scholarly journals Procedures from International Guidelines for Assessing Seismic Risk to Flood-Control Levees

2017 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 1191-1218 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paolo Zimmaro ◽  
Dong Youp Kwak ◽  
Jonathan P. Stewart ◽  
Scott J. Brandenberg ◽  
Ariya Balakrishnan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Best Practices ◽  
Flood Control ◽  
Ground Motions ◽  
The United States ◽  
Soil Conditions ◽  
Return Periods ◽  
Site Factors ◽  
Flow Failure ◽  
Motion Characterization ◽  
Section Level

We synthesize engineering procedures for estimating the seismic performance of major flood-control levees as given in guidelines documents and design codes from Canada (British Columbia), China, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, and the United States. Some guidelines carry the weight of law whereas compliance is optional for others. Most procedures combine a probabilistic ground motion characterization with deterministic assessments of levee performance (uncoupled approach). Ground motions are typically described using peak accelerations for reference site conditions at return periods typically ranging from 100 to 2,475 years. Those motions are deterministically modified for soil conditions using numerical simulations or ergodic site factors. Accompanying hydrological conditions are either not specified or are taken at a frequently encountered water level (ranging from mean annual to a four-month flood event). These demands are used in combination with various soil properties to assess the potential for liquefaction, flow failure, and permanent shear deformations. Drawing upon best practices identified from this review, we recommend procedures for levee risk assessment at the section-level and for levee systems.

Pitfalls of Deterministic Application of Nonlinear Site Factors in Probabilistic Assessment of Ground Motions

2009 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 541-555 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christine A. Goulet ◽  
Jonathan P. Stewart
Keyword(s):  
Site Effects ◽  
Site Response ◽  
Ground Motions ◽  
Site Conditions ◽  
Return Periods ◽  
Site Factors ◽  
Intensity Measures ◽  
Site Specific ◽  
Nonlinear Site Response ◽  
Rock And Soil

It is common for ground motions to be estimated using a combination of probabilistic and deterministic procedures. Probabilistic seismic hazard analyses (PSHA) are performed to estimate intensity measures ( IMs) for reference site conditions (usually rock). This is followed by a deterministic modification of the rock IMs to account for site effects, typically using site factors from the literature or seismic codes. We demonstrate for two California sites and three site conditions that the deterministic application of nonlinear site factors underestimates ground motions evaluated probabilistically for return periods of engineering interest. Reasons for this misfit include different standard deviation terms for rock and soil sites, different controlling earthquakes, and overestimation of the nonlinear component of the site response in the deterministic procedure. This problem is solved using site-specific PSHA with appropriate consideration of nonlinear site response, within the hazard integral.

Nutrient-Use Patterns in Nursery Crops

HortScience ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 557a-557
Author(s):  
Mary Ann Rose ◽  
Barbara Biernacka
Keyword(s):  
Nutrient Retention ◽  
The United States ◽  
Soil Conditions ◽  
Woody Ornamentals ◽  
Use Patterns ◽  
Nutrient Demand ◽  
Nutrient Use ◽  
Fertilizer Recommendations ◽  
Retention Characteristics ◽  
Practical Constraints

Long-standing fertilizer recommendations for field-grown nursery and landscape ornamentals are based on maximizing growth, not nutrient efficiency. Further, these recommendations fall short because of failure to consider 1) the extent of crop nutrient removal, 2) varying nutrient retention characteristics of soils across the United States, and 3) a body of research that suggests that woody ornamentals have a limited response to fertilization under most soil conditions. Concern for the environmental impact of fertilization justifies a reevaluation of current nursery fertilization practices, as well a discussion of the practical constraints on the adoption of new approaches, e.g., nutrient demand-driven fertilization. Research on the nutrient use patterns of woody plants will be reviewed with emphasis on implications for increasing fertilization efficiency. OSU research on water availability and nutrient-use interactions also will be presented.

scholarly journals Best Practices in Specialized Amyloidosis Centers in the United States: A Survey of Cardiologists, Nurses, Patients, and Patient Advocates

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 ◽  
pp. 117954682110152
Author(s):  
Jose Nativi-Nicolau ◽  
Nitasha Sarswat ◽  
Johana Fajardo ◽  
Muriel Finkel ◽  
Younos Abdulsattar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Best Practices ◽  
Patient Care ◽  
Nurse Practitioners ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Multidisciplinary Care ◽  
The United States ◽  
Comprehensive Care ◽  
Patient Support ◽  
Patient Support Group ◽  
Patient Advocates

Background: Because transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CM) poses unique diagnostic and therapeutic challenges, referral of patients with known or suspected disease to specialized amyloidosis centers is recommended. These centers have developed strategic practices to provide multidisciplinary comprehensive care, but their best practices have not yet been well studied as a group. Methods: A qualitative survey was conducted by telephone/email from October 2019 to February 2020 among eligible healthcare providers with experience in the management of ATTR-CM at US amyloidosis centers, patients with ATTR-CM treated at amyloidosis centers, and patient advocates from amyloidosis patient support groups. Results: Fifteen cardiologists and 9 nurse practitioners/nurses from 15 selected amyloidosis centers participated in the survey, with 16 patients and 4 patient advocates. Among participating healthcare providers, the most frequently cited center best practices were diagnostic capability, multidisciplinary care, and time spent on patient care; the greatest challenges involved coordination of patient care. Patients described the “ideal” amyloidosis program as one that provides physicians with expertise in ATTR-CM, sufficient time with patients, comprehensive patient care, and opportunities to participate in research/clinical trials. The majority of centers host patient support group meetings, and patient advocacy groups provide support for centers with physician/patient education and research. Conclusions: Amyloidosis centers offer comprehensive care based on staff expertise in ATTR-CM, a multidisciplinary approach, advanced diagnostics, and time dedicated to patient care and education. Raising awareness of amyloidosis centers’ best practices among healthcare providers can reinforce the benefits of early referral and comprehensive care for patients with ATTR-CM.

Identifying and Serving English Learners in Gifted Education: Looking Back and Moving Forward

2020 ◽  
Vol 43 (4) ◽  
pp. 297-335
Author(s):  
Rachel U. Mun ◽  
Vonna Hemmler ◽  
Susan Dulong Langley ◽  
Sharon Ware ◽  
E. Jean Gubbins ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Best Practices ◽  
Professional Learning ◽  
Gifted And Talented ◽  
Gifted Education ◽  
English Learners ◽  
The United States ◽  
Effective Practices ◽  
Referral Process ◽  
Screening Assessment ◽  
Looking Back

Although the number of English learners (ELs) in the United States continues to increase, this population remains underserved by gifted and talented (GT) education programs across the nation. This underrepresentation represents a societal and research dilemma for reasons we address in this systematic review of the most effective practices documented to identify and serve ELs for GT programs. We examine 50 theoretical and empirical articles according to four major themes: nomination, screening/assessment, services, and identification models. We discuss identification recommendations, including outreach and professional learning to foster stakeholder recognition of GT potential in all ELs, an equitable referral process based on a multiple-lens approach, and observation of students completing problem-solving tasks. Finally, we address perceived best practices in serving GT ELs, including making accommodations for ELs in GT programs.

scholarly journals Infection Prevention Considerations for a Multi-Mission Convention Center Field Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland during the COVID-19 Pandemic

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-21
Author(s):  
Jennifer A. Jones ◽  
Zishan K. Siddiqui ◽  
Charles Callahan ◽  
Surbhi Leekha ◽  
Sharon Smyth ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Best Practices ◽  
Infection Prevention ◽  
Diagnostic Testing ◽  
The United States ◽  
Infection Prevention And Control ◽  
Field Hospital ◽  
First Case ◽  
Convention Center ◽  
Set Up ◽  
And Control

Abstract The state of Maryland identified its first case of COVID-19 on March 5, 2020. The Baltimore Convention Center (BCCFH) quickly became a selected location to set up a 250-bed inpatient Field Hospital and Alternate Care Site. In contrast to other field hospitals throughout the United States, the BCCFH remained open throughout the pandemic and took on additional COVID-19 missions, including community SARS-CoV-2 diagnostic testing, monoclonal antibody infusions for COVID-19 outpatients, and community COVID-19 vaccinations. At the time of publication, the BCCFH had cared for 1,478 COVID-19 inpatients, performed 108,155 COVID-19 tests, infused 2,166 COVID-19 patients, and administered 115,169 doses of COVID-19 vaccine. To prevent the spread of pathogens during operations, infection prevention and control guidelines were essential to ensure the safety of staff and patients. Through multi-agency collaboration, utilization of infection prevention best practices, and answering what we describe as “PPE-ESP”, an operational framework was established to reduce infection risks for those providing or receiving care at the BCCFH during the COVID-19 pandemic.

scholarly journals Creating and Using Data Portals to Support Ocean Planning: Challenges and Best Practices from the Northeast United States and Elsewhere

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
SeaPlan
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Best Practices ◽  
Natural Resources ◽  
Spatial Data ◽  
Planning Process ◽  
The United States ◽  
Management Plan ◽  
Management Decision ◽  
Data Accessibility ◽  
Data Portal

As more ocean plans are developed and adopted around the world, the importance of accessible, up-to-date spatial data in the planning process has become increasingly apparent. Many ocean planning efforts in the United States and Canada rely on a companion data portal–a curated catalog of spatial datasets characterizing the ocean uses and natural resources considered as part of ocean planning and management decision-making.Data portals designed to meet ocean planning needs tend to share three basic characteris- tics. They are: ocean-focused, map-based, and publicly-accessible. This enables planners, managers, and stakeholders to access common sets of sector-speci c, place-based information that help to visualize spatial relationships (e.g., overlap) among various uses and the marine environment and analyze potential interactions (e.g., synergies or con icts) among those uses and natural resources. This data accessibility also enhances the transparency of the planning process, arguably an essential factor for its overall success.This paper explores key challenges, considerations, and best practices for developing and maintaining a data portal. By observing the relationship between data portals and key principles of ocean planning, we posit three overarching themes for data portal best practices: accommodation of diverse users, data vetting and review by stakeholders, and integration with the planning process. The discussion draws primarily from the use of the Northeast Ocean Data Portal to support development of the Northeast Ocean Management Plan, with additional examples from other portals in the U.S. and Canada.

scholarly journals Discovery of a spatially and temporally persistent core microbiome of the common bean rhizosphere

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nejc Stopnisek ◽  
Ashley Shade
Keyword(s):  
Common Bean ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
The United States ◽  
Plant Health ◽  
Soil Conditions ◽  
Full Potential ◽  
Core Microbiome ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
The Common ◽  
Plant Microbiome

AbstractPlants recruit soil microbes that provide nutrients, promote growth and protect against pathogens1–3. However, the full potential of microbial communities for supporting plant health and agriculture is unrealized4–6, in part because rhizosphere members key for plant health are difficult to prioritize7. Microbes that ubiquitously associate with a plant species across large spatial scales and varied soil conditions provide a practical starting point for discovering beneficial members7. Here, we quantified the structures of bacterial/archaeal and fungal communities in the common bean rhizosphere (Phaseolus vulgaris), and assessed its core membership across space and time. To assess a spatial core, two divergent bean genotypes were grown in field conditions across five major growing regions in the United States, and then also compared to eight genotypes grown in Colombian soil. To assess a temporal core, we conducted a time course of rhizosphere and rhizoplane microbiome members over bean development in the field. Surprisingly, there were 48 persistent bacterial taxa that were detected in all samples, inclusive of U.S. and Colombian-grown beans and over plant development, suggesting cosmopolitan enrichment and time-independence. Neutral models of abundance-occupancy relationships and co-occurrence networks show that many of these core taxa are deterministically selected and likely in intimate relationships with the plant. Many of the core taxa were yet-uncultured and affiliated with Proteobacteria; these taxa are prime targets in support of translational plant-microbiome management. More generally, this work reveals that core members of the plant microbiome can have both broad ranges and temporal persistence with their host, suggesting intimate, albeit possibly opportunistic, interactions.

Contingency Management Programs in Corrections: Another Panacea?

2018 ◽  
Vol 34 (1) ◽  
pp. 35-46 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul Gendreau ◽  
Shelley J. Listwan
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Decision Making ◽  
Best Practices ◽  
Contingency Management ◽  
The United States ◽  
Community Corrections ◽  
Theory And Practice ◽  
Track Record ◽  
Highly Skilled ◽  
Skilled Staff

The mantra of best practices in corrections, while well intended, may lead to iatrogenic consequences. Community corrections and prisons are under increasing pressures to manage their caseloads; moreover, the current accountability and get-tough agenda in corrections demands offenders take on more responsibility for their behaviors. As a consequence, we predict more episodes of “panaceaphilia” or quick fix solutions because corrections jurisdictions in the United States are under tremendous pressure to handle their populations at this point in time. In this article, we focus on contingency management programs as the potential next panacea, not because they do not have a proven track record of success, but because they require highly skilled staff and make great demands upon correctional agencies’ decision-making practices. To help counteract panaceaphilia from happening with contingency management, we describe the theory and practice of contingency management, the demands they place on programmers, the type of research needed to evaluate their effectiveness, and how to prevent these programs from turning into punitive punishment regimes.

National Goals for Supporting Families Across the Life Course

Inclusion ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 260-266 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michelle C. Reynolds ◽  
George S. Gotto ◽  
Catherine Arnold ◽  
Thomas L. Boehm ◽  
Sandra Magaña ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Best Practices ◽  
Life Course ◽  
Implementation Strategies ◽  
The United States ◽  
Intellectual And Developmental Disabilities ◽  
Policy And Practice ◽  
Family Structures ◽  
The Family ◽  
Support Practices ◽  
The Life Course

Abstract As a core unit of our society, the family provides support for all its members. Due to the nature of their disabilities, people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) often receive emotional, physical, and material support from their families across the life course. During the National Goals 2015 Conference, three goals were identified that will lead to a better understanding of families and maximize their capacity, strengths, and unique abilities to support, nurture, and facilitate opportunities for family members who have a disability. The three goals are to (1) develop a better understanding of the complex family structures in the United States and the best practices for supporting them; (2) extend our knowledge on how families are or might be supported by their natural communities, outside the purview of IDD systems; and (3) synthesize support practices, implementation strategies, and outcomes for supporting families. This article describes these three goals related to supporting families across the life course and provides a rationale, areas of research to address the goals, and implications for policy and practice for each goal.

3D Dead

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (3–4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gwen Robbins Schug ◽  
Kristina Killgrove ◽  
Alison Atkin ◽  
Krista Baron
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Best Practices ◽  
Case Studies ◽  
Digital Technologies ◽  
The United States ◽  
3D Scanning ◽  
Skeletal Remains ◽  
Social Dimensions ◽  
Human Skeletal Remains ◽  
3D Scanners

Humans have interacted with the remains of our dead for aesthetic and ritual purposes for millennia, and we have utilized them for medical, educational, and scholarly pursuits for several centuries. Recently, it has become possible to use digital technologies such as 3D scanners and printers for reconstructing, representing, and disseminating bodies. At the same time, there is growing interest among academics and curators in taking a more reflexive approach to the ethical and social dimensions of conservation. This paper considers theoretical and practical aspects of ethics as they apply to the 3D scanning and printing of human skeletal remains for curation or dissemination, provides case studies from our work in the United States, and suggests guidelines for best practices.   Los seres humanos hemos interactuado con los restos humanos de nuestros muertos por razones estéticas y rituales por milenios. Asimismo, estos restos han sido utilizados para conducir investigaciones médicas, educativas, y académicas por varios siglos. Recientemente, con la ayuda de la tecnología digital de los escáneres e impresoras 3D ha sido posible reconstruir, representar, y difundir estos cuerpos. Al mismo tiempo, los académicos y los conservadores proponen ser más reflexivos al lidiar con las dimension eséticas y sociales del campo de la conservación. Este artículo considera los aspectos teóricos y prácticos de la ética de los escaneos e impresiones 3D de restos óseos humanos para su conservación y diseminación, aporta casos prácticos de nuestros trabajos investigativos en los Estados Unidos como ejemplos, y sugiere normas para una práctica adecuada. 

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