Re-integrating scholarly infrastructure: the ambiguous role of data sharing platforms

Web-based platforms play an increasingly important role in managing and sharing research data of all types and sizes. This article presents a case study of the data storage, sharing, and management platform Figshare. We argue that such platforms are displacing and reconfiguring the infrastructure of norms, technologies, and institutions that underlies traditional scholarly communication. Using a theoretical framework that combines infrastructure studies with platform studies, we show that Figshare leverages the platform logic of core and complementary components to re-integrate a presently splintered scholarly infrastructure. By means of this logic, platforms may provide the path to bring data inside a scholarly communication system still optimized mainly for text publications. Yet the platform strategy also risks turning over critical scientific functions to private firms whose longevity, openness, and corporate goals remain uncertain. It may amplify the existing trend of splintering infrastructures, with attendant effects on equity of servic

Infrastructure studies meet platform studies in the age of Google and Facebook

Two theoretical approaches have recently emerged to characterize new digital objects of study in the media landscape: infrastructure studies and platform studies. Despite their separate origins and different features, we demonstrate in this article how the cross-articulation of these two perspectives improves our understanding of current digital media. We use case studies of the Open Web, Facebook, and Google to demonstrate that infrastructure studies provides a valuable approach to the evolution of shared, widely accessible systems and services of the type often provided or regulated by governments in the public interest. On the other hand, platform studies captures how communication and expression are both enabled and constrained by new digital systems and new media. In these environments, platform-based services acquire characteristics of infrastructure, while both new and existing infrastructures are built or reorganized on the logic of platforms. We conclude by underlining the potential of this combined framework for future case studies

Cone beam CT evaluation of the presence of anatomic accessory canals in the jaws

Objectives: To assess the prevalence, location and anatomical course of accessory canals of the jaws using cone beam CT. Methods: A retrospective analysis of 4200 successive cone beam CT scans, for patients of both genders and ages ranging from 7 to 88 years, was performed. They were exposed at the School of Dentistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI. After applying the exclusion criteria (the presence of severe ridge resorption, pre-existing implants, a previously reported history of craniofacial malformations or syndromes, a previous history of trauma or surgery, inadequate image quality and subsequent scans from the same individuals), 4051 scans were ultimately included in this study. Results: Of the 4051 scans (2306 females and 1745 males) that qualified for inclusion in this study, accessory canals were identified in 1737 cases (42.9%; 1004 females and 733 males). 532 scans were in the maxilla (13.1%; 296 females and 236 males) and 1205 in the mandible (29.8%; 708 females and 497 males). Conclusions: A network of accessory canals bringing into communication the inner and outer cortical plates of the jaws was identified. In light of these findings, clinicians should carefully assess for the presence of accessory canals prior to any surgical intervention to decrease the risk for complications

“Meth Mouth”: Rampant Caries in methamphetamine abusers

Rampant dental caries is a characteristic finding in methamphetamine abusers. The popularity of methamphetamine, particularly among the gay community where it is linked to the spread of HIV, its ready availability, and rapid spread across the nation have placed methamphetamine use in an epidemic status in many communities unaccustomed to dealing with drug abuse. We present a case of a 25-year-old male “meth” abuser of unknown HIV, hepatitis B virus (HBV), and hepatitis C virus (HCV) status to promote recognition by the health care team of the association of rampant dental caries with methamphetamine abuse for appropriate intervention to ensure successful treatment and prevention of disease progression

An assessment of the benefits of yellow Sigatoka (Mycosphaerella musicola) control in the Queensland Northern Banana Pest Quarantine Area

The banana leaf spotting disease yellow Sigatoka is established and actively controlled in Australia through intensive chemical treatments and diseased leaf removal. In the State of Queensland, the State government imposes standards for de-leafing to minimise the risk of the disease spreading in 6 banana pest quarantine areas. Of these, the Northern Banana Pest Quarantine Area is the most significant in terms of banana production. Previous regulations imposed obligations on owners of banana plants within this area to remove leaves from plants with visible spotting on more than 15 per cent of any leaf during the wet season. Recently, this leaf disease threshold has been lowered to 5 per cent. In this paper we examine the likely impact this more-costly regulation will have on the spread of the disease. We estimate that the average net benefit of reducing the diseased leaf threshold is only likely to be $1.4 million per year over the next 30 years, expressed as the annualised present value of tightened regulation. This result varies substantially when the timeframe of the analysis is changed, with shorter time frames indicating poorer net returns from the change in protocols. Overall, the benefit of the regulation change is likely to be minor

Empowering Department Chairs to Facilitate Faculty Mentoring

Short talk presentation slide

Foreign Body Embedded in the Schneiderian Membrane

Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/141470/1/cap0135.pd

Do fencers require a weapon-specific approach to strength and conditioning training?

There are three types of weapon used in Olympic fencing: the foil, épée and sabre. The aim of this study was to determine if fencers exhibited different physical characteristics across weapons. Seventy-nine male (n = 46) and female (n = 33) national standard fencers took part in this study. Fencers from each weapon (male and female), i.e., épée (n = 19 and 10), foil (n = 22 and 14) and sabre (n = 13 and 10) were (mean ± SD) 15.9 ± 0.7 years of age, 178.5 ± 7.9 cm tall, 67.4 ± 12.2 kg in mass and had 6.3 ± 2.3 years fencing experience; all were in regular training (~ 4 times per week). Results revealed that across all performance tests (lower body power, reactive strength index, change of direction speed and repeat lunge ability) there was no significant difference between weapons (p = 3.66). Differences were found however, when comparing genders, with males performing significantly better during the countermovement jump (p = 0.001), reactive strength index (p = 0.002), change of direction speed (p < 0.001) and repeat lunge ability (p < 0.001). The former findings may be due to similarities in bout intensity and time, movement types (lunging and changing direction) and the need to execute competition actions as explosively as possible. Based on the findings of the current study, it could be indicated that épée, foil and sabre fencers do not require a weapon specific approach to strength and conditioning training. Each fencer should target the area they are weakest at, rather than the area that they feel best represents the unique demands of their weapon