Does high technology matter? An application to United States regional growth

This paper studies the influence of"high technology"on the growth of output by using cross-section data on U.S. states. An eclectic approach to the"sources-of-growth"literature leads to the estimate of a"base"equation which explains about half of the differences in per capita GSP growth rates of the 48 contiguous states in the decade 1976-86. Through the use of micro-data on employment in high-tech activities, tests are then conducted to see whether the importance of high-tech, as measured by employment creation in new firms, enhances the explanation of growth differences. The results obtained confirm first, the importance of starting income levels and of changes in the investment share in output, as well as of participation rate changes, in influencing regional growth rates. In addition, it appears that a high overall birth rate of firms, on average during the period, is negatively related to growth during that period. However, the share of employment created in new firms that occurs in high-tech activities does have a powerful and positive influence on per capita income growth. This provides support for the hypothesis that innovative activity at the frontier of technology contributes to rising living standards.Achieving Shared Growth,Environmental Economics&Policies,Health Monitoring&Evaluation,Governance Indicators,Economic Growth

Increasing Practitioner Awareness of Racial Variations in Colorectal Cancer Screening Recommendations in African Americans

Background: According to the Center for Disease Control (2014), colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States. African Americans are more likely to be diagnosed and die from this form of cancer than any other racial group. Methods: This quality improvement project focused on educating providers on the importance of recommending colorectal cancer screening for African Americans staring at 45 years of age. A group of seven health care providers who provide health care services to active duty soldiers, dependents, retirees, and government employees were exposed to an educational session based on a toolkit developed by the American College of Gastroenterology. A repeated measure (paired t-test) determined if differences in knowledge after exposure to the educational toolkit were significant from pre-test scores. Results: Based on a 100 percent point scale, participants scored an average of 49% before exposure to the training and an average of 86% after attending the training session. A repeated measure t-test determined that the 37% increase between pre-tests and post-test scores was statistically significant (t=13.0, p=.0001). Participants strongly agreed that the training was useful for increasing knowledge of evidence-based CRC screening recommendations in African Americans. Conclusion: The training session were effective in increasing the knowledge of colorectal cancer screening for African Americans. Post-test findings suggest that the session met the goal of increasing awareness of early colorectal cancer detection for African-Americans. This quality improvement project can serve as a foundation for increasing provider awareness and knowledge of colorectal cancer screening in African Americans age 45-49 in other clinical settings. Key Words: Colon Cancer, Screening, African Americ

How Fluency is Impacted for Struggling Readers Through Decoding, Rereading, and Word Study

The purpose of this study was to investigate what happens to the fluency of struggling readers when the decoding of new or unfamiliar words were taught during small group reading instruction. Three females and two male first and second grade students provided usable data for this study. Research was.collected over a three-month period and was taken during small reading groups. The elements of fluency that were addressed in the study were expression, accuracy, rate, and smoothness. Components that were used to increase fluency were the Dolch sight words, rereading, and word study. The students were tested three different times throughout the study on the Dolch sight words and on their reading rate with the rereading of four different books. The results indicated that these three measures combined created fluent readers in the small reading groups. An analysis on the reading rate was done for every student on four different books of their choice at their own reading level. Students were timed on the reading three different times and the time it took was converted into a reading rate. The reading rate was calculated by the number of words read correctly divided by the number of seconds it took to read multiplied by 60. The results indicated that rereading books in the small reading groups increased fluency with each student. These results supported the idea that readers get better with practice and improve in their accuracy and speed. An analysis of the Dolch sight words was taken below and on grade level for each student. The number of correct words was recorded and students practiced with unknown words throughout the research period. Results indicated that drill and practice and multisensory approaches to sight words increased the number of words learned and known automatically. The word study approach was a supplemental activity used in guided reading to help students recognize common features in words. Students were taught word families, digraphs, blends, and beginning consonants. Based on observations, students applied the knowledge of these learned words to their reading, which helped them to become fluent readers

Propionibacterium acnes as an immunostimulant

Due to the character of the original source materials and the nature of batch digitization, quality control issues may be present in this document. Please report any quality issues you encounter to [email protected], referencing the URI of the item.Includes bibliographical references: leaves 17-19.The use of Propionibacterium acnes as an immunostimulant has been documented in various in vivo studies. Used frequently in the equine industry as a prophylactic treatment against Equine Respiratory Disease Complex (ERDC), P. acnes plays a role in activating the immune system through heightened macrophage function. While this activation is acknowledged, little is known about the specific pathway through which P. acnes act to bring this activation about. In an attempt to understand the mechanism of macrophage activation by P. acnes, studies were carried out using the macrophage cell line RAW 264.7. Treatment of RAW 264.7 cells with P. acnes in the presence of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) caused the activation of macrophages as observed by the morphological changes. It also caused the induction of the inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) protein in these cells. This induction of iNOS was dose-dependent and synergistic with LPS

An Evaluation Of The Predictors Of Placement In Permanent Supportive Housing In The Detroit Metropolitan Communities

This was a quantitative evaluation of the predictors in placement of permanent supportive housing using the Coordinated Assessment Model (CAM) located in the Southwest Solution Agency. The statistical methods used were chi-square, discriminant function analysis and the logistical regression. The dependent variables were housed and not housed and the independent variables were chronic, family, Service Prioritization Decision Assessment Tool, and veteran status. There were 277 cases used for this study, the statistical methods showed there was a difference between the numbers of cases housed verse not housed. The discriminant function analysis and the logistic regression indicated the independent variables family and veteran were statistically significant. The chi-square showed the SPDAT scores 47 and higher was statistically significant. The data indicated family, veterans, and Service Prioritization Decision Assessment Tool (SPDAT) are predictors of (PSH)

Enabler operator station

The objective of this project was to design an onboard operator station for the conceptual Lunar Work Vehicle (LWV). This LWV would be used in the colonization of a lunar outpost. The details that follow, however, are for an earth-bound model. Several recommendations are made in the appendix as to the changes needed in material selection for the lunar environment. The operator station is designed dimensionally correct for an astronaut wearing the current space shuttle EVA suit (which includes life support). The proposed operator station will support and restrain an astronaut as well as provide protection from the hazards of vehicle rollover. The threat of suit puncture is eliminated by rounding all corners and edges. A step-plate, located at the front of the vehicle, provides excellent ease of entry and exit. The operator station weight requirements are met by making efficient use of grid members, semi-rigid members and woven fabrics

Determining the Effectiveness of Core Strengthening Exercise Therapies in Treating Nonspecific Low Back Pain: A Critically Appraised Topic

CLINICAL SCENARIO: Nonspecific low back pain is a condition which impacts athletes of all calibers and sports. It has been found that a total of 68% of top athletes from multiple sports have been affected by nonspecific low back pain at some point in their career. Clinicians have discussed that tight hamstrings and weak core muscles are a major cause of nonspecific low back pain. A myriad of program exist to reduce nonspecific low back pain caused from hamstring tightness, however a standardized rehabilitation protocol for strengthening the core muscles to reduce nonspecific low back pain is not as well established. Many different treatment options have been utilized, such as medications, biopsychosocial interventions, physical and electrical modalities, manual therapies, and exercise therapies. Included in these exercise therapies are stretching and mobility exercises, cardiovascular endurance, and strengthening exercises, specifically core stability exercises.FOCUSED CLINICAL QUESTION: Is there evidence to suggest which type of core strengthening rehabilitation would best reduce pain and increase function in athletes? CLINICAL BOTTOM LINE: To best reduce pain and increase overall function caused by nonspecific low back pain, a combination of motor control exercises, general exercises, graded activities, sling exercises, segmental stabilization, and spinal manipulative therapy should be utilized. Strength of Recommendation: According to the Oxford Centre for Evidence-based Medicine (CEBM) Levels of Evidence. There is moderate evidence, level 2b and higher, suggesting that an exercise program should be created that is tailored to the individual athlete’s flaws. KEY WORDS: Low back, pain, motor control, stabilization, manipulative therap

The role of alcohol response phenotypes in the risk for alcohol use disorder

Heavy alcohol use is pervasive and one of our most significant global health burdens. Early theories posited that certain alcohol response phenotypes, notably low sensitivity to alcohol (‘low-level response’) imparts risk for alcohol use disorder (AUD). However, other theories, and newer measures of subjective alcohol responses, have challenged that contention and argued that high sensitivity to some alcohol effects are equally important for AUD risk. This study presents results of a unique longitudinal study in 294 young adult non-dependent drinkers examined with alcohol and placebo testing in the laboratory at initial enrolment and repeated 5 years later, with regular follow-up intervals assessing AUD (trial registration: http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00961792). Findings showed that alcohol sedation was negatively correlated with stimulation across the breath alcohol curve and at initial and re-examination testing. A higher rather than lower alcohol response phenotype was predictive of future AUD. The findings underscore a new understanding of factors increasing vulnerability to AUD

Akt1 and -2 inhibition diminishes terminal differentiation and enhances central memory CD8(+) T-cell proliferation and survival

The authors thank Dr Esteban Celis and Dr Rhea-Beth Markowitz for reviewing the manuscript and for their valuable suggestions and also thank Dr Lei Huang for his suggestions.Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Exploring the balance between automation and human intervention in improving final year university student non-completion

This paper examines the research methods used in the 'Pedestal for Progression' project, a project that set out to determine why students at Loughborough University fail to complete their final year. It demonstrates how methods adopted can be used to enhance student experience and improve retention. Initial research with students found that the difference between student experience in initial and final years can be characterised by concern over the independent study required for the dissertation project and associated worries of managing workloads with competing deadlines. Interviews and workshops with students also identified a wider concern about the quality of relationships with technical, administrative and academic staff. In addition, research found that the final year can be flooded by concerns over employability. Fundamental to these issues are student relationships. Using the methods of Service Design and Data Mining the project designed, implemented and assessed a number of initiatives aimed at alleviating these student concerns. Key to the theory of Service Design is the management of points of contact with service providers and vital to Data Mining is the identification of patterns of behaviour that could predict non-completion. Service Design aims to provide customer focused highly desirable services. Whilst, on the other hand, data mining aims to identify signals that determine those at risk of not completing courses. This paper examines the use of Service Design and Data Mining in Higher Education from the results of the project and determined that whilst the methods can be used in a complementary manner, each derives from different paradigms of knowledge