Stakeholders' perceptions of rehabilitation services for individuals living with disability:A survey study

Background: The World Health Organization (WHO) was tasked with developing health system guidelines for the implementation of rehabilitation services. Stakeholders' perceptions are an essential factor to take into account in the guideline development process. The aim of this study was to assess stakeholders' perceived feasibility and acceptability of eighteen rehabilitation services and the values they attach to ten rehabilitation outcomes.   Methods: We disseminated an online self-administered questionnaire through a number of international and regional organizations from the different WHO regions. Eligible individuals included persons with disability, caregivers of persons with disability, health professionals, administrators and policy makers. The answer options consisted of a 9-point Likert scale.   Results: Two hundred fifty three stakeholders participated. The majority of participants were health professional (64 %). In terms of outcomes, 'Increasing access' and 'Optimizing utilization' were the top service outcomes rated as critical (i.e., 7, 8 or 9 on the Likert scale) by >70 % of respondents. 'Fewer hospital admissions', 'Decreased burden of care' and 'Increasing longevity' were the services rated as least critical (57 %, 63 % and 58 % respectively). In terms of services, 'Community based rehabilitation' and 'Home based rehabilitation' were found to be both definitely feasible and acceptable (75 % and 74 % respectively). 'Integrated and decentralized rehabilitation services' was found to be less feasible than acceptable according to stakeholders (61 % and 71 % respectively). As for 'Task shifting', most stakeholders did not appear to find task shifting as either definitely feasible or definitely acceptable (63 % and 64 % respectively).   Conclusion: The majority of stakeholder's perceived 'Increasing access' and 'Optimizing utilization' as most critical amongst rehabilitation outcomes. The feasibility of the 'Integrated and decentralized rehabilitation services' was perceived to be less than their acceptability. The majority of stakeholders found 'Task shifting' as neither feasible nor acceptable

Volcanogenic Dark Matter and Mass Extinctions

The passage of the Earth through dense clumps of dark matter, the presence of which are predicted by certain cosmologies, would produce large quantities of heat in the interior of this planet through the capture and subsequent annihilation of dark matter particles. This heat can cause large-scale volcanism which could in turn have caused the extinction of the dinosaurs and other mass extinctions. The periodicity of such volcanic outbursts agrees with the frequency of palaeontological mass extinctions as well as the observed periodicity in the occurrence of the largest flood basalt provinces on the globe.Comment: 6 pages in Latex fil

The Variability of IPO Initial Returns

The monthly volatility of IPO initial returns is substantial, fluctuates dramatically over time, and is considerably larger during "hot" IPO markets. Consistent with IPO theory, the volatility of initial returns is higher among firms whose value is more difficult to estimate, i.e., among firms with higher information asymmetry. Our findings highlight underwriters' difficulty in valuing companies characterized by high uncertainty, and, as a result, raise serious questions about the efficacy of the traditional firm commitment underwritten IPO process. One implication of our results is that alternate mechanisms, such as auctions, may be beneficial, particularly for firms that value price discovery over the auxiliary services provided by underwriters.

Investigating the mechanism of deep-focus earthquakes via in-situ acoustic emission experiments on Fe2SiO4 at high temperature and pressure

In subduction zones, earthquakes are thought to be associated with faulting that arises from phase transformations. In order to test the viability of this mechanism experimentally, it was necessary to make microseismic measurements while the mineral under investigation was subjected to the pressure and temperature (P,T) conditions corresponding to their environment at depth. A system has been developed capable of making in situ acoustic emission (AE) measurements on samples under P,T conditions representative of the upper mantle and transition zone. Experiments were performed in a 3000-ton multi-anvil press using an 18/11 octahedral cell with 6 piezoelectric transducers mounted on the rear side of the anvils. AE signals were collected at a sampling rate of 40 MHz using a triggered system and a data buffer for capturing full waveforms of AE events. The use of multiple transducers distributed in a microseismic array allowed for events to be located within the sample through manual or automatic arrival time picking and least squares inversion techniques. Uncertainty in location estimates was ~1mm. The multi-anvil apparatus constitutes an inherently noisy environment both acoustically and electrically, therefore methods of noise reduction were developed. This technique has been used to measure acoustic signals generated from the fracturing of quartz beads during high pressure deformation and to investigate the possibility that the phase transformation from olivine to spinel, known to occur in subduction zones, is associated with deep-focus earthquakes (300 – 690 km depth). The analog material fayalite (Fe2SiO4) was examined. Information about its synthesis and sintering is discussed. Results of AE experiments on samples under high pressure (P = 4-9 GPa) and high temperature (T = 773-1273 K) conditions in the spinel stability field, while experiencing deviatoric stress, showed acoustic events that locate within the sample in multiple experiments defined by the P,T envelope P = 3.8 – 8.4 GPa and T = 650 – 950 K. This is the first time an olivine→spinel structured transition in a silicate mineral has demonstrated macroscopic faulting and associated microstructures, as well acoustic activity, under conditions that would normally promote plastic deformation. The system was also used to detect liquid↔solid phase transformations in Hg by measuring the abrupt change in sound velocity due to the intrinsic change in velocity between phases, and a change in delay between the triggering of an amplitude threshold and the arrival of the waveform

Molecular schizophrenics as sensors and actuators

‘Sensornets’ are large-scale distributed sensing networks comprised of many small sensing devices equipped with memory, processors, and short-range wireless communications capabilities.1 These devices, assembled from building blocks known as ‘Motes’ can gather and share sensor data from multiple locations through in-built wireless communications capabilities. The vision of incorporating chemical and biological sensing dimensions into these platforms is very appealing, and the potential applications in areas critical to society are truly revolutionary.2 For example, the environment; sensors monitoring air and water quality will be able to provide early warning of pollution events arising at industrial plants, landfill sites, reservoirs, and water distribution systems at remote locations. The crucial missing part in this scenario is the gateway through which these worlds will communicate; how can the digital world sense and respond to changes in the real world? Unfortunately, it would appear from the lack of field deployable devices in commercial production that attempts to integrate molecular sensor science into portable devices have failed to bear the fruits promised; this problem is what we call ‘the chemo-/ bio-sensing paradox’.3 In this work, we shall discuss how sensors and sensing systems are likely to develop in the coming years, with a particular focus on the critical importance of new concepts in fundamental materials science to the realisation of these futuristic chemo-/bio-sensing systems. This work focuses on the fundamental challenges, such as the ability to control the characteristics and behaviour of polymers and fluids, and processes occurring at solid-liquid interfaces. We will highlight the key role that stimuli-responsive materials can play in producing new “adaptive” materials capable of exhibiting dramatic changes in properties by external stimuli, such as, photon irradiation.4 In particular, the photochromic processes of spirobenzopyran, figure 1. These materials have the potential to revolutionise the way we design chemical and biological sensing systems

An investigation of the agronomic value of fine grinding and granulating reactive phosphate rocks : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Horticultural Science in soil science at Massey University, New Zealand

The future trends in the use of reactive phosphate rocks in New Zealand may be dependent on improving the handling characteristics of these fine sand- and powder-like materials. Granulation of these materials has been suggested as one option. The effect of fine grinding and granulating reactive phosphate rocks on their agronomic performance was evaluated using a range of phosphate rocks, in laboratory studies and in field and glasshouse trials. North Carolina, Arad, Sechura and White Youssafia phosphate rocks, in forms normally imported into New Zealand (sand sized material, majority <2mm particle size), were characterised in terms of origin, composition, particle size, and solubility in 2% formic acid. In a 30 minute formic acid extraction of the imported material, White Youssafia phosphate rock at 44% solubility was found to be less reactive than the other phosphate rocks, which ranged from 47% to 55% in formic solubility In preliminary field trials a very finely ground North Carolina phosphate rock (100% <42µm particle size) was granulated with K2S04. The ungranulated phosphate rock, and granules of 0.5-1mm, 1-2mm and 2-4mm diameter, were evaluated on permanent pasture on the Tokomaru silt loam, using an inverse isotopic dilution technique in which the field soil, at the 1.5-6cm depth, was uniformly labelled with by a novel injection method. No plant yield response to fertiliser was observed but significant differences in herbage phosphate content and specific activity indicated a phosphate uptake response to fertiliser. Despite careful selection of areas of sward which had a similar plant content and vigour, the large variability in data from replicate treatments limited the amount of information which could be drawn from the results but the data indicated that the agronomic performance of the finely ground North Carolina phosphate rock was not limited by granulating to 0.5-1mm (mini-granules). A further range of granulation agents, including neutral salts, iii organic and mineral acids, their salts, and tallow, were tested for their ability to form strong mini-granules from unground North Carolina phosphate rock. The best granulation agent was a 1 :0.6 mixture of citric acid and magnesium sulphate, producing 0.5-1mm mini-granules which had an arbitrary crushing strength of 0.Skg/granule. The production of mini-granules involved pre-drying a phosphate rock/granulation agent slurry until it was just unsaturated, followed by cutting the wet mix through a 0.710mm seive, granulation at high speed for 30 seconds, and drying of the granules at 80°C for approximately 2 hours. This granulation process was then used to manufacture granules from unground Sechura and Arad phosphate rocks, as well as ground North Carolina and Arad phosphate rocks. Ground North Carolina phosphate rock was also granulated using tallow, by melting the fat and mixing in the phosphate rock, followed by setting the mix in a mould. Granulated materials, including a commercially prepared product ("Hyphos"), and ungranulated phosphate rocks (including White Youssafia), were evaluated in a glasshouse pot trial. The fertiliser was applied to the surface of pots of established "Nui" perennial ryegrass, with 7 harvests over three and half months. In general, at the common application rate of 60kgP/ha, the phosphate rock materials were never more than 70% as effective as mono calcium phosphate. The yeilds derived from unground, ungranlated Sechura, North Carolina, Arad and White Youssafia phosphate rocks were similar, the only significant difference being that the yield derived from Sechura phosphate rock·was greater than the yield derived from North Carolina phosphate rock. The effect of mini-granulation on agronomic performance varied with with the type and particle size of the phosphate rock used to make the granules. For example, mini-granulation of "as received" North Carolina and Sechura phosphate rocks caused no reduction in phosphate availability from these materials, however, mini-granulated "as received" and works ground Arad phosphate rock caused a significant reduction in phosphate availability. The agronomic performance of North Carolina phosphate rock was improved by grinding to less than 250µm in particle size but no further improvement occurred if the phosphate rock was more finely ground (<42µm particle size). The agronomic performance of Arad phosphate rock was not improved by grinding. The sequential fractionation of soil phosphate (1MNaOH followed by 1MHC1) indicated that only approximately 8% of the works ground North Carolina phosphate rock fertiliser had dissolved in the soil at the 5th harvest (10 weeks). A comparison of yields derived from pots fertilised with different rates of K2HPO4 sprayed onto chromite (whch had a similar particle size distribution to the unground phosphate rocks) indicated that the dissolved phosphate in the soil from the phosphate rock had a similar agronomic value to the K2 P04 . The low amount of phosphate rock dissolution and the absence of increased of yield response when works ground North Carolina phosphate rock was applied to soil at rates greater than 40 kgP/ha indicated that soil factors were limiting the dissolution of phosphate rock in this experiment. The extent of the limitation varied depending on the phosphate rock type and also the type of pot used (the black polythene bag used for the majority of treatments was enclosed in a galvanised steel cylindar for an inverse isotopic dilution experiment). The variable effects of grinding and granulation were attributed to the limitation of the phosphate rock dissolution. The type of granulation agent (including partial acidulation) had no significant effect on the agronomic performance of the granulated materials, except when tallow was used as a granulation agent and reduced the availability of works ground North Carolina phosphate rock. Unground White Youssafia phosphate rock requires further testing under more rigorous conditions before conclusions can be made about its agronomic availability. Two isotopic techniques were utilised in the glasshouse experiment in an attempt to quantify the extent of phosphate rock dissolution in the soil. The surfaces of some phosphate rock treatments were sprayed with a carrier free solution of P3 2 , and the inverse isotopic dilution technique used in the field was used again on some treatments. The use of labelled K2 H P 3 2 0 4 as a control for the surface labelled experiment provided sufficient information to allow differentiation of phosphate in the plant which was derived from soil and the fertiliser but the model developed could not be directly applied to results from the phosphate rock treatments. The dissolution of different forms of phosphate rock could not be compared using this labelling technique. The inverse isotopic dilution technique was re-evaluated in the glasshouse trial, by uniformly injecting the pots of ryegrass with a carrier free P 2 solution. The fertiliser treatments unpredictably stimulated uptake of labelled soil phosphate, so that the changes in herbage specific activity provided little meaningful information. These two unsuccessful attempts to derive quantitative information from the introduction of the P3 2 isotope into the phosphate rock­ soil-plant system demonstrated the difficulties involved in using isotopic dilution techniques to examine phosphate rock dissolution in field soils

Relationships between characteristics of soybean production in Tennessee, the number of contacts the producer had with extension and their use of certain production practices

The major purpose of this study was to obtain information that might be useful in developing Extension plans and programs for the soybean producers of Tennessee, characterize soybean production in Tennessee, and identify variables related to the use of soybean production practices. A total of 965 soybean producers located in Tennessee provided survey data in 1982. Tennessee County Extension agents conducted personal interviews with the producers. The nth number method of sampling was used to select the producers to be surveyed. According to the guidelines of the survey, producers interviewed must have grown at least 25 acres of soybeans in 1982. Information was obtained regarding the general production practices and the number of contacts the producer had with Extension agents over a 12 month period. The data were coded and computations were made by the University of Tennessee Computing Center. Chi-Square and a one-way analysis of variance F test were used to determine the strength of relationship between the dependent and independent variables. Chi-Square and F values which achieved the .05 probability level were accepted as significant. Findings indicated that the disk was the major equipment used in seedbed preparation. Over one-half of the producers used an inoculant and molybdenum on seed at planting, planted certified seed, fertilized and limed according to soil test, planted disease free seed and used crop rotation to control disease, used crop rotation to control cyst nematodes, and used chemicals to control weeds. The yield per acre which soybean producers had was significantly influenced by 38 out of 54 production practices. Producers fertilizing and liming by soil test had higher yield per acre than those not using soil test. There was a significant relationship between size and fertilization practices and harvesting, storing, and marketing practices. The number of contacts soybean producers had with Extension was significantly related to the use of 22 of the production practices

The trial rhetoric of Gerry Spence in Silkwood v. Kerr-McGee

Thesis (M.A.)--University of Kansas, Speech Communication and Human Relations, 1984