Regulating Mobile Mental Health Apps

Mobile medical apps (MMAs) are a fast‐growing category of software typically installed on personal smartphones and wearable devices. A subset of MMAs are aimed at helping consumers identify mental states and/or mental illnesses. Although this is a fledgling domain, there are already enough extant mental health MMAs both to suggest a typology and to detail some of the regulatory issues they pose. As to the former, the current generation of apps includes those that facilitate self‐assessment or self‐help, connect patients with online support groups, connect patients with therapists, or predict mental health issues. Regulatory concerns with these apps include their quality, safety, and data protection. Unfortunately, the regulatory frameworks that apply have failed to provide coherent risk‐assessment models. As a result, prudent providers will need to progress with caution when it comes to recommending apps to patients or relying on app‐generated data to guide treatment

SPATIAL ECOLOGY AND HABITAT USE OF THE WESTERN MASSASAUGA (SISTRURUS TERGEMINUS) IN NEBRASKA

We used radiotelemetry during 2004 and 2005 to investigate seasonal movements and habitat use and to improve our understanding of how land management practices were affecting Western Massasauga (Sistrurus tergeminus) populations in Nebraska. We found Western Massasaugas to brumate in crayfish burrows 100% of the time, and spring emergence occurred during March - April. The longest movements occurred during May when snakes were moving away from brumation sites to summer habitat, after which movements decreased until a second peak in August. We did not find significant differences between male and female activity area, range length, total distance moved, daily movement, or distance from spring and fall brumation sites. However the core activity range of females was significantly less than that of males. During the active season, grassland habitat was used 75.6% of the time compared to habitats of grassland-shrubs (10.7%), hydrophilic vegetation (9.1%), woodlands (3.1%), and shrublands (1.5%). Identifying variations in a species spatial ecology is important for achieving long-term conservation goals because life history events, resource availability, and land management practices may have an effect on seasonal movements and habitat use. The results of our study demonstrate the need for, and some of the necessary data for, improved land management planning in order to meet conservation needs of the Western Massasauga in Nebraska

HEDGING SPOT CORN: AN EXAMINATION OF THE MINNEAPOLIS GRAIN EXCHANGE'S CASH SETTLED CORN CONTRACT

This research examines the potential basis behavior and hedging effectiveness for the Minneapolis Grain Exchange's (MGE) cash settled corn contract. MGE futures cash settle to the National Corn Index (NCI) calculated by Data Transmission Network (DTN). Focusing on seven regions in Illinois, the data suggest that NCI Futures offer potential advantages over the existing Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT) corn futures. In particular, nearby basis variability could be reduced by nearly one-half from 8.8 cents per bushel to 4.5 cents per bushel, and hedging effectiveness may increase from an average of 80% for the CBOT to 93% for the NCI.Crop Production/Industries, Marketing,

A model of an optical biosensor detecting environment

Heller et. Al. (Science 311, 508 (2006)) demonstrated the first DNA-CN optical sensor by wrapping a piece of double-stranded DNA around the surface of single-walled carbon nanotubes (CN). This new type of optical device can be placed inside living cells and detect trace amounts of harmful contaminants by means of near infrared light. Using a simple exciton theory in nanostructures and the phenomena of B-Z structural phase transition of DNA, we investigate the working principle of this new class of optical biosensor from DNA by using the nanostructure surface as a sensor to detect the property change of DNA as it responds to the presence of target ions. We also propose some new design models by replacing carbon nanotubes with graphene ribbon semiconductors.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figures, Accepte

From Random Matrices to Stochastic Operators

We propose that classical random matrix models are properly viewed as finite difference schemes for stochastic differential operators. Three particular stochastic operators commonly arise, each associated with a familiar class of local eigenvalue behavior. The stochastic Airy operator displays soft edge behavior, associated with the Airy kernel. The stochastic Bessel operator displays hard edge behavior, associated with the Bessel kernel. The article concludes with suggestions for a stochastic sine operator, which would display bulk behavior, associated with the sine kernel.Comment: 41 pages, 5 figures. Submitted to Journal of Statistical Physics. Changes in this revision: recomputed Monte Carlo simulations, added reference [19], fit into margins, performed minor editin

The Lived Experiences of Black Pastors and Their Self-Care

Black pastors tend to carry the burden of the Black community, church, congregants, family, and their own personal struggles. How these individuals handle their experiences, stress, and self-care can assist them in creating a healthy life and work balance. There is limited literature on Black male pastors and their lived experiences and self-care practices. This study explored the lived experiences of Black male pastors and how it affects their self-care practices. This study utilized a phenomenological qualitative research design. This qualitative approach allows for the Black male pastor’s voice to be heard and documented. The findings of this study show that there are several demands of ministry work that are required of the pastor through the eyes of the pastor himself, congregation, and community. They also show that the pastor’s support system included the pastor’s wife and other pastors. And lastly, they show that pastors feel self-care practices are important and they encourage their congregation to take care of themselves. The pastors, however, reported that they sometimes fall short in taking care of themselves. Black pastors feel they have to be “intentional” when seeking self-care practices. While Black pastors have a huge obligation to the congregation and the community they serve, it is important for them to take care of their self-identity (man, husband, father, etc.) to be effective to their congregation. This study brings additional awareness to the mental health profession to take a closer look at this population and develop appropriate treatment plans that will build trust and confidence and reduce the barriers of seeking mental health treatment

Evaluating the Diversity of Emergency Medicine Foundation (EMF) Grant Recipients in the Last Decade

On behalf of the ACEP Research CommitteeIntroduction: To study diversity of researchers and barriers to success among Emergency Medicine Foundation (EMF) grant recipients in the last 10 years.Methods: EMF grant awardees were approached to complete a brief survey, which included demographics, queries related to contributions to the literature, success in obtaining grants, and any perceived barriers they encountered.Results: Of the 342 researchers contacted by email, a total of 147 completed the survey for a response rate of 43%. The respondents were predominately mid to late career white-male-heterosexual-Christian with an average age of 44 years (range 25-69 years of age). With regards to training and education, the majority of respondents (50%) were either Associate or Professor clinical rank (8% instructor/resident/fellow and 31% Assistant). Sixty-two percent of the respondents reported perceived barriers to career advancement since completion of residency. The largest perceived barrier to success was medical specialty (26%), followed by gender (21%) and age (16%).Conclusion: Our survey of EMF grant recipients in the last 10 years shows a considerable lack of diversity. The most commonly perceived barriers to career advancement by this cohort were medical specialty, gender, and age. An opportunity exists for further definition of barriers and development of mechanisms to overcome them, with a goal of increased success for those that are underrepresented.