Outcomes of a multicomponent physical activity program for sedentary, community-dwelling older adults

This single-group repeated-measures pilot study evaluated the effects of a 10-wk, multicomponent, best-practice exercise program on physical activity, performance of activities of daily living (ADLs), physical performance, and depression in community-dwelling older adults from low-income households (N = 15). Comparison of pretest and posttest scores using a one-tailed paired-samples t test showed improvement (p < .05) for 2 of 3 ADL domains on the Activity Measure-Post Acute Care and for 6 physical-performance measures of the Senior Fitness Test. Repeated-measures ANOVA revealed significant main effects for 3 of 8 physical activity measures using the Yale Physical Activity Scale. Retention rate was 78.9%, and the adherence rate for group sessions was 89.7%. Results suggest that participation in a multicomponent, best-practice physical activity program may positively affect sedentary, community-dwelling older adults' physical activity, ADL performance, and physical performance.     

论桑塔耶那自然主义美学

从重新界定“美是什么”开始,桑塔耶那宣告了思辨美学的无效.他把感觉经验作为新美学的奠基石,将美与人的主观感觉紧紧相连,提出了美的“快感说”和艺术的冲动论.尽管桑塔耶那不同意传统思辨美学的客观主义立场,但是,把审美对象自然化、经验化,将诸种审美现象进行生物学和经验主义的诠释,使桑塔耶那的美学没能超越客观主义,也没能走出自然主义.     

MODELING THE ECONOMIC INTERACTION OF AGENTS WITH DIVERSE ABILITIES TO RECOGNIZE EQUILIBRIUM PATTERNS

We model differences among agents in their ability to recognize temporal patterns of prices. Using the concept of DeBruijn sequences in two dynamic models of markets, we demonstrate the existence of equilibria in which prices fluctuate in a pattern that is independent of the fundamentals and that can be recognized only by the more competent agents. (JEL: C7, D4, S477)     

Frail men's perspectives on food and eating

Food shopping, preparation, and serving traditionally tend to be the domain of women. This article, however, focuses on the rarely examined world of frail old men who live in the community and on the meanings and themes that underlie their attitudes and behaviors in relation to food and eating. Based on the analyses of face-to-face qualitative interviews with 15 men, 76–95 years old, four inter-related themes emerged: (1) eating to live and wish to survive, (2) centrality of concern about the physical body, (3) the pervasive need for maintenance of masculinity, and (4) importance of sociality to the eating experience. Findings demonstrate how themes of masculinity in these men affect their narratives and perceptions about food and eating.     

The Historical Situation of Turkish Migrants in Germany

The recruitment of Turkish migrant workers in Germany was originally a temporary measure because of a shortage of manpower, but over time they settled permanently and were joined by their families. This led to changes in lifestyle and many problems of adaptation. This paper examines the complex integration process, their contribution the Germany economy and the changes that the host society has had to make to fulfil the needs of a community now resident in Germany for 40 years.     

Compression Theorems and Steiner Ratios on Spheres

Suppose AiBiCi (i = 1, 2) are two triangles of equal side lengths lying on spheres i with radii r1, r2 (r1 < r2) respectively. First we prove the existence of a map h: A1B1C1 A2B2C2 so that for any two points P1, Q1 in A1B1C1,¦P1Q1¦¦h(P1)h(Q1)¦. Moreover, if P1, Q1 are not on the same side, then the inequality strictly holds. This compression theorem can be applied to compare the minimum of a variable in triangles on two spheres. Hence, one of the applications of the compression theorem is the study of Steiner minimal tress on spheres. The Steiner ratio is the largest lower bound for the ratio of the lengths of Steiner minimal trees to minimal spanning trees for point sets in a metric space. Using the compression theorem we prove that the Steiner ratio on spheres is the same as on the Euclidean plane, namely .     

论经济制度的财富效应

经济制度是人们从事经济活动的行为准则和规范,包括传统、习俗、信仰、道德、法律、政策等。经济制度的存在使人们的经济行为受到选择性激励与约束。良好的经济制度能够激发人们努力从事创造性生产活动,并且能够引导经济人自利的个体行为最大限度地增进社会的福利,从而产生巨大的财富效应;而不良的经济制度则会严重抑制人们的创造性。构建和维系良好的经济制度,应当是各级政府的主要任务。     

Unions as value-adding networks: Possibilities for the future of U.S. unionism

VII. Conclusions The decline in private sector union density in the U.S. coincided with increased innovation at the local level. One trend in particular, value-adding unionism, may offer some hope for those who believe that workers, the economy, and the nation benefit from strong, independent trade union movement. Unions that can add value to firm performance while at the same time fulfilling their responsibilities to represent the collective and individual interests of their membership have greater appeal to potential union members seeking opportunities for both representation and participation. Since they add economic value to firms, they may also reduce the level of managerial resistance that we have seen in recent history. Farber and Western (2001) argue that the overall U.S. decline in union density is almost entirely due to falling employment in unionized firms and increases in nonunion firms. This value-adding approach offers one strategy to preserve and expand union employment in firms where it is already established, thus slowing or reversing the decline. Moreover, as structural changes in the economy have led to shifts away from sectors with high levels of union density, they have at the same time put a premium on the ability of firms to respond quickly to changes in the marketplace and the competitive environment. Value-adding unions can provide the infrastructure for organizational networks that facilitate the communication and coordination necessary to adjust to such changes. Thus, new forms of representation that provide unions and their members with greater opportunities in decision making, management, and governance can add value to both management and labor. I thank Charles Heckscher and Bruce Kaufman for comments on earlier drafts of the paper and the National Science Foundation, Rutgers University, and MIT for financial support.