Group algebras and enveloping algebras with nonmatrix and semigroup identities

Let K be a field of positive characteristic p, let R be either a group algebra K[G] or a restricted enveloping algebra u(L), and let I be the augmentation ideal of R. We first characterize those R for which I satisfies a polynomial identity not satisfied by the algebra of all 2-by-2 matrices over K. Then we examine those R for which I satisfies a semigroup identity (that is, a polynomial identity which can be written as the difference of two monomials).Comment: 11 pages. Written in LaTeX2

Better Kid Care Program Improves the Quality of Child Care: Results from an Interview Study

More high quality child care is needed in the United States. This article evaluates the Better Kid Care (BKC) program produced by Pennsylvania State University Extension. Child care staff in Wisconsin were interviewed about changes they had made in their early childhood programs following participation in the BKC program. Findings show that 2 months post-program, most participants could name specific skills or knowledge they learned and improvements they made in their early childhood programs as a result of BKC. The BKC program improves child care quality, and increasing program participation is recommended

Defining and Targeting Health Disparities in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

The global burden of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) continues to grow in part due to better outcomes in other major diseases and in part because a substantial portion of the worldwide population continues to be exposed to inhalant toxins. However, a disproportionate burden of COPD occurs in people of low socioeconomic status (SES) due to differences in health behaviors, sociopolitical factors, and social and structural environmental exposures. Tobacco use, occupations with exposure to inhalant toxins, and indoor biomass fuel (BF) exposure are more common in low SES populations. Not only does SES affect the risk of developing COPD and etiologies, it is also associated with worsened COPD health outcomes. Effective interventions in these people are needed to decrease these disparities. Efforts that may help lessen these health inequities in low SES include 1) better surveillance targeting diagnosed and undiagnosed COPD in disadvantaged people, 2) educating the public and those involved in health care provision about the disease, 3) improving access to cost-effective and affordable health care, and 4) markedly increasing the efforts to prevent disease through smoking cessation, minimizing use and exposure to BF, and decreasing occupational exposures. COPD is considered to be one the most preventable major causes of death from a chronic disease in the world; therefore, effective interventions could have a major impact on reducing the global burden of the disease, especially in socioeconomically disadvantaged populations

A Compact Five-Channel VLF Wave Receiver for CubeSat Missions

Very low frequency (VLF) waves play an important role in controlling the evolution of energetic electron distributions in near-Earth space. This paper describes the design of a VLF receiver for the Climatology of Anthropogenic and Natural VLF Wave Activity in Space (CANVAS) CubeSat mission, designed to make continuous observations of VLF waves in low-Earth orbit originating from lightning and ground-based transmitters. The CANVAS VLF receiver will observe five components of VLF waves in the 0.3–40 kHz frequency range, using three orthogonal magnetic search coils deployed on the end of a 1-meter carbon fiber boom and four deployable electric field antennas operated as two orthogonal dipoles. Together, these five wave components will be used to calculate real and imaginary spectral matrix components using real-time fast Fourier transforms calculated in an onboard FPGA. Spectral matrix components will be averaged to obtain 1 second time resolution and frequency resolution better than 10%. The averaged spectral matrix will be used to determine the complete set of wave parameters, including Poynting flux, polarization, planarity, and k-vector direction. CANVAS is currently in the manufacturing and assembly phase and is planned to launch at the end of 2022

Motor Performance and Quality of Life in a Community Exercise Program for Parkinson Disease

We investigated the effect of a comprehensive community program composed of exercise, mindfulness practice, and education on motor function and quality of life in individuals with Parkinson disease (PD). Thirty-six participants completed physical and quality-of-life assessments independently at baseline and 12 months. Physical assessments showed stability or improvement in functional mobility, integrated strength, and walking ability over the 1-year interval. PDQ-39 measures showed improvement in 6 of 8 indices: mobility, activities of daily living, emotional well-being, stigma reduction, social support, and bodily discomfort. Our results demonstrate the effectiveness of exercise, mindfulness, and education in community and group settings