assignments. A number of functions to measure deviations from the original plans are proposed. The approach is demonstrated using a realistic fire scenario impacting South Hobart, Tasmania, Australia. Computational testing shows that realistic sized problems can be solved within a reasonable time using a commercial solver

Solution-Processed Graphene-Based Transparent Conductive Electrodes as Ideal ITO Alternatives for Organic Solar Cells

The isolation of free-standing graphene in 2004 was the spark for a new scientific revolution in the field of optoelectronics. Due to its extraordinary optoelectronic and mechanical properties, graphene is the next wonder material that could act as an ideal low-cost alternative material for the effective replacement of the expensive conventional materials used in organic optoelectronic applications. Indeed, the enhanced electrical conductivity of graphene combined with its high transparency in visible and near-infrared spectra, enabled graphene to be an ideal low-cost indium tin oxide (ITO) alternative in organic solar cells (OSCs). The prospects and future research trend in graphene-based TCE are also discussed. On the other hand, solution-processed graphene combines the unique optoelectrical properties of graphene with large area deposition and flexible substrates making it compatible with printing and coating technologies, such as roll-to-roll, inkjet, gravure, and flexographic printing manufacturing methods. This chapter provides an overview of the most recent research progress in the application of solution-processed graphene-based films as transparent conductive electrodes (TCEs) in OSCs. (a) Chemically converted graphene (CCG), (b) thermally and photochemically reduced graphene oxide, (c) composite reduced graphene oxide-carbon nanotubes, and (d) reduced graphene oxide mesh films have demonstrated their applicability in OSCs as transparent, conductive electrodes

Chapter Solution-Processed Graphene-Based Transparent Conductive Electrodes as Ideal ITO Alternatives for Organic Solar Cells

The isolation of free-standing graphene in 2004 was the spark for a new scientific revolution in the field of optoelectronics. Due to its extraordinary optoelectronic and mechanical properties, graphene is the next wonder material that could act as an ideal low-cost alternative material for the effective replacement of the expensive conventional materials used in organic optoelectronic applications. Indeed, the enhanced electrical conductivity of graphene combined with its high transparency in visible and near-infrared spectra, enabled graphene to be an ideal low-cost indium tin oxide (ITO) alternative in organic solar cells (OSCs). The prospects and future research trend in graphene-based TCE are also discussed. On the other hand, solution-processed graphene combines the unique optoelectrical properties of graphene with large area deposition and flexible substrates making it compatible with printing and coating technologies, such as roll-to-roll, inkjet, gravure, and flexographic printing manufacturing methods. This chapter provides an overview of the most recent research progress in the application of solution-processed graphene-based films as transparent conductive electrodes (TCEs) in OSCs. (a) Chemically converted graphene (CCG), (b) thermally and photochemically reduced graphene oxide, (c) composite reduced graphene oxide-carbon nanotubes, and (d) reduced graphene oxide mesh films have demonstrated their applicability in OSCs as transparent, conductive electrodes