External costs: Myth or rationale for state intervention?

The paper considers the extent to which problems of environmental pollution can be left to the market system. The concept of external cost is used to establish the presumption that market forces will lead to excessive pollution. The performance criterion, that of Pareto efficiency, leading to this presumption is discussed. It is shown that for significant problems of pollution it is not possible to limit the role of the state to that of re-defining property rights. What is necessary is state intervention by way of the taxing, or regulation, of discharges into the environment: where external effects are undepletable, markets cannot meet the requirements of Pareto efficiency. Government intervention to meet such requirements requires that the government has information which is, in practice, either unavailable or very costly. Intervention towards more restricted goals is discussed. It is shown that arguments to the effect that the role of the state can be restricted to defining private property rights are based on assumptions which are irrelevant to significant problems. In particular, it is argued that a recent publication by the Institute of Economic Affairs does not, as claimed, show either that external costs do not exist, or that they exist but imply a minor role for the state in the protection of the natural environment.     

Matching to prevent adoption disruption

The number of children being freed for adoption placement is increasing due to legislation. These children are frequently the victims of chaotic environments. Their exposure to adversity makes it more difficult for them to maintain long term placements. Suggestions are made toward the utilization of standardized instruments in the matching of adoptive parents and children to prevent adoption disruption.     

REVIEWS

Hardy, K. V., & Laszloffy, T. A. (2005). Teens who hurt: Clinical interventions to break the cycle of adolescent violence .
Hayes, S. C., Follette, V. M., & Linehan, M. M. (Eds.). (2004). Mindfulness and acceptance: Expanding the cognitive–behavioral tradition .
Swenson, C. C., Henggeler, S., Taylor, I., & Addison, O. (2005). Multisystemic therapy and neighborhood partnerships: Reducing adolescent violence and substance abuse .
Derrig-Palumbo, K., & Zeine, F. (2005). Online therapy: A therapist's guide to expanding your practice .     

Women,Economic Development,and HIV/AIDS: Transforming Systems of Care for Sustainable Change

ABSTRACT

In this concept article, the authors utilize Maslow's Hierarchy to define and discuss a proposed conceptual treatment framework that includes economic development efforts with examples of successes that have been demonstrated in the literature. The authors posit that HIV/AIDS treatment practitioners should not overlook the interconnectedness and interdependency of economic equilibrium and public health and suggest that the creation of treatment plans based on multi-dimensional interdisciplinary approaches are necessary to achieve maximum benefit for care and resource dollars.     

Rendering Relations/Figuring Paint: The Work of Marlene Dumas in Measuring Your Own Grave

Measuring Your Own Grave is the title of a major U.S. midcareer retrospective of the work of Marlene Dumas that was on view at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City in winter 2008/2009. The exhibition presented a vast body of figurative and portrait paintings as well as drawings, notebooks, writing, and collage. Dumas's concentrated work presents the viewer with particularly powerful images that remind one of the corporeal links between public and private life. The work challenges our particular ways of viewing and naming what we see. When looking at the others within her paintings, we are little able to escape looking too at ourselves. This article is an attempt to examine what in Dumas's work makes this so.     

The Freshman 15—A Closer Look

Abstract

Objectives and Participants: Changes in body weight, composition, and size were examined in college freshmen at the beginning (initial, n = 240) and end of fall semester 2007 (n = 214) and the end of spring semester 2008 (n = 205). Methods: Height, weight, body composition, and waist and hip measurements were assessed. Results: Mean weight, body mass index (BMI), absolute and percent body fat all increased significantly over fall semester and the academic year. About 31% of freshmen lost ≥5 lbs. Mean academic year weight gain was 2.6 lbs (entire group) and 6.0 lbs (weight gainers); body fat increased by 4.4 lbs in the weight gainers. A significant correlation (r = .509) was found between weight change and waist circumference change, but not between weight change and waist to hip ratio change. Conclusions: Freshmen weight gain is associated with increases in body fat and waist circumference, which may be troublesome should the trend continue throughout college.     

Implications for Sexual Assault Prevention: College Students as Prosocial Bystanders

Abstract

Prosocial bystander interventions are promising approaches to sexual assault prevention on college campuses. Objective: To assess bystander attitudes among undergraduate students at a northeastern university. Participants: A convenience sample of 188 students from 4 undergraduate classes was surveyed during regularly scheduled class sessions. Methods: Participants completed a short survey on bystander efficacy, readiness to change, and barriers to intervention prior to the start of class. Results: The majority of students were not involved in activities or programs focused on sexual assault prevention. Although students agreed that violence could be prevented, they perceived many barriers to their own participation in intervention. Conclusions: There is a need for gender-targeted prevention programming that introduces the idea of prosocial bystander intervention, with a focus on increasing self-efficacy and lowering barriers.