How to remake government for the digital age

A recent report by Sarah Fink and colleagues at Policy Exchange outlines how the power of technology, data and the internet can be harnessed to truly transform the way government operates and delivers public services. In this article, she summarises a series of recommendations made in the report around efficiency gains and digitising Whitehall, developing a total data approach to policymaking, and changing culture and attitudes in government

The Facebook Companies and Data Sharing: A Violation of American’s Privacy

https://scholarworks.moreheadstate.edu/student_scholarship_posters/1083/thumbnail.jp

American Election Security

https://scholarworks.moreheadstate.edu/student_scholarship_posters/1232/thumbnail.jp

A Case Study on American Social Media Privacy: Facebook and Government Oversight

As we move further into the age of technology, there is no reason to expect the use of social media and the internet will decline. The government\u27s inability to create a uniform technological landscape across offices and departments around the nation along with the shifting view of privacy in America has created openings for non-governmental companies, like Facebook, to collect the information freely given by citizens. This makes the privacy policies of social media companies civil rights and liberties issues for individual citizens as well as a national security concern. This paper argues that until the public, and policy makers, understand the thread of a new body controlling mass amounts of information on the American public, few concrete steps will be take to protect users\u27 privacy and the integrity of the country\u27s data infrastructure

Biokompatibilität und antimikrobielle Wirkung von kaltem atmosphärischem Plasma

Alternative Behandlungsmethoden zu Antibiotika sind aufgrund der stetig steigenden mikrobiellen Resistenzen von großer Bedeutung. Kaltes atmosphärisches Plasma besitzt durch seine antimikrobiellen Eigenschaften und erwarteter guter Zellverträglichkeit ein hohes therapeutisches Potential. Angesichts der Variabilität der unterschiedlichen Plasmageräte ist die Prüfung der Biofunktionalität und Biokompatibilität jedes Typs essentiell. Erste Versuche zur Zellverträglichkeit eines gepulsten Plasmajets und einer DBD-Quelle wurden anhand von 2D-Zellkultur vergleichend durchgeführt sowie die antimikrobielle Wirkung in 2D analysiert. Hier zeigte sich eine stark schädigende Wirkung des Plasmas bei beiden Plasmageräten. Diese Art dieser Prüfung spiegelt in vivo Bedingungen nur ungenügend wider. Das Mittel der Wahl sind meist Tierversuche, beispielsweise an Mäusen. Daher erfolgte die Testung der Plasmageräte am 3D-Hautmodell. Die DBD-Quelle wies dabei die bessere Biokompatibilität auf sowie eine sehr gute antimikrobielle Wirkung und wurde daher für weitere Testungen verwendet. Für die Untersuchung der antimikrobiellen Wirkung in 3D-Umgebung wurde ein 3D-Modell für kutane Candidose etabliert. Die DBD-Quelle zeigte dabei einen guten antimikrobiellen Effekt. Anhand dieses 3D-Haut- und Infektionsmodells kann zukünftig eine anwendungsnahe Beurteilung der Effektivität und Verträglichkeit von Plasmageräten erfolgen um somit die Erforschung der Plasmawirkung grundlegend zu unterstützen

Biomechanical Properties of Land Based and Shallow Water Wait: A Comparative Review of Literature

Aquatic locomotion exercises are frequently used in rehabilitation and cross-training for land-based athletes. Hydrostatic pressure, thermal conductivity and drag force affect a person\u27s ability to move; therefore, it is important to understand differences of biomechanical gait in water vs land. This review investigated biomechanical differences between shallow water and land-based exercises. PubMed, Google Scholar, SPORTDiscus and Scopus were searched; 33 studies included walking forward (27), backward (6) and running (6). Electromyographic amplitude was similar or less in submaximal intensity during aquatic gait, in comparison to on land. At maximal intensities, however, the amplitude was similar (n=5) or higher (n=4) in water than on land. Kinetic variables (i.e. ground reaction force, lower extremity joint moments) were reduced in water (about 30-35%), while kinematic variables varied between shallow water and land-based exercise. The research highlighted in this review provides a strong foundation for improving rehabilitation and research practices associated with aquatic activities

Effects of space charge on the mass purification in Penning traps

The influence of space charge on the mass selection of ions stored in a Penning trap was investigated with the ISOLTRAP experiment at CERN/ISOLDE. A mixture of 85,87Rb +  ions has been used to probe the change of the experimental parameters, e.g. frequencies and amplitudes of the radiofrequency excitations, as a function of the number of ions present in the tra

The effects of pediatric obesity on dynamic joint malalignment during gait

Background: There is a greater prevalence of lower extremity malalignment in obese children during static posture; however, there has been less examination of dynamic joint function in this cohort. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine kinematic differences that exist between obese and non-obese children that would support previously reported static joint malalignment. Methods: Forty children were classified as obese (n=20) or non-obese (n=20). Lower extremity joint kinematics were collected during five walking trials at a self-selected pace. Peak joint displacement and amount of joint motion throughout the gait cycle (calculated as the integrated displacement curve) were analyzed for group differences. Findings: Non-obese children had greater peak knee and hip extension during gait; however, there were no group differences in the integrated sagittal displacement curve. Obese children had greater peak angular displacement and integrals of angular displacement for peak hip adduction, hip internal rotation, and foot abduction (toe-out) than non-obese children. Obese children also had greater peak knee external rotation than non-obese children. Interpretation: Non-obese children showed greater range of motion in the sagittal plane, particularly at the hip and knee. Frontal and transverse plane differences suggest that obese children function in a more genu valgum position than non-obese children. Staticmeasures of genu valgum have been previously associated with pediatric obesity; the findings indicate that there are also dynamic implications of said malalignment in obese children. Genu valgum presents increased risk of osteoarthritis for obese children and should be considered when prescribing weight bearing exercise to this cohort

Trauma and the use of formal and informal resources in the deaf population: perspectives from mental health service providers

Using grounded theory analysis, the current study identifies the perspectives of therapists and counselors regarding the nature of informal and formal resources supporting the treatment of deaf individuals with trauma. Nineteen counselors and therapists were interviewed, and accessibility, formal support, informal networks, and gaps in resources were identified as salient themes. Subsequent analysis identified concerns with confidentiality as a strong theme. This study emphasizes the need for counselors and therapists to become mindful of utilizing resources to support the treatment of trauma while being concerned with confidentiality

Efficacy of antifungal agents against fungal spores: an in vitro study using microplate laser nephelometry and an artificially infected 3D skin model

Dermal fungal infections seem to have increased over recent years. There is further a shift from anthropophilic dermatophytes to a growing prevalence of zoophilic species and the emergence of resistant strains. New antifungals are needed to combat these fungi and their resting spores. This study aimed to investigate the sporicidal effects of sertaconazole nitrate using microplate laser nephelometry against the microconidia of Trichophyton , chlamydospores of Epidermophyton , blastospores of Candida , and conidia of the mold Scopulariopsis brevicaulis . The results obtained were compared with those from ciclopirox olamine and terbinafine. The sporicidal activity was further determined using infected three‐dimensional full skin models to determine the antifungal effects in the presence of human cells. Sertaconazole nitrate inhibited the growth of dermatophytes, molds, and yeasts. Ciclopirox olamine also had good antifungal activity, although higher concentrations were needed compared to sertaconazole nitrate. Terbinafine was highly effective against most dermatophytes, but higher concentrations were required to kill the resistant strain Trichophyton indotineae . Sertaconazole nitrate, ciclopirox olamine, and terbinafine had no negative effects on full skin models. Sertaconazole nitrate reduced the growth of fungal and yeast spores over 72 h. Ciclopirox olamine and terbinafine also inhibited the growth of dermatophytes and molds but had significantly lower effects on the yeast. Sertaconazole nitrate might have advantages over the commonly used antifungals ciclopirox olamine and terbinafine in combating resting spores, which persist in the tissues, and thus in the therapy of recurring dermatomycoses