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Related Variables (relate + variable)
Selected AbstractsThe Impact of Technological Opportunities and Innovative Capabilities on Firms' Output InnovationCREATIVITY AND INNOVATION MANAGEMENT, Issue 3 2003María J. Oltra In this study, we analyse the effect that external sources of knowledge and absorptive capacity exert on a firm's output innovation. In addition, we examine the moderating influence of absorptive capacity on the effect that technological opportunities have on output innovation. Empirical research was carried out on a sample of 91 Spanish firms from the ceramic tile industry. Absorptive capacity is operationalized by ,systematic or continuous R&D' and output innovation by ,percentage of sales from new products'. Technological opportunities are divided into several industry and non-industry related variables. Our results show the positive effect that both the industry's technological opportunities and a systematic approach to R&D exert on output innovation. Moreover, firms with a systematic approach to R&D usually achieve higher innovation output than firms which do not follow this approach. The innovation results of this second group decrease as a result of embedded technology acquisition. [source] SHOULD OIL PRICES RECEIVE SO MUCH ATTENTION?ECONOMIC INQUIRY, Issue 4 2008AN EVALUATION OF THE PREDICTIVE POWER OF OIL PRICES FOR THE U.S. ECONOMY This paper evaluates the potential gains from using oil prices to forecast a variety of measures of inflation, economic activity, and monetary policy,related variables. With a few exceptions, oil prices do not have any predictive content for these variables. This finding is robust to the use of rolling forecast windows, the use of industry-level data, changes in the forecast horizon, and allowing for nonlinearities. (JEL Q43, E37, C32) [source] Probabilities of alcohol high-risk drinking, abuse or dependence estimated on grounds of tobacco smoking and nicotine dependenceADDICTION, Issue 6 2003Ulrich John ABSTRACT Aims, To estimate probabilities of alcohol high-risk drinking, alcohol abuse and alcohol dependence on grounds of smoking-behaviour related variables and single nicotine dependence criteria. Design, Cross-sectional population-based study. Setting, Adult population of a region in north Germany. Participants, Cigarette smokers (n = 2437) among a random sample of 4075 females and males aged 18,64, drawn in 1996. Measurement, Smoking, nicotine dependence according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Psychiatric Disorders (DSM-IV) and the Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND); increasing alcohol-related harm (ARH): high-risk drinking, DSM-IV alcohol abuse, remitted and current alcohol dependence diagnosed by the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI). Findings, Having smoked 30 cigarettes or more per day, onset of smoking at the age of 17 or younger, nicotine dependence and single nicotine dependence criteria revealed odds ratios higher than 4.0 for alcohol dependence. For alcohol dependence, a logistic regression model showed an increased odds ratios for male gender, smoking for 25 years or more, no attempt to quit or cut down, continuation of smoking despite problems, craving for nicotine, withdrawal experience 1 day or longer, smoking first cigarette in the morning 5 minutes or less after waking. The probability of increasing ARH was more likely in males, smokers for 25 years or more, no attempt to quit or cut down, continuation of smoking despite problems and smoking first cigarette in the morning 5 minutes or less after waking. Conclusions, Gender and single nicotine dependence criteria show particularly high probabilities of alcohol dependence and increasing ARH. Interventions need to take these connections into account. [source] Sometimes more equal than others: how health inequalities depend on the choice of welfare indicatorHEALTH ECONOMICS, Issue 3 2006Magnus Lindelow Abstract In recent years, a large body of empirical work has focused on measuring and explaining socio-economic inequalities in health outcomes and health service use. In any effort to address these questions, analysts must confront the issue of how to measure socioeconomic status. In developing countries, socioeconomic status has typically been measured by per capita consumption or an asset index. Currently, there is only limited information on how the choice of welfare indicators affect the analysis of health inequalities and the incidence of public spending. The purpose of this paper is to illustrate the potential sensitivity of the analysis of health related inequalities to how socioeconomic status is measured. Using data from Mozambique, the paper focuses on five key health service indicators, and tests whether measured inequality (concentration index) in health service utilization differs depending on the choice of welfare indicator. The paper shows that, at least in some contexts, the choice of welfare indicator can have a large and significant impact on measured inequality in utilization of health services. In consequence, we can reach very different conclusions about the ,same' issue depending on how we define socioeconomic status. The paper also provides some tentative conclusions about why and in what contexts health inequalities can be sensitive to the choice of living standards measure. The results call for more clarity and care in the analysis of health related inequalities, and for explicit recognition of the potential sensitivity of findings to the choice of welfare measure. The results also point at the need for more careful research on how different dimensions of SES are related, and on the pathways by which the respective different dimensions impact on health related variables. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Aquatic Coleoptera Distribution and Environmental Relationships in a Large Patagonian RiverINTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF HYDROBIOLOGY, Issue 5 2006María Laura Miserendino Abstract The benthic coleopteran assemblages of the Chubut River basin were studied in order to assess the main factors affecting species composition and distribution along the upper, middle and lower catchments. A total of 13 sampling sites were selected and sampled seasonally. Eight taxa and 1,601 individuals were collected during the study. Richness was higher in the main channel of Chubut River at the upper basin than at the middle basin. Beetles were completely absent at the lower basin. Mean monthly density per sites varied from 0 to 85 ind m,2. Stethelmis kaszabi had a more restricted distribution whereas Hemiosus dejeanii, Austrelmis sp. and Austrolimnius spp. were more frequent and abundant. Austrelmis sp. appears as the most tolerant species, especially to higher TSS, ammonia, and conductivity values. Luchoelmis cekalovici was absent in stations associated with urban areas. A Canonical Correspondence Analysis shows that conductivity, total suspended solids, wet width, water temperature and pH were the most important variables structuring beetle assemblages. Land use related variables such as NH4, TP, and NO3 were less important but still significant. An increase in TSS affected negatively the coleopteran community; this could be related to both hydrogeological characteristics and agricultural activities (including overgrazing). This is the first approach to the knowledge of the ecological range of distribution of the coleopteran species in Patagonian rivers. (© 2006 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [source] Smoking cessation interventions in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and the role of the family: a systematic literature reviewJOURNAL OF ADVANCED NURSING, Issue 6 2007Karen A. Luker Abstract Title.,Smoking cessation interventions in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and the role of the family: a systematic literature review Aim., This paper is a report of a systematic review to assess the effectiveness of family-focused smoking cessation interventions for people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and to determine what data on families are documented in studies of smoking cessation interventions. Background., Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a major public health problem and cigarette smoking is the most important factor contributing to its development and progression. However, smoking cessation rates are low and relapse is common. The role of families in smoking cessation efforts has received little attention. Methods., All studies were included in the review that (i) addressed an evaluation of a psycho-social/educational smoking cessation intervention for people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, (ii) addressed some information on the family (i.e. living arrangements, marital status, smoking history of family members, support for quitting) and/or included the family as part of the intervention and (iii) were published between 1990 and 2006. Electronic data sources, existing systematic reviews of smoking cessation interventions and the grey literature were reviewed. Results., Seven studies were included. Six studies (11 papers) included data on marital status, smoking status of household members, support for quitting smoking and related variables. In two of the studies, the variable on the family was used to analyse smoking cessation outcomes. One additional study met the inclusion criterion of an evaluation of a smoking cessation intervention, which also included a family focus in the intervention. Conclusion., No conclusions about the effectiveness of a family-focused smoking cessation intervention could be drawn from this review. Further research is needed to determine if a more family-focused intervention, in conjunction with pharmacological and counselling approaches, would lead to improved smoking cessation outcomes. [source] Non-patient related variables affecting levels of vascular endothelial growth factor in urine biospecimensJOURNAL OF CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR MEDICINE, Issue 4 2008M. J. Kirk Abstract Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is an angiogenic protein proposed to be an important biomarker for the prediction of tumour growth and disease progression. Recent studies suggest that VEGF measurements in biospecimens, including urine, may have predictive value across a range of cancers. However, the reproducibility and reliability of urinary VEGF measurements have not been determined. We collected urine samples from patients receiving radiation treatment for glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) and examined the effects of five variables on measured VEGF levels using an ELISA assay. To quantify the factors affecting the precision of the assay, two variables were examined: the variation between ELISA kits with different lot numbers and the variation between different technicians. Three variables were tested for their effects on measured VEGF concentration: the time the specimen spent at room temperature prior to assay, the addition of protease inhibitors prior to specimen storage and the alteration of urinary pH. This study found that VEGF levels were consistent across three different ELISA kit lot numbers. However, significant variation was observed between results obtained by different technicians. VEGF concentrations were dependent on time at room temperature before measurement, with higher values observed 3,7 hrs after removal from the freezer. No significant difference was observed in VEGF levels with the addition of protease inhibitors, and alteration of urinary pH did not significantly affect VEGF measurements. In conclusion, this determination of the conditions necessary to reliably measure urinary VEGF levels will be useful for future studies related to protein biomarkers and disease progression. [source] Alterations of liver function test in patients treated with antipsychoticsJOURNAL OF CLINICAL LABORATORY ANALYSIS, Issue 6 2003M. Teresa Garcia-Unzueta Abstract The prevalence of alterations of liver function tests in patients treated with a wide range of antypsychotics is unknown. The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of antipsychotics on liver function tests in a population of schizophrenic outpatients. Concentrations of AST, ALT, GGT, alkaline phosphatase, albumin, and bilirubin were determined in 54 patients fitting DSM-IV criteria of schizophrenia, and the same number of sex- and age-matched healthy subjects. Assessments included the Clinical Global Impression (CGI) and the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) in addition to treatment related variables. Transaminases concentrations were slightly elevated in study patients compared to healthy controls, but without statistical significance. Alkaline phosphatase showed higher values in schizophrenic patients. Albumin and bilirubin were lower in study patients. Liver function tests abnormalities were found in about 10% of schizophrenic patients treated with antipsychotics. Treatment with depot phenotiazines induces alteration in these tests more frequently than treatment with other antipsychotics. PANSS negative subscale scores directly correlated with alkaline phosphatase and inversely correlated with albumin. A substantial number of patients in treatment with antipsychotic drugs present alterations of liver function tests. Both pharmacological and clinical factors could be related with these alterations. J. Clin. Lab. Anal. 17:216,218, 2003. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Related-variables selection in temporal disaggregationJOURNAL OF FORECASTING, Issue 4 2009Kosei Fukuda Abstract Two related-variables selection methods for temporal disaggregation are proposed. In the first method, the hypothesis tests for a common feature (cointegration or serial correlation) are first performed. If there is a common feature between observed aggregated series and related variables, the conventional Chow,Lin procedure is applied. In the second method, alternative Chow,Lin disaggregating models with and without related variables are first estimated and the corresponding values of the Bayesian information criterion (BIC) are stored. It is determined on the basis of the selected model whether related variables should be included in the Chow,Lin model. The efficacy of these methods is examined via simulations and empirical applications. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Differences in Services Utilization Between White and Mexican American DUI ArresteesALCOHOLISM, Issue 1 2001Cheryl J. Cherpitel Background: Hispanics traditionally have been considered an underserved population in relation to medical care and related services utilization. Methods: Selected health and social services utilization (both alcohol-specific and non-alcohol-specific) during the last year was compared between a sample of 249 Mexican American (half of whom were born in Mexico) and 250 white participants interviewed in all five DUI (driving under the influence) treatment programs in one northern California county. Results: Among those who met DSM-IV criteria for alcohol dependence and/or alcohol abuse, 49% of the white subjects compared with 59% of the Mexican American subjects reported no utilization, 77% of whites and 82% of Mexican Americans reported no utilization in which drinking was a factor, and 70% of whites and 80% of Mexican Americans reported no contact with an alcohol program. Mexican Americans were also significantly less likely to report contact with more than one program, and among Mexican Americans, those born in Mexico were significantly less likely to report utilization than those born in the U.S. Conclusions: The data suggest that despite the higher rates of heavy drinking found among Mexican American DUI arrestees (especially those born in Mexico) in this sample, Mexican Americans with an alcohol use disorder are less likely to use health and social services than whites, and this may be related to country of birth and related variables that include health insurance. Significance: The data suggest that DUI programs may offer one of the few opportunities Me-ican American problem drinkers have of establishing contact with the health and social service system and, as such, would be well positioned to also offer other types of alcohol-related health and social services and referrals to this underserved population. These findings have implications for intervention efforts for problem drinking and prevention of DUI among Me-ican Americans, which are a rapidly growing ethnic minority in California. [source] Quality of parental relationships among persons with a lifetime history of posttraumatic stress disorderJOURNAL OF TRAUMATIC STRESS, Issue 2 2007Dean Lauterbach Several studies of combat veterans have examined the relationship between parental satisfaction and PTSD symptoms. These studies found that numbing is associated with substantial decrements in parent,child relationship quality. The current study extends previous work by assessing the effect of PTSD on parent,child relationships in a nationally representative sample of civilian men and women with PTSD resulting from a broad range of trauma. It was hypothesized that PTSD avoidance/numbing symptoms would be predictive of parent,child relationship quality and parent,child conflict. Moreover, these relationships are predicted to hold after controlling for a broad range of support-related variables and work/finance related variables. As hypothesized, after controlling for number of children and respondent-initiated domestic violence, numbing was predictive of increased parent,child aggression. [source] Effect of Chain-Length Dependence of Interaction Parameter on Spinodals for Polydisperse Polymer BlendsMACROMOLECULAR THEORY AND SIMULATIONS, Issue 5 2006Xiyan Du Abstract Summary: The chain-length dependence of the Flory-Huggins (FH) interaction parameter is introduced into the FH lattice theory for polydisperse polymer-blend systems. The spinodals are calculated for the model polymer blends with different chain lengths and distributions. It is found that all the related variables, rn, rw, rz, and chain-length distribution, have effects on the spinodals for polydisperse polymer blends. The spinodals at different chain lengths. [source] Interactions between root and shoot herbivores of Ammophila arenaria in the laboratory do not translate into correlated abundances in the fieldOIKOS, Issue 6 2010Martijn L. Vandegehuchte Over the past decades a growing body of literature has presented proof of the possible interactions between foliar and root herbivores. These effects can be positive, negative or neutral in either direction, depending on the species and the involved mechanism. Most of these studies however concern experiments under controlled conditions. Whether these interactions affect the distribution of herbivores under natural conditions still largely remains an open question. This study examined interactions between root feeding nematodes and shoot feeding aphids on Ammophila arenaria in the laboratory. We subsequently addressed the question whether expectations from this experiment are reflected in correlations between plant related variables and the abundance of both herbivores in the field. We demonstrated that nematodes and aphids can negatively affect each other in a controlled microcosm. In the field however no significant correlations between nematode and aphid abundances could be detected. There, shorter plants with a more vital leaf set and a higher root density supported the highest numbers of aphids. Plants with a lower root density and higher root vitality held more migratory endoparasitic nematodes, while more nematode cysts were found among roots with a low vitality. A certain plant property can furthermore affect above- and belowground herbivores in the opposite direction, such as root density in this case. This study suggests that effects of root herbivores on foliar herbivores or vice versa seem to be blurred in a field situation where other variables related to plant vitality and water content structure the herbivore populations. Therefore, caution should be used in generalising the prevalence of these interactions between the above- and belowground fauna, based solely on laboratory experiments. [source] State Charter School Adoptions: A Probit Regression ModelPOLITICS & POLICY, Issue 1 2002Shad Satterthwaite This paper assesses the factors that spur states to adopt charter school legislation. Using a probit regression model, this study considers political, economic, and education related variables and their effect on policy. In this model, little support is found for political explanations. Moreover, this study casts doubt on conventional wisdom, which contends that the purpose of reform is to improve education. The model suggests that a state's economic variables are the best predictors for charter school adoption. [source] An approach to canine behavioural genetics employing guide dogs for the blindANIMAL GENETICS, Issue 2 2009Y. Takeuchi Summary The purpose of this study was to attempt to find related variables of the canine genome with behavioural traits of dogs maintained and tested in a guide dog facility which provided a relatively uniform environment. The study involved 81 Labrador Retrievers that were being trained as guide dogs. Each dog was taken on walk-out sessions in which the trainer weekly recorded observations that were related to behavioural traits. The records were subjected to key-word analysis of 14 behaviour-related words. A factor analysis on the appearance rate of the 14 key words or phrases resulted in the extraction of six factors that accounted for 67.4% of the variance. Factor 1, referred to as aggressiveness, was significantly related to the success or failure of the dog in qualifying as a guide dog, and was also related to the variable of litter identification. Factor 2, referred to as distraction, was related to the variable of trainer. Factor 3, activity level, was related to the variable of sex, and was significantly related to the polymorphisms of c.471T>C in the solute carrier family 1 (neuronal/epithelial high affinity glutamate transporter) member 2 gene and c.216G>A in the catechol-O-methyltransferase gene. The involvement of polymorphisms c.471T>C and c.216G>A in behavioural patterns related to activity level is similar to comparable genetic studies in other mammalian species. These results contribute to a greater understanding of the role of these genes in behaviour. [source] Maternal cultural participation and child health status in a Middle Eastern context: evidence from an urban health studyCHILD: CARE, HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENT, Issue 2 2007M. Khawaja Abstract Background, The negative effect of poverty on child health has been well established. However, rapid urbanization in developing countries prompts new research questions relating to socio-cultural practices and other related variables in these settings. Objective, To examine the association between maternal cultural participation and child health status in impoverished neighbourhoods of Beirut, Lebanon. Methods, A cross-sectional survey of 1241 mothers with children aged less than 5 years was conducted from randomly selected households in three impoverished neighbourhoods of diverse ethnic and religious make-up. The outcome variable was child health status (good/bad) as assessed by the mother. Maternal variables, including cultural participation, education, demographic and environmental/structural factors, were studied. Descriptive statistics and bivariate associations were provided using Pearson's chi-square tests. Unadjusted and adjusted odds ratios were then obtained from binary logistic regression models. Results, Two indicators of maternal cultural participation, namely watching entertaining television and attending movies/art exhibitions, were found to be significantly associated with child health status after controlling for other risk factors. The quality of water, the quality of local health services and maternal education were also significantly associated with child health status. Household income, child gender and household dampness had no significant association with child health status in this context. Conclusion, Maternal cultural participation was a significant predictor of child health status in impoverished urban communities. Improving child health through culturally focused interventions for mothers, especially in deprived areas, may be greatly important. [source] A comparison of counselee and counselor satisfaction in reproductive genetic counselingCLINICAL GENETICS, Issue 2 2007CM Aalfs Important insights in the process of genetic counseling can be provided by establishing levels of satisfaction. The aim of our study was to compare counselees' and counselors' satisfaction with the initial consultation in reproductive genetic counseling and to gain insight into the factors associated with their contentment. One hundred and fifty-one women and 11 counselors participated in this study. Pre-test questionnaires included counselees' socio-demographic, physical and psychological characteristics, i.e. their degree of worry, expectations, preferred participation in decision making and experienced degree of control. Post-visit questionnaires asked for counselees' and counselors' satisfaction, counselees' participation in decision making and counselees' Perceived Personal Control (PPC). Little difference was found between counselees' and counselors' overall visit-specific satisfaction (mean 79 vs 74, respectively, on a visual analogue scale from 0 to 100). The correlation between counselees' and counselors' satisfaction was medium sized (r = 0.26, p < 0.01). Counselees' satisfaction was positively associated with being pregnant and with their post-visit PPC. Counselors' satisfaction was positively associated with counselees' post-visit PPC. No other counselee and counselor related variables appeared to be associated with satisfaction, nor was the duration of the consultation. Our findings suggest that, although both groups were satisfied with the consultation, counselees and counselors do not always have equal perceptions of the consultation process and may form their evaluation in different ways. In the assessment of quality of care, evaluation of both counselees' and counselors' satisfaction deserves more attention. [source] The life course approach: explaining the association between height and dental caries in Brazilian adolescentsCOMMUNITY DENTISTRY AND ORAL EPIDEMIOLOGY, Issue 2 2005Belinda Nicolau Abstract , Aim:, To investigate the relationship between height and dental caries in Brazilian adolescents. Methods:, A cross-sectional survey design was used to collect retrospective data. Of 764 eligible 13-year-old adolescents enrolled in urban private or public schools in a Brazilian town, 652 were clinically examined and interviewed. Data were collected on socioeconomic circumstances, family related variables, oral health behaviour and anthropometric measures (height and weight). Dental caries was measured by decayed, missing and filled teeth (DMFT) index. The DMFT was categorized according to two levels of severity (low DMFT , 6; high DMFT > 6) using the 75th percentile of the distribution as the cut-off point. Data analysis involved multiple logistic regression. Results:, Adolescents who were the second or later child were 1.90 times more likely to have a high DMFT, whilst being a taller adolescent had a protective effect on caries experience (OR = 0.04; 95% CI = 0.00,0.79). In addition, adolescents from rural areas (OR = 2.74; 95% CI = 1.56,4.82), those whose mothers had less than 8 years of education (OR = 2.10; 95% CI = 1.03,4.27) and those who reported high levels of paternal punishment (OR = 1.60; 95% CI = 1.02,2.52) had an increased risk of having a high DMFT. Conclusion:, There is a relationship between height and dental caries experience in this sample of Brazilian adolescents. [source] | |||||||||||||||||||