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Specific Definition (specific + definition)
Selected AbstractsMoving Toward a Comprehensive Assessment System: A Framework for Considering Interim AssessmentsEDUCATIONAL MEASUREMENT: ISSUES AND PRACTICE, Issue 3 2009Marianne Perie Local assessment systems are being marketed as formative, benchmark, predictive, and a host of other terms. Many so-called formative assessments are not at all similar to the types of assessments and strategies studied by,Black and Wiliam (1998),but instead are interim assessments. In this article, we clarify the definition and uses of interim assessments and argue that they can be an important piece of a comprehensive assessment system that includes formative, interim, and summative assessments. Interim assessments are given on a larger scale than formative assessments, have less flexibility, and are aggregated to the school or district level to help inform policy. Interim assessments are driven by their purpose, which fall into the categories of instructional, evaluative, or predictive. Our intent is to provide a specific definition for these "interim assessments" and to develop a framework that district and state leaders can use to evaluate these systems for purchase or development. The discussion lays out some concerns with the current state of these assessments as well as hopes for future directions and suggestions for further research. [source] Common Threat and Common Response?GOVERNMENT AND OPPOSITION, Issue 3 2007The European Union's Counter-Terrorism Strategy, its Problems On the basis of an analysis of the European Union's common definition of the post-9/11 terrorist threat, this article provides a critical assessment of the EU's response. The EU has arrived at a reasonably specific definition of the common threat that avoids simplistic reductions and is a response that is sufficiently multidimensional to address the different aspects , internal and external, legislative and operational, repressive and preventive , of this threat. Yet the definition is undermined by differences between national threat perceptions. The preference for instruments of cooperation and coordination rather than integration, and poor implementation are having a negative impact on the effectiveness of the common response, the legitimacy of which is also weakened by limited parliamentary and judicial control. [source] STRATEGY AND SHAREHOLDER VALUE CREATION: THE REAL OPTIONS FRONTIERJOURNAL OF APPLIED CORPORATE FINANCE, Issue 2 2000Martha Amram The current interest in real options reflects the dramatic increase in the uncertainty of the business environment. Viewed narrowly, the real options approach is the extension of financial option pricing models to the valuation of options on real (that is, nonfinancial) assets. More broadly, the real options approach is a way of thinking that helps managers formulate their strategic options,the future opportunities that are created by today's investments,while considering their likely effect on shareholder value. But if the real options framework promises to link strategy more closely to shareholder value creation, there are some major challenges on the frontier of application. In the first part of this paper, the authors tackle the question, "What is really new about real options, and how does the approach differ from other wellestablished ways to make strategic decisions under uncertainty?" This article provides a specific definition of real options that relies on the ability to track marketpriced risk. Using examples from oil exploration and pharmaceutical drug development, the authors also show how specific features of the industry and the application itself determine the usefulness of the real options approach. The second part of the paper addresses the question: Given the many differences between real and financial options, how should a real options application be framed? The authors examine the use of real options in the valuation of Internet companies to demonstrate the required judgment and tradeoffs in the framing of real options applications. The case of Webvan, an online grocer, is used to illustrate the inter-action between strategy, execution, and valuation. [source] Management of Pain in Addicted/Illicit and Legal Substance Abusing PatientsPAIN PRACTICE, Issue 1 2005Aaron B. Rosenblatt MD Abstract: Approximately one-third of the American population experiences chronic pain. This varies in origin and severity. It also has been documented that billions of dollars are lost yearly because of health care expenses and missed workdays for chronic pain. Addiction is a primary, chronic, neurobiological disease with genetic, psychological and environmental factors influencing its development and manifestations. Addictive disorders occur in 3% to 26% of the general population, 19% to 255 of hospitalized patients and 40% to 60% in patients who sustained major trauma. More specifically 13.9 million of people living in USA over the age of 12 years are currently using illicit drugs. Although patients with chronic pain may be at an increased risk for addiction, the general population has demonstrated similar addiction rates. Unfortunately, patients who have chronic pain and addition will only have one of these aspects addressed. The purpose of this article is to clarify specific definition of substance use, abuse and addiction. As well as examining the role of pain physicians in evaluating and treating the chronic pain patients who have a history of substance abuse, and lastly outline strategy for assessing patients at risks and evaluating the most practical way of dealing with their chronic pain issues. [source] Nutritional state of Polish prepubertal children assessed by population-specific and international standardsACTA PAEDIATRICA, Issue 2 2007P. Matusik Abstract Objective: To assess the frequency of obesity, overweight and underweight (thinness) in Polish 7,9-year-old children using a population specific definition as compared to the French, US and IOTF references based on body mass index (BMI). Design: Height and weight were measured and BMI was calculated in a randomly selected representative sample of 7,9-year-old Polish children (N = 2916; 1445 girls; 1471 boys) to define their nutritional status. Overweight (including obesity) was estimated according to four and underweight (thinness) according to three definitions Polish national references; French references; United States references and International Obesity Task Force references. Results: According to Polish, French, U.S. and IOTF references overweight (including obesity) was found in 12.1, 14.3, 20.7 and 15.4% of children, respectively; 3.5, 9.4 and 3.6% of children were obese according to national, U.S. and IOTF references, respectively while underweight (thinness) was present in 6.9, 2.6 and 4.2% of children according to Polish, French and U.S. references, respectively. A trend of decreasing overweight and increasing underweight through age classes was observed. Conclusion: The rates of underweight (thinness), overweight and obesity in Polish 7,9-year-old children calculated according to the national, French, U.S. and IOTF references were significantly different. Therefore even if the IOTF reference is considered superior for international epidemiological studies, population specific standards should probably coexist for clinical practice. [source] Dental Amalgam and Multiple Sclerosis: A Systematic Review and Meta-AnalysisJOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH DENTISTRY, Issue 1 2007Kevin K. Aminzadeh Bsc Pharm Abstract Objectives: Amalgam restorations have long been controversial due to their mercury content. Allegations that the mercury may be linked to nervous disorders such as Alzheimer's, chronic fatigue syndrome, and multiple sclerosis (MS) have fueled the calls for the removal of amalgam restorations from dentists' armamentarium. To explore and quantify the association between amalgam restorations and MS we have conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature. Methods: A systematic search in Medline (from 1966 to April 2006), EMBASE (2006, Week 16), and the Cochrane library (Issue 2, 2006) for English-language articles meeting specific definitions of MS and amalgam exposure was conducted. Studies were also identified using the references of retrieved articles. Studies were independently reviewed by two authors and disagreements were resolved by consensus. Studies were selected based on an a priori of defined criteria. Odds ratios (ORs) or relative risks were pooled using the random effects model. Heterogeneity was assessed using Q statistics. Results: The pooled OR for the risk of MS among amalgam users was consistent, with a slight, nonstatistically significant increase between amalgam use and risk of MS. Conclusion: Future studies that take into consideration the amalgam restoration size and surface area along with the duration of exposure are needed in order to definitively rule out any link between amalgam and MS. [source] | ||||||||||