2,393 research outputs found
Pluralism,Institutionalism and the Theories of BC Politics
THis article looks back on the classic theories of BC politics from the perspecctive of contemporary institutionalis
No Watertight Compartments: Trade Agreements, International Health Care Reform, and the Legal Politics of Public Sector Exemptions
finsihed March-April 2007Debates over the legal interpretation of trade treaty (WTO and NAFTA) exemption clauses for public services display a common pattern. Critics of trade agreements argue that these clauses are likely to be narrowly interpreted, providing scant protection from international trade rules to public health care. Defenders usually argue that they will be given a reasonably expansive definition and that trade obligations (at least the more onerous WTO national treatment obligations) will generally not apply to public health care services. This paper argues that although the optimism of trade
agreement defenders may be well-founded when viewed from a static perspective, the protection afforded by exemption clauses shrinks with the expansion of market elements in health care. Hence, the major implication of such âcarve-outsâ for health policy makers will not be the liberty to engage in âbusiness as usualâ, but rather the need to assess the trade-related risks associated with market-based reform in the future. This paper analyses the WTO and NAFTA provisions limiting the application of these trade agreements to the health care sector in terms of the various risk scenarios
posed by different models of health care reform
Lensed Arcs and Inner Structure of Abell 697
We present new optical observations of the z=0.282 cluster Abell 697 from the
Keck II telescope. Images show an unusual disturbed structure in the cD halo
and a previously unknown faint gravitational lens arc. A spectrum of the arc
did not yield a redshift, but its spectrum and colors suggest it lies at z>1.3.
We construct models to reproduce the arc that show the potential is likely to
be highly elliptical. We suggest that this cluster may have undergone a recent
merger and is in the process of forming its cD galaxy. Analysis of X-ray data
from ROSAT and ASCA suggests that the merging process is sufficiently advanced
that the gas in the cluster has relaxed, and A697 lies near the L_x-T_x
relation for normal clusters.Comment: LaTeX; 12 pages, 3 figures, submitted to ApJ Letter
Fall-Related Emergency Department Traumas at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital: A Retrospective Analysis of Elderly Adult Trends
Falls are the most common reason for non-fatal injuries treated at Emergency Departments (EDs) in the United States (US), excluding those ages 15-24. Pennsylvania (PA) spends 58,529. PA also has the 5th highest state senior population, and Philadelphia has the 5th oldest senior population among the major American cities. Examining the 2016 Thomas Jefferson University (TJU) ED trauma database, we analysed fall-related traumas in adults ages 65 and over. The sample was stratified into 3 age groups (65-74, 75-84, and Âł85) and SAS 9.4 was used to investigate age group trends for fall type, average length of stay (LOS), post-ED destination, loss of consciousness (LOC), incidents by month, and if LOC impacted patient LOS. We found a significant association between LOC and LOS, with those experiencing an LOC staying in hospital an average of 1.7 days. We did not observe significant differences across age groups for fall type, length of stay, post-ED destination, LOC, or number of incidents by month. While results are not significant they are suggestive and may reveal patients being more likely to experience a simple fall (defined as a fall without a slip or trip) as age increases, and less likely to experience a fall with a trip as age increases. All patients, regardless of age group, have average LOS of approximately 7 days. Analysis of our study sample (n=400) describes trends in elderly adult fall-related trauma patients at the TJU ED. We observed that LOC due to a fall is associated with an increased LOS, and for several utilization comparisons there are no significant differences between age groups. This study helps to better understand the patients we serve and identify trends in utilization that may contribute to ongoing fall-prevention efforts at TJU
Coherent control of nanomagnet dynamics via ultrafast spin torque pulses
The magnetization orientation of a nanoscale ferromagnet can be manipulated
using an electric current via the spin transfer effect. Time domain
measurements of nanopillar devices at low temperatures have directly shown that
magnetization dynamics and reversal occur coherently over a timescale of
nanoseconds. By adjusting the shape of a spin torque waveform over a timescale
comparable to the free precession period (100-400 ps), control of the
magnetization dynamics in nanopillar devices should be possible. Here we report
coherent control of the free layer magnetization in nanopillar devices using a
pair of current pulses as narrow as 30 ps with adjustable amplitudes and delay.
We show that the switching probability can be tuned over a broad range by
timing the current pulses with the underlying free-precession orbits, and that
the magnetization evolution remains coherent for more than 1 ns even at room
temperature. Furthermore, we can selectively induce transitions along
free-precession orbits and thereby manipulate the free magnetic moment motion.
We expect this technique will be adopted for further elucidating the dynamics
and dissipation processes in nanomagnets, and will provide an alternative for
spin torque driven spintronic devices, such as resonantly pumping microwave
oscillators, and ultimately, for efficient reversal of memory bits in magnetic
random access memory (MRAM).Comment: 4 pages, 3 figures, submitted to Nature Physic
Advancing imaging technologies for patients with spinal pain : with a focus on whiplash injury
Background: Radiological observations of soft-tissue changes that may relate to clinical symptoms in patients with traumatic and non-traumatic spinal disorders are highly controversial. Studies are often of poor quality and findings are inconsistent. A plethora of evidence suggests some pathoanatomical findings from traditional imaging applications are common in asymptomatic participants across the life span, which further questions the diagnostic, prognostic, and theranostic value of traditional imaging. Although we do not dispute the limited evidence for the clinical importance of most imaging findings, we contend that the disparate findings across studies may in part be due to limitations in the approaches used in assessment and analysis of imaging findings.
Purpose: This clinical commentary aimed to (1) briefly detail available imaging guidelines, (2) detail research-based evidence around the clinical use of findings from advanced, but available, imaging applications (eg, fat and water magnetic resonance imaging and magnetization transfer imaging), and (3) introduce how evolving imaging technologies may improve our mechanistic understanding of pain and disability, leading to improved treatments and outcomes.
Study Design/Setting: A non-systematic review of the literature is carried out.
Methods: A narrative summary (including studies from the authors' own work in whiplash injuries) of the available literature is provided.
Results: An emerging body of evidence suggests that the combination of existing imaging sequences or the use of developing imaging technologies in tandem with a good clinical assessment of modifiable risk factors may provide important diagnostic information toward the exploration and development of more informed and effective treatment options for some patients with traumatic neck pain.
Conclusions: Advancing imaging technologies may help to explain the seemingly disconnected spectrum of biopsychosocial signs and symptoms of traumatic neck pain
The Unknown PathâEvaluating Electronic Resources for AccessâBased Collection Development
In 2015, the University of North Texas Libraries implemented an accessâbased collection development policy. This new policy, coupled with the increase of interdisciplinary studies at the University, dictated the necessity for a more exhaustive evaluation of continuing resources such as databases, journals, and standing orders before they are purchased. The collection development department created a rubric of criteria to address all aspects of the evaluation. This article will provide a brief description of accessâbased collection development and a detailed discussion of the rubricâs criteria and how it will be implemented
- âŠ