Technology and Caregiving: Emerging Interventions and Directions for Research.

An array of technology-based interventions has increasingly become available to support family caregivers, primarily focusing on health and well-being, social isolation, financial, and psychological support. More recently the emergence of new technologies such as mobile and cloud, robotics, connected sensors, virtual/augmented/mixed reality, voice, and the evermore ubiquitous tools supported by advanced data analytics, coupled with the integration of multiple technologies through platform solutions, have opened a new era of technology-enabled interventions that can empower and support family caregivers. This paper proposes a conceptual framework for identifying and addressing the challenges that may need to be overcome to effectively apply technology-enabled solutions for family caregivers. The paper identifies a number of challenges that either moderate or mediate the full use of technologies for the benefit of caregivers. The challenges include issues related to equity, inclusion, and access; ethical concerns related to privacy and security; political and regulatory factors affecting interoperability and lack of standards; inclusive/human-centric design and issues; and inherent economic and distribution channel difficulties. The paper concludes with a summary of research questions and issues that form a framework for global research priorities

Influence of leaf area density and trellis/training system on the light microclimate within grapevine canopies

The influence of leaf area density and canopy configuration on the light microclimate within 6 wine grape trellis/ training systems commonly used in California (single curtain, double curtain, vertically shoot positioned, lyre, Smart-Henry and Smart-Dyson) was examined in two experimental vineyards (Oakville and Parlier). Mean canopy leaf area density varied considerably among the systems, ranging from approximately 2.8 m2m-3 for the Wye to 10.1 m2m-3 for the VSP. Non-positioned systems were characterized by a layer of relatively high leaf area density in their outer envelope and lower leaf area densities in their interior. In contrast, leaf area density in positioned systems increased from the top of the canopy moving downward to the fruit zone. Mean leaf area density within the fruit zone ranged from near 6 m2m-3 in the DC to over 12 m2m-3 in the VSP and LYR. The pattern of light attenuation within the canopy was generally similar among the systems, with PPF reaching its lowest level in or near the fruit zone. Fruit zone PPF was >10 % of ambient sunlight in low density canopies and <5 % in high density canopies. A gradual decline in fruit zone PPF was found as leaf area density increased in positioned systems. PPF decreased sharply in the fruit zone of non-positioned systems as leaf area density increased from 2 to 4 m2m-3, then leveled as leaf area density exceeded 6 m2m-3. Fruit zone PPF decreased as the leaf area density of divided systems increased from 2 to 4 m2m-3, then declined gradually as leaf area density approached 6 m2m-3. Fruit zone PPF in non-divided systems was initially lower, and declined more gradually as leaf area density increased, compared to divided systems. Compared to positioned systems, leaf layer number in the fruit zone rose more sharply in non-positioned systems as leaf area density increased. Leaf layer number was greater in nondivided systems compared to divided systems, but declined at similar rates in both systems as leaf area density increased. Shoot-positioned systems achieved well-exposed fruit zones at higher leaf area densities, but lower leaf layer numbers, compared to non-positioned canopies

Quantitative Cherenkov emission spectroscopy for tissue oxygenation assessment

Measurements of Cherenkov emission in tissue during radiation therapy are shown to enable estimation of hemoglobin oxygen saturation non-invasively, through spectral fitting of the spontaneous emissions from the treated tissue. Tissue oxygenation plays a critical role in the efficacy of radiation therapy to kill tumor tissue. Yet in-vivo measurement of this has remained elusive in routine use because of the complexity of oxygen measurement techniques. There is a spectrally broad emission of Cherenkov light that is induced during the time of irradiation, and as this travels through tissue from the point of the radiation deposition, the tissue absorption and scatter impart spectral changes. These changes can be quantified by diffuse spectral fitting of the signal. Thus Cherenkov emission spectroscopy is demonstrated for the first time quantitatively in vitro and qualitatively in vivo, and has potential for real-time online tracking of tissue oxygen during radiation therapy when fully characterized and developed. (C) 2012 Optical Society of Americ

Strong Enhancement of Superconducting Correlation in a Two-Component Fermion Gas

We study high-density electron-hole (e-h) systems with the electron density slightly larger than the hole density. We find a new superconducting phase, in which the excess electrons form Cooper pairs moving in an e-h BCS phase. The coexistence of the e-h and e-e orders is possible because e and h have opposite charges, whereas analogous phases are impossible in the case of two fermion species that have the same charge or are neutral. Most strikingly, the e-h order enhances the superconducting e-h order parameter by more than one order of magnitude as compared with that given by the BCS formula, for the same value of the effective e-e attractive potential \lambda^{ee}. This new phase should be observable in an e-h system created by photoexcitation in doped semiconductors at low temperatures.Comment: 5 pages including 5 PostScript figure

Being Native American in Business: Culture, Identity, and Authentic Leadership in Modern American Indian Enterprises

Tribally-owned American Indian enterprises provide a unique cross-cultural setting for emerging Native American business leaders. This paper examines the manner in which American Indian leaders negotiate the boundaries between their indigenous organizations and the non-indigenous communities in which they do business. Through a series of qualitative interviews, we find that American Indian business leaders fall back on a strong sense of “self”, which allows them to maintain effective leadership across boundaries. This is highly consistent with theories of authentic leadership. Furthermore, we find that leaders define self through their collective identity, which is heavily influenced by tribal affiliation and tribal culture. We add to the literature on authentic leadership by showing the role that culture and collective identity have in creating leader authenticity within the indigenous community

H_2 fluorescence spectrum from 1200 to 1700 Å by electron impact: Laboratory study and application to Jovian aurora

A combined experimental study of the fluorescence spectrum of H_2 at wavelengths of 1200-1700 Å by electron impact and its application to modeling the Jovian aurora have been carried out. Our laboratory data suggest that at 100 eV the relative cross sections for direct excitation of Lyɑ, Lyman bands (B^1Σ_u^+-X^1Σ_g^+), and Werner bands (C^1π_u-X^1Σ_g^+) are 1, 2.3±0.6, and 2.6±0.5, respectively, in conflict with Stone and Zipfs (1972) results for the Werner bands. Cascade from E,F^1Σ_g^+ states contributes an additional 31% to the B^1Σ_u^+ state population. It is shown that the most likely fate for the metastable H(2^2S) atoms produced in the Jovian aurora is collisional quenching to H(2^2P), and this could add as much as 60% to the predicted Lyɑ emission. On the basis of detailed atmospheric and radiative transfer modeling, we conclude that the recent IUE and Voyager observations are consistent with precipitation of electrons with energy in the range of 1-30 keV or other energetic particles that penetrate to number densities of 4 X 10^(10)-5 X 10^(13) cm^(-3) or column densities of 5 X 10^(17)-2 X 10^(20) cm^(-2) in the atmosphere. The globally averaged energy flux and production of hydrogen atoms are 0.5-2 ergs cm^(-2) s^(-1) and 1-4 X 10^(10) atoms cm^(-2) s^(-1), respectively

The push and pull of network mobility: how those high in trait-level neuroticism can come to occupy peripheral network positions

Field research shows that people’s network positions are determined, at least in part, by their traits. For instance, over time, actors higher in trait-level neuroticism move out to the network periphery. What is unknown is how this happens. Drawing on personality and social psychological theory, we generated a model that could explain the movement of actors who are higher in neuroticism. Our aim is to add to the existing empirical literature on the interplay of actor level traits and social networks, and do so using methods that can establish possible causal pathways. In four experiments, we tested two explanatory mechanisms—aversion on the part of alters and avoidance on the part of focal actors. Results showed that potential alters indeed perceived actors higher in neuroticism as aversive, leading them to block these actors from well-connected spots. Specifically, low perceived levels of likability prevented actors from being nominated to better positions. In a test of avoidance, actors higher in neuroticism recognized the benefits of better-connected network positions, but also saw them as costly, and thus, declined opportunities to occupy them. This work shows how both alters and egos can determine egos’ place in networks, and specifies how this is done