Useful links for Earth Science
Library Databases for Earth Science
Electronic Journals for Earth Science
Australian Severe Weather
Climatology and Paleoclimatology Resources
Resource list compiled by the Dept. of Oceanography at Texas A&M University.
Earthguide
An interactive and easy-to-use educational resource about Earth, oceans and the environment.
Earth Science Australia
Flinders University School of Chemistry, Physics and Earth Sciences (SOCPES)
Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory Gallery
Contains several visualizations which have been prepared in the course of GFDL's research, and subsequently presented at meetings and in the media. These are offered here not so much as scientific research results, nor do they necessarily represent the entire spectrum of research being conducted at GFDL, but rather as examples of various visualization techniques and how they might be used to convey complex results as understandable images. A number of visualizations are also available in the form of annotated handouts.
Geoscience Internet Links
This site contains extensive links for the geosciences. It is maintained by the Institute for Geosciences, University of Mainz, Germany.
Indigenous Weather Knowledge
The project recognises the knowledge of weather and climate developed over countless generations by Australia’s Indigenous communities, nicely complementing science and statistically based approaches.
NASA Earth Sciences Directorate Portal
National Groundwater Association (US)
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (US) Paleoclimatology Program
SA Museum-Journal SearchIn 2004, the South Australian Museum and the Royal Society of South Australia became partners in Southern Scientific Press. This led to the amalgamation of their two professional journals. The Transactions of the Royal Society of South Australia now incorporates the Records of the South Australian Museum.
This database covers papers from the old journals and the new combined journal, after five years from publication
Medical Knowledge Management
MeduKnowledge Corporate Website - http://meduknowledge.com/
Updated medical information and knowledge is by the far the most important component in the healthcare system. To ensure delivery of optimum treatment and patient care, it is imperative that every stakeholder in the healthcare system receives updated medical information relevant to his/her needs.
MeduKnowledge offers innovative medical knowledge management solutions that encompass all the stakeholders in the disease awareness, diagnosis, treatment, management and prevention through state-of-the-art technology and integrated Information Technology systems.
MeduKnowledge offers innovative medical knowledge management solutions that encompass all the stakeholders in the disease awareness, diagnosis, treatment, management and prevention through state-of-the-art technology and integrated Information Technology systems.
Healthcare Knowledge Management
Healthcare practitioners and managers increasingly find themselves in clinical situations where they have to think fast and process myriad diagnostic test results, medications and past treatment responses in order to make decisions. Effective problem solving in the clinical environment or classroom simulated lab depends on a healthcare professional's immediate access to fresh information. Unable to consult a library for information, the healthcare practitioner must learn to effectively manage knowledge while thinking on their toes.
Knowledge Management (KM) holds the key to this dilemma in the healthcare environment. KM places value on the tacit knowledge that individuals hold within an institution and often makes use of IT to free up the collective wisdom of individuals within an organization. Healthcare Knowledge Management: Issues, Advances and Successes will explore the nature of KM within contemporary healthcare institutions and associated organizations. It will provide readers with an understanding of approaches to the critical nature and use of knowledge by investigating healthcare-based KM systems. Designed to demystify the KM process and demonstrate its applicability in healthcare, this text offers contemporary and clinically-relevant lessons for future organizational implementations.
The editors of this book have assembled a group of international contributors that reflects the diversity of KM applications in the healthcare sector. While many KM texts suffer from pitching theoretical issues at too technical a level, Healthcare Knowledge Management approaches the topic from the more versatile "twin" perspectives of both academia and commerce. This unique text is integrative in nature – a practical guide to managing and developing KM that is underpinned by theory and research
Issues, Advances and Successes
Series: Health Informatics
Issues, Advances and Successes
Series: Health Informatics
Bali, Rajeev K.; Dwivedi, Ashish N. (Eds.)
2007, XXVI, 282 p. 33 illus., HardcoverISBN: 978-0-387-33540-7
Signs and Symptoms of Sleep Apnea and Acute Stroke Severity: Is Sleep Apnea Neuroprotective? .
Journal of Stroke and Cerebrovascular Diseases , Volume 16 , Issue 3 , Pages 114 - 118
S . Koch , S . Zuniga , A . Rabinstein , J . Romano , B . Nolan , J . Chirinos , A . Forteza
Abstract
Background: In animal models, brief periods of hypoxemia render the brain tolerant to subsequent ischemic insults. Sleep apnea leads to frequent episodes of nocturnal hypoxemia and may induce ischemic tolerance. Snoring and daytime sleepiness are cardinal symptoms of sleep apnea. We undertook this study to determine differences in stroke severity and early neurologic course in patients at risk for sleep apnea as determined by a sleep questionnaire. Methods: Patients admitted with acute ischemic stroke completed the Berlin questionnaire. The Berlin questionnaire examines habitual snoring, daytime sleepiness, presence of hypertension, and body mass index (BMI) and classifies patients into a high or low risk for sleep apnea group. National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score was determined on admission and day 5 of hospitalization. Age, sex, cardiovascular risk factors, BMI, and stroke mechanism were determined prospectively. Results: We enrolled 190 patients with a mean age of 60 years and 53% were men. The Berlin questionnaire classified 103 patients (54%) at high risk for sleep apnea. The median NIHSS score on admission and day 5 of hospitalization did not differ between the two groups after multivariate analysis. Examined separately, we found no effect of snoring, daytime sleepiness, or BMI on acute stroke severity and outcome. Conclusion: We found that a large number of patients admitted with acute ischemic stroke were at high risk for having sleep apnea. We were not able to show that a constellation of symptoms and features highly suggestive of sleep apnea influenced stroke severity or early neurologic course after acute ischemic stroke.
S . Koch , S . Zuniga , A . Rabinstein , J . Romano , B . Nolan , J . Chirinos , A . Forteza
Abstract
Background: In animal models, brief periods of hypoxemia render the brain tolerant to subsequent ischemic insults. Sleep apnea leads to frequent episodes of nocturnal hypoxemia and may induce ischemic tolerance. Snoring and daytime sleepiness are cardinal symptoms of sleep apnea. We undertook this study to determine differences in stroke severity and early neurologic course in patients at risk for sleep apnea as determined by a sleep questionnaire. Methods: Patients admitted with acute ischemic stroke completed the Berlin questionnaire. The Berlin questionnaire examines habitual snoring, daytime sleepiness, presence of hypertension, and body mass index (BMI) and classifies patients into a high or low risk for sleep apnea group. National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score was determined on admission and day 5 of hospitalization. Age, sex, cardiovascular risk factors, BMI, and stroke mechanism were determined prospectively. Results: We enrolled 190 patients with a mean age of 60 years and 53% were men. The Berlin questionnaire classified 103 patients (54%) at high risk for sleep apnea. The median NIHSS score on admission and day 5 of hospitalization did not differ between the two groups after multivariate analysis. Examined separately, we found no effect of snoring, daytime sleepiness, or BMI on acute stroke severity and outcome. Conclusion: We found that a large number of patients admitted with acute ischemic stroke were at high risk for having sleep apnea. We were not able to show that a constellation of symptoms and features highly suggestive of sleep apnea influenced stroke severity or early neurologic course after acute ischemic stroke.
Knowledge management in geological sciences
Article published in the Current Science Journal
Knowledge management (KM), an emerging concept reached the scientific world from the corporate domain during the past decade. The idea that various forms of knowledge, both explicit and tacit, if managed properly in organizations can yield better results is revolutionizing the world. Till date, KM has not permeated the scientific world to the extent that it should have. Scientists and academicians are basically knowledge-workers whose work involves application of multidimensional knowledge in their respective fields. Tremendous scope exists for the creation of knowledge repositories and networks in the scientific world for overall improvement in the quality of work. Also, a paradigm shift is taking place in organizational set-ups, from the conventional hierarchical organizations which are closed systems to Learning Organizations that encourage people to grow and develop, to share their knowledge and learn with others, and to learn from errors.
Geology, a major branch of science, involves application of knowledge about the earth and its processes for the betterment of human civilization. Geologic mapping, mineral exploration and groundwater studies are the important spheres of activity where skilled professionals work with the objective of identifying valuable resources for development. Knowledge relating to geological studies is mostly of the tacit type and can be captured only with the help of advanced technology and innovative ideas. Dissemination of this knowledge through networks would improve the overall quality of geological work by introducing greater professionalism. While geological knowledge in explicit form (in books, journals, websites) is transacted in educational and research contexts, that in a tacit form through skills and experience dominates a survey organization’s knowledge exchange.
In geological mapping and exploration programmes, the embedded organizational knowledge, including the tacit knowledge of senior professionals is seldom put to use. This handicap can be overcome only through the development of knowledge repositories in University departments, organizations such as the Geological Survey of India and research institutions involved in geological studies. Intranet-based networks within campuses and offices could well be the new vehicles of organized knowledge transfer in the institutional context, to benefit individuals as well as the society in general. Mining of knowledge from repositories using standard tools would pave the way for application of the right kind of knowledge for appropriate situations. Geology education, mineral and groundwater explorations, mining and geotechnical investigations would thus get a new lease of life with the application of KM principles in geology.
Organizational knowledge can be better collected and distributed through networks. Best practices and lessons learned by experience delivered through electronic knowledge networks directly enhance organizational performance. The Communities of Practice framework emphasize that informal learning and knowledge sharing depend on and exploit networks of connections among people who share a common interest. High-performance teams and a workforce sympathetic to institutional commitments can only develop such communities. Supportive social systems built upon trust and commitment are indispensable for the smooth operation of knowledge networks. Useful geological knowledge pertaining to mineral exploration disseminated through knowledge networks would directly improve the quality of geological work being carried out both inside and outside the organizations.
Knowledge repositories could transform conventional organizations into intelligent ones that possess the ability to utilize their collective memory for greater performance. Thus, a trainee geologist entrusted with the task of carrying out a mineral exploration project can perform well if he/she can get useful knowledge from the repository. Video records of geological mapping and exploration programmes, best practices and lessons learned by senior professionals stored in the knowledge repository would equip geologists in a better way to approach the field investigations. Geological mapping is fundamental to any exploration programme, be it for minerals, mineral fuel or groundwater. Thus, a good geologist needs to be a good field worker too. Only a trained eye and a seasoned mind can generate a good geological map. The skills needed for these develop after a long period of time spent in the field learning about the clues hidden in the rocks. By the time a person matures into a professional geologist, he would have reached the end of his career. He would soon leave the organization along with his repertoire of geological skills. Any attempt to capture and store this organizational knowledge in the form of an institutional repository would definitely prove to be beneficial to organizations and their activities.
Recording the geological field work carried out by professionals in a video format, documentation of the complex mapping procedures in difficult terrains and extracting valuable mapping-related knowledge from senior professionals through recorded interviews are some of the procedures for capturing the tacit knowledge relating to geological mapping. However, organizational ecology plays a vital role in knowledge sharing by individuals. Thus, the barriers to knowledge sharing in organizational setups need to be addressed first for any meaningful KM to happen. In order to overcome these hurdles, organizations need to adopt methods to increase trust, commitment and co-operation that would create positive organizational environments for knowledge-sharing.
Geology, a major branch of science, involves application of knowledge about the earth and its processes for the betterment of human civilization. Geologic mapping, mineral exploration and groundwater studies are the important spheres of activity where skilled professionals work with the objective of identifying valuable resources for development. Knowledge relating to geological studies is mostly of the tacit type and can be captured only with the help of advanced technology and innovative ideas. Dissemination of this knowledge through networks would improve the overall quality of geological work by introducing greater professionalism. While geological knowledge in explicit form (in books, journals, websites) is transacted in educational and research contexts, that in a tacit form through skills and experience dominates a survey organization’s knowledge exchange.
In geological mapping and exploration programmes, the embedded organizational knowledge, including the tacit knowledge of senior professionals is seldom put to use. This handicap can be overcome only through the development of knowledge repositories in University departments, organizations such as the Geological Survey of India and research institutions involved in geological studies. Intranet-based networks within campuses and offices could well be the new vehicles of organized knowledge transfer in the institutional context, to benefit individuals as well as the society in general. Mining of knowledge from repositories using standard tools would pave the way for application of the right kind of knowledge for appropriate situations. Geology education, mineral and groundwater explorations, mining and geotechnical investigations would thus get a new lease of life with the application of KM principles in geology.
Organizational knowledge can be better collected and distributed through networks. Best practices and lessons learned by experience delivered through electronic knowledge networks directly enhance organizational performance. The Communities of Practice framework emphasize that informal learning and knowledge sharing depend on and exploit networks of connections among people who share a common interest. High-performance teams and a workforce sympathetic to institutional commitments can only develop such communities. Supportive social systems built upon trust and commitment are indispensable for the smooth operation of knowledge networks. Useful geological knowledge pertaining to mineral exploration disseminated through knowledge networks would directly improve the quality of geological work being carried out both inside and outside the organizations.
Knowledge repositories could transform conventional organizations into intelligent ones that possess the ability to utilize their collective memory for greater performance. Thus, a trainee geologist entrusted with the task of carrying out a mineral exploration project can perform well if he/she can get useful knowledge from the repository. Video records of geological mapping and exploration programmes, best practices and lessons learned by senior professionals stored in the knowledge repository would equip geologists in a better way to approach the field investigations. Geological mapping is fundamental to any exploration programme, be it for minerals, mineral fuel or groundwater. Thus, a good geologist needs to be a good field worker too. Only a trained eye and a seasoned mind can generate a good geological map. The skills needed for these develop after a long period of time spent in the field learning about the clues hidden in the rocks. By the time a person matures into a professional geologist, he would have reached the end of his career. He would soon leave the organization along with his repertoire of geological skills. Any attempt to capture and store this organizational knowledge in the form of an institutional repository would definitely prove to be beneficial to organizations and their activities.
Recording the geological field work carried out by professionals in a video format, documentation of the complex mapping procedures in difficult terrains and extracting valuable mapping-related knowledge from senior professionals through recorded interviews are some of the procedures for capturing the tacit knowledge relating to geological mapping. However, organizational ecology plays a vital role in knowledge sharing by individuals. Thus, the barriers to knowledge sharing in organizational setups need to be addressed first for any meaningful KM to happen. In order to overcome these hurdles, organizations need to adopt methods to increase trust, commitment and co-operation that would create positive organizational environments for knowledge-sharing.
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