The Emergence of Local Norms in Networks

We develop an explanation of the emergence of local norms, and the associated phenom- enon of geographical variation in behavior. Individuals are assumed to interact locally with neighbors in an environment with a network externality. Although many patterns of behavior are possible, the dispersed interactive choices of agents are shown to select behavior that is locally uniform but globally diverse. The range of applications of the theory includes regional variation in the practice of medicine, technology choice, and corruption. The framework is also useful for further developing our understanding of important phenomena like lock-in, critical thresholds, and contagionSocial norms, networks, geographical variation

Microarray analysis of spring barley cultivars displaying differing sensitivity to physiological leaf spot (PLS)

peer-reviewedPhysiological leaf spot (PLS) is a disorder of spring barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), which has become more pronounced in recent years. The initial symptoms are small chlorotic/brown spots on the upper four leaves, which may develop into necrotic lesions with an irregular shape. As PLS occurs on leaves that are directly exposed to sunlight, it is thought that high light stress could be a trigger for the condition. This study concentrates on two cultivars, Cooper and Crusader, which display differential sensitivity to PLS. Biochemical measurements and enzyme assays revealed substantial difference in levels of ascorbate, type III peroxidases, and superoxide dismutase between the chosen cultivars during the 2003 growing season. A global gene expression study, using these field samples, was performed by microarray analysis. This supported the biochemical findings and highlighted additional sets of genes differentially expressed between the cultivars. Transcripts of particular interest, which appeared, included calcium signalling genes, cold-responsive genes and those involved in the assembly of Photosystem I. We conclude that susceptibility to PLS is related to levels of expression of genes with a role in countering the effects of oxidative stress.Teagasc Walsh Fellowship Programm

The status of music education in the public junior high schools of Massachusetts as of the year 1945-1955

Thesis (Ed.M.)--Boston Universit

Public school health services delivery: the option of paid aides

In a time of rising taxes and taxpayer discontent, public school districts must minimize spending. Yet, they must provide health services to students. This paper compares the costs and benefits of using paid health aides and volunteers to help provide these services under the supervision of a school district registered nurse. The preferred option in terms of least cost is determined, as well as the option of choice when benefits are also weighed, in a time of normal budget restraint and in a time of severe budget restraint

Stop the Stigma! Eliminating Implicit and Explicit Bias Toward Adult Obese Women Receiving Gynecological Care: A Quality Improvement Project to Cultivate Empathy and Increase Knowledge of Best Practices

Background: Increased weight carries significant health risks, yet obese individuals face stigma, implicit and explicit bias by health care providers that affects quality of care and increases health care avoidance. Obese women may delay or avoid gynecological care due to fear of stigma, inadequate equipment and embarrassment about their weight. Review of Literature: In the United States, 70.7% of adults, almost three quarters of the adult population are overweight or obese. Purpose: The purpose of this quality improvement project was to improve the quality of care and empathy toward obese women by health care providers in an OB/GYN practice through education about the experiences of obese women who receive healthcare and provision of resources within OB/GYN practices. Methods: A quality improvement project with an educational design was implemented using a Plan, Do, Check, Act framework. The plan was implemented at an OB/GYN practice in Western Massachusetts using a team approach consisting of the DNP student, providers and staff. The Thin-Fat Implicit Bias Test and Anti-Fat Attitudes test were administered pre-and post-educational program to assess change in provider bias toward obese women. Results: A decrease in explicit bias was shown both immediately and 3 months after the intervention. There was minimal decrease and some increase in implicit bias after the intervention which may be related to confounding factors such as increased familiarity with the testing procedure. At 3 months some participants were avoidant at follow-up suggesting possible shame, embarrassment, or deeper feelings which merit future exploration. Conclusions: Continued education and awareness is needed to sustain and decrease stigma toward obese women in the health care setting

Operationalizing Human Rights and Human Security Through a Dynamic Model of Health

The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities challenges nations and the global community to address the long-standing, systemic discrimination and disenfranchisement experienced by disabled people throughout the world. This can be accomplished by understanding and paying attention to the dynamics linking human security and social inclusion. A healthy and secure society is one in which the needs of individuals are met and their contributions are encouraged and recognized. It upholds the value of diversity and recognizes that the extent to which every person realizes his or her unique potential, and the capacity of society to accommodate and honor that person's contribution, is the ultimate measure of health, both for the individual and for society. This paper draws on the Dynamic Model of Health (Burke, Bach, Colman, McKie, & Ward Stewart, 2000) that roots health in the values of self-determination, equality, and democratization and in community processes that support social solidarity and inclusion as a framework for analyzing the existing situation of disabled peoples and the way forward. It presents work currently being undertaken in a project aimed at developing an "inclusive" Kyrgyzstan, drawing on work that operationalized the Dynamic Model of Health and the BIAS FREE Framework (Eichler & Burke, 2005; Burke & Eichler, 2006) in the context of disabled children. The paper calls into question the existing health and development model that perpetuates benefits for a few and leaves disabled peoples off the agenda. It argues that the logic of domination underlying all forms of discrimination and oppression is the same in all instances, although the types of discrimination are specific to a particular hierarchy –whether it is built on disability, gender, race, or other factors – and historical or cultural context. Understanding how to "get it right" for disabled peoples will point the way to improving human security more broadly

Fermentation Development of Streptomyces thermonitrificans ISP5579

Conventional antibiotic fermentations are operated in the temperature range 25-3

From Tether to Terra: The Current Stablecoin Ecosystem and the Failure of Regulators

The Tether controversy and Terra crash have placed stablecoins in the regulatory spotlight. Stablecoins are often portrayed as posing systemic risks to financial markets, with some pundits labelling them “the villain of the finance world.” Global regulatory bodies, namely the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the Bank of International Settlement (BIS), and political leaders, including the Biden Administration, have all called for stablecoin regulation. These officials allege that stablecoins’ structure, combined with their exponential growth, pose a unique risk to global markets. Before the May 2022 Terra crash, government reports superficially treated stablecoins by exclusively focusing on asset-backed coins. Post hoc, regulatory reports treated Terra’s collapse as inevitable, using the failure as an opportunity to push for a central bank digital currency (“CBDC”) in the United States. Whether stablecoins should be regulated is not up for debate. Their regulation is imminent. Yet, how stablecoins should be regulated and if CBDCs can be an adequate replacement is another matter. In the words of the Commodities Future Trading Commission’s (CFTC) Dawn Stump: “As financial markets evolve and adapt to new demands, market regulators must not stifle beneficial innovations by clinging rigidly to regulatory approaches of the past that may no longer be fit for purpose.