Target Resources Research Articles

Measuring Success: Development of a Standardized Outcomes Scorecard for CHEST Live Learning Courses

SESSION TITLE: Medical Education SESSION TYPE: Original Investigation Slide PRESENTED ON: Monday, October 30, 2017 at 07:30 AM - 08:30 AM PURPOSE: Measurement of educational outcomes is essential to ensure CHEST course participants receive a high quality training experience and the knowledge, skills, and attitudes that they can implement in their clinical practice. Although CHEST Live Learning (simulation) courses have been popular and effective for more than a decade, evaluation and performance improvement processes have been course specific. The purpose of this project was to develop a standardized scorecard to measure all Live Learning program outcomes and provide actionable feedback to course chairs and faculty, the Education Committee, and CHEST leadership. METHODS: The CHEST Educational Outcomes Subcommittee defined 3 outcome domains: Learners (demand, learner feedback), Quality and Performance (Q&P, instructional design and outcomes measures), and Sustainability. Common goals for each domain were defined using historical attendance data, ACCME and SSIH accreditation standards, and best evidence when available. Data were retrospectively collected for each of the 12 Live Learning courses in 2016. Courses received feedback for each domain as a percentage of goal. A Total Score was also calculated with an emphasis on Q&P (70%). Data were expressed as mean+/-SD. RESULTS: Mean Total Score for all Live Learning courses was high at 96 +/-11 % of goal. For the domain of Q&P, the average score was 101+/-13%, with the highest metrics for individual courses being concentrated in skills testing (8 courses) and pre/post-test improvement (7 courses). In contrast, the lowest scores for individual courses were most commonly observed in the metrics for curriculum mapping (9 courses), pre/post-test improvement (4 courses), and question reliability (4 courses). The lowest Q&P scores were in updating curriculum maps (mean % of goal: 71+/-26) and the most variability was in pre/post-test improvement (mean % of goal: 115+/-69), though the result was always positive. Because scores for the separate Learner’s domain included course attendee evaluation completion rates (mean % of goal: 65 +/-17), this domain was the most variable (mean % of goal: 74 +/- 17) of the 3 domains. CONCLUSIONS: Using a systematically developed, standardized Outcomes Scorecard we found that CHEST Live Learning courses conducted in 2016 scored highly in all three domains of Learners, Quality and Performance, and Sustainability, with most variability in the Learners’ domain. For the domain of Q&P, the highest scores for courses tended to be concentrated in skills testing and pre/post-test improvement while the lowest scores tended to occur in the metrics for curriculum map, pre/post-test improvement, and question reliability. These scorecard results provide an objective assessment of both the many strengths of CHEST programs and actionable areas for ongoing quality improvement. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: These Outcomes Scorecard results demonstrate the value and effectiveness of CHEST’s Live Learning courses, and help target resources towards important areas for improvement such as psychometrics of test questions. DISCLOSURE: The following authors have nothing to disclose: Greg Lasko, Robert Ramillosa, Alexander Niven, William Kelly, J Madison No Product/Research Disclosure Information

Validation of Retention in HIV Care Status Using the New York City HIV Surveillance Registry and Clinical Care Data From a Large HIV Care Center.

Improving retention in care is a key element of the National HIV/AIDS Strategy (NHAS). However, definitions for measuring retention in care are not standardized. To compare measures of retention based on both clinic visit data and HIV laboratory surveillance data. Retrospective cohort study. New York City (NYC), New York. We matched adult patients with HIV infection seen at the Spencer Cox Center for Health (SCC) in 2010 or 2011 with the NYC HIV Surveillance Registry. Retention in care was measured on the basis of SCC electronic medical record (EMR) data (≥1 medical visits in 2012) and Surveillance Registry data (≥2 CD4/viral load [VL] tests ≥90 days apart in 2012). There were 5746 adult HIV-infected patients seen at SCC between 2010 and 2011 who matched with the Surveillance Registry. Seventy-eight percent (n = 4469) had 1 or more medical visits at SCC in 2012 and were considered retained on the basis of the EMR definition, among which 3831 (86%) met the surveillance definition for retention in care. Patients who did not have a medical visit at SCC in 2012 (n = 1277) were lost to care in NYC (n = 485; 36%), engaged in care at an alternate provider (n = 622; 49%), or died after their last SCC visit (n = 197; 15%). This study is an important comparison of laboratory surveillance versus clinic visit-based measures of retention in care in an urban setting with the largest HIV epidemic in the country. Collaborative projects between local health departments and clinical care providers can help validate the care status of patients and inform the allocation of resources to reengage patients who are lost to care. The combined use of laboratory and clinic visit-based data to measure retention in care provides a more accurate representation of the care status of HIV-infected patients than use of a single data source alone. Routine sharing of data by public health institutions and clinical care providers would help target resources toward reengaging patients who are lost to care in jurisdictions with universal HIV-related laboratory reporting.

Validation of the OPportunity for Treatment In ONcology (OPTION) questionnaire measuring continuity of care.

Increasing efforts are ongoing to deliver effective cancer care through integrated networks of services. Measuring patients' experience of care is essential to identify problematic areas that require organisational adjustments. The aim of the present study was to examine the validity of OPTION questionnaire, designed to measure patient's perceived continuity of care across different phases of their care pathway. The study was carried at the Institute for Cancer Treatment and Research, Meldola and the oncology departments of the Local Health Authority of Romagna, Italy. Principal component analysis (PCA) was performed to identify factors underlying patients' perception of continuity of care. Factor scores were compared between patients with or without a care coordinator using Mann-Whitney test. The study sample consisted of 214 patients with breast or colorectal cancer, with a mean age of 62.3years. Most patients identified the oncologist as their care coordinator. Five factors were extracted using PCA: (1) "trustful relationship with health care staff," (2)"information on care pathway," (3) "information on changes related to the illness," (4)"feelings of abandonment" and (5) "collaboration among health care professionals." The scores of factors 2 and 3 were significantly higher among those with a care coordinator. The OPTION questionnaire is a reliable instrument that can help clinicians and administrative stakeholder target efforts and resources in the pursuit of quality of care.

Cost-effectiveness analysis of a multifactorial fall prevention intervention in older home care clients at risk for falling

BackgroundFalls among older adults can cause serious morbidity and pose economic burdens on society. Older age is a known risk factor for falls and age has been shown to influence the effectiveness of fall prevention programs. To our knowledge, no studies have explicitly investigated whether cost-effectiveness of a multifactorial fall prevention intervention (the intervention) is influenced by age. This economic evaluation explores: 1) the cost-effectiveness of a multifactorial fall prevention intervention compared to usual care for community-dwelling adults ≥ 75 years at risk of falling in Canada; and 2) the influence of age on the cost-effectiveness of the intervention.MethodsNet benefit regression was used to examine the cost-effectiveness of the intervention with willingness-to-pay values ranging from $0–$50,000. Effects were measured as change in the number of falls, from baseline to 6-month follow-up. Costs were measured using a societal perspective. The cost-effectiveness analysis was conducted for both the total sample and by age subgroups (75–84 and 85+ years).ResultsFor the total sample, the intervention was not economically attractive. However, the intervention was cost-effective at higher willingness-to-pay (WTP) (≥ $25,000) for adults 75–84 years and at lower WTP (< $5,000) for adults 85+ years.ConclusionsThe cost-effectiveness of the intervention depends on age and decision makers' WTP to prevent falls. Understanding the influence of age on the cost-effectiveness of an intervention may help to target resources to those who benefit most.Trial registrationRetrospectively registered. Clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT00463658 (18 April 2007).

Implementasi Pembangunan Infrastruktur Transportasi Udara Di Distrik Moskona Utara Kabupaten Teluk Bintuni Provinsi Papua Barat

This thesis examine about the Implementation of Air Transportation Infrastructure Development in the North Moskona District, Teluk Bintuni Regency, West Papua Province as a form of elaboration from the Regional Regulation No. 4 of 2012 on Spatial Plan of Teluk Bintuni Regency of 2012 – 2032, as well as the follow up the society aspiration of North Moskona District about the difficulty of fulfill the necessities of life because of the difficulty of accessibility of transportation in isolated area. The purpose of this study is to investigate the implementation of air transportation infrastructure development, as well as find out about the barries and efforts made by the Regional Government of Teluk Bintuni Regency on the implementation of air transportation infrastructure development in the North Moskona District Teluk Bintuni Regency. The theory used in this research is the theory of policy implementation, policy implementation of Matland model using policy dimension that includes the substance of the policy, executing task behavior, interaction networks, the participation of target groups and resources. The research method using qualitative methods with observation and interview techniques. Results of this research is that the policy implementation of air transportation infrastructure in the North Moskona District not optimal in pratice due to the geograpichal conditions as isolated area, the limited number and capacity of officials implementing, limited availability of information and data that is accurate, the budget allocated in stages and limited quantities, and the difficulty of getting the asphalt material led to the implementation of air transportation infrastructure development in the North Moskona District Teluk Bintuni Regency, the provision of subsidies plane experienced problems in scheduling flights in the subsidied plane with funds from the budget of Teluk Bintuni Regency, and the slow process of completing the New Airport development with funds from regional funds (APBD) Teluk Bintuni Regency, and the development of access roads with funding from the state budget (APBN). Key W ords : accessibility of transportation, the policy implementation, transportation infrastructure.

Modeling trophic flows in the wettest mangroves of the world: the case of Bahía Málaga in the Colombian Pacific coast

The structurally most developed Neotropical mangrove forests are found along the southern and central macrotidal Colombian Pacific coast. This extremely rainy area (>7,000 mm year−1) is sparsely populated and sustains a relatively small artisanal fishery. In this article, we present an ecosystem (trophic) model, built using Ecopath with Ecosim, containing 18 functional groups of a representative mangrove area of this coast. Similar to other mangrove ecosystem models, mangroves contribute most (96%) to total system biomass, providing the primary food source for other important compartments (e.g., crabs). However, most of the mangrove litterfall is constantly washed away by tidal currents, a possible reason for the very low mean transfer efficiencies to higher trophic levels and low biomass of epifauna and nekton found, compared with other Neotropical mangroves. Fish biomass is dominated by zoobenthivores (snappers, catfishes) and detritivores (mullets) which represent, together with mangrove cockles, the target resources of a low trophic level-based fishery. Very low salinities throughout the year may contribute to an impoverished community of primary and secondary consumers that is able to withstand but not flourish under these conditions. This mangrove ecosystem may be highly vulnerable to overexploitation according to the low energy reserve (overhead) of the system.

Influencing Acquisition Performance in High-Technology Industries: The Role of Innovation and Relational Overlap

Acquisition is an important activity that enables firms to adapt their resource configurations. Acquisition literature has focused only on the levels of innovation or relational resources, the primary dimensions of organizational resource bases. The authors argue that in addition to the levels, the degree of overlap between the acquiring and target firms, in terms of innovation and relational resources, should influence acquisitions. Furthermore, they argue for the importance of the quality of the target's resources along with factors influencing the acquirer's absorptive capacity (e.g., the chief executive officer's [CEO's] functional background and the acquiring firm's marketing intensity and acquisition experience) as contingencies. Using 319 biopharmaceutical acquisitions and a random-effect regression model that accounts for unobserved heterogeneity and the endogeneity of relational and innovation overlap, the authors find that innovation overlap has a positive effect, whereas relational overlap has a negative effect, on acquisition outcomes. Furthermore, the acquirer CEO's throughput background and acquisition experience negatively moderate, whereas the target's innovation resource quality and the acquirer's marketing intensity positively moderate, the influence of innovation overlap. The target's relational resource quality and the acquirer CEO's throughput background positively moderate the influence of relational overlap.

Supporting evidence-based national cancer control planning: The Asia-Pacific Phase II Leadership Forum

The steady increase in cancer incidence and mortality in the Asia-Pacific presents a growing challenge to countries in the region. National cancer control planning provides key strategies for countries to decrease their cancer burden and address risk factors in the context of their populations and health systems. Evidence-guided approaches allow countries to target resources towards highly-needed and effective cancer programs, while partnerships can serve to diversify sources of support, increase coverage and sustain services. Many countries struggle to develop and implement national cancer control plans (NCCPs) due to barriers in coordinating diverse stakeholders, limited funding and absence of evidence to guide program and health infrastructure improvements. The Cancer Control Leadership Forum (CCLF) program aims to address critical hurdles in cancer control planning by: (1) convening cancer control leaders from diverse sectors; (2) raising awareness and capacity of participating country representatives to develop and implement NCCPs; (3) facilitating development of country action-plans; and (4) providing technical assistance. Two years after participating in their first CCLF, eight countries from Southeast Asia and the Pacific, represented by multiple cancer control leaders from each country, participated in an Asia-Pacific Leadership Forum Phase II (APLF2) in 2016. The APLF2 facilitated valuable experience-exchange amongst regional and international experts, and explored areas of common interest, including: improving cancer registries, strengthening training, coordinating stakeholders, maximizing resources and overcoming implementation challenges. These priorities guide on-going cancer control efforts and serve to inform the international community of trends, needs and challenges in cancer control in Southeast Asia and the Pacific.

Distal impacts of aquarium trade: Exploring the emerging sandhopper (Orchestoidea tuberculata) artisanal shore gathering fishery in Chile.

Artisanal fishery activities support the livelihoods of millions of people worldwide, particularly in developing countries. Within these fisheries, distal global drivers can promote switching between alternative target resources. These drivers can promote the rapid development of new, unregulated and previously unexploited fisheries that pose a threat to the sustainability of ecosystems. In this paper, we describe a new artisanal shore gathering activity that targets a previously unexploited resource: the sandhopper (Orchestoidea tuberculata). The activity is driven by aquarium trade demand for food. We used mixed methods to describe the activity, assessed basic socio-economic incentives, and estimated Catches per Unit Effort. Results show that the sandhopper plays an important role for the livelihoods of shore gatherers engaged in the activity. Gatherers have adapted and developed two main extraction methods with different degrees of investment and extraction rates. Furthermore, gatherers have developed local knowledge regarding the ecology and management of the resource. Results show that economic incentives can motivate a rapid expansion of this unregulated activity. Future research gaps and management options to address the development of this fishery are discussed in light of these findings.

MiRNAs target databases: developmental methods and target identification techniques with functional annotations.

microRNA (miRNA) regulates diverse biological mechanisms and metabolisms in plants and animals. Thus, the discoveries of miRNA has revolutionized the life sciences and medical research.The miRNA represses and cleaves the targeted mRNA by binding perfect or near perfect or imperfect complementary base pairs by RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC) formation during biogenesis process. One miRNA interacts with one or more mRNA genes and vice versa, hence takes part in causing various diseases. In this paper, the different microRNA target databases and their functional annotations developed by various researchers have been reviewed. The concurrent research review aims at comprehending the significance of miRNA and presenting the existing status of annotated miRNA target resources built by researchers henceforth discovering the knowledge for diagnosis and prognosis. This review discusses the applications and developmental methodologies for constructing target database as well as the utility of user interface design. An integrated architecture is drawn and a graphically comparative study of present status of miRNA targets in diverse diseases and various biological processes is performed. These databases comprise of information such as miRNA target-associated disease, transcription factor binding sites (TFBSs) in miRNA genomic locations, polymorphism in miRNA target, A-to-I edited target, Gene Ontology (GO), genome annotations, KEGG (Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes) pathways, target expression analysis, TF-miRNA and miRNA-mRNA interaction networks, drugs-targets interactions, etc. miRNA target databases contain diverse experimentally and computationally predicted target through various algorithms. The comparison of various miRNA target database has been performed on various parameters. The computationally predicted target databases suffer from false positive information as there is no common theory for prediction of miRNA targets. The review conclusion emphasizes the need of more intelligent computational improvement for the miRNA target identification, their functional annotations and datasbase development.

Generating low-carbon heat from biomass: Life cycle assessment of bioenergy scenarios

Bioenergy systems will play a key role in many countries achieving their climate change, emission reduction and renewable energy contribution targets. It is important that implemented bioenergy pathways maximise GHG reductions, particularly since demand and competition for biomass resource is likely to increase in future. This research analyses the actual GHG performance of utilising different biomass resources to generate heat. Life cycle assessment (LCA) is undertaken to evaluate 2092 variants of bioheat options focused on utilising: UK agricultural and food wastes through anaerobic digestion pathways; UK straw agricultural residues and UK grown energy crops through combustion pathways. The results show a very broad range of GHG performances. Many pathways demonstrate GHG savings compared to conventional generation, although some have potential to actually increase GHG emissions, rather than reduce them. Variations in GHG performance do not correlate with feedstocks or technologies, but are most sensitive to the inclusion of specific processing steps and the displacement of certain counterfactuals. This suggests that policies should be developed that target resources with high GHG intensity counterfactuals, and where possible avoid energy intensive processing steps such as pelletisation.

Biodiversity Areas under Threat: Overlap of Climate Change and Population Pressures on the World's Biodiversity Priorities.

Humans and the ecosystem services they depend on are threatened by climate change. Places with high or growing human population as well as increasing climate variability, have a reduced ability to provide ecosystem services just as the need for these services is most critical. A spiral of vulnerability and ecosystem degradation often ensues in such places. We apply different global conservation schemes as proxies to examine the spatial relation between wet season precipitation, population change over three decades, and natural resource conservation. We pose two research questions: 1) Where are biodiversity and ecosystem services vulnerable to the combined effects of climate change and population growth? 2) Where are human populations vulnerable to degraded ecosystem services? Results suggest that globally only about 20% of the area between 50 degrees latitude North and South has experienced significant change–largely wetting–in wet season precipitation. Approximately 40% of rangelands and 30% of rainfed agriculture lands have experienced significant precipitation changes, with important implications for food security. Over recent decades a number of critical conservation areas experienced high population growth concurrent with significant wetting or drying (e.g. the Horn of Africa, Himalaya, Western Ghats, and Sri Lanka), posing challenges not only for human adaptation but also to the protection and sustenance of biodiversity and ecosystem services. Identifying areas of climate and population risk and their overlap with conservation priorities can help to target activities and resources that promote biodiversity and ecosystem services while improving human well-being.

Tiered Approach Helps To Save Time, Target Resources

Nonprofit Communications ReportVolume 15, Issue 2 p. 3-3 Articles Tiered Approach Helps To Save Time, Target Resources First published: 12 January 2017 https://doi.org/10.1002/npcr.30606Read the full textAboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditWechat No abstract is available for this article. Volume15, Issue2February 2017Pages 3-3 RelatedInformation

A Malaria Ecology Index Predicted Spatial and Temporal Variation of Malaria Burden and Efficacy of Antimalarial Interventions Based on African Serological Data

Reducing the global health burden of malaria is complicated by weak reporting systems for infectious diseases and a paucity of vital statistics registration. This limits our ability to predict changes in malaria health burden intensity, target antimalarial resources where needed, and identify malaria impacts in retrospective data. We refined and deployed a temporally and spatially varying Malaria Ecology Index (MEI) incorporating climatological and ecological data to estimate malaria transmission strength and validate it against cross-sectional serology data from 39,875 children from seven sub-Saharan African countries. The MEI is strongly associated with malaria burden; a 1 standard deviation higher MEI is associated with a 50-117% increase in malaria risk and a 3-5 g/dL lower level of Hg. Results show that the relationship between malaria ecology and disease burden is attenuated with sufficient coverage of insecticide treated nets (ITNs) or indoor residual spraying (IRS). Having both ITNs and IRS reduce the added risk from adverse malaria ecology conditions by half. Readily available climate and ecology data can be used to estimate the spatial and temporal variation in malaria disease burden, providing a feasible alternative to direct surveillance. This will help target resources for malaria programs in the absence of national coverage of active case detection systems, and facilitate malaria research using retrospective health data.

Informal care-giving and mental ill-health - differential relationships by workload, gender, age and area-remoteness in a UK region.

Informal care-giving can be a demanding role which has been shown to impact on physical, psychological and social well-being. Methodological weaknesses including small sample sizes and subjective measures of mental health have led to inconclusive evidence about the relationship between informal care-giving and mental ill-health. This paper reports on a study carried out in a UK region which investigated the relationship between informal care-giving and mental ill-health. The analysis was conducted by linking three data sets, the Northern Ireland Longitudinal Study, the Northern Ireland Enhanced Prescribing Database and the Proximity to Service Index from the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency. Our analysis used both a subjective measure of mental ill-health, i.e. a question asked in the 2011 Census, and an objective measure, whether the respondents had been prescribed antidepressants by a General Practitioner between 2010 and 2012. We applied binary logistic multilevel modelling to these two responses to test whether, and for what sub-groups of the population, informal care-giving was related to mental ill-health. The results showed that informal care-giving per se was not related to mental ill-health, although there was a strong relationship between the intensity of the care-giving role and mental ill-health. Females under 50, who provided over 19hours of care, were not employed or worked part-time and who provided care in both 2001 and 2011 were at a statistically significantly elevated risk of mental ill-health. Caregivers in remote areas with limited access to shops and services were also at a significantly increased risk as evidenced by prescription rates for antidepressants. With community care policies aimed at supporting people to remain at home, the paper highlights the need for further research in order to target resources appropriately.

Identifying Patient Characteristics Associated With Deficits in Surgical Decision Making

Patient involvement in surgical decisions is formalized in the informed consent process, which should reflect that the patient understands their diagnosis, planned procedure, and the associated risks and benefits before consenting to treatment. If high-quality shared decision making has occurred, the treatment chosen should best match the goals and preferences of the patient. Little information currently exists that analyzes factors associated with decisional quality in surgery. Identifying patient factors correlated with specific deficits in preoperative decision making is essential for improvement of the shared decision-making process. This study aims to identify patient characteristics and coping strategies associated with the presence of knowledge deficits regarding their diagnosis and procedure so that interventions can be targeted to these vulnerable groups. Approximately 882 preoperative patients were assessed regarding understanding of their diagnosis and procedure. Sociodemographic and decision-making variables were evaluated using validated measures. Univariate analysis and logistic regression models assessed factors associated with lower decisional quality. Approximately 136 (15%) of 882 patients had deficits in knowledge of diagnosis and/or procedure. Older patients were more likely to demonstrate these deficits (P = 0.0002). Using multivariate analysis, independent predictors of knowledge deficits included patients who identified themselves as Black, Asian, or other race (odds ratio [OR], 2.63; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.19-5.85; and OR, 1.88; 95% CI, 1.00-3.55, respectively); were older (OR, 1.02; 95% CI, 1.01-1.04); and used denial as a coping strategy (OR, 2.61; 95% CI, 1.29-5.28). The use of acceptance as a coping strategy negatively predicted knowledge deficits (OR, 0.55; 95% CI, 0.36-0.84). Specific patient factors and coping strategies are associated with deficiencies in decisional quality. Identifying vulnerable groups at risk for these issues can help target methodologies and resources to ensure high-quality surgical decision making.

Perceived self-efficacy and interactive video retrieval

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine perceived self-efficacy of users within an interactive video retrieval context. The motivation for this research includes that understanding self-efficacy will provide insight on how potential users target resources and in turn promote and sustain use of retrieval tools and systems. Design/methodology/approach A survey method was employed. In total, 270 participants rated levels of perceived self-efficacy for successfully fulfilling different video needs if using a particular system. Perceived self-efficacy was explored quantitatively, both overall and across different potentially influential factors, such as topic type, topic familiarity, system experience, and system context. In addition, open-ended responses on the survey were categorized through content-analysis and subsequently analyzed using weighted frequencies. Findings Findings demonstrated significant associations between participants’ perceived self-efficacy and different topical factors, including familiarity and topic type, and also system factors, such as exposure (or experience) and system context. Research limitations/implications User confidence is one belief or attitude about technology acceptance, with self-efficacy intersecting multiple factors related to initial and sustained use of technologies. Findings give researchers a look at users’ preconceptions of interactive video retrieval situations, which, in turn, suggest positive implications for future research and design. Originality/value Video retrieval comprises considerations that are unique from other contexts due to the structure and physical makeup of video. However, until now, self-efficacy has not been directly examined in relation to video or according to several of the specific retrieval factors as explored in the current study, which is thus warranted.

Current Welfare Problems Facing Horses in Great Britain as Identified by Equine Stakeholders.

Despite growing concerns about the welfare of horses in Great Britain (GB) there has been little surveillance of the welfare status of the horse population. Consequently we have limited knowledge of the range of welfare problems experienced by horses in GB and the situations in which poor welfare occurs. Thirty-one in-depth interviews were conducted with a cross -section of equine stakeholders, in order to explore their perceptions of the welfare problems faced by horses in GB. Welfare problems relating to health, management and riding and training were identified, including horses being under or over weight, stabling 24 hours a day and the inappropriate use of training aids. The interviewees also discussed broader contexts in which they perceived that welfare was compromised. The most commonly discussed context was where horses are kept in unsuitable environments, for example environments with poor grazing. The racing industry and travellers horses were identified as areas of the industry where horse welfare was particularly vulnerable to compromise. Lack of knowledge and financial constraints were perceived to be the root cause of poor welfare by many interviewees. The findings give insight into the range of welfare problems that may be faced by horses in GB, the contexts in which these may occur and their possible causes. Many of the problems identified by the interviewees have undergone limited scientific investigation pointing to areas where further research is likely to be necessary for welfare improvement. The large number of issues identified suggests that some form of prioritisation may be necessary to target research and resources effectively.

Mapping intra-urban malaria risk using high resolution satellite imagery: a case study of Dar es Salaam.

BackgroundWith more than half of Africa’s population expected to live in urban settlements by 2030, the burden of malaria among urban populations in Africa continues to rise with an increasing number of people at risk of infection. However, malaria intervention across Africa remains focused on rural, highly endemic communities with far fewer strategic policy directions for the control of malaria in rapidly growing African urban settlements. The complex and heterogeneous nature of urban malaria requires a better understanding of the spatial and temporal patterns of urban malaria risk in order to design effective urban malaria control programs. In this study, we use remotely sensed variables and other environmental covariates to examine the predictability of intra-urban variations of malaria infection risk across the rapidly growing city of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania between 2006 and 2014.MethodsHigh resolution SPOT satellite imagery was used to identify urban environmental factors associated malaria prevalence in Dar es Salaam. Supervised classification with a random forest classifier was used to develop high resolution land cover classes that were combined with malaria parasite prevalence data to identify environmental factors that influence localized heterogeneity of malaria transmission and develop a high resolution predictive malaria risk map of Dar es Salaam.ResultsResults indicate that the risk of malaria infection varied across the city. The risk of infection increased away from the city centre with lower parasite prevalence predicted in administrative units in the city centre compared to administrative units in the peri-urban suburbs. The variation in malaria risk within Dar es Salaam was shown to be influenced by varying environmental factors. Higher malaria risks were associated with proximity to dense vegetation, inland water and wet/swampy areas while lower risk of infection was predicted in densely built-up areas.ConclusionsThe predictive maps produced can serve as valuable resources for municipal councils aiming to shrink the extents of malaria across cities, target resources for vector control or intensify mosquito and disease surveillance. The semi-automated modelling process developed can be replicated in other urban areas to identify factors that influence heterogeneity in malaria risk patterns and detect vulnerable zones. There is a definite need to expand research into the unique epidemiology of malaria transmission in urban areas for focal elimination and sustained control agendas.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12942-016-0051-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Mobile cloud face recognition based on smart cloud ranking

A new trend has been explored to tackle the limited resources of mobile devices: mobile cloud computing. However, there is a difficulty in deciding--at runtime--the more appropriate target resources where to run offloaded mobile device tasks. This study presents SmartRank, a scheduling approach to perform load partitioning and offloading for mobile applications using cloud computing to increase performance in terms of response time. We have applied the approach to a face recognition process based on cloudlet federation and resource ranking through balanced metrics. Besides, the tool was evaluated by two ways. First, by using system modeling (continuous-time Markov chain). Second, by using a full factorial experimental design to calibrate the SmartRank with the most suitable partitioning decision. Nevertheless, SmartRank uses an equation that is extensible to include new parameters and make it applicable to other scenarios.