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Significant Weaknesses (significant + weakness)
Selected AbstractsExploring the phonatory effects of external superior laryngeal nerve paralysis: An In vivo model,THE LARYNGOSCOPE, Issue 4 2009Nelson Roy PhD Abstract Objectives/Hypothesis: Little is known regarding the phonatory consequences of unilateral external superior laryngeal nerve (ESLN) paralysis. By selectively blocking the ESLN with lidocaine HCl (with laryngeal electromyography verification), we modeled acute, unilateral cricothyroid (CT) muscle dysfunction to explore possible acoustic, aerodynamic, auditory-perceptual and auto-perceptive effects. Study Design: Prospective, repeated measures, experimental design. Methods: Ten, vocally-normal adult males underwent lidocaine block of the right ESLN. Multiple measures of phonatory function across a variety of vocal tasks/conditions were acquired before and during the block using standard data acquisition and analysis protocols. Results: During ESLN block, phonatory frequency range was significantly reduced with compression of both upper and lowermost regions of the pitch range. Mean speaking fundamental frequency increased significantly during oral reading. Acoustic analysis, aerodynamic assessment, and auditory- perceptual evaluation by blinded listeners revealed modest increases in phonatory instability (jitter), increased laryngeal airway resistance with no objective evidence of glottic insufficiency, and mild deterioration in voice quality most evident during high pitched voice productions, respectively. Participants uniformly rated their speaking and singing voices as worse during the block with significant weakness, effort, and tightness that they perceived as a mild level of impairment. Conclusions: These data support generally mild changes to the speaking voice, which extend beyond reductions in pitch range only, and shed light on the potential untoward phonatory effects of acute, unilateral CT dysfunction. Laryngoscope, 2009 [source] Designing new institutions for implementing integrated disaster risk management: key elements and future directionsDISASTERS, Issue 4 2007Chennat Gopalakrishnan The goal of integrated disaster risk management is to promote an overall improvement in the quality of safety and security in a region, city or community at disaster risk. This paper presents the case for a thorough overhaul of the institutional component of integrated disaster risk management. A review of disaster management institutions in the United States indicates significant weaknesses in their ability to contribute effectively to the implementation of integrated disaster risk management. Our analysis and findings identify eight key elements for the design of dynamic new disaster management institutions. Six specific approaches are suggested for incorporating the identified key elements in building new institutions that would have significant potential for enhancing the effective implementation of integrated disaster risk management. We have developed a possible blueprint for effective design and construction of efficient, sustainable and functional disaster management institutions. [source] Learning How to Learn: A CritiqueJOURNAL OF PHILOSOPHY OF EDUCATION, Issue 3-4 2008CHRISTOPHER WINCH The claim that ,learning how to learn' is the central ability required for young people to be effective ,lifelong learners' is examined for various plausible interpretations. It is vacuous if taken to mean that we need to acquire a capacity to learn, since we necessarily have this if we are to learn anything. The claim that it is a specific ability is then looked at. Once again, if we acquire an ability to learn we do not need the ability to learn how to learn. After noting the implausibility of any such general ability, the paper goes on to examine the claim that certain specific but transferable abilities might satisfy the description ,learning how to learn'. Various candidates are considered: forming and testing hypotheses and abduction are two promising ones, but each has significant weaknesses. Numeracy and literacy are thought to be more promising, but achievements at the national level leave a lot to be desired, despite the clear advantages for learning of being able to read, write and count. If we needed to learn how to learn before we learned how to read, write and count, it is unlikely that we would get anywhere. Finally, certain non-cognitive dispositions and character traits rather than cognitive attributes are considered and, drawing on the work of Robert Dearden and others, it is suggested that the development of these aretaic (virtue-based) and personal qualities rather than cognitive ones may be most decisive for developing independent learning in a range of subject matters. [source] STEINDLIAN MODELS OF GROWTH AND STAGNATIONMETROECONOMICA, Issue 3 2006Peter Flaschel ABSTRACT Following an analysis of the relation between a standard Steindlian model of stagnation and Steindl's own analysis, we modify the standard model by introducing endogenous changes in the mark-up and a reformulation of the investment function. These extensions, which address significant weaknesses of the standard model, find support in Steindl's writing and leave intact some of Steindl's key results. In a further extension, we add a labour market and analyse the stabilizing influence of a Marxian reserve-army mechanism. The implications of the extended model for the effects of increased oligopolization are largely in line with Steindl's predictions. [source] The effectiveness of NGO self-regulation: theory and evidence from AfricaPUBLIC ADMINISTRATION & DEVELOPMENT, Issue 2 2008Mary Kay Gugerty Abstract Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) play an increasingly important role in public service provision and policy making in sub-Saharan Africa, stimulating demand for new forms of regulatory oversight. In response, a number of initiatives in NGO self-regulation have emerged. Using cross-national data on 20 African countries, the article shows that self-regulation in Africa falls into three types: national-level guilds, NGO-led clubs and voluntary codes of conduct. Each displays significant weaknesses from a regulatory policy perspective. National guilds have a broad scope, but require high administrative oversight capacity on the part of NGOs. Voluntary clubs have stronger standards but typically have much weaker coverage. Voluntary codes are the most common form of self-regulation, but have the weakest regulatory strength. This article argues that the weakness of current attempts to improve the accountability and regulatory environment of NGOs stems in part from a mismatch between the goals of regulation and the institutional incentives embedded in the structure of most self-regulatory regimes. The article uses the logic of collective action to illustrate the nature of this mismatch and the tradeoffs between the potential breadth and strength of various forms of NGO self-regulation using three detailed case studies. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] ,Post-financial meltdown: What do the services industries need from us now?' by Roger W. Hoerl and Ronald D. Snee: Discussion 1APPLIED STOCHASTIC MODELS IN BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY, Issue 5 2009William C. Parr Abstract Roger Hoerl and Ron Snee have done the statistical profession a major favor in providing their vision of what statisticians need to do to help service industries in the post-meltdown environment. In this discussion, I briefly flesh out my understanding of the actions that statisticians must take to help service industries in the current and future environment. I then turn to a consideration of what I see as some of the significant weaknesses in current statistical curricula in preparing graduates to fulfill these new emerging needs. I conclude by making concrete proposals for some elements of a process for curricular reform. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] | ||||||||||