Is social media the way to empower patients to share their experiences of dental care?

Background: Social media present opportunities to understand patient experience and information needs. In this study, the authors use hypodontia as an example to explore social media use by dental patients and how this provides for understanding patient experience. Methods: The cross-sectional survey design involved systematic search of 6 social media online environments with hypodontia-related terms. The authors categorized records by using a coding system for user, type and theme of post, and target audience. The authors used a thematic framework approach to analyze qualitatively the word content of posts from people affected by hypodontia (nondentists). Results: The authors searched and identified 571 records and included 467 of them in their study. The authors analyzed the content of records from people affected by hypodontia (n = 176). Themes emerged about the experience of untreated hypodontia, treatment experience and outcomes, and decision making. Content analysis provided evidence about peer-to-peer communication, areas of information need, and desire for peer support. Conclusions: Social media communities have responded to the need for information exchange and peer support by the public. Analysis of communications helped identify a need for dissemination of understandable information to patients and improved dentist awareness of patient needs. Practical Implications: Clinicians should reassess understanding and information needs actively throughout treatment and identify support needs. Clinicians should refer patients to quality information sources and peer support groups

An Ethical Analysis of Public Policy and the Dark Web

Despite its positive uses, the perception of the dark web remains murky and unfavorable. Though it is generally agreed by experts that the dark web will never completely go away regardless of our efforts, some believe that the technology to unmask the anonymity of the dark web is evolving faster than we realize. If or when this technology does materialize, the question we must address is whether or not it would be ethical to dismantle the dark web as we know it. While many experts have weighed in on the benefits and drawbacks to the dark web, there have been no analyses that offer any sort of input into how policymakers can balance these. This paper offers guidance for policymakers wrestling with how to best balance these divergent interests and protect their constituents from infringements on freedom and wellbeing.</p

ON THE NATURE OF THE 2-BENZNORBORNENYL CATION

Abstract not availabl

The growth of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy impacts and implications of regional naval expansion

China's growing economic dynamism has made it a powerful actor in the globalized economy. Continued growth of China's economy requires guaranteed sea access to foreign energy resources and markets. In response to the need for sea access, the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) of the People's Republic of China (PRC) is undergoing an expansion and force modernization process intended to ensure China's access to vital sea lines of communications (SLOCs). In recent history, post-Meiji Restoration Japan and early twentieth century Germany provide two examples of the impact of rising economic powers with expansive maritime strategies. In both cases, efforts by regional competitors to maintain relatively superior naval forces led to heightened tensions and, ultimately, war. Through the unintended promotion of regional naval arms races, both the Empire of Japan and the German Empire contributed to the destabilization of their respective region's security. This thesis argues that, based on the historical record of competitive naval growth, an expanding PLAN will destabilize East Asia as China challenges the dominance of the leading naval power in the Western Pacific -- the United States Navy. However, China's rise differs from the rise of Japan and Germany in important ways. Diplomatic efforts by Washington and Beijing to identify shared maritime interests can serve to alleviate the destabilizing effects associated with naval growth. Additionally, security tensions associated with naval arms races may be mitigated through a thorough U.S. analysis of the actual threat posed by China's growing naval power.http://archive.org/details/thegrowthofchine109453036Outstanding ThesisUS Navy (USN) author.Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited