On the explanation for quantum statistics

The concept of classical indistinguishability is analyzed and defended against a number of well-known criticisms, with particular attention to the Gibbs' paradox. Granted that it is as much at home in classical as in quantum statistical mechanics, the question arises as to why indistinguishability, in quantum mechanics but not in classical mechanics, forces a change in statistics. The answer, illustrated with simple examples, is that the equilibrium measure on classical phase space is continuous, whilst on Hilbert space it is discrete. The relevance of names, or equivalently, properties stable in time that can be used as names, is also discussed.Comment: 23 pages, 3 figures; to appear in Studies in the History and Philosophy of Modern Physic

Using Mixed-Methods to Examine Factors that Influence Exercise Prescription from Healthcare Providers: A Community-Engaged Research Project

Background: The American College of Sports Medicine\u27s Exercise is Medicine initiative supports promotion of physical activity by health care providers (HCPs). Exercise is Medicine recommends HCPs utilize strategies such as exercise prescriptions to increase and promote regular exercise and referrals to community-based exercise facilities (ExRx+). Research is needed to identify factors that will increase African-American patients\u27 ExRx+ engagement since little is known about factors that serve as facilitators or barriers to adherence. Aims: Using a community-engaged participatory research approach, the aims are to: 1) examine individual, interpersonal and environmental factors associated with ExRx+ adherence and 2) explore barriers and facilitators related to the referral process that are associated with ExRx+ adherence. Setting: Healthworks Community Fitness, a non-profit women\u27s fitness facility located in Dorchester, MA. Healthworks is the only gym in the Boston metro area which allows patients to exchange ExRx+ for a 3-month gym membership. Methods: Based on a socio-ecological framework, the mixed-methods protocol includes qualitative and quantitative methods implemented sequentially in two phases to explore factors associated with ExRx+ adherence. Adherence will be operationally defined as: 1) activation: patient redeems the ExRx+ for membership and 2) utilization: attendance during the 3 month membership. Quantitative data will focus on the patient\u27s individual (i.e, body mass index, self-efficacy) interpersonal (i.e, social support), and environmental (i.e, walkability, transportation) levels. Qualitative data will involve one-on-one interviews with patients, HCPs and Healthworks staff exploring facilitators and barriers to ExRx+ adherence. Results will inform the development of a culturally tailored intervention to promote ExRx+ adherence

Modeling of Nucleation Processes

Nucleation is the onset of a first-order phase transition by which a metastable phase transforms into a more stable one. Such a phase transition occurs when an initial system initially in equilibrium is destabilized by the change of an external parameter like the temperature or the pressure. If the perturbation is small enough, the system does not become unstable but rather stays metastable. In diffusive transformations, the system then evolves through the nucleation, the growth and the coarsening of a second phase. Such a phase transformation is found in a lot of situations in materials science like condensation of liquid droplets from a supersaturated vapor, solidification, precipitation from a supersaturated solid solution, ... The initial stage of all these different processes can be well described within the same framework. Since its initial formulation in 1927 by Volmer, Weber and Farkas and its modification in 1935 by Becker and D\"oring the classical nucleation theory has been a suitable tool to model the nucleation stage in phase transformations. In this article, we first describe this theory. A kinetic approach, the cluster dynamics, can also be used to describe nucleation. This constitutes the second part of this article. The links as well as the difference between both descriptions are emphasized. Since its initial formulation, the classical nucleation theory has been enriched, so as to take into account the fact that clusters other than monomers can migrate and react. It has been also extended to multi-component systems. These generalizations of the initial formalism are also presented

Effects of Fluid and Computed Tomographic Technical Factors on Conspicuity of Canine and Feline Nasal Turbinates

Turbinate destruction is an important diagnostic criterion in canine and feline nasal computed tomography (CT). However decreased turbinate visibility may also be caused by technical CT settings and nasal fluid. The purpose of this experimental, crossover study was to determine whether fluid reduces conspicuity of canine and feline nasal turbinates in CT and if so, whether CT settings can maximize conspicuity. Three canine and three feline cadaver heads were used. Nasal slabs were CT-scanned before and after submerging them in a water bath; using sequential, helical, and ultrahigh resolution modes; with images in low, medium, and high frequency image reconstruction kernels; and with application of additional posterior fossa optimization and high contrast enhancing filters. Visible turbinate length was measured by a single observer using manual tracing. Nasal density heterogeneity was measured using the standard deviation (SD) of mean nasal density from a region of interest in each nasal cavity. Linear mixed-effect models using the R package ‘nlme’, multivariable models and standard post hoc Tukey pair-wise comparisons were performed to investigate the effect of several variables (nasal content, scanning mode, image reconstruction kernel, application of post reconstruction filters) on measured visible total turbinate length and SD of mean nasal density. All canine and feline water-filled nasal slabs showed significantly decreased visibility of nasal turbinates (P< 0.001). High frequency kernels provided the best turbinate visibility and highest SD of aerated nasal slabs, whereas medium frequency kernels were optimal for water-filled nasal slabs. Scanning mode and filter application had no effect on turbinate visibility

Prioritization of fish communities with a view to conservation and restoration on a large scale European basin, the Loire (France)

The hierarchical organization of important sites for the conservation or the restoration of fish communities is a great challenge for managers, especially because of financial or time constraints. In this perspective, we developed a methodology, which is easy to implement in different locations. Based on the fish assemblage characteristics of the Loire basin (France), we created a synthetic conservation value index including the rarity, the conservation status and the species origin. The relationship between this new synthetic index and the Fish-Based Index allowed us to establish a classification protocol of the sites along the Loire including fish assemblages to be restored or conserved. Sites presenting disturbed fish assemblages, a low rarity index, few threatened species, and a high proportion of non-native species were considered as important for the restoration of fish biodiversity. These sites were found mainly in areas where the assemblages are typical of the bream zone, e.g. with a higher number of eurytopic and limnophilic species. On the contrary, important sites for conservation were defined as having an important conservation potential (high RI, a lot of threatened species, and few nonnatives fish species) and an undisturbed fish assemblage similar to the expected community if habitats are undisturbed. Important sites for conservation were found in the Loire basin’s medium reaches which host assemblages typical for the grayling and the barbell zones, e.g. with a higher number of rheophilic species. The synthetic conservation value index could be adapted and completed with other criteria according to management priorities and capacities

Written information about individual medicines for consumers.

Medicines are the most common intervention in most health services. As with all treatments, those taking medicines need sufficient information: to enable them to take and use the medicines effectively, to understand the potential harms and benefits, and to allow them to make an informed decision about taking them. Written medicines information, such as a leaflet or provided via the Internet, is an intervention that may meet these purposes

Man of Letters, Literary Lady, Journalist or Reporter?

The enormous changes wrought in the British newspaper industry during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries brought about a revolution in newspaper reading habits, financing and influence, all aspects of which have been well-documented by historians of the press. But what of the contributor, particularly the freelance whose millions of words formed, mostly anonymously, the content of the new mass market press? How did writers negotiate changes in the literary marketplace during this time as editors demanded more ‘news’ and less in the way of whimsical paragraphing, and sketches, the traditional newspaper output of the professional man, or woman, of letters? Through the study of memoirs, correspondence and the fictional output of contributors to the press during this time, it is possible to discern the often fraught relations between writers and their most lucrative market

Improving digital partner notification for sexually transmitted infections and HIV through a systematic review and application of the Behaviour Change Wheel approach

Background Partner notification (PN) is key to controlling sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Digital PN options (e.g. social media, short message service (SMS), emails) are promising in increasing PN behaviour. However, their implementation is often challenging and studies report varied levels of acceptability and uptake of PN, highlighting the need to optimise digital PN interventions. Methods A systematic review of barriers and facilitators to digital PN interventions for STIs, including HIV, across eight research databases (from 2010 to 2023) identified eight relevant studies, two of which addressed HIV. Data extraction identified 98 barriers and 54 facilitators to the use of digital PN interventions. These were synthesised into 18 key barriers and 17 key facilitators that were each deemed amenable to change. We then used the Behaviour Change Wheel approach, the Acceptability, Practicability, Effectiveness, Affordability, Side-effects and Equity criteria, and multidisciplinary expert input, to systematically develop practical recommendations to optimise digital PN. Results Thirty-two specific recommendations clustered around three themes. Digital PN interventions should: (1) empower and support the index patient by providing a range of notification options, accompanied by clear instructions; (2) integrate into users’ existing habits and the digital landscape, meeting contemporary standards and expectations of usability; and (3) address the social context of PN both online and offline through normalising the act of PN, combating STI-related stigma and stressing the altruistic aspects of PN through consistent messaging to service users and the public. Conclusions Our evidence-based recommendations should be used to optimise existing digital PN interventions and inform the co-production of new ones