Coupled ethical-epistemic analysis of public health research and practice: categorizing variables to improve population health and equity

The categorization of variables can stigmatize populations, which is ethically problematic and threatens the central purpose of public health: to improve population health and reduce health inequities. How social variables (e.g., behavioral risks for HIV) are categorized can reinforce stigma and cause unintended harms to the populations practitioners and researchers strive to serve.<p></p> Although debates about the validity or ethical consequences of epidemiological variables are familiar for specific variables (e.g., ethnicity), these issues apply more widely.<p></p> We argue that these tensions and debates regarding epidemiological variables should be analyzed simultaneously as ethical and epistemic challenges. We describe a framework derived from the philosophy of science that may be usefully applied to public health, and we illustrate its application.<p></p&gt

Theory of High-Tc Superconducting Cuprates Based on Experimental Evidence

A model of superconductivity in layered high-temperature superconducting cuprates is proposed, based on the extended saddle point singularities in the electron spectrum, weak screening of the Coulomb interaction and phonon-mediated interaction between electrons plus a small short -range repulsion of Hund's, or spin-fluctuation, origin. This permits to explain the large values of $Tc$, features of the isotope effect on oxygen and copper, the existence of two types of the order parameter, the peak in the inelastic neutron scattering, the positive curvature of the upper critical field, as function of temperature etc.Comment: RevTeX 3.x, 11 Postscript figures (included); send comments to [email protected]

Judging Culpability in Dwyer’s Climate Change “Gaia Commission”: A Response to Dwyer

Commentaire / CommentaryCe commentaire examine les concepts « d’imprudence, de négligence et d’indifférence » dans la courte histoire de James Dwyer, « La Commission Gaia : le changement climatique et la responsabilité morale ».This commentary examines the concepts “recklessness, negligence and indifference” in James Dwyer’s short story, “The Gaia Commission: Climate Change and Moral Responsibility.

Fluctuation Effects in High Sheet Resistance Superconducting Films

As the normal state sheet resistance, $R_n$, of a thin film superconductor increases, its superconducting properties degrade. For $R_n\simeq h/4e^2$ superconductivity disappears and a transition to a nonsuperconducting state occurs. We present electron tunneling and transport measurements on ultrathin, homogeneously disordered superconducting films in the vicinity of this transition. The data provide strong evidence that fluctuations in the amplitude of the superconducting order parameter dominate the tunneling density of states and the resistive transitions in this regime. We briefly discuss possible sources of these amplitude fluctuation effects. We also describe how the data suggest a novel picture of the superconductor to nonsuperconductor transition in homogeneous 2D systems.Comment: 11 pages, 5 figure

Bilingual, digital, audio-visual training modules improve technical knowledge of feedlot and dairy workers

Two studies were conducted to determine the effectiveness of digital multimedia modules as training tools for animal care workers. Employees at a commercial feedlot (n = 17) and a commercial dairy (n = 10) were asked to independently complete a 10-question quiz prior to and following viewing of training modules. Module topics in the feedlot were proper handling of non-ambulatory animals and humane methods of euthanasia; modules were administered to the workers, as a group, in either English (n = 7) or Spanish (N = 10), depending on previously indicated worker preference. Modules addressing dairy cattle health practices and dairy cattle handling were presented to the dairy care workers who had a preference for learning in either English (n = 7) or Spanish (n = 3). For feedlot workers, post-test scores were improved by 28% after viewing the modules compared to pre-test scores (74% vs. 58%; P 0.30) between language, topic, and between-test variation, indicating that the modules were equally effective at information delivery to both audiences in both languages. For the dairy workers, test scores improved by 27% from pre-viewing to post-viewing (73% vs. 92%; P < 0.01); there was an interaction between the effect of module and language preference (P < 0.01) indicating that although scores increased for both of the topic areas for the English-speaking workers, only the score for the animal health topic increased for the Spanish-speaking workers. Regardless of nationality, level of formal education, topic, or preferred language, digital media are effective at improving knowledge transfer to animal care professionals

Précipitation de la fluorine et contrôle géochimique du calcium dans des sols alcalins du Niger : conséquences pour une estimation quantitative de l'évolution géochimique des sols

La précipitation de la fluorine a été identifiée dans des sols alcalins non salés du Niger. Celle-ci renforce le contrôle géochimique du calcium initié par la précipitation de la calcite. La précipitation de ces deux minéraux présentant un ion commun conduit à utiliser le concept d'alcalinité résiduelle généralisée pour toute estimation quantitative de l'évolution de ces sols sous irrigation. L'évolution chimique d'un sol alcalin sous l'influence d'une culture fourragère est traité en exemple. (Résumé d'auteur

Regional tax effort in Spain

This work examines in depth the hypotheses explaining the tax capacity of regional governments, also determining their tax effort and explanatory factors. The study is done for the Spanish regions, using different techniques which have rarely been applied in this area. The results show that these jurisdictions have exercised their tax autonomy responsibly, in response to different budget and demographic factors and to the economic cycle. Also, an asymmetrical tax behaviour linked to income is observed: some regions have practically exhausted the possibilities of current sub-central taxes, while others still have ample fiscal space