Applied Plasma Research

Contains reports on two research projects.National Science Foundation (Grant GK-28282X)M. I. T. Lincoln Laboratory Purchase Order No. CC-54

Health Researchers' Use of Social Media: Scoping Review.

BackgroundHealth researchers are increasingly using social media in a professional capacity, and the applications of social media for health researchers are vast. However, there is currently no published evidence synthesis of the ways in which health researchers use social media professionally, and uncertainty remains as to how best to harness its potential.ObjectiveThis scoping review aimed to explore how social media is used by health researchers professionally, as reported in the literature.MethodsThe scoping review methodology guided by Arksey and O'Malley and Levac et al was used. Comprehensive searches based on the concepts of health research and social media were conducted in MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, ERIC, and Web of Science databases, with no limitations applied. Articles were screened at the title and abstract level and at full text by two reviewers. One reviewer extracted data that were analyzed descriptively to map the available evidence.ResultsA total of 8359 articles were screened at the title and abstract level, of which 719 were also assessed at full text for eligibility. The 414 articles identified for inclusion were published in 278 different journals. Studies originated from 31 different countries, with the most prevalent being the United States (52.7% [218/414]). The health discipline of the first authors varied, with medicine (33.3% [138/414]) being the most common. A third of the articles covered health generally, with 61 health-specific topics. Papers used a range of social media platforms (mean 1.33 [SD 0.7]). A quarter of the articles screened reported on social media use for participant recruitment (25.1% [104/414]), followed by practical ways to use social media (15.5% [64/414]), and use of social media for content analysis research (13.3% [55/414]). Articles were categorized as celebratory (ie, opportunities for engagement, 72.2% [299/414]), contingent (ie, opportunities and possible limitations, 22.7% [94/414]) and concerned (ie, potentially harmful, 5.1% [21/414]).ConclusionsHealth researchers are increasingly publishing on their use of social media for a range of professional purposes. Although most of the sentiment around the use of social media in health research was celebratory, the uses of social media varied widely. Future research is needed to support health researchers to optimize their social media use

Improved Constraints on Isotropic Shift and Anisotropies of the Speed of Light using Rotating Cryogenic Sapphire Oscillators

We demonstrate that Michelson-Morley tests, which detect direction-dependent anisotropies in the speed of light, can also be used to place limits upon isotropic deviations of the vacuum speed of light from $c$, as described by the photon sector Standard Model Extension (SME) parameter $\tilde{\kappa}_{tr}$. A shift in the speed of light that is isotropic in one inertial frame implies anisotropic shifts in others. Using observer Lorentz covariance, we derive the time-dependent variations in the relative resonance frequencies of a pair of electromagnetic resonators that would be generated by such a shift in the rest frame of the Sun. A new analysis of a recent experimental test of relativity using this result constrains $\tilde{\kappa}_{tr}$ with a precision of $7.4\times10^{-9}$. This represents the first constraint on $\tilde{\kappa}_{tr}$ by a Michelson-Morley experiment and the first analysis of a single experiment to simultaneously set limits on all nine non-birefringent terms in the photon sector of the SME

Plasmas and Controlled Nuclear Fusion

Contains reports on three research projects.U. S. Atomic Energy Commission (Contract AT(30-1)-3980

Plasma Electronics

Contains reports on five research projects.National Science Foundation (Grant GK-19)Lincoln Laboratory (Purchase Order DDL BB-107)U. S. Air Force (Contract AF 19(628)-500)U. S. Atomic Energy Commission (Contract AT(30-1)-3221)U. S. Atomic Energy Commission (Contract AT(30-1)-3285

Hydrodynamical winds from two-temperature plasma in X-ray binaries

Hydrodynamical winds from a spherical two-temperature plasma surrounding a compact object are constructed. The mass-loss rate is computed as a function of electron temperature, optical depth and luminosity of the sphere, the values of which can be constrained by the fitting of the spectral energy distributions for known X-ray binary systems. The sensitive dependence of the mass loss rate with these parameters leads to the identification of two distinct regions in the parameter space separating wind-dominated from non wind dominated systems. A critical optical depth, tau_c, as a function of luminosity and electron temperature, is defined which differentiates these two regions. Systems with optical depths significantly smaller than tau_c are wind-dominated. The results are applied to black hole candidate X-ray binary systems in the hard spectral state (Cyg X-1, GX 339-4 and Nova Muscae), and it is found that the inferred optical depth (tau) is similar to tau_c suggesting that they are wind regulated systems. On the other hand, for X-ray binary systems containing a neutron star (e.g., Cyg X-2) tau is much larger than tau_c indicating the absence of significant hydrodynamical winds.Comment: 9 pages, 4 figures, Accepted for publication in MNRA

Plasmas and Controlled Nuclear Fusion

Contains reports on thirteen research projects split into two sections.National Science Foundation (Grant GK-57)National Science Foundation (Grant GK-614

Applied Plasma Research

Contains reports on two research projects.National Science Foundation (Grant GK-28282X1)National Science Foundation (Grant GK-33843)U. S. Army - Research Office - Durham (Contract DAHC04-72-C-0044

Plasmas and Controlled Nuclear Fusion

Contains reports on three research projects.National Science Foundation (Grant GK-57)National Science Foundation (Grant GK-1165

Evaluation of a High-Risk Case Management Pilot Program for Medicare Beneficiaries with Medigap Coverage

The objective was to evaluate the 3-year experience of a high-risk case management (HRCM) pilot program for adults with an AARP Medicare Supplement (Medigap) Insurance Plan. Participants were provided in-person visits as well as telephonic and mailed services to improve care coordination from December 1, 2008, to December 31, 2011. Included were adults who had an AARP Medigap Insurance Plan, resided in 1 of 5 pilot states, and had a Hierarchical Condition Category score>3.74, or were referred into the program. Propensity score weighting was used to adjust for case-mix differences among 2015 participants and 7626 qualified but nonparticipating individuals. Participants were in the program an average of 15.4 months. After weighting, multiple regression analyses were used to estimate differences in quality of care and health care expenditures between participants and nonparticipants. Increased duration in the program was associated with fewer hospital readmissions. Additionally, participants were significantly more likely to have recurring office visits and recommended laboratory tests. The program demonstrated $7.7 million in savings over the 3 years, resulting in a return on investment of$1.40 saved for every dollar spent on the program. Savings increased each year from 2009 to 2011 and with longer length of engagement. The majority of savings were realized by the federal Medicare program. This study focused on quality of care and savings for an HRCM program designed solely for Medicare members with Medicare Supplement coverage. This program had a favorable impact on quality of care and demonstrated savings over a 3-year period. (Population Health Management 2015;18:93?103)Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/140185/1/pop.2014.0035.pd