bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Effects of the North American Free Trade Agreement on Corporate and Labor Pac Contributions
Authors: FRANCIA PETER L.
Published: March 2007

This study investigates the impact congressional roll call votes on the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) had on corporate and labor political action committee (PAC) contributions during the 1994 House elections. The results show that corporate PACs gave more money to incumbents who voted in favor of NAFTA and that labor PACs contributed less money to pro-NAFTA incumbents, including Democrats in competitive races. The findings mark a departure from the existing literature, which indicates that corporations and unions rarely place an emphasis on particular roll call votes when providing their campaign money to candidates.
Theory Building in Political Socialization
Authors: Campbell Bruce A.
Published: March 2007

A social learning theory approach is applied to the task of explaining levels of political trust. Theoretically derived mediators between the source and the observer—involving sanction, clarity, and status—are developed. Hypotheses that predict stronger source- observer relationships where mediators take on high values are tested. Race and socio economic status are also predicted to mediate the source-observer link. The data are from a study of six high school senior classes in the Atlanta area. The design of the study allows direct measurement of attributes of mothers, fathers, peers, and schools. The social learn ing perspective is most successful in the case of the mother-child link, partially successful for the father and peer groups, and not successful for the school. When all mediators as well as race and socioeconomic status are taken into account, political trust of the high school senior can be better predicted. The results appear strong enough to justify pursuit of the development of social learning theory as a general theory of political socialization.
Partisan Conversion in the Northeast
Authors: Hadley Charles D. , Howell Susan E.
Published: March 2007

Gerald Pomper and others who have studied realignment/ dealignment contend that the study of change in geographic subunits is necessary to understand change observed from a national perspective. The South has been the most common regional focus, yet the Northeast has experienced disproportionate partisan change as well. This research docu ments declining Republicanism in the Northeast since the early 1960s, draws parallels with the South, identifies social and political sources of that decline, and speculates about the future of partisan identification in the Northeast.
Political Behavior Under the Unit Rule
Authors: Collins William P.
Published: March 2007

This research note examines a formally derived property of unit rule voting systems. It is found that the propensity of a unit voting rule to misrepresent the popular vote is related to the character of within-unit competitiveness.
Changes in the Competitiveness of House Primary Elections, 1956-1976
Authors: Born Richard
Published: March 2007

This study examines trends in U.S. House primary election competition from 1956-1976. While primaries generally have become more contested, the degree of change varies with the partisanship of the primary and the opportunities for winning the seat in the fall. Democratic races have increased in competitiveness more than have Republican contests, thus making even greater the normal party difference. Furthermore, stronger trends toward competitiveness exist within the primaries of more marginal incumbents in both parties. In primaries not involving an incumbent, however, there is an important difference betwen the parties; here, Democratic candidates to a greater extent have been drawn to contests in districts where they stand a better chance in November, while exactly the opposite obtains for Republicans. This suggests, therefore, that close primaries increasingly signify real candidate interest in obtaining a House seat among Democrats, but internecine ideological or factional struggles for the opposition.
Economic Effects On State Governors
Authors: Howell Susan E. , Vanderleeuw James M.
Published: March 2007

A large body of research on the impact of economic conditions on elections has been amassed. Past research emphasized congressional and presidential elections. The present research extended the question of economic effects to the state level. Are governors held responsible for the economic conditions of their states? The existing studies at the state level all used aggregate data and concluded that states' economies do not affect the fortunes of the governors. The studies inferred that the national economy, not the state economy, affects governors. The present research was a direct test of the aggregate studies using micro-level data from statewide surveys. Strong state economic effects on gubernatorial approval were found in a multivariate model. Furthermore, evaluations of the national economy were almost insignificant in predicting gubernatorial approval.
Reported and Validated Voter Registration
Authors: Claggett William
Published: March 2007

This research article assessed the validity of self-reports of registration status using the Survey Research Center-Center for Political Studies (SRC-CPS) vote validation studies. Overall, reported registration rates exceeded validated registration rates by approximately 5%. However, approximately 15% of all reports of registration status were in error. Unlike turnout, misreporters of registration status fell into two different types: those who reported being registered when they were not, and those who failed to report being registered when they were. The correlates of registration, however, were largely unaffected by whether registration was measured with reported or validated data. Race posed the only exception to this generalization. The reported data underestimated racial differences in registration rates and the degree to which black registration trailed that of whites.
Explanations of Turnout Decline
Authors: Cassel Carol A. , Hill David B.
Published: March 2007

Multiple regression and probit are used to test explanations of the post-1964 decline in turnout for presidential elections in nonsouthern states. Twelve socioeconomic and attitudinal variables are used to predict validated voting reports collected in conjunction with the 1964 and 1976 national election studies conducted by the SRC/CPS. Both the regression and probit analyses indicate that political attitudes, like partisanship and concern over the election outcome, have contributed to the decline in turnout; however, education and interest variables have offset the decline attributed to changes in political attitudes. The analysis leaves the puzzle of declining turnout largely unsolved. Alternative explanations of the decline in turnout are discussed.
The Supreme Court and Policy Legitimation
Authors: Baas Larry R. , Thomas Dan
Published: March 2007

This article examines the legitimacy-conferring potential of the U.S. Supreme Court. Legitimacy-conferring potential is conceptualized as the Court's ability, through mere endorsement of a particular policy, to elevate mass acceptance of that policy. The study reports the results of three experiments utilizing a split-ballot design where, in general, one group is given a version of an issue endorsed by the Supreme Court and a second group is given the same issue not endorsed by the Court. In two of the experiments a third attribution condition is used where an issue is endorsed by the Supreme Court as interpreter of the Constitution. Based on the analysis of 16 policy issues across three experiments, the Court does not appear to have the power to legitimate specific policies bearing its stamp of approval.
Participation in Public Interest Groups
Authors: Cook Constance Ewing
Published: March 2007

This article tests the exchange theory of interest group membership and finds that it applies to the members of four public interest groups: the League of Women Voters, the Conservative Caucus, the American Civil Liberties Union, and Common Cause. Survey data are used to determine the incentives for affiliation, membership renewal, and activism. The survey results demonstrate that public interest group members are like the members of traditional special interest groups in that they join in order to receive certain selective benefits. As expected, those benefits are more often purposive than material or sohdary. However, the member's responses indicate that there are at least three different types of purposive benefits that are salient for them: namely, a feeling of efficacy, a policy commitment, and a sense of civic duty.
Looking At Supreme Court Impact in Context
Authors: Feig Douglas G.
Published: March 2007

The field of judicial impact research has been aptly described as atheoretical. But recently a framework has been proposed for organizing this research and for giving direction to future research efforts in this area. As this insightful framework suggests, investigations concerning the indirect policy consequences of court decisions are best seen as rooted not only in earlier judicial impact studies but also in previous research in the particular policy arena of interest. In this article, this insight is employed in an attempt to explain the well-documented state-to-state variation in the impact on state spending of the Supreme Court reapportionment decisions of the 1960s. Using the states as units of analysis, multiple regression analysis is used to explain the extent of impact on two areas of state government spending: aid to local education and public welfare. The same multiple regression equation is found to fit both areas of reapportionment impact surprisingly well.
Sponsorship and Enactment
Authors: Browne William P. , Ringquist Delbert J.
Published: March 2007

Patterns of legislation are examined over a 24-year period and legislative outcomes are traced through the policy process of four states: Florida, Iowa, Michigan, and New Jersey. The findings indicate that legislators are drawn in large numbers to sponsor age-related bills. Legislative committees do most of the work in reducing these proposals to the eventual 10% to 27% that will pass. Floor action overturns an average of 3 % of all sponsored bills and governors veto over 4%. Gubernatorial vetoes are especially high when committees report out unusually high percentages of bills and resolutions. There is only slight evidence of state legislators who, as specialists, have a sustained interest in sponsoring and passing age-related legislation.
A Predictive Model of Decision Making in State Supreme Courts:
Authors: Swinford Bill
Published: March 2007

In recent years, numerous state governments have seen their methods of financing public primary and secondary education challenged as unconstitutional. To date, 13 state supreme courts have upheld their financing systems while 11 others have found such methods unconstitutional. This article develops and tests a multivariate model of judicial decision making which attempts to indicate the factors which lead to variation in the decisions on this issue. The analysis indicates the primary importance of the court itself, the relevant constitutional language and the facts surrounding the case.
Sophistication in Corporate Pac Contributions
Authors: Davis Frank L.
Published: March 2007

This research examines the extent to which highly funded corporate political action committees' (PACs') contributions reflect concerns associated with PAC leaders. Four airline and three rail company PACs' contributions to House candidates in the 1980 election are analyzed. Results reveal that, contrary to past findings regarding highly funded association PACs, the contributions of these corporate PACs reflect priorities generally associated with PAC leaders. In particular, these PACs made larger contributions to candidates who were likely to oppose them than they did to candidates who were among their expected supporters in an apparent attempt to demobilize opposition. These findings are especially important because, although highly funded corporate PACs constitute a small portion of all PACs, they account for a substantial portion of total PAC contributions and therefore have important ramifications for the nature of PAC influence.
The Sources of Antiabortion Attitudes
Authors: Guth James L. , Smidt Corwin E. , Kellstedt Lyman A. , Green John C.
Published: March 2007

In this survey of activists ( N = 4,995) from several large religious interest groups, the demographic, religious, and ideological influences on attitudes toward abortion are analyzed. Findings indicate that detailed denominational, doctrinal, and religious practice items are powerful predictors of abortion attitudes among a demographically homogeneous sample of activists. The authors also discuss the implications of the findings for the future of abortion politics.
The Persistence of Ideological Cleavage in Voting On Abortion Legislation in the House of Representatives, 1973-1988
Authors: Tatalovitch Raymond , Schier David
Published: March 2007

The longitudinal analysis reported here applies the same regression model to 54 roll calls on abortion bills in the House of Representatives during the eight Congresses from 1973 to 1988. A Guttman Scaling procedure is used that allows comparison across the eight Houses. The strongest predictor in all eight Houses is the ADA score followed by religion (Catholic, non-Catholic) ; representatives who vote liberal and who are non-Catholics tend to be pro-choice. Religion seems to be the likely reason why party is not a significant predictor of voting on abortion. To validate that hypothesis, separate regressions are created for Democrats and Republicans since 1981, and the results show that deviations among Democrats from pro-choice voting is due largely to religion. However, the causal relationship between ideology and pro-choice voting has been strengthened across these four Houses with an accompanying decline in the importance of religion. So a realignment in the House may be occurring given that Catholic Democrats are beginning to vote their ideological rather than their religious preference on abortion.
Women in the State Legislatures
Authors: Dolan Kathleen , Ford Lynne E.
Published: March 2007

Much of the previous research examining the differences that an increased number of women make in state legislatures has been done by comparing women's actions and behaviors to those of their male colleagues. Most of these studies have discovered behavioral and attitudinal differences between female and male legislators, but few seek to examine the source of these differences. Conover demonstrated that, among the mass public, a feminist identity can help explain political differences between women and men and also among women. In this research, the authors seek to examine elite behavior in the same context by focusing on state legislators. Specifically, the authors investigate the degree to which possessing a feminist identity influences the legislative behaviors and priorities of female state legislators.
Of Time and Candidates
Authors: Norpoth Helmut
Published: March 2007

To forecast presidential elections, I explore the dynamic of the vote ("time") and introduce a measure of candidate support that covers both the incumbent and the challenger. Stochastic models help identify the dynamic of the presidential vote as second-order autoregressive. The strength of the candidates is gauged by an index of electoral success in presidential primaries—in particular, whether the nominee won the first pnmary. Also included as a vote predictor is the economy, as measured by gross national product (GNP) growth and inflation in the election year. The forecasting equation predicts victory for Bill Clinton, with 57.1 % of the major party vote in November 1996. Time is on his side, in the sense that the autoregressive dynamic favors election of a presidential candidate whose party just captured the White House. But what predicts a comfortable margin is Clinton's edge in the candidate comparison, with the economy exerting little electoral pull this year.
Legislating From the State Bench
Authors: Wenzel James P. , Bowler Shaun , Lanoue David J.
Published: March 2007

This article considers the institutional and environmental factors that influence the degree of countermajoritarian judicial activism among state supreme courts. In our analysis, we consider two indicators of such activism: the tendency of each state court to overturn acts of the legislature and the extent to which each court engages in tort innovation. We find, contrary to much conventional wisdom, that courts in states where judges are most insulated from local partisan politics are the least likely to exhibit activist behavior. Rather, the most activist courts are in states where justices reach office through district-based electoral systems. We discuss the implications of these findings for our understanding of judicial activism and judicial behavior.
Racial Diversity, Voter Turnout, and Mobilizing Institutions in the United States
Authors: HILL KIM QUAILE , LEIGHLEY JAN E.
Published: March 2007

Race is often identified as uniquely defining and influencing electoral processes in the United States. However, little empirical research has investigated the consequences of racial diversity for levels of voter turnout or for the nature of mobilizing institutions. On the basis of historical analyses of U.S. politics, we hypothesize that greater racial diversity is associated with lower levels of voter mobilization, weaker mobilizing institutions, and higher barriers to voter participation. Cross-sectional models for the 1950s, the 1980s, and the 1990s are tested with ordinary least squares regression techniques, using states as the unit of analysis. We find that racial diversity is a potent negative predictor of turnout levels, in each time period and in non-Southern, as well as Southern, states and that it has an especially strong relationship in presidential elections. Racial diversity is also associated nationwide with weak state and national mobilizing forces, and more difficult voter registration requirements.
Surgery and Herbal Therapy: Essential Guidelines on Bleeding, Skin Reactions, and Wound Healing
Authors: Pribitkin Edmund deAzevedo , Boger Gregory
Published: March 2007

Unlike other forms of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), herbal medi cine (phytomedicine) employs remedies possessing significant pharmacological activ ity and consequently potential adverse effects and drug interactions. The explosion in sales of herbal therapies has brought many products to the marketplace that do not conform to the standards of safety and efficacy that physicians and patients expect. Unfortunately, few surgeons question patients regarding their use of herbal medicines, and 70% of patients do not reveal their use of herbal medicines to their physicians and pharmacists (Eisenberg et al., 1993). All surgeons should question patients regarding the use of the following common herbal remedies, which may increase the risk of bleeding during surgical procedures: feverfew, garlic, ginger, gingko, Asian ginseng. Conversely, surgeons may employ herbal medicines such as aloe vera gel to aid in wound healing. When prescribing herbal medicines, practitioners are advised to select manufacturers who adhere to the code of pharmaceutical Good Manufacturing Process.
Reassessment of the Incidence of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Type 1 Following Stroke
Authors: Petchkrua Wannapha , Weiss David J. , Patel Rakesh R.
Published: March 2007

Previous literature has suggested that reflex sympathetic dystrophy, also known as complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) type 1, is a relatively common finding after a stroke. However, much of this data was obtained before patients routinely re ceived early intensive inpatient rehabilitation. The purpose of this study is to reeval uate the incidence of CRPS type 1 following an acute first stroke. Subjects admitted to an acute rehabilitation setting for stroke with no other concomitant neurologic or orthopedic injuries between October 1, 1996, and May 31, 1997, were studied. At admission and once a week until discharge, subjects were evaluated for shoulder pain, decreased passive range of motion of the shoulder, wrist/hand pain, edema, and skin changes. If three of these five criteria were positive, the subjects underwent a triple- phase bone scan (TPBS). Bone scan findings consistent with CRPS type 1 were taken as confirming the diagnosis. Of 64 subjects, 13 underwent bone scans, with only one positive result. Thus our study revealed a 1.56 percent incidence of CRPS type 1 fol lowing a first stroke. This incidence is much lower than the historically accepted 12.5 percent. We speculate that this low figure is related to early comprehensive rehabili tation that included proper upper extremity positioning and early mobilization with sensory stimulation.
Putaminal Hemorrhage and Outcome
Authors: Nagaratnam Nages , Saravanja Davor , Chiu Kevin , Jamieson Gail
Published: March 2007

Twenty-five patients (average age, 65 ± 4.5 years) with spontaneous putaminal hemorrhage were studied to determine any independent predictors as to survival and level of disability. Based on the computed tomography (CT) findings, they were grouped according to their location and extent of the hemorrhage. The thalamus and the caudate were not involved. Univariate and multivariate regression analyses were done to determine any potential prognostic indicator. The groups were significantly different with regard to volume, intraventricular hemorrhage, midline shift, ambient cisterns, hydrocephalus, and disability score but not different with respect to pineal shift, side, gender, and age. The variables that arose as significant predictors of dis ability were intraventricular hemorrhage, midline shift, hydrocephalus, ambient cis terns (all p ≤ 0.001), pineal shift and age (both p ≤ 0.04). Neither gender nor side was a significant predictor for disability score (p = 0.92 and p = 0.125, respectively). Multivariate regression model included volume, ambient cisterns, and age as signifi cant predictors for disability score. Key Words: Putaminal hemorrhage—Intracerebral hemorrhage—Functional recovery—Mortality.
The Estimated Cost of Managing Focal Spasticity: A Physician Practice Patterns Survey
Authors: Radensky Paul W. , Archer Jennifer W. , Dournaux Susan F. , O'Brien Christopher F.
Published: March 2007

The purpose of this study was to estimate the overall cost of managing focal spas ticity after stroke (CVA) and traumatic brain injury (TBI) and the cost impact of in dividual treatments. Sixty physicians described management strategies over six treat ment visits for four focal spasticity case studies (one upper and one lower extremity case for CVA and TBI). Mean and median per-case costs were determined across physi cians ; median per-case costs of physicians who did or did not report use of specific treat ments were compared. Mean per-case costs of managing spasticity are as follows: CVA upper, $5,131; CVA lower, $5,384; TBI upper, $14,615; and TBI lower, $13,966. Me dian per-case costs for strategies including botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A) were less than those without BTX-A in CVA upper; median costs for strategies including oral baclofen were more than those without baclofen in CVA lower. Fewer total treat , ments were reported with BTX-A than without; more total treatments were reported with baclofen than without. No individual treatment had a significant impact on me dian treatment costs in TBI. Physician-reported spasticity management costs are sub stantial. Despite higher drug costs for BTX-A compared with oral therapies like ba clofen, strategies for managing spasticity in CVA that include BTX-A may cost less than those without BTX-A. Key Words: Spasticity—Stroke—Traumatic brain in jury—Botulinum toxin type A—Baclofen.
Bladder Dysfunction in Multiple Sclerosis
Authors: Kobashi Kathleen C. , Leach Gary E.
Published: March 2007

Multiple sclerosis (MS) involves focal neural demyelmation with relative sparing of axons and resultant impaired nerve conduction. Demyelination commonly affects the posterolateral columns of the spinal cord, with the majority of patients having cervi cal cord involvement. Forty percent of patients have lumbar cord involvement and 18 percent have sacral cord involvement. The cerebral cortex and midbram may also be affected. Lesions in any of these areas can affect voiding function.
Therapeutics in the Neurorehabilitation of Parkinson's Disease
Authors: Colcher Amy , Stern Matthew B.
Published: March 2007

Parkinson's disease (PD) affects 1 percent of the population over the age of 65. The number of people with this disorder is steadily rising. Therapy for PD remains primarily pharmacologic, with medications that target the depleted dopaminergic system being the mainstay of therapy. Surgical therapies, both ablative and stimulatory, are in creasingly being used for patients with more advanced disease and/or complications of drug therapy. Experimental therapies aimed at restoring dopaminergic function and protecting dopaminergic cells are being studied. Alternate neurotransmitter systems are being evaluated as potential targets for therapy. Complete treatment of patients with PD utilizes education, physical therapy, support groups, and medication. When a comprehensive approach is used, PD is treatable and manageable.
Use of Alternative Treatments by People with Multiple Sclerosis
Authors: Berkman Cathy S. , Pignotti Monica G. , Cavallo Pamela F. , Holland Nancy J.
Published: March 2007

The prevalence, predictors, and description of alternative treatment use among peo ple with multiple sclerosis (MS) have not been well studied despite interest and con cern about such use among health care professionals and people with MS. The goal of this study was to describe the prevalence of the use of specific alternative treatments by people with MS, the sociodemographic and disease characteristics of those most likely to use alternative treatments, perceived benefits and harms from use of these treatments, and the reasons for their use. Almost three-fifths of the study sample of 240 people diagnosed with MS from two chapters of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society had used alternative treatments. Most (90 percent) of those who had used al ternative treatments did so in combination with traditional treatments. Only 7.1 per cent used any treatments considered to be high risk or dangerous. The primary reason for using alternative treatments was to obtain relief from physical and psychological symptoms. Implications of these findings for health care professionals are discussed. Key Words: Multiple sclerosis—Alternative therapies—Complementary therapies— Alternative medical practices—Unconventional medicine.
Thermal Analysis of Blown Film Quenching
Authors: DeJonghe Richard J.
Published: March 2007

Removal of heat from the melt exiting the die is often the key factor m a blown film systems capability. By weight averaging of thermodynamic properties, the analysis of coextrusion system can be simplified and results accurate to within 5% can be obtained This paper will go over this method of analysis and give some examples where this approach is appropriate and where it isn't.
Coextruded Microlayer Film and Sheet
Authors: Im J. , Schrenk W.J.
Published: March 2007

Multilayer coextrusion can be used to produce microlayer films which can be designed to provide unique characteristics. Based on the optical theory for the wave length of reflected light from the normal incidence, 400 alternating layers of poly carbonate (PC) and polypropylene were coextruded with the expected result that the 25 μm film blocked over 80% of the UV light while transmitting 80% of the visible light. Ultrathin PC films (2 μm thick), made by delaminating multilayer extrusions, had DC breakdown voltages similar to solution cast films of the same thickness. Increase of the number of microlayers of PC/styrene-acrylonitrile composites resulted in improved tensile and impact strength—with a notable reduction in notch sensitivity for the latter property.
Predicting Flow Performance of Spiral Mandrel Dies
Authors: Perdikoulias John , Vlcek J. , Vlachopoulos J.
Published: March 2007

A mathematical model was developed to simulate the flow of a polymer melt through a spiral mandrel distribution system The model uses the method of lumped parameters over a finite number of control volumes to obtain volumetric flow rates and pressures throughout the flow field A qualitative agreement between the model and commercial equipment was found Experimental measurements of thick ness variation from the spiral distribution svstem indicated good quantitative agreement.
Comparative Analysis of Thick Gauge Blended and Coextruded Polyethylene Films
Authors: Martinez Felipe , Mazuera Gonzalo E. , Parikh Deepak R.
Published: March 2007

Linear and branched polyethylene resins are extensively used in film production for packaging. Branched polyethylenes, such as low density polyethylene (LDPE), are unique due to their high melt strength and good optical properties; while linear polyethylenes, such as linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE), exhibit excellent physical properties and drawdown capabilities The combination of both resins via blends or coextrusion provides a mix of film properties very difficult to achieve with pure materials. This paper evaluates the performance of thick blown films made from blends of LLDPE (1.0 melt index, 0.926 density) with high pressure LDPE (0.2 melt index, 0.920 density), versus three-layer coextruded films made of the same materials at the same resin ratios. A major market for these films is in pack aging free-flowing granular products. The objective is to answer which fabrication method yields superior mechanical properties, as well as outline the fundamental reasoning to understand the differences through structural and morphological analyses
Racism and Young Girls' Peer-Group Relations: The Experiences of South Asian Girls
Authors: Connolly Paul
Published: March 2007

This article draws upon data from an in-depth ethnographic study of 5 and 6 year old children in an English multi-ethnic, inner-city primary school. It focuses on the significance of `race' within young girls' peer-group relations and the ways in which the social dynamics that underlie those relations provide the context for understanding the particular nature and form that racism takes among the girls. This is done through a focus on the experiences of South Asian girls within the group. Within this, the article has two main aims. First, it aims to contribute to the literature within the sociology of education by extending the existing research focus on racism within teacher/pupil interactions to include an understanding of racism as it manifests itself among the children's peer-group relations. Second, in adapting and applying Pierre Boudieu's concepts of capital and field, the article also offers a contribution to the literature within the sociology of `race' and ethnicity by suggesting one potentially fruitful way in which racism can be understood within specific social contexts.
The Globalisation of Positional Competition?
Authors: Brown Phillip
Published: March 2007

Positional competition for credentials and jobs has been a major focus of sociological inquiry. However, there has been little attempt to examine the impact of economic globalisation on competition for a livelihood. This is an important question for sociological analysis as centre-left Modernisers, including New Labour in Britain and the Democrats in the United States, assume that globalisation has transformed the nature of positional class conflict. They argue that it is now the absolute standards of educational achievement, rather than the relative standing of credential holders within local or national labour markets, which are of primary importance. Drawing on neo-Weberian theories of social closure, this article will argue that the Modernisers' description of the global labour market and its impact on positional class conflict is seriously flawed. It will also be argued that existing theories of social closure are inadequate and need to be developed in terms of what we call Positional Conflict Theory.
We Really Do Know What You Do: A Comparison of Reports from 11 Year Olds and their Parents in Respect of Parental Economic Activity and Occupation
Authors: West Patrick , Sweeting Helen , Speed Ewen
Published: March 2007

It is widely assumed that children, especially younger children and those in poorer circumstances, are unreliable informants of parental occupation and related characteristics, thereby precluding the measurement of social class in much research involving children. In a comparison of reports of parental economic activity and occupation by 11 year olds and their parents in the West of Scotland 11 to 16 Study, the assumption is found to be unwarranted. This school-based study, which used a `mini-interview' to question children about parental characteristics, found lower levels of missing data among children compared to parents and `(very) good' levels of agreement (as indicated by the Kappa statistic) about both economic activity and occupation. These results, which were similar for boys and girls and those in different material and family circumstances, also suggest that children may sometimes provide more valid reports than parents themselves. Under particular fieldwork conditions, therefore, children as young as 11 from diverse social backgrounds can provide reliable, and possibly very valid, reports of parental socio-economic characteristics. With few additional resources, most studies of child only informants could reproduce that study's fieldwork procedures to obtain good data on social class.
Towards a Sociological Understanding of Mental Well-Being among the Unemployed: The Role of Economic and Psychosocial Factors
Authors: Nordenmark Mikael , Strandh Mattias
Published: March 2007

Classic research on unemployment and mental health has focused on the functions of employment. These functions are considered to be of equal importance for all unemployed. A critique of this perspective has been that it views the unemployed as passive and homogeneous. Instead, an agency approach has been suggested, which focuses on the individual goals of the unemployed. This paper develops and tests a model for understanding the differentiated mental consequences of unemployment, which on a theoretical level integrates both the structural restrictions of the unemployment situation and the agency of the individual. The model is based on previous findings which indicate that mental well-being is dependent on the economic need for employment, on the one hand, and on the psychosocial need for employment, on the other hand. The model integrates both these aspects and the results show that the combined effect is of central importance for the differentiated mental well-being of the unemployed. The analysis is based on a longitudinal survey of 3,500 randomly selected, unemployed Swedes.
Randomized evaluation trial on automation-assisted screening for cervical cancer: Results after 777,000 invitations
Authors: Nieminen Pekka , Kotaniemi-Talonen Laura , Hakama Matti , Tarkkanen Jussi , Martikainen Jorma , Toivonen Terttu , Ikkala Jorma , Anttila Ahti
Published: March 2007

Objectives: New cervical screening methods have been developed. They seem to become accepted in routine use without randomized trials, within existing screening programmes. Our aim was to evaluate, in a randomized setting, the performance of automation-assisted cytological screening in routine use compared with conventional Papanicoalou (Pap) screening.

Setting: This prospective study was based on a 1:2 individually randomized design. Altogether 777,144 women were invited to attend the routine screening programme.

Results: Automation-assisted screening found more Pap class III (LSIL+) findings compared with conventional study arm, relative risk (RR) 1.08 (confidence interval 1.01–1.15). Also, detection rates of verified pre-cancers were more common in automation-assisted arm, RR 1.11 (1.02–1.21).

Conclusions: Automation-assisted screening performed well compared with conventional screening. The difference was smaller than reported in non-randomized studies. A new technique may assume several years to reach the ultimate quality and can add costs without improving efficacy. Follow-up of prevented cervical cancers is required.
Signal‐to‐noise ratio comparison between surface coils and implanted coils
Authors: Arnder Lance L. , Shattuck Mark D. , Black Robert D. , Fitzsimons Elaine G.
Published: March 2007

The signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) from implanted coils is widely known to be superior to that from surface coils. This article addresses the quantitative aspects of this improvement by explicitly evaluating the magnetic vector potential in a conducting medium of finite extent for both implanted and surface coils. The predictions of the model are tested with actual image data from spin warp experiments on gelatin phantoms. The authors derived a simplified expression that yields the gain in SNR of an implanted coil relative to that of a surface coil and is valid in many practical situations.
Nuclear magnetic resonance imaging of airways in humans with use of hyperpolarized 3He
Authors: Bachert Peter , Schad Lothar R. , Bock Michael , Knopp Michael V. , Ebert Michael , Grobmann Tino , Heil Werner , Hofmann Dirk , Surkau Reinhard , Otten Ernst W.
Published: March 2007

The nuclear spin polarization of noble gases can be enhanced strongly by laser optical pumping followed by electron‐nuclear polarization transfer. Direct optical pumping of metastable 3He atoms has been shown to produce enormous polarization on the order of 0.4–0.6. This is about 105 times larger than the polarization of water protons at thermal equilibrium used in conventional MRI. We demonstrate that hyper‐polarized 3He gas can be applied to nuclear magnetic resonance imaging of organs with air‐filled spaces in humans. In vivo 3He MR experiments were performed in a whole‐body MR scanner with a superconducting magnet ramped down to 0.8 T. Anatomical details of the upper respiratory tract and of the lungs of a volunteer were visualized with the FLASH technique demonstrating the potential of the method for fast imaging of airways in the human body and for pulmonary ventilation studies.
The Concept of Autonomy in Adult Education: A Philosophical Discussion
Authors: Chene Adele
Published: March 2007

The first part of this article analyzes the concept of autonomy in what is called autonomous or self-directed learning within the following areas: pedagogical setting, teacher-learner relationship, and learning activity. The second part consists of a critical examination of that concept of autonomy which emphasizes the role of adults as agents of their own education, free from dependence upon conventional forms of knowledge and traditional pedagogical methods. The conciliatory view of the third part includes in its definition of the autonomy of the learner, besides independence and the will to learn, an awareness of the process of learning and existing norms as well as an ability to make critical judgements.
Learning Styles and Instructional Preferences in Continuing Education for Health Professionals: A Validity Study of the LSI
Authors: Fox Robert D.
Published: March 2007

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the construct validity of the Learning Styles Inventory (LSI). Learning styles of participants in a continuing professional education program were associated with both the evaluative statements learners make about the design of the program and their attitudes toward lecture and small group sections of the program. Fifty-four responses were analyzed using analysis of variance procedures. Learning style as indicated by LSI score was the independent variable. Scores on learning style based evaluative statements index and extent of preference for lecture and small group formats were dependent variables. No significant relationship between learning style of respondent as indicated by the LSI scores and either scores on evaluative statements or preferences for lecture or small group methods was evident. The failure of this study to support the hypotheses was discussed in terms of its implications both for future research using the LSI as well as for basing continuing education design on LSI based learning styles of participants.
A Deductively Derived and Empirically Confirmed Structure of Factors Associated With Dropout in Adult Education
Authors: Garrison D. R.
Published: March 2007

A comprehensive theory of participation in organized adult education must consider at least three types of behaviour—nonparticipation, participation, and dropout. Empirically-based typologies of motivations and deterrents to participation have been developed. No attempt has been made to identify a factor structure of variables associated with dropout. In this study the validity of a theoretically-based typology of variables associated with dropout was empirically tested through factor analysis of variables selected from previous dropout research. There was general confirmation of the typology and similarities and differences to Darkenwald and Valentine's (1985) deterrents construct were noted. The dropout typology could be a valuable aid in guiding future research as well as alerting adult education practitioners to a range of factors that have influenced dropout.
Beyond Motivation: A Model of Registered Nurses' Participation and Persistence in Baccalaureate Nursing Programs
Authors: Thompson Deborah
Published: March 2007

This study explored registered nurses' participation in baccalaureate nursing programs as a holistic phenomenon, focusing on eliciting their perspective of the process. Indepth unstructured interviews were conducted with 18 registered nurses who were at various points in their pursuit of the baccalaureate degree in nursing. Analysis revealed seven themes which were incorporated into a model describing registered nurses' participation in baccalaureate nursing programs. The themes define the primary tasks involved in participation and persistence, and describe factors which influence the achievement of these tasks. The findings identify a new variable involved in participation, increase our understanding of the role played by life transitions in participation, suggest a framework for examining relationships between school and nonschool variables in dropout, and have implications for several aspects of practice.
A Statistical Overview of Americans Abroad
Authors: Rubin Ernest
Published: March 2007

The purpose of this paper is to present contem porary statistical facts about 1.5 million resident Americans abroad. To the extent that the data permit, an exposition is presented along demographic-economic lines. This special seg ment of American nationality differs quite significantly from the territorial population of the United States in many ways. Its age and sex distributions, as well as its occupational, edu cational, and marital characteristics set it apart from the rest of America. It is, nevertheless, a significant population in its own right. For the main part it consists of Americans volun tarily living outside United States territory. This group is the United States abroad, even though it be small and not sta tistically representative of the American people. Perhaps it is because of this that more and better data are needed about these people.
Missionaries Abroad
Authors: Latourette Kenneth Scott
Published: March 2007

The total of Americans serving abroad as mis sionaries has never been as great as in 1966. Almost five sixths are Protestants. An increasing proportion are Roman Catholics. The Communist control has expelled American missionaries from the mainland of China and North Korea, but, with these exceptions, they are in most countries in Asia, Africa, and Latin America, and in Madagascar and the major ity of islands in the Pacific and off the southeast coast of Asia. In most of these regions, the Christian communities which they serve are growing both in numbers and in indigenous leadership. In numerous other ways—medicine and health, education, and agriculture, for example—American mission aries are having an effect on the cultures of the peoples among whom they live. Because of the multiplication of Americans abroad in other occupations, missionaries now constitute a smaller proportion of their countrymen in other lands than in the interval between the two world wars. But they continue to be highly significant.—Ed.
American Students Abroad: Professional versus Personal Development*
Authors: Gullahorn Jeanne E. , Gullahorn John T.
Published: March 2007

Interview and questionnaire data from approxi mately four hundred American students in France and from over five thousand Fulbright and Smith-Mundt grantees pro vide information concerning the sojourners' overseas interac tion and postaward communication experiences as well as their evaluations of the personal development and professional con sequences of their work abroad. Multivariate analyses of the survey data reveal that evaluations of professional develop ment and prestige are closely related to the lecturers', research scholars', and exchange teachers' appraisals of personal de velopment and over-all satisfaction with their sojourns. For students, however, professional and personal development appear to be alternative outcomes of study abroad: those reporting more extensive interaction with host nationals and greater personal development and satisfaction tend to be less settled in adult roles and less committed to academic goals; whereas those indicating that study abroad furthered their professional development and advancement tend to be older, advanced graduate students who incorporated data gathered abroad in dissertations for advanced degrees, enabling them to obtain college faculty positions. Implications of these findings in terms of the goals of agencies sponsoring inter national educational exchange are discussed.
Achieving Change in Educational Policy in American Colleges and Universities
Authors: Ladd Dwight R.
Published: March 2007

Because of an apparent breakdown in the long standing consensus about goals and objectives of higher edu cation, any changes in policies and procedures are likely to be relatively short-lived at best. New goals and objectives may, indeed, lead to new processes for change, but as long as we continue to utilize the traditional, collegial process of decision- making, we should recognize and try to correct certain critical weaknesses in that process. Much more explicit attention must be given to creating awareness of the need for change. An extensive series of policy changes may well involve change in basic educational principles, and however difficult, these changes in principles must be thoroughly discussed and ac cepted. Consideration of a series of policy changes in the collegial setting is a political process, and as such it must be managed if it is to be fruitful. This requires leadership, and leadership is much more likely to be present in decision-making units that are neither very large nor very diverse in terms of goals and objectives.