Institutional Repository based Open Access Scholarly Publishing System: A Conceptual Model

Although Institutional repositories have been used as a strategy to improve the access to traditional scholarly content (such as e-prints) very often, their role in scholarly publishing has been discussed for a long time. Present study investigates the role of institutional repository as a scholarly publishing platform, and intends to propose an open access scholarly publishing model based on institutional repositories. For that purpose, related literature is reviewed to identify the current trends in scholarly publishing, open access movement and institutional repositories. Moreover, features of selected institutional repositories are discussed along with features of widely used institutional repository software platforms. The proposed conceptual model is developed accordingly. This study concludes that, by serving as a scholarly publishing platform, institutional repositories enable the institutes to take control of their research output while promoting accessibility to the institutional research in an open-access environment

Prediction of the Effectiveness of Rolling Dynamic Compaction Using Artificial Intelligence Techniques and In Situ Soil Test Data

The research presented in this thesis focuses on developing predictive tools to forecast the effectiveness of rolling dynamic compaction (RDC) in different ground conditions. Among many other soil compaction methods, RDC is a widespread technique, which involves impacting the ground with a heavy (6–12 tonnes) non-circular (3-, 4- and 5- sided) module. It provides the construction industry with an improved ground compaction capability, especially with respect to a greater influence depth and a higher speed of compaction, resulting in increased productivity when compared with traditional compaction equipment. However, to date, no rational means are available for obtaining a priori estimation of the degree of densification or the extent of the influence depth by RDC in different ground conditions. In addressing this knowledge gap, the research presented in this thesis develops robust predictive models to forecast the performance of RDC by means of the artificial intelligence (AI) techniques in the form of artificial neural networks (ANNs) and linear genetic programming (LGP), which have already been proven to be successful in a wide variety of forecasting applications in geotechnical engineering aspects. This study is focussed solely on the 4-sided, 8 tonne impact roller (BH-1300) and the AI-based models incorporate comprehensive databases consisting of in situ soil test data; specifically cone penetration test (CPT) and dynamic cone penetration (DCP) test data obtained from many ground improvement projects involving RDC. Thus, altogether, two distinct sets of optimal models: two involving ANNs – one for the CPT and the other for the DCP; and two LGP models – again, one for the CPT and the other for the DCP – are presented. The accuracy and the reliability of the optimal model predictions are assessed by subjecting them to various performance measures. Furthermore, each of the selected optimal models are examined in a parametric study, by which the generalisation ability and the robustness of the models are confirmed. In addition, the performance of the optimal ANN and LGP-based models, as well as other aspects, are compared with each other in order to assess the suitability and shortcomings of each. Consequently, a recommendation has been made of the most feasible approach for predicting the effectiveness of RDC in different ground conditions with respect to CPT and DCP test data. The models have also been disseminated via a series of mathematical formulae and/or programming code to facilitate their application in practice. It is demonstrated that the developed optimal models are accurate and reliable over a range of soil types, and thus, have been recommended with confidence. As such, the developed models provide preliminary estimates of the density improvement in the ground based on the subsurface conditions and the number of roller passes. Therefore, it is considered that the models are beneficial during the pre-planning stages, and may replace, or at the very least augment, the necessity for RDC field trials prior to fullscale construction. In addition, the analyses demonstrate that the AI techniques provide a feasible approach for non-linear modelling involving many parameters, which in turn, further encourages future applications in the broader geotechnical engineering context. Finally, a comprehensive set of guidelines for each of the AI techniques employed in this research, i.e. ANN and LGP, is provided, with the intention of assisting potential and current users of these techniques.Thesis (Ph.D.) -- University of Adelaide, School of Civil, Environmental and Mining Engineering, 201

Role of Community Based Savings Groups (CBSGs) enhancing the utilization of community midwives in Chitral district of Pakistan

Background: Maternal and infant mortality rates in the district of Chitral in Pakistan are alarmingly high. One of the major reasons for this is the inability of women to access skilled care due to the high costs associated with traveling and utilizing such services. The Aga Khan Health Services, Pakistan (AKHSP) in partnership with the national and provincial Maternal, Neonatal and Child Health (MNCH) program, deployed 28 community midwives (CMWs) in remote villages of Chitral district. This program has also established Community-Based Savings Groups (CBSGs) to support and facilitate access to MNCH services, in particular those delivered by the CMWs. CBSGs are a simple yet cost-effective and sustainable means of providing basic financial services to low income, marginalized, rural populations.The link between CBSGs and utilization of MNCH services is not well understood. This study will assess the relationship between women membership of CBSGs and their utilization of MNCH services, specifically those offered by CMWs, in the community.Methods: The research question will be answered through guided interviews of women in the target population who have delivered within one month. The outcome variable will be the utilization of full continuum of skilled MNCH care (disaggregated by 1+ ANC, 1+ PNC and skilled delivery). The primary independent variable of interest will be participation in a CBSG.Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) will be conducted to generate further understanding and information about the social and financial factors that contribute to health behavior and health provider decision-making during pregnancy.Analysis will be tailored to answer how CBSGs, directly or indirectly, facilitate greater financial and/or social access to CMW services for pregnant women. Furthermore, the extent to which financial or social empowerment through a CBSG leads to greater utilization of CMW services.Discussion: The role of CBSGs and their interlink with the CMWs services to be replicated in other comparable areas in Pakistan as a viable mean to increase MNCH service utilization amongst rural, low income, and marginalized communities. Findings from this research will be disseminated through community, national, and international channels consisting of policy makers and social society groups

Programmatic use of molecular xenomonitoring at the level of evaluation units to assess persistence of lymphatic filariasis in Sri Lanka

BACKGROUND:Sri Lanka's Anti Filariasis Campaign distributed 5 rounds of mass drug administration (MDA with DEC plus albendazole) to all endemic regions in the country from 2002-2006. Post-MDA surveillance results have generally been encouraging. However, recent studies have documented low level persistence of Wuchereria bancrofti in Galle district based on comprehensive surveys that include molecular xenomonitoring (MX, detection of filarial DNA in mosquitoes) results. The purposes of this study were to demonstrate the use of MX in large evaluation units (EUs) and to field test different mosquito sampling schemes. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS:Galle district (population 1.1 million) was divided into two EUs. These included a coastal EU with known persistent LF and an inland EU with little persistent LF. Mosquitoes were systematically sampled from ~300 trap locations in 30 randomly selected clusters (health administrative units) per EU. Approximately 28,000 Culex quinquefasciatus were collected with gravid traps and tested for filarial DNA by qPCR. 92/625 pools (14.7%) from the coastal EU and 8/583 pools (1.4%) from the inland EU were positive for filarial DNA. Maximum likelihood estimates (MLE) for filarial DNA rates were essentially the same when the same number of mosquito pools were collected and tested from 75, 150, or 300 trap sites (range 0.61-0.78% for the coastal EU and 0.04-0.07% for the inland EU). The ability to use a smaller number of trap sites reduces the cost and time required for mosquito sampling. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE:These results suggest there is widespread persistence of W. bancrofti infection in the coastal Galle EU 8 years after the last round of MDA in 2006, and this is consistent with other data from the district. This study has shown that MX can be used by national programs to assess and map the persistence of W. bancrofti at the level of large EUs in areas with Culex transmission

Search Engine : an effective tool for exploring the Internet

The Internet has become the largest source of information. Today, millions of Websites exist and this number continuous to grow. Finding the right information at the right time is the challenge in the Internet age. Search engine is searchable database which allows locating the information on the Internet by submitting the keywords. Search engines can be divided into two categories as the Individual and Meta Search engines. This article discusses the features of these search engines in detail

E-LIS : an international open archive for library professionals

E-LIS, established in 2003, is an international open access (OA) archive related to librarianship, information science and technology, and related disciplines. It uses the Open Archives Initiative (OAI) protocol and tools to facilitate interoperability between repository servers. It is the biggest repository in library and information science and contains over 5000 papers. This presentation describes the main characteristics of the E-LIS archive and discusses its submission policy, features, etc in detail. Finally, this presentation aims to promote E-LIS among Sri Lankan LIS Professionals

Institutional Repository based Open Access Scholarly Publishing System: A Conceptual Model

Although Institutional repositories have been used as a strategy to improve the access to traditional scholarly content (such as e-prints) very often, their role in scholarly publishing has been discussed for a long time. Present study investigates the role of institutional repository as a scholarly publishing platform, and intends to propose an open access scholarly publishing model based on institutional repositories. For that purpose, related literature is reviewed to identify the current trends in scholarly publishing, open access movement and institutional repositories. Moreover, features of selected institutional repositories are discussed along with features of widely used institutional repository software platforms. The proposed conceptual model is developed accordingly. This study concludes that, by serving as a scholarly publishing platform, institutional repositories enable the institutes to take control of their research output while promoting accessibility to the institutional research in an open-access environment