Monte Carlo Simulation of Rodent Carcinogenicity Bioassays

In this paper we describe a simulation, by Monte Carlo methods, of the results of rodent carcinogenicity bioassays. Our aim is to study how the observed correlation between carcinogenic potency (beta or 1n2/TD50) and maximum tolerated dose (MTD) arises, and whether the existence of this correlation leads to an artificial correlation between carcinogenic potencies in rats and mice. The validity of the bioassay results depends upon, among other things, certain biases in the experimental design of the bioassays. These include selection of chemicals for bioassay and details of the experimental protocol, including dose levels. We use as variables in our simulation the following factors: (1) dose group size, (2) number of dose groups, (3) tumor rate in the control (zero-dose) group, (4) distribution of the MTD values of the group of chemicals as specified by the mean and standard deviation, (5) the degree of correlation between beta and the MTD, as given by the standard deviation of the random error term in the linear regression of log beta on log (1/MTD), and (6) an upper limit on the number of animals with tumors. Monte Carlo simulation can show whether the information present in the existing rodent bioassay database is sufficient to reject the validity of the proposed interspecies correlations at a given level of stringency. We hope that such analysis will be useful for future bioassay design, and more importantly, for discussion of the whole NCI/NTP program.     

Reconceptualizing the Role of Conformity Behaviors in Family Communication Patterns Theory

Family communication patterns theory is one of the most influential theories in the field of family communication. The current article examines the construct of conformity, arguing that current conceptualizations of conformity paint this behavior as largely a negative familial element. Instead, this research argues for the concept of warm conformity behavior, where parents communicate their ideas in ways that promote warmth and closeness rather than just adherence to hierarchy and rules. This move does not add to the two dimensions of the theory, but rather speaks to the different ways in which parents might communicate the dimension of conformity to their child. To further this idea, our article includes a series of three studies designed to create and validate new measures of warm and cold conformity. Overall, the studies found general support for the validity of the scales. Implications and directions for future research are discussed.     

Introduction to Special Issue: ‘Translating Urban Planning Research and Pedagogy into Practice: An Australian perspective’

Abstract

The six papers in this special issue describe a deep schism in the relationships between research, teaching and practice, with a focus on Australia. There are many reasons why translating urban research and pedagogy into practice has increased in importance in recent years. This introduction provides three negative factors—decreasing funding, relevance and voice—and two more positive factors—the rise of the ‘pracademic’ and increasing social media forms of interaction. The papers describe how the empirical and theoretical foci of planning research are symbiotic, presenting challenges and opportunities for linking practice, teaching and research into positive change.     

Economic empowerment or cash‐dependency for orphans and vulnerable children in Kenya: Evidence from an alternative to cash‐only models

Orphan and vulnerable children (OVC) often have worse educational, developmental, nutritional, and behavioral outcomes than non‐OVC. Much of these disparities come from reduced household earnings due to the loss of parental income. The present study used conditional process analysis to evaluate income and savings among OVC households, using cross‐sectional data from 1,060 OVC in a 3‐year Kenyan empowerment program that combined elements of cash transfer, psychosocial support, and small business entrepreneurship. Higher monthly earnings were significantly associated with program participation in a graded fashion. Approximately one‐third of the association was mediated by material inputs, indicating that a substantial portion may be explained by other unobserved program elements. Eighty‐five percent of increased rates of saving money in the past year were mediated by improved monthly income, cash transferred and improved food consumption. Data analysis highlights the need for multisectoral approaches and the need for more research to understand how to improve household economic stability among OVC. Key Practitioner Message: ? Orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) are at risk of greater poverty, leading to multiple developmental and health challenges; ? Current policy in Kenya to offset costs of caring for OVC utilizes monthly cash transfers to households providing care for OVC; ? The present study found that increases in monthly income in an OVC multisectoral empowerment program were largely due to factors beyond the material inputs.     

Perspective: Risk Apportionment and Disease Intervention Strategies

The ultimate public health objective is the ability to predict and prevent disease, and not necessarily to identify an exhaustive list of potential disease risk factors. For any important public health outcome with multiple and potentially interrelated risk factors, an improved understanding of the contribution of individual and combinations of modifiable risk factors to the disease burden is essential for formulating an appropriate public health strategy. Partitioning techniques that divide the combined impact of multiple risk factors into exposure-specific components while taking into account the potential interrelations among those components, have been described in the epidemiological literature. In this article, we review and compare the available methods and options for such apportionment and apply them in a more general public health context as a method of selecting and prioritizing coronary heart disease (CHD) prevention strategies.     

Vocational Guidance Requests Within the International Scene

This article summarizes the work of a diverse group of researchers and practitioners from 5 continents on “Vocational Guidance Requests Within the International Scene” presented in the discussion group at a symposium of the International Association for Educational and Vocational Guidance, the Society for Vocational Psychology, and the National Career Development Association, in Padua, Italy. The role of societal and cultural forces in individuals' vocational decisions, the need to serve a larger percentage of the population with vocational guidance services, and suggestions to address these challenges in the field of vocational guidance were addressed.     

Russian Influenza in Two University Communities

Abstract

The H1N1 influenza A virus (A/USSR/90/77) appeared first in China, then spread to the United States in January 1978, causing significant outbreaks of influenza among younger age groups. Because college students were particularly affected, epidemiologic investigations were done to define the impact of illness on university populations.

We describe influenza outbreaks involving two college campuses (the Universities of Michigan and Colorado). At both schools, illness attack rates were significantly higher for students than for older faculty and staff members. At the two respective campuses, 25 and 36% of those ill who were surveyed sought medical care. Bed confinement averaged 3.8 days at one school (Michigan). At the other school (Colorado), ill students missed an average of 2.8 days of class. Influenza A (H1N1) virus was isolated from specimens from acutely ill students at both campuses.

These investigations illustrate the practical usefulness of college campuses as sites for monitoring the activity of influenza and other acute respiratory diseases.     

Exploring Transformational Processes and Meaning in LDS Marriages

For decades, research has shown that religion is correlated with several important aspects of marriage. However, most studies have looked only at distal aspects of a couple's religion, such as church attendance or religious salience, and are therefore hard pressed to explain precisely how religion and marriage correlate. This qualitative study examines the connection Mormon (LDS) couples perceive between their religious faith and their marriage and family relationships. For this study we used a subset of a national sample of 445 individuals from across the United States who were interviewed over several years; this subset consisted of 48 individuals (24 couples) living in seven different states (25% of whom are ethnic minorities) that we interviewed. The interviews specifically sought to understand how these couples connected their faith to five transformational constructs: commitment, sacrifice, coping, conflict resolution, and forgiveness. Each couple shared specific beliefs and practices that impacted their approach to these constructs. Analysis was then made identifying patterns and parallels.     

Hope and activism in the ivory tower: Freirean lessons for critical globalization research

Abstract

This paper uses Freirean theory and field studies of counter-globalist campaigns to add greater lucidity and normative deliberateness to our understanding of resistance to neo-liberal globalism. A difficult tension exists between complete submersion in movement struggles, versus a mythical position of objective analytic detachment. We sketch out the basis for a productive dialogue between these two competing pulls of political engagement and analytic objectivity. To do this, we draw from the writings of Paulo Freire, a Brazilian thinker famous for his theories of popular education. Freire's writings have not seriously entered academic studies of globalization, even though activists in the ‘globalization-from-below’ camp frequently draw on his words for inspiration. We seek to remedy this omission, and construct a dialogue between Freire and social movement struggles on four dualisms centred on epistemology, normativity, methodology and strategy. In each dualism, we outline how Freirean concepts can help redefine these binaries as productive tensions to be developed, rather than conflicts to be suppressed. These insights are not intended as a theoretical injunctive delivered from upon high, but are used in dialogue with examples from global justice campaigns in order to clarify what is already taking place on the ground. Identifying Freirean priorities can also encourage openings for more emancipatory approaches to critical globalization scholarship. While academics cannot engineer resistance to neo-liberal globalism from the top down, they can contribute their research energy and resources, becoming more actively engaged in the process of envisaging alternatives.     

On the approximability of Time Disjoint Walks

Journal of Combinatorial Optimization - We introduce the combinatorial optimization problem Time Disjoint Walks (TDW), which has applications in collision-free routing of discrete objects (e.g.,...