Tracking Project Research Articles

Trash track – active location sensing for evaluating e-waste transportation

Waste and recycling systems are complex and far-reaching, but its mechanisms are poorly understood by the public, in some cases government organizations and even the waste management sector itself. The lack of empirical data makes it challenging to assess the environmental impact of trash collection, removal and disposal. This is especially the case for the global movement of electronic wastes. Senseable City Lab's Trash Track project tackles this scarcity of data by following the trajectories of individual objects. The project presents a methodology involving active location sensors that were placed on end-of-life products donated by volunteers in the Seattle, Washington area. These tags sent location messages chronicling their journey, some over the course of a month or more. In this paper, the authors focus on the analysis of traces acquired from 146 items of electronic waste, estimating evaluating the environmental impact, including the travel distances and end-of-life treatments for the products. Combining this information with impact evaluation from the US Environmental Protection Agency's Waste Reduction Model (WARM) allows for the creation of environmental impact profiles for individual pieces of trash.

ハンドヘルドプロジェクタの遅延追従投影による目標交差インタフェース

We propose the a process concept of delayed tracking projection (DTP) for handheld projectors, in which (1) a pointer cursor sticks to the optical axis of the projector, (2) a user can moves the cursor in projected contents by moving the projector, and (3) the center of the contents tracks the cursor with a short delay. We combine the this DTP technique with a goal crossing interface. The aim objective of this paper study is to conduct an user experiment to understand determine how to design the an interface which that allows users to perform quick goal crossings at a low false selection rate. The Results of an experiment we conducted with a prototype system revealed the effects of delay, target distance, and target direction on goal crossing performances.

The predictive utility of a brief kindergarten screening measure of child behavior problems.

Kindergarten teacher ratings, such as those from the Teacher Observation of Classroom Adaptation-Revised (TOCA-R), are a promising cost- and time-effective screening method to identify children at risk for later problems. Previous research with the TOCA-R has been mainly limited to outcomes in a single domain measured during elementary school. The goal of the current study was to examine the ability of TOCA-R sum scores to predict outcomes in multiple domains across distinct developmental periods (i.e., late childhood, middle adolescence, late adolescence). We used data from the Fast Track Project, a large multisite study with children at risk for conduct problems (n = 752; M age at start of study = 6.55 years; 57.7% male; 49.9% Caucasian, 46.3% African American). Kindergarten TOCA-R sum scores were used as the predictor in regression analyses; outcomes included school difficulties, externalizing diagnoses and symptom counts, and substance use. TOCA-R sum scores predicted school outcomes at all time points, diagnosis of ADHD in 9th grade, several externalizing disorder symptom counts, and cigarette use in 12th grade. The findings demonstrate the predictive utility of the TOCA-R when examining outcomes within the school setting. Therefore, these results suggest the 10-item TOCA-R may provide a quick and accurate screening of children at risk for later problems. Implications for prevention and intervention programs are discussed.

A Longitudinal Assessment of the Associations Among Response Access, Attention Problems, and Aggression during Childhood

Children with ADHD symptoms often display social competence deficits, yet mechanisms for their social difficulties remain unclear. Using data from the normative sample of non-intervention respondents (N = 387; 50% male; 49% non-European-American; age at initial assessment: M = 6.5years, SD = 0.48) in the Fast Track project (Lochman and CPPRG Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology 63:549-59, 1995), the social-information processing ability of accessing responses for social situations was modeled across four time points from kindergarten to third grade. Teacher-rated aggression and ADHD symptoms were included as predictors of the intercept and slope. Low ADHD symptoms were associated with a decline in aggressive responses across childhood, whereas high ADHD symptoms were linked to an increase in aggressive responses that decelerated between second and third grade. Regarding competent responses, low ADHD symptoms predicted increases in competent responses, but this increase decelerated between second and third grade. High ADHD symptoms were also associated with a slight increase in competent responses into first grade, but competent responses decreased from first to third grade. Neither aggression nor the interaction of ADHD symptoms and aggression accounted for a significant amount of variance in aggressive or competent responses. Future research should identify if differences in response access associated with high and low ADHD symptoms link to difficulties making and keeping friendships.

Cross-Cutting Issues: Monitoring State Implementation of the Affordable Care Act in 10 States: Rate Review

With support from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF), the Urban Institute and Georgetown University's Center on Health Insurance Reforms are undertaking a comprehensive monitoring and tracking project to examine the implementation and effects of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) of 2010. The project began in May 2011 and will take place over several years. The Urban Institute will document changes to the implementation of national health reform in Alabama, Colorado, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island and Virginia to help states, researchers and policymakers learn from the process as it unfolds. This report is one of a series of papers focusing on particular implementation issues in these case study states. In addition, state-specific reports on case study states can be found on the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and Health Policy Center websites. The quantitative component of the project is producing analyses of the effects of the ACA on coverage, health expenditures, affordability, access and premiums in the states and nationally. For more information about the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s work on coverage, visit their website. This paper describes the status of rate review programs in the 10 states participating in the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s monitoring and tracking project. Information is drawn from publicly available sources, state legislation, and site visit interviews in each of the 10 states. We summarize how the 10 case study states have enhanced their rate review authority and processes, increased transparency, and expanded consumer outreach in response to the ACA. Although there has been significant variation, all 10 states took some action to improve their rate review process and ensure that insurers’ proposed rates are justified. To a large extent, the actions taken by these states reflect the diversity of approaches to rate review that exist among states nationwide.

Cross-Cutting issues: Monitoring State Implementation of the Affordable Care Act in 10 States: Early Market Reforms

With support from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF), the Urban Institute and Georgetown University's Center on Health Insurance Reforms are undertaking a comprehensive monitoring and tracking project to examine the implementation and effects of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010. The project began in May 2011 and will take place over several years. The Urban Institute will document changes to the implementation of national health reform in Alabama, Colorado, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island and Virginia to help states, researchers and policymakers learn from the process as it unfolds. This report is one of a series of papers focusing on particular implementation issues in these case study states. In addition, state-specific reports on case study states can be found at the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and Health Policy Center websites. The quantitative component of the project is producing analyses of the effects of the ACA on coverage, health expenditures, affordability, access and premiums in the states and nationally. For more information about the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s work on coverage, visit their website.This paper describes the implementation of the early market reforms in the 10 states participating in the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s monitoring and tracking project. Information is drawn from publicly available sources, state legislation, and site visit interviews in each of the 10 states. Each state took some action to require or encourage insurers to comply with these reforms. Although some challenges were noted, informants in all 10 states reported that insurers are generally complying with the early market reforms; regulators are hearing few consumer concerns, and premiums have not risen substantially because of these reforms. Compliance was largely facilitated through the efforts of state regulators, insurers and consumer advocates. To a large extent, the actions taken by these states reflect the diversity of approaches that exist among states nationwide.

Quantitative Analysis of Ultrasound Contrast Flow Behavior in Carotid Plaque Neovasculature

Intraplaque neovascularization is considered as an important indication for plaque vulnerability. We propose a semiautomatic algorithm for quantification of neovasculature, thus, enabling assessment of plaque vulnerability. The algorithm detects and tracks contrast spots using multidimensional dynamic programming. Classification of contrast tracks into blood vessels and artifacts was performed. The results were compared with manual tracking, visual classification and maximal intensity projection. In 28 plaques, 97% of the contrast spots were detected. In 89% of the objects, the automatic tracking determined the contrast motion with an average distance of less than 0.5 mm from the manual marking. Furthermore, 75% were correctly classified into artifacts and vessels. The automated neovascularization grading agreed within 1 grade with visual analysis in 91% of the cases, which was comparable to the interobserver variability of visual grading. These results show that the method can successfully quantify features that are linked to vulnerability of the carotid plaque.

Evidence for a Multi-Dimensional Latent Structural Model of Externalizing Disorders

Strong associations between conduct disorder (CD), antisocial personality disorder (ASPD) and substance use disorders (SUD) seem to reflect a general vulnerability to externalizing behaviors. Recent studies have characterized this vulnerability on a continuous scale, rather than as distinct categories, suggesting that the revision of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) take into account the underlying continuum of externalizing behaviors. However, most of this research has not included measures of disorders that appear in childhood [e.g., attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or oppositional defiant disorder (ODD)], nor has it considered the full range of possibilities for the latent structure of externalizing behaviors, particularly factor mixture models, which allow for a latent factor to have both continuous and categorical dimensions. Finally, the majority of prior studies have not tested multidimensional models. Using lifetime diagnoses of externalizing disorders from participants in the Fast Track Project (n = 715), we analyzed a series of latent variable models ranging from fully continuous factor models to fully categorical mixture models. Continuous models provided the best fit to the observed data and also suggested that a two-factor model of externalizing behavior, defined as (1) ODD+ADHD+CD and (2) SUD with adult antisocial behavior sharing common variance with both factors, was necessary to explain the covariation in externalizing disorders. The two-factor model of externalizing behavior was then replicated using a nationally representative sample drawn from the National Comorbidity Survey-Replication data (n = 5,692). These results have important implications for the conceptualization of externalizing disorders in DSM-5.

Seed localization in Ultrasound and Registration to C-Arm Fluoroscopy Using Matched Needle Tracks for Prostate Brachytherapy

We propose a novel fiducial-free approach for the registration of C-arm fluoroscopy to 3-D ultrasound images of prostate brachytherapy implants to enable dosimetry. The approach involves the reliable detection of a subset of radioactive seeds from 3-D ultrasound, and the use of needle tracks in both ultrasound and fluoroscopy for registration. Seed detection in ultrasound is achieved through template matching in 3-D radio frequency ultrasound signals, followed by thresholding and spatial filtering. The resulting subset of seeds is registered to the complete reconstruction of the brachytherapy implant from multiple C-arm fluoroscopy views. To compensate for the deformation caused by the ultrasound probe, simulated warping is applied to the seed cloud from fluoroscopy. The magnitude of the applied warping is optimized within the registration process. The registration is performed in two stages. First, the needle track projections from fluoroscopy and ultrasound are matched. Only the seeds in the matched needles are then used as fiducials for point-based registration. We report results from a physical phantom with a realistic implant (average postregistration seed distance of 1.6 ± 1.2 mm) and from five clinical patient datasets (average error: 2.8 ± 1.5 mm over 128 detected seeds). We conclude that it is feasible to use RF ultrasound data, template matching, and spatial filtering to detect a reliable subset of brachytherapy seeds from ultrasound to enable registration to fluoroscopy for dosimetry.

Extended Prediction of North Indian Ocean Tropical Cyclones

Abstract This analysis examines the predictability of several key forecasting parameters using the ECMWF Variable Ensemble Prediction System (VarEPS) for tropical cyclones (TCs) in the North Indian Ocean (NIO) including tropical cyclone genesis, pregenesis and postgenesis track and intensity projections, and regional outlooks of tropical cyclone activity for the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal. Based on the evaluation period from 2007 to 2010, the VarEPS TC genesis forecasts demonstrate low false-alarm rates and moderate to high probabilities of detection for lead times of 1–7 days. In addition, VarEPS pregenesis track forecasts on average perform better than VarEPS postgenesis forecasts through 120 h and feature a total track error growth of 41 n mi day−1. VarEPS provides superior postgenesis track forecasts for lead times greater than 12 h compared to other models, including the Met Office global model (UKMET), the Navy Operational Global Atmospheric Prediction System (NOGAPS), and the Global Forecasting System (GFS), and slightly lower track errors than the Joint Typhoon Warning Center. This paper concludes with a discussion of how VarEPS can provide much of this extended predictability within a probabilistic framework for the region.

Cost-Benefit Analysis of Construction Information Management System Implementation: Case Study

AbstractIn construction projects, construction managers spend a significant portion of their time gathering project data, assessing production rates, communicating with project participants, and tracking project quality. Executing those tasks manually reduces efficiency and can result in less effective project management operations. In order to improve efficiency of information process flow, various types of construction information management systems (CIMSs) have been introduced to construction projects. However, due to the difficulty of tracking fragmental and illusive data, measuring the cost and benefit of the implementation and evaluating the trade-off remain a challenge for construction practitioners. This paper’s contributions to the body of knowledge include (1) proposing a framework to assess tangible and semitangible or intangible costs and benefits of innovative construction technology application, (2) determining costs and benefits of the use of CIMSs by conducting a product-specific case stud...

Public Building Supervisors’ Assessment of Site Progress Record Keeping Practices in Abuja, Nigeria

The importance of good site progress records in quality assurance; tracking project progress; preparing, analyzing and resolving claims; and placing responsibilities in the event of dispute in building contracts is widely recognized. This study engaged Public Building Supervisors in the assessment of site progress record keeping practices in Abuja. A simple structured questionnaire (which mainly assessed the nature and importance of records kept, reasons for keeping them; level of satisfaction with the current approach, challenges and practical ways of improving the practice) was administrated to a hundred of the supervisors, out of which seventy one was properly completed and returned. The results show that all five site progress documents (minutes of progress meetings, day-work sheets, photographs, weekly site records and personal site diaries) found in literature, are in use in Abuja, and have at least a high importance rating (i.e., relative importance index, 0.6 ≤ RII < 0.8). Prominent among the reasons for keeping the records are: control of ongoing work (R11 = 0.83) data for estimating future works and terms of contract requirement (each with RII = 0.823). Though the present record keeping practices were largely assessed satisfactory, 95% of the Supervisors still yearned for improvement. The challenges to the current practice are consistent with those identified in literature and are: continuity consistency, legibility and accountability; in descending order of frequency of occurrence. Computerization, regular inspection of progress documents by assigned supervisors and in-house training of site staff are recommended for improving the record keeping practices.

Global analysis of satellite tracking data shows that adult green turtles are significantly aggregated in Marine Protected Areas

ABSTRACTAim Tracking technologies are often proposed as a method to elucidate the complex migratory life histories of migratory marine vertebrates, allowing spatially explicit threats to be identified and mitigated. We conducted a global analysis of foraging areas of adult green turtles (Chelonia mydas) subject to satellite tracking (n= 145) and the conservation designation of these areas according to International Union for Conservation of Nature criteria.Location The green turtle has a largely circumtropical distribution, with adults migrating up to thousands of kilometres between nesting beaches and foraging areas, typically in neritic seagrass or algal beds.Methods We undertook an assessment of satellite tracking projects that followed the movements of green turtles in tropical and subtropical habitats. This approach was facilitated by the use of the Satellite Tracking and Analysis Tool (http://www.seaturtle.org) and the integration of publicly available data on Marine Protected Areas (MPAs).Results We show that turtles aggregate in designated MPAs far more than would be expected by chance when considered globally (35% of all turtles were located within MPAs) or separately by ocean basin (Atlantic 67%, Indian 34%, Mediterranean 19%, Pacific 16%). Furthermore, we show that the size, level of protection and time of establishment of MPAs affects the likelihood of MPAs containing foraging turtles, highlighting the importance of large, well‐established reserves.Main conclusions Our findings constitute compelling evidence of the world‐wide effectiveness of extant MPAs in circumscribing important foraging habitats for a marine megavertebrate.

Recovery from cancer through sport and activity

In the previous issue, we introduced the 2012 BJN Olympics Series with a comment about the health service provision for the 2012 Games. This issue begins the official countdown to the Games with an article about an initiative that encourages the rehabilitation of people living with cancer through sport and physical activity. David Wright and Hannah Roberts discuss the On Track project inspired by the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Analysis of Data Recorded by a Large Prototype TPC Equipped with a Two Layer GEM System

Abstract A TPC is considered as tracking detector at a future linear collider. The LCTPC (Linear Collider TPC) collaboration has therefore constructed a prototype TPC for R&D purposes. MPGD readout structures, such as Micromegas or GEMs, are being considered for the TPC since the demands on space and momentum resolution can not be met with a traditional wire based readout. The prototype TPC is placed in a 1 Tesla magnet at DESY and tested using an electron beam. Analyses of data taken during two different measurement series, in 2009 and 2010, are presented here. The TPC was instrumented with a two layer GEM system and read out using modified electronics from the ALICE experiment, including the programmable charge sensitive preamp-shaper PCA16. The PCA16 chip has a number of programmable parameters which allows studies to determine the settings optimal to the final TPC. Here, the impact of the shaping time on the space resolution in the drift direction was studied. It was found that a shaping time of 60 ns is the best setting (of the available choices) for a sampling frequency of 20 MHz. In addition, the resolution in the bend plane was studied. Unfortunately, the measurements suffered from distortions in the electric field close to the readout, which deformed the track projections and had to be corrected for. This was done using the Millipede method. The final results obtained are a resolution of 59.1 ± 0.4 μm in the bend plane and 204 ± 9 μm in the drift direction, both extrapolated to zero drift distance. The measured values are consistent with the final goal of the ILD.

A synopsis of land and agrarian change in Chipinge district, Zimbabwe1

This paper extends the analysis of Zimbabwe's Fast Track land reform to the district of Chipinge in Manicaland province in south eastern Zimbabwe, where particular agro-ecological, political and social dynamics are important. In the three A1 resettlement schemes studied, political loyalty and patronage largely explain how the new beneficiaries acquired land. Most scholarly work, media and advocacy reports acknowledge the role of political patronage in the acquisition of A2 farms but they underplay this on A1 resettlement schemes. Based on empirical data, I argue that some A1 land reform beneficiaries are clients of patronage networks. Even though the new A1 farmers have other legitimate claims to land they are being subordinated to a partisan state and authoritarian ruling party that is willing to exclude other ‘ordinary’ people with ‘wrong’ or weak political ties in a highly politicised landscape. Thus, the paper argues that in these cases the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF)'s governing elite manipulated autochthonous, historical, political, social reproduction and livelihoods grievances among different groups of people to set in motion a party politicised Fast Track Land Reform (Fast Track) project meant to reassert its political hegemony.

Automated quantification of three-dimensional subject motion to monitor image quality in high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography

Subject motion during acquisition of high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HR-pQCT) results in image artifacts and interferes with quantification of bone architecture used to study bone-related diseases such as osteoporosis. We propose an automatic method to measure physical subject motion that frequently takes place during acquisition. Three measures derived from projection data are proposed to quantify motion artifacts: in-plane translation (εT) and in-plane rotation (εR) utilizing projection moments and longitudinal translation (εz) based on tracking projection profiles. Validation was performed using a phantom containing sections of distal human cadaver radii attached to a mechanical device to precisely control in-plane rotation and longitudinal translation that was intentionally performed during HR-pQCT data acquisition. Motion measured by the new automated technique was compared to the known applied motion, and related to percent errors in morphological parameters quantifying bone properties. It was determined that of the three proposed measures, εT best captured a quantified representation of image quality. εT linearly relates to true physical in-plane translational motion (r2 = 0.95, p<0.001) and is independent from longitudinal translational motion as well as the object being scanned. Additionally, εz captures large longitudinal movements and combines well with εT to fully characterize physical motion artifacts. The magnitude of εT corresponds to morphological parameter error and is an excellent basis to select high-quality images. Morphological parameter errors from these experiments confirmed our earlier computer simulations which showed that increased subject motion resulted in artificially higher trabecular number, and artificially lower bone mineral density and cortical thickness. The magnitude and, notably, the uncertainty of the morphological errors increased with increased physical motion, and this impedes a direct linear compensation of parameter errors. The automated method presented provides a basis for consistent and objective quality assurance for HR-pQCT scanning, and addresses an important challenge for this novel imaging modality that is rapidly becoming an important basis for assessment and monitoring of bone quality.

Applying a New Model for Sharing Population Health Data to National Syndromic Influenza Surveillance: DiSTRIBuTE Project Proof of Concept, 2006 to 2009

The Distributed Surveillance Taskforce for Real-time Influenza Burden Tracking and Evaluation (DiSTRIBuTE) project began as a pilot effort initiated by the International Society for Disease Surveillance (ISDS) in autumn 2006 to create a collaborative electronic emergency department (ED) syndromic influenza-like illness (ILI) surveillance network based on existing state and local systems and expertise. DiSTRIBuTE brought together health departments that were interested in: 1) sharing aggregate level data; 2) maintaining jurisdictional control; 3) minimizing barriers to participation; and 4) leveraging the flexibility of local systems to create a dynamic and collaborative surveillance network. This approach was in contrast to the prevailing paradigm for surveillance where record level information was collected, stored and analyzed centrally. The DiSTRIBuTE project was created with a distributed design, where individual level data remained local and only summarized, stratified counts were reported centrally, thus minimizing privacy risks. The project was responsive to federal mandates to improve integration of federal, state, and local biosurveillance capabilities. During the proof of concept phase, 2006 to 2009, ten jurisdictions from across North America sent ISDS on a daily to weekly basis year-round, aggregated data by day, stratified by local ILI syndrome, age-group and region. During this period, data from participating U.S. state or local health departments captured over 13% of all ED visits nationwide. The initiative focused on state and local health department trust, expertise, and control. Morbidity trends observed in DiSTRIBuTE were highly correlated with other influenza surveillance measures. With the emergence of novel A/H1N1 influenza in the spring of 2009, the project was used to support information sharing and ad hoc querying at the state and local level. In the fall of 2009, through a broadly collaborative effort, the project was expanded to enhance electronic ED surveillance nationwide.

The Development of the Pacific Ocean Shelf Tracking Project within the Decade Long Census of Marine Life

The Pacific Ocean Shelf Tracking (POST) project was established as one of the 17 projects of the decade-long Census of Marine Life. Its initial purpose was to improve our understanding of the distribution and life history of salmon on the continental shelf. POST was made possible by developments in acoustic technology which resulted in miniaturization of acoustic tags along with the creation of passive acoustic receivers which can be deployed in ‘listening curtains’ along the seafloor. The development of receivers with an acoustic modem has greatly facilitated the practicality of deploying marine lines, as data can now be uploaded to ship remotely. The POST array, which now spans over 3,000 km from California, through British Columbia, to Alaska, is composed of over 400 receivers in 10 ocean lines and strategic regions within rivers. The POST array and the associated database serve as a research tool for answering critical questions on ecology and marine resource management. Valuable data has been collected on salmonids and other marine species, and the combination of POST technology with other molecular and physiological tools is already revealing important clues in mortality and migration behaviours. POST has created a proof-of-concept, continental-scale marine tracking array and has served as a valuable pilot project despite the fact that it didn't realize its full potential envisioned at the beginning of the Census of Marine Life. POST has however served as a flagship model for developing large scale arrays in other regions of the world through the international Ocean Tracking Network.

Mitigating NPD And R&amp;D Risks Via A Portfolio Effect In Country Choice

New Product Development as well as Research and Development projects tend to be inherently risky investments. Most MNC’s today have great latitude in choosing site and country locations to build or contract Research or Development projects. MNC R&amp;D risks, corporate wide, can be moderated via a diversification of NPD/R&amp;D projects across multiple cultures and countries. In fact there is some evidence that R&amp;D global diversification can generate synergies. (Fast track projects that work around the clock via work being done in three locations each 8 hours off from the other.) Foreign R&amp;D facilities can help serve as outposts to facilitate the entrance into strategic foreign markets. This paper attempts to develop decision methodologies for allocating NPD/R&amp;D globally with the goal of both reducing risks and increasing global competitiveness.