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Several Challenges (several + challenge)
Selected AbstractsLarge-area epitaxial silicon solar cells based on industrial screen-printing processesPROGRESS IN PHOTOVOLTAICS: RESEARCH & APPLICATIONS, Issue 8 2005Filip Duerinckx Abstract Thin-film epitaxial silicon solar cells are an attractive future alternative for bulk silicon solar cells incorporating many of the process advantages of the latter, but on a potentially cheap substrate. Several challenges have to be tackled before this potential can be successfully exploited on a large scale. This paper describes the points of interest and how IMEC aims to solve them. It presents a new step forward towards our final objective: the development of an industrial cell process based on screen-printing for >,15% efficient epitaxial silicon solar cells on a low-cost substrate. Included in the discussion are the substrates onto which the epitaxial deposition is done and how work is progressing in several research institutes and universities on the topic of a high-throughput epitaxial reactor. The industrial screen-printing process sequence developed at IMEC for these epitaxial silicon solar cells is presented, with emphasis on plasma texturing and improvement of the quality of the epitaxial layer. Efficiencies between 12 and 13% are presented for large-area (98,cm2) epitaxial layers on highly doped UMG-Si, off-spec and reclaim material. Finally, the need for an internal reflection scheme is explained. A realistically achievable internal reflection at the epi/substrate interface of 70% will result in a calculated increase of 3,mA/cm2 in short-circuit current. An interfacial stack of porous silicon layers (Bragg reflectors) is chosen as a promising candidate and the challenges facing its incorporation between the epitaxial layer and the substrate are presented. Experimental work on this topic is reported and concentrates on the extraction of the internal reflection at the epi/substrate interface from reflectance measurements. Initial results show an internal reflectance between 30 and 60% with a four-layer porous silicon stack. Resistance measurements for majority carrier flow through these porous silicon stacks are also included and show that no resistance increase is measurable for stacks up to four layers. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Chemical synthesis and biotinylation of the thrombospondin domain TSR2PROTEIN SCIENCE, Issue 5 2009Theresa K. Tiefenbrunn Abstract The type 1 repeat domain from thrombospondin has potent antiangiogenic activity and a structurally interesting fold, making it an attractive target for protein engineering. Chemical synthesis is an attractive approach for studying protein domains because it enables the use of unnatural amino acids for site-specific labeling and detailed structure-function analysis. Here, we demonstrate the first total chemical synthesis of the thrombospondin type 1 repeat domain by native chemical ligation. In addition to the natural domain, five sites for side chain modification were evaluated and two were found to be compatible with oxidative folding. Several challenges were encountered during peptide synthesis due to the functional complexity of the domain. These challenges were overcome by the use of new solid supports, scavengers, and the testing of multiple ligation sites. We also describe an unusual sequence-specific protecting group migration observed during cleavage resulting in +90 Da and +194 Da adducts. Synthetic access to this domain enables the synthesis of a number of variants that can be used to further our understanding of the biochemical interaction network of thrombospondin and provide insight into the structure and function of this important antitumorogenic protein domain. [source] Twenty-four well plate miniature bioreactor system as a scale-down model for cell culture process developmentBIOTECHNOLOGY & BIOENGINEERING, Issue 1 2009Aaron Chen Abstract Increasing the throughput and efficiency of cell culture process development has become increasingly important to rapidly screen and optimize cell culture media and process parameters. This study describes the application of a miniaturized bioreactor system as a scaled-down model for cell culture process development using a CHO cell line expressing a recombinant protein. The microbioreactor system (M24) provides non-invasive online monitoring and control capability for process parameters such as pH, dissolved oxygen (DO), and temperature at the individual well level. A systematic evaluation of the M24 for cell culture process applications was successfully completed. Several challenges were initially identified. These included uneven gas distribution in the wells due to system design and lot to lot variability, foaming issues caused by sparging required for active DO control, and pH control limitation under conditions of minimal dissolved CO2. A high degree of variability was found which was addressed by changes in the system design. The foaming issue was resolved by addition of anti-foam, reduction of sparge rate, and elimination of DO control. The pH control limitation was overcome by a single manual liquid base addition. Intra-well reproducibility, as indicated by measurements of process parameters, cell growth, metabolite profiles, protein titer, protein quality, and scale-equivalency between the M24 and 2 L bioreactor cultures were very good. This evaluation has shown feasibility of utilizing the M24 as a scale-down tool for cell culture application development under industrially relevant process conditions. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2009;102: 148,160. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [source] Effective coding in birth defects surveillance,BIRTH DEFECTS RESEARCH, Issue S1 2001Sonja A. Rasmussen Effective coding is critical to data collected by birth defects surveillance programs because subsequent use of the data depends on storage and retrieval of cases using codes. Hence, careful consideration needs to be given to the coding process. The primary goal of coding is to accurately, completely, and concisely represent infants with birth defects. Coding procedures need to accommodate the objectives of the surveillance program; for example, programs that focus on research may require different coding procedures from those that focus on linking infants to services. Several challenges exist in coding birth defects, including the need to distinguish infants with multiple defects and syndromes from those with isolated defects, and the need for strategies to code suspected defects for which confirmation is not available. Selection of a coding system by a birth defects surveillance program is central to the utility of the data collected. Most programs use a modification of the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems-based (ICD) systems. This paper addresses ICD-based systems and the modifications used by many birth defects surveillance programs and presents examples of the problems in interpreting birth defects data because of inappropriate coding. Teratology 64:S3,S7, 2001. Published 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Facilitating process control teaching and learning in a virtual laboratory environmentCOMPUTER APPLICATIONS IN ENGINEERING EDUCATION, Issue 2 2002T. Murphy Abstract The rapid pace of technological developments and the high cost of engineering equipment, pose several challenges to traditional modes of engineering education. Innovations in education are desirable. In particular, education on practical aspects of engineering and personnel training can be enhanced through the use of virtual laboratories. Such educative experiences allow a student to better understand the theoretical aspects of the discipline in addition to its integration with practical knowledge. In this work, the development, set-up and application of a virtual twin heat exchanger plant is described. The philosophy and methodology of our approach is described, including the implementation details and our experience in using it. The effectiveness of the platform in educating students and in training industrial personnel is described. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Comput Appl Eng Educ 10: 79,87, 2002; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com.); DOI 10.1002/cae.10011 [source] Animating Quadrupeds: Methods and ApplicationsCOMPUTER GRAPHICS FORUM, Issue 6 2009Ljiljana Skrba I.3.7 [Computer Graphics]: 3D Graphics and Realism , Animation Abstract Films like Shrek, Madagascar, The Chronicles of Narnia and Charlotte's web all have something in common: realistic quadruped animations. While the animation of animals has been popular for a long time, the technical challenges associated with creating highly realistic, computer generated creatures have been receiving increasing attention recently. The entertainment, education and medical industries have increased the demand for simulation of realistic animals in the computer graphics area. In order to achieve this, several challenges need to be overcome: gathering and processing data that embodies the natural motion of an animal , which is made more difficult by the fact that most animals cannot be easily motion-captured; building accurate kinematic models for animals, with adapted animation skeletons in particular; and developing either kinematic or physically-based animation methods, either by embedding some a priori knowledge about the way that quadrupeds locomote and/or adopting examples of real motion. In this paper, we present an overview of the common techniques used to date for realistic quadruped animation. This includes an outline of the various ways that realistic quadruped motion can be achieved, through video-based acquisition, physics based models, inverse kinematics or some combination of the above. [source] Urban Form and Household Activity-Travel BehaviorGROWTH AND CHANGE, Issue 2 2006RON N. BULIUNG ABSTRACT Cities and metropolitan regions face several challenges including urban sprawl, auto dependence and congestion, and related environmental and human health effects. Examining the spatial characteristics of daily household activity-travel behavior holds important implications for understanding and addressing urban transportation issues. Research of this sort can inform development of urban land use policy that encourages the use of local opportunities, potentially leading to reduced motorized travel. This article examines the potential household activity-travel response to a planned metropolitan polycentric hierarchy of activity centers. Behavioral observations have been drawn from an activity-travel survey conducted in the Portland, Oregon, metropolitan area during the mid-1990s. Evidence presented from exploratory analysis indicates an urban/suburban differential, with less daily travel and smaller activity spaces for urban households. Investigation of the travel reduction potential of the proposed land-use strategy suggests that location effects could be offset by adjustments to household sociodemographic and mobility characteristics. [source] The Public/Private Partnership behind the Cash and Counseling Demonstration and Evaluation: Its Origins, Challenges, and Unresolved IssuesHEALTH SERVICES RESEARCH, Issue 1p2 2007James R. Knickman Objective. To discuss why and how the Cash and Counseling Demonstration came to be designed, implemented, and evaluated through a partnership between the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE) and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF). Principal Findings. This public/private partnership was created by two colleagues who were motivated by the need for funding to conduct a large-scale demonstration and evaluation, the prestige that both organizations brought to the project, the ability to draw on both organizations' experience and expertise, and the potential to maximize flexibility in the design and implementation of the demonstration. The partnership, which has lasted over a decade and has supported two generations of Cash and Counseling programs, overcame several challenges including getting approval for the project through their respective bureaucracies, managing the decision making process and the ongoing program across the two organizations, dealing with leadership and staff turnover, and reaching consensus on how to apportion credit for the success of the program. Several unresolved issues remain, including how the program gets operationalized within each state, how case management is addressed within the context of a consumer-directed model like Cash and Counseling, how quality is assured in this type of program, and how the Internal Revenue Service views and treats Cash and Counseling and other consumer-directed programs. Conclusion. This public/private partnership is an illustration of how public dollars can be leveraged effectively to examine a pressing policy issue and to produce information that can be translated into better policy and practice. The ASPE/RWJF collaboration made it possible to develop, test, and expand a policy-oriented demonstration project that has become a pivotal strategy in most states' efforts to build their home and community-based service systems. [source] International compensation practices: a ten-country comparative analysisHUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT, Issue 1 2002Kevin B. Lowe This article presents a comparative study of compensation, by exploring nine items which measure pay and benefits practices in ten locations (nine countries and one region). First, similarities and differences in employee compensation are examined. Second, emerging issues for international compensation are identified. Third, gaps are identified between current practice and employee preferences for future compensation. Overall, the results of this study provide some support for previous research, although a number of counterintuitive findings are identified with respect to the ways in which culture might be expected to impact employee preferences for cross-cultural compensation practices. The research suggests several challenges for compensation practice and directions for future research. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [source] Organization and delivery of primary health care services in Petrópolis, BrazilINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HEALTH PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT, Issue 4 2004James Macinko Abstract The objective of the study was to adapt and apply an instrument to measure the organizational features of the primary care system in the municipality of Petrópolis. The study compared the performance of the new Family Health Program (Programa Saúde da Família or PSF) with traditional primary care facilities using data from facility surveys and key informant interviews. The main results include: (a) the methodology was capable of distinguishing between the two types of primary care services in the municipality; (b) the PSF clinics scored higher on most dimensions of primary care, although in some areas the traditional health units had equivalent scores; and (c) data obtained from interviewing key informants was generally compatible with that obtained by conducting facility surveys. The results suggests that in spite of making important advances in primary care, the municipality of Petrópolis continues to face several challenges including the need to improve access, enforce the gatekeeper role of primary care, and improve the coordination and community orientation of both types of primary care services. The methodology could be used to set objectives and monitor progress towards improving the organization and delivery of primary care in Petrópolis and elsewhere. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Water Framework Directive: ecological classification of Danish lakesJOURNAL OF APPLIED ECOLOGY, Issue 4 2005MARTIN SØNDERGAARD Summary 1The European Water Framework Directive (WFD) requires that all European waterbodies are assigned to one of five ecological classes, based primarily on biological indicators, and that minimum good ecological quality is obtained by 2015. However, the directive provides only general guidance regarding indicator definitions and determination of boundaries between classes. 2We used chemical and biological data from 709 Danish lakes to investigate whether and how lake types respond differently to eutrophication. In the absence of well-defined reference conditions, lakes were grouped according to alkalinity and water depth, and the responses to eutrophication were ordered along a total phosphorus (TP) gradient to test the applicability of pre-defined boundaries. 3As a preliminary classification we suggest a TP-based classification into high, good, moderate, bad and poor ecological quality using 0,25, 25,50, 50,100, 100,200 and > 200 µg P L,1 boundaries for shallow lakes, and 0,12·5, 12·5,25, 25,50, 50,100 and > 100 µg P L,1 boundaries for deep lakes. Within each TP category, median values are used to define preliminary boundaries for the biological indicators. 4Most indicators responded strongly to increasing TP, but there were only minor differences between low and high alkalinity lakes and modest variations between deep and shallow lakes. The variability of indicators within a given TP range was, however, high, and for most indicators there was a considerable overlap between adjacent TP categories. Cyanophyte biomass, submerged macrophyte coverage, fish numbers and chlorophyll a were among the ,best' indicators, but their ability to separate different TP classes varied with TP. 5When using multiple indicators the risk that one or more indicators will indicate different ecological classes is high because of a high variability of all indicators within a specific TP class, and the ,one out , all out' principle in relation to indicators does not seem feasible. Alternatively a certain compliance level or a ,mean value' of the indicators can be used to define ecological classes. A precise ecological quality ratio (EQR) using values between 0 and 1 can be calculated based on the extent to which the total number of indicators meets the boundary conditions, as demonstrated from three Danish lakes. 6Synthesis and applications. The analysis of Danish lakes has identified a number of useful indicators for lake quality and has suggested a method for calculating an ecological quality ratio. However, it also demonstrates that the implementation of the Water Framework Directive faces several challenges: gradual rather than stepwise changes for all indicators, large variability of indicators within lake classes, and problems using the one out , all out principle for lake classification. [source] Differences in woody vegetation are unrelated to use by African elephants (Loxodonta africana) in Mkhuze Game Reserve, South AfricaAFRICAN JOURNAL OF ECOLOGY, Issue 1 2010Angela M. White Abstract The reintroduction of African elephants into fenced game reserves throughout South Africa has presented managers with several challenges. Although elephants are a natural part of southern African ecosystems, their confinement to fenced protected areas in South Africa has exacerbated their potential to impact their habitats negatively. However, many studies investigating the impact of elephants have failed to control for the effects of other browsers on the vegetative community. In this study, we used location data on an elephant herd to delineate high-use and low-use areas. This paired design allowed us to minimize confounding factors that could explain differences in the structure, diversity and utilization of woody species. We found little evidence to suggest elephant-mediated change in, or selection for, the structure or diversity of woody species; however, our results suggest that elephants may be altering the composition of species by preferentially using areas with higher canopy diversity and by enhancing sapling recruitment. Although stripping of bark was higher in high-use areas, there was no evidence of differential mortality of tree species. Therefore, in our study area, and over the current time scale, elephants are having a negligible impact on the vegetative community. Résumé La réintroduction d'éléphants africains dans des réserves de faune clôturées dans toute l'Afrique du Sud représente plusieurs défis pour les gestionnaires. Bien que les éléphants fassent naturellement partie des écosystèmes d'Afrique australe, leur confinement dans des aires protégées clôturées en Afrique du Sud a exacerbé leur capacité d'avoir des impacts négatifs sur leurs habitats. Pourtant, les nombreuses études qui ont recherché l'impact des éléphants ont omis de contrôler l'effet des autres herbivores sur la communauté végétale. Dans cette étude, nous avons utilisé des données sur la localisation des hardes d'éléphants pour délimiter les zones plus ou moins fréquentées. Cette étude couplée nous a permis de minimiser les facteurs prêtant à confusion qui pouvaient expliquer des différences de structure, de diversité et d'utilisation des espèces ligneuses. Nous avons trouvé peu de preuves qui auraient indiqué que les éléphants changeaient ou sélectionnaient la structure ou la diversité des espèces ligneuses; cependant, nos résultats suggèrent que les éléphants pourraient modifier la composition des espèces en choisissant de préférence les zones où la diversité de la canopée est plus élevée et en stimulant le recrutement de jeunes plants. Même si les arrachages d'écorces étaient plus nombreux dans les zones très fréquentées, il n'y avait aucune preuve d'une mortalité différentielle selon les espèces d'arbres. C'est pourquoi, dans l'aire où nous avons travaillé, et pour le moment, on peut dire que les éléphants n'ont qu'un impact négligeable sur la communauté végétale. [source] Accessible proteomics space and its implications for peak capacity for zero-, one- and two-dimensional separations coupled with FT-ICR and TOF mass spectrometryJOURNAL OF MASS SPECTROMETRY (INCORP BIOLOGICAL MASS SPECTROMETRY), Issue 3 2006Jennifer L. Frahm The number and wide dynamic range of components found in biological matrixes present several challenges for global proteomics. In this perspective, we will examine the potential of zero-dimensional (0D), one-dimensional (1D), and two-dimensional (2D) separations coupled with Fourier-transform ion cyclotron resonance (FT-ICR) and time-of-flight (TOF) mass spectrometry (MS) for the analysis of complex mixtures. We describe and further develop previous reports on the space occupied by peptides, to calculate the theoretical peak capacity available to each separations-mass spectrometry method examined. Briefly, the peak capacity attainable by each of the mass analyzers was determined from the mass resolving power (RP) and the m/z space occupied by peptides considered from the mass distribution of tryptic peptides from National Center for Biotechnology Information's (NCBI's) nonredundant database. Our results indicate that reverse-phase-nanoHPLC (RP-nHPLC) separation coupled with FT-ICR MS offers an order of magnitude improvement in peak capacity over RP-nHPLC separation coupled with TOF MS. The addition of an orthogonal separation method, strong cation exchange (SCX), for 2D LC-MS demonstrates an additional 10-fold improvement in peak capacity over 1D LC-MS methods. Peak capacity calculations for 0D LC, two different 1D RP-HPLC methods, and 2D LC (with various numbers of SCX fractions) for both RP-HPLC methods coupled to FT-ICR and TOF MS are examined in detail. Peak capacity production rates, which take into account the total analysis time, are also considered for each of the methods. Furthermore, the significance of the space occupied by peptides is discussed. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Low-Creep Metallic Thin Films and Reflective Coatings for Optical MicrosystemsPLASMA PROCESSES AND POLYMERS, Issue S1 2007Jan U. Schmidt Abstract The large-scale integration of analog operable MEMS micromirrors onto active CMOS address circuitry involves several challenges. Mirror actuators must be fabricated using CMOS compatible technology, exhibit highly reflecting planar optical surfaces, and stable analog deflection-voltage characteristics not compromised by drift or creep effects. CMOS integration imposes strict limits depending on the range of available materials and the restricted temperature budget. Highly elastic materials such as single-crystalline Si or poly-SiGe have been integrated by layer transfer bonding or PECVD deposition, respectively. In this paper, a novel approach, i.e., the low-temperature monolithic integration of creep-resistant all-sputtered glassy TiAl mirror actuators with Al reflective coating is presented. [source] Privatizing Medicaid-Funded Mental Health Services: Trading Old Political Challenges for New OnesAMERICAN JOURNAL OF ORTHOPSYCHIATRY, Issue 3 2002Matthew N. I. Oliver States have aggressively pursued privatizing the management of Medicaid-funded mental health services. Although privatized managed care addresses many concerns, it brings several challenges. This article evaluates the impact of privatization on Medicaid-funded mental health services and highlights several contracting issues that should be considered to ensure high-quality mental health care. [source] Mixed-mode chromatography/isotope ratio mass spectrometry,RAPID COMMUNICATIONS IN MASS SPECTROMETRY, Issue 5 2010James S. O. McCullagh Liquid chromatography coupled to molecular mass spectrometry (LC/MS) has been a standard technique since the early 1970s but liquid chromatography coupled to high-precision isotope ratio mass spectrometry (LC/IRMS) has only been available commercially since 2004. This development has, for the first time, enabled natural abundance and low enrichment ,13C measurements to be applied to individual analytes in aqueous mixtures creating new opportunities for IRMS applications, particularly for the isotopic study of biological molecules. A growing number of applications have been published in a range of areas including amino acid metabolism, carbohydrates studies, quantification of cellular and plasma metabolites, dietary tracer and nucleic acid studies. There is strong potential to extend these to new compounds and complex matrices but several challenges face the development of LC/IRMS methods. To achieve accurate isotopic measurements, HPLC separations must provide baseline-resolution between analyte peaks; however, the design of current liquid interfaces places severe restrictions on compatible flow rates and in particular mobile phase compositions. These create a significant challenge on which reports associated with LC/IRMS have not previously focused. Accordingly, this paper will address aspects of chromatography in the context of LC/IRMS, in particular focusing on mixed-mode separations and their benefits in light of these restrictions. It aims to provide an overview of mixed-mode stationary phases and of ways to improve high aqueous separations through manipulation of parameters such as column length, temperature and mobile phase pH. The results of several practical experiments are given using proteogenic amino acids and nucleosides both of which are of noted importance in the LC/IRMS literature. This communication aims to demonstrate that mixed-mode stationary phases provide a flexible approach given the constraints of LC/IRMS interface design and acts as a practical guide for the development of new chromatographic methods compatible with LC/IRMS applications. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Differential Chemokine and Chemokine Receptor Gene Induction by Ischemia, Alloantigen, and Gene Transfer in Cardiac GraftsAMERICAN JOURNAL OF TRANSPLANTATION, Issue 10 2003Dongmei Chen Transplantation of allogeneic grafts presents several challenges to the innate and adaptive immune systems including chemokine leukocyte recruitment, activation, and effector function. We defined the chemokines and receptors induced by the transplant procedure/ischemia injury, alloantigen and gene transfer vector administration in murine cardiac grafts. E1, E3 deleted AdRSV,gal was transferred into grafts at the time of transplantation, grafts were harvested after 1,14 days, and a pathway-specific cDNA array was used to evaluate the levels of 67 chemokine and chemokine receptor genes. Transplantation resulted in ischemic injury and induction of a number of similar genes in both the syngeneic and allogeneic grafts, such as CXCL1 and CXCL5, which increased dramatically on day 1 and returned rapidly to baseline in the syngeneic grafts. Alloantigen stimulated the adaptive immune response and induced the presence of more inflammatory genes within the grafts, particularly at later time points. The adenovirus vector induced a broader panel of genes, among them potent inflammatory chemokines CXCL9 and CXCL10, that are induced earlier or more strongly compared with alloantigen stimulation alone. As alloantigen and adenovirus vectors both induce similar sets of genes, targeting these molecules may not only inhibit alloimmunity, but also enhance the utility of the gene transfer vector. [source] Water-soluble vitamins in fish ontogenyAQUACULTURE RESEARCH, Issue 5 2010Rune Waagbø Abstract Studies on vitamin requirement at early stages are difficult and vary in quality, both due to the scientific approach and vitamin analysis. Focus has been on water-soluble vitamins that cause dramatic losses of the offspring in practical farming situations or in wild life, like vitamin C and thiamine deficiencies respectively. Practical solutions including vitamin administration through brood stock and larvae diets have confirmed and corrected the vitamin deficiencies. For the other water-soluble vitamins, the situation is not so obvious. Descriptive studies of folate and vitamin B6 during fish ontogeny have shown a net loss of vitamin during endogenous feeding and a steady transfer of vitamin from the yolk sac into the body compartment, and finally, dramatic increases in body vitamin levels after the start of feeding. The kinetics of mass transfer with ontogeny appears, however, to differ between vitamins. Start of feeding of fish larvae with live or formulated feeds includes several challenges with respect to water-soluble vitamins, including aspects of live feed enrichment and stability, micro-diet leaching, variable feed intakes, immature gastrointestinal tract, variable bioavailability of vitamins and larvae vitamin storage capacity. Consequently, the exact minimum requirements are difficult to estimate and vitamin recommendations need to consider such conditions. [source] Alienation and obligation: Religion and social change in SamoaASIA PACIFIC VIEWPOINT, Issue 1 2010Alec Thornton Abstract This paper will explore social change in contemporary Samoan society with respect to the traditional expectations of the church and kinship conflicting with the modern needs of an urbanising population. In the Samoan way of life , the fa'aSamoa , religion, matai (chiefly system) and reciprocal ,gift-giving' kinship arrangements among the aiga (extended family) are fundamental and closely related elements. However, pressures from continued integration into the global economy, the importance of remittance income and related migration of well-educated and highly skilled Samoans overseas are presenting several challenges to the strongly held traditions of kinship and church obligations. Among these challenges, low-income households are increasingly placing the material well-being of the immediate household first, thus ,opting out' of the culturally defined primary obligation to the church and risk alienation from beneficial familial ties. As a result, settlement patterns are shifting towards leaseholds in urbanising Apia, with consequences, we will speculate, that may have deeper cultural implications. Our research revealed that the church has been slow to accept that, increasingly, Samoans are seeking relief from hardships that spirituality alone cannot address. However, given its influence, strengths and resources, the church is well positioned to take a lead role in facilitating opportunities for ,bottom-up', alternative development in Samoa, as well as providing lessons for church-led participatory approaches in the Pacific Island Region. [source] The Clinical Value Compass: Achieving Benchmarking and Quality Improvement in Aged CareAUSTRALASIAN JOURNAL ON AGEING, Issue 1 2000Michael Woodward Quality measurement and benchmarking in aged care presents several challenges. A model which addresses this by linking four dimensions of outcomes has been developed - the Clinical Value Compass (CVC). A CVC was developed for stroke rehabilitation and measured across four sites. The CVC was well accepted by the treatment teams and proved practical to measure. The results revealed differences in practices and client groups that led to a closer analysis of processes and subsequent changes in these processes. Remeasuring of the CVC is required to demonstrate improved outcomes arising from these process changes. [source] An Introduction to Simulation and Visualization of Biological Systems at Multiple Scales: A Summer Training Program for Interdisciplinary ResearchBIOTECHNOLOGY PROGRESS, Issue 1 2006Rajan Munshi Advances in biomedical research require a new generation of researchers having a strong background in both the life and physical sciences and a knowledge of computational, mathematical, and engineering tools for tackling biological problems. The NIH-NSF Bioengineering and Bioinformatics Summer Institute at the University of Pittsburgh (BBSI @ Pitt;www.ccbb.pitt.edu/bbsi) is a multi-institutional 10-week summer program hosted by the University of Pittsburgh, Duquesne University, the Pittsburgh Supercomputing Center, and Carnegie Mellon University, and is one of nine Institutes throughout the nation currently participating in the NIH-NSF program. Each BBSI focuses on a different area; the BBSI @ Pitt, entitled "Simulation and Computer Visualization of Biological Systems at Multiple Scales", focuses on computational and mathematical approaches to understanding the complex machinery of molecular-to-cellular systems at three levels, namely, molecular, subcellular (microphysiological), and cellular. We present here an overview of the BBSI@Pitt, the objectives and focus of the program, and a description of the didactic training activities that distinguish it from other traditional summer research programs. Furthermore, we also report several challenges that have been identified in implementing such an interdisciplinary program that brings together students from diverse academic programs for a limited period of time. These challenges notwithstanding, presenting an integrative view of molecular-to-system analytical models has introduced these students to the field of computational biology and has allowed them to make an informed decision regarding their future career prospects. [source] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||