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As science becomes more dependent upon digital data, the need for data curation and for data digital libraries becomes more urgent. Questions remain about what researchers consider to be their data, their criteria for selecting and trusting data, and their orientation to data challenges. This paper reports findings from the first 18 months of research on astronomy data practices from the Data Conservancy. Initial findings suggest that issues for data production, use, preservation, and sharing revolve around factors that rarely are accommodated in use cases for digital library system design including trust in data, funding structures, communication channels, and perceptions of scientific value.

As science becomes more dependent upon digital data, the need for data curation and for data digital libraries becomes more urgent. Questions remain about what researchers consider to be their data, their criteria for selecting and trusting data, and their orientation to data challenges. This paper reports findings from the first 18 months of research on astronomy data practices from the Data Conservancy. Initial findings suggest that issues for data production, use, preservation, and sharing revolve around factors that rarely are accommodated in use cases for digital library system design including trust in data, funding structures, communication channels, and perceptions of scientific value.

Data, statistical models and inferential procedures permeate CENS deployments, from the four founding scientific application areas to the more recent urban sensing campaigns. This cross-center research breaks down into three classes of research: 1) General statistical models for embedded sensing, with specific applications to data quality and continuous sampling, 2) Significant CENS-designed and supported databases and repositories, and 3) Studies into the data lifecycle for embedded sensing systems.

Georg Simmel developed many important insights on the social construction of space, linked to developments in urban ecology and communciation studies. These include concepts of personal space, social distance, and social boundaries.

This report describes the results of a survey of social science jounals to document trends in the application of spatial approaches in different disciplines between 1990 and 2001. An appendix about the related CSISS web search engine and its controlled vocabulary is provided for those interested in the semantic and ontological foundations of this report regarding applications of geographical information science and  spatial analysis in the social sciences.

With the publication of Über den Standort der Industrie (Theory of the Location of Industries) in 1909, Alfred Weber  developed  a general theory of industrial location. His model took into account spatial factors for finding the optimal location and minimal cost for manufacturing plants.

Between 1886 and 1903 Charles Booth produced a remarkable series of maps of London carefully coded for social class with data gathered by visiting, literally, every street in London.

Most people learn and internalize their sense of ethical behavior many years before they assume positions of organizational responsibility. Continued training in ethics helps to develop new understanding and supports ethical behavior. It is also useful to increase the cognitive skills of executives making decisions affecting firms and stakeholders. One key to ethical executive decision making is the further development of critical thinking skills. This article looks at the relationship between critical thinking, organizational uncertainty, and ethical behavior. It also describes an instructional design using a series of business vignettes for executive action with uncertain functional and ethical outcomes. (Five appendixes include: (1) Strategy Under Uncertainty; (2) Ethical Decision-Making Checklist; (3) Vignettes; (4) Super-Streamlined Conception Of Critical Thinking; and (5) Questions for Debriefing. Contains 1 figure.)

Project management provides a natural home for organizational learning, freeing it from mechanical processes. Organizational learning plays a critical role in intelligent project management, which combines manageability, performance outcomes of knowledge management, and innovation. Learning should be integrated into an organization's core processes. (SK)

A tower-building exercise originally intended to illustrate how to direct subordinates was redesigned to reflect contemporary organizational structures. It helps participants examine the issue of who really leads in nonhierarchical, self-managed teams. (JOW)

This article is a letter published in the British Journal of General Practice discussing the book "Humanity's Conundrum" by David Zigmond. The letter explores the concept of suffering and its integral role in human existence. It specifically focuses on two psychological diseases, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and trauma-related depression, which can develop as a result of traumatic events. The letter emphasizes the need for primary healthcare professionals to receive adequate training in order to effectively address the suffering caused by trauma-related difficulties. [Extracted from the article]

Background: Palliative care has been successfully integrated into many Muslim-majority countries, most frequently in urbanised areas with developed health care systems. Less is known as to how the concept of palliative care is perceived by Muslim populations and health workers in rural, resource-limited contexts. Aim: This study seeks to explore whether the principles of palliative care are congruent with the perspectives of health professionals, families and communities in rural areas of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, in West Africa. Design: A qualitative research design was employed underpinned by a constructionist paradigm. Data were collected through 31 interviews and 8 focus groups. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. Setting/participants: A total of 76 participants were recruited from across rural Mauritania; 33 health care professionals, 12 recently bereaved family members and 31 community leaders. Data collection occurred during training events in the capital and visits to villages and rural health posts. Results: Three major themes were identified. First, there is a perceived lack of congruency between an illness which limits life and the strong belief in destiny. The second theme describes the perceived barriers to communication of issues relating to palliative care. Finally, a good death is described, framed within the interplay of religious faith and cultural practices. Conclusion: The palliative care ethos is viewed positively by the majority of participants. The need to understand and respect a Muslim individual's faith does not diminish our obligation to personalise palliative care provided for them and their family. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article promotes the understanding of how children experience chronic illness in Mauritania, West Africa. The analysis of interviews with 31 children highlights the impact of health care on children. Children construct their own unique interpretations of their illness, employing concepts from the biomedical and popular approaches to health. This research contributes to literature by expanding the understanding of how children minimise the symptom burden to maintain hope and reduce the social impact of their illness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]