Technical Coordination Research Articles

IMS2014 Student Design Competitions

At the 2014 IEEE Microwave Theory and Techniques Society (MTT-S) International Microwave Symposium (IMS2014), we celebrate the tenth year of student design competitions! As in years past, IMS2014 in Tampa will feature a broad variety of these design competitions for students. The first student design competition at the IMS was held in 2005 in Long Beach, California, and was a high-efficiency power amplifier design competition featuring three student competitors. This year, there will be a record number of 12 student design competitions featured as part of the symposium. The design competitions are managed by the technical coordination committees (TCCs) of the MTT_S, members of whom define the scope of the design competition and participate in the measurements and judging at the symposium.

Meeting the Data Management Compliance Challenge: Funder Expectations and Institutional Reality

In common with many global research funding agencies, in 2011 the UK Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) published its Policy Framework on Research Data along with a mandate that institutions be fully compliant with the policy by May 2015. The University of Bath has a strong applied science and engineering research focus and, as such, the EPSRC is a major funder of the university’s research. In this paper, the Jisc-funded Research360 project shares its experience in developing the infrastructure required to enable a research-intensive institution to achieve full compliance with a particular funder’s policy, in such a way as to support the varied data management needs of both the University of Bath and its external stakeholders. A key feature of the Research360 project was to ensure that after the project’s completion in summer 2013 the newly developed data management infrastructure would be maintained up to and beyond the EPSRC’s 2015 deadline. Central to these plans was the ‘University of Bath Roadmap for EPSRC’, which was identified as an exemplar response by the EPSRC. This paper explores how a roadmap designed to meet a single funder’s requirements can be compatible with the strategic goals of an institution. Also discussed is how the project worked with Charles Beagrie Ltd to develop a supporting business case, thus ensuring implementation of these long-term objectives. This paper describes how two new data management roles, the Institutional Data Scientist and Technical Data Coordinator, have contributed to delivery of the Research360 project and the importance of these new types of cross-institutional roles for embedding a new data management infrastructure within an institution. Finally, the experience of developing a new institutional data policy is shared. This policy represents a particular example of the need to reconcile a funder’s expectations with the needs of individual researchers and their collaborators.

APBioNet—Transforming Bioinformatics in the Asia-Pacific Region

The Asia-Pacific Bioinformatics Network (APBioNet; www.apbionet.org) is a nonprofit, nongovernmental, international organization founded in 1998 that focuses on the promotion of bioinformatics in the Asia-Pacific region. APBioNet's mission, since its inception, has been to pioneer the growth and development of bioinformatics awareness, training, education, infrastructure, resources, and research among member countries and economies. Its work includes technical coordination, liaison, and/or affiliation with other international scientific bodies, such as the European Molecular Biology network (EMBnet) and the International Society for Computational Biology (ISCB). APBioNet has more than 20 organizational and 2,000 individual members from over 12 countries in the region, from industry, academia, research, government, investors, and international organizations. APBioNet is spearheading a number of key bioinformatics initiatives in collaboration with international organizations, such as the Asia-Pacific Advanced Network (APAN), the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN), the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), and the Asia-Pacific International Molecular Biology Network (A-IMBN), and industry partners. Many of the initiatives and activities have been initiated through its flagship conference, the International Conference on Bioinformatics (InCoB). In 2012, APBioNet was incorporated in Singapore as a public limited liability company to ensure quality, sustainability, and continuity of its mission to advance bioinformatics across the region and beyond. We describe below the key thrust areas of APBioNet.

Integrated actions of information and knowledge management in the accountig sector of a public university

It discusses the relevance of information and knowledge management in an institution of public higher education. It focuses on the stimulus, which can be implemented through assertive actions in the creation and maintenance of organizational knowledge, and as a general objective, analyzing the actions of the management of information and the knowledge of the technical coordination of Accounting and Finance of the University. In the methodological aspect, the research is characterized as study of case and field, configured as a study of qualitative and quantitative, exploratory and descriptive nature. It uses as a tool for data collection an individual questionnaire, without identification, which allowed us to recognize the actions of IKM, through the ‘diagnosis of knowledge management’, in the perspective of Bukowitz and Williams, adopted as a parameter. For the organization and analysis of data, the analysis of content was made. The results obtained reveal that the findings of the survey were positive for the shares of IKM, although there is a need for improvement with regard to encouraging the sharing of knowledge in the areas that make the Coordination of Accounting and Finance of the University.

Normal Strain-Adjusted Shear Strength Expression for Fully Grouted Reinforced Masonry Structural Walls

Since the conclusion of the test programs carried out by the Joint U.S.–Japan Technical Coordinating Committee on Masonry Research (TCCMAR) during the 1970s and 1980s, there has been little progress made to enhance the shear strength expressions used for masonry design. The experimentally-derived expressions currently employed by North American design codes are based on the 45° cracked member assumption and truss analogy, where shear strength is expressed as an algebraic summation of resistance offered by masonry, axial load, and shear reinforcement. By contrast, the modified compression field theory (MCFT), which has gained a wide acceptance within the concrete design community, demonstrates that the 45° cracked member assumption can be overly conservative. Yet the MCFT or similar equilibrium-based approaches have often been thought of as incompatible with masonry due to the latter’s complex anisotropic behavior. However, seismic design detailing requirements within North America typically require the highly-susceptible plastic hinge region of structural (shear) walls to contain vertical and horizontal steel reinforcement in fully grouted concrete block units. Under these circumstances, the anisotropic effects are greatly reduced and the development of a simplified approach to estimate the equilibrium conditions at the shear-critical zone of masonry structural walls is possible. Tests on masonry panels conducted at McMaster University in Canada are used with existing literature to define a set of constitutive relationships for cracked masonry subject to stress states that are typical in reinforced masonry structural walls. Subsequently, a methodology is proposed to accurately estimate the angle of inclination of shear cracking and the shear resistance offered by the horizontal reinforcement and the masonry compression strut accounting for aggregate interlock effects. The proposed normal strain-adjusted shear strength expression (NSSSE) was found to predict the shear strength of 57 wall tests reported in literature with a mean ratio of experimental to theoretical strengths of VExperimental/VTheory=1.16 (C.O.V.=11.4%) and a 95% percentile of VExperimental/VTheory=0.98.

Effect of Uncertainty on the Reaction Response in Fencing

Purpose: The objective was to determine the way in which the level of uncertainty produced during the execution of a lunge attack with target change (two or four possible responses) affects reaction-response time parameters and kinematic factors involved in the technical coordination of the attack. Method: Seventeen fencers from the Spanish National Men's Fencing Team participated in the study, which involved performing a lunge attack against a moving circle as fast as possible, while attempting to place the tip of the sword inside the circle that appeared in the plastron's center of symmetry. Two force platforms were used to record the anteroposterior component of force and the initiation of movement. Kinematics were measured with a three-dimensional motion-capture system that recorded the spatial positions of 11 markers. An electronic signal was used to time-synchronize all of the systems. Results:The results demonstrate a significant increase in reaction time, p < .01, and choice reaction time, p < .001, when uncertainty increases, while movement time, precision, and segmental participation sequence during movement are not affected when uncertainty increases.Conclusion: It is worth stressing the importance of uncertainty-reduction strategies for fencers' performance to reduce the reaction-response time. Although increased uncertainty has little influence over precision and segmental participation sequence of the movement pattern used in attacks executed by elite fencers, caution should be used when generalizing these results for fencers of a lower technical level than that of the participants in this study.

IMS 2013 Student Design Competitions

The Technical Programs Committee for the 2013 International Microwave Symposium (IMS2013) is very pleased to be able to offer a number of very interesting and well-designed Student Design Competitions. Each of these design competitions are designed and conducted by the IEEE Microwave Theory and Techniques Society (MTT-S) Technical Coordinating Committees. Many of these design competitions also enjoy participation by leading technical companies involved in microwave technologies. The Student Design Competition presents an opportunity for students to demonstrate mastery of microwave engineering principles in meeting predetermined design requirements for an interesting set of microwave problems. In addition to valuable design experience and exposure to leading industry attendees, the winning student design teams also compete for cash awards and an invitation to publish an article in IEEE Microwave Magazine discussing their design solution. These competitions also provide the sponsoring companies an opportunity to identify strong graduate students and programs for the future development of both the students and the sponsoring companies.

Increasing Adaptive Capacity: What Is the Role of Local Institutions?

AbstractThe need for strengthening adaptive capacity for the vulnerable has been overwhelmingly discussed in the discourse of climate change. This paper examines the roles and constraints of local institutions for increasing adaptive capacity. The role of institutions is analyzed under two broad headings: capacity building and participatory decision making. The constraints of institutions are analyzed based on the ability to learn and act. Participatory assessments were undertaken in the Meghauli and Devchuli Village Development Committees of Nepal to generate data for the assessment. Local government, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), and social groups were considered for investigation. The findings demonstrate that local government is guided by political influences that contribute to disparity in decision making. The CSOs' role is comparatively satisfactory in capacity building of social groups, but there are questions on coordination and integration with local government. Within institutions, two prime constraints that hinder the ability to learn and act are lack of knowledge and attitude. The paper concludes that the role of local institutions is still very limited in increasing the adaptive capacity of vulnerable people. The scope of their work requires further expansion, backed with technical knowledge, appropriate policies, and effective coordination among all institutions.

Caregivers’ lived experience of assisted feeding

The aim of this study was to explore caregivers' experience of assisted feeding. Assisted feeding presupposes a technical and creative coordination of the behaviour of the caregiver and the person who needs assistance. To achieve this, the two parties must be able to perceive and interpret each other's verbal and non-verbal behaviour and respond. A qualitative approach using in-depth semi-structured interviews conducted with caregivers was used. Twelve caregivers with different educational background (nurses and care assistants) were interviewed during 2010. Transcriptions of interviews were analysed using the phenomenological guidelines by Dahlberg and colleagues. The essence of assisted feeding among caregivers was identified to be a healing activity creating a basis for recovery. The constituents of the essence were as follows: with simulated calmness, with the nutritional aspect in mind, with relatives as source and resource, with work experiences and personal preferences as reference points and with inconsistent reactions to patient behaviours. When performing assisted feeding, caregivers adjust their care to the individual patient drawing on their personal knowledge and empathy. They mainly focus on the nutritional aspect of assisted feeding but also take their own beliefs and societal norms around eating into consideration. There seems to be a tension between the importance caregivers assign to the nutritional aspect of assisted feeding and the low status this task holds, not only in the hierarchy of hospital activities but also among caregivers. An overriding guideline for assisted feeding should be formulated, so that the activity will be less dependent on the individual caregiver's personal beliefs, time pressure and the character of the surroundings.

La gestión de proyectos de imagen médica digital en los servicios de salud: lecciones aprendidas

Medical imaging is one of the most important diagnostic instruments in clinical practice. The technological development of digital medical imaging has enabled healthcare services to undertake large scale projects that require the participation and collaboration of many professionals of varied backgrounds and interests as well as substantial investments in infrastructures. Rather than focusing on systems for dealing with digital medical images, this article deals with the management of projects for implementing these systems, reviewing various organizational, technological, and human factors that are critical to ensure the success of these projects and to guarantee the compatibility and integration of digital medical imaging systems with other health information systems. To this end, the author relates several lessons learned from a review of the literature and the author's own experience in the technical coordination of digital medical imaging projects.

Reforestation Strategies Amid Social Instability: Lessons from Afghanistan

Foreign and domestic government agencies and other international organizations pursue reforestation programs in rural upper watershed areas of Afghanistan over the past decade to alleviate poverty, combat the insurgency and rehabilitate a depleted forest resource base. Popular programs incorporate cash-for-work to conduct hillside terracing, check dam construction and tree-planting for nut production, fuel wood, timber, dune stabilization, and erosion abatement. Programmatic approaches have varied as a function of accessibility, security and local objectives. Uncertain land tenure and use rights, weak local environmental management capacity, and a focus on agricultural production to meet immediate needs limit interest, nationally and locally. Unreliable security, a lack of high quality tree planting stock, limited technical knowledge and coordination among government agencies, and poor security hamper program expansion. Reforestation success would be most likely where these issues are least acute. The Afghan government should focus on supporting community based natural resource management, developing and disseminating improved conservation tree nursery strategies, and promoting watershed management schemes that incorporate forestry, range management and agronomic production. Reforestation practitioners could benefit from the human and material resources now present as part of the international war effort. Successes and failures encountered in Afghanistan should be considered in order to address similar problems in insecure regions elsewhere when reforestation may help reverse environmental degradation and contribute to broader social stabilization efforts.

Theorizing Fact-Based Policy Development at ICANN

The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) is critical for Internet governance because of its authority as the overall technical manager and coordinator for the global domain name system (DNS). I CANN policy drive the institutional relationships and technical operations that form the Internet as we know it. But at the hear of ICANN's policy making power is a theoretical gap. ICANN has a fundamental commitment to fact-based policy that is poorly understood.

Are Small Teams More Satisfying?

Interviews were conducted at two geographically distributed FAA Technical Operations remote monitoring and coordination centers. The centers did the same type of work but were organized differently. The first center was organized into seven small teams of five to seven members. The second center assigned individuals to shifts with no set leadership or team membership. The centers operated 24 hours a day, seven days a week and all specialists worked rotating shifts. Satisfaction was negatively affected by high workload, perceived individual differences in effort, and shift work. Small teams were thought to improve satisfaction by ensuring that all team members carried their fair share of the workload and by providing emotional support. Shift flexibility, however, was seen as more difficult under the small team concept. Additional research is needed to determine the extent to which schedule flexibility is possible within the context of small teams.

Humanitarian engagement under counter-terrorism: a conflict of norms and the emerging policy landscape

AbstractThis article identifies two countervailing sets of norms – one promoting humanitarian engagement with non-state armed groups (NSAGs) in armed conflict in order to protect populations in need, and the other prohibiting such engagement with listed ‘terrorist’ groups in order to protect security – and discusses how this conflict of norms might affect the capacity of humanitarian organizations to deliver life-saving assistance in areas under the control of one of these groups. Rooted in international humanitarian law (IHL), the first set of norms provides a basis for humanitarian engagement with NSAGs in non-international armed conflict for the purpose of assisting populations under their control and promoting compliance with the rules of IHL. The second set of rules attempts to curtail financial and other forms of material support, including technical training and co-ordination, to listed ‘terrorist’ organizations, some of which may qualify as NSAGs under IHL. The article highlights counter-terrorism regulations developed by the United States and the United Nations Security Council, though other states and multilateral bodies have similar regulations. The article concludes by sketching ways in which humanitarian organizations might respond to the identified tensions.

Elaboração do Diagnóstico Rápido Participativo (DRP) Para o Projeto PLANTAR – Plano Técnico de Articulação de Rede de Proteção e Defesa dos Direitos da Pessoa Idosa, no Município do Rio de Janeiro-RJ

Objectives: This aim of this report is to describe the participation of the State University of Rio de Janeiro (UERJ) in applying the questionnaire of the pilot project PLANTAR, through the participatory RAPID diagnosis. Methods: The methodology of the PLANTAR project – Plan for Technical Coordination Network for Protecting and Defending the Rights of the Elderly integrates policies for building a common agenda of work among governments, civil society and international governments, through the application of six questionnaires that allow collecting data on the local elderly population and raise the conditions of public policies aimed at older people. Results: We identified the need to invest in the project in the areas of staff training, learning resources, information to the population through the media, and greater participation of non-governmental organizations. Conclusions: the city of Rio de Janeiro has a network of services, but they are not integrated, which stops effective performance

Environmental Indicators for Italian Soils (SIAS Project): Development of a New Approach from Regional to Harmonised National Data

Erosion and loss of organic matter of soils are two of the threats identified by the European Communication &ldquo;Towards a Thematic Strategy for Soil Protection&rdquo; (2002/267), and by the Thematic Strategy for Soil Protection (COM 2006, 231). Regarding Italian context, a new approach that exploits soil data and expertise available at local level has been developed in a pilot project, named SIAS Project (Sviluppo Indicatori Ambientali sul Suolo) that involves ISPRA (Italian Institute for Environmental Protection and Research) as project coordinator and financing body, Regional Agency for Environmental Prevention and Protection in Veneto (ARPAV), responsible of the technical coordination of the activities, Regional Soil Survey Services that contribute to the methodology definition and responsible for the data elaboration within their region of the data, JRC and CRA &ndash; ABP as technical support. The SIAS Project concerns the building of two soil environmental indicators, erosion and organic matter content, based on harmonisation of regional data and according with the INSPIRE directive. The main aim of the SIAS Project can be summarised in exploiting at most the existing information and local expertise for indicator assessment in a relatively short time, in order to obtain interregional harmonisation of the information about erosion and organic matter content at regional scale. For this purpose, it has been chosen to assess and represent output data by a reference grid (1 km x 1 km) with a common coordinate reference system, following the recommendations of the INSPIRE Directive. Furthermore an exchange format for storing data and metadata information has been set up jointly by the working group. So far a large part of the Northern and Central Italy has completed the project, while a part of Southern Region has only recently joined it. The results show that at the present moment there are some differences both in soil loss and in organic matter content assessment among regions, due to several factors such as different availability and resolution of input data, or different methods to assess erosion or parameters required to evaluate organic carbon indicator. At the present stage the scientific coordination group is dealing with collecting and merging these results to obtain a national harmonized pattern of the two indicators. In spite of these problems, the project could be the first step to reach an harmonisation of soil information in Italy periodically updated by regional soil surveys that are the producers and the owners of soil related information in the country.

The theatre of high-fidelity simulation education

High-fidelity simulation is a useful mechanism to aid progression, development and skill acquisition in nurse education. However, nurse lecturers are daunted by sophisticated simulation technology. This paper presents a new method of introducing human patient simulation to students and educators, whilst seeking to demystify the roles, responsibilities and underpinning pedagogy. The analogy of simulation as theatre outlines the concepts of the theatre and stage (simulation laboratory); the play itself (Simulated Clinical Experience, SCE); the actors (nursing students); audience (peer review panel); director (session facilitator); and the production team (technical coordinators). Performing in front of people in a safe environment, repeated practice and taking on a new role teaches students to act, think and be like a nurse. This in turn supports student learning and enhances self confidence.

Marching in-step: Facilitating technological transitions through climate consensus

This study explored the benefits of strong and positive climate attitudes throughout the implementation of new workplace information technology (IT). Unit-level climate attitudes, perceived work stress, and training completion were measured in a field-setting over a 6-year period. Trends and moderating influences of climate consensus were estimated from data collected from several sources (employees, managers, supervisors, and technical coordinators) using multiple methods (archival records, interviews, and surveys). As expected, climate consensus weakened over time, and interacted with climate for innovation to predict training completion with varying effects that depended upon implementation period and training type (Internet versus general technology). More training completion occurred when climate consensus was strong prior to implementation and weak during and after implementation indicating that the merits of strong and positive climate attitudes may be specific to early implementation stages. Less attitudinal agreement may be more beneficial to units once implementation is underway.

Mapping Technical and Professional Communication: A Summary and Survey of Academic Locations for Programs

This article provides an account of the academic location of 142 technical communication programs as reported on program Web sites as well as in an online survey sent to technical communication program coordinators. According to the findings, most technical communication programs are located in departments of English, but programs outside of English are more likely to offer graduate degrees and a more technically oriented program focus.

Technical Coordinating Committee [TCC Tidbits

I once again welcome this opportunity to bring you inside information regarding the Technical Coordinating Committee (TCC). This month, as I start my last column as TCC chair, I want to say that being chair of the TCC has been the best job of my entire life! More maudlin comments at the end, but for now, I do have two pieces of business that might interest you: a new technical committee (TC) and a new TCC chair.