An assessment of water governance trends: the case of Bangladesh

Water Policy ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 14 (5) ◽  
pp. 821-840 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. K. Gain ◽  
M. Schwab
Keyword(s):  
Water Governance ◽  
Informed Decision Making ◽  
Policy Documents ◽  
Water User ◽  
Novel Approach ◽  
User Groups ◽  
Quality Of Governance ◽  
Changes Over Time ◽  
Over Time

Water governance is a complex regulatory process which continuously changes over time. In this study, we apply a novel approach to investigate trends in water governance regimes, using Bangladesh as an example. Among the diverse notions of governance, we consider seven indicators representing legal, political and administrative aspects. Changes are analysed by considering both shifts indicated by policy documents and the quality of governance perceived by water user groups. To get an overall picture, we aggregate all seven indicators based on the weightings provided by experts and water user groups. Our results show that, according to the policy documents, all notions of governance have significantly improved and will further improve. However, according to water user groups, the actual implementation of these policies seems to be far behind what the policy documents indicate and, moreover, this gap has even been increasing over time. Although only seven indicators might not do sufficient justice to the complexity of an issue such as governance, these results convey an understanding of observed and perceived tendencies in arenas of water management, making this approach a relevant contribution to a better informed decision-making.

Value of caregiver ratings in evaluating the quality of life of patients with cancer.

1997 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 1206-1217 ◽  
Author(s):  
K C Sneeuw ◽  
N K Aaronson ◽  
M A Sprangers ◽  
S B Detmar ◽  
L D Wever ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Informal Caregivers ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Sources Of Information ◽  
Individual Patient Level ◽  
Populations At Risk ◽  
Changes Over Time ◽  
Over Time

PURPOSE To evaluate the usefulness of caregiver ratings of cancer patients' quality of life (QL), we examined the following: (1) the comparability of responses to a brief standardized QL questionnaire provided by patients, physicians, and informal caregivers; and (2) the relative validity of these ratings. METHODS The study sample included cancer patients receiving chemotherapy, their treating physicians, and significant others involved closely in the (informal) care of the patients. During an early phase of treatment and 3 months later, patients and caregivers completed independently the COOP/WONCA charts, covering seven QL domains. At baseline, all sources of information were available for 295 of 320 participating patients (92%). Complete follow-up data were obtained for 189 patient-caregiver triads. RESULTS Comparison of mean scores on the COOP/WONCA charts revealed close agreement between patient and caregiver ratings. At the individual patient level, exact or global agreement was observed in the majority of cases (73% to 91%). Corrected for chance agreement, moderate intraclass correlations (ICC) were noted (0.32 to 0.72). Patient, physician, and informal caregiver COOP/WONCA scores were all responsive to changes over time in specific QL domains, but differed in their relative performance. Relative to the patients, the physicians were more efficient in detecting changes over time in physical fitness and overall health, but less so in relation to social function and pain. CONCLUSION For studies among patient populations at risk of deteriorating self-report capabilities, physicians and informal caregivers can be useful as alternative or complementary sources of information on cancer patients' QL.

scholarly journals Evolution of orbit and clock quality for real-time multi-GNSS solutions

GPS Solutions ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kamil Kazmierski ◽  
Radoslaw Zajdel ◽  
Krzysztof Sośnica
Keyword(s):  
Real Time ◽  
Atomic Clock ◽  
Orbital Plane ◽  
Poor Quality ◽  
Satellite Orbits ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Changes Over Time ◽  
Over Time ◽  
Orbit Characteristics

Abstract High-quality satellite orbits and clocks are necessary for multi-GNSS precise point positioning and timing. In undifferenced GNSS solutions, the quality of orbit and clock products significantly influences the resulting position accuracy; therefore, for precise positioning in real time, the corrections for orbits and clocks are generated and distributed to users. In this research, we assess the quality and the availability of real-time CNES orbits and clocks for GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, and BeiDou-2 separated by satellite blocks and types, as well as the product quality changes over time. We calculate the signal-in-space ranging error (SISRE) as the main orbit and clock quality indicator. Moreover, we employ independent orbit validation based on satellite laser ranging. We found that the most accurate orbits are currently available for GPS. However, Galileo utmost stable atomic clocks compensate for systematic errors in Galileo orbits. As a result, the SISRE for Galileo is lower than that for GPS, equaling 1.6 and 2.3 cm for Galileo and GPS, respectively. The GLONASS satellites, despite the high quality of their orbits, are characterized by poor quality of clocks, and together with BeiDou-2 in medium and geosynchronous inclined orbits, are characterized by SISRE of 4–6 cm. BeiDou-2 in geostationary orbits is characterized by large orbital errors and the lowest availability of real-time orbit and clock corrections due to a large number of satellite maneuvers. The quality of GNSS orbit and clock corrections changes over time and depends on satellite type, block, orbit characteristics, onboard atomic clock, and the sun elevation above the orbital plane.

Probing Vividness Increment through Imagery Interruption

2003 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 63-78 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amedeo D'Angiulli ◽  
Adam Reeves
Keyword(s):  
Individual Differences ◽  
Visual Experience ◽  
Mental Image ◽  
Full Detail ◽  
Implicit Assumption ◽  
Generation Process ◽  
Image Generation ◽  
Changes Over Time ◽  
Over Time

The purpose of the present study was to trace how visual experience changes over time during mental image generation, by using an interruption paradigm. In one experiment, participants were asked to read the verbal descriptions of eight common objects and imagine these objects. Changes in the quality of the images evoked by the eight stimuli were probed by interrupting the visual mental image generation process at various times from 0 to 1.7 s, and asking participants to rate the vividness of their image at the time of interruption. We found that vividness increased as the time allowed for image generation was augmented. This relationship was consistently detected in half of the participants and for all stimuli. The present findings support the implicit assumption of some current imagery models positing that mental images “improve” over time, and reject the alternative that images are generated in full detail before becoming accessible to consciousness. However, the “incremental” view is unsatisfactory for imagery models which make no (or not enough) room for individual differences.

scholarly journals Prospective cohort study of patients with advanced cancer and their relatives on the experienced quality of care and life (eQuiPe study): a study protocol

2020 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Janneke van Roij ◽  
◽  
Myrte Zijlstra ◽  
Laurien Ham ◽  
Linda Brom ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Palliative Care ◽  
Cohort Study ◽  
Quality Of Care ◽  
The Netherlands ◽  
Advanced Cancer ◽  
Number Of Patients ◽  
Changes Over Time ◽  
Prospective Longitudinal ◽  
Over Time

Abstract Background Palliative care is becoming increasingly important because the number of patients with an incurable disease is growing and their survival is improving. Previous research tells us that early palliative care has the potential to improve quality of life (QoL) in patients with advanced cancer and their relatives. According to limited research on palliative care in the Netherlands, patients with advanced cancer and their relatives find current palliative care suboptimal. The aim of the eQuiPe study is to understand the experienced quality of care (QoC) and QoL of patients with advanced cancer and their relatives to further improve palliative care. Methods A prospective longitudinal observational cohort study is conducted among patients with advanced cancer and their relatives. Patients and relatives receive a questionnaire every 3 months regarding experienced QoC and QoL during the palliative trajectory. Bereaved relatives receive a final questionnaire 3 to 6 months after the patients’ death. Data from questionnaires are linked with detailed clinical data from the Netherlands Cancer Registry (NCR). By means of descriptive statistics we will examine the experienced QoC and QoL in our study population. Differences between subgroups and changes over time will be assessed while adjusting for confounding factors. Discussion This study will be the first to prospectively and longitudinally explore experienced QoC and QoL in patients with advanced cancer and their relatives simultaneously. This study will provide us with population-based information in patients with advanced cancer and their relatives including changes over time. Results from the study will inform us on how to further improve palliative care. Trial registration Trial NL6408 (NTR6584). Registered in Netherlands Trial Register on June 30, 2017.

scholarly journals Changes in the nutritional quality of fast-food items marketed at restaurants, 2010v.2013

2018 ◽  
Vol 21 (11) ◽  
pp. 2117-2127 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jackie Soo ◽  
Jennifer L Harris ◽  
Kirsten K Davison ◽  
David R Williams ◽  
Christina A Roberto
Keyword(s):  
Fast Food ◽  
Nutritional Quality ◽  
Fast Food Restaurant ◽  
Nutrient Profile ◽  
Food Items ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Fast Food Restaurants ◽  
Changes Over Time ◽  
Over Time

AbstractObjectiveTo examine the nutritional quality of menu items promoted in four (US) fast-food restaurant chains (McDonald’s, Burger King, Wendy’s, Taco Bell) in 2010 and 2013.DesignMenu items pictured on signs and menu boards were recorded at 400 fast-food restaurants across the USA. The Nutrient Profile Index (NPI) was used to calculate overall nutrition scores for items (higher scores indicate greater nutritional quality) and was dichotomized to denote healthierv.less healthy items. Changes over time in NPI scores and energy of promoted foods and beverages were analysed using linear regression.SettingFour hundred fast-food restaurants (McDonald’s, Burger King, Wendy’s, Taco Bell; 100 locations per chain).SubjectsNPI of fast-food items marketed at fast-food restaurants.ResultsPromoted foods and beverages on general menu boards and signs remained below the ‘healthier’ cut-off at both time points. On general menu boards, pictured items became modestly healthier from 2010 to 2013, increasing (mean (se)) by 3·08 (0·16) NPI score points (P<0·001) and decreasing (mean (se)) by 130 (15) kJ (31·1 (3·65) kcal;P<0·001). This pattern was evident in all chains except Taco Bell, where pictured items increased in energy. Foods and beverages pictured on the kids’ section showed the greatest nutritional improvements. Although promoted foods on general menu boards and signs improved in nutritional quality, beverages remained the same or became worse.ConclusionsFoods, and to a lesser extent, beverages, promoted on menu boards and signs in fast-food restaurants showed limited improvements in nutritional quality in 2013v.2010.

OS09.4.A Health-related quality of life in low-grade glioma survivors 26 years after diagnosis

2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. ii12-ii12
Author(s):  
F W Boele ◽  
J C Reijneveld ◽  
P C de Witt Hamer ◽  
H F van Thuijl ◽  
P Wesseling ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Low Grade ◽  
Group Level ◽  
Related Quality ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Changes Over Time ◽  
Over Time

Abstract BACKGROUND Many patients with low-grade gliomas (LGGs) continue to survive for many years, yet little is known about patients’ health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in long-term survivorship. We previously investigated HRQOL in LGG patients diagnosed on average 6 years prior to assessment (T1, N=195) with a follow-up in stable patients on average 12 years after diagnosis (T2, N=65). We present a final follow-up of LGG survivors (T3), now decades after diagnosis. MATERIAL AND METHODS We invited patients who participated in our previous assessment (N=65), regardless of disease status. Patients completed questionnaires to assess HRQOL, fatigue, and depressive symptoms: Short Form-36 Health Survey (SF-36), European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire-Brain Tumour Module (EORTC BN20), Checklist Individual Strength (CIS), and the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D). Changes over time (T1-T2-T3) on group level and participant level were assessed. RESULTS Of the 65 patients, 18 (27.7%) were deceased, 3 (4.6%) experienced tumour progression to WHO III, 7 (10.8%) declined, and 3 (4.6%) could not be contacted. Thirty-four patients (52.3%) participated. Of these, 2 had missing HRQOL data, with 32 patients included in analysis. Survivors were M=52.0 (sd=11.3) years old and diagnosed M=26.2 (sd=3.7, range 19–35) years prior. On group level, a statistically significant (but not clinically relevant) improvement in mental health (p=0.049), and a clinically relevant (but not statistically significant) decline in emotional role functioning was found. No other group-level changes over time in HRQOL were found. Minimal detectable change in HRQOL scale scores over time was observed in individual participants (28.1% only improvement; 25.0% only decline; 21.9% both improvement and decline) with 25.0% remaining completely stable. At T3, 25.0% of survivors scored above the cut-off for high risk of clinical depression (≥16 CES-D), and 53.1% of survivors classed as severely fatigued (≥35 CIS). CONCLUSION In this cohort of LGG survivors, assessed decades after diagnosis and treatment, HRQOL does not appear to be greatly impacted during survivorship. However, depressive symptoms and fatigue remain relatively common. Findings can help inform patients, their families, and clinicians and can serve as a benchmark for treatment trials evaluating interventions that can have very long-term effects.

The Evolution of a Movement

1989 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 401-405 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frank M. Andrews
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Social Indicators ◽  
Social Policies ◽  
The Social ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
New Knowledge ◽  
Social Indicators Movement ◽  
Changes Over Time ◽  
Over Time

The Social Indicators Movement which emerged in the late 1960s was motivated by a broad and appealing idea. It is important to monitor changes over time in a wide range of quality of life, both for a population as a whole and for its significant subgroups, because such information, when combined with other data, can generate new knowledge about how to increase quality of life through more effective social policies.

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