16,114 research outputs found
On Polyakov's basic variational formula for loop spaces
Full text linkWe use the homological algebra context to give a more rigorous proof of
Polyakov's basic variational formula for loop spaces.Comment: Latex, 17 pages, no figure
Training on Establishing Climate-Smart Villages (CSVs) in Myanmar to Improve Food Security and Resilience in Agriculture
Get PDFThis training on establish Climate-Smart Villages (CSVs) in Myanmar was a collaborative effort of the Food Security Working Group (FSWG) and the Myanmar Program of the International Institute of Rural Reconstruction. This was supported in part by donors of the FSWG and the International Development Research Center-Canada through the 3-year action research project of IIRR-Myanmar in 4 CSVs. The overall goal of this training was to increase the understanding of the concepts, processes and tools in implementing of CSVs as an approach to build climate resilience among small-holder farmers, achieve nutrition security and gender equality in Myanmar. It was aimed for local NGOs and members of the Food Security Working Group (FSWG), Myanmarâs largest alliance of development organizations advocating for food security and sustainable livelihoods in Myanmar. This training was part of IIRR-Myanmarâs out-scaling pathway by engaging and building capacities of local civil societies to replicate the CSV approach as platforms to promote climate smart agriculture in Myanmar
The Gosport War Memorial Hospital Panel report and its implications for nursing
Get PDFWhere do we even begin? How do mere words encapsulate the full horror of the Gosport War Memorial Hospital (GWMH) report (Gosport Independent Panel, 2018) and its profound implications for nursing? Many of us thought that in our careers we would never again read anything as damning of health care and health services as the Francis Report; Darbyshire & McKenna, 2013; Hayter, 2013; Nolan, 2013). We were wrong. Politicians, hospitals, health services, educators and regulators at that time were falling over each other to reassure us that âlessons had been learnedâ, âthings had changedâ, ânew systems were in placeâ and that such disasters and failures âmust never happen againâ
Iteration on Interpretation: A Choose Your Own Adventure Zine
Get PDFA choose your own adventure zine that creatively applies insights from Stanley Fishâs theoretical work to raise awareness about the dynamics of interpretation. The zine is a major output from Remaking Critical Theory, a research project funded by a Sheridan SRCA Growth Grant and a SSHRC Explore Grant.https://source.sheridancollege.ca/fhass_creativehumanities/1002/thumbnail.jp
An Exploratory Study on Adolescents Experiences of Using ICQ (I Seek You)
Get PDFLittle research exists into adolescents rationales for using ICQ (I Seek You) and these adolescents relationships with their peers, families, and strangers in ICQ communication. Our curiosity about these subjects led us to adopt a qualitative inquiry, a multiple case study of ten adolescents via purposive sampling. Three major results were discerned: (1) rationales for using ICQ as a major communication tool and for its entertainment functions, (2) contents of ICQ included the participants school lives, peer relationships, family issues, and playing games, and (3) the participants relationships with their peers, family, and strangers like female adolescents are more protective than males. Finally, adolescents voices should be amplified in order to let adults respond to their contextual practices such as ICQ
Bayesian computation via empirical likelihood
Full text linkApproximate Bayesian computation (ABC) has become an essential tool for the
analysis of complex stochastic models when the likelihood function is
numerically unavailable. However, the well-established statistical method of
empirical likelihood provides another route to such settings that bypasses
simulations from the model and the choices of the ABC parameters (summary
statistics, distance, tolerance), while being convergent in the number of
observations. Furthermore, bypassing model simulations may lead to significant
time savings in complex models, for instance those found in population
genetics. The BCel algorithm we develop in this paper also provides an
evaluation of its own performance through an associated effective sample size.
The method is illustrated using several examples, including estimation of
standard distributions, time series, and population genetics models.Comment: 21 pages, 12 figures, revised version of the previous version with a
new titl
Studies of proton irradiated 0.9PMN-0.1PT/P(VDF-TrFE) 0-3 composites
Get PDF2001-2002 > Academic research: refereed > Refereed conference paperVersion of RecordPublishe
A Comparative Study of Human Health Impacts Due to Heavy Metal Emissions from a Conventional Lignite Coal-Fired Electricity Generation Station, with Post-Combustion, and Oxy- Fuel Combustion Capture Technologies
Get PDFCarbon dioxide capture has become an important component for ensuring reduction of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Even though emission reduction technologies such as electrostatic precipitators (ESP) and flue gas desulfurization (FGD) are in place at most electricity-generating stations today, the large point source emitters of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other emissions, such as heavy metals, to the atmosphere are still fossil fuel electricity-generating stations. When CO2 capture is employed, these emissions can be further reduced. However, despite its important ability to reduce atmospheric emissions, the CO2 capture technology in fact still releases some emissions through its stacks into the air. Since the safety and stability of the CO2 capture technology are fundamental considerations for widespread social acceptance, the potential liability associated with the capture technology is cited as an important barrier to successful CO2 capture implementation. Liability of the technology is further clouded by a failure to clearly define what is at risk, especially regarding human health and safety. This research study will focus on investigating the risks associated with human health and safety resulting from the different versions of the technology including: (i) no capture system, (ii) post-combustion, and (iii) oxy-fuel combustion CO2 capture technology at the Boundary Dam Power Station (BDPS) in Estevan, Saskatchewan, Canada. The research objective of this study was to evaluate the risk to human health associated with the BDPS in Estevan, Saskatchewan, Canada, using the American Meteorological Societyâs Environmental Protection Agency Regulatory Model (AERMOD) and cancer and non-cancer risk equations. This research presents the air dispersion modeling of the conventional lignite-fired electricity generation station at the BDPS, the inclusion of post-combustion CO2 capture technology, and the oxy-fuel carbon dioxide capture process. The heavy metals were measured near the power plant located in Estevan, Saskatchewan. This study shows that the emissions from the three stacks posed cancer risks of less than one chance in a million (1 Ă 10â6). There were only two emissions from the âno captureâ scenario that caused inhalation cancer risks of more than 1 Ă 10â6. In terms of non-cancer risks, the pollutantâs concentration from the three stacks was unlikely to cause any non-cancer health effects
Vividness of positive mental imagery predicts positive emotional response to visually-presented Project Soothe pictures
Get PDFLangâs bio-informational theory of mental imagery proposes that mental imagery and external stimuli engage emotional information-processing systems in similar ways. However, the positive and negative systems are thought to be distinct, so this similarity is likely to show a valence-specific effect. Therefore, we hypothesised that an individualâs ability to construct vivid positive, but not negative, mental imagery would predict positive emotional responding to positive visual stimuli, independently of depressive symptoms. Our stimuli were pictures collected through Project Soothe for possible use in psychotherapy (www.projectsoothe.com); since these pictures were intended to induce soothing emotion, we hypothesised that theoretically-linked variables Self-compassion and Self-criticism would also predict positive responding to the stimuli. A total of 214 participants completed an online study including validated questionnaire measures, mental imagery tasks, and a picture rating exercise. Only Positive Imagery Vividness and Self-compassion were significant predictors of positive responding to the soothing pictures, even controlling for depressive symptoms, and Negative and General Imagery Vividness. These findings support Langâs theory, and provide evidence for individual differences in a positive processing tendency shared across mental imagery-based and perceptual representations. Since this relationship is distinct from depressive symptoms, future imagery-based psychotherapies might aim to influence this positive processing tendency
Infusing Community Psychology Practice Competencies into Doctoral Training
Get PDFSince 2008, the Georgia State University doctoral training program in Community Psychology has made several modifications to coursework requirements, qualifying examinations, community practicum requirements, and advisement processes. Recognizing that graduates pursue trajectories ranging from independent consulting practice to academia, the primary goal was to provide greater flexibility in shaping training to match the types of careers that students envision. Accordingly, the Community Psychology Practice Competencies and the closely aligned Community Psychology Value Proposition provide a useful framework for helping guide students and advisors in selecting relevant coursework and field experiences that match the studentsâ training goals. In this paper, we focus on two specific areas in which we have infused the Competencies. The first area is practicum field-work, for which we have created a process built around the Value Proposition: students identify a potential field experience, work with community contacts to develop a statement of work focused on building experience and expertise in as many as four competency areas, and negotiate relevant deliverables. The second is advisement: Students are asked in their year-end progress reports to reflect on the extent to which they have gained experience with each competency during the year, and to identify a subset of focal competencies to gain experience and expertise in the coming year. With their advisors, students can then use this information to map out and modify their training plans. The paper describes the materials we have developed and provides preliminary quantitative and qualitative information about how the use of the Competencies is beginning to benefit students, advisors, and community partners. We describe successes and challenges we are encountering and conclude with the next steps we anticipate in the evolution of our training program
- âŠ
