Assessing health-related resources in senior living residences

This study evaluated a new tool, “The Audit of Physical Activity Resources for Seniors” (APARS), which assesses the physical activity environment in Senior Living Residences (SLRs). Audits were conducted in 29 SLRs and inter-rater reliability was assessed. Pearson correlations were examined between APARS items and objectively measured physical activity and sedentary time, and self-rated health, collected from residents at a subset of 12 SLRs (N = 147). Eighty-nine of the 90 items (98.9%) demonstrated Kappa or ICC values above .70 and/or percent agreement above 80%. The 90 items were summarized into nine scales. Two scales (outside supportive physical activity features/functionality and outside exercise facilities) were related to greater physical activity and less sedentary time. Four scales (inside social facilities, onsite services, exercise programs, and social activities) were related to greater sedentary time and better self-rated health. APARS items demonstrated adequate inter-rater reliability and some evidence for construct validity to assess health-related environments in retirement facilities. Social activities in SLRs could benefit residents by incorporating more physical activity. Use of APARS could inform more health-promoting designs of senior living facilities.     

The State Socialist Mortality Syndrome

Death rates for working-age men in European state socialist countries deviated from general improvements in survival observed in the rest of Europe during the 20th century. The magnitude of structural labor force changes across countries correlates with lagged increases in death rates for men in the working ages. This pattern is consistent with a hypothesis that hyper-development of heavy industry and stagnation (even contraction) of the service sector created anomic conditions leading to unhealthy lifestyles and self-destructive behavior among men moving from primary-sector to secondary-sector occupations. Occupational contrasts within countries similarly show concentration of rising male death rates among blue collar workers. Collapse of state socialist systems produced rapid corrections in labor force structure after 1990, again correlated with a fading of the state socialist mortality syndrome in following decades.     

Breaking the incest cycle: the group as a surrogate family

1. Adult women who are survivors of incest can work on healing issues during long-term group therapy sessions. 2. Group therapy sessions can assist survivors to deal with unresolved family issues. 3. Group therapy sessions can be facilitated by psychiatric nurses who are college faculty when a nursing center is affiliated with a college of nursing.     

Multi-goal optimization in managerial science

A number of modern economists have accepted alternatives to the basic hypothesis of neo-classical economics that the overriding objective of any firm is to maximize the owner's (shareholder's) welfare. However, with one or two outstanding exceptions, these alternatives have been ignored by managerial scientists, whose economics related models continue to be formulated in terms of the neo-classical hypothesis. This paper treats the implications of those alternatives which deny that corporate management is trying to optimize any single goal—let alone shareholder welfare. More specifically, this paper discusses management science models involving the allocation of scarce resources to satisfy several goals. The resulting multi-goal “optimization” problem is identified as a vector “maximization” problem and is formulated in terms of the efficient point concept.     

Revitalizing the MBA for the New Millennium: A Collaborative Action Research Approach

Business schools are facing increased competition due to information technology innovations and customer dissatisfaction. In response, business schools are turning to a variety of solutions, such as team teaching, integrated curricula, and distance learning. This article presents the results of a collaborative action research project initiated by one business school faced with the need to revitalize its MBA program. The faculty engaged in this project learned much about the challenges of teaching an integrative course and the constancy of change. We share our conclusions and recommendations about an integrated curriculum, distance learning, adult learning, team teaching, revisions in program duration and structure, as well as advice on the necessary administrative support and compensation for business schools contemplating such changes. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

当代环境美学与环境保护论的要求

自然审美经验对于保护和保存自然环境是至关重要的。针对与自然审美欣赏相关的两种传统立场,即如画性景观立场和形式主义艺术理论,一些环境保护论者认为这两种自然审美欣赏立场所关联的模式存在一定误区,指责它们是人类中心主义的、风景迷恋的、肤浅的、主观的和道德缺失的。基于传统自然美学的这些不足,环境保护论对构建恰当和完善的自然审美欣赏模式提出了五项要求,即自然美学应该是非中心的而非人类中心主义的,关注环境的而非风景迷恋的,严肃认真的而非肤浅轻浮的,客观的而非主观的,关涉道德的而非道德缺失的。从这个角度对当代环境美学中的参与美学与科学认知主义这两种立场进行考察和评价,可以看出当代环境美学重视环境保护论的要求,不仅关注风景性的环境,也关注其他类型的环境,对传统自然美学有质的超越。     

Labour Force Participation among MENA Women in the United States: Exploring the Role of Ethnically Homogamous Relationships

This study uncovers variations in female labour force participation (FLFP) among women in the US originating from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), with a focus on differences by nativity status, and investigates the role of ethnically homogamous relationships in explaining these variations. Lower levels of US labour force participation among women from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) is puzzling, given that these women have higher educational attainments than most women in the US. Recent work has suggested that looking more closely at the influence of homogamy on immigrant women’s economic activity may help to explain this puzzle. Drawing from prior research on FLFP and immigrant integration, we hypothesized that foreign-born women from MENA will report lower labour force participation rates relative to their US-born counterparts, and ethnically homogamous marriage will explain differences in FLFP across nativity status. Data come from the Public Use Microdata Samples (PUMS) from 2012–2016 American Community Surveys (ACS). The analytic sample consists of 33,133 women in the United states of MENA origin who are in the prime working ages of 25 to 59. As hypothesized, we found that foreign-born MENA women reported significantly lower labour force participation rates than their US-born counterparts. We also found that after controlling for all relevant characteristics, MENA women (both US-born and foreign-born) with MENA husbands remained dramatically less likely to be in the labour force than women with non-MENA husbands. Our findings suggest the disadvantage in FLFP experienced by foreign-born MENA women is due mostly to high rates of ethnically homogamous relationships among this population relative to their US-born counterparts. Thus, our study highlights ethnic homogamy as a structural-cultural barrier for MENA women’s labour force activity in the US and suggests that empirical research on FLFP and immigrant integration should consider partner characteristics as a key determinant of women’s labour force participation.     

Health and living conditions of Samis compared with other citizens based on representative surveys in three Swedish regions

This is the first general health survey of Samis compared with other Swedes to be based on randomised samples. In three regions, Samis were compared with respondents to the Public Health Investigation (n = 613 Samis and 6,309 respondents). Samis were also compared as to gender and membership in reindeer‐herding Sami villages (SVs). The survey shows that Samis of today have better education, work situation and health, and a healthier lifestyle than other Swedish citizens living in the same regions. There are, however, great differences among the Samis themselves. Members of SVs have weaker finances, and they report having less societal trust and worse health than non‐members do. Male members have lower education, are less involved in social activities and report worse overall health, but do not have a higher incidence of psychiatric problems, than other Samis. Samis, in general, have similar or better health and social situation than non‐Samis, but male SV‐members face greater problems and higher risks than other Samis. Key Practitioner Message: ? Health and welfare authorities in cooperation with the Sami parliament and the Sami villages should develop special strategies to assist the herding communities in culturally sensitive ways.