Ranking Risk Inequities

Comparing recent data on age-adjusted death rates for blacks and whites, the authors attempt to clarify how ranking risks based on degree of inequity might differ from ranking them according to frequency of health impairments in the overall population. They also identify problems in choosing a method for ranking causes of death that incorporates both frequency and equity and suggest that agreement will be difficult to reach

Interrupting the Response of \u3ci\u3eDendroctonus Simplex\u3c/i\u3e Leconte (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) to Compounds That Elicit Aggregation of Adults

The eastern larch beetle, Dendroctonus simplex LeConte (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae), is a native bark beetle that has caused significant mortality to tamarack, Larix laricinia, in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. The effectiveness of potentially attractive chemicals for D. simplex was tested and the most attractive compound, seudenol, was used in subsequent studies to test interruptants against D. simplex. Verbenone, methylcyclohexenone (MCH), and 4-allylanisole were tested as potential interruptants in combination with seudenol. Catches of D. simplex in traps baited with seudenol and MCH were not significantly different from catches in unbaited control traps, indicating successful interruption of the response to seudenol by MCH. Verbenone released at commercially available doses significantly increased catches of D. simplex in traps baited with seudenol, however it did not catch significantly more D. simplex than the unbaited control traps when released alone. Traps baited with 4-allylanisole did not significantly reduce the number of D. simplex captured compared to traps baited solely with seudenol. The potential for MCH to be used to protect individual trees and in stand level management of D. simplex is discussed

Children\u27s after-school activity : associations with weight status and family circumstance

This study investigated children\u27s after-school activity and associations with body mass index (BMI) and family circumstance. One thousand two hundred thirty-four parents and 854 children (age 8-13 years) completed activity diaries for the 2 hours after school. Parents reported children as more active than children reported themselves. Boys were reported to be more active than girls. Activity levels were generally not associated with BMI or family circumstance with the exception of cultural background. Parent-reported mean child METs were higher for mothers born in Australia (3.3 vs. 3.0; p = .02). Child-reported mean METs were higher for fathers born in Australia (2.9 vs. 2.6; p = .04) and where English was their main language (2.9 vs. 2.3, p = .003).<br /

Nurturing the independent-thinking practitioner: using threshold concepts to transform undergraduate learning

This article explores the experience of employing the theory of threshold concepts to curricular re-design to transform students' learning experiences. As part of our annual review in 2011, programme team members raised the concern that some graduates from our vocational-type degree programme – BA (Hons) Working with Children, Young People and Families – did not appear to develop the links between 'theory' and 'practice' as effectively as other graduates. Reflection on the three-year old degree programme, designed to provide a foundation for those wishing to move into, or study further, in areas such as family support and social work, revealed two areas for further consideration. First, the programme's modular format appeared to encourage students to view aspects of their studies as unconnected. Secondly, its original design had been premised on a series of 'need to know' areas of policy, theory and practice which had been added to over time, with little taken out. In short, the curriculum appeared to have become both 'stuffed' and fragmented and did not appear to provide the ideal platform from which to engage students in the development of the knowledge, skills and understanding for future professional practice. Using the theory of threshold concepts as our starting point, we were able to identify key themes, ideas and activities that we perceived to be central to nurturing and developing independent and employable practitioners. The following article recounts our journey towards curriculum change, detailing how programme threshold concepts were identified and how these were subsequently applied in curriculum re-design

The Prevalence of Impaired Type 2 Fasting Blood Glucose Concentrations Among College-Aged Individuals

Impaired fasting glucose (IFG) is a condition where fasting blood glucose (FBG) is above normal but not high enough to be considered diabetic. IFG is linked with many comorbid diseases such as obesity, dyslipidemia, and hypertension. The purpose of this study was to observe anthropometric values including weight, height, body mass index (BMI), and waist circumference and assesses the prevalence of IFG concentration in college-aged students. One hundred and ninety-eight students participated in a one-time assessment. The subjects completed a physical activity questionnaire, current medical history, FBG, and anthropometric values following an overnight fast. The prevalence of IFG was low with 12.6% (n=25) of total participants. Results showed that 41.9% (n=83) of participants were overweight/obese when classified according to BMI. Seventeen (60.7%) of those with IFG were classified as overweight/obese. There were no significant differences between FBG groups and weight (p=0.373), waist circumference (p=0.412), and BMI (p=0.114). However, there were significant correlations between FBG and weight (r=0.160, p=0.024), and waist circumference (r=0.173, p=0.015). In conclusion, the majority of these subjects had a normal FBG (87.4%, n=173) however almost half (41.9%, n=83) were considered overweight/obese and this is due to a drastic increase in an overweight younger population. Among the participants with IFG, 40.0% (n=10) participated in \u3c3 days of aerobic activity per week while those with a normal FBG, 2 62.4% (n=108) participated in \u3e3 days of aerobic activity per week. This suggested that healthy lifestyle choices may improve parameters of chronic disease

Managing the Regulatory State: The Experience of the Bush Administration

This Article traces the history of Presidential management of the regulatory state up to the administration of President George W. Bush. It focuses on the latter\u27s implementation of smarter regulation, an approach to regulation based on unfunded mandates on the private sector implemented through the Office of Management and Budget, an organization within the Executive Office of the President. It finds cost-benefit analysis an essential, yet often neglected, tool for implementing efficient and effective regulations. It concludes the policies promoted under President Bush\u27s OMB have effectively cut costs by streamlining the rule-making process and discouraging adopting new federal rules, but cautions there is still a sea of overlapping regulations and conflict over turf among agencies causing the administrative state to steadily rise in cost

Trend toward managed currency in England and the United States,

This item was digitized by the Internet Archive

Perceptions of High School Principals in A Southeastern Urban School District on Leadership Practices and Parental Involvement

The purpose of this study was to examine the leadership practices of high school principals and parental involvement and to examine to what extent those practices differed between principals and how they related to parental involvement. The study revealed major issues surrounding parental involvement such as how principals defined parental involvement, how principals communicated the importance of parental involvement; what parental involvement activities impact student achievement; what common leadership practices influenced parental involvement; and what are some common experiences of high school principals regarding parental involvement. The methodology employed to conduct this qualitative study was face-to-face audio-taped interviews at the school site where each principal was in the lead role. Principals were asked protocol questions about their leadership practices which they previewed before the scheduled interview meeting. During the interview, principals responded to sub-topic questions which were of a more in-depth nature, to determine the extent to which they employed the practices they said they employed. The major findings of this study revealed several points about principals practices and parental involvement. One such finding was that high school principals 2 differ in their definitions of parental involvement. Another finding was that principals communicate the importance of parental involvement through their practices. Findings further indicated that few to no parental involvement activities have impacted student achievement; that few to no leadership practices influence parental involvement, and that the most common experience shared between high school principals regarding parental involvement is the challenge of strengthening parental involvement. The implications of this study are because principals are the leaders and tone-setters of the school, they must continue assessing their daily practices and become more creative in their practices aimed at stronger parental involvement, for as of yet, they have not discovered, through their present leadership practices, activities that elicit stronger parental involvement