From space to species: integrating remotely sensed information on primary productivity into investigations and systems models of vervet monkey (Cercopithecus aethiops) socio ecology

An in depth investigation of the socio-ecology of the vervet monkey species complex (Cercopithecus aethiops subspp.) is presented. Herein, particular emphasis has been placed on evaluating the information content of remotely sensed primary productivity with respect to inquiries into the causal network underlying the behavioural ecology of the species. The principal aim was to construct an inter-populational model of group size and range of distribution for vervet monkeys over the whole of sub-Saharan Africa. Data were collected on a habituated group of vervet monkeys over a 12 months observation period at the Lajuma Research Centre, South Africa. In addition, behavioural information from other populations was gathered in an extensive literature review. Environmental data were accrued on both a global (inter-populational) and local (intra- populational) level using a combination of remotely sensed data and more traditional field-observation based techniques. Where appropriate, variables were integrated into the powerful modelling environment of a Geographical Information System (GIS).Biologically intuitive associations between a remotely sensed index of primary productivity (the Normalised Difference Vegetation Index, or NDVI) and climatic conditions were established on the long-term global (annual average values over sub- Saharan Africa) and short-term local level (monthly values over the home range area of the study group). Local NDVI values, moreover, were strong correlates and predictors of field estimates on local phenology and food availability as well as of temporal and spatial variation in parameters of range use and time allocation by the study group. Global NDVI values proved pivotal to the eventual inter-populational time budget model of vervet monkey group size and potential range of distribution. Current results are taken to suggest that several areas of research within primatology may stand a lot to gain from a more widespread and systematic application of the powerful methodological synergism offered by remote sensing and geographical information systems

How Science Teachers Balance Religion and Evolution in the Science Classroom: A Case Study of Science Classes in A Florida Public School District

The purpose of this case study was to research how science teachers balance both religion and evolution in the science classroom with as little controversy as possible. In this study I attempted to provide some insight on how teachers are currently teaching evolution in their science classes in light of the religious beliefs of the students as well as their own. The case study was conducted in a school district in Florida where I attempted to answer the following questions: (a) How do science teachers in the Florida School District (FSD) approach the religion–evolution issue in preparing students for a career in a field of science? (b) How do science teachers in the FSD reconcile the subject of evolution with the religious views of their students? (c) How do science teachers in the FSD reconcile their own religious views with the teaching of evolution? (d) How do science teachers in the FSD perceive the relationship between religion and science? The data was collected through interviews with two high school teachers, and one middle school teacher, by observing each participant teach, by collecting site documents and by administering an exploratory survey to student volunteers. Analysis was conducted by open coding which produced four themes from which the research questions were answered and the survey answers were counted to produce the percentages displayed in the tables in chapter four. The teachers avoided discussion on religiously oriented questions or statements by the students and did not reveal their own religious orientation. The topic of microevolution appeared to reduce stress in the classroom environment, as opposed to addressing macroevolution

Social disparities in patient safety in primary care : a systematic review

Background: Patient safety is a quality indicator for primary care and it should be based on individual needs, and not differ among different social groups. Nevertheless, the attention on social disparities in patient safety has been mainly directed towards the hospital care, often overlooking the primary care setting. Therefore, this paper aims to synthesise social disparities in patient safety in the primary care setting. Methods: The Databases PubMed and Web of Science were searched for relevant studies published between January 1st 2006 and January 31st 2017. Papers investigating racial, gender and socioeconomic disparities in regards to administrative errors, diagnostic errors, medication errors and transition of care errors in primary care were included. No distinction in terms of participants' age was made. Results: Women and black patients are more likely to experience patient safety events in primary care, although it depends on the type of disease, treatment, and healthcare service. The available literature largely describes gender and ethnic disparities in the different patient safety domains whilst income and educational level are studied to a lesser extent. Conclusions: The results of this systematic review suggest that vulnerable social groups are likely to experience adverse patient safety events in primary care. Enhancing family doctors' awareness of these inequities is a necessary first step to tackle them and improve patient safety for all patients. Future research should focus on social disparities in patient safety using socioeconomic indicators, such as income and education

Au pied des hauts-fourneaux, un Learning Centre: reconversion du noyau de l’activité sidérurgique au coeur de la vie universitaire

Au début des années 2000, la reconversion du site de l’usine sidérurgique d’Esch-Belval, au Grand-Duché de Luxembourg, est entamée pour devenir le siège de l’Université du Luxembourg alors dispersée sur plusieurs campus. Cet article présente : - la réaffectation d’un ancien bâtiment de l’usine, la Möllerei, en Learning Centre dont l’ouverture est prévue pour 2018 ; - le BiblioLab, espace destiné à servir le public universitaire présent sur le site de Belval avant 2018 et conçu comme un laboratoire permettant de tester les concepts d’aménagements et de services en vue du Learning Centre.In het begin van de 21ste eeuw leidde de reconversie van de site van de vroegere staalfabriek van Esch-Belval in het Groothertogdom Luxemburg tot een centralisatie van de verschillende faculteiten van de Université du Luxembourg tot dan verspreid over verschillende campussen. Dit artikel gaat in op: - het herschikken van het vroegere fabrieksgebouw Möllerei tot een Learning Centre met een voorziene opening in 2018 en - het BiblioLab, een ruimte bedoeld om het academisch personeel en de studenten te ondersteunen en gelokaliseerd op de Belval site, opgezet als een laboratorium om concepten en faciliteiten voor het Learning Centre te testen

New Design Techniques for Efficient Arithmetization-Oriented Hash Functions: Anemoi Permutations and Jive Compression Mode

International audienc