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In this article, we describe an unmanned aerial system equipped with a thermal-infrared camera and software pipeline that we have developed to monitor animal populations for conservation purposes. Taking a multi-disciplinary approach to tackle this problem, we use freely available astronomical source detection software and the associated expertise of astronomers, to efficiently and reliably detect humans and animals in aerial thermal-infrared footage. Combining this astronomical detection software with existing machine learning algorithms into a single, automated, end-to-end pipeline, we test the software using aerial video footage taken in a controlled, field-like environment. We demonstrate that the pipeline works reliably and describe how it can be used to estimate the completeness of different observational datasets to objects of a given type as a function of height, observing conditions, etc. – a crucial step in converting video footage to scientifically useful information such as the spatial distribution and density of different animal species. Finally, having demonstrated the potential utility of the system, we describe the steps we are taking to adapt the system for work in the field, in particular systematic monitoring of endangered species at National Parks around the world. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Vacuum glazing is an innovative transparent thermal insulator that has applications in high performance windows. Two sheets of glass are separated by an evacuated space maintained by a regular array of support pillars, and the structure is sealed around the edges with solder glass or a metal bond. The evacuated internal gap reduces the heat transfer across the glazing by eliminating air conduction and convection between the glass sheets. This review paper traces the development of vacuum glazing from the initial proposal 100 years ago, to the fi rst reported manufacture in 1989 by the University of Sydney, the subsequent commercialisation of that design in 1996 and recent advances. The various design challenges are discussed along with the innovative ways they were successfully addressed by two research groups. Several key non-technical factors that have been equally important to the commercialisation and acceptance of this new technology are also presented. The future prospects for vacuum glazing are discussed in the context of the growing interest in energy effi cient buildings and higher standards for the thermal performance of windows. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The integration and mandatory study of research method courses by university students is a global phenomenon. However, students demonstrate apprehension and disinterest in research methods courses. Consequently, this study investigated the interplay among research methods anxiety, positive disposition toward research, perception of usefulness, self-efficacy, and academic effort in research. Paper-and-pencil questionnaires were used to collect data from a convenience sample of 636 technical university students in Ghana. Based on partial least squares structural equation modeling results, research anxiety reduces students' self-beliefs (β = −0.172; t = 2.729; p =.000) and negatively affects perception of research usefulness (β = −0.172; t = 2.729; p =.000). A positive disposition towards research enhances students' academic efforts in research (β = 0.919; t = 3.308; p = 0.001). Furthermore, self-efficacy drives students' efforts (β = −0.172; t = 2.729; p =.000), enhances positive disposition toward research (β = 0.191; t = 3.308; p =.001) and perception of research usefulness among students (β = 0.224; t = 3.064; p =.002). Students' perception of research usefulness mediates the relationship between anxiety and effort in research (β = −0.075; t = 3.653; p =.000), positive research disposition and effort (β = −0.056; t = 2.519; p =.012) as well as research self-efficacy and effort in studies (β = 0.083; t = 3.02; p =.003). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agricultural cooperatives are often viewed as appropriate vehicles to facilitate vertical coordination with, or horizontal integration between, small farmers who would otherwise be excluded from value-adding opportunities and discerning markets. In South Africa, renewed interest in development-oriented cooperatives saw the introduction of a new Cooperatives Act in 2005, along will support measures dedicated to 'emerging' cooperatives. This paper contends that the architects of the new Act discounted important trends in international legislation that would have made development-oriented cooperatives more versatile and given their members better access to capital and expertise through equity partnerships with private agribusiness firms. It is concluded that the new Act should be amended to admit non-patron investors as members, and to allow for nonredeemable and hence appreciable and tradable shares. Such innovations are emerging internationally, usually with a cap on non-patron voting power. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Focuses on the ways of coping checklists through the use of a relative/proportional scores. Division of scale by the sum of the means for all scales; Illustration of ways for the pattern of intercorrelations; Existence of an intricate relationship between coping and depression.

Focuses on the application of ethnicity and gender in the sociocultural perspective of alcohol use and abuse. Concept of ethnic categorization; Prevalence of alcohol abuse; Prevention and treatment of alcohol abuse; Impact of sociocultural factors.

AbstractThis paper explores the definition of, and perceived community attitudes, toward kudanga, a Swahili street term for a type of transactional sex practised in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Rooted in economic and gender disparity, transactional sex increases adolescent girls’ and young women’s vulnerability to HIV and gender-based violence. We sought to understand perceived community attitudes about kudanga, and how the internalisation of norms surrounding gender-based violence relate to the experiences of young women who practise kudanga. Using qualitative data from focus group discussions with 37 young women, we found that community perceptions of kudanga were largely negative, and those who engaged in it were looked down upon and despised. Violence and lack of sexual agency were normalised when doing kudanga. However, young women understood kudanga to often be their best option to obtain economic stability and felt strongly that those who practised kudanga should not be stigmatised. Our research provides further evidence that transactional sex exists on a continuum and highlights the importance of reducing community stigma surrounding transactional sex as a means of decreasing risk of HIV and gender-based violence for young women. To our knowledge, this article is the first to explore kudanga. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The legal status of cannabis is rapidly evolving, outpacing systematic research and educational efforts. Aims: We investigated knowledge of cannabinoid content and dosages among frequent cannabis users. A brief survey was administered in April 2019 (N = 472) at a cannabis advocacy event in a state with legal medical and recreational adult cannabis use. Most participants (67%) used cannabis every day, 85% used cannabis for health or medical purposes. Knowledge of cannabis was mostly from participants' own experiences (78%), with some receiving information from a medical cannabis caregiver or dispensary (23%) or their primary care provider (18%). The majority reported not knowing the effective dosages of THC (53% of participants) or CBD (68% of participants), other participants gave average estimates of 91 mg and 177 mg, respectively. Participants' average estimates for high-THC (52%) and high-CBD (53%) as well as low-THC (28%), and low-CBD (30%) strains of cannabis were considerably higher than currently accepted definitions. Men, European Americans, and participants who had medical cannabis cards were more accurate in cannabinoid concentration estimates. Frequent cannabis users reported low knowledge of and substantially overestimated cannabinoid content. The importance of education and research on cannabinoid dosages grows with increasing cannabis accessibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Daily process research can help distinguish causal relationships between substance use and sexual risk behaviors in high-risk groups, such as urban emerging adults. We employed text messaging to assess 18-25 year-olds' daily substance use and sexual risk behaviors over 28 days. We describe the implementation of this method, attitudes regarding the daily surveys, and correlates of survey completion. Method: We recruited 111 emerging adults from an urban Emergency Department in a resource-limited area who reported recent drug use and unprotected sex (Mage=22.0; 53.2% female; 45.1% African American; 43.2% receiving public assistance). Results: Respondents completed M=18.0 (SD=8.7) of 28 daily surveys (27 items each). Participants completing a 1-month follow-up found the surveys not at all/only a little annoying (90.3%) and were comfortable with questions about drugs/alcohol (97.9%) and sex (94.6%). Completion was higher on weekdays versus weekends, and earlier in the study. Daily survey completion was unrelated to sameday substance use measured by the Timeline Follow Back at follow-up; polysubstance use and drinks consumed were associated with lower odds of next-day completion. School enrollment, public assistance, unlimited texting plan, lower baseline alcohol use, and depression symptoms at follow-up were associated with higher completion. Technology difficulties were commonly mentioned barriers to completion. Conclusions: Participants in this urban, resource-constrained sample found the daily text message methodology acceptable for reporting sensitive information. With rapid advancements in technologies and increased accessibility, text messaging remains a promising methodology for the study of daily processes in substance use and HIV risk behaviors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Develops a geographical information system framework for modelling nitrogen leaching from agricultural areas in the Middle Hills, Nepal. Component of the framework; Effect of increased nitrogen leaching; Modification of the framework.

Co-occurring use (co-use) of nicotine and cannabis is common, and represents a broad range of use behaviors, including concurrent use, sequential use, and co-administration. Co-use has primarily been examined through the lens of smoked tobacco and cannabis. Little is known about those who co-use vaped nicotine and cannabis, and the degree to which specific co-use behaviors are associated, based on mode of use and/or substance. We conducted an online pilot survey on use behaviors related to inhaled modes of nicotine and cannabis. The survey was administered to 112 concurrent vapers of these substances. Descriptive analyses examined sample characteristics and co-administered vaping and smoking behaviors. Logistic regressions examined associations in use behaviors by mode and substance. Participants who vaped nicotine and cannabis monthly also reported monthly smoking of cannabis (100%), and cigarettes (58%). Most exhibited moderate-to-high degrees of mental health and substance use problems requiring clinical intervention. Monthly concurrent use exhibited more differences by mode, and more similarities by substance. Specific sequential use practices showed mode-specific associations; with greater frequency of cigarette smoking and nicotine vaping. Co-administration was associated with more frequent tobacco and cannabis smoking. Those who regularly vape nicotine and cannabis tend to engage in some form of smoking. Different subsets of nicotine and cannabis co-use behaviors showed different associations with patterns of use and modes of drug delivery. Findings underscore the diversity of nicotine and cannabis use behaviors among co-users, and the importance of considering associations by both substance and mode of use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Behavioral economic demand curves (Hursh, Raslear, Shurtleff, Bauman, & Simmons, 1988) are innovative approaches to characterize the relationships between consumption of a substance and its price. In this article, we investigate common analytical issues in the use of behavioral economic demand curves, which can cause inconsistent interpretations of demand curves, and then we provide methodological suggestions to address those analytical issues. We first demonstrate that log transformation with different added values for handling zeros changes model parameter estimates dramatically. Second, demand curves are often analyzed using an overparameterized model that results in an inefficient use of the available data and a lack of assessment of the variability among individuals. To address these issues, we apply a nonlinear mixed effects model based on multivariate error structures that has not been used previously to analyze behavioral economic demand curves in the literature. We also propose analytical formulas for the relevant standard errors of derived values such asPmax,Omax, and elasticity. The proposed model stabilizes the derived values regardless of using different added increments and provides substantially smaller standard errors. We illustrate the data analysis procedure using data from a relative reinforcement efficacy study of simulated marijuana purchasing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to explore beliefs and attitudes about continuing or stopping benzodiazepine hypnotics amongst older patients using such medicines, and amongst their general practitioners. One hundred and ninety two patients aged 65 and over who were long-term users of benzodiazepine hypnotics were recruited from 25 general practices in inner city and suburban London, as were 83 practice staff. The practices had been recruited into a randomised controlled trial of benzodiazepine withdrawal in long-term users. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with patients recruited to the trial, and non-standardized (conversational) interviews with practice staff Sixty percent of long-term benzodiazepine users had taken their hypnotic for more than 10 years, and one-third for more than 20 years. Beliefs in the efficacy of hypnotics, and self-report of insomnia despite their use, varied according to the willingness to attempt withdrawal. The majority of patients reported no warnings from professionals about adverse effects of using benzodiazepine hypnotics. Half had tried to stop at some time but most attempts had been short-lived. Patients and doctors had distinctly different views of the advantages, disadvantages and risks of stopping benzodiazepine hypnotic use. Both increased patient awareness of the problems of long-term benzodiazepine use and an evidence-based approach to withdrawal efforts in primary care are necessary to reduce the consumption of medication that has little real benefit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 1985, a hand preference survey was completed by 973 dizygotic and 1158 monozygotic male twin pairs, all veterans of World War II. This is the largest single twin study of handedness on record. As in state-of-the-art animal research, the laterality criterion was sensitive to both direction and consistency (degree, strong or weak) of handedness. Significant pairwise concordance was shown for the total group, and for consistency and directional factors separately. However, no zygosity differences were demonstrated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To inform ethical procedures for human subjects research using mobile health (mHealth), we examined perceived risks and benefits of study participation among emerging adults (N = 54) with drug use who completed text message assessments of substance use and sexual behaviors. Most participants reported comfort with participation and some reported perceived benefits, such as improved relationships. Perceived risks were infrequently reported, including negative emotions and legal or financial concerns. In conclusion, participants from a vulnerable population reported few perceived harms of participation in longitudinal mHealth assessments of sensitive behaviors. Researchers should continue characterizing participants' perspectives on ethical aspects of mHealth research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

At the Radiochemical Engineering Development Center (REDC), irradiated targets are processed for the recovery of valuable radioisotopes, principally transuranium nuclides. A system was recently installed for treating the various liquid alkaline waste streams for removal of excess radioactive contaminants at REDC. Radionuclides that are removed will be stored as solids, and thus the future discharge of radionuclides to liquid-low level waste tank storage will be greatly reduced. The treatment system is of modular design and is installed in a hot cell at REDC, where preliminary testing is in progress. The module incorporates the following: (1) a resorcinol-formaldehyde resin column for cesium removal, (2) a cross-flow filtration unit for removal of rare earths and actinides as hydroxide, and (3) a waste solidification unit. Process flowsheets for operation of the module, key features of the module design, and its computer-assisted control system are presented. Good operability of the cross-flow filter system is mandatory to the successful treatment of REDC wastes. Results of tests to date on the operation of the filter in its slurry collection mode and its slurry washing mode are presented. These tests include the effects of entrained organic solvent in the waste stream to the filter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study the pharmacodynamics were characterized of rat hepatic cytochrome P450 2B (CYP2B) induction by the pesticide DDT \[1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis(p -chlorophenyl) ethane] and its metabolites DDE \[1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis(p -chlorophenyl)ethylene], which is bioretained, and DDD \[1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis(p -chlorophenyl)ethane], which is metabolized further and therefore less prone to bioaccumulate. DDT, DDE, and DDD were each found to be pure phenobarbital-type cytochrome P-450 inducers in the male F344/NCr rat, causing induction of hepatic CYP2B and CYP3A, but not CYP1A. The ED50 values for CYP2B induction ( benzyloxyresorufin O -dealkylation) by DDT, DDE, and DDD were, respectively, 103, 88, and 620 ppm in diet (14 d of exposure). The efficacies ( E values) for induction of benzyloxyresorufin O -dealkylation by DDT, max DDE, and DDD were 24-, 22-, and 21-fold, respectively, compared to control values. The potencies of the three congeners for CYP2B induction appeared also to be similar, with EC50 values (based on total serum DDT equivalents) of 1.5, 1.8, and 0.51 mu M, respectively. The EC50 values based on DDT equivalents in hepatic tissue were 15, 16, and 5.9 mumol/kg liver tissue, respectively. In primary cultures of adult rat hepatocytes, DDT, DDE, and DDD each displayed ability to induce total cellular RNA coding for CYP2B (ED50 values of 0.98, 0.83, and 2.7 mu M , respectively). These results suggest that DDT, DDE, and DDD each possess a high degree of intrinsic CYP2B-inducing ability for rat liver, despite marked differences in bioretention among the congeners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]