scholarly journals Preserving and Optimising a World-Class African Ornithological Collection

2018 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
pp. e25705
Author(s):  
Mmatjie Mashao ◽  
David Allan
Keyword(s):  
Best Practice ◽  
Science Museum ◽  
Management Tool ◽  
Tissue Samples ◽  
Digital Database ◽  
Raphus Cucullatus ◽  
Optimal Value ◽  
World Class ◽  
Increasing Demand

The Durban Natural Science Museum houses a world-class collection of African bird study skins and other ornithological specimens including eggs, nests, skeletons, open wings and ethanol specimens. This presentation briefly outlines the value of these holdings. The bird study skins comprise the core of the collection and number nearly 40 000. This ranks the collection as one of the top three or four on the continent. These study skins are globally renowned for the quality of their preparation, far exceeding that of other African museums. The study skin collection houses an unparalleled assemblage of holotypes and paratypes of (mainly) southern African subspecies. A recent landmark book on geographical variation in southern African birds was largely based on examination of this collection. The collection also boasts the largest collection of study skins in existence from Mozambique. The collection includes one of the most significant Dodo Raphus cucullatus skeletons in the world, which has been subject to intense investigation in recent years, as well as a complete egg of a Madagascar Elephant bird (Aepyornithidae). Also discussed are ongoing best-practice measures to both preserve this collection and render it of optimal value to users, including a brief summary of the key outside stakeholders exploiting the collection for research and other purposes. An issue of particular note is the increasing demand for tissue samples (typically 'toe-pads') from the study skins for molecular investigations - raising problematic challenges relevant to destructive sampling. Particular attention is paid to describing a recent migration of the digital database to a global standard in the form of the ‘Specify’ collection database and management tool.

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease: A Gastroenterologist's Perspective

2011 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 89-99
Author(s):  
Michael F. Vaezi
Keyword(s):  
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease ◽  
Gastroesophageal Reflux ◽  
Reflux Disease ◽  
Best Practice ◽  
Clinical Care ◽  
Diagnostic Testing ◽  
Diagnostic Tools ◽  
Swallowing Function ◽  
Atypical Symptoms

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a commonly diagnosed condition often associated with the typical symptoms of heartburn and regurgitation, although it may present with atypical symptoms such as chest pain, hoarseness, chronic cough, and asthma. In most cases, the patient's reduced quality of life drives clinical care and diagnostic testing. Because of its widespread impact on voice and swallowing function as well as its social implications, it is important that speech-language pathologists (SLPs) understand the nature of GERD and its consequences. The purpose of this article is to summarize the nature of GERD and GERD-related complications such as GERD-related peptic stricture, Barrett's esophagus and adenocarcinoma, and laryngeal manifestations of GERD from a gastroenterologist's perspective. It is critical that SLPs who work with a multidisciplinary team understand terminology, diagnostic tools, and treatment to ensure best practice.

KAJIAN LITERATUR MODEL KONSEPTUAL KEBERHASILAN E-GOVERNMENT

2018 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bernadus Gunawan Sudarsono ◽  
Sri Poedji Lestari
Keyword(s):  
Information Technology ◽  
Best Practice ◽  
Public Services ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Internet Technology ◽  
Electronic Government ◽  
Digital Government ◽  
Management Ethics ◽  
The Government

The use of internet technology in the government environment is known as electronic government or e-government. In simple terms, e-government or digital government is an activity carried out by the government by using information technology support in providing services to the community. In line with the spirit of bureaucratic reform in Indonesia, e-government has a role in improving the quality of public services and helping the process of delivering information more effectively to the public. Over time, the application of e-Government has turned out to have mixed results. In developed countries, the application of e-Government systems in the scope of government has produced various benefits ranging from the efficiency of administrative processes and various innovations in the field of public services. But on the contrary in the case of developing countries including Indonesia, the results are more alarming where many government institutions face obstacles and even fail to achieve significant improvements in the quality of public services despite having adequate information and communication technology. The paradigm of bureaucrats who wrongly considers that the success of e-Government is mainly determined by technology. Even though there are many factors outside of technology that are more dominant as causes of failure such as organizational management, ethics and work culture. This study aims to develop a model of success in the application of e-Government from several best practice models in the field of information technology that have been widely used so far using literature studies as research methods. The results of the study show that the conceptual model of the success of the implementation of e-Government developed consists of 17 determinants of success..Keywords: Model, Factor, Success, System, e-Government

scholarly journals Modelling the Quality of Bathing Waters in the Adriatic Sea

Water ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (11) ◽  
pp. 1525
Author(s):  
Christian Ferrarin ◽  
Pierluigi Penna ◽  
Antonella Penna ◽  
Vedrana Spada ◽  
Fabio Ricci ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Adriatic Sea ◽  
Management Tool ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Sea Temperature ◽  
Bathing Water Directive ◽  
Bathing Waters ◽  
Diffusion Dynamics ◽  
Study Sites

The aim of this study is to develop a relocatable modelling system able to describe the microbial contamination that affects the quality of coastal bathing waters. Pollution events are mainly triggered by urban sewer outflows during massive rainy events, with relevant negative consequences on the marine environment and tourism and related activities of coastal towns. A finite element hydrodynamic model was applied to five study areas in the Adriatic Sea, which differ for urban, oceanographic and morphological conditions. With the help of transport-diffusion and microbial decay modules, the distribution of Escherichia coli was investigated during significant events. The numerical investigation was supported by detailed in situ observational datasets. The model results were evaluated against water level, sea temperature, salinity and E. coli concentrations acquired in situ, demonstrating the capacity of the modelling suite in simulating the circulation in the coastal areas of the Adriatic Sea, as well as several main transport and diffusion dynamics, such as riverine and polluted waters dispersion. Moreover, the results of the simulations were used to perform a comparative analysis among the different study sites, demonstrating that dilution and mixing, mostly induced by the tidal action, had a stronger effect on bacteria reduction with respect to microbial decay. Stratification and estuarine dynamics also play an important role in governing microbial concentration. The modelling suite can be used as a beach management tool for improving protection of public health, as required by the EU Bathing Water Directive.

Different Types of Auricular Keloids and Treatment by Intralesional Cryosurgery: Best Practice for Obtaining Long-Lasting Clinical Results

Dermatology ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Yaron Har-Shai ◽  
Lior Har-Shai ◽  
Viktor A. Zouboulis ◽  
Christos C. Zouboulis
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Body Image ◽  
Recurrence Rate ◽  
Best Practice ◽  
Clinical Results ◽  
Psychosocial Impact ◽  
Aesthetic Outcome ◽  
The Past ◽  
Different Types

<b><i>Background:</i></b> Auricular keloids belong to the most perplexing medical conditions, which have significant psychosocial impact on the patient’s body image and quality of life. <b><i>Summary:</i></b> The article is purposed to provide dermatologists and plastic surgeons with the best proven practice using intralesional cryosurgery for the treatment of the different auricular keloid types in order to obtain superior clinical results by minimizing the probability of recurrence. In the past 20 years, the authors have developed novel procedures in order to increase the effectiveness of intralesional cryosurgery on auricular keloids, including hydrodissection, warm gauze technique, and excision of dangling skin. Long-lasting clinical results with a low recurrence rate and a satisfactory aesthetic outcome are achieved with no deformation of the ear framework.

scholarly journals Recent trends in smartphone-based detection for biomedical applications: a review

2021 ◽  
Vol 413 (9) ◽  
pp. 2389-2406 ◽  
Author(s):  
Soumyabrata Banik ◽  
Sindhoora Kaniyala Melanthota ◽  
Arbaaz ◽  
Joel Markus Vaz ◽  
Vishak Madhwaraj Kadambalithaya ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Biomedical Applications ◽  
Histopathological Examination ◽  
Dark Field ◽  
Portable Devices ◽  
Food Technology ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Technological Interventions ◽  
Recent Trends ◽  
Increasing Demand

AbstractSmartphone-based imaging devices (SIDs) have shown to be versatile and have a wide range of biomedical applications. With the increasing demand for high-quality medical services, technological interventions such as portable devices that can be used in remote and resource-less conditions and have an impact on quantity and quality of care. Additionally, smartphone-based devices have shown their application in the field of teleimaging, food technology, education, etc. Depending on the application and imaging capability required, the optical arrangement of the SID varies which enables them to be used in multiple setups like bright-field, fluorescence, dark-field, and multiple arrays with certain changes in their optics and illumination. This comprehensive review discusses the numerous applications and development of SIDs towards histopathological examination, detection of bacteria and viruses, food technology, and routine diagnosis. Smartphone-based devices are complemented with deep learning methods to further increase the efficiency of the devices.

scholarly journals Physicochemical evolution and evaluation of groundwater quality in Mougheul area (Southwest of Algeria)

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Saliha Mebarki ◽  
Benali Kharroubi ◽  
Mohammed Amin Kendouci
Keyword(s):  
Physicochemical Parameters ◽  
Calcium Sulfate ◽  
Major Ions ◽  
Groundwater Resources ◽  
Triangular Diagram ◽  
Wilcox Diagram ◽  
Calcium And Magnesium ◽  
Increasing Demand ◽  
Pressure On Water Resources

AbstractIn arid areas, the pressure on water resources and in particular on groundwater resources is on the rise, mainly due to increasing demand and the deterioration of water quality. In this context, the present work aims to follow the annual evolution, between 2009 and 2019 of the physicochemical parameters, and to evaluate the quality of groundwater of the region of Mougheul, by determining the data of pH, TDS, conductivity and the concentrations of major ions ( Ca+2, Mg+2, Na+, K+, Cl−, HCO3−, SO4−2, NO3−) of 07 water points. The results revealed that all the levels of the physicochemical parameters do not exceed the WHO potability standards, except high values were observed at the level of well W6 which exceeds the limits recommended by the WHO (50 mg /l). The diagram of Schöeller and Berkaloff shows that the groundwater has the bicarbonate magnesium facies. The representation of the data on the Piper triangular diagram shows that W6 has the facies chlorinated and calcium sulfate and magnesium and the other water points have the facies bicarbonate calcium and magnesium. SAR values show that the groundwater of Mougheul is excellent for irrigation. The classification according to the Wilcox diagram shows that the groundwater of Mougheul in general is good quality, but the well of W6 water is suitable for irrigation and requires monitoring the evolution of salinity.

Automated Insulin Delivery Systems: Today, Tomorrow and User Requirements

2021 ◽  
pp. 193229682110299
Author(s):  
Marga Giménez ◽  
Ignacio Conget ◽  
Nick Oliver
Keyword(s):  
Lived Experience ◽  
Diabetes Management ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Insulin Delivery ◽  
Qualitative Assessment ◽  
Management Tool ◽  
Diabetes Distress ◽  
Glycemic Targets

Automated insulin delivery (AID) is the most recent advance in type 1 diabetes (T1D) management. It has the potential to achieve glycemic targets without disabling hypoglycemia, to improve quality of life and reduce diabetes distress and burden associated with self-management. Several AID systems are currently licensed for use by people with T1D in Europe, United States, and the rest of the world. Despite AID becoming a reality in routine clinical practice over the last few years, the commercially hybrid AID and other systems, are still far from a fully optimized automated diabetes management tool. Implementation of AID systems requires education and support of healthcare professionals taking care of people with T1D, as well as users and their families. There is much to do to increase usability, portability, convenience and to reduce the burden associated with the use of the systems. Co-design, involvement of people with lived experience of T1D and robust qualitative assessment is critical to improving the real-world use of AID systems, especially for those who may have greater need. In addition to this, information regarding the psychosocial impact of the use of AID systems in real life is needed. The first commercially available AID systems are not the end of the development journey but are the first step in learning how to optimally automate insulin delivery in a way that is equitably accessible and effective for people living with T1D.

scholarly journals PARE0008 MOBILE APPLICATION “MOJRA” FOR MONITORING PATIENTS WITH RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

2020 ◽  
Vol 79 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 1290.1-1290 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Teodorovic ◽  
S. Djordjevic ◽  
L. Vranic
Keyword(s):  
Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Best Practice ◽  
Mobile Apps ◽  
Digital Health ◽  
Work Capacity ◽  
Learning Center ◽  
Approval Procedure ◽  
The Republic

Background:In Serbia, regular examinations with a rheumatologist are scheduled on average every 3 to 4 months. With this in mind, there is a real possibility that many patient data during this period may not be presented to the doctor during the examination, either because the patient forgets them or because they may focus on other issues and may not highlight key factsObjectives:To overcome this problem, the Association of Patients with Rheumatic Diseases of Serbia-ORS in cooperation with an IT firm developed the application “MojRA”, which was presented at the annual rheumatology congress of Serbia held in September 2019. The application “MojRA” is intended for patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis - RA. The application enables efficient storage and systematization of data, allows doctors to monitor the condition of their patients between two examinations and have a medical history. “MojRA” is available for now from smartphones running the android operating system on the google play store. The privacy of patient information is guaranteed.Methods:Patients with RA will be able to record and store information about important moments during treatment in a simple and transparent way. At each subsequent visit they will be able to describe what happened to their illness in the meantime. The application can create different types of reports and views.At the same time, the doctor can use the app to inform the patient about her/his condition in real time, which will contribute to better and more meaningful communication. All this would improve the quality of health care, preserving work capacity and improving the quality of life.Results:In order to simplify biotherapy committee approval procedure for patients of RA, the “Charger” has been developed in association with ORS and URes. The “Charger” will connect data collected by MojRa to the registry of RA patients, making the whole approval procedure more efficient and transparent.Testing of the second version of this application is underway, meetings are held between the patients using the application and the IT company that created it.Plans are to expand the app to other types of arthritis in the near future, too, and will soon be completed for devices running Apple operating systems.Conclusion:In addition to being of great benefit to patients and doctors, it can in the future be of immeasurable importance for the savings in the overall health care system of the Republic of Serbia.References:[1]Mobile Apps for Rheumatoid Arthritis: Opportunities and Challenges, Mollard E, Michaud K, Rheum Dis Clin, May 2019, Volume 45, Issue 2, Pages 197–209[2]Apps for People With Rheumatoid Arthritis to Monitor Their Disease Activity: A Review of Apps for Best Practice and Quality, Rebecca Grainger, Hutt Hospital, JMIR Publications, Advancing Digital Health Research, Feb 27, 2017.[3]ACR Mobile Apps,https://www.rheumatology.org/Learning-Center/Apps,American College of Reumatology.Disclosure of Interests:None declared

scholarly journals Feature Extraction and Classification of Citrus Juice by Using an Enhanced L-KSVD on Data Obtained from Electronic Nose

Sensors ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 916 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wen Cao ◽  
Chunmei Liu ◽  
Pengfei Jia
Keyword(s):  
Feature Extraction ◽  
Kernel Function ◽  
Electronic Nose ◽  
Classification Accuracy ◽  
Extraction Methods ◽  
Object Function ◽  
Optimal Value ◽  
Processed Products

Aroma plays a significant role in the quality of citrus fruits and processed products. The detection and analysis of citrus volatiles can be measured by an electronic nose (E-nose); in this paper, an E-nose is employed to classify the juice which is stored for different days. Feature extraction and classification are two important requirements for an E-nose. During the training process, a classifier can optimize its own parameters to achieve a better classification accuracy but cannot decide its input data which is treated by feature extraction methods, so the classification result is not always ideal. Label consistent KSVD (L-KSVD) is a novel technique which can extract the feature and classify the data at the same time, and such an operation can improve the classification accuracy. We propose an enhanced L-KSVD called E-LCKSVD for E-nose in this paper. During E-LCKSVD, we introduce a kernel function to the traditional L-KSVD and present a new initialization technique of its dictionary; finally, the weighted coefficients of different parts of its object function is studied, and enhanced quantum-behaved particle swarm optimization (EQPSO) is employed to optimize these coefficients. During the experimental section, we firstly find the classification accuracy of KSVD, and L-KSVD is improved with the help of the kernel function; this can prove that their ability of dealing nonlinear data is improved. Then, we compare the results of different dictionary initialization techniques and prove our proposed method is better. Finally, we find the optimal value of the weighted coefficients of the object function of E-LCKSVD that can make E-nose reach a better performance.

Study of graduate attributes of the university of Sydney and implications for building Chinese world-class universities

2021 ◽  
pp. 002072092098431
Author(s):  
Rui Zhao ◽  
Wan-Bing Shi
Keyword(s):  
System Theory ◽  
Comparative Study ◽  
High Position ◽  
Graduate Attributes ◽  
Graduate Employability ◽  
World Class ◽  
World Class Universities ◽  
The University ◽  
Relationship Of

The graduate attributes of the University of Sydney innovatively include the enabling conceptions and the translation conceptions of attributes and ensure that they are specifically oriented, reasonably structured and comprehensively designed. These scientifically constructed graduate attributes of the University of Sydney prove strong efficiency by the university taking up a high position in QS Graduate Employability Rankings in recent years. Chinese top-level universities, in the process of building world-class universities, also face the task of revising the graduate attributes and substantially enhancing the quality of talents cultivation, and can, therefore, learn the successful experience to revise their own graduate attributes on the basis of universities’ history, vision and specialty, on the premise of a sound cognition of the connotation, levels, and relationship of graduate attributes, and by means of System Theory, Phenomenography and comparative study.

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