scholarly journals Ideas and Networks: The Rise and Fall of Research Bodies for Powered Artificial Arms in America and Canada, 1945-1977

Author(s):  
David J. A. Foord ◽  
Peter Kyberd

This paper examines the rise and fall of research and development funding programs for upper-limb myoelectric prosthetics in America and Canada from 1945 to 1977. Despite similarities in overall technological goals, to produce electronic arms and hands for veterans in the US and children with phocomelic limbs in Canada, we argue that the reasons for starting and ending the programs reflected different national preoccupations. In the US the reasons for the creation in 1945 and termination in 1977 of funding programs focused on the lack of fundamental research in the field, and role that science could have in the development and design in prosthetics. In Canada, by contrast, there was little discussion about science and its relationship to technology in knowledge creation when the prosthetics research and training unit (PRTU) funding program was founded in 1963 and wound up in 1975. Instead, the policy discussion focused on the importance of regional representation and relationships among different professional groups and sectors of society.

Author(s):  
Arne L. Kalleberg

This chapter discusses how the growth of precarious work and the polarization of the US labor market have produced major problems for the employment experiences of young workers. A prominent indicator of young workers’ difficulties in the labor market has been the sharp increase in their unemployment rates since the Great Recession. Another, equally if not more severe, problem faced by young workers today is the relatively low quality of the jobs that they were able to get. Other problems include the exclusion of young workers from the labor market and from education and training opportunities; the inability to find jobs that utilize their education, training, and skills; and the inability to obtain jobs that provide them with an opportunity to get a foothold in a career that would lead to progressively better jobs and thus be able to construct career narratives.


Author(s):  
Rachel Heyard ◽  
Hanna Hottenrott

AbstractThis study investigates the effect of competitive project funding on researchers’ publication outputs. Using detailed information on applicants at the Swiss National Science Foundation and their proposal evaluations, we employ a case-control design that accounts for individual heterogeneity of researchers and selection into treatment (e.g. funding). We estimate the impact of the grant award on a set of output indicators measuring the creation of new research results (the number of peer-reviewed articles), its relevance (number of citations and relative citation ratios), as well as its accessibility and dissemination as measured by the publication of preprints and by altmetrics. The results show that the funding program facilitates the publication and dissemination of additional research amounting to about one additional article in each of the three years following the funding. The higher citation metrics and altmetrics by funded researchers suggest that impact goes beyond quantity and that funding fosters dissemination and quality.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ryan Kraski

Pay-to-Play provides an accessible approach toward understanding two systems for knowledge creation and dissemination that are embedded in the US legal system, namely private, nonprofit universities and copyright law. Pay-to-Play identifies the harsh reality that an expansive body of academic works remains locked away behind for-profit paywalls. Accessing these works for individuals is prohibitively expensive and is usually only made possible through even more expensive institutional memberships. As a result, most people are unnecessarily excluded from the innovation process, which lies at the very core of the Constitution’s Copyright Clause. Attorney Ryan Kraski, Esq. is a former lecturer and research fellow at the University of Cologne, Germany and is currently in-house counsel to a large automotive company .


PEDIATRICS ◽  
1996 ◽  
Vol 97 (5) ◽  
pp. 733-735
Author(s):  
Modena Wilson ◽  
Donald M. Berwick ◽  
Carolyn DiGuiseppi

Preventive services compose a large portion of primary care pediatrics, and pediatricians by their nature and training seem extraordinarily disposed toward clinical prevention. Therefore, when the first edition of the Guide to Clinical Preventive Services appeared in 1989 from the US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), the negative reaction of the organized pediatric community was disappointing. The second edition of that guide has just been released, and we three pediatricians, who have worked hard during the past 5 years as members and staff of the second task force, hope for a far more positive reaction from our colleagues this time around.


Author(s):  
Jane L. Murphy ◽  
Fehmidah Munir ◽  
Fiona Davey ◽  
Laura Miller ◽  
Ramsey Cutress ◽  
...  

Abstract Purpose People living with and beyond cancer often experience nutrition-related issues and should receive appropriate advice on nutrition that is consistent and evidence based. The aim of this study was to investigate current practice for the provision of nutritional care by healthcare professionals (HCPs) from a UK national survey produced by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Cancer and Nutrition Collaboration. Methods An online survey sent to professional groups and networks included questions on discussing nutrition, providing information, awareness of guidelines, confidence in providing nutritional advice, training and strategies for improving nutritional management. Results There were 610 HCPs who responded including nurses (31%), dietitians (25%), doctors (31%) and speech and language therapists (9%). The majority of HCPs discusses nutrition (94%) and provides information on nutrition (77%). However, only 39% of HCPs reported being aware of nutritional guidelines, and just 20% were completely confident in providing nutritional advice. Awareness of guidelines varied between the different professional groups with most but not all dietitians reporting the greatest awareness of guidelines and GPs the least (p = 0.001). Those HCPs with a greater awareness of guidelines had received training (p = 0.001) and were more likely to report complete confidence in providing nutritional advice (p = 0.001). Conclusion Whilst HCPs discuss nutrition with cancer patients and may provide information, many lack an awareness of guidelines and confidence in providing nutritional advice. To ensure consistency of practice and improvements in patient care, there is scope for enhancing the provision of appropriate nutrition education and training.


2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Greene ◽  
Caroline Knight ◽  
Olivia Jackson ◽  
Imran Rahman ◽  
Donna Burnett ◽  
...  

Abstract Objectives The Mediterranean diet (MD) is recommended by the current Dietary Guidelines for Americans, yet little is known about the diet in the US, particularly in areas of high chronic disease. Thus, we investigated MD adherence and perceived benefits and barriers to consumption of the MD in the US Stroke Belt. Methods A survey containing 44 validated MD knowledge, barriers, and benefits (KBB) questions, a validated 14-question MD adherence screener, 7 questions based on the Precaution Adoption Model (stages of change), and 7 demographic/anthropometric questions was distributed systematically to US residents using Amazon Mechanical Turk. Responses from the Stroke Belt (SB; n = 304), California (CA; n = 489), and all other US states (OtherUS; n = 439) were obtained. The CA group served as the reference group. A linear model was used to assess KBB question scores in the groups (Model 1), adjusted for sex and age (Model 2), and all other demographic variables (Model 3). Multivariable linear regression analysis was used to assess the differences in total MD adherence scores between the groups adjusted for all covariates. Simple logistic regression for having heard of the MD with demographic variables was examined. Statistical analyses were conducted in R v3.5.2. Results Barriers on MD knowledge, convenience, sensory factors, and health and familiarity with the MD diet were significantly greater in the SB group, but not the OtherUS group, in all models (P < 0.05). Weight loss was found to be a significantly greater benefit in the SB group in all models (P < 0.05). For each point increase in MD adherence, a reduction in 0.32 and 0.48 points (P < 0.05) was observed in the SB and otherUS groups, respectively. In the full cohort, the odds for participants having heard of the MD prior to taking the survey significantly increased 12.50 times (95%CI, 2.56–226) for 65–74 year olds. The odds were also significantly increased (OR 1.68; 95%CI, 1.13–2.47 and OR 2.47; 95%CI, 1.45–4.32) for those with Bachelor's and Master's or professional degrees, respectively, while no significant differences were found with sex or race. Conclusions Our results identify key barriers and benefits of the MD in the SB which can inform targeted MD intervention studies. Funding Sources USDA Hatch Funding Program (MWG) and Haggard Family Annual Award in Nutrition and Dietetics (OJ).


Subject US Iraqi Train and Equip Fund. Significance The US Department of Defense has requested an additional 630 million dollars for the Iraqi Train and Equip Fund (ITEF) in the 2016-17 fiscal year. This fund, hurriedly brought into existence in the summer of 2014, was developed to provide assistance and training to the Iraqi army in the wake of its disastrous performance against Islamic State group (ISG) forces. Forces trained under the ITEF will be a key component of the planned offensive to retake the ISG stronghold of Mosul later this year. Impacts The programme is unlikely to continue once Mosul has been retaken -- although other funding streams will continue. Its success would strengthen the Iraqi army, thereby empowering central government against pro-Iran, hardline militias. Its failure would strengthen these militias and increase the prospects of a semi-permanent fragmentation of the Iraqi state.


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