“Two kinds of bioscope”: Practical community concerns and ethnographic film in Namibia

A quote from a Namibian Ju/'hoan political leader introduces the topic of community concerns about the practical implications of various styles of ethnographic filmmaking. The main issues addressed include communication, leadership, and decision‐making processes internal to the community being filmed; development planning and self‐presentation in state and international contexts; community participation in design of, and remuneration from, film projects; images produced and their relevance to governmental and international funding; and dialogue within both the local and the anthropological communities on the consequences of filmic decisions. Examples from six film projects in Nyae Nyae, Namibia, over the last decade are used to illustrate how complex land rights, natural resource rights, development planning, and external political issues may be more (or less) effectively dealt with depending on community involvement, presentational choices and activist goals.     

Projection of the Mexican National Labor Force, 1980–2005

Abstract

Mexico has a large and rapidly growing labor force. This paper projects the Mexican national labor force from 1980 to 2005, with varying assumptions of vital rates, economic activity, and international migration. Projections are also made for the urban and rural components of the Mexican population, assuming inter‐component migration flows. Results indicate that the Mexican labor force will grow over the projection period at an average annual rate of 907,000 to 1,183,000 workers; will age slightly; and will have a much higher proportion female. Implications are discussed in terms of Mexican‐U.S. migration, possible agreements on free trade, and global trends in workforce.     

A strategy for young members within national radiation oncology societies: the Italian experience (AIRO Giovani group)

AimTo briefly review history, structure, past events and future projects of AIRO (Associazione Italiana Radioterapia Oncologica) young group (AIRO Giovani), focusing on its specific commitment to multidisciplnary networking among junior clinical oncologists at a national and international level.BackgroundAIRO Giovani is a part of AIRO composed by members under 40 years old. Its main activities are scientific and educational meetings dedicated to young Italian radiation oncologists and collaborative research projects.Materials and MethodsAIRO Giovani structure, events organized and supported by AIRO giovani as well as scientific activities are here reported from its creation in 2007 up to current days.ResultsAIRO Giovani group was able to create a consolidated network between Italian junior radiation oncologists, while opening the possibility to collaborate with junior groups of other national scientific societies in the field of oncology and with ESTRO young members. Scientific projects carried out by the group have been successful and will be further implemented in next years.ConclusionsAIRO Giovani is still in its infancy, but its early positive experience supports the creation and development of young groups within national radiation oncology societies.     

Efficient rescue of threatened biodiversity data using reBiND workflows

Abstract

Biodiversity data generated in the context of research projects often lack a strategy for long-term preservation and availability, and are therefore at risk of becoming outdated and finally lost. The reBiND project aims to develop an efficient and well-documented workflow for rescuing such data sets. The workflow consists of phases for data transformation into contemporary standards, data validation, storage in a native XML database, and data publishing in international biodiversity networks. It has been developed and tested using the example of collection and observational data but is flexible enough to be transferred to other data types and domains.     

Mediterranean pollution: Problem and response

Abstract

International efforts aimed at control of pollution of the Mediterranean Sea are unique in the extent to which politically diverse coastal states and a wide variety of international agencies are implementing cooperative programs of scientific research, education and training, planning, and treaty drafting. Continuing environmental cooperation in the Mediterranean reflects the political utility of pollution as a regional issue. Governments, the Mediterranean scientific community, and international organizations derive common benefits from maintaining the momentum of the United Nations Environment Programme‐sponsored activities, despite declining global interest in environmental concerns.     

In search of self‐reliance: Problems of marine technology transfer to the developing countries: The case of West Africa

Abstract

This study presents some of the main features of the marine technology transfer process and identifies the key factors determining the particular transfer arrangements available for developing countries of West Africa under different circumstances. Emphasis is made on the fisheries sector because of its economic importance in that region. It examines the principal characteristics of suppliers and recipients of fisheries technology and their prevailing attitudes with regard to transfers. It draws on empirical research covering several international cooperative fisheries arrangements in Mauritania, Guinea‐Bissau, and Guinea‐Conakry that have high potential to function as a technology transfer mechanism from developed to developing coastal countries.     

Brazil at the third United Nations conference on the law of the sea

Abstract

As Brazil began to emerge as a major power in the years leading up to theThird United Nations Conference on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS III), national ocean policy came to have a quite continuous, distinctive impact on global law of the sea negotiations. Brazil's participation at UNCLOS III offers a particularly good vantage point from which to analyze its more prominent international role as an emerging major power, its related growth as a maritime power, and its significant contribution to international organization.

UNCLOS III, in turn, affects Brazil. The broad implications of the emerging ocean order for both national and international jurisdiction issues, within which Brazilian ocean policy must operate, are analyzed. Brazil's distinctive position as an emerging power between the industrialized countries and the Third World has conditioned its involvement at UNCLOS III. As a developing state, Brazil has favored revision of the traditional order for the purpose of redressing the balance with the developed states. At the same time, as an emerging power, Brazil has an interest in supporting a stable, open international order. In spite of such policy dilemmas, Brazil stands out as one of the few big potential winners in the Third World from both the seabed and non‐seabed portions of the law of the sea negotiations.     

Trends in Australian wetland rehabilitation

This paper summarizes trends in Australian wetland rehabilitation on the basis of responses to a questionnaire from sixty-nine rehabilitation projects and a literature review. Project sizes ranged from 0.4 to 110,000 ha. Costs ranged from A$6 to 70,000 ha^–1 yr^–1, with most projects costing less than A$1,000 ha^–1 yr^–1 and with larger projects generally costing less per area than smaller projects. The oldest project began in 1963, but most projects began between 1990 and 1996. The most commonly cited dominant plant genera in rehabilitation projects were Eucalyptus, Melaleuca, Muehlenbeckia, Juncus, Avicennia, and Typha. Filling and draining and altered hydrology were the most commonly cited impacts that led to a need for rehabilitation, while excavation and planting were the most commonly cited rehabilitation methods. About 65% of projects undertake rehabilitation methods that address the causes of impacts. Habitat improvement was the most commonly stated objective in wetland rehabilitation. Of the projects that supported monitoring programs, fewer than 25% appeared to monitor variables that were closely linked to project goals. Thirty-six projects reported involvement in research other than monitoring, with vegetation research most frequently cited. Most projects encouraged some level of community involvement. Wetland rehabilitation in Australia could benefit from a centralized register of projects and a library of rehabilitation literature, including government and in-house reports.     

The international sea‐bed authority without U.S. participation

Abstract

This paper focuses on the political dynamics of the International Sea‐Bed Authority‐on what is likely to happen if and when the Law of the Sea Treaty comes into effect without U.S. participation in the development of an international organization intended to be universal and permanent. The author has drawn heavily on his experience as Permanent Representative to UNESCO 1973–1977, and from service on delegations to numerous international conferences. His point of view tends to place great importance on the political role and structure of international organizations.     

A guide to periodicals for the study of marine affairs

Abstract

A review of the most useful periodicals, periodical indexes, and computer data bases for the study of international marine affairs will be provided. The results of research in this multidisciplinary field are published in a vast array of social science, scientific, and technical journals. In a representative, rather than an exhaustive listing, these journals are described and organized by subject. Indexes and abstracts which provide bibliographical control of the marine affairs literature are annotated, followed by a discussion of on‐line information retrieval in this rapidly developing field of inquiry.     

UNCLOS III and the new international economic order

Abstract

The New International Economic Order has become an all pervasive issue in contemporary international relations and is being discussed, debated, and considered in a number of international organizations and negotiations. Representatives of the Third World have demanded under its banner significant changes in the world's political and economic structure. It is in this context that the Third United Nations Conference on the Law of the Sea has been meeting.

This study focuses upon the protracted negotiations on seabed mining and seeks to relate continuing North‐South differences to broader trends in international relations. It examines, in light of pressures for a New International Economic Order, disagreements relative to: a) access to seabed resources, b) the resource and commodity policy of the proposed International Sea‐Bed Authority, c) financial arrangements for deep seabed mining, d) transfer of technology, and e) the organizational structure of the International Sea‐Bed Authority.     

Confundiendo al confuso: reflexiones sobre el factor de impacto,el índice h(irsch), el valor Q y otros cofactores que influyen en la felicidad del investigador

BackgroundThe need to evaluate curricula for sponsorship for research projects or professional promotion, has led to the search for tools that allow an objective valuation. However, the total number papers published, or citations of articles of a particular author, or the impact factor of the Journal where they are published are inadequate indicators for the evaluation of the quality and productivity of researchers. The h index, proposed by Hirsch, categorises the papers according to the number of citations per article. This tool appears to lack the limitations of other bibliometric tools but is less useful for non English-speaking authors.AimsTo propose and debate the usefulness of the existing bibliometric indicators and tools for the evaluation and categorization of researchers and scientific journals.MethodsSearch for papers on bibliometric tools.ResultsThere are some hot spots in the debate on the national and international evaluation of researchers’ productivity and quality of scientific journals. Opinions on impact factors and h index have been discussed. The positive discrimination, using the Q value, is proposed as an alternative for the evaluation of Spanish and Iberoamerican researchers.ConclusionsIt is very important de-mystify the importance of bibliometric indicators. The impact factor is useful for evaluating journals from the same scientific area but not for the evaluation of researchers’ curricula. For the comparison of curricula from two or more researchers, we must use the h index or the proposed Q value. the latter allows positive discrimination of the task for Spanish and Iberoamerican researchers.     

A Qualitative Model For Inundation Studies In Archeological Research And Resource Conservation:An Example From Arkansas

Abstract

Federal and state flood control and water resource management projects are exposing an ever increasing number of archeological sites to long term inundation in reservoirs. The effectsof this inundation on the submerged archeological context is not well understood, handicapping the archeologists in their attempts to mitigate the effects of these projects on this portion of the cultural resource base as required by recent federal legislation. This paper pointsout the inadequacy of our present knowledge, cites the need for research, and proposes a model as a basis for research into the. effects of inundation on archeological sites.     

住院医师规范化培训中的问题及国际经验启示

目的 梳理我国住院医师规范化培训存在的问题,借鉴国际经验,提出相关政策建议。方法 对现阶段我国住院医师规范化培训存在问题和典型国家住院医师培训开展文献调研和专家咨询。结果 我国 住院医师规范化培训存在管理制度不完善,培训过程和内容不合理,考核制度不健全,动员机制不顺畅等问题。结论 根据 国际经验,提出厘清各部门分工,充分发挥行业组织的桥梁和纽带作用;加强顶层设计和政策配套,保障培训制度的落实;拓宽培养内容,加强学员考核,提高培养质量等政策建议。     

Blood,sweat, and tears: Embedding biological samples in social science research on children,

Abstract

In the first decade of the 21^st Century, calls for interdisciplinary research are commonplace. Yet, relatively few papers discuss how to complete such research successfully. In this paper, I describe the details of data collection focused on five, six and seven‐year old children. The project examined the effect of environmental contaminants on children's educational outcomes. It included a primary caregiver interview, a skill test with the child, and a venous blood draw from the child to test for lead, mercury, cadmium, arsenic, nicotine, and cotinine. This paper describes key issues and the solutions I adopted. Challenges discussed here include navigating the Institutional Review Board Process, analyzing the blood, obtaining the supplies needed to draw blood, banking blood for future research, hiring a phlebotomist, and recruiting subjects. While not all details will apply directly to other research projects, this paper provides some perspective on the current realities facing social scientists who decide to collect biological samples.     

PLANNING THE RATIONAL USE OF WETLANDS

SUMMARY

A conceptual approach to planning is outlined. It is a cyclical process in which we start with a goal, examine it and express it more clearly, assemble information, evaluate the information, work out alternative lines of action, choose the one most likely to lead to success and then try it out.

This approach is applied to wetlands. The importance of establishing a “unity of action” and a body to co-ordinate activities is stressed. Planning the conservation of estuaries in Natal is given as a practical example.

A number of research projects is given in relation to the planning process. A comprehensive and methodical means of determining research projects is advocated.

The paper concludes with a call for committment, else planning is an exercise in futility.     

Use of Recommended Search Strategies in Systematic Reviews and the Impact of Librarian Involvement: A Cross-Sectional Survey of Recent Authors

BackgroundPrevious research looking at published systematic reviews has shown that their search strategies are often suboptimal and that librarian involvement, though recommended, is low. Confidence in the results, however, is limited due to poor reporting of search strategies the published articles.ObjectivesTo more accurately measure the use of recommended search methods in systematic reviews, the levels of librarian involvement, and whether librarian involvement predicts the use of recommended methods.MethodsA survey was sent to all authors of English-language systematic reviews indexed in the Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects (DARE) from January 2012 through January 2014. The survey asked about their use of search methods recommended by the Institute of Medicine, Cochrane Collaboration, and the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality and if and how a librarian was involved in the systematic review. Rates of use of recommended methods and librarian involvement were summarized. The impact of librarian involvement on use of recommended methods was examined using a multivariate logistic regression.Results1560 authors completed the survey. Use of recommended search methods ranged widely from 98% for use of keywords to 9% for registration in PROSPERO and were generally higher than in previous studies. 51% of studies involved a librarian, but only 64% acknowledge their assistance. Librarian involvement was significantly associated with the use of 65% of recommended search methods after controlling for other potential predictors. Odds ratios ranged from 1.36 (95% CI 1.06 to 1.75) for including multiple languages to 3.07 (95% CI 2.06 to 4.58) for using controlled vocabulary.ConclusionsUse of recommended search strategies is higher than previously reported, but many methods are still under-utilized. Librarian involvement predicts the use of most methods, but their involvement is under-reported within the published article.     

Educational differences in smoking: international comparison

ObjectiveTo investigate international variations in smoking associated with educational level.DesignInternational comparison of national health, or similar, surveys.SubjectsMen and women aged 20 to 44 years and 45 to 74 years.Setting12 European countries, around 1990.ResultsIn the 45 to 74 year age group, higher rates of current and ever smoking among lower educated subjects were found in some countries only. Among women this was found in Great Britain, Norway, and Sweden, whereas an opposite pattern, with higher educated women smoking more, was found in southern Europe. Among men a similar north-south pattern was found but it was less noticeable than among women. In the 20 to 44 year age group, educational differences in smoking were generally greater than in the older age group, and smoking rates were higher among lower educated people in most countries. Among younger women, a similar north-south pattern was found as among older women. Among younger men, large educational differences in smoking were found for northern European as well as for southern European countries, except for Portugal.ConclusionsThese international variations in social gradients in smoking, which are likely to be related to differences between countries in their stage of the smoking epidemic, may have contributed to the socioeconomic differences in mortality from ischaemic heart disease being greater in northern European countries. The observed age patterns suggest that socioeconomic differences in diseases related to smoking will increase in the coming decades in many European countries.     

Involving consumers in designing, conducting, and interpreting randomised controlled trials: questionnaire survey

ObjectiveTo assess the extent to which consumers are involved in the work of clinical trial coordinating centres in the United Kingdom and the nature of consumers'' involvement in randomised trials coordinated by these centres.DesignNational surveys using structured questionnaires with some open ended sections.Setting 103 clinical trial coordinating centres in the United Kingdom identified through a database assembled in 1997 by the NHS clinical trials adviser.ParticipantsNamed contacts at 62 coordinating centres and investigators in 60 trials that were identified as involving consumers.ResultsOf the 62 eligible centres, 23 reported that consumers had already been involved in their work, and most respondents were positive about this involvement. 17 centres planned to involve consumers. 15 centres had no plans to involve consumers, but only four of these considered such involvement irrelevant. Responses from investigators about the 48 individual trials were mostly positive, with respondents commenting that input from consumers had helped refine research questions, improve the quality of patient information, and make the trial more relevant to the needs of patients.ConclusionsConsumer involvement in the design and conduct of controlled trials seems to be growing and seems to be welcomed by most researchers. Such involvement seems likely to improve the relevance to consumers of the questions addressed and the results obtained in controlled trials.     

Radiomics in radiooncology – Challenging the medical physicist

PurposeNoticing the fast growing translation of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies to medical image analysis this paper emphasizes the future role of the medical physicist in this evolving field. Specific challenges are addressed when implementing big data concepts with high-throughput image data processing like radiomics and machine learning in a radiooncology environment to support clinical decisions.MethodsBased on the experience of our interdisciplinary radiomics working group, techniques for processing minable data, extracting radiomics features and associating this information with clinical, physical and biological data for the development of prediction models are described. A special emphasis was placed on the potential clinical significance of such an approach.ResultsClinical studies demonstrate the role of radiomics analysis as an additional independent source of information with the potential to influence the radiooncology practice, i.e. to predict patient prognosis, treatment response and underlying genetic changes. Extending the radiomics approach to integrate imaging, clinical, genetic and dosimetric data (‘panomics’) challenges the medical physicist as member of the radiooncology team.ConclusionsThe new field of big data processing in radiooncology offers opportunities to support clinical decisions, to improve predicting treatment outcome and to stimulate fundamental research on radiation response both of tumor and normal tissue. The integration of physical data (e.g. treatment planning, dosimetric, image guidance data) demands an involvement of the medical physicist in the radiomics approach of radiooncology. To cope with this challenge national and international organizations for medical physics should organize more training opportunities in artificial intelligence technologies in radiooncology.