Using Survey Data and Mathematical Modeling to Prioritize Water Interventions in Developing Countries

Water Resources Management - A traditional cost-benefit analysis of potential water interventions in a given locality is a laborious and time-intensive process. To help decision makers identify...     

Informal learning with PDAs and smartphones

Abstract There has been increasing interest in informal learning in recent years alongside interest in how such learning can be supported by technology. However, relatively little is known about the extent to which adults make use of their own mobile devices to support informal learning. In this study, a survey was used to investigate whether, and to what extent, experienced users of mobile devices use their mobile devices to support intentional informal learning. If so, do they make use of mobile device connectivity to support opportunistic informal learning and does such connectivity support or encourage collaborative informal learning? Experienced mobile device users were recruited from web forums and business, and asked whether they used their devices to support informal learning. A pattern of learning uses emerged, some of which deployed the mobile device capabilities relatively unchanged, others triggered adaptations to typical learning activities to provide a better fit to the needs of the learner. These informal learning activities provided the basis for the design of a flexible mobile learning framework that can be extended to support developments in mobile technology, and increasing use of Web 2.0 technologies by informal learners.     

Research on friction reducing agents

Experiments with long chain, linear polymers have resulted in an additive that reduces friction losses in fire fighting handlines. Some of the work done suggests a potential application of such a product in automatic sprinkler systems. Note: An adaptation of a paper delivered by the author to the Society of Fire Protection Engineers’ Seminar No. 2 held in conjunction with the 76th Annual Meeting of the National Fire Protection Association in Philadelphia, May 18, 1972.     

River wildlife databases and their value for sensitive environmental management

A survey over a 3-year period, which commenced in 1987, of the plant and bird communities along 1200 km of river in Lincolnshire and South Humberside, Eastern England, is described. Analysis of data from 247 km of river recorded a great diversity of wildlife, comprising 570 species of plant and 80 species of breeding birds. The management value of such surveys is discussed and these include the preparation of detailed maps of each 500m section of river, which illustrate the habitat structure, and plant and bird communities. A maintenance procedure for each 500 m section of river is then agreed between conservation and operations personnel, preventing areas of wildlife importance from being accidentally destroyed. An index which combines both the diversity and rarity of the plant and bird communities is proposed as a measure of conservation importance. This index allows sections of river to be graded according to their conservation value into one of five groups. The surveys also enable predictions to be made of the effects of management actions on the wildlife and provide information by which fundamental reviews of operational activities can be carried out.     

Authentication of borage oil

Over the past 30 years borage (Borago officinalis) has become established as a speciality oilseed crop grown exclusively for its oil, a rich source of gamma linolenic acid (GLA), C18 : 3n – 6. GLA is metabolised in the human body from linoleic acid and is itself a precursor in the formation of dihomo‐gammalinolenic acid, arachidonic acid and metabolites of these, prostaglandins, leukotrienes and thromboxanes. The oil is used extensively in the nutritional supplements, cosmetics and pet care industries primarily for its anti‐inflammatory and skin health properties. Global usage is estimated to be approximately 1000 tonnes per year and oil is usually traded on the basis of its GLA content with higher contents attracting a premium commercially. In recent years the development of competitively priced high GLA sources, particularly oils from genetically modified safflower have resulted in an increase in the aduleration of borage oil to raise GLA levels. Analytical and statistical techniques have now been developed to assist authenticating borage oil samples.     

Easy on that trigger dad: a study of long term family photo retrieval

We examine the effects of new technologies for digital photography on people’s longer term storage and access to collections of personal photos. We report an empirical study of parents’ ability to retrieve photos related to salient family events from more than a year ago. Performance was relatively poor with people failing to find almost 40% of pictures. We analyze participants’ organizational and access strategies to identify reasons for this poor performance. Possible reasons for retrieval failure include: storing too many pictures, rudimentary organization, use of multiple storage systems, failure to maintain collections and participants’ false beliefs about their ability to access photos. We conclude by exploring the technical and theoretical implications of these findings.