Combed 3-Manifolds with Concave Boundary, Framed Links, and Pseudo-Legendrian Links

We provide combinatorial realizations, according to the usual objects/moves scheme, of the following three topological categories: (1) pairs (M,v) where M is a 3-manifold (up to diffeomorphism) and v is a (non-singular vector) field, up to homotopy; here possibly the boundary of M is non-empty and v may be tangent to the boundary, but only in a concave fashion, and homotopy should preserve tangency type; (2) framed links L in M, up to framed isotopy; (3) triples (M,v,L), with (M,v) as above and L transversal to v, up to pseudo-Legendrian isotopy (transversality-preserving simultaneous homotopy of v and isotopy of L). All realizations are based on the notion of branched standard spine, and build on results previously obtained. Links are encoded by means of diagrams on branched spines, where the diagram is smooth with respect to the branching. Several motivations for being interested in combinatorial realizations of the topological categories considered in this paper are given in the introduction. The encoding of links is suitable for the comparison of the framed and the pseudo-Legendrian categories, and some applications are given in connection with contact structures, torsion and finite-order invariants. An estension of Trace's notion of winding number of a knot diagram is introduced and discussed.Comment: 38 pages, 33 figure

Integrated CE Course: Giving Participant-Centered Presentations

Librarians often have opportunities to give presentations to and facilitate meetings with various audiences. In this interactive workshop, you will gain skills you can use to keep your audience engaged. You will learn principles of participant-centered presentations and how to apply them, how to assess and respond to audience needs, and practical techniques useful in a variety of situations

A calculus for ideal triangulations of three-manifolds with embedded arcs

Refining the notion of an ideal triangulation of a compact three-manifold, we provide in this paper a combinatorial presentation of the set of pairs (M,a), where M is a three-manifold and a is a collection of properly embedded arcs. We also show that certain well-understood combinatorial moves are sufficient to relate to each other any two refined triangulations representing the same (M,a). Our proof does not assume the Matveev-Pergallini calculus for ideal triangulations, and actually easily implies this calculus.Comment: 32 pages, 30 figure

AN ONLINE TOOLKIT TO IMPROVE PRIMARY CARE PROVIDER IDENTIFICATION OF NON-ALCOHOLIC FATTY LIVER DISEASE

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) prevalence has reached epidemic proportions and the severe type, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is predicted to become the leading cause of liver transplant over the next two decades. The growing prevalence requires primary care (PC) providers to be adept at recognition and management. However, PC providers experience significant knowledge gaps which can result in delayed access to intervention that could improve outcomes. In response, the online NAFLD toolkit was developed, implemented, and evaluated using the Knowledge to Action framework in an effort to improve knowledge gaps and support evidenced-based practice among PC nurse practitioners (NPs) in a midwestern state. The success of the toolkit was evaluated by administering the NAFLD survey for general practitioners in a pre-post evaluation design. Responses (n=11) were compared for statistical significance using the Wilcoxin signed-rank test for matched pairs and showed improvement in overall knowledge score (p=0.011), perceived comfort scores (p=0.07), and intention to use the non-alcoholic fatty liver disease fibrosis score (NAFLD-FS) for patient monitoring and weight loss for management (p=0.008). The results of this project demonstrate successful implementation of a toolkit to support evidenced-based practice and support expanded use of the toolkit. Continued evaluation on a larger scale is needed

Review of 'Growing Older with Jane Austen' by Maggie Lane

--

Innovation management in healthcare: A multi-level perspective in three essays

Innovation in healthcare is a central way of coping with the changes affecting the healthcare system through the megatrends of demographic change, digitalization as well as the opportunities in the life-sciences sector and the “-omics” subjects. Due to the multiple facets of the topic, research on innovation in healthcare is diverse and draws insights from systems theory, management theory, human resources, innovation and change management. While the literature on innovation in healthcare has grown steadily in the last 20 years and publications on pharmaceutical and medical device innovation, health technology assessment strategies, or digital innovations have increased significantly, other areas such as sectoral health innovation systems, the creation and implementation of innovation in hospitals still remain fairly uncharted. Applying established concepts such as systems of innovation theory, mass customization theory or management of employee involvement in innovation activities to the healthcare sector provides new insights into a field that is often considered a “blackbox”. This thesis adds to the topic in three essays, each focusing on a different aspect and depth level ranging from a macro perspective on healthcare innovation on a global scale to a meso level perspective on the implementation of personalized medicine in one country and putting a micro lens on innovation activities of hospital staff. The aim of this thesis is to provide an overview for researchers, policy makers and healthcare stakeholders about current developments, propose tools for measuring innovation and allow for benchmarking the current status quo in healthcare in order to foster new and innovative developments

Collective Expressions of Monacan Indian Nation Identity: A Communicative Arts Genre Study

This study considers the current communicative arts practices of the Monacan Indian Nation, an Indigenous Virginia tribe of approximately 2500 people located in Amherst County, Virginia. Historically the tribe was a large nation that extended from the falls of the James River near Richmond, Virginia to the Southwestern portions of the state near Roanoke and now the Monacan Indian Nation homeland is at Bear Mountain in Amherst County, Virginia. The study was conducted through interviews and observations at tribal events such as the annual Powwow and culture class, as well as consistent attendance and participation as a musician at St. Paul’s Episcopal Mission Church at Bear Mountain. Early Monacan music, dance, language, and traditional art forms were largely undocumented or lost, and this study examines how current Monacan ethnic identity is expressed over multiple generations showing continuity within these forms. The study includes concepts about Monacan identity through the lenses of multidisciplinary fields and incorporates a table comparing artistic communication genres, a model developed by Brian Schrag and Kathleen Van Buren (2018). This approach assisted in demonstrating an ethnomusicological approach to Monacan identity expression through the various communicative arts genres within the community