A tragic death: a time to blame or a time to learn?

W.B. Runciman and A. Merr

Transformative Learning Intervention: Effect on Functional Health Literacy and Diabetes Knowledge in Older African Americans

This study evaluated the effect of a transformative learning intervention on functional health literacy and diabetes knowledge in older African Americans. Twenty participants from senior community centers completed a six session intervention and three health literacy tests. Participants’ verbal responses affirmed the positive influence of the TL principles

Improving patients' safety by gathering information - Anonymous reporting has an important role

Bill Runciman, Alan Merry and Alexander McCall Smit

Efek Tinggi Muka Air Tanah dan Pemupukan terhadap Emisi Co2 pada Tanah Gambut dengan Serasah Daun Akasia (Acacia Crassicarpa)

Indonesia has the largest peatland among the tropical countries which are spread in Sumatra mainly in province of Riau, Kalimantan and Papua. This study aims to know the effect of water level and fertilization N, P, K on CO2 emissions in peatland with litter of akasia (Acacia crassicarpa). This research was conducted in the Screen House, Plant Laboratory Faculty of Agriculture, University of Riau, from July to December 2013. This research was conducted experimentally using completely randomized design (CRD) of non-factorial with 6 treatments and 3 replications. The data obtained were analyzed descriptively and then the data is presented in tabular form. Parameters observed were CO2 emissions. The results showed that the increase of water level depth from 30 cm to 90 cm without fertilizer and with fertilizer N, P, K increase CO2 emissions were observed in October. However, in November and December observation, CO2 emissions were obtained in each treatment is inconsistent comparing in Oktober observation. Treatment of water level with fertilizer N, P, K result in CO2 emissions lower than treatment without fertilizer

Land use/vegetation mapping in reservoir management. Merrimack River basin

This report consists of an analysis of: ERTS-1 Multispectral Scanner imagery obtained 10 August 1973; Skylab 3 S190A and S190B photography, track 29, taken 21 September 1973; and RB-57 high-altitude aircraft photography acquired 26 September 1973. These data products were acquired on three cloud-free days within a 47-day period. The objectives of this study were: (1) to make quantitative comparisons between high-altitude aircraft photography and satellite imagery, and (2) to demonstrate the extent to which high resolution (S190A and B) space-acquired data can be used for land use/vegetation mapping and management of drainage basins

Towards safer, better healthcare: harnessing the natural properties of complex sociotechnical systems

Objectives: To sustain an argument that harnessing the natural properties of sociotechnical systems is necessary to promote safer, better healthcare. Methods: Triangulated analyses of discrete literature sources, particularly drawing on those from mathematics, sociology, marketing science and psychology. Results: Progress involves the use of natural networks and exploiting features such as their scale-free and small world nature, as well as characteristics of group dynamics like natural appeal (stickiness) and propagation (tipping points). The agenda for change should be set by prioritising problems in natural categories, addressed by groups who self select on the basis of their natural interest in the areas in question, and who set clinical standards and develop tools, the use of which should be monitored by peers. This approach will facilitate the evidence-based practice that most agree is now overdue, but which has not yet been realised by the application of conventional methods. Conclusion: A key to health system transformation may lie under-recognised under our noses, and involves exploiting the naturally-occurring characteristics of complex systems. Current strategies to address healthcare problems are insufficient. Clinicians work best when their expertise is mobilised, and they flourish in groupings of their own interests and preference. Being invited, empowered and nurtured rather than directed, micromanaged and controlled through a hierarchy is preferable.5 page(s

Skylab imagery: Application to reservoir management in New England

The author has identified the following significant results. S190B imagery is superior to the LANDSAT imagery for land use mapping and is as useful for level 1 and 2 land use mapping as the RB-57/RC8 high altitude imagery. Detailed land use mapping at levels 3 and finer from satellite imagery requires better resolution. For evaluating factors that are required to determine volume runoff potentials in a watershed, the S190B imagery was found to be as useful as the RB-57/RC8 high altitude aircraft imagery