Topology and Nematic Ordering II: Observable Critical Behavior

This paper is the second in a pair treating a new lattice model for nematic media. In addition to the familiar isotropic (I) and nematically ordered (N) phases, the phase diagram established in the previous paper (Paper I) contains a new, topologically ordered phase (T) occuring at large suppression of topological defects and weak nematic interactions. This paper (Paper II) is concerned with the experimental signatures of the proposed phase diagram. Specific heat, light scattering and magnetic susceptibility near both the N/T and I/T transitions are studied, and critical behavior determined. The singular dependences of the Frank constants ($K_1$, $K_2$, $K_3$) and the dielectric tensor anisotropy ($\Delta \epsilon$) on temperature upon approaching the N/T transition are also found.Comment: 10 pages, RevTeX 3.

Massachusetts Schooling Matters: Good News, Contributing Factors, Challenges, Persistent Problems

Massachusetts public schools have performed at the highest levels on national and international benchmarked reading, mathematics, and science assessments. The Commonwealth’s population demographics related to educational attainment, employment, and family income coupled with factors within the control of the state, districts, or schools, such as highly qualified and unionized teachers, average school-district size, defined time on learning, universal health care coverage for all children, state funding for pre-K–12 schooling, curriculum articulation through statewide standards, and high participation in college admissions exams, have contributed to academic success. Massachusetts schools, however, still face challenges in narrowing existing achievement gaps, reducing the emphasis on large-scale standardized assessments as the sole determinant of school and district performance, and fully committing to a social justice agenda in which all students, especially those living in poverty, receive the comprehensive education promised by the Education Reform Act of 1993. This article concludes with five recommendations for policymakers focused on funding priorities, enhancing teacher workforce development, expanding learning time, and educating the whole child

The alcohol improvement programme: evaluation of an initiative to address alcohol-related health harm in England

Aims: The evaluation aimed to assess the impact of The Alcohol Improvement Programme (AIP). This was a UK Department of Health initiative (April 2008–March 2011) aiming to contribute to the reduction of alcohol-related harm as measured by a reduction in the rate of increase in alcohol-related hospital admissions (ARHAs). Methods: The evaluation (March 2010–September 2011) used a mix of qualitative and quantitative methods to assess the impact of the AIP on ARHAs, to describe and assess the process of implementation, and to identify elements of the programme which might serve as a ‘legacy’ for the future. Results: There was no evidence that the AIP had an impact on reducing the rise in the rate of ARHAs. The AIP was successfully delivered, increased the priority given to alcohol-related harm on local policy agendas and strengthened the infrastructure for the delivery of interventions. Conclusion: Although there was no measurable short-term impact on the rise in the rate of ARHAs, the AIP helped to set up a strategic response and a delivery infrastructure as a first, necessary step in working towards that goal. There are a number of valuable elements in the AIP which should be retained and repackaged to fit into new policy contexts

The effect of question order on outcomes in the ORBITAL core outcome set for alcohol brief interventions among online help-seekers (QOBCOS): findings from a randomised factorial trial

OBJECTIVE: A core outcome set (COS) has been developed in alcohol brief intervention (ABI) research through international consensus. This study aimed to estimate order effects among questions in the COS. METHODS: Individuals aged 18 or older who searched online for alcohol-related help were invited to complete the COS. The order of questions was randomised following a factorial design. Primary outcomes were order effects among the COS items and patterns of attrition. RESULTS: Between 21/10/2020 and 26/11/2020, we randomised 7334 participants, of which 5256 responded to at least one question and were available for analyses. Current non-drinkers were excluded. We found evidence of higher self-reported average consumption and odds of harmful and hazardous drinking was found among those who first answered questions on recent consumption and impact of alcohol use. Lower self-reported recent consumption was found among those first asked about average consumption. Quality of life (QoL) was reported lower among those who first responded to when questions on impact of alcohol use were asked first, which in turn was lower among those who first answered question on when average consumption and QoL were asked first. Attrition was lowest when average consumption was asked first, and highest when QoL or impact of alcohol use was asked first. Median completion time for the COS was 4.3 min. CONCLUSIONS: Question order affects outcomes and attrition. If the aim is to minimize attrition, consumption measures should be asked before QoL and impact of alcohol use; however, this order impacts self-reported alcohol consumption and so researchers should be guided by study priorities. At a minimum, all participants should be asked the same questions in the same order. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The trial was prospectively registered (ISRCTN17954645)

HIV/AIDS and Community Action: Now I know my Rights!

yesThis briefing presents research on a small project on the use of a rights-based approach by groups of People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) in Northern Tanzania. It concludes that with support the groups were able to use the 2008 HIV/AIDS act to claim their rights to tackle stigma and access ARV medication. However, the fulfillment of these rights is limited by chronic poverty and structural weakness of the state