Towards modelling dialectic and eristic argumentation on the social web

Modelling arguments on the social web is a key challenge for those studying computational argumentation. This is because formal models of argumentation tend to assume dialectic and logical argument, whereas argumentation on the social web is highly eristic. In this paper we explore this gap by bringing together the Argument Interchange Format (AIF) and the Semantic Interlinked Online Communities (SIOC) project, and modelling a sample of social web arguments. This allows us to explore which eristic effects cannot be modelled, and also to see which features of the social web are missing.We show that even in our small sample, from YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, eristic effects (such as playing to the audience) were missing from the final model, and that key social features (such as likes and dislikes) were also not represented. This suggests that both eristic and social extensions need to be made to our models of argumentation in order to deal effectively with the social we

Providing parents of preschool and/or kindergarten age children with suggestions for developing homebound readiness activities for reading instruction

The purpose of this research paper is to review the basic theories of child development, reading readiness, and the question of reading for preschoolers as they can, in turn, be translated to parents through home-school programs with an emphasis on parental involvement. From these programs and other literature available, a survey of suggestions that can be interpreted and relayed to parents, as well as activities that are capable of being implemented in most homes will be presented

Optimization of resource allocation can explain the temporal dynamics and honesty of sexual signals

In species in which males are free to dynamically alter their allocation to sexual signaling over the breeding season, the optimal investment in signaling should depend on both a male’s state and the level of competition he faces at any given time. We developed a dynamic optimization model within a game‐theoretical framework to explore the resulting signaling dynamics at both individual and population levels and tested two key model predictions with empirical data on three‐spined stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus) males subjected to dietary manipulation (carotenoid availability): (1) fish in better nutritional condition should be able to maintain their signal for longer over the breeding season, resulting in an increasingly positive correlation between nutritional status and signal (i.e., increasing signal honesty), and (2) female preference for more ornamented males should thus increase over the breeding season. Both predictions were supported by the experimental data. Our model shows how such patterns can emerge from the optimization of resource allocation to signaling in a competitive situation. The key determinants of the honesty and dynamics of sexual signaling are the condition dependency of male survival, the initial frequency distribution of nutritional condition in the male population, and the cost of signaling

Un-LINQed: Spontaneous extrusion of newer generation implantable loop recorders

BACKGROUND: Insertable cardiac monitors (ICMs) are often used for long-term monitoring of cardiac rhythm. The Medtronic\u27s LINQ Reveal ™ is a new generation wireless, automated, and patient responsive subcutaneous ECG monitoring device. Despite several advantages to its small size we have noted an unusually high incidence of extrusion at our center. METHODS: & Results: We conducted a retrospective case analysis to review Reveal LINQs implanted at our center. All devices were inserted using the provided insertion tools. Patients with extruded devices were identified and details regarding the site and technique of insertion, incision closure, use of peri-operative antibiotics, and follow-up details were collected. 81 patients underwent 85 Reveal LINQ implants at a tertiary care University Hospital referral center. The most common reason for implant was suspected arrhythmia with or without structural heart disease or unexplained syncope. There were 4 spontaneous extrusions occurring within 7-24 days after insertion with an incidence rate of 4.7%. One extruded device was anchored to subcutaneous tissue, and no pocket/device infections or hematomas were noted. CONCLUSIONS: Device migration and erosion through skin are important potential adverse events for the Reveal LINQ implantable loop recorder. This study reports an unexpectedly high rate of extrusion without infection. The authors suggest that the depth of the incision is the main factor impacting extrusions. Larger studies are recommended, however, and a proposed measure to avoid spontaneous extrusion is the design of a longer manufacturer\u27s blade in order to increase the depth of the incision and insertion

Dietary carotenoid availability, sexual signalling and functional fertility in sticklebacks

In species where males express carotenoid-based sexual signals, more intensely coloured males may be signalling their enhanced ability to combat oxidative stress. This may include mitigating deleterious oxidative damage to their sperm, and so be directly related to their functional fertility. Using a split-clutch in vitro fertilization technique and dietary carotenoid manipulation, we demonstrate that in non-competitive fertilization assays, male three-spined sticklebacks (Gasterosteus aculeatus) that are fed higher (but biologically relevant) levels of carotenoids had a significantly increased fertilization success, irrespective of maternal carotenoid intake. Furthermore, within diet groups, a male's fertilization success was positively related to the expression of his carotenoid-based nuptial coloration, with more intensely coloured males having higher functional fertility. These data provide, to our knowledge, the first demonstration that dietary access to carotenoids influences fertilization success, and suggest that females could use a male's nuptial coloration as an indicator of his functional fertility

A Wellness Approach to Investigating Student Veterans’ Career Goals

A qualitative methodology was utilized to assess the wellness factors student Veterans (N = 10) perceived as influential to their decision to separate from the military and choice of intended career path. Participants included prior enlisted student Veterans pursuing undergraduate degrees at a mid-sized Midwestern university. Interview transcripts were coded according to the Indivisible Self Model of Wellness (IS-Wel; Myers & Sweeney, 2004) and analyzed phenomenologically. Participants referenced Control and Self-Worth as motivators for separation from military service; Work and Thinking were the main themes regarding choice of future profession. Additional themes emerged in reference to how Veterans’ priorities changed during their time in service. The IS-Wel serves as an innovative approach for facilitating student Veteran career development

Potencial de producción de forraje durante el año en Puerto Rico y Santa Cruz

Forage production can vary substantially during the annual cycle in the tropical islands of Puerto Rico and St. Croix. Cool temperatures, low levels of solar radiation, and low rainfall in December and January have been hypothesized to cause decrease in forage growth. A forage growth model was used to simulate yield in different environments in order to examine these hypotheses quantitatively. Weather data were obtained over a period of three to six years from three locations in Puerto Rico and one location in St. Croix. Minimum temperatures were always near or above 20° C and, consequently, did not appear to cause serious losses in forage production. The forage model predicted a decrease in forage production during the winter months due to decreased levels of solar radiation; however, yields were estimated to be approximately 70 to 80% of summer yields. Whereas shallow rooting depth of 45 cm could cause decreased yields in some situations, inadequate rainfall could not explain large yield decreases in winter months. This research indicates that a factor in addition to the ones tested contributes to the loss in winter forage yield. It is speculated that short day lengths directly influence the regulation of plant growth such that forage yield is decreased in winter months. La producción de forraje puede variar substancialmente durante el ciclo anual en las islas tropicales de Puerto Rico y Santa Cruz. Se ha hipotetizado que las temperaturas frías, los bajos niveles de radiación solar, y la baja precipitación en diciembre y enero son los causantes de las disminuciones en el crecimiento del forraje. Para examinar cuantitativamente estas hipótesis se utilizó un modelo de crecimiento en forraje para simular el rendimiento bajo diferentes ambientes. Los datos climáticos por un periodo de tres a seis años se obtuvieron para tres localidades en Puerto Rico y una localidad en Santa Cruz. Las temperaturas mínimas estuvieron siempre cerca o por encima de los 20°C; por lo tanto, no parecieron causar serias pérdidas en la producción de forraje. El modelo de forraje predijo una reducción en la producción de forraje en los meses de invierno debido a una disminución en los niveles de radiación solar; sin embargo, los rendimientos estimados fueron un 70 a 80% de los rendimientos del verano. Si bien el enraizamiento superficial a una profundidad menor de 45 cm podría causar disminución de los rendimientos en algunas situaciones, la precipitación inadecuada no podría explicar las grandes disminuciones ocurridas en los meses de invierno. Esta investigación indica que un factor adicional a los evaluados contribuye a la pérdida en el rendimiento del forraje durante el invierno. Se especula que la corta duración del día influye directamente sobre la regulación del crecimiento de la planta de forma tal que el rendimiento de forraje disminuye en los meses de invierno

The Role of Tobacco, Alcohol, and Obesity in Neoplastic Progression to Esophageal Adenocarcinoma: A Prospective Study of Barrett's Esophagus

Background: Esophageal adenocarcinoma (EA) incidence in many developed countries has increased dramatically over four decades, while survival remains poor. Persons with Barrett's esophagus (BE), who experience substantially elevated EA risk, are typically followed in surveillance involving periodic endoscopy with biopsies, although few progress to EA. No medical, surgical or lifestyle interventions have been proven to safely lower EA risk. Design: We investigated whether smoking, obesity or alcohol could predict progression to EA in a prospective cohort of 411 BE patients. Data were collected during personal interview. Adjusted hazard ratios (HR) were estimated using Cox regression. Results: 39% had body mass index (BMI) over 30 and 64% had smoked cigarettes. Main analyses focused on those with at least 5 months of follow-up (33,635 person-months), in whom 45 developed EA. Risk increased by 3% per year of age (trend p-value 0.02), with approximate doubling of risk among males. EA risk increased with smoking pack-years (trend p-value 0.04) and duration (p-value 0.05). Compared to never-smokers, the HR for those in the highest pack-year tertile was 2.29 (95%CI 1.04–5.07). No association was found with alcohol or BMI, whereas a suggestion of increased risk was observed in those with higher waist-hip ratio, especially among males. Conclusion: EA risk significantly increased with increasing age and cigarette exposure. Abdominal obesity, but not BMI, was associated with a modest increased risk. Continued follow-up of this and other cohorts is needed to precisely define these relationships so as to inform risk stratification and preventive interventions

Telehealth and Mobile Health Applied To IntegratedBehavioral Care: OpportunitiesFor Progress In New Hampshire

This paper is an accompanying document to a webinar delivered on May 16, 2017, for the New Hampshire Citizens Health Initiative (Initiative). As integrated behavioral health efforts in New Hampshire gain traction, clinicians, administrators, payers, and policy makers are looking for additional efficiencies in delivering high quality healthcare. Telehealth and mobile health (mHealth) have the opportunity to help achieve this while delivering a robust, empowered patient experience. The promise of video-based technology was first made in 1964 as Bell Telephone shared its Picturephone® with the world. This was the first device with audio and video delivered in an integrated technology platform. Fast-forward to today with Skype, FaceTime, and webinar tools being ubiquitous in our personal and business lives, but often slow to be adopted in the delivery of medicine. Combining technology-savvy consumers with New Hampshire’s high rate of electronic health record (EHR) technology adoption, a fairly robust telecommunications infrastructure, and a predominately rural setting, there is strong foundation for telehealth and mHealth expansion in New Hampshire’s integrated health continuum

Integrating Behavioral Health & Primary Care in New Hampshire: A Path Forward to Sustainable Practice & Payment Transformation

New Hampshire residents face challenges with behavioral and physical health conditions and the interplay between them. National studies show the costs and the burden of illness from behavioral health conditions and co-occurring chronic health conditions that are not adequately treated in either primary care or behavioral health settings. Bringing primary health and behavioral health care together in integrated care settings can improve outcomes for both behavioral and physical health conditions. Primary care integrated behavioral health works in conjunction with specialty behavioral health providers, expanding capacity, improving access, and jointly managing the care of patients with higher levels of acuity In its work to improve the health of NH residents and create effective and cost-effective systems of care, the NH Citizens Health Initiative (Initiative) created the NH Behavioral Health Integration Learning Collaborative (BHI Learning Collaborative) in November of 2015, as a project of its Accountable Care Learning Network (NHACLN). Bringing together more than 60 organizations, including providers of all types and sizes, all of the state’s community mental health centers, all of the major private and public insurers, and government and other stakeholders, the BHI Learning Collaborative built on earlier work of a NHACLN Workgroup focused on improving care for depression and co-occurring chronic illness. The BHI Learning Collaborative design is based on the core NHACLN philosophy of “shared data and shared learning” and the importance of transparency and open conversation across all stakeholder groups. The first year of the BHI Learning Collaborative programming included shared learning on evidence-based practice for integrated behavioral health in primary care, shared data from the NH Comprehensive Healthcare Information System (NHCHIS), and work to develop sustainable payment models to replace inadequate Fee-for-Service (FFS) revenues. Provider members joined either a Project Implementation Track working on quality improvement projects to improve their levels of integration or a Listen and Learn Track for those just learning about Behavioral Health Integration (BHI). Providers in the Project Implementation Track completed a self-assessment of levels of BHI in their practice settings and committed to submit EHR-based clinical process and outcomes data to track performance on specified measures. All providers received access to unblinded NHACLN Primary Care and Behavioral Health attributed claims data from the NHCHIS for provider organizations in the NH BHI Learning Collaborative. Following up on prior work focused on developing a sustainable model for integrating care for depression and co-occurring chronic illness in primary care settings, the BHI Learning Collaborative engaged consulting experts and participants in understanding challenges in Health Information Technology and Exchange (HIT/HIE), privacy and confidentiality, and workforce adequacy. The BHI Learning Collaborative identified a sustainable payment model for integrated care of depression in primary care. In the process of vetting the payment model, the BHI Learning Collaborative also identified and explored challenges in payment for Substance Use Disorder Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT). New Hampshire’s residents will benefit from a health care system where primary care and behavioral health are integrated to support the care of the whole person. New Hampshire’s current opiate epidemic accentuates the need for better screening for behavioral health issues, prevention, and treatment referral integrated into primary care. New Hampshire providers and payers are poised to move towards greater integration of behavioral health and primary care and the Initiative looks forward to continuing to support progress in supporting a path to sustainable integrated behavioral and primary care