The Use of Discordant MZ Twins to Generate Hypotheses regarding Non-shared Environmental Influence on Anxiety in Middle Childhood

Non‐shared environmental influence (NSE) has been found to account for around 50 percent of anxiety variance, but specific NSE factors have not been identified. Discordant monozygotic (MZ) twins can be used to generate relevant hypotheses because MZ discordance can be caused by NSE, but not by genes or shared environment. Of 1590 MZ pairs teacher rated for anxiety at the age of seven, we selected the most discordant 19 pairs and conducted interviews with them and their mothers. In explaining discordant anxiety, the mothers emphasised negative school experiences, comparisons within the twin relationship, and illness and accidents. During the maternal interviews neonatal life events, parent–child relationships and peer rejection also emerged as potential NSE sources.     

Differences in Factors Attracting Consumers to Taiwan's Supermarkets and Traditional Wet Markets

Exit interviews were used to summarize factors attracting consumers to six supermarkets and three wet markets in a representative city. Using the history of the marketplace as the foundation for analysis, the strengths and weaknesses of the two retail formats are introduced and are compared to the consumer response data. Findings indicate that the decline of Taiwan's traditional markets will probably continue until all are replaced by new retail formats. Currently, the traditional market is in the weakest of all the retail positions since it supplies the needs of a shrinking population of older consumers with preferences and shopping behaviors unlike those of younger, nontraditional consumers. Supermarket expansion is slowing because new hypermarkets, convenience stores, and warehouse stores are competing to satisfy the needs of the younger, more mobile target population. Overall, store formats that provide lower prices, sales promotions, a good environment, good product quality, and good service have the greatest opportunity to build consumer loyalty and increase market share.     

Theory & Methods: Why do we do it? Statisticians and the Practice of Statistics

There has been no work done on why statisticians have chosen their particular profession. With the increasing emphasis on the development of biotechnology, it seems important to encourage people to take up statistics and to offer the perspective that the study of statistics brings. This paper is an attempt to develop a preliminary understanding, by open-ended in-depth interviewing, of the personal backgrounds that have encouraged present practising statisticians to move into this field, and to see how they experience their work.     

Organ Donation and Transplantation in India: An Inquiry in Kerala

Until recently, financial incentive was the prime motivation in transplantation of kidneys from nonrelated living donors in India. Prior to the Human Organ Transplantation Act of 1994, it was legal in all states of India to purchase and merchandise organs, eliminating the opportunity for black markets currently created by the enormous demand for organs. Eight years later, the question remains on how if at all The Act has changed the way organ donation is viewed and conducted in India. This study reveals attitudes and beliefs about organ donation in India from the perspectives of the doctors and the public. Interviewees expressed concerns and fears over the implementation of The Act. Mistrust of the medical profession and concerns about illegal buying and selling of organs were some major issues brought forth by the public. Additional issues were the need for public education, advertisement, and role models to promote organ donation in India. All interviewees had prior knowledge of organ donation and did not require explanation of the concept. No one interviewed was opposed to organ donation. Many participants were aware of organ donation through Ashwaria Roy, a former Miss World who does advertising campaigns promoting cornea donation in India.     

落实“十二五”规划,应不断提高各级领导干部的领导力、执行力和创新力——中共河北省委党校陈春生教授访谈录

2011年是＂十二五＂开局之年。落实＂十二五＂规划,深入践行科学发展观,各级领导干部的领导力是关键,执行力是保证,创新力是基础。中共河北省委党校科技文化教研部主任陈春生教授近几年着力研究如何培养和提高领导干部的领导力、执行力和创新力等,已初步形成理论框架。2011年3月17日,笔者与陈教授就学术成长经历、学术成果以及对如何培养和提高领导干部的领导力、执行力和创新力的理解和把握等方面进行访谈,整理成文,以飨读者。     

从《面对面》看人物访谈节目选题思路的拓展

如何选题是新闻人物深度访谈节目面临的重要课题。文章提出了"熟"人新角度、"老"人新动向、"名"人新契机等多角度拓展选题思路,进而实现人物访谈节目人性化、人本化、人际化的魅力和特质。     

STRUCTURING CO-LEADERSHIP IN SOCIAL WORK TRAINING

No abstract available for this article.     

“Apparently I've Got Low Self‐Esteem”: Schoolgirls' Perspectives On a School‐Based Public Health Intervention

This article focuses on a psycho‐educational programme, DISA, currently practised in the Swedish schools to prevent girls from developing depressive symptoms. We draw on group interviews with schoolgirls to explore how they describe DISA and how an understanding of the programme is constructed through their arguments. We demonstrate how the girls' version of DISA highlights a contradiction in the intervention that is traceable to the theoretical underpinnings of the programme and the mix of traditions — treatment and prevention — that constitute the intervention. We discuss problematic aspects of DISA and outline implications for policy practice.     

Campaigning in the fourth age of political communication. A multi-method study on the use of Facebook by German and Austrian parties in the 2013 national election campaigns

Starting from the contribution to the discussion on a fourth age of political communication, here we argue that, as a consequence of how the Web 2.0 has changed political campaigns, the theoretical time-bound three-phase models of political campaigning must be reconsidered. We propose four ideal campaign types based on their ideal-typical target audience: partisan-, mass-, target group- and individual-centered campaigns. In reality, each campaign combines elements of all types. To examine this mixture empirically, we apply a most similar systems design and investigate five German and six Austrian parties’ use of Facebook in the 2013 national election campaigns. On the basis of face-to-face interviews with the campaign managers and a quantitative content analysis of the respective parties’ Facebook pages, we analyze how parties used Facebook as a campaigning tool to inform, interact with, and mobilize voters, as well as which target audiences they addressed. We find that, although the campaign managers declare Facebook their most important Web 2.0 campaigning tool, the German and Austrian parties did not make use of Facebook’s interactive and mobilizing potential, rather relying on mass-centered information, possibly due to the framework conditions in both countries. Based on our findings, we conclude that the role of context for election campaigning should be discussed more carefully.     

VA Staff Perceptions of Barriers and Facilitators to Home-and Community-Based Placement Post–Hospital Discharge

This study identifies factors U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) staff perceived to promote or impede home- and community-based services (HCBS) placement post–hospital discharge among Veterans cared for within the VA. Data derive from 35 semi-structured interviews with staff from 12 VA medical centers from around the country. VA staff reported that Veteran’s care needs and social and financial resources influence HCBS placement. They also reported prerequisites for successful placement, including housing, unpaid informal care, and non-VA services funded privately and by public programs such as Medicaid and the Older Americans Act. Lack of staffing and failure to offer the specific types of services needed limit referral to and use of HCBS. Budgetary imperatives influence the relative availability of HCBS across VA medical centers. Findings highlight patient-, provider-, and system-level constraints that impede successful placement at home and in the community of Veterans in need of long-term services and supports after hospitalization.