Tweezers controlled resonator

We experimentally demonstrate trapping a microdroplet with an optical tweezer and then enabling it as a microresonator by bringing it close to a tapered fiber coupler. Our tweezers facilitated the tuning of the coupling from the under-coupled to the critically coupled regime with an optical Q of 12 million and microresonator size at the 85 mirons scale.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figure

Facebook Chatter during Food Industry Product Harm Crisis

Product harm crisis can affect the reputation of the brand involved, particularly in the online social networks' era. To contribute to current literature on product harm in general and product harm in the food industry in particular, this study examined 6,894 Facebook discussions during the unfolding Unilever/Telma Salmonella-contaminated cereals 2016 crisis in Israel. The main goal of the study was to understand the extent to which discussions focused on the contaminated product versus the brands involved (measured by mentions of the cereal and the brands). During the three-month analysis, 2,894 conversations mentioned the contaminated product, followed by discussions of the role of "Unilever" (2,052) and "Telma" (1,897) in the crisis. While there were practically no conversations about the product or brands prior to the discussed communication crisis, a spike in the number of conversations occurred when the crisis started. The study attempts to help fill the gap in the literature on studies of social media during unfolding product harm crises. The analysis showcases the immediacy and severity of the damage for brands' image in the food industry in social media conversations during product harm crises.

Engagement and Likeability of Negative Messages on Facebook during Israel's 2013 Elections

To contribute to the mapping of negative campaigns effects, this study examines the engagement (shares and comments) and likeability (likes) effects of negative campaigning strategies on Facebook during Israel's 2013 elections. The analysis shows that attacks, contrasts, and responses to negative messages are highly shared and commented on, illustrating the engaging nature of negative campaigning in Israel. In terms of likeability, results were mixed, as responses to negative messages were more liked than other messages, but attacks and contrasts were not. The 20 most-liked posts were analyzed and responses of the leader of the religious party Habayit HaYehudi to alleged attacks against modern orthodoxy attracted likes in dramatic numbers, riling followers who objected to the growing tensions between religious and secular Jews in Israel. The study provides the first mapping of the effects of an online negative campaign in Israel and illuminates the relevance of its political and religious context, particularly Israel’s polarized multi-party system and religious, democratic nature. 

A Comparison of Constrained and Unconstrained Upper Quarter Y-Balance Tests Performance in the Adult Active Population

Common screening tools for upper extremity functionality tend to focus only on power, speed, and/or stability of the shoulder. Previous research studies validated the reliability of the Upper Quarter Y-Balance Test (UQYBT) as a clinical tool to measure unilateral upper extremity function, dynamics, as well as indirectly thoracic mobility. The distinctiveness of this test is the combination of shoulder girdle mobility and stability, core stability, thoracic rotation, and overall muscles strength to reach as far as possible without losing balance in the single arm stance position. Thus, measuring upper body strength and thoracic rotation may predict performance. PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to compare the performance of physically active individuals in two variations of the UQYBT, constrained and unconstrained, and to measure the relation of upper body strength and trunk mobility with the UQYBT reach scores. METHODS: Five male (31.2±9.0 years, 1.73±.02 m, 78.8±7.0 kg) and five female (24.4±.8 years, 1.67±.06 m, 71.4±2.7 kg) college students participated in two testing sessions. Participants completed a maximal push-up test and a maximal seated trunk rotation mobility test. During the second session, participants performed the Constrained UQYBT (participant keeps the push-up position) and the Unconstrained variation in which it was allowed to flex elbow of supporting arm and flex the hip when reaching in any direction. For each test, subjects completed three reaches in medial, inferolateral, and superolateral directions. Maximal reach scores in each direction were identified and composite scores were calculated for the two UQYBTs. MANOVA was used to identify differences in reach scores between the Constrained and Unconstrained UQYBTs, significance level was set to .05. Pearson correlation was used to identify relations between maximal push-up score and maximal trunk rotation range of motion (ROM) with the UQYBT reach scores. RESULTS: Significant differences were observed for all reach scores between the Constrained and Unconstrained UQYBTs. Unconstrained UQYBT had higher reach score scores than the Constrained UQYBT in the medial (119±9% vs 100±7%, p-value\u3c.001), inferolateral (110±14% vs 80±10%, p-value\u3c.001), and superolateral (82±13% vs 73±13%, p-value=.042) directions, and in the composite score (103±10% vs 84±8%, p-value\u3c.001). Moderate to strong positive correlations were observed between maximal trunk rotation ROM and most reach scores in Constrained and Unconstrained UQYBTs. The correlation coefficients were between .331 to .605. Moderate positive coefficient (r=.365) was identified between max push-ups and Constrained Inferolateral reach. In contrast, strong negative correlation (r=-584) was identified between Unconstrained superolateral reach and max push-ups. CONCLUSION: The main finding of this study identified the big difference in reach scores between Constrained and Unconstrained UQYBTs. Practitioners need to be cautious when performing the UQYBT and when comparing reach scores from different resources. Moreover, it seems that large trunk mobility is associated with higher UQYBT reach scores

An Al-Jazeera effect in the USA?: a review of the evidence

Some scholars argue that following 9/11, Al-Jazeera has promoted an Arab perspective of events in the US by exporting its news materials to the US news market. The study examines the validity of this argument through a review of the literature on the issue during three successive periods of US-Al-Jazeera interactions: (a) Al-Jazeera Arabic’s representation in US mainstream media following 9/11, specifically during the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq; (b) Al-Jazeera English television channel’s attempts to enter the US market since 2006; and (c) the reception of Al-Jazeera America in the US, where the paper also adds an original analysis of Al-Jazeera America’s Twitter followers’ profiles. Together, these analyses provide strong counterevidence to the argument that Al-Jazeera was able to promote an Arab perspective of events in the US

Differences in Reach Scores Between Three Upper Quarter Y-Balance Test Versions in Older Adults

The Upper Quarter Y-Balance Test (UQYBT) is often used to measure shoulder mobility and stability and screen for upper extremities musculoskeletal disorders in the physically active and athletic population. Shoulder injuries are typical among older adults, often decreasing the quality of life. There are no studies investigating the functionality of the UQYBT in older adults. PURPOSE: To examine the functionality of the UQYBT and two variations on the older population, 50 years old and older. METHODS: Eight individuals (2 males and 6 females) participated in this study (56.8±3.9 years, 166.0±10.0 cm, 69.6±13.5 kg). Each participant completed a five-minute warm-up on an arm ergometer followed by an arm length measurement. Participants completed the three UQYBT variations in a randomized order; Standard push-up position (SUQYBT), Modified push-up position (MUQYBT), and Wall push-up position (WUQYBT). In each variation, participants completed three reaches in the medial, inferolateral, and superolateral directions for the right and left hands. Highest score for each reach from the different UQYBT variations and supporting hand were saved to further analysis. Relative reach scores were calculated using the right arm length as reference. Composite scores were calculated by averaging the reach scores of the three directions. Repeated measured ANOVAs were used to compare reach score between the UQYBT variations in the older population. This was followed by post-hoc analysis; alpha level was set to 0.05. RESULTS: Significant main effects were identified in the medial reach (p-value CONCLUSION: Several differences were observed between the three UQYBT variations. When the reach was outside of the participant’s base of support (medial and superolateral reaches) WUQYBT had the highest score followed by MUQYBT and last SUQYBT. During the inferolateral reach, participants were able to get similar reach scores between the different UQYBT variations. Further studies should study the option to use the two UQYBT variations in the older population

Gender Performance Differences in Standard Upper Quarter Y-Balance Test and Two Modified Versions

Preparticipation screening evaluating musculoskeletal functioning is gaining popularity in young adults. The Upper Quarter Y-Balance Test (UQYBT) is often used to measure shoulder mobility and stability, and screening for upper extremities musculoskeletal injuries. The UQYBT is renowned for its unique approach to testing shoulder and core stability in the athletic and active population. Its feasibility in less active individuals is questionable due to its strength and balance requirements. Moreover, there is minimal data comparing UQYBT scores between genders of different fitness levels. PURPOSE: To examine performance differences between women and men executing the standard UQYBT and two modifications. METHODS: Eleven women (22.5±3.2 years, 1.64±0.04 m, 66.1±10.5 kg) and nine men (27.0±8.8 years, 1.74±0.03 m, 74.2±12.8 kg) college students took part in this study. Prior to testing, participants completed five minutes warm-up on an arm ergometer. Participants completed the three UQYBT variations in a randomized order; Standard (traditional push-up position), Modified (modified push-up position), and Wall (standing erect). In each variation, participants completed three reaches in the medial, inferolateral, and superolateral direction. Maximal relative scores were collected, and composite scores were calculated. MANOVA was conducted comparing the differences between women and men reach scores in each direction and for each UQYBT variation. Significance level was set to .05. RESULTS: Significant differences were observed in the Modified UQYBT for the inferolateral reach, women had higher max relative scores than men, p-value\u3c.01. Women average maximal relative score was 89±10%, whereas men average score was 80±8%. Similar significance trend was identified in the Wall UQYBT during the inferolateral reach. Women reach score (82±8%) was higher than the men reach score (72±11%), p-values\u3c.01. No significant differences were observed in any of the other reaches measured during the three UQYBT variations. CONCLUSION: In this study we measured gender differences during three UQYBT variations. The most body weight the upper extremity needs to balance is during the Standard position, followed by the Modified and Wall UQYBT. We have found gender differences in the Modified and Wall UQYBTs during the inferolateral reach. The difference may be related to fact that during the Modified and Wall UQYBTs there is less body weight on the upper extremity which may increase women ability to have better shoulder mobility and stability than the men. Further research is required in this area