Open ocean tide modelling

Two trends evident in global tidal modelling since the first GEOP conference in 1972 are described. The first centers on the incorporation of terms for ocean loading and gravitational self attraction into Laplace's tidal equations. The second centers on a better understanding of the problem of near resonant modelling and the need for realistic maps of tidal elevation for use by geodesists and geophysicists. Although new models still show significant differences, especially in the South Atlantic, there are significant similarities in many of the world's oceans. This allows suggestions to be made for future locations for bottom pressure gauge measurements. Where available, estimates of M2 tidal dissipation from the new models are significantly lower than estimates from previous models

THE FOOD STAMP BENEFIT FORMULA: IMPLICATIONS FOR EMPIRICAL RESEARCH ON FOOD DEMAND

To understand how food stamps affect food spending, nonexperimental research typically requires some source of independent variation in food stamp benefits. Three promising sources are examined: (a) variation in household size, (b) variation in deductions from gross income, and (c) receipt of minimum or maximum food stamp benefits. Based on results of a linear regression model with nationally representative data, 90% of the total variation in food stamp benefits is explained by gross cash income, and household size variables alone. This finding raises concern about popular regression approaches to studying the Food Stamp Program.Demand and Price Analysis,

UNDERSTANDING THE FOOD STAMP BENEFIT FORMULA: A TOOL FOR MEASURING THE COMPONENT EFFECTS

This report develops an accounting tool for measuring how the average benefit amount in the U.S. Food Stamp Program is affected by each major component of the rules that determine the benefit level. This tool is used to compare the benefits received by different subpopulations, distinguished by poverty level, demographic makeup, household size, and region of the country. This simple decomposition complements more complex tools, such as microsimulation methods, which help policy analysts understand and evaluate the effects of detailed Food Stamp Program regulations.Food Stamp Program, benefit formula, income, household size, poverty status, deductions, Food Consumption/Nutrition/Food Safety, Food Security and Poverty,

More Than Just Food: The Diverse Effects of Food Assistance Programs

Food Consumption/Nutrition/Food Safety, Food Security and Poverty, I18, I38, Q18,

THE DISTINCT IMPACT OF FOOD STAMPS ON FOOD SPENDING

The Southworth hypothesis predicts that inframarginal food stamp recipients should choose the same bundle of goods, whether they receive coupons or cash. Empirical research has contradicted this prediction. Here, we present a model that retains some attractive features of the Southworth hypothesis, while relaxing the key assumption that appears to be incorrect. In particular, we allow different forms of benefits to have distinct effects on desired, or unrestricted food spending. Two categories of previously commonly used empirical models are evaluated as special cases of our more general model. We estimate this model using data from two cash-out experiments.Consumer/Household Economics, Food Security and Poverty,

THE EFFECT ON DIETARY QUALITY OF PARTICIPATION IN THE FOOD STAMP AND WIC PROGRAMS

Participants in the Food Stamp Program consume more meats, added sugars, and total fats than they would in the absence of the program, while their consumption of fruits, vegetables, grains, and dairy products stays about the same. Participants in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) consume significantly less added sugars, which may reflect the substitution of WIC-supplied juices and cereals in place of higher sugar soft drinks and cereals. These findings come from a study of low-income Americans using the Continuing Survey of Food Intake by Individuals.Nutrition assistance programs, food intake, dietary quality, Continuing Survey of Food Intake by Individuals (CSFII), Food Consumption/Nutrition/Food Safety, Food Security and Poverty,

Development and Validation of an Instrument to Predict Non-adherence to Medical Treatment Regimens

Evaluation of the Health Adherence Behavior Inventory (HABIT) is described with data pertaining to reliability and validity. The instrument was originally developed for use in a primary healthcare setting, to support the early identification of patients who are at risk for poor health outcomes and complications of chronic disease because of non-adherence to their healthcare provider’s instructions. The items were refined from the original HABIT (DiTomasso, 1997) and drawn from various sources, including health risk assessments, health screening questionnaires, and nationally accepted standards for disease treatment and prevention. The questionnaire consists of 50 items, 39 of which appear to load on one factor. Items were analyzed, revealing two clusters, which yielded one Main Factor (Prevention Factor). This factor represents positive health behaviors that have demonstrated a correlation with reduced risk for negative health outcomes. These behaviors address one domain of the multifaceted problem referred to as non-adherence. With respect to construct validity, the questionnaire correlated significantly with the widely used and reliable Health Risk Assessment developed by Lifestyle Directions, Inc. The strong correlation with an established Health Risk Assessment suggests promise for further refinement of the scale, offering a briefer alternative to full risk assessment. Through additional research, it is anticipated that a more comprehensive set of questions may uncover other key domains that offer valuable insight into the prevention and the treatment of non-adherence