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Extent Possible (extent + possible)
Kinds of Extent Possible Selected AbstractsVIOLENCE AMONG ADOLESCENTS LIVING IN PUBLIC HOUSING: A TWO-SITE ANALYSIS,CRIMINOLOGY AND PUBLIC POLICY, Issue 1 2003TIMOTHY O. IRELAND Research Summary: Current knowledge about violence among public housing residents is extremely limited. Much of what we know about violence in and around public housing is derived from analysis of Uniform Crime Report (UCR) data or victimization surveys of public housing residents. The results of these studies suggest that fear of crime among public housing residents is high and that violent offense rates may be higher in areas that contain public housing compared with similar areas without public housing. Yet, "[r]ecorded crime rates (and victimization rates) are an index not of the rate of participation in crime by residents of an area, but of the rate of crime (or victimization) that occurs in an area whether committed by residents or non-residents" (Weatherburn et al., 1999:259). Therefore, neither UCR nor victimization data measurement strategies address whether crime in and around public housing emanates from those who reside in public housing. Additionally, much of this research focuses on atypical public housing,large developments with high-rise buildings located in major metropolitan areas. To complement the existing literature, we compare rates of self-reported crime and violence among adolescents who reside in public housing in Rochester, N.Y., and Pittsburgh, Pa., with adolescents from the same cities who do not live in public housing. In Rochester, property crime and violence participation rates during adolescence and early adulthood among those in public housing are statistically equivalent to participation rates among those not in public housing. In Pittsburgh, living in public housing during late adolescence and early adulthood, particularly in large housing developments,increases the risk for violent offending, but not for property offending. The current study relies on a relatively small number of subjects in public housing at any single point in time and is based on cross-sectional analyses. Even so, there are several important policy implications that can be derived from this study, given that it moves down a path heretofore largely unexplored. Policy Implications: If replicated, our findings indicate that not all public housing is inhabited disproportionately by those involved in crime; that to develop appropriate responses, it is essential to discover if the perpetrators of violence are residents or trespassers; that policy should target reducing violence specifically and not crime in general; that a modification to housing allocation policies that limits, to the extent possible, placing families with children in late adolescence into large developments might reduce violence perpetrated by residents; that limited resources directed at reducing violence among residents should be targeted at those developments or buildings that actually have high rates of participation in violence among the residents; and that best practices may be derived from developments where violence is not a problem. [source] Near-fault ground motions, and the response of elastic and inelastic single-degree-of-freedom (SDOF) systemsEARTHQUAKE ENGINEERING AND STRUCTURAL DYNAMICS, Issue 9 2004G. P. Mavroeidis Abstract In order to investigate the response of structures to near-fault seismic excitations, the ground motion input should be properly characterized and parameterized in terms of simple, yet accurate and reliable, mathematical models whose input parameters have a clear physical interpretation and scale, to the extent possible, with earthquake magnitude. Such a mathematical model for the representation of the coherent (long-period) ground motion components has been proposed by the authors in a previous study and is being exploited in this article for the investigation of the elastic and inelastic response of the single-degree-of-freedom (SDOF) system to near-fault seismic excitations. A parametric analysis of the dynamic response of the SDOF system as a function of the input parameters of the mathematical model is performed to gain insight regarding the near-fault ground motion characteristics that significantly affect the elastic and inelastic structural performance. A parameter of the mathematical representation of near-fault motions, referred to as ,pulse duration' (TP), emerges as a key parameter of the problem under investigation. Specifically, TP is employed to normalize the elastic and inelastic response spectra of actual near-fault strong ground motion records. Such normalization makes feasible the specification of design spectra and reduction factors appropriate for near-fault ground motions. The ,pulse duration' (TP) is related to an important parameter of the rupture process referred to as ,rise time' (,) which is controlled by the dimension of the sub-events that compose the mainshock. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Consumer receptiveness to universal design featuresINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CONSUMER STUDIES, Issue 1 2009Teresa L. Nunn Abstract As homeowners age and struggle to adapt to the built environment, the addition of universal design features could allow added mobility and independence within their homes. Universal design means building residences in such a way that they are usable to the greatest extent possible, by all ages and abilities. The research used a descriptive analysis of survey data from 444 randomly selected US households to determine which characteristics of universal design were currently used in homes. In addition, the research examined the desire for future universal design elements. The findings indicate that the particular design features desired in the future varied depending on age. These findings are especially relevant as the desire to age in place continues to grow among our ever-increasing elderly population. [source] A fuzzy goal programming procedure for solving quadratic bilevel programming problemsINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF INTELLIGENT SYSTEMS, Issue 5 2003Bijay Baran Pal This article presents a fuzzy goal programming (FGP) procedure for solving quadratic bilevel programming problems (QBLPP). In the proposed approach, the membership functions for the defined fuzzy objective goals of the decision makers (DM) at both the levels are developed first. Then, a quadratic programming model is formulated by using the notion of distance function minimizing the degree of regret to satisfaction of both DMs. At the first phase of the solution process, the quadratic programming model is transformed into an equivalent nonlinear goal programming (NLGP) model to maximize the membership value of each of the fuzzy objective goals on the extent possible on the basis of their priorities in the decision context. Then, at the second phase, the concept of linear approximation technique in goal programming is introduced for measuring the degree of satisfaction of the DMs at both the levels by arriving at a compromised decision regarding the optimality of two different sets of decision variables controlled separately by each of them. A numerical example is provided to illustrate the proposed approach. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [source] Use of vibrational spectroscopy to study protein and DNA structure, hydration, and binding of biomolecules: A combined theoretical and experimental approachINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF QUANTUM CHEMISTRY, Issue 5 2006K. J. Jalkanen Abstract We report on our work with vibrational absorption, vibrational circular dichroism, Raman scattering, Raman optical activity, and surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy to study protein and DNA structure, hydration, and the binding of ligands, drugs, pesticides, or herbicides via a combined theoretical and experimental approach. The systems we have studied systematically are the amino acids (L -alanine, L -tryptophan, and L -histidine), peptides (N -4271 acetyl L -alanine N,-methyl amide, N -acetyl L -tryptophan N,-methyl amide, N -acetyl L -histidine N,-methyl amide, L -alanyl L -alanine, tri- L -serine, N -acetyl L -alanine L -proline L -tyrosine N,-methyl amide, Leu-enkephalin, cyclo-(gly- L -pro)3, N -acetyl (L -alanine)nN,-methyl amide), 3-methyl indole, and a variety of small molecules (dichlobenil and 2,6-dochlorobenzamide) of relevance to the protein systems under study. We have used molecular mechanics, the SCC-DFTB, SCC-DFTB+disp, RHF, MP2, and DFT methodologies for the modeling studies with the goal of interpreting the experimentally measured vibrational spectra for these molecules to the greatest extent possible and to use this combined approach to understand the structure, function, and electronic properties of these molecules in their various environments. The application of these spectroscopies to biophysical and environmental assays is expanding, and therefore a thorough understanding of the phenomenon from a rigorous theoretical basis is required. In addition, we give some exciting and new preliminary results which allow us to extend our methods to even larger and more complex systems. The work presented here is the current state of the art to this ever and fast changing field of theoretical spectroscopic interpretation and use of VA, VCD, Raman, ROA, EA, and ECD spectroscopies. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2006 [source] The Squam Lake Report: Fixing the Financial System,JOURNAL OF APPLIED CORPORATE FINANCE, Issue 3 2010Kenneth French In these excerpts from The Squam Lake Report, fifteen distinguished economists analyze where the global financial system failed, and how such failures might be prevented (or at least their damage better contained) in the future. Although there were many contributing factors to the crisis,including "agency" problems throughout the financial system and a bankruptcy code poorly suited for reorganizing financial firms,at the core of the problem is a potential conflict between the risk-taking proclivity of financial institutions and the interests of the economy at large that must be managed at least in part through more effective regulation. The Squam Lake Report provides a nonpartisan plan to transform the regulation of financial markets in ways designed to limit systemic risk while preserving,to the extent possible and prudent,the economies of scale and scope that justify the existence of today's large financial institutions. To reduce the risks that large banks will fail, the authors call for higher capital requirements based on more effective assessments of the risks of bank assets and liabilities, as well as a new systemic regulator that should be part of the central bank. To reduce the costs of failure when it occurs, the authors propose that banks be required to create "living wills" laying out their plan to sell assets or shut down operations in the event of financial trouble. As part of that plan, regulators are urged to "aggressively encourage" banks to issue "contingent" debt capital securities that convert into equity. [source] Fibromyalgia,Management of a misunderstood disorderJOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF NURSE PRACTITIONERS, Issue 7 2007Education & Training Flight Commander), Erin L. Peterson RN, FNP (Major; Family Nurse Practitioner Abstract Purpose: The purpose of this article is to review (a) what is currently known about the pathophysiology of fibromyalgia (FM), (b) how to identify patients who are susceptible to this disorder, and (c) the recommended pharmacological and nonpharmacological treatment options. Data sources: Data sources include reviews and original research from scholarly journals and Internet sites. Conclusions: There are approximately 6 million individuals in the United States diagnosed with FM, making it the third most prevalent rheumatologic disorder in this country. Failure to identify a specific causal mechanism for FM has resulted in a shift in the focus of research from etiology to treatment (Baumstark & Buckelew, 2002). Based on the literature, the most successful interventions for reduction of chronic symptoms in the FM patient is a combination of education, psychological assistance, and exercise, along with medications. It is essential that nurse practitioners (NPs) understand the issues and concerns of patients afflicted with this complex disorder. Although the organic etiology of FM syndrome remains unclear, the goals of treatment are to control pain and improve adjustment, well-being, and daily functioning of these patients to the maximum extent possible. Implications for practice: NPs are in a unique position to help identify patients who may be suffering from FM or those diagnosed with FM reporting inadequate relief of symptoms. The incomplete understanding of the biological underpinnings, as well as the multiple symptoms that characterize FM syndrome, make it a challenging disorder to diagnose and treat. It takes time and patience to care for FM patients, and there are no "quick fixes." Diagnosis is made by a combination of patient history, physical examination, laboratory evaluations, and exclusion of other causes of symptoms confused with FM. Understanding the symptomology and recommended treatments will allow NPs to give appropriate care that may include making referrals for multidisciplinary treatment of these complex patients. [source] Replication of the Scandinavian Simvastatin Survival Study using a primary care medical record database prompted exploration of a new method to address unmeasured confoundingPHARMACOEPIDEMIOLOGY AND DRUG SAFETY, Issue 7 2008Mark G. Weiner M.D. Abstract Purpose To examine whether identifiable study characteristics and/or analytic methods used determine observational study validity, as assessed by replicating randomized controlled trials using observational data. Methods A cohort from the United Kingdom General Practice Research Database (GPRD) was used to replicate the Scandinavian Simvastatin Survival Study RCT, which investigated statin treatment of hypercholesterolemic subjects with coronary heart disease. All aspects of the RCT except randomization were replicated to the extent possible in the GPRD study, which included 2,871 Unexposed and 1,280 statin-treated Exposed subjects. Results Overall mortality [adjusted hazard ratio 0.71 (0.53,0.96)] and myocardial infarction [adjusted HR 0.79 (0.61,1.02)] decreased in the GPRD study similar to the RCT. Coronary revascularization increased two-fold in the GPRD study, whereas it decreased significantly in the RCT [0.63 (0.54,0.74)]. This latter disparity prompted use of a new methodology to adjust for unmeasured confounding, which yielded an adjusted HR [1.0 (0.75,1.33)] more comparable to the RCT. Conclusions This study provides additional evidence that a replicated GPRD observational study can yield results reasonably similar to a RCT. More important, it provides preliminary evidence suggesting that a new analytic methodology may adjust for unmeasured confounding, the major limitation to research using observational data. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Possibilities and challenges in occupational injury surveillance of day laborersAMERICAN JOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL MEDICINE, Issue 2 2010Sarah J. Lowry MPH Abstract Background Day laborers in the US, comprised largely of undocumented immigrants from Mexico and Central America, suffer high rates of occupational injury according to recent estimates. Adequate surveillance methods for this highly transient, largely unregulated group do not currently exist. This study explores chart abstraction of hospital-based trauma registry records as a potential injury surveillance method for contingent workers and day laborers. We sought to determine the degree of completeness of work information in the medical records, and to identify day laborers and contingent workers to the extent possible. Methods Work-related injury cases from a hospital-based trauma registry (2001,2006) were divided by ethnicity (Hispanic vs. non-Hispanic origin) and presence of social security number (SSN: yes, no), resulting in four groups of cases. Medical records were abstracted for 40 cases from each group; each case was assigned values for the variables "day labor status" (yes, no, probably not, probable, unknown) and "employment type" (contingent, formal, unknown). Results Work information was missing for 60% of Hispanic cases lacking SSN, as compared with 33,47% of the other three groups. One "probable" day laborer was identified from the same group. Non-Hispanics with SSN were less frequently identified as contingent workers (5% as compared with 15,19%). Conclusions This method revealed severe limitations, including incomplete and inconsistent information in the trauma registry and medical records. Approaches to improve existing resources for use in surveillance systems are identified. The potential of an active surveillance approach at day labor hiring centers is also briefly discussed. Am. J. Ind. Med. 53:126,134 2010. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Performing contaminant mass balances for remedy assessmentsREMEDIATION, Issue 2 2009James T. Gibbs Contaminant mass-balance assessments are useful tools to help quantify various mass transport and removal mechanisms that may be active in a remedial system setting. This article presents the basics of performing a mass balance and illustrates the utility of using the information derived to support project management decisions. It is important to understand the partitioning of contaminant mass into various environmental media and physical forms, as well as the relationships among the partitions. Contaminant partitioning tends toward an equilibrium state, so natural or engineered mass transfer into or out of one partition will affect the others. Mass balances are exercises that quantify, to the extent possible, the contaminant mass in the various environmental partitions and the transfer and transformation processes that affect contaminant distribution. Understanding mass partitioning and transfer mechanisms helps remediation practitioners to engineer and optimize those mechanisms that contribute to risk reduction at a contaminated site. Such knowledge can inform risk managers when natural mechanisms may dominate engineered approaches and help identify uncertainties in contaminant fate and transport. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [source] Ensuring the Safety of Living Kidney Donors and Recipients in China Through Ethics Committee Oversight: An Early ExperienceAMERICAN JOURNAL OF TRANSPLANTATION, Issue 9 2008Z. Lei In 2007, the Regulation on Human Organ Transplantation was enacted in China requiring the establishment of ethics committees to oversee living donor organ transplantation and establishing specific requirements that must be met. We established an Ethics Committee on Organ Transplantation at Peking University Third Hospital, and described its composition, its methods and operating procedures in the examination and approval of living-related donor kidney transplantation (LRDKT) and our initial experience. All 60 proposed cases of LRDKT were presented to the Ethics Committee for discussion, among which 53 cases were approved and seven cases were disapproved due to a variety of reasons that are discussed. The Ethics Committee on Organ Transplantation plays an important role in the ethical oversight of living-related donor organ transplantation in order to ensure to the greatest extent possible the safety, rights and interests of donors and recipients. [source] 1363: White dot syndromesACTA OPHTHALMOLOGICA, Issue 2010S ANDROUDI Purpose The white dot syndromes (WDS) are a group of distinct clinical entities characterized by one common underlying feature: the presence of multiple "spots" in the fundus, usually in the deep retina or choroid without any other systemic manifestations. Methods The disorders are relatively rare and include the following entities: acute posterior multifocal placoid pigment epitheliopathy (APMPPE), multiple evanescent white dot syndrome (MEWDS), birdshot retinochoroidopathy (BSRC), serpiginous choroidopathy (SC), multifocal choroiditis and panuveitis (MCP), punctate inner choroidopathy (PIC), subretinal fibrosis and uveitis syndrome, and presumed ocular histoplasmosis syndrome (POHS). Results Despite the fact that many infectious and noninfectious inflammatory diseases may present with multifocal chorioretinal lesions, the entities included in the WDS share some features which make them a particular group of ocular disorders. In fact, the WDS would be better labeled as idiopathic inflammatory multifocal chorioretinopathies, since with the exception of diffuse unilateral subacute neuroretinitis, their causes are still unknown. Conclusion Because the specific diagnosis may have profound implications on therapy and prognosis, it is important to narrow the diagnosis to the greatest extent possible, even in patients with seemingly atypical findings. The correct diagnosis of WDS is important because the management is totally different from one another. Some of them are self-limited and have good visual outcomes without treatment, while others are associated with serious retinal and choroidal sequelae, which can result in severe visual loss even after adequate immunosuppressive therapy. [source] | |||||||||||||