The chiral condensate in a constant electromagnetic field

We study the shift of the chiral condensate in a constant electromagnetic field in the context of chiral perturbation theory. Using the Schwinger proper-time formalism, we derive a one-loop expression correct to all orders in $m_{\pi}^2 / eH$. Our result correctly reproduces a previously derived ``low-energy theorem'' for $m_\pi = 0$. We show that it is essential to include corrections due to non-vanishing $m_\pi$ in order for a low energy theorem to have any approximate regime of validity in the physical universe. We generalize these results to systems containing electric fields, and discuss the regime of validity for the results. In particular, we discuss the circumstances in which the method formally breaks down due to pair creation in an electric field.Comment: 9 pages, 6 figures, LaTeX; removed extraneous section + minor revision

Unsheltered homelessness among veterans: correlates and profiles

We identified correlates of unsheltered status among Veterans experiencing homelessness and describe d distinct subgroups within the unsheltered homeless Veteran population using data from a screening instrument for homelessness that is administered to all Veterans accessing outpatient care at a Veterans Health Administration (VHA) facility . Correlates o f unsheltered homelessness included male gender, white race, older age, lower levels of VHA eligibility, substance use disorders, frequent use of VHA inpatient and infrequent use of VHA outpatient services, and residing in the West. We identified six disti nct subgroups of unsheltered Veterans; the tri - morbid frequent users represented the highest need group, but the largest group was comprised of Veterans who made highly infrequent use of VHA healthcare services. Differences between sheltered and unshelter ed Veterans and heterogeneity within the unsheltered Veteran population should be considered in targeting housing and other interventions.National Center on Homelessness Among Veteran

On (2,2)-Domination in Hexagonal Mesh Pyramid

Network topology plays a key role in designing an interconnection network. Various topologies for interconnection networks have been proposed in the literature of which pyramid network is extensively used as a base for both software data structure and hardware design. The pyramid networks can efficiently handle the communication requirements of various problems in graph theory due to its inherent hierarchy at each level. Domination problems are one of the classical types of problems in graph theory with vast application in computer networks and distributed computing. In this paper, we obtain the bounds for a variant of the domination problem namely (2,2)-domination for a pyramid network called Hexagonal mesh pyramid

Needles in a haystack: screening and healthcare system evidence for homelessness

Effectiveness of screening for homelessness in a large healthcare system was evaluated in terms of successfully referring and connecting patients with appropriate prevention or intervention services. Screening and healthcare services data from nearly 6 million U.S. military veterans were analyzed. Veterans either screened positive for current or risk of housing instability, or negative for both. Current living situation was used to validate results of screening. Administrative evidence for homelessness-related services was significantly higher among positive-screen veterans who accepted a referral for services compared to those who declined. Screening for current or risk of homelessness led to earlier identification, which led to earlier and more extensive service engagement

Luther's lives: Two contemporary accounts of Martin Luther

This volume brings together two important contemporary accounts of the life of Martin Luther in a confrontation that had been postponed for more than 450 years. The first of these accounts was written after Luther's death, when it was rumoured that demons had seized the reformer on his deathbed and dragged him off to Hell. In response to these rumours, Luther's friend and colleague, Philip Melanchthon, wrote and published a brief encomium of the reformer in 1548. A completely new translation of this text appears in this book. It was in response to Melanchthon's work that Johannes Cochlaeus completed and published his own monumental life of Luther in 1549, which is translated and made available in English for the first time in this volume. After witnessing Luther's declaration before Charles V at the Diet of Worms, Cochlaeus sought out Luther and debated with him. However, the confrontation left him convinced that Luther was an impious and malevolent man. Consequently, over the next twenty-five years, Cochlaeus fought vigorously against the influence of the Reformation. Such is the detail and importance of Cochlaeus' life of Luther that for an eyewitness account of the Reformation - and the beginnings of the Catholic Counter-Reformation - there is simply no other historical document to compare. Published in collaboration with The Sohmer-Hall Foundation, this book also supplies introductory texts to the lives of both Cochlaeus and Melanchthon, plus comprehensive annotation for readers who wish to make a broader study of the period. These translations will be essential reading for students and academics of the Reformation and all early modern historians interested in this fascinating period of religious history

Reducing Delirium and Functional Decline in Hospitalized Older Adults: Pre-Implementation of CoCare HELP

Background: Delirium is a change in consciousness characterized by rapid onset and fluctuating attention, causing impairment in the ability to process and recall information, occurring in 30% of hospitalized older adults. Delirium can increase falls, length-of-stay, mortality, and cost. The CoCare Hospital Elder Life Program® (HELP) is an evidence-based bundle of interventions targeting cognitive impairment, sleep deprivation, immobility, visual/hearing impairment, and dehydration, embedding geriatric principles in care to prevent delirium. Objectives: To further analyze the pre-implementation of the HELP in order to optimize success of program administration. Methods: Mixed methods were used to collect retrospective/prospective data (interviews (N=25], surveys [N=25], chart audits [N=500]) for an organization assessment from CoCare experts, the hospital, clinicians, and patients. Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guided a systematic review on implementation strategies. Results: A high rate of falls (0.89/1000-days), length-of-stay (6.1 days), readmission rate (12.6%), restraint use (19197 hours), BEERs drugs prescribed (15.4%) and delirium (30.2%) were found. The review identified 10 strategies to guide implementation of HELP: engaging stakeholders/champions, educating staff/patients, clinical team creation/use, facilitation, auditing and feedback, examining satisfaction, and public relations. Products completed included: A University undergraduate course, Registered Nurse education, an Implementation Toolkit, clinician competency checklists, system budgeting plan, system sustainability plan, project analysis plan, recruitment fliers and Epic documentation format. Conclusions: Use of HELP can prevent delirium. The identification of a high rate of delirium was confirmed in the hospital. The products developed will enable the hospital to implement HELP over the next year. Implications: Delirium is prevalent among the population of interest and is associated with significant risks; however, pre-implementation of the HELP will promote a successful program launch to reduce delirium in the elderly

Human Factors Applied to Perioperative Process Improvement

Human factors/ergonomics (HF/E) is its own scientific discipline that can be applied to understanding performance in perioperative medicine. Humans are not perfect decision makers and are affected by a variety of factors that can greatly harm their ability to perform, including attention, bias, stress, and fatigue. HF/E has a unique perspective on human error, and HF/E can illustrate how moving away from blame can enhance safety. HF/E offers strategies for undertaking a systematic approach to assessment of work processes in perioperative medicine that can be used to increase safety and wellbeing of patients and providers

Comparing the utilization and cost of health services between veterans experiencing brief and ongoing episodes of housing instability

Housing instability is associated with costly patterns of health and behavioral health service use. However, little prior research has examined patterns of service use associated with higher costs among those experiencing ongoing housing instability. To address this gap, we compared inpatient and outpatient medical and behavioral health service utilization and costs between veterans experiencing brief and ongoing episodes of housing instability. We used data from a brief screening instrument for homelessness and housing instability that has been implemented throughout the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care system to identify a national sample of veterans experiencing housing instability. Veterans were classified as experiencing either brief or ongoing housing instability, based on two consecutive responses to the instrument, and we used a series of two-part regression models to conduct adjusted comparisons of costs between veterans experiencing brief and ongoing episodes of housing instability. Among 5794 veterans screening positive for housing instability, 4934 (85%) were experiencing brief and 860 (15%) ongoing instability. The average total annual incremental cost associated with ongoing versus brief episodes of housing instability was estimated at $7573, with the bulk of this difference found in inpatient services. Cost differences resulted more from a higher probability of service use among those experiencing ongoing episodes of housing instability than from higher costs among service users. Our findings suggest that VA programmatic efforts aimed at preventing extended episodes of housing instability could potentially result in substantial cost offsets for the VA health care system.This study was supported by funding from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Health Services Research & Development (HSR&D) grant IIR 13-334-3 and from the VA National Center on Homelessness Among Veterans

Parent Engagement at a Cristo Rey High School: Building Home-School Partnerships in a Multicultural Immigrant Community

Catholic social teaching affirms the primary role of parents in their children’s education, as well as the importance of a home-school partnership. The purposes of this article are to review the results of a mixed methods study of parent engagement at Cristo Rey Boston High School, and how the results of this study led to specific efforts to include parents more closely in the life of the school. Results suggest that parents in multicultural communities perceive their engagement to be an important part of their children’s education. Yet, this engagement may take different forms that may go unrecognized by school staff. Based on study findings, school administrators began integrating parent engagement efforts through a coordinated system of student advising. From the perspective of Catholic social teaching, recognizing and responding to these multicultural differences are a means of praxis that affirms human dignity and reduces barriers to education for the marginalized