Background: Enhancing the performance of front-line health workers serving vulnerable populations is crucial for redressing inequities. Traditional approaches have focused on introducing technical solutions, such as guidelines and incentives, to modify performance outcomes. Recognition of the complex social nature of health system function draws attention to the intangible software elements that shape performance, including the values, ideas, interests, and norms that guide human behavior and interactions. Insight into the operation of software elements can provide a base for people-focused solutions to support health workers and enable them to confront constraints in low resource settings. This study examines the social environment of the practice of front-line auxiliary nurses (AN) in rural Guatemala, in order to understand the role of health system software elements in enabling their performance and to gain insight into how organizational support can be strengthened through locally-relevant actions. Methods: A mixed methods approach provided a multi-level view of the AN practice environment, situated in the regional health system of the rural department of Alta Verapaz. Interviews with ANs and observations of practice were conducted to understand the values orienting them and how these shaped their relationships with patients and communities. A theory-driven case study of AN supervision was conducted in selected health posts to understand the values orienting supervisors in their role and examine how these shaped their relationships with ANs. The participatory method of concept mapping was used to examine the views of health workers, district and regional managers on actions to strengthen organizational support for the performance of ANs. Results: The values of nursing vocation and community connectedness were prominent in ANs’ interpretations of their work. In relationships, nursing principles oriented them to be attentive to understanding patient needs, and a shared ethnic identity and personal experience of local needs served as a base for engaging with local leaders in community work. The dominant orientation of supervisors in their role was managerial control, and it provided limited support. It contributed to standard-centered relationships with ANs focused on fulfillment of ministry criteria. Supervision oriented by a holistic understanding of ANs’ needs and the goal of improving patient care was more successful in enabling AN motivation. This relationship was characterized as people-centered, based in a shared interpretation of the value of work with patients and the responsive support provided to ANs’ problems. “Organizational climate of support across levels”, where working relationships are characterized by respectful treatment, attention to psycho-social well-being and responsiveness to needs, was identified by health-system actors as a top priority for improving performance. Conclusions: To enable performance, there needs to be a balance between attention to standards and attention to the human dimensions of health worker practice. The dominant approach to supervision did not recognize or build on AN values. Supervision and management should be oriented by a more holistic view of the ANs’ work and their needs, in order to promote a people-centered approach to working relationships. Locally relevant action to strengthen district and regional management’s support for AN performance should focus on operationalizing performance goals that go beyond standards to encompass care that responds to patient and community needs.

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / Mobile telephones are impacting societies around the world and text messaging, short type-written messages sent via mobile phones, has also garnered international research efforts. Research demonstrates that text messages are being used primarily to commence, advance, maintain or otherwise impact interpersonal relationships. The present study probes relational benefits of text messaging within familial and fraternal contexts. Specifically, the study seeks to answer the research question: How does text messaging impact feelings of “connectedness” (IJsselsteijn, van Baren & van Lanen, 2003, p. 928) within “strong-tie” (Howard, et. al., 2006), dyadic relationships? Findings from nineteen respondent interviews show that texting becomes a channel through which dialectical tensions in relationships are played out. Respondents use texting to both assert autonomy and to maintain connectedness with relational partners. Several participants noted that financial issues were an important consideration but nevertheless subscribed to texting services. Users also perceived texting as more constant and more private than mobile voice interaction. Romantic pairs vis-à-vis non-romantic dyads perceived the benefits of text messages differently.

Current chemotherapeutics pose many di sadvantages due to their lack of specificity and low therapeutic index. To overcome these challenges, research has focused its attention on the development of nano-based delivery systems that can penetrate the leaky vasculature of tumor endothelium, use site-directed ligands that can bind with high affinity and specific ity to tumor cells, physically entrap poorly soluble drugs, and deliver these cytotoxic agents directly to the tumor site. One approach to nanosystem drug delivery is with the use of peptide amphiphiles (PAs) that are conjugated with the Arginine-Glycine-Aspartic Acid (RGD) motif to actively target a αVβ3 integrin receptors on cancer cells or tumor endothelium. The current work is focused on mechanistic studies to evaluate the uptake of novel RGD amphiphi les with varying alkyl chain lengths (palmitic acid : Cl 6 and stearic acid: C 18) and hydrophilic linkers, 8-amino- 3,6-dioxaoctonoic acid (ADA) or glucose, as micellar delivery systems of hydrophobic anticancer agents. PAs were confirmed for their self-assembling properties and further evaluated for their RGD-mediated binding specificity to purified αVβ3 integrin through a competitive binding fluorescence polarization assay (with novel RGD micelles displacing an integrin-bound fluorescent RGD probe by as much as 63.03%). Ultimately, these nanocarriers were assessed for their ability to deliver phys ically entrapped fluorescein isoth iocyanate (FITC) to A2058 cells overexpressing αVβ3 integrin receptors. Results from confocal microscopy indicate that uptake of RGD micelles was driven by an energy-dependent mechanism, as statistically significant levels of FITC internalization was seen at 37°C versus 4°C (p-value<0.05 for all treatment groups); moreover, intracellular fluorescence was notably higher (as much as 4-fold) when delivered through novel RGD conjugates as opposed to its free form. Regardless of chain length and the number of hydrophilic linkers, all RGD PAs showed promising results as micellar carriers that can effectively deliver their payload to the target tumor site via receptor mediated endocytosis.

<div>The goal of this research was to improve crop yield and quality and enhance nutrient use efficiency of aquaponics for the development of sustainable aquaponic production system. Aquaponics is the integration of aquaculture and hydroponics by recirculating water and residual nutrients resulting from aquaculture wastewater into hydroponic crop production. The project had four objectives. The first objective was to characterize nutrient composition and accumulation in recirculating water and plant parts of tomato, basil, and lettuce grown in aquaponic systems, and to compare their growth and yield with those grown in hydroponic systems. The second objective was to determine the effects of feeding management regime on water quality, crop yield and quality, and N use efficiency for vegetable and herb production in recirculating aquaponics in comparison to hydroponics. The third objective was to optimize water-flow rate for efficient aquaponic system for maximum crop yield. The fourth objective was to investigate and compare the N and P mass balance between aquaponics and hydroponics. Four conclusions were determined that 1) Aquaponic solution was deficient in Ca and/or Mg leading to plant nutrient deficiency but sufficient or high in P; And luxuriant nutrient profiles in hydroponics are not necessary to enhance crop yield in aquaponics as long as key factors affecting crop yield are identified and properly addressed. 2) Uniform feeding regime improved water quality by reducing toxic ions and enhancing initial nutrient availability and considerably increased the yield, quality and nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) of crops in aquaponics as close or similar to those in hydroponics. 3) Flow rate is an important factor affecting water quality parameters and optimizing flow rate is essential to maximize aquaponic crop production and improve energy efficiency; High hydraulic loading rate at 3.3 m3/m2-day improved performance and yield of all crops in an aquaponics system regardless of their growth rate, but the water hydraulic loading rate for fast-growing and medium-growing crops can be reduced to 2.2 m3/m2-day without production reduction. 4) Plant species had significant influence on N and P removal and mass balance in aquaponics and hydroponics; Fruity vegetables showed better growth adaption in aquaponic system, while yields of leafy vegetables may be reduced when grown in aquaponics than hydroponics; Aquaponics is more efficient than hydroponics releasing less environmental wastes, however, N and P use efficiency in aquaponics and hydroponics can be further improved via proper management.</div><div>The important findings obtained from this research will fill the knowledge gap in aquaponic research and provide new management strategies to improve quantitative study of aquaponic crop production and new management strategies for cultivating crops in aquaponics. The findings will also greatly contribute to the commercial aquaponic development, and ultimately improve food security and resource use efficiency in the US and global agricultural production.</div>

<p>Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are best known for their potential to help plants acquire nutrients, especially phosphorous. These microbes improve soil health by promoting soil aggregation and carbon sequestration, and further benefit plants by helping them withstand biotic and abiotic stress. Currently, there are 200 recognized species of AMF within the phylum Glomeromycota. Recent studies indicate that individual AMF species differ in the benefits they provide, with some even acting as parasites. Moreover, AMF community composition can be altered by soil and crop management practices, but the effect of these changes on the benefits conferred by AMF are still not well understood. Consequently, the goal of this study was to determine how two widely used crop management systems can alter the composition of AMF species, and affect the potential for these communities to promote the productivity and drought tolerance. To accomplish this goal, we collected AMF inoculum from a long-term crop systems trial comparing organic and conventional management for use in greenhouse trials where we subjected plants to drought. We collected AMF inoculum during mid-summer when differences between the two management systems were likely cause larger effects on AMF communities, and again in autumn after harvest to see if differences in AMF communities would persist. We determined AMF species composition using next generation sequencing. Results of this study confirm that soil-building practices commonly used in organic farming systems can improve soil health and increase the productivity of food-grade soybeans. They also demonstrate that AMF communities in Indiana croplands are highly diverse, and some of these taxa can improve soybean growth and help plants tolerate water stress. Although the overall diversity of AMF communities did not differ between the organic and conventional management systems in mid-summer, individual AMF taxa did differ between the systems, which were likely responsible for the greater tolerance to water stress observed when plants were amended with inoculum from the organic system. AMF communities present during autumn were significantly different between the two crop management systems, but did not result in differences in drought tolerance of soybeans, indicating that the loss of key AMF taxa in the organic system from the first relative to the second experiment was likely responsible. Finally, plants grown using inoculum from both crop management systems in autumn had greater tolerance to water stress than plants that received a AMF commercial inoculum. This provides further evidence that individual AMF species vary in the benefits they provide, and that the presence of a diverse consortium of AMF species is needed to optimize plant health and productivity in agricultural systems. Agricultural producers should consider incorporating soil-building practices that are commonly used in organic farming systems such as planting winter cover crops, to improve the health of their soil and enhance the productivity of their crops. <b></b></p> <br>

The Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) recognizes five computing disciplines: Computer Science (CS), Computer Engineering (CE), Information Technology (IT), Information Systems (IS), and Software Engineering (SE). Founded in 1947 the ACM is the world's largest society for computing educators, researchers, and professionals. While Computer Science has been a degree program since 1962, the other four are relatively new. This research focuses on understanding the graduate research in four of the five ACM disciplines (CS, CE, IT, and IS) using a large body of thesis and dissertation metadata. SE is not found in the metadata and graduate work in SE is not included. IS is no longer officially found in the metadata so its representative ProQuest replacement, Information Science although not an ACM recognized discipline is used based on the commonality of the associated ProQuest Classification code. The research is performed using co-word and graph analysis of author-supplied Classifications, Departments, and keywords. Similarities and differences between the disciplines are identified. Whether the computing discipline is the primary or the secondary focus of the research makes a large difference in the connections it makes with other academic disciplines. It was found that the Departments from which computing research originates varies widely but the majority come from computing-related Departments. Finally, gaps are apparent from the practitioners' views of the computing disciplines versus the public's view.

Le projet d'une " théorie générale des systèmes " fut avancé à partir de 1937 par le philosophe et biologiste autrichien Ludwig von Bertalanffy (1901-1972). Une histoire en est entreprise dans la présente thèse, décrivant cette " théorie " comme une science générale de l'interprétation systémique du " réel ", ou " systémologie générale ". L'enquête généalogique ici menée révèle les origines des valeurs et de schèmes conceptuels qui structurèrent le projet bertalanffien, ainsi que la problématique initiale dont il fut issu. Les dynamiques intellectuelles ayant présidé à sa genèse sont ensuite considérées : l'attention est focalisée sur la théorie " perspectiviste " de la connaissance de von Bertalanffy, sur les conséquences qui en découlèrent pour sa philosophie des sciences et son concept de système, et sur ses multiples contributions à la biologie théorique (en particulier à la biologie mathématique). Les premières publications sur la " systémologie générale " sont analysées, et il est rendu compte de la rapide transformation de celle-ci en un projet collectif au milieu des années 1950. Il suscita la création aux États-Unis de la Society for General Systems Research, où convergèrent les diverses composantes d'un " mouvement systémique ". Sont mises en évidence les difficultés des promoteurs de la " systémologie générale " à trouver les voies de son actualisation dans cette société scientifique. Mais il est aussi montré que ce projet a jusqu'aux années 1970 bénéficié de contributions significatives. Un cadre systématique est proposé, qui établit leur complémentarité et leur unité tout en clarifiant la structure et les fonctions de ce qui est nommé ici l'" herméneutique systémologique ".

Information Communication Technology (ICT) is in the discourse of international development,which is often considered as the key to socio- economic development in the sense that it helps tosolve social problems and increases the rate of economic growth. ICT policies are situated in thiscontext. Many international agencies advocate certain policies in order to accelerate economicgrowth and development in so-called developing countries. In 2009, Bangladesh enacted itsNational ICT Policy setting a broad vision to establish a transparent, responsive and accountablegovernment; developed skilled human resources; and to enhance social equity through anextended use of ICT. Following this vision multiple objectives have been addressed where socialequity and integrity are prioritized in the name of developing a socially equitable and integratedsociety through ICT. The research task of this work is to analyze the discourse of this strategyand to compare it to social reality. The ‘Theory of Communicative Action’ (TCA), which isbased on the four validity claims - truth, legitimacy, sincerity, and clarity - is used to demonstratehow social equity and integrity are addressed as objectives and what claims are made in theaction items with regard to these two objectives and how far such claims reflect social reality.Keywords:Information Communication Technology (ICT), National ICT Policy, Social Equity, Integrity,Communicative Action Theory, Critical Discourse Analysis, Validity Claims, ICT4D, CriticalTheory, Critical Information Systems research.

In recent years the amount of information on the web has increased dramatically. As a result, it has become a challenge for the researchers to find effective ways that can help us query and extract meaning from these large repositories. Standard document search engines try to address the problem by presenting the users a ranked list of relevant documents. In most cases, this is not enough as the end-user has to go through the entire document to find out the answer he is looking for. Question answering, which is the retrieving of answers to natural language questions from a document collection, tries to remove the onus on the end-user by providing direct access to relevant information. This thesis is concerned with open-domain complex question answering. Unlike simple questions, complex questions cannot be answered easily as they often require inferencing and synthesizing information from multiple documents. Hence, we considered the task of complex question answering as query-focused multi-document summarization. In this thesis, to improve complex question answering we experimented with both empirical and machine learning approaches. We extracted several features of different types (i.e. lexical, lexical semantic, syntactic and semantic) for each of the sentences in the document collection in order to measure its relevancy to the user query. We have formulated the task of complex question answering using reinforcement framework, which to our best knowledge has not been applied for this task before and has the potential to improve itself by fine-tuning the feature weights from user feedback. We have also used unsupervised machine learning techniques (random walk, manifold ranking) and augmented semantic and syntactic information to improve them. Finally we experimented with question decomposition where instead of trying to find the answer of the complex question directly, we decomposed the complex question into a set of simple questions and synthesized the answers to get our final result. / x, 128 leaves : ill. ; 29 cm

[Truncated abstract] The dominant approaches to knowledge management practice and the design of knowledge management systems are driven by a resource-based view of knowledge. In this thesis, it is argued that the resource-based view of knowledge is limited and lacks social sensitivity. In this thesis, Knowledge Management is viewed as a social activity and the development and examination of an alternate approach to conceptualising the social processes of knowledge management in organisations, is the primary objective. In pursuing this objective, the question of whether an activity-based view of knowledge processes can assist the design of knowledge management practice and systems is examined. To address this research question, a conceptual framework is developed which redefines the conventional, universal approach to knowledge context . . . From an organisational perspective, the ABCs framework suggests that the institutionalisation and contextualisation of knowledge provides management with another dimension for considering knowledge management and knowledge management systems implementation. The findings from the case study suggest that knowledge workers are influenced by environmental factors. As a result, organisations can use this research to develop knowledge management practices that take environmental factors into consideration. As a starting point for organisations, the findings from the case studies are used to develop a set of guidelines for the design of knowledge management practice and systems. Further research is suggested in terms of extending to considerations of other aspects of Luhmann’s theories and exploring other complexity sciences as the basis of knowledge management.