Remote sensing utility in a disaster struck urban environment

Six major public health areas which might be affected by a natural disaster were identified. The functions and tasks associated with each area following a disaster, potential ways remote sensing could aid these functions, and the baseline data which would expedite problem solving associated with these functions are discussed

Parton branching at amplitude level

We present an algorithm that evolves hard processes at the amplitude level by dressing them iteratively with (massless) quarks and gluons. The algorithm interleaves collinear emissions with soft emissions and includes Coulomb/Glauber exchanges. It includes all orders in $N_{\mathrm{c}}$, is spin dependent and is able to accommodate kinematic recoils. Although it is specified at leading logarithmic accuracy, the framework should be sufficient to go beyond. Coulomb exchanges make the factorisation of collinear and soft emissions highly non-trivial. In the absence of Coulomb exchanges, we show how factorisation works out and how a partial factorisation is manifest in the presence of Coulomb exchanges. Finally, we illustrate the use of the algorithm by deriving DGLAP evolution and computing the resummed thrust, hemisphere jet mass and gaps-between-jets distributions in $e^+ e^-$.Comment: 54 pages, minor changes in version

Integrated ecological modelling for decision support in river management: a lowland river case study (Cauca river in Colombia)

Several practical concepts and software systems have been recently developed in the issue of environmental decision support. However, the application of ecological modelling approaches that integrate hydrodynamic, physical-chemical, and biological components sub-models for predicting macroinvertebrates in rivers, is rather limited and hardly described in literature. The Cauca river is one of most severe cases of contamination for domestic and industrial wastewater discharges in Colombia. One of the most sensitive problems in the Cauca river is the decrease of dissolved oxygen with concentrations near to zero (0) mg/l in some monitoring stations especially during dry season (low flows). Low DO levels affect the ecosystem equilibrium and the functioning and survival of biological communities. In this research an integration of habitat suitability models with the hydrodynamic and physical-chemical water quality model MIKE11 was performed. Ecological models (statistical models) that allow predicting the occurrence and the abundance of macroinvertebrates (Ephemeroptera, Trichoptera and Haplotaxida) in this river under different conditions were built. The integrated ecological model allows to model and to assess the ecological impact of wastewater discharges into the Cauca river and can help to calculate the needed reductions in discharges of organic matter to meet biological quality criteria in this river

Selecting relevant predictors: impact of variable selection on model performance, uncertainty and applicability of models in environmental decision making

One of the crucial steps when developing models is the selection of appropriate variables. In this research we assessed the impact variable selection on the model performance and model applicability. Regression trees were built to understand the relationship between the ecological water quality and the physicalchemical and hydromorphological variables. Different model parameterizations and three combinations of explanatory variables were used for developing the trees. Once constructed, they were integrated with the water quality model (PEGASE) and used to simulate the future ecological water quality. These simulations were summarized per combination of explanatory variables and compared. Three key messages summarize our conclusions. First, it was confirmed that different parameterizations alter the statistical reliability of the trees produced. Secondly, it was found that statistical reliability of the models remained stable when different combinations of explanatory variables were implemented. The determination coefficient (R²) ranged from 0.68 to 0.86; Kappa statistic (K) ranged from 0.15 and 0.46; and the percentage of Correctly Classified Instances (CCI) from 33 to 59%. Thirdly, when applying the models on an independent dataset consisting of future physical-chemical water quality data, different conclusions may be taken, depending on the combination of variables used

Potential role of remote sensing in disaster relief management

Baseline or predisaster data which would be useful to decision making in the immediate postdisaster period were suggested for the six areas of public health concern along with guidelines for organizing these data. Potential sources of these data are identified. In order to fully assess the impact of a disaster on an area, information about its predisaster status must be known. Aerial photography is one way of acquiring and recording such data

ADAPTATIONS MADE TO EVIDENCE-BASED PUBLIC HEALTH PROGRAMS IN LOW- TO MIDDLE- INCOME COUNTRIES: A CONCEPT MAPPING ANALYSIS

One of the most challenging barriers to implementing successful and sustainable evidence-based programs in public health is the ability to remain faithful to original protocols grounded in scientific evidence while adapting programmatic components to reflect the reality of the communities they are meant to benefit. It is generally accepted that some degree of adaptation should occur in order to achieve positive, sustainable outcomes in public health programs. A concept mapping methodology was used to explore types of adaptation that occur during implementation of evidence-based global health programs in low- to middle-income countries (LMICs). Purposive and snowball sampling produced a sample (N=24) of those who have implemented evidence-based public health programs in LMICs. CS Global MAX™ software was used for participant phases and for data analysis. A 10-cluster solution was chosen by the researcher based on participant groupings and includes the following adaptation categories: (1) Culturally Appropriate Communication, (2) Monitoring & Evaluation, (3) Human Resources, (4) Capacity Building, (5) Community Input, (6) Local Expertise, (7) Evidence Transition to Local Context, (8) Technology and Incentives, (9) Transparency, and (10) Cultural Considerations. Pattern matching displays and bivariate plots, “go-zones,” were used to evaluate the clusters in terms of importance and ease. Clusters such as Culturally Appropriate Communication and Monitoring & Evaluation were considered both important and relatively easy to complete whereas the Human Resources cluster was considered to be both unimportant and difficult to achieve. This study produced a unique conceptualization of adaptation categories by using a unique mixed methods analysis to conceptualize adaptation categories, was one of only four studies to interview actual implementers, the only study that included implementers from a variety of LMICs that drew from several types of public health program, and has uniquely assessed the relative importance and ease of adaptations from the viewpoint of program implementers

Estimating the spatial and temporal distribution of species richness within Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks.

Evidence for significant losses of species richness or biodiversity, even within protected natural areas, is mounting. Managers are increasingly being asked to monitor biodiversity, yet estimating biodiversity is often prohibitively expensive. As a cost-effective option, we estimated the spatial and temporal distribution of species richness for four taxonomic groups (birds, mammals, herpetofauna (reptiles and amphibians), and plants) within Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks using only existing biological studies undertaken within the Parks and the Parks' long-term wildlife observation database. We used a rarefaction approach to model species richness for the four taxonomic groups and analyzed those groups by habitat type, elevation zone, and time period. We then mapped the spatial distributions of species richness values for the four taxonomic groups, as well as total species richness, for the Parks. We also estimated changes in species richness for birds, mammals, and herpetofauna since 1980. The modeled patterns of species richness either peaked at mid elevations (mammals, plants, and total species richness) or declined consistently with increasing elevation (herpetofauna and birds). Plants reached maximum species richness values at much higher elevations than did vertebrate taxa, and non-flying mammals reached maximum species richness values at higher elevations than did birds. Alpine plant communities, including sagebrush, had higher species richness values than did subalpine plant communities located below them in elevation. These results are supported by other papers published in the scientific literature. Perhaps reflecting climate change: birds and herpetofauna displayed declines in species richness since 1980 at low and middle elevations and mammals displayed declines in species richness since 1980 at all elevations

Secondary schools as social capital builders: opportunity structures and response strategies in four cases in Spain

In 2006 Spain undertook a programme of building social capital as a means of bolstering social cohesion, trust, democratic values and mutual tolerance in the country. The thesis analyses the attempt by the Spanish government, starting in 2006, to build social capital and the role assigned to Spanish secondary schools. The thesis looks at the formulation of the policy and its subsequent transposing into regional legislation and implementation at the grassroots level. The empirical analysis assesses the policy’s implementation in four secondary schools in two regions-- Aragon and Castile Leon --immediately after the relevant legislation was put into place. Focus of the investigation is on the role that the regions and schools have played in the operationalisation of the national strategy. The thesis hypothesises that in the Spanish case: if the government can provide a well formulated and structured social capital building strategy, then secondary schools will be in a position to operate as effective social capital builders. The “dependent” variable in the thesis is defined as the secondary schools’ capacity to implement the national strategy that is based on six policy pillars. Thus, the basic unit of analysis in the thesis is the individual school and its capacity to carry out the functions stipulated in the national and regional legislation. The “independent” variables represent the components of the institutional and operational context. The study has found differences in the approach adopted by the two regions in the transfer of the national policy to the regional level indicating that it takes time for lower level institutions to fully put into place national policies. Accordingly, changes need to be made in the operationalisation of the six policy pillars as well as in encouraging the schools to become more pro-active in their implementation

INSECT DIVERSITY AND PEST STATUS ON SWITCHGRASS GROWN FOR BIOFUEL IN SOUTH CAROLINA

Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) has tremendous potential as a biomass and stock crop for cellulosic ethanol production or combustion as a solid fuel. The first goal of this study was to assess diversity of insects in a perennial switchgrass crop in South Carolina. A three-year study was conducted to sample insects using pitfall traps and sweep nets at the Pee Dee Research and Education Center in Florence, SC, from 2007-2009. Collected specimens were identified to family and classified by trophic groups, and predominant species were identified. The diversity and density of weeds in the field during the establishment year (2007) were greater than the following years. Insect diversity at the family level varied significantly across sampling dates only for sweep net samples, with diversity peaks in May of each year. Diversity at the trophic-group level showed significant differences for predators in pitfall traps and for predators and herbivores in sweep net samples across sampling dates. The second goal was to determine the potential impact of insect herbivores on switchgrass yield. Selected plots received applications of 1,3-dichloropropene and chloropicrin soil fumigation before planting and foliar applications of acephate during the season. Dry weight biomass was not significantly affected (P \u3e 0.05) by treatments and visible herbivory was limited to sporadic grasshopper feeding. The most abundant herbivore family collected in pitfall traps was Gryllidae and in sweep net samples Cicadellidae. Chewing, sucking and boring feeding guilds were negatively correlated with the biomass of switchgrass in sweep net samples and sucking insects for pitfall traps. Predominant herbivore species were Draeucolacephala sp. and Melanoplus possibly sanguinipes and an undetermined species of Tettigoniidae. The predominant predator was Solenopsis invicta Buren. Assessing arthropod diversity in switchgrass is a first step in identifying potential pests and beneficial insects in this crop. The results of this study provide important information related to the pest status of insects in switchgrass in South Carolina