Tables of Cyclic Incomplete Block Designs: r=k

Initial blocks and efficiencies are given for cyclic incomplete block designs in the range t= 10(1)60 and r=k= 3(1)10. The designs have been selected by search procedures using optimality criteria which maximize the efficiency factor.     

Behavioral management of command hallucinations to harm in schizophrenia

The study objective was to evaluate changes in prevalence of command hallucinations to harm self or others, characteristics and intensity of auditory hallucinations, and levels of anxiety and depression after attendance at a 10-session course teaching behavioral strategies for managing persistent auditory hallucinations to adult outpatients with schizophrenia. Prevalence of command hallucinations to harm self or others was measured at baseline, end of course, and 1-year post-course. Pre-course scores on the Characteristics of Auditory Hallucinations Questionnaire, Unpleasant Voices Scale, tension-anxiety subscale of Profile of Mood States, and Beck Depression Inventory-II were compared with scores immediately post-course and 1 year later. The prevalence rate of command hallucinations to harm self of 44% at baseline decreased to 24% immediately after attending the 10-session course and remained at 24% 1-year post-course. The prevalence rate for command hallucinations to harm others of 21% at baseline decreased to 16% at end of course and 17% 1-year post-course. People who attended the course perceived it as helpful, and improvement was seen in all seven characteristics of auditory hallucinations, intensity of auditory hallucinations, and anxiety and depression immediately after the course and 1-year post-course.     

Reliability of the JobFit System Pre-Employment Functional Assessment Tool

Functional capacity testing in the pre-employment or post-offer phase of recruitment is increasing in popularity as a preventative tool for controlling sprains and strains in the workplace. The purpose of this study is to determine the reliability of the JobFit System Pre-Employment Functional Assessment (PEFA) as a whole, or in parts, as a precursor for a validity study investigating the relationship between PEFA results and workplace injury rates and severity. A group of 28 healthy male coal mine employees were videotaped whilst they participated in a generic JobFit System Pre-Employment Functional Assessment (PEFA) including tests of aerobic physical fitness, balance, postural tolerances and material handling tolerances. Twenty participants performed a second trial. The test component scores and overall PEFA scores were compared between trials (test-retest, intra-rater) and assessors (inter-rater) to determine their reliability expressed in terms of ICC. Using an ICC score of > 0.75 as good and > 0.90 as excellent, in conjunction with percentage agreement a good to excellent reliability rating was allocated to the overall PEFA score, floor to bench lift, bench to overhead lift, bilateral carry and climbing. A moderate to good rating was recorded for bench to shoulder lifts, reaching forward, reaching overhead and stooping. A poor to moderate rating was recorded for squatting, balance and fitness tests. Test-retest scores were typically lower than intra-tester and inter-tester scores. ICC scores should be interpreted with consideration of their limitations and in conjunction with the actual test results.     

Accounting for Ethical Difficulties in Social Welfare Work: Issues, Problems and Dilemmas

This paper is a preliminary exploration of social welfare practitioners’accounts of ‘ethically difficult situations’. Itdescribes variations in the ethical vocabulary and form of theseaccounts. Analysis of practitioners’ own accounts (asopposed to ‘textbook’ cases) draws attention tothe ways they construct events, actions and qualities of characteras ethically significant and highlights the qualitative distinctivenessof ethical dilemmas, where seemingly irresolvable choices leavea residue of moral loss, regret or guilt.     

Child Protection Professionals Identifying Domestic Violence Indicators

This article presents findings from a study of 3 professional groups most frequently involved in child maltreatment cases: child protection social workers, district attorney social workers, and police detectives. The survey instrument examined the identification and concordance level of domestic violence indicators. Analysis of the research findings suggest varying differences across the 3 groups surveyed. The author discusses the importance of social work education in training professionals on domestic violence theories and assessment tools, and developing systems to assess for and address domestic violence issues, multidisciplinary approaches, and ethical practices for sharing client information.     

Theory-Based Community Practice for HIV Prevention in Midlife and Older Women

ABSTRACT

In the last decade there has been a significant increase in HIV transmission among midlife and older women, particularly those from racial/ethnic minority communities. Although the number of women aged 50 and older diagnosed with HIV infection in the United States is increasing, they are rarely included in community HIV prevention strategies. This article presents integrating social capital with social justice themes into a socioecological framework for community practice that can significantly impact the efficacy of HIV prevention programs for midlife and older women. It also reviews the research and program implications for including midlife and older women in community interventions to halt the spread of HIV infection in this at-risk group. Suggestions for HIV prevention community practice with this underserved population are presented.