The Road Not Taken and Choices in Radiation Oncology

The authors look back at the five decades of radiation oncology and consider how one's choices and decisions influence how a career is pursued and how a professional life is lived

Comparing Credibility: A Website versus Publicity

Websites and publicity in mass media are two commonly used marketing elements. However, it is unclear whether exposure to a website or publicity is most effective at influencing behavior. This research compares the effectiveness of a magazine publicity article and a tourism destination website on the choice of a spring break destination. Based on this analysis, a website is no more credible than a publicity article; nor does an Internet site create a more favorable attitude or greater purchase intent than does magazine-based publicity. Magazine articles emerged as equally effective as websites for most variables. This study shows that traditional magazine articles can still influence Millennials. Even with a study population of college students who use web resources more than most other populations, the web was not superior. This study reveals that both publicity and a website are important parts of the tourism marketing mix and suggests specific applications

Equitable and Fair Assessments of English Learners in California’s New Assessment System

This article focuses on the assessment needs that are unique to English learners (ELs) and provides a comprehensive set of recommendations regarding their equitable and fair assessment. Specific recommendations are provided for when to assess ELs, accommodations for ELs, and the budget and infrastructure that necessary to support these accommodations. The authors expect that these recommendations resonate with state leaders and policymakers as the state of California transitions to a new state assessment system.https://digitalcommons.lmu.edu/ceel_journalarticles/1004/thumbnail.jp

Addressing Cancer Disparities Among American Indians through Innovative Technologies and Patient Navigation: The Walking Forward Experience

Purpose/Objective(s): American Indians (AIs) present with more advanced stages of cancer and, therefore, suffer from higher cancer mortality rates compared to non-AIs. Under the National Cancer Institute (NCI) Cancer Disparities Research Partnership (CDRP) Program, we have been researching methods of improving cancer treatment and outcomes since 2002, for AIs in Western South Dakota, through the Walking Forward (WF) Program. Materials/Methods: This program consists of (a) a culturally tailored patient navigation program that facilitated access to innovative clinical trials in conjunction with a comprehensive educational program encouraging screening and early detection, (b), surveys to evaluate barriers to access, (c) clinical trials focusing on reducing treatment length to facilitate enhanced participation using brachytherapy and intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) for breast and prostate cancer, as AIs live a median of 140 miles from the cancer center, and (d) a molecular study (ataxia telangiectasia mutated) to address whether there is a specific profile that increases toxicity risks. Results: We describe the design and implementation of this program, summary of previously published results, and ongoing research to influence stage at presentation. Some of the critical outcomes include the successful implementation of a community-based research program, development of trust within tribal communities, identification of barriers, analysis of nearly 400 navigated cancer patients, clinical trial accrual rate of 10%, and total enrollment of nearly 2,500 AIs on WF research studies. Conclusion: This NCI funded pilot program has achieved some initial measures of success. A research infrastructure has been created in a community setting to address new research questions and interventions. Efforts underway to promote cancer education and screening are presented, as well as applications of the lessons learned to other health disparity populations – both nationally and internationally

Fermi-Surface Reconstruction in the Periodic Anderson Model

We study ground state properties of periodic Anderson model in a two-dimensional square lattice with variational Monte Carlo method. It is shown that there are two different types of quantum phase transition: a conventional antiferromagnetic transition and a Fermi-surface reconstruction which accompanies a change of topology of the Fermi surface. The former is induced by a simple back-folding of the Fermi surface while the latter is induced by localization of $f$ electrons. The mechanism of these transitions and the relation to the recent experiments on Fermi surface are discussed in detail.Comment: 8 pages, 7 figures, submitted to Journal of the Physical Society of Japa

Health care system planning for and response to a nuclear detonation

The hallmark of a successful response to a nuclear detonation will be the resilience of the community, region, and nation. An incident of this magnitude will rapidly become a national incident; however, the initial critical steps to reduce lives lost, save the lives that can be saved with the resources available, and understand and apply resources available to a complex and dynamic situation will be the responsibility of the local and regional responders and planners. Expectations of the public health and health care systems will be met to the extent possible by coordination, cooperation, and an effort to produce as consistent a response as possible for the victims. Responders will face extraordinarily stressful situations, and their own physical and psychological health is of great importance to optimizing the response. This article illustrates through vignettes and supporting text how the incident may unfold for the various components of the health and medical systems and provides additional context for the discipline-related actions outlined in the state and local planners’ playbook