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Considerable Concern (considerable + concern)
Selected AbstractsFuzzy set methods for uncertainty management in intelligence analysisINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF INTELLIGENT SYSTEMS, Issue 5 2006Ronald R. Yager Considerable concern has arisen regarding the quality of intelligence analysis. This has been, in large part, motivated by the task of determining whether Iraq had weapons of mass destruction. One problem that made this analysis difficult was the uncertainty in much of the information available to the intelligence analysts. In this work, we introduce some tools that can be of use to intelligence analysts for representing and processing uncertain information. We make considerable use of technologies based on fuzzy sets and related disciplines such as approximate reasoning. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Int Syst 21: 523,544, 2006. [source] The Perils of the Back Seat: Date Rape, Race and Gender in 1950s AmericaGENDER & HISTORY, Issue 1 2008Lisa Lindquist Dorr Dating among white American teenagers in the 1950s caused parents considerable concern, as it represented disturbing developments in sexual expectations. While the rhetoric surrounding marriage celebrated traditional gender roles and monogamy, Americans bemoaned social and moral decay, caused in part by women's encroachment on male prerogatives. Sexual experience for boys increasingly became a defining gender characteristic and a means of achieving manhood as well. Ideas about proper marital norms and studies of dating practices among young people naturalised male aggression as proof of masculinity, which made girls, even ,respectable ones', vulnerable to violence from their dates. As teens' acceptance of going steady became more widespread, older racialised narratives of sexual danger evolved to incorporate new dating trends. Whereas American, and especially southern white, women knew the dangers of the supposed ,black beast rapist', they learnt during the 1950s that a special danger could confront them in the back seat of cars, despite the presence of their white, male date. Even with a white protector, white women remained vulnerable to violence on dates, whether from black men or from their white date. As dating conventions loosened, white women found that that the perils of the back seat only increased. [source] Impacts of extreme winter warming in the sub-Arctic: growing season responses of dwarf shrub heathlandGLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY, Issue 11 2008S. BOKHORST Abstract Climate change scenarios predict an increased frequency of extreme climatic events. In Arctic regions, one of the most profound of these are extreme and sudden winter warming events in which temperatures increase rapidly to above freezing, often causing snow melt across whole landscapes and exposure of ecosystems to warm temperatures. Following warming, vegetation and soils no longer insulated below snow are then exposed to rapidly returning extreme cold. Using a new experimental facility established in sub-Arctic dwarf shrub heathland in northern Sweden, we simulated an extreme winter warming event in the field and report findings on growth, phenology and reproduction during the subsequent growing season. A 1-week long extreme winter warming event was simulated in early March using infrared heating lamps run with or without soil warming cables. Both single short events delayed bud development of Vaccinium myrtillus by up to 3 weeks in the following spring (June) and reduced flower production by more than 80%: this also led to a near-complete elimination of berry production in mid-summer. Empetrum hermaphroditum also showed delayed bud development. In contrast, Vaccinium vitis-idaea showed no delay in bud development, but instead appeared to produce a greater number of actively growing vegetative buds within plots warmed by heating lamps only. Again, there was evidence of reduced flowering and berry production in this species. While bud break was delayed, growing season measurements of growth and photosynthesis did not reveal a differential response in the warmed plants for any of the species. These results demonstrate that a single, short, extreme winter warming event can have considerable impact on bud production, phenology and reproductive effort of dominant plant species within sub-Arctic dwarf shrub heathland. Furthermore, large interspecific differences in sensitivity are seen. These findings are of considerable concern, because they suggest that repeated events may potentially impact on the biodiversity and productivity of these systems should these extreme events increase in frequency as a result of global change. Although climate change may lengthen the growing season by earlier spring snow melt, there is a profound danger for these high-latitude ecosystems if extreme, short-lived warming in winter exposes plants to initial warm temperatures, but then extreme cold for the rest of the winter. Work is ongoing to determine the longer term and wider impacts of these events. [source] Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, ,Ecstasy'): a stressor on the immune systemIMMUNOLOGY, Issue 4 2004Thomas J. Connor Summary Drug abuse is a global problem of considerable concern to health. One such health concern stems from the fact that many drugs of abuse have immunosuppressive actions and consequently have the potential to increase susceptibility to infectious disease. This article is focused on the impact of the amphetamine derivative, methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA; ,Ecstasy') on immunity. Research conducted over the last 5 years, in both laboratory animals and humans, has demonstrated that MDMA has immunosuppressive actions. Specifically, MDMA suppresses neutrophil phagocytosis, suppresses production of the pro-inflammatory cytokines tumour necrosis factor-, (TNF-,) and interleukin (IL)-1,, and increases production of the endogenous immunosuppressive cytokine (IL-10), thereby promoting an immunosuppressive cytokine phenotype. MDMA also suppresses circulating lymphocyte numbers, with CD4+ T cells being particularly affected, and alters T-cell function as indicated by reduced mitogen-stimulated T-cell proliferation, and a skewing of T-cell cytokine production in a T helper 2 (Th2) direction. For the most part, the aforementioned effects of MDMA are not the result of a direct action of the drug on immune cells, but rather caused by the release of endogenous immunomodulatory substances. Consequently, the physiological mechanisms that are thought to underlie the immunosuppressive effects of MDMA will be discussed. As many of the physiological changes elicited by MDMA closely resemble those induced by acute stress, it is suggested that exposure to MDMA could be regarded as a ,chemical stressor' on the immune system. Finally, the potential of MDMA-induced immunosuppression to translate into significant health risks for abusers of the drug will be discussed. [source] Complexity versus integrity solution in adaptive fuzzy-neural inference modelsINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF INTELLIGENT SYSTEMS, Issue 5 2008Georgi M. Dimirovski This paper explores aspects of computational complexity versus rule reduction and of integrity preservation versus optimality index, which have become an issue of considerable concern in learning techniques for adaptive fuzzy inference models. In control-oriented applications of adaptive fuzzy inference systems, implemented as fuzzy-neural networks, a balanced observation of these conflicting requirements appeared rather important for a good yet feasible application design. The focus is confined to a family of adaptive fuzzy inference systems that can be interpreted as a partially connected multilayer feedforward neural networks employing Gaussian activation function. The knowledge base rules are designed implying the connections are a priori fixed, and then the respective strengths adapted on the grounds of input and output data sets. Information granulation plays a significant role too. These as well as membership-function parameters ought to be adapted in a learning-training process via the minimization of an appropriate error function. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [source] Thinking about ageing issuesINTERNATIONAL SOCIAL SECURITY REVIEW, Issue 1 2002Dalmer D. Hoskins Advances in longevity and falling birth rates have a profound impact on our societies, in both the industrialized and developing worlds. Demographic ageing is causing considerable concern, if not alarm, in many circles. Yet the public debate about the future of social security is often lacking in accurate and objective information. It is easier to focus on the "burden" of ageing on society than attempt to better understand the complex, interrelated nature of the issues involved, especially the rising numbers of persons of working age who are inactive and contributing neither taxes nor social security contributions. Whether the mode of pension financing is public or private, retirement income of the non-active older population must be paid out of the economic gains of the younger working population. Social security policy is all about making plans now for future generations. This means more carefully defining the terms of the public debate, articulating more clearly the desired objectives and policies. [source] Health, Medicine, and Food Messages in Television Commercials During 1992 and 1998JOURNAL OF SCHOOL HEALTH, Issue 2 2000Carol Byrd-Bredbenner ABSTRACT: The potential effects of television advertisements on knowledge, attitudes, and behavior have generated considerable concern. Part of this concern arises from the overall exposure of children to this medium. By the time they graduate from high school, the time devoted to watching television will exceed the hours spent in school. Hence, health professionals should recognize the disproportionate role of television as an informational and attitudinal source for children. The potential impact of television advertisements, particularly those promoting health-related products such as medications and foods, coupled with the changing nature of television points to this medium as an important candidate for examination. The purpose of this study was to content analyze and compare advertisements broadcast in 1992 and 1998 to create a description of the health information conveyed in top-rated, prime time network television advertisements and to determine the congruence of this information with current health recommendations. [source] Low-fat diets, triglycerides and coronary heart disease riskNUTRITION BULLETIN, Issue 1 2000Helen M. Roche Summary Nutritionists are currently debating whether low-fat high-carbohydrate diets protect against coronary heart disease (CHD). Traditionally, low-fat diets were prescribed because they reduce plasma and low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol concentrations. However, there is considerable concern because low-fat diets also increase plasma triglyceride (TG) and reduce high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol concentrations. Recent prospective epidemiological studies have shown that these are independent risk factors for future CHD risk. It has been proposed that the adverse effects of low-fat, high-carbohydrate diets on TG and HDL may counteract or negate the beneficial effect of reducing LDL cholesterol concentrations. Although there is also strong epidemiological evidence that reduced total fat intake is not protective against CHD, high-fat diets predispose to obesity and insulin resistance, both of which adversely affect TG metabolism. This review presents the evidence in relation to the importance of TG as a risk factor for CHD, and explains the pathophysiology that may underlie the aetiological role of TG metabolism in the pathogenesis and progression of CHD. It also addresses the physiological consequences of advocating low-fat high-carbohydrate diets, with particular reference to the effects on lipoprotein metabolism and CHD risk. [source] A survey of language barriers from the perspective of pediatric oncologists, interpreters, and parentsPEDIATRIC BLOOD & CANCER, Issue 6 2006Marisa Abbe MA Abstract Background Oncologists in the US increasingly face the challenge of communicating with non-English speaking parents of children with cancer. This study explores this challenge from the perspectives of a sample of pediatric oncologists, interpreters, and Spanish-speaking parents of children with newly diagnosed leukemia. Procedure Thirty-seven oncologists and 17 professional language interpreters based at two non-profit pediatric hospitals in the US were surveyed on the topic of language barriers in pediatric care. Seventeen parents who communicated with their child's oncologist through an interpreter were also surveyed. Results All groups expressed considerable concern over the process of communicating across a language barrier. For oncologists, these concerns included the accuracy and completeness of interpretations, complexity of information, and loss of confidence and control over the communication process. For interpreters, they included complexity of information, information overload, and lack of clinician sensitivity toward the cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds of limited English proficiency (LEP) families. Parent concerns included difficulties comprehending information and anxiety over the possibility of missing out on important information. All groups provided multiple suggestions for improving communication across a language barrier. Conclusions Oncologists, interpreters, and parents expressed considerable concern over the process of communicating across a language barrier. Some of these concerns could be minimized through efforts to boost interpreter accuracy and completeness, including the use of more simple, easy to understand language. Other issues, such as differences in culture and socioeconomic background, warrant consideration of the intercultural knowledge and skills of interpreters. Pediatric Blood Cancer 2006;47:819,824. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Victimization of Children With DisabilitiesAMERICAN JOURNAL OF ORTHOPSYCHIATRY, Issue 4 2007Irit Hershkowitz PhD Children with disabilities (CWDs) are more likely to be victims of child abuse but may have more difficulty than their typically developing (TD) peers reporting their experiences. In this study, the authors examined the characteristics of abuse reported by CWDs based on forensic statements made by 40430 alleged abuse victims, 11% categorized as children with minor disabilities, and 1.2% categorized as children with severe disabilities. Proportionally more of the CWDs than of the TD children were allegedly victims of sexual rather than physical abuse. CWDs failed to disclose abuse and delayed disclosure more often than TD suspected victims. CWDs were more likely than TD children to be abused by parent figures and to experience physical abuse resulting in body injury or serious sexual offenses, including those involving penetration, repeated abuse, use of force, and threats. Higher levels of disability were associated with increased risk of sexual abuse. Both the heightened incidence of severe abuse among and the failure to disclose abuse by CWDs should be sources of considerable concern to social welfare and criminal justice agencies. [source] The Effect of Hospital Ownership Conversions on Nonacute Care ProvidersTHE MILBANK QUARTERLY, Issue 4 2003DEBORAH GUREWICH Since 1985, the proportion of for-profit community hospitals has hovered around 15 percent (AHA 1988, 2002). Although nonprofit hospital conversions to for-profit status have yet to significantly alter the overall distribution of investor ownership in the hospital sector, the consequences continue to cause considerable concern (Claxton et al. 1997; Cutler 2000). This is true primarily because investor ownership imposes new fiduciary responsibilities that may undermine a hospital's implicit social contract to meet the needs of the community it serves, regardless of profitability. Given this, many worry that for-profit health institutions will harm local communities, particularly the availability of services for uninsured and underinsured populations. Thus, much attention has focused on the impact of ownership change on a hospital's provision of uncompensated care and other unprofitable but socially valuable services. [source] Immobilized Metal Affinity Chromatography without Chelating Ligands: Purification of Soybean Trypsin Inhibitor on Zinc Alginate BeadsBIOTECHNOLOGY PROGRESS, Issue 1 2002Munishwar N. Gupta Immobilized metal affinity chromatography (IMAC) is a widely used technique for bioseparation of proteins in general and recombinant proteins with polyhistidine fusion tags in particular. An expensive and critical step in this process is coupling of a chelating ligand to the chromatographic matrix. This chelating ligand coordinates metal ions such as Cu2+, Zn2+, and Ni2+, which in turn bind proteins. The toxicity of chemicals required for coupling and their slow release during the separation process are of considerable concern. This is an important issue in the context of purification of proteins/enzymes which are used in food processing or pharmaceutical purposes. In this work, a simpler IMAC design is described which should lead to a paradigm shift in the application of IMAC in separation. It is shown that zinc alginate beads (formed by chelating alginate with Zn2+ directly) can be used for IMAC. As "proof of concept", soybean trypsin inhibitor was purified 18-fold from its crude extract with 90% recovery of biological activity. The dynamic binding capacity of the packed bed was 3919 U mL -1, as determined by frontal analysis. The media could be regenerated with 8 M urea and reused five times without any appreciable loss in its binding capacity. [source] Double trouble: maternal depression and alcohol dependence as combined factors in child and family social workCHILDREN & SOCIETY, Issue 4 2002Johanna Woodcock This study, part of a large programme of research incorporating four child and family care teams, focuses on the combined effects of alcohol dependence alongside clinical depression in mothers. A comparison is made between women who were clinically depressed and women who were both clinically depressed and alcohol dependent. The latter group had significantly higher levels of difficulty in social relationship, health, child, and particularly parenting problems. When considered alongside the intensity, duration and range of intervention required, the results indicated that there is considerable concern about the ,dangerousness' of this particular group with major implications for policy and practice. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Political Economy of US Trade Policy towards ChinaCHINA AND WORLD ECONOMY, Issue 5 2007Bibo Liang F10; F11; F13; F14 Abstract The trade relationship between China and the USA has become increasingly important to the economies of both countries. The recent trade conflicts and friction between China and the USA constitute obstacles in the way of US,Chinese bilateral trade relationship development, which is of considerable concern to both countries. Through an in-depth analysis of the political process of US trade policy towards China, the present paper identifies the important determinants of US trade policy towards China. The influence of US trade policy on the trade relationship between the USA and China is assessed and implications for the trade relationship between the USA and China are discussed. [source] | ||||||||||||||||