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Positive Difference (positive + difference)
Selected AbstractsPositive difference in ERPs reflects independent processing of visual changesPSYCHOPHYSIOLOGY, Issue 4 2005Motohiro Kimura Abstract To elucidate the nature of the processing of visual stimulus changes, ERPs were recorded while 12 participants performed an S1,S2 matching task with multifeature stimuli. Each trial consisted of two sequentially presented stimuli (S1,S2), where S2 was either the same as S1, different from S1 only in color, different only in shape, or different in both color and shape. The four trial types were presented in random order with equal probability, and participants responded to one of these types in separate blocks. Relative to the no-change stimuli, the change stimuli elicited posterior positivity with different topography according to changing features ranging from 100 to 180 ms in all tasks. The amplitude and topography of the positivity in response to the both changes were the respective sums of those to changes in the corresponding single features. These results suggest that a feature-specific change detection system exists in the human visual system. [source] A National Study of Efficiency for Dialysis Centers: An Examination of Market Competition and Facility Characteristics for Production of Multiple Dialysis OutputsHEALTH SERVICES RESEARCH, Issue 3 2002Hacer Ozgen Objective. To examine market competition and facility characteristics that can be related to technical efficiency in the production of multiple dialysis outputs from the perspective of the industrial organization model. Study Setting. Freestanding dialysis facilities that operated in 1997 submitted cost report forms to the Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA), and offered all three outputs,outpatient dialysis, dialysis training, and home program dialysis. Data Sources. The Independent Renal Facility Cost Report Data file (IRFCRD) from HCFA was utilized to obtain information on output and input variables and market and facility features for 791 multiple-output facilities. Information regarding population characteristics was obtained from the Area Resources File. Study Design. Cross-sectional data for the year 1997 were utilized to obtain facility-specific technical efficiency scores estimated through Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA). A binary variable of efficiency status was then regressed against its market and facility characteristics and control factors in a multivariate logistic regression analysis. Principal Findings. The majority of the facilities in the sample are functioning technically inefficiently. Neither the intensity of market competition nor a policy of dialyzer reuse has a significant effect on the facilities' efficiency. Technical efficiency is significantly associated, however, with type of ownership, with the interaction between the market concentration of for-profits and ownership type, and with affiliations with chains of different sizes. Nonprofit and government-owned facilities are more likely than their for-profit counterparts to become inefficient producers of renal dialysis outputs. On the other hand, that relationship between ownership form and efficiency is reversed as the market concentration of for-profits in a given market increases. Facilities that are members of large chains are more likely to be technically inefficient. Conclusions. Facilities do not appear to benefit from joint production of a variety of dialysis outputs, which may explain the ongoing tendency toward single-output production. Ownership form does make a positive difference in production efficiency, but only in local markets where competition exists between nonprofit and for-profit facilities. The increasing inefficiency associated with membership in large chains suggests that the growing consolidation in the dialysis industry may not, in fact, be the strategy for attaining more technical efficiency in the production of multiple dialysis outputs. [source] Effect of pulsed electromagnetic fields on maturation of regenerate bone in a rabbit limb lengthening model,JOURNAL OF ORTHOPAEDIC RESEARCH, Issue 1 2006Kenneth F. Taylor Abstract To study the effect of applying pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMF) during the consolidation phase of limb lengthening, a mid-tibial osteotomy was performed in 18 adult New Zealand White rabbits and an external fixator was applied anteromedially. Animals were randomly assigned to treatment and control groups. After a 7-day latency period, the tibiae were distracted 0.5 mm every 12 h for 10 days. The treatment group received a 20-day course of PEMF for 60 min daily, coinciding with initiation of the consolidation phase. The control group received sham PEMF. Radiographs were performed weekly after distraction. Animals were euthanized 3 weeks after the end of distraction. Radiographic analysis revealed no significant difference in regenerate callus area between treatment and control tibiae immediately after distraction, at 1 week, 2 weeks, or 3 weeks after distraction (,p,=,0.71, 0.22, 0.44, and 0.50, respectively). There was also no significant difference in percent callus mineralization (,p,=,0.96, 0.69, 0.99, and 0.99, respectively). There was no significant difference between groups with respect to structural stiffness (,p,=,0.80) or maximal torque to failure (,p,=,0.62). However, there was a significant positive difference in mineral apposition rate between groups during the interval 1,2 weeks post-distraction (,p,<,0.05). This difference was no longer evident by the interval 2,3 weeks post-distraction. While PEMF applied during the consolidation phase of limb lengthening did not appear to have a positive effect on bone regenerate, it increased osteoblastic activity in the cortical bone adjacent to the distraction site. Since the same PEMF signal was reported to be beneficial in the rabbit distraction osteogenesis when applied during distraction phase and consolidation phase, application of PEMF in the early phase may be more effective. Further work is necessary to determine optimal timing of the PEMF stimulation during distraction osteogenesis. © 2005 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res [source] Zero to Three: Critical Issues for the Juvenile and Family CourtJUVENILE AND FAMILY COURT JOURNAL, Issue 2 2004JULIE COHEN ABSTRACT Infants are the fastest growing population in foster care. Without intervention they are at great risk of poor developmental outcomes. Juvenile and family courts have a unique opportunity to make a positive difference in the lives of the babies in their care. This article outlines six critical issues that impact the development of very young children in the child welfare system and recommends strategies that juvenile and family courts can use to address the needs of this most vulnerable population. [source] Local area co-ordination: strengthening support for people with learning disabilities in ScotlandBRITISH JOURNAL OF LEARNING DISABILITIES, Issue 4 2008Kirsten Ogilvie Stalker Accessible summary ,,Local Area Co-ordination is a new, person-centred way of supporting people with learning,,disabilities and their families to have a good life in the community. ,,There are 59 local area co-ordinators in Scotland. ,,There are a lot of differences in the way these local area co-ordinators work; for example,,,who they work for, how many people they support, whether they support children or adults,,and how much money they are paid. ,,People with learning disabilities and their families really like their local area co-ordinators.,,They feel the local area co-ordinator is on their side. ,,Local area co-ordinators have helped people in lots of ways, like finding supports and,,services, getting a paid job and moving house. They help people join new groups and meet,,people. ,,We think the Scottish Government should pay for more local area co-ordinators in Scotland,,and write new guidelines about how to do local area co-ordination. Summary This paper reports the findings of a study commissioned by the Scottish Executive which examined the introduction and implementation of local area co-ordination (LAC) in Scotland. A questionnaire about their posts was completed by 44 local area co-ordinators, interviews were conducted with 35 local area co-ordinators and 14 managers and case studies of LAC practice were carried out in four local authorities. The study found both strengths and weaknesses in the implementation of LAC nationally. There was great unevenness across Scotland in the number of local area co-ordinators employed by local authorities and in their roles and remits. Progress in community capacity building was slow overall and some managers expressed mixed feelings about LAC's usefulness in a climate of scarce resources. Individuals and families, however, were very appreciative of the support received and there was evidence that LAC had made a positive difference to their lives; for example, in relation to increased inclusion, choice and formal and informal supports. Various proposals are made for supporting the future development of LAC. [source] | ||||||||||