NERC Open Research Archive (NORA)

4th International Conference on Open RepositoriesThis presentation was part of the session : Conference PostersNORA (NERC Open Research Archive) is the repository for the peer-reviewed output of the UK's Natural Environment Research Council, covering atmospheric science, earth science, earth observation, environmental maths and statistics, marine, polar, science based archaeology, technology and e-science, terrestrial and freshwater science. NORA phase 1 went live in August 2007 and now has over 5000 entries. With phase 2 we are looking to develop a publication management workflow, add an internal repository, and improve the output of statistics and management information

Power, Pain, and Pleasure in Pornography: A Content Analysis of Pornographic Feature Films, 1972-1985

Within the last decade, a view has emerged in governmental publications, the popular press, and research conducted in the fields of communications and film studies which regards pornography as being typified by material which is violent or which exhibits unequal relations of power between the sexes. This dissertation employs content analysis to investigate the portrayal of male and female characters and relationships in pornographic films. The investigation empirically operationalizes certain broadly defined concepts that are often used in conjunction with pornography, concepts of unequal power relations and of the subordination or de-humanization of characters. Specifically, certain observable components of unequal power relations have been postulated and investigated throughout the range of films sampled. In addition, communication patterns, demonstrations of affection and of sexual pleasure are analyzed, as well as rates of violent and abusive behavior. Three units of analysis are employed: characters, sex scenes, and violent acts. Although the violent-acts unit of analysis made provisions for the coding of violent behavior, the sex-scene unit of analysis was defined so that it, too, would contain variable categories permitting the coding of abusive or violent acts. The sample is 32 classic or top-selling pornographic feature films, covering the years 1972-1985. Each film was coded by a male and a female coder. On a variety of measures, male and female characters were found to be portrayed in relatively equivalent terms. The average number of violent acts per film was 1.4. 21 percent of all sex scenes contained abuse. The hypothesis that rates of violence have been increasing in pornography in recent years was not supported

A dynamic framework for managing the complexities of risks in megaprojects

The future of mega infrastructure projects is certain - there will be more risks to manage. The challenge is being met through research and innovation combining current approaches with new. This research adopted a dynamic approach through the combination of Analytical Network Process (ANP) and system dynamics (SD) as an innovative methodology known as SDANP to model complexity in megaprojects design and construction. We communicate how the SDANP model could explore problems caused by Social, Technical, Economic, Environmental and Political (STEEP) risks to construction cost, time and performance and provide insights that lead to organizational learning. We proceed to exemplify by means of a real-life case project in the City of Edinburgh and offer suggestions on what front-ended stakeholders could do to improve the management of risks in megaprojects. The results of the application showed that, when compared to traditional risks assessment methods, this SD model with integrated ANP revealed improvements in managing risks according to STEEP risks criteria. The new framework appears to be a superior solution for solving the dynamic complexities of risks during megaproject design and construction. The findings of the study contribute to the project management theoretical development within the field of megaproject management

The Impact of Personal Remittances, FDI and Exports on Economic Growth: Evidence from West Africa

The study delves into West African data to assess the impact of personal remittances, FDI and exports on economic growth by applying panel data methodologies on 15 countries from 1991 to 2017. The study further applied panel fully modified ordinary least square, robust least square, and generalized linear model regression methodologies to make a statistical inference. From the results, it could be ascertained that personal remittances and exports have a strong and positive impact on economic growth. Meanwhile, FDI has a positive impact on economic growth as an individual factor, but with the existence of personal remittances and exports, FDI tends to become negative and significant in West Africa. The study proposes further studies into the area of FDI to unravel the exact relationship it has with economic growth. Keywords: Personal remittances, Foreign direct investment, Exports, Robust least squares, Fully modified ordinary least squares, Generalized linear model DOI: 10.7176/EJBM/11-23-04 Publication date: August 31st 201

Nephrogenic systemic fibrosis risk and liver disease.

Objective. Evaluate the incidence of nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF) in patients with liver disease in the peritransplant period. Materials and Methods. This IRB approved study retrospectively reviewed patients requiring transplantation for cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), or both from 2003 to 2013. Records were reviewed identifying those having gadolinium enhanced MRI within 1 year of posttransplantation to document degree of liver disease, renal disease, and evidence for NSF. Results. Gadolinium-enhanced MRI was performed on 312 of 837 patients, including 23 with severe renal failure (GFR < 30 mL/min/1.73 cm(2)) and 289 with GFR > 30. Two of 23 patients with renal failure developed NSF compared to zero NSF cases in 289 patients with GFR > 30 (0/289; P < 0.003). High dose gadodiamide was used in the two NSF cases. There was no increased incidence of NSF with severe liver disease (1/71) compared to nonsevere liver disease (1/241; P = 0.412). Conclusion. Renal disease is a risk factor for NSF, but in our small sample our evidence suggests liver disease is not an additional risk factor, especially if a low-risk gadolinium agent is used. Noting that not all patients received high-risk gadolinium, a larger study focusing on patients receiving high-risk gadolinium is needed to further evaluate NSF risk in liver disease in the peritransplant period

Using Satellite Remote Sensing Data in a Spatially Explicit Price Model

Famine early warning organizations use data from multiple disciplines to assess food insecurity of communities and regions in less-developed parts of the World. In this paper we integrate several indicators that are available to enhance the information for preparation for and responses to food security emergencies. The assessment uses a price model based on the relationship between the suitability of the growing season and market prices for coarse grain. The model is then used to create spatially continuous maps of millet prices. The model is applied to the dry central and northern areas of West Africa, using satellite-derived vegetation indices for the entire region. By coupling the model with vegetation data estimated for one to four months into the future, maps are created of a leading indicator of potential price movements. It is anticipated that these maps can be used to enable early warning of famine and for planning appropriate responses

Water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) in schools: results from a process evaluation of the National Sanitation Campaign in Tanzania

This study assesses the intermediate outcomes of the Tanzania National Sanitation Campaign (NSC) for schools. A cross-sectional study was designed as part of a process evaluation of the NSC in Tanzania on 70 primary schools and 54 regional and district education officers. Data was collected between August and December 2014 using questionaires, key informant interviews, and desk studies. The results showed that only 50% of schools met the Tanzania guideline of 50 boys per drop hole, while 43% met the guideline of 40 girls per drop hole. In addition, 53% of schools had a reliable water supply, 43% had some functional handwashing stations, but only 29% and 19% had water and soap available at the stations, respectively. Overall, the implementation of the NSC in schools was found to be effective, though poor planning and coordination, inadequate funding, and low technical capacity were identified as barriers to achieve the intended objectives. The study recommends stronger and coordinated stakeholder partnerships with clearly defined roles including cost sharing. Government and other stakeholders should also consider the impact of increasing funding for both software and hardware components to improve the enabling environment, and to develop a standardised monitoring mechanism for sustainable school water, sanitation and hygiene.</jats:p

Strabismus and Amblyopia in Africa – A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

The objective of this review was to estimate the prevalence of strabismus and amblyopia in Africa. A systematic online literature search was conducted for articles on strabismus and amblyopia in Africa. Meta-analysis was performed, using the Freeman-Tukey double arcsine transformation, to estimate the prevalence of strabismus and amblyopia in Africa. Subgroup analyses were conducted according to age, gender, study year, and type of amblyopia. Meta-regression was used to evaluate the influence of predetermined factors on the prevalence of amblyopia. 8 (1 population-based & 7 school-based) and 21 (3 population-based & 18 school-based) studies on strabismus and amblyopia with sample sizes of 22,355 and 46,841, respectively, were included in the review. Overall prevalence of strabismus in Africa was estimated to be 0.8% (95% CI: 0.4% − 1.4%); exotropia was 0.2% (95% CI: 0.1% − 0.5%) and esotropia was 0.5% (95% CI: 0.1% − 1.2%). Overall prevalence of amblyopia was estimated to be 0.6% (95% CI: 0.3% − 0.9%); refractive and strabismic amblyopia were 1.1% (95% CI: 0.2% − 2.5%) and 0.4% (95% CI: 0.2% − 0.6%), respectively. Prevalence estimate of amblyopia in males was 1.8% (95% CI: 0.7% − 3.3%) and in females was 1.3% (95% CI: 0.4% − 2.6%). There was a significant association between the prevalence of amblyopia and the type of amblyopia (p = .007) and the study year (p = .006). Although there appears to be a relatively low prevalence of strabismus and amblyopia in Africa, there is a dearth of well-designed populationbased studies on strabismus and amblyopia in Africa, resulting in the lack of epidemiological information on strabismus and amblyopia within the general African population. Information about the prevalence of strabismus and amblyopia across Africa can inform policy making and design and implementation of public health intervention program

Understanding the effect of ethnic density on mental health: multi-level investigation of survey data from England

Objectives To determine if living in areas where higher proportions of people of the same ethnicity reside is protective for common mental disorders, and associated with a reduced exposure to discrimination and improved social support. Finally, to determine if any protective ethnic density effects are mediated by reduced exposure to racism and improved social support