Scaling properties of Wilson loops pierced by P-vortices

P-vortices, in an SU(N) lattice gauge theory, are excitations on the center-projected Z(N) lattice. We study the ratio of expectation values of SU(2) Wilson loops, on the unprojected lattice, linked to a single P-vortex, to that of Wilson loops which are not linked to any P-vortices. When these ratios are plotted versus loop area in physical units, for a range of lattice couplings, it is found that the points fall approximately on a single curve, consistent with scaling. We also find that the ratios are rather insensitive to the point where the minimal area of the loop is pierced by the P-vortex.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figure

Assembly and detection of 3-D QR codes through additive manufacturing and terahertz imaging

Automatic identification and data capture, or AIDC, plays a substantial role in contemporary business, advertising, and military needs. The purpose of this study is to generate a potential alternative to current AIDC approaches by constructing three-dimensional plastic tags (or ‘3D QR codes’) using additive manufacturing techniques and interrogate them using Terahertz radiation. 3D Quick Response (QR) codes are designed in 3D computer-aided design software. The QR codes are 3D structures embedded in the printed plastic in which an air gap in the plastic (or an air gap filled in with another type of plastic) indicates a bit of information. Information is encoded into the structure via the absence or presence of an air gap as well as its physical distance from the front surface of the plastic. The QR codes are fabricated using a fusion deposition modeling (FDM) 3D printer. The embedded information in the QR code is read out using time-domain Terahertz (THz) electromagnetic pulses

Understanding Health Literacy Skills of Patients With Cardiovascular Disease and Diabetes

Health literacy is the ability to understand and act on health information and is linked to health outcomes. It is unclear how health literacy skills are developed in patients with complex conditions, such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes. The purpose of this grounded theory study was to gain perspectives of both patients and healthcare professionals on how health literacy skills were developed in patients with cardiovascular disease or diabetes. The research questions addressed how knowledge and skills were acquired, the role of digital tools, instructional strategies used by healthcare professionals, and how the instructional strategies of the healthcare professionals matched the learning preferences and needs of the patients. A social ecological framework was used, which underscored the importance of understanding health literacy from multiple sources. Semistructured interviews were conducted on 19 healthcare professionals and 16 patients. Emergent key themes included: (a) social support plays an important role as a learning opportunity; (b) many patients get their information from internet searches; (c) instructional strategies should be personalized, interactive, social, and relevant; and (d) patients are self-directed learners. Linking of these themes led to the development of the health literacy instructional model, which is a 3-step approach, including an emotional support, behavioral approach, and instructional strategy. Social support was the common element in all 3 phases and was perceived to be key to developing health literacy skills, resulting in the key implication for social change. Recommendations are to consider social support in the development of health literacy instructional strategies

Intrinsic Absorption with the Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer

We present a survey of 72 Seyfert galaxies and quasars observed by the Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer (FUSE). Our survey is the largest to date searching for intrinsic UV absorption with high spectral resolution, and is the first step toward a more comprehensive study of intrinsic absorption in low-redshift AGN. We have determined that 72 of 253 available active galactic nuclei (AGN) are viable targets for detection of intrinsic absorption lines. We examined these spectra for signs of intrinsic absorption in the O VI doublet (lambda lamdba 1031.9, 1037.6) and Lyman beta (lambda 1025.7). The fraction of Seyfert 1 galaxies and low-redshift quasars at z\u3c0.15 that show evidence of intrinsic UV absorption is ~50, which is slightly lower than Crenshaw et al. found (60%) based on a smaller sample of C IV absorption in Seyfert 1 galaxies observed with the Hubble Space Telescope (HST). The intrinsic absorption lines are mostly blueshifted with respect to the rest frame of the galaxy, indicating outflow of ionized gas from the AGN. With this new fraction we find a global covering factor of the absorbing gas with respect to the central nucleus of ~0.4. We also provide a deeper analysis of the intrinsic absorption features we found in 35 objects. We have characterized the relation between luminosity and velocity, and examined the relationships between equivalent width, full width at half maximum, velocity and continuum flux. The luminosity/velocity correlation has been explored previously by Laor & Brandt (2002), but at a significantly higher redshift and heavily weighted by Broad Absorption Line quasars. Our survey is for lower redshift and lower luminosity objects, mostly Seyfert galaxies. We have also explored each object with multiple observations for variablity in each of the aforementioned quantities and characterized the variation of equivalent width with continuum flux. Variability for low-z AGN has been seen in the past. In our survey, we find that variability of O VI (lambda lambda 1032, 1038) is less common than for the UV doublets of C IV and N V seen at longer wavelengths, because the O VI absorption is usually saturated. Lyman beta absorption variability is more frequent. In the target-by-target examination we find that Broad Absorption Line (BAL) features and Narrow Absorption Line (NAL) features are related, in that they follow a single relationship between the maximum outflow velocity and the AGN luminosity, and both can be exhibited in similar luminosity objects. IRAS F22456-5125 is one particular Seyfert galaxy that we have selected for modelling due to its interesting assortment of intrinsic absorption lines. It shows a system of five individual kinematic components of absorption features in both O VI lines and in several of the Lyman series lines. We find that each of the components are relatively simple to model and appear to be weak in the X-ray

Commentary: A new model for chronic care to improve patient\u27s skill

More effective treatment and increased survival from acute cardiometabolic conditions, such as heart attack and stroke, and an aging population has resulted in more people living with chronic conditions, such as coronary artery disease, heart failure, hypertension, high cholesterol, diabetes, and obesity1. With increased incentives to focus on the long-term outcomes of patients, we believe that there is an even greater need for more effective models for chronic care, both in research and in clinical practice2

Commentary: A new model for chronic care to improve patient\u27s skill

More effective treatment and increased survival from acute cardiometabolic conditions, such as heart attack and stroke, and an aging population has resulted in more people living with chronic conditions, such as coronary artery disease, heart failure, hypertension, high cholesterol, diabetes, and obesity1. With increased incentives to focus on the long-term outcomes of patients, we believe that there is an even greater need for more effective models for chronic care, both in research and in clinical practice2

Playing the Game of Health: Best Practices for Health Optimization Program in a Worksite Setting, with Case Study of a Real World Example

While there have been multiple efforts to improve the health of the population, and simultaneously reducing the cost of healthcare and improving the quality of care, there is no single model for improving population health. Worksite health is a microcosm of the health of the nation and the results of been mixed. This paper considers the best practices associated with key worksite health. These best practices include the type of worksite intervention, attention to health literacy, engagement, onsite clinics, coaching and care plans, a digital platform, social support, population health, performance excellence, performance improvement, and an evaluation strategy. While each best practice is considered important, very few programs provide all of the components, and most emphasize one component over the other. A gap in the literature, therefore, is how these best practices can be combined into a single program. Following the review of literature of best practices, a case study, of the program design, of a comprehensive worksite program was conducted to demonstrate how these best practices are operationalized. The Game of Health, is a cognitive based program that focuses on stress management and behavior change in a program that provides onsite programs, a medical clinic, and a digital platform

Playing the game of health: Best practices for health optimization in a worksite setting with a case study of a real world example

While there have been multiple efforts to improve the health of the population, and simultaneously reducing the cost of healthcare and improving the quality of care, there is no single model for improving population health. Worksite health is a microcosm of the health of the nation and the results of been mixed. This paper considers the best practices associated with key worksite health. These best practices include the type of worksite intervention, attention to health literacy, engagement, onsite clinics, coaching and care plans, a digital platform, social support, population health, performance excellence, performance improvement, and an evaluation strategy. While each best practice is considered important, very few programs provide all of the components, and most emphasize one component over the other. A gap in the literature, therefore, is how these best practices can be combined into a single program. Following the review of literature of best practices, a case study, of the program design, of a comprehensive worksite program was conducted to demonstrate how these best practices are operationalized. The Game of Health, is a cognitive based program that focuses on stress management and behavior change in a program that provides onsite programs, a medical clinic, and a digital platform