Further results in the optimal policy for imperfect inspection in discrete time

The paper reports investigations into how the optimal inspection interval for a fallible system with imperfect inspection is best determined. This work can be viewed as an extension of Raz and Ladany's 1992 work on imperfect inspection in discrete time. Here the cost functions are rewritten to include a probability conditioning that was omitted. In addition, an upper bound on the search space for the optimal inspection interval is presented. This bound allows one to find the global optimum with very modest computational effort. Insights gained from this bound and from the computational tests are used to present some general properties of the system.     

Individual Differences in Infant Skills as Predictors of Child-Caregiver Joint Attention and Language

Current research suggests that the extent to which child-caregiver dyads engage in interactions involving episodes of joint or coordinated attention can have a significant impact on early lexical acquisition. In this regard it has been recognized that individual differences in early developing child communication skills, such as capacity to follow gaze and early infant language, may contribute to these child-caregiver interactional patterns, as well as to subsequent language development. To address this expectation, 21 infant-parent dyads were recruited for participation in a longitudinal study. Early infant language, responding to joint attention skill, and cognitive development were assessed at 12 months of age. Child-caregiver joint attention episodes, as well as responding to joint attention skill and child language, were assessed at 18 months of age. Developmental outcome, using the MacArthur Communicative Development Inventories and the Bayley Scales of Infant Development-II, was assessed at 21 and 24 months of age. Consistent with previous findings, results indicated that individual differences in child-caregiver episodes of joint attention were related to language at 18 months. In addition, though, 12 month vocabulary and responding to joint attention skill were associated with some aspects of 18 month child-caregiver interaction, as well as subsequent language development. In general, 12 month child measures and 18 month child-caregiver interaction measures appeared to make unique contributions to language development in this sample. These results suggest the need to further consider the role of infant skills in the connections between child-caregiver joint attention episodes and language development.     

Book Review: Calvinism Incorporated: Welsh Immigrants on Ohio's Industrial Frontier. By Knowles,Anne Kelly. Chicago: University of Chicago Press (University of Chicago Geography Research Paper,No. 240), 1997. Paper,ISBN: 0-226-44853-3

Qualitative Sociology -     

Urban Aboriginal and First Nations perspectives on casinos and the First Nations gaming industry in Alberta,Canada

There is a surprising paucity of information about urban Aboriginal gambling behaviours and practices, considering that the urban Aboriginal community is the fastest-growing demographic group in Canada and that indigenous people have some of the highest rates of gambling and problem gambling. Interpreting the focus group findings from First Nations and urban Aboriginal participants in Alberta, this study provides insights into urban Aboriginal and rural First Nations attitudes to gambling and the perceived value of the provincial First Nations gaming industry. Although the First Nations focus groups were aware of gambling's associated positive and negative outcomes, they were generally supportive of their communities' decision to pursue casinos. The urban Aboriginal focus group, however, identified little positive about the casinos, even if its participants supported the First Nations' capacity to pursue casino development. These tensions demand policymakers' attention.     

The crisis of the state in a globalizing world

Abstract

The sovereign territorial state now appears to have been a contingent product of a particular time and space—early modern Europe. In fact, it is a very distorted view of even the Westphalian era not to recognize that it was always at least as much about empires as it was about states. Looking back, the entire Westphalian era is but a small slice of human history that itself has been quite varied and is still in transition—if not transformation—in our present globalizing era. The state is increasingly challenged and enfeebled today, and the world is witnessing a widespread crisis and decentralization of authority. Actors other than states have more and more influence and control over specific issues, but still are a long way from enjoying the legitimacy established states once had.

Remarks for a Plenary Roundtable at the First Global International Studies Conference, Istanbul Bilgi University, 24–27 August 2005, with H. N. Süleyman Demirel, former President of the Republic of Turkey, and chaired by Prof. Dr Ilter Turan, President of the Turkish International Studies Association. These remarks reflect a perspective on global politics developed by Professor Ferguson in collaboration with Prof. Richard W. Mansbach, Iowa State University, USA.     

An Experiment in Teaching Social Relationships

In an age of increasing global and multicultural forces, the social studies is usually the subject charged with promoting a deeper level of understanding in regards to cultural diversity. To achieve this mission, many social studies teachers have turned to the use of world fairs. However, these activities often end up promoting surface level understandings, and may even end up reinforcing existing stereotypes amongst students. In this article, the authors, based upon key research in this area, provide a meaningful framework for teachers, when using world fairs. This framework better situates students for a deeper, more substantive understanding of culture.