How do people perceive, understand, and anticipate responding to flash flood risks and warnings? Results from a public survey in Boulder, Colorado, USA

This study investigates flash flood forecast and warning communication, interpretation, and decision making, using data from a survey of 418 members of the public in Boulder, Colorado, USA. Respondents to the public survey varied in their perceptions and understandings of flash flood risks in Boulder, and some had misconceptions about flash flood risks, such as the safety of crossing fast-flowing water. About 6% of respondents indicated consistent reversals of US watch-warning alert terminology. However, more in-depth analysis illustrates the multi-dimensional, situationally dependent meanings of flash flood alerts, as well as the importance of evaluating interpretation and use of warning information along with alert terminology. Some public respondents estimated low likelihoods of flash flooding given a flash flood warning; these were associated with lower anticipated likelihood of taking protective action given a warning. Protective action intentions were also lower among respondents who had less trust in flash flood warnings, those who had not made prior preparations for flash flooding, and those who believed themselves to be safer from flash flooding. Additional analysis, using open-ended survey questions about responses to warnings, elucidates the complex, contextual nature of protective decision making during flash flood threats. These findings suggest that warnings can play an important role not only by notifying people that there is a threat and helping motivate people to take protective action, but also by helping people evaluate what actions to take given their situation.

Exploring smart grid possibilities: a complex systems modelling approach

Smart grid research has tended to be compartmentalised, with notable contributions from economics, electrical engineering and science and technology studies. However, there is an acknowledged and growing need for an integrated systems approach to the evaluation of smart grid initiatives. The capacity to simulate and explore smart grid possibilities on various scales is key to such an integrated approach but existing models ��� even if multidisciplinary ��� tend to have a limited focus. This paper describes an innovative and flexible framework that has been developed to facilitate the simulation of various smart grid scenarios and the interconnected social, technical and economic networks from a complex systems perspective. The architecture is described and related to realised examples of its use, both to model the electricity system as it is today and to model futures that have been envisioned in the literature. Potential future applications of the framework are explored, along with its utility as an analytic and decision support tool for smart grid stakeholders.

Kvinnors behov av st��d vid br��stcancer : - En litteratur��versikt

Bakgrund Br��stcancer ��r den vanligaste typen av cancer hos kvinnor ��ver hela v��rlden. De som drabbas av br��stcancer har olika f��ruts��ttningar att hantera sin situation. M��nga av kvinnorna upplever en emotionell kris i samband med diagnosen och med hj��lp av st��d fr��n sjukv��rden kan patienten finna mening i sin situation. Syfte Syftet ��r att sammanst��lla aktuell forskning om br��stcancerdrabbade kvinnors effekter av st��d under diagnosperioden. Metod En litteratur��versikt som sammanst��ller aktuell forskning inom det valda omv��rdnadsomr��det. Resultat I resultatet framkom att kvinnorna beh��ver ett st��d i form av kommunikation, information samt ett emotionellt st��d fr��n v��rdpersonal. St��det ska utformas efter patientens unika situation och n��r sjukv��rden ��r tillg��nglig f��r patienterna minskas deras stress. Patienterna upplevde st��d under diagnosperioden d�� sjuksk��terskan erh��ll god f��rm��ga att bem��ta och kommunicera p�� ett adekvat s��tt. Slutsats Studien visar att det kr��vs en god relation mellan br��stcancer drabbade kvinnor och v��rdaren f��r att kvinnorna ska k��nna st��d.

Avalia����o das organiza����es de cuidados da sa��de das pessoas com HIV/AIDS

Esta tese apresenta conceitos, estrat��gias e m��todos de avalia����o aplicados sobre as organiza����es de cuidados da sa��de das pessoas com HIV/AIDS, procurando argumentar sobre a adequa����o de certos modos de articula����o e significa����o. A forma de perceber e de pensar as organiza����es implica na forma de perceber e de pensar a avalia����o das organiza����es. Avaliar �� atribuir valor e os valores s��o hist��ricos e contextuais. A avalia����o das organiza����es de cuidados da sa��de das pessoas com HIV/AIDS foi realizada a partir dos pilares da qualidade de Donabedian (efic��cia, efici��ncia, efetividade, equidade, aceitabilidade, legitima����o e otimiza����o), que funcionam como territ��rios tem��ticos onde s��o produzidas informa����es por diferentes atores internos e externos. Foram identificadas refer��ncias para futuras indaga����es, cr��ticas e atividades de avalia����o. A avalia����o pode fazer parte dos processos de comunica����o, discuss��o e de decis��o das organiza����es para melhoria da sua qualidade, no sentido de maior satisfa����o dos seus clientes usu��rios.

Psicologia e profiss��o: neurose profissional e a atua����o do psic��logo organizacional frente �� quest��o

Este artigo pretende fazer um levantamento bibliogr��fico sobre a neurose profissional, cujos sintomas s��o entendidos como a express��o simb��lica de um conflito ps��quico que se desenvolve a partir de uma situa����o organizacional ou profissional determinada. O diagn��stico �� formado a partir das queixas mencionadas, da hist��ria de trabalho e da an��lise da situa����o de trabalho atual. Entende-se que condi����es estressantes de trabalho, associadas ao contexto social de desemprego e competitividade, contribuem para o aparecimento de doen��as mentais como a neurose profissional. As formas de tratamento para essa doen��a, al��m da psicoterapia individual, envolvem a a����o integrada de uma equipe multiprofissional capacitada para lidar com o sofrimento ps��quico do trabalhador e com os aspectos sociais e de interven����o nos ambientes de trabalho. Ressalta-se a car��ncia de literatura sobre o tema estudado e a import��ncia de se ampliar a discuss��o sobre os fatores de risco no trabalho, os determinantes ps��quicos para o desenvolvimento da neurose profissional e o papel do psic��logo no contexto de preven����o e promo����o da sa��de mental.

Monitoring Programmes, Multiple Stress Analysis and Decision Support for River Basin Management

The identification of plausible causes for water body status deterioration will be much easier if it can build on available, reliable, extensive and comprehensive biogeochemical monitoring data (preferably aggregated in a database). A plausible identification of such causes is a prerequisite for well-informed decisions on which mitigation or remediation measures to take. In this chapter, first a rationale for an extended monitoring programme is provided; it is then compared to the one required by the Water Framework Directive (WFD). This proposal includes a list of relevant parameters that are needed for an integrated, a priori status assessment. Secondly, a few sophisticated statistical tools are described that subsequently allow for the estiation of the magnitude of impairment as well as the likely relative importance of different stressors in a multiple stressed environment. The advantages and restrictions of these rather complicated analytical methods are discussed. Finally, the use of Decision Support Systems (DSS) is advocated with regard to the specific WFD implementation requirements.

Expectation-based types of volunteers in Swiss sports clubs

Volunteer research in sports clubs has paid hardly any attention to the individual expectations even though matching conditions to the specific volunteer���s expectations represents a major management challenge. This article presents a person-oriented approach to the expectation profiles of volunteers that delivers the basis for identifying different volunteer segments. The approach assumes explicitly that volunteers in sports clubs develop specific expectations regarding their working conditions. These expectations were determined in a sample of 441 members of 45 selected sports clubs. Proximately, a cluster analysis revealed that volunteers vary in their expectations regarding voluntary work. Four different types of volunteers could be identified: (1) recognition seekers, (2) material incentive seekers, (3) participation and communication seekers, and (4) support seekers. These ���expectation-based volunteer types��� could also be characterized in socioeconomic, membershiprelated, and volunteer-work-related terms. These types could serve as a basis for designing specific voluntary work conditions in sports clubs.

In the aftermath of medical error : Caring for patients, family, and the healthcare workers involved

Medical errors, in particular those resulting in harm, pose a serious situation for patients ("first victims") and the healthcare workers involved ("second victims") and can have long-lasting and distressing consequences. To prevent a second traumatization, appropriate and empathic interaction with all persons involved is essential besides error analysis. Patients share a nearly universal, broad preference for a complete disclosure of incidents, regardless of age, gender, or education. This includes the personal, timely and unambiguous disclosure of the adverse event, information relating to the event, its causes and consequences, and an apology and sincere expression of regret. While the majority of healthcare professionals generally support and honest and open disclosure of adverse events, they also face various barriers which impede the disclosure (e.g., fear of legal consequences). Despite its essential importance, disclosure of adverse events in practice occurs in ways that are rarely acceptable to patients and their families. The staff involved often experiences acute distress and an intense emotional response to the event, which may become chronic and increase the risk of depression, burnout and post-traumatic stress disorders. Communication with peers is vital for people to be able to cope constructively and protectively with harmful errors. Survey studies among healthcare workers show, however, that they often do not receive sufficient individual and institutional support. Healthcare organizations should prepare for medical errors and harmful events and implement a communication plan and a support system that covers the requirements and different needs of patients and the staff involved.

Biomedical informatics applications for epilepsy management: A systematic review

Epilepsy is a very complex disease which can have a variety of etiologies, co-morbidities, and a long list of psychosocial factors4. Clinical management of epilepsy patients typically includes serological tests, EEG's, and imaging studies to determine the single best antiepileptic drug (AED). Self-management is a vital component of achieving optimal health when living with a chronic disease. For patients with epilepsy self-management includes any necessary actions to control seizures and cope with any subsequent effects of the condition9; including aspects of treatment, seizure, and lifestyle. The use of computer-based applications can allow for more effective use of clinic visits and ultimately enhance the patient-provider relationship through focused discussion of determinants affecting self-management. ^ The purpose of this study is to conduct a systematic literature review on informatics application in epilepsy self-management in an effort to describe current evidence for informatics applications and decision support as an adjunct to successful clinical management of epilepsy. Each publication was analyzed for the type of study design utilized. ^ A total of 68 publications were included and categorized by the study design used, development stage, and clinical domain. Descriptive study designs comprised of three-fourths of the publications and indicate an underwhelming use of prospective studies. The vast majority of prospective studies also focused on clinician use to increase knowledge in treating patients with epilepsy. ^ Due to the chronic nature of epilepsy and the difficulty that both clinicians and patients can experience in managing epilepsy, more prospective studies are needed to evaluate applications that can effectively increase management activities. Within the last two decades of epilepsy research, management studies have employed the use of biomedical informatics applications. While the use of computer applications to manage epilepsy has increased, more progress is needed.^

Healthy waterways: Healthy catchments - An integrated research/management program to understand and reduce impacts of sediments and nutrients on waterways in Queensland, Australia

The Moreton Bay Waterways and Catchments Partnership, now branded the Healthy Waterways Partnership, has built on the experience of the past 15 years here in South East Queensland (SEQ). It focuses on water quality and the ecosystem health of our freshwater, estuarine and marine systems through the implementation of actions by individual partners and the collective oversight of a regional work program that assists partners to prioritise their investments and address emerging issues. This regional program includes monitoring, reporting, marketing and communication, development of decision support tools, research that is directed to problem solving, and maintaining extensive consultative and engagement arrangements. The Partnership has produced information-based outcomes which have led to significant cost savings in the protection of water quality and ecosystem resources by its stakeholders. This has been achieved by: ��� providing a clear focus for management actions that has ownership of governments, industry and community; ��� targeted scientific research to address issues requiring appropriate management actions; ��� management actions based on a sound understanding of the waterways and rigorous public consultation; and, ��� development and implementation of a strategy that incorporates commitments from all levels of stakeholders. While focusing on our waterways, the Partnership���s approach includes addressing catchment management issues particularly relating to the management of diffuse pollution sources in both urban and rural landscapes as well as point source loads. We are now working with other stakeholders to develop a framework for integrated water management that will link water quality and water quantity goals and priorities.

Probabilistic Graphical Modelling for Software Product Lines: A Frameweork for Modeling and Reasoning under Uncertainty

This work provides a holistic investigation into the realm of feature modeling within software product lines. The work presented identifies limitations and challenges within the current feature modeling approaches. Those limitations include, but not limited to, the dearth of satisfactory cognitive presentation, inconveniency in scalable systems, inflexibility in adapting changes, nonexistence of predictability of models behavior, as well as the lack of probabilistic quantification of model���s implications and decision support for reasoning under uncertainty. The work in this thesis addresses these challenges by proposing a series of solutions. The first solution is the construction of a Bayesian Belief Feature Model, which is a novel modeling approach capable of quantifying the uncertainty measures in model parameters by a means of incorporating probabilistic modeling with a conventional modeling approach. The Bayesian Belief feature model presents a new enhanced feature modeling approach in terms of truth quantification and visual expressiveness. The second solution takes into consideration the unclear support for the reasoning under the uncertainty process, and the challenging constraint satisfaction problem in software product lines. This has been done through the development of a mathematical reasoner, which was designed to satisfy the model constraints by considering probability weight for all involved parameters and quantify the actual implications of the problem constraints. The developed Uncertain Constraint Satisfaction Problem approach has been tested and validated through a set of designated experiments. Profoundly stating, the main contributions of this thesis include the following: ��� Develop a framework for probabilistic graphical modeling to build the purported Bayesian belief feature model. ��� Extend the model to enhance visual expressiveness throughout the integration of colour degree variation; in which the colour varies with respect to the predefined probabilistic weights. ��� Enhance the constraints satisfaction problem by the uncertainty measuring of the parameters truth assumption. ��� Validate the developed approach against different experimental settings to determine its functionality and performance.

Multi-Agent Simulation and Management Practices

Intelligent agents offer a new and exciting way of understanding the world of work. Agent-Based Simulation (ABS), one way of using intelligent agents, carries great potential for progressing our understanding of management practices and how they link to retail performance. We have developed simulation models based on research by a multi-disciplinary team of economists, work psychologists and computer scientists. We will discuss our experiences of implementing these concepts working with a well-known retail department store. There is no doubt that management practices are linked to the performance of an organisation (Reynolds et al., 2005; Wall & Wood, 2005). Best practices have been developed, but when it comes down to the actual application of these guidelines considerable ambiguity remains regarding their effectiveness within particular contexts (Siebers et al., forthcoming a). Most Operational Research (OR) methods can only be used as analysis tools once management practices have been implemented. Often they are not very useful for giving answers to speculative ���what-if��� questions, particularly when one is interested in the development of the system over time rather than just the state of the system at a certain point in time. Simulation can be used to analyse the operation of dynamic and stochastic systems. ABS is particularly useful when complex interactions between system entities exist, such as autonomous decision making or negotiation. In an ABS model the researcher explicitly describes the decision process of simulated actors at the micro level. Structures emerge at the macro level as a result of the actions of the agents and their interactions with other agents and the environment. We will show how ABS experiments can deal with testing and optimising management practices such as training, empowerment or teamwork. Hence, questions such as ���will staff setting their own break times improve performance?��� can be investigated.