Probe-evoked event-related potential techniques for evaluating aspects of attention and information processing

The study of probe event related potentials (probe ERPs) is reviewed. Several recent experiments are described which seem to leave in doubt the usefulness of applying ERP to simulation and field conditions as well as laboratory situations. Relatively minor changes in the experimental paradigm can produce major shifts in ERP findings, for reasons that are not clear. However, task-elicited ERPs might be used on a flight simulator if the experimenter takes time of arrival of the eyes on a particular instrument as one variable of concern and dwell time on the instrument as a second variable. One can then look at ERPs triggered by saccade termination for fixation pauses of specified durations. It may well be that ERP to a momentarily important display will differ from that elicited by routine instrument check

Regulatory effectiveness : the impact of regulation and regulatory governance arrangements on electricity industry outcomes

The authors review a number of studies on the effectiveness of utility regulatory agency and governance arrangements for the electricity industry, particularly for developing countries. They discuss governance criteria and their measurement, both legal frameworks and surveys of regulatory practice. They also discuss the results from econometric studies of effectiveness for regulatory agencies in the electricity and telecommunications industries and compare these with the results from econometric studies of independent central banks and their governance. The authors conclude with a discussion of policy implications and of priorities for information collection to improve understanding of these issues.National Governance,Banks&Banking Reform,Governance Indicators,Administrative&Regulatory Law,Municipal Financial Management

Feasibility of Using Technology to Disseminate Evidence to Rural Nurses and Improve Patient Outcomes

Background: Rural African American women receive less frequent mammography screening and die of breast cancer at a higher rate than is seen in the general population. To overcome this disparity, it is necessary to assist rural providers in their efforts to influence women to obtain screening. Method: This study examined the feasibility of using distance education to disseminate knowledge about timely and appropriate mammography screening to rural nurses, using patient outcome data to evaluate the effectiveness of this intervention. Results: Overall, there was a decline in referrals and mammography screening, but the intervention group centers showed a smaller decline after the educational intervention than did the control group. Conclusion: The findings show the effect of dissemination of information and the feasibility of using patient outcome data for educational evaluation. Neighboring academic health centers and nursing schools should include in their mission the provision of educational programs for relatively isolated rural nurses.health technology, rural health

Empirical Search Models

This chapter discusses various methods that have been used to estimate structural models of search and survival models. Most of the focus is on using available data, usually on unemployment spell lengths and accepted wage o¤ers, to estimate the parameters of speci…c search models. In particular, we focus on estimating the parameters of the wage o¤er distribution, the reservation wage or reservation wage function, the cost of search, o¤er arrival rate, and discount rate. There is an added section on survival models because survival models have been used so extensively to look at unemployment spell data.empirical search

A Prolegomenon to New Testament Language In Light of Contemporary Linguistic Analysis: A Look at Paul\u27s Meaning and Use of Theological Language in I Corinthians 2:6-16

This, then, is the purpose of this study: to look more closely at what scholars in many fields have had to say regarding the matter of human language and its ability to make religious assertions. In an attempt to define this purpose more accurately, it will be necessary to: (a) examine the field of contemporary Linguistic Analysis in light of its historical setting;(b) describe the relationship between the phenomenology of language and religious language; (c) consider the work being done presently in the area of modern linguistic studies in biblical research and see its effect upon the formation of theological assertions; (d) present the opinions of those scholars who discuss the very nature of theological language; and (e) investigate St. Paul\u27s meaning and use of religious language

The Effects of Vocational Rehabilitation for People with Mental Illlness

: The public-sector Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) program is a $3 billion federal-state partnership designed to provide employment-related assistance to persons with disabilities. There is, however, relatively little-known about the long-term efficacy of VR programs. This paper utilizes unique and detailed administrative and employment data to examine both short and longer-term employment impacts for all persons diagnosed with mental illness who applied for VR services in the state of Virginia in State Fiscal Year 2000. These data provide quarterly information on VR services and employment outcomes from 1995 to 2010. Estimates from our model of service provision and labor market outcomes reveal that VR services generally have positive long-run labor market outcome effects that appear to substantially exceed the cost of providing services.etraining, mental illness, treatment effects

Manual of Criminal Law and Procedure

Intended to aid to Alaska law enforcement officers in the performance of their duties in the field, this manual was designed to provide brief, quick access to major points of substantive and procedural criminal law. The manual contained discussion and procedural guidelines for investigatory stops, identification procedures including line-ups, arrest, search and seizure, interrogation, as well as discussion of justification for the use of nondeadly and deadly force whether by peace officers or civilians, culpability, entrapment, trial preparation, and media relations. The section on substantive criminal law deals with a selection of crimes most likely to be encountered by "street" officers as defined with the recently enacted Revised Alaska Criminal Code (effective January 1, 1980), desribing elements of each crime, investigative hints, and differences with previous provisions of the criminal code, where relevant.Alaska Department of Law Grant No. 78-A-014Introduction / Criminal Procedures / Substantive Criminal Law / Justification / Culpability / Entrapment / Trial Preparation / Media Relations / Appendice

Concerns with AED conversion: comparison of patient and physician perspectives.

When discussing AED conversion in the clinic, both the patient and physician perspectives on the goals and risks of this change are important to consider. To identify patient-reported and clinician-perceived concerns, a panel of epilepsy specialists was questioned about the topics discussed with patients and the clinician's perspective of patient concerns. Findings of a literature review of articles that report patient-expressed concerns regarding their epilepsy and treatment were also reviewed. Results showed that the specialist panel appropriately identified patient-reported concerns of driving ability, medication cost, seizure control, and medication side effects. Additionally, patient-reported concerns of independence, employment issues, social stigma, medication dependence, and undesirable cognitive effects are important to address when considering and initiating AED conversion