Chatter, Clatter, and Blinks: Defective Car Alerts and the Role of Technological Advances in Design Defect/failure to Warn Cases

Car owners are familiar with the warning lights on the dashboard and the beeping sound reminding them to use their seatbelt. But, neither the legislature nor courts have concretely defined the legal nature of these alerts. This iBrief will analyze when a deficient alert becomes a defective product tort claim and determine the appropriate theory under which such claims should be brought

Explicit and Implicit Processes in Human Aversive Conditioning

The ability to adapt to a changing environment is central to an organism’s success. The process of associating two stimuli (as in associative conditioning) requires very little in the way of neural machinery. In fact, organisms with only a few hundred neurons show conditioning that is specific to an associated cue. This type of learning is commonly referred to as implicit learning. The learning can be performed in the absence of the subject’s ability to describe it. One example of learning that is thought to be implicit is delay conditioning. Delay conditioning consists of a single cue (a tone, for example) that starts before, and then overlaps with, an outcome (like a pain stimulus). In addition to associating sensory cues, humans routinely link abstract concepts with an outcome. This more complex learning is often described as explicit since subjects are able to describe the link between the stimulus and outcome. An example of conditioning that requires this type of knowledge is trace conditioning. Trace conditioning includes a separation of a few seconds between the cue and outcome. Explicit learning is often proposed to involve a separate system, but the degree of separation between implicit associations and explicit learning is still debated. We describe aversive conditioning experiments in human subjects used to study the degree of interaction that takes place between explicit and implicit systems. We do this in three ways. First, if a higher order task (in this case a working memory task) is performed during conditioning, it reduces not only explicit learning but also implicit learning. Second, we describe the area of the brain involved in explicit learning during conditioning and confirm that it is active during both trace and delay conditioning. Third, using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), we describe hemodynamic activity changes in perceptual areas of the brain that occur during delay conditioning and persist after the learned association has faded. From these studies, we conclude that there is a strong interaction between explicit and implicit learning systems, with one often directly changing the function of the other.</p

GAME THEORETIC APPROACHES TO COMMUNICATION OVER MIMO INTERFERENCE CHANNELS IN THE PRESENCE OF A MALICIOUS JAMMER

Ph.D. Thesis. University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa 2018

Does Merger and Acquisition Activity Play a Role in The Pre-Existing Healthcare Initiatives of Improved Quality and Decreased Costs Highlighted by The Affordable Care Act?

This is a quantitative study of archival data that examines Merger and Acquisition (M&A) activity using currently established healthcare quality and financial performance metrics. The research seeks to explicate the relationship between M&A activity and M&A experience in the healthcare industry as it relates to initiatives aimed at improving the quality and decreasing the cost of healthcare. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) legislation appears to be contributing to a trend toward M&A consolidation; by illuminating how this trend potentially impacts healthcare quality and cost reduction initiatives, this study’s contribution is both useful and practical. The units of analysis are Medicare reporting hospitals, hospital systems, and related healthcare providers that have or have not experienced an M&A or multiple M&As. The study shows a statistically significant improvement in quality each year from 2006–2014, which is reflected in higher scores for the four quality metrics measured. M&A activity, as measured by acquisition status and acquirer experience, did not appear to influence these quality metrics, with the exception of the heart failure measure, which showed a statistically significant positive influence of acquirer experience across all specifications. M&A activity’s possible effects on hospital financial performance was assessed through operating-cost-to-charge and capital-cost-to-charge ratios (CCRs). The operating CCR appears to be positively influenced by both acquisition status and acquirer experience, while the capital CCR was positively influenced only by acquirer experience. A positive influence is reflected in a decreasing ratio. Results on quality improvement over time, both before and after the ACA, suggest that the ACA itself may not be the driver for quality improvement. Similarly, decreases in OCCR occurred consistently and statistically significantly over time, both pre- and post-ACA, while CCCR showed statistically significant decreases in 2006–2008, 2013, and 2014. These results appear to support the notion that the trend was ongoing before the ACA was enacted and gave these measures high-profile exposure. This is a quantitative study of archival data that examines Merger and Acquisition (M&A) activity using currently established healthcare quality and financial performance metrics. The research seeks to explicate the relationship between M&A activity and M&A experience in the healthcare industry as it relates to initiatives aimed at improving the quality and decreasing the cost of healthcare. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) legislation appears to be contributing to a trend toward M&A consolidation; by illuminating how this trend potentially impacts healthcare quality and cost reduction initiatives, this study’s contribution is both useful and practical. The units of analysis are Medicare reporting hospitals, hospital systems, and related healthcare providers that have or have not experienced an M&A or multiple M&As. The study shows a statistically significant improvement in quality each year from 2006–2014, which is reflected in higher scores for the four quality metrics measured. M&A activity, as measured by acquisition status and acquirer experience, did not appear to influence these quality metrics, with the exception of the heart failure measure, which showed a statistically significant positive influence of acquirer experience across all specifications. M&A activity’s possible effects on hospital financial performance was assessed through operating-cost-to-charge and capital-cost-to-charge ratios (CCRs). The operating CCR appears to be positively influenced by both acquisition status and acquirer experience, while the capital CCR was positively influenced only by acquirer experience. A positive influence is reflected in a decreasing ratio. Results on quality improvement over time, both before and after the ACA, suggest that the ACA itself may not be the driver for quality improvement. Similarly, decreases in OCCR occurred consistently and statistically significantly over time, both pre- and post-ACA, while CCCR showed statistically significant decreases in 2006–2008, 2013, and 2014. These results appear to support the notion that the trend was ongoing before the ACA was enacted and gave these measures high-profile exposure

Reading Abilities of Vocational Trade and Industrial Education Students in Granite School District Relative to Readability Level of Textbooks

The reading abilities of trade and industrial education students enrolled in the six trade and industrial education courses of automotive mechanics, building construction, drafting, electronics, machine shop, and welding in the six high schools of Granite School District were studied in relation to the rated readability of basic textbooks used in those courses. Additional relationships were studied between student reading abilities and intelligence, between course grades and intelligence, and between course grades and reading abilities. The mean reading ability of the 388 trade and industrial education students included in the study assessed by administering the California Reading Test for grades nine through 14 , was found to be 10.8 for the eleventh grade students, 11. l for the twelfth grade students, and 11.0 for all students included in the study . These abilities ranged from grade six to grade 15. Electronics students had the highest average reading ability measured at 12. 4, while the average welding student was reading at grade 10.3. There were 54.4 percent or 87 eleventh grade students reading below their assigned grade level and 60.1 percent or 137 twelfth grade students reading below their assigned grade level. Little relationship was found between average student grades and their intelligence quotients, or between average student grades and reading level, while the correlation between Intelligence quotient and average reading ability was relatively high. The rated readability of basic textbooks used by the students in the six courses was obtained through the application of both the Dale-Chall, and the SMOG formulas. A significant difference was found between the average reading ability of students and the readability of the basic textbook they were using. Reading abilities of average students in automotive mechanics, electron ics, and welding courses were below the rated readability of the corresponding textbooks . Reading abilities of average students in building construction, draft ing, and machine shop courses were above the rated readability of each of the corresponding textbooks. The following conclusions were drawn from the data analyzed In the study: 1. The reading grade level of students in trade and industrial education courses is more important as a factor in determining a suitable level of read ability for a basic textbook than the usual criterion of the assigned grade level of a course or a student\u27s grade placement. 2. A basic textbook should have the capacity to interest the more able students as well as the slower readers . 3. More effort must be expended to help less able readers understand and relate the vocabulary of a technical type course . 4. Teachers should take into consideration the individual reading ability of students in planning their instruction rather than assume all students to be read ing at grade level. 5. Of the factors used in assessing the rated readability of textbooks, vocabulary was more important than sentence length. 6. None of the basic textbooks analyzed exhibited a progression of read ing difficulty from easy material at the beginning of the textbook to more difficult material towards the end of the textbook. 7. Although there was a wide variation in the mental abilities of students, generally students with high mental ability had a high reading ability. 8. The results of applying a one-way analysis of variance to student reading data from two of the courses , building construction and electronics , which were taught in a ll six high schools, indicated the reading grade level of students was not affected by the geographical area in which the student resided

Making hospital shops healthier:evaluating the implementation of a mandatory standard for limiting food products and promotions in hospital retail outlets

Background The range of products stocked and their promotions in food retail outlets in healthcare settings can affect food choices by staff, patients and visitors. The innovative Scottish Healthcare Retail Standard (HRS) is a national mandatory scheme requiring all hospital food retail outlets to change the balance of food products stocked and their promotion to comply with nutritional criteria and promotional restrictions. The aim is to facilitate healthier food choices in healthcare settings. This study examined the implementation of HRS and the impact on foods stocked and promoted. Methods The study aimed to examine implementation process and changes to the retail environment in relation to food promotions and choice. A sample of hospital retail outlets (n=17) including shops and trolley services were surveyed using a mixed methods design comprising: (a) structured observational audits of stock, layout and promotions (with a specific focus on chocolate and fruit product lines, and) (b) face-to-face, semi-structured interviews with the shop manager or nominated members of staff (n=32). Data were collected at Wave 1 (2016), at the beginning and during the early stages of HRS implementation; and Wave 2, 12 months later, after the HRS implementation deadline. Results All outlets, both commercial and not-for-profit, in the sample successfully implemented HRS. Implementation was reported to be more challenging by independent shop managers compared to chain store staff. Retail managers identified areas where more implementation guidance and support could have been provided. The number of chocolate product lines and promotions reduced substantially between Waves 1 and 2, but with no substantial increase in fruit product lines and promotions. Despite initial negative expectations of HRS’s impact, managers identified some opportunities in the scheme and positive changes in the supply chain. Conclusions Positive changes in food retail outlets occurred after hospital shops were required to implement HRS. By creating a consistent approach across hospital shops in Scotland, HRS changed the food retail environment for hospital staff, visitors and patients. HRS provides a regulatory template and implementation learning points for influencing retail environments in other jurisdictions and settings

Study of MAS practice and knowledge and bibliographic references for management advisory services : MASPAK

https://egrove.olemiss.edu/aicpa_guides/2309/thumbnail.jp

Service failures and challenges in responding to people bereaved through drugs and alcohol: An interprofessional analysis

This article reports findings from the first two stages of a three-stage qualitative study which considered the role of services, including public, private and charitable organisations, in responding to the needs of adults bereaved following the drug and/or alcohol-related death of someone close. The study, the first of its kind to explore the landscape and role of services in substance use deaths, was conducted over two sites: south west England and Scotland. In stage 1 of the research, adopting both convenience and purposive sampling, data were collected via semi-structured interviews on experiences and support needs of bereaved individuals (n = 106). In stage 2, six focus groups were conducted with a purposive sample of practitioners (n = 40), including those working for the police, coroner’s service, procurator fiscal depute (Scotland), health service, funeral service, press, clergy, Public Health England, Drugs Policy Unit, bereavement counselling/support and alcohol and drug treatment services, to investigate how services may better respond to this bereavement. Thematic analysis from both data-sets identified two overarching themes. The first, focusing on practitioner responses, captures how these bereaved people may meet with inadequate, unkind, and discriminatory responses from services. Having to navigate unfamiliar, fragmented, and time-consuming procedures compounds the bereaved’s distress at an already difficult time, illustrated by a ‘mapping’ of relevant services. The second relates to challenges and opportunities for those responding. Service failures reflect practitioners’ poor understanding of both substance use bereavement and the range of other practitioners and services involved. Those bereaved are a poorly understood, neglected and stigmatised group of service users. There is a need for services to respond without judgement or insensitive language, and provide information about, communicate and work closely with, other services despite differences in working practices and cultures. These recommendations could positively affect bereaved peoples’ experiences, alleviating stress and overwhelm at a particularly vulnerable time

Understanding Teachers’ Experience with a Revised History Curriculum

Quebec’s mandated high school history course has received much public attention since the reimagining of the curriculum in 2006. In this thesis, I examine the historical contexts and debates surrounding Québec’s mandated history courses published in 1982, 2006 and 2016. I investigate the problems with the 2006 curriculum and conduct a policy analysis of the circumstances for replacing the 2006 curriculum only 10 years after its publication. The 2016 curriculum is based on the recommendations of a public consultation by Beauchemin and Fahmy-Eid (2014). A policy analysis of these recommendations reveal that Beauchemin and Fahmy-Eid tightly controlled text and discourse in favour of a national historical narrative. Consequently, the Beauchemin and Fahmy-Eid report (2014) limits Quebec’s minority and marginalized communities from connecting to or being validated by history. The 2016 version of the curriculum has come under scrutiny for overemphasising the historical contributions of one nation through a unique Québec lens (Bradley & Allison, 2021). The phenomenological portion of my thesis shows that teachers of English-speaking students in Québec are aware that the 2016 curriculum does not validate minority and marginalized communities and accommodate the curriculum by delivering the material in ways that undermine the nationalistic and civic aspects of the curriculum and encourage students to reflect on their place and that of others in Québec’s social culture