IC 076 Guide to Sigma Xi Records, 1958-1999

The Sigma Xi collection comprises correspondence, newsletters, booklets, reports, manuals, directories, annual reports, meeting notes, bylaws, agendas, mailing list, applications for grants, science fair, awards, and other papers and printed materials from or related to Sigma Xi. See more at IC 076

Precarization, Genderization and Neotaylorist Work: How Global Value Chain Restructuring Affects Banking Sector Workers in Brazil

The transnationalization of financial markets impacted on the fragmentation and recomposition of value chains which induced comprehensive processes of outsourcing and the commodification of bank services. This paper explores how this translates into the sectoral and internal reorganization of Brazilian banks and how work organization and social relations are affected. The case of (bank-owned as well as outsourced) call center not only reflects changes in the importance and form of service relations but also shapes a neotayorist reorganization of the labor process and the respective modes of control. As a result, a complex process of precarization and segmentation of the work force can be observed which impacts on new lines of inequality related to categories like gender, class and race. The analysis is based on a theoretical approach which refers to Michael Burawoy’s concept of the “politics of production” and categories of Pierre Bourdieu’s social theory like symbolic violence. This allows an analysis of power relations which also includes the dimension of identities. Thus a more fine-grained insight can be gained on how transnational restructuring affects redistribution on a macro, meso and micro level

The Needs and Opportunities for Agricultural Research from the Perspective of Latin America and the Caribbean

Document summarizing the research challenges faced by the Latin America and Caribbean Region prepared on behalf of the Regional Forum for Agricultural Research in Latin America and the Caribbean. It is based on the full action plan for that region, which is also included in the record. The shorter document was prepared for the first meeting of the Global Forum on Agricultural Research held during CGIAR International Centers Week, October-November 1996.The paper described research priorities, and the status of national research, taking Mexico as an example. It discussed ways of increasing the effectiveness and impact of agricultural research in Latin America through more effective partnerships between regional, subregional, and national actors, as well as through their participation in global agricultural research. These two documents were circulated as inputs to GFAR discussions leading to the Declaration and Action Plan for Global Partnerships in Agricultural Research

AGENDA: Best Management Practices (BMPs): What? How? And Why?

The Environmentally Friendly Drilling Systems (EFD) Program, managed by the Houston Advanced Research Center, works to identify, develop and transfer critical, cost effective, new technologies that can provide policy makers and industry with the ability to develop natural gas reserves in a safe and environmentally friendly manner. Funding for the EFD Program is through a grant from the Research Partnership to Secure Energy for America, established under the 2005 Energy Act. Within the EFD Program, some projects focus on technologies for developing energy sources in environmentally sensitive areas; others (like the NRLC’s BMP Project) seek ways to reduce the environmental footprint in all types of environments. The EFD Program currently provides the majority of funding for the Intermountain Oil and Gas BMP project. The EFD Program holds quarterly workshops to share ideas among the program partners, sponsors, and with the broader community. The NRLC hosted the EFD\u27s quarterly meeting in a workshop on May 26, 2011 at the Wolf Law Building on the University of Colorado campus. With presentations from EFD project researchers and perspectives invited from all participants, the May, 2011 EFD workshop explored the value of different methods for incorporating BMPs into a development as well as the benefits and cost of implementing BMPs. See the NRLC\u27s Intermountain Oil and Gas BMP Project for more information on BMPs and how they can be implemented in oil and gas development

AGENDA: Best Management Practices (BMPs): What? How? And Why?

The Environmentally Friendly Drilling Systems (EFD) Program, managed by the Houston Advanced Research Center, works to identify, develop and transfer critical, cost effective, new technologies that can provide policy makers and industry with the ability to develop natural gas reserves in a safe and environmentally friendly manner. Funding for the EFD Program is through a grant from the Research Partnership to Secure Energy for America, established under the 2005 Energy Act. Within the EFD Program, some projects focus on technologies for developing energy sources in environmentally sensitive areas; others (like the NRLC’s BMP Project) seek ways to reduce the environmental footprint in all types of environments. The EFD Program currently provides the majority of funding for the Intermountain Oil and Gas BMP project. The EFD Program holds quarterly workshops to share ideas among the program partners, sponsors, and with the broader community. The NRLC hosted the EFD\u27s quarterly meeting in a workshop on May 26, 2011 at the Wolf Law Building on the University of Colorado campus. With presentations from EFD project researchers and perspectives invited from all participants, the May, 2011 EFD workshop explored the value of different methods for incorporating BMPs into a development as well as the benefits and cost of implementing BMPs. See the NRLC\u27s Intermountain Oil and Gas BMP Project for more information on BMPs and how they can be implemented in oil and gas development

The status of clinical trials: Cause for concern

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Americans see clinical research as important, with over 15 million American residents participating in NIH-sponsored studies in 2008 and growing yearly.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Documents reporting NIH supported Clinical Research projects were reviewed.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>When compared with other studies, the number of interventional Phase III and Phase IV trials have decreased from 20% to 4.4% from 1994-2008.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>This finding most likely has occurred for several reasons. One reason is that the physician lacks an infrastructure for designing and carrying out trials. This lack is because of an absence of a coordinated effort to train clinical trialists. It is clear that the Nation needs a more purposeful approach to developing and maintaining the infrastructure for designing and conducting clinical trials. Building it de novo trial by trial is profoundly inefficient, to say nothing about time consuming and error prone.</p

AGENDA: Water, Climate and Uncertainty: Implications for Western Water Law, Policy, and Management

The swollen creeks of Boulder, Colorado provided a fitting backdrop for the “Water, Climate and Uncertainty” conference at the Natural Resources Law Center of the University of Colorado in June 2003. Recognizing the importance of providing a forum for discussions between water managers, lawyers, policy makers, and scientists, Doug Kenney, the conference\u27s organizer, assumed the responsibility of master of ceremonies, providing thoughtful transitions between speakers and sessions while throwing some humor into the mix. Under his direction, luminaries in the fields of science, law and policy engaged a wide range of issues related to the future of water management. The twenty-fourth annual conference was divided into five sessions. Session One was given the thought-provoking title “The Future Isn’t What It Used to Be,” echoing the words of the inimitable Yogi Berra; the wisdom of the baseball legend with a penchant for paradox was repeatedly invoked during the conference. This first session was further divided into two parts: Western Climate History and Western Climate Future. Session Two, entitled “Science, Policy, Law and Extra-Strength Tylenol,” considered current and future applications of science in policy and law, as well as the headaches attending these applications. The simple title of Session Three, “Basins and Borders,” belied the complexity of issues facing communities from the municipal level up to the international level. The Keynote Lecture that served as an intermission was delivered by the Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Water and Science, Bennett Raley. Session Four, “Additional Perspectives,” aimed at identifying oft’ overlooked voices and issues with respect to water management decisions. Finally, the ambitiously named Fifth Session, “Tying It All Together,” promised as much as it delivered. -- Steve Bailey, National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) See also Mark Shea, Conference Reports: Water Climate and Uncertainty: Implications for Western Water, Law, Policy, and Management, 7 U. Denv. Water L. Rev. 226 (2003)

Comparative life cycle assessment of LED lighting products

LED lighting products used in lighting applications and their subsequent environmental impact are growing rapidly. However, there are no in-depth updated studies that show how to assess and compare them for eco-design purposes. This research aims to add insights in this area to inform eco-design by assessing and comparing the environmental impact of a new LED eco-lighting product with an existing LED lighting product. A cradle to grave Life Cycle assessment (LCA) was conducted using ReCiPe Midpoint and Endpoint (H) life cycle impact assessment method with Simapro software. The system boundaries included all product life cycle stages, except the maintenance of the luminaires and the manufacturing of the packaging. A novel functional unit was defined for the assessment, which is more suitable for the LED lighting products. Six scenarios were considered, including three probable useful lives of the luminaires (1,000, 15,000 and 40,000 h) and two end of life options (domestic bin and recycling centre). The LCA results revealed that the new eco-lighting product has about 60% less environmental impact than the existing lighting product in all scenarios. The life cycle stages with the highest environmental impact are: 1) Use, 2) Manufacturing, 3) End of Life and 4) Transport. Based on the results obtained, recommendations for eco-design of LED lighting products were proposed, and challenges of application of LCA for the eco-design were discussed

Selecting Roadway Design Treatments to Accommodate Bicycles

DTFH61-89-C-00089The manual is designed to assist transportation planners and engineers in selecting roadway design treatments to accommodate bicycles. This is the first attempt to provide comprehensive guidelines for this process. The recommendations are based on assumptions regarding policy goals and the types of bicyclists to be accommodated, the state of the practice, and professional judgement. More research, testing, and evaluation are needed to assess and refine these recommendations. A more detailed final report on this study is available. The manual is not intended to serve as a comprehensive guide to the design of bicycle facilities. The user is referred to the current edition of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials' Guide to the Development of Bicycle Facilities for detailed specifications. The manual describes the assumptions, principles, and approaches used to develop the recommendations; provides a model planning process for identifying a network of routes on which designated bicycle facilities should be provided to accommodate bicyclists of moderate ability (casual adult riders and children); and recommends design treatments and specifications for roadways to serve different types of bicyclists under various sets of traffic operational factors

Self-medication and non-doctor prescription practices in Pokhara valley, Western Nepal: a questionnaire-based study

BACKGROUND: Self-medication and non-doctor prescribing of drugs is common in developing countries. Complementary and alternative medications, especially herbs, are also commonly used. There are few studies on the use of these medications in Pokhara Valley, Western Nepal. METHODS: Previously briefed seventh semester medical students, using a semi-structured questionnaire, carried out the study on 142 respondents. Demographic information and information on drugs used for self-medication or prescribed by a non-allopathic doctor were collected. RESULTS: Seventy-six respondents (54%) were aged between 20 to 39 years. The majority of the respondents (72 %) stayed within 30 minutes walking distance of a health post/medical store. 59% of these respondents had taken some form of self-medication in the 6-month period preceding the study. The common reasons given for self-medication were mild illness, previous experience of treating a similar illness, and non-availability of health personnel. 70% of respondents were prescribed allopathic drugs by a non-allopathic doctor. The compounder and health assistant were common sources of medicines. Paracetamol and antimicrobials were the drugs most commonly prescribed. A significantly higher proportion of young (<40 years) male respondents had used self-medication than other groups. CONCLUSIONS: Self-medication and non-doctor prescribing are common in the Pokhara valley. In addition to allopathic drugs, herbal remedies were also commonly used for self-medication. Drugs, especially antimicrobials, were not taken for the proper duration. Education to help patients decide on the appropriateness of self-medication is required