scholarly journals Building shared information infrastructure for chemical alternatives assessment

Elem Sci Anth ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Akos Kokai ◽  
Ann Blake ◽  
Michel Dedeo ◽  
Tom Lent
Keyword(s):  
Unmet Need ◽  
Public Information ◽  
Relevant Information ◽  
Information Infrastructure ◽  
Hazardous Substances ◽  
Chemical Information ◽  
Sources Of Information ◽  
Alternatives Assessment ◽  
Chemical Hazard ◽  
Data Commons

The substitution of hazardous substances with safer alternatives is being driven by policy pressures and business demands. As a result, scientific techniques for chemical alternatives assessment (CAA) have been established and communities of practice are emerging. Interest in safer chemical substitution is widely shared throughout a range of stakeholder groups across science, industry, public policy, and advocacy. Yet there is an unmet need for intentionally designed public information infrastructure to support the highly knowledge-intensive nature of CAA. We report here on the process of developing the Chemical Hazard Data Commons, an experimental project intended to support a diverse community of practitioners by providing publicly accessible chemical hazard data and tools for understanding it. In an arena where market forces and regulatory regimes have largely failed to generate the necessary knowledge, this project represents a novel application of a commons-based approach emphasizing building shared intellectual and technical capacity for CAA. The Data Commons—now a part of the related Pharos Project—includes an online portal providing simultaneous access to many different sources of information and enabling effective interactions with it. Foremost among these interactions are search and retrieval of hazard information about chemical substances, uniform display of the most relevant information, and the ability to automatically screen substances against consistent and transparent hazard-based criteria. We describe the motivation for the project and report on the principles and key considerations that guided its design as a participatory information infrastructure. We present our approach to organizing chemical information; the process of community engagement and planning; and how we constructed the system to provide functional tools. We discuss the outcomes of the project and highlight important challenges—such as fostering active participation and planning for long-term governance. With this article, we hope to inform future efforts for the collaborative development of knowledge resources for chemical alternatives assessment.

scholarly journals The Role of Libraries in Community Empowerment: A Systematic Review

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-16
Author(s):  
Christian Mubofu ◽  
Henry Mambo
Keyword(s):  
Information Acquisition ◽  
Public Information ◽  
Relevant Information ◽  
Community Empowerment ◽  
Google Scholar ◽  
Learning Support ◽  
Sources Of Information ◽  
Building Capacity ◽  
Library Staff

Problem Statement: Libraries as public information agencies act as catalysts that provide reliable information that empowers people in making the right decision in terms of development plans put forward by various sectors. However, studies on how and where the society, access, and the use of relevant information that empower them to contribute positively in these sectors are inadequately reported in scholarly literatures. Purpose: This study in particular reports the role of libraries in community empowerment and the challenges faced by libraries in the dissemination of information for community empowerment. Method: This study is a scoping and a literature review of the role of libraries in  community empowerment. The study adopted Arksey and O’ Malley framework. Google scholar, JSTOR, Ebscohost, Emerald insight, fullfreepdf, Eric, Research4life databases, and Taylor & Francis were used as the main sources of information. Results: The result revealed that libraries provide free internet access and information resources. Libraries also act as information acquisition centre,   community empowerment programs as well as a centre for building capacity, and learning support. The study also revealed that job dissatisfaction among library staff, inadequate facilities, lack of commitment, lack of teamwork and poor relationships among staff, insufficient knowledge and skills among library staff are some of the challenges libraries have to face as an effective provision of information services. Conclusion: The study concludes that there are countless and well established role of libraries in community empowerment in various sectors like education, health, agriculture and technology. Libraries are the main centre for information that contributes greatly to community empowerment through building capacity and learning support.  Keywords: Libraries; Empowerment; Community Empowerment; Role of Libraries    Abstrak Latar Belakang: Perpustakaan sebagai pusat informasi publik berperan sebagai katalisator yang menyediakan informasi terpercaya yang memberdayakan masyarakat untuk membuat keputusan tepat dalam hal rencana pengembangan yang dikemukakan oleh berbagai sektor. Namun, penelitian tentang bagaimana dan dimana masyarakat, akses, dan kegunaan informasi relevan yang membuat mereka berkontribusi secara baik pada sektor-sektor ini jarang sekali dilaporkan dalam literatur ilmiah. Tujuan: Penelitian ini secara khusus melaporkan peran perpustakaan dalam pemberdayaan masyarakat dan tantangan yang dihadapi perpustakaan dalam penyebaran informasi pemberdayaan masyarakat. Metode: Penelitian ini menggunakan metode scoping dan tinjauan literatur tentang peran perpustakaan dalam pemberdayaan masyarakat. Studi ini mengadopsi kerangka kerja dari Arksey dan O' Malley dengan sumber informasi menggunakan database GOOGLE SCholar, JSTOR, Ebscohost, Emerald insight, Fullfreepdf, Eric, Research4life, dan Taylor & Francis. Hasil: Hasil dari penelitian ini mengungkapkan bahwa perpustakaan menyediakan akses internet gratis dan menjadi sumber informasi. Perpustakaan juga bertindak sebagai pusat perolehan informasi, program pemberdayaan masyarakat serta pusat untuk membangun kapasitas, dan dukungan pembelajaran. Penelitian ini juga mengungkapkan bahwa adanya ketidakpuasan pekerjaan di antara staf perpustakaan, fasilitas yang tidak memadai, kurangnya komitmen, kurangnya kerja tim yang baik dan hubungan yang buruk antar staf, pengetahuan dan keterampilan yang tidak memadai di antara staf perpustakaan adalah beberapa tantangan yang harus dihadapi perpustakaan sebagai penyediaan layanan informasi yang efektif. Kesimpulan: Penelitian ini menyimpulkan bahwa perpustakaan berperan sangat baik dalam pemberdayaan masyarakat di berbagai sektor seperti pendidikan, kesehatan, pertanian dan teknologi. Perpustakaan juga merupakan pusat distribusi informasi yang berkontribusi terhadap pemberdayaan masyarakat melalui peningkatan kapasitas dan dukungan pembelajaran. Keywords: Perpustakaan; Pemberdayaan Masyarakat; Peran Perpustakaan

Spatial Representations as an Emergent Feature of Perceptual Processing

2010 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 161-172 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edmund Wascher ◽  
C. Beste
Keyword(s):  
Common Ground ◽  
Event Related Potentials ◽  
Vertical Axis ◽  
Relevant Information ◽  
Sources Of Information ◽  
Integrated Network ◽  
Perceptual Maps ◽  
Emergent Feature ◽  
Related Potentials ◽  
Selection Of

Spatial selection of relevant information has been proposed to reflect an emergent feature of stimulus processing within an integrated network of perceptual areas. Stimulus-based and intention-based sources of information might converge in a common stage when spatial maps are generated. This approach appears to be inconsistent with the assumption of distinct mechanisms for stimulus-driven and top-down controlled attention. In two experiments, the common ground of stimulus-driven and intention-based attention was tested by means of event-related potentials (ERPs) in the human EEG. In both experiments, the processing of a single transient was compared to the selection of a physically comparable stimulus among distractors. While single transients evoked a spatially sensitive N1, the extraction of relevant information out of a more complex display was reflected in an N2pc. The high similarity of the spatial portion of these two components (Experiment 1), and the replication of this finding for the vertical axis (Experiment 2) indicate that these two ERP components might both reflect the spatial representation of relevant information as derived from the organization of perceptual maps, just at different points in time.

INFORMATION ASPECT OF THE FORMATION OF THE ANTI-TERRORIST EURASIAN SPACE

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
L.L. KHOPERSKAYA
Keyword(s):  
Central Asia ◽  
Relevant Information ◽  
Kyrgyz Republic ◽  
Sources Of Information ◽  
Labor Migrants ◽  
Legal Documents ◽  
Complex Information ◽  
Special Services ◽  
State Commission ◽  
The Republic

The article deals with the problem of completeness of information on measures to counter terrorism and extremism taken by the labor-surplus states of Central Asia. With the help of some former labor migrants, a new model of terrorism (IS 2.0) is being developed based on the use of pendulum migration of radical Islamists to the countries of Central Asia and Russia, such Islamists serve as the core of various extremist organizations. A serious problem for the Russian experts is that none of the countries (Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan or Uzbekistan) sending labor migrants to Russia publishes complex information each country publishes mainly statistical or regulatory information or news. For example, not all official documents are available in Tajikistan or Uzbekistan and it is difficult to obtain official statistics in Uzbekistan or Kyrgyzstan. Nevertheless, the analysis of the disparate experience of the three countries, among which we can highlight the purposeful work with labor migrants carried out by the representative offices of the Republic of Tajikistan abroad the courses for imams of mosques and clerics on the prevention of radicalization of the population organized by the State Commission for religious affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic and the system of social rehabilitation of repentant extremists in Uzbekistan prove the need for relevant information in a certain standardized form. The main sources of information used in the article are documents of the UN, the CIS Anti-Terrorist Center, speeches of the President of the Republic of Tajikistan containing statistical information, news information from the websites of the special services of the Kyrgyz Republic and legal documents of Uzbekistan. The article substantiates the conclusion about the need to highlight the information aspect in the formation of the anti-terrorist Eurasian space, the relevance of which was discussed at the Council of the CSTO Parliamentary Assembly in May 2019.

scholarly journals Manipulations of Oral Medications in Paediatric Neurology and Oncology Care at a Swedish University Hospital: Health Professionals’ Attitudes and Sources of Information

Pharmaceutics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (10) ◽  
pp. 1676
Author(s):  
Rania Kader ◽  
Gunnar Liminga ◽  
Gustaf Ljungman ◽  
Mattias Paulsson
Keyword(s):  
Enteral Feeding ◽  
Product Information ◽  
Feeding Tube ◽  
Paediatric Oncology ◽  
Working Environment ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
Hazardous Substances ◽  
Oral Dosage ◽  
Sources Of Information ◽  
Oral Medications

Oral administration of medications to children requires age-appropriate dosage forms and strengths. In this study, we: (i) assessed the extent of oral dosage form manipulations, (ii) documented how it is carried out, and (iii) examined the attitudes and sources of information regarding the handling from healthcare professionals. Prospective reviews of electronic records, ward observations, and clinician surveys were performed at a paediatric neurology ward and a paediatric oncology ward in Sweden during April to May of 2018. Approximately 15% of oral medications were manipulated for the studied patient group (median age 12.9 years in oncology, 5.8 years in neurology) with approximately 30% of the patients having an enteral feeding tube. Manipulations were performed both to obtain an appropriate dose from, for example, a fraction of the original tablet or to obtain a powder that could be used to prepare a slurry for administration through enteral feeding tubes. Risks identified were related to patient safety such as cross contamination, suboptimal absorption/pharmacokinetics and inaccurate dose. When examining the working environment of nurses, we observed safe handling of hazardous substances but the nurses occasionally experienced stress and a fear of making mistakes due to absence of information. Paediatricians experienced a lack of time to search for proper information on manipulations. As a step towards improving safety in paediatric medication, we suggest the introduction of clinical pharmacists into the team and further evaluating the possibilities of using more ready-to-administer medications with necessary product information and pharmacovigilance support.

PP414 Improving The Accessibility Of Scottish Medicines Consortium Advice

2021 ◽  
Vol 37 (S1) ◽  
pp. 36-36
Author(s):  
Miranda Pierre ◽  
Jackie McCormack ◽  
Jennifer Dickson ◽  
Lindsay Lockhart ◽  
Noreen Downes
Keyword(s):  
Public Information ◽  
Sources Of Information ◽  
User Perspective ◽  
The Public ◽  
The People ◽  
Healthcare Improvement ◽  
The Press ◽  
Patient Groups ◽  
Survey Responses ◽  
Selection Of

IntroductionThe Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) provides advice on which new medicines should be accepted for routine use by the NHS in Scotland. To help increase the accessibility of the advice, SMC produces public information summaries, which have been published on the SMC website since 2018. We conducted an evaluation to investigate if the public summaries are achieving their purpose and subsequently help inform improvements from a user perspective. The objectives were to determine how the public summaries are being used; what users like and what could be improved; and if they have achieved a greater understanding of decisions.MethodsThe first stage of the evaluation involved surveying patient groups (organizations that represent the interests of patients, families and carers) to investigate how they use the public summaries. We then conducted workshops with patient groups and Public Partners (members of the public that volunteer with Healthcare Improvement Scotland) to gather perspectives on the content, language and layout of a selection of public summaries.ResultsThe survey responses (n = 14) illustrate that the public summaries are being used in a variety of ways. The majority (n = 10) of patient groups reported using the public summaries to help explain SMC decisions to the people they support.The workshops highlighted that participants found the public summaries clear and helpful. In general, patient groups felt the level of detail and language used in the public summaries improved their understanding of SMC decisions compared to other sources of information, such as the press release or Detailed Advice Document.There were a number of suggested improvements, including changing the layout (so the SMC decision appears first) and providing definitions for some technical terms. Where actionable, these recommendations have been implemented.ConclusionsWorking in partnership with patient groups and Public Partners has enabled SMC to further strengthen public summaries, and patient engagement more broadly. Improvements have ensured that SMC's decisions are communicated clearly, helping to increase accessibility.

Biomedical Librarianship in the Post-Genomic Era

2018 ◽  
pp. 1338-1351
Author(s):  
Shubhada Prashant Nagarkar
Keyword(s):  
Information Needs ◽  
Relevant Information ◽  
Data Sets ◽  
Collection Development ◽  
Sources Of Information ◽  
Library Collection ◽  
Sequence Databases ◽  
Changing Role

Post genomic era is known for the explosive growth in biomedical information. Bibliographic and sequence databases are increasing continuously and have voluminous data sets. Biomedical librarians are facing challenges in retrieval of relevant information from these electronic databases and related sources of information. This chapter discusses the changing role of biomedical librarians in post genomic era. The chapter covers features of the biomedical librarianship including library collection development, users' information needs and strategies adopted to provide services. Moreover, it focuses on the competencies required by librarians to face the challenges of management of information and services needed by biomedical researchers in the post genomic era.

scholarly journals Macroeconomic News, Order Flows, and Exchange Rates

2008 ◽  
Vol 43 (2) ◽  
pp. 467-488 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ryan Love ◽  
Richard Payne
Keyword(s):  
Exchange Rate ◽  
Exchange Rates ◽  
Public Information ◽  
Relevant Information ◽  
Order Flow ◽  
Macroeconomic News ◽  
Market Participants ◽  
Macroeconomic Announcements ◽  
Information Assimilation ◽  
Micro Level

AbstractIn textbook models of exchange rate determination, the news contained in public information announcements is directly impounded into prices with there being no role for trading in this process of information assimilation. This paper directly tests this theoretical result using transaction level exchange rate return and trading data and a sample of scheduled macroeconomic announcements. The main result of the paper is that even information that is publicly and simultaneously released to all market participants is partially impounded into prices via the key micro level price determinant—order flow. We quantify the role that order flow plays and find that approximately one third of price-relevant information is incorporated via the trading process.

Chemical Incidents

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ian Greaves ◽  
Paul Hunt
Keyword(s):  
Public Information ◽  
Initial Response ◽  
Chemical Exposure ◽  
Industrial Chemicals ◽  
Toxic Industrial Chemicals ◽  
Chemical Hazard ◽  
Clinical Syndromes ◽  
Chain Of Evidence ◽  
Chemical Incidents ◽  
Hospital Response

Chapter 8 covers information on types of chemical incident, toxic industrial chemicals, the initial response to a chemical incident, decontamination, UK Reserve National Stock, clinical syndromes (toxidromes), toxicology and forensics, the chain of evidence, transport, public information, advice to individuals, personal protective equipment, specific antidotes, the hospital response to a chemical incident, reporting chemical exposure cases, and chemical hazard labels.

Environmental databanks on the Chemical Information System

1988 ◽  
Vol 40 (5) ◽  
pp. 133-137 ◽  
Author(s):  
David J. Huddart
Keyword(s):  
Information System ◽  
Environmental Protection Agency ◽  
National Institutes Of Health ◽  
Bibliographic Databases ◽  
Chemical Information ◽  
Sources Of Information ◽  
Online Source ◽  
Us Government ◽  
Available Information ◽  
Chemical Information System

The Chemical Information System (CIS) is a system of approximately 30 databanks available as a dial‐up online source of interactively available information for chemical compounds and their properties. The system was formerly known as the NIH/EPA Chemical Information System on account of its inception and development by two US Government agencies — The National Institutes of Health and Environmental Protection Agency. It is in particular the involvement by the EPA that explains the emphasis of the system on environmental information and the importance of the CIS as a source of data in this area. The databanks are by and large numeric and text databanks containing actual values and observations (quantitative and qualitative results), in contrast to bibliographic databases which, in general, contain only references to the sources of information. The data is compiled by many different producers and ranges widely in terms of applications. The information available can be broadly categorised as:

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