bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
La promotion de la santé: Une perspective de vie pour les établissements de santé
Authors: Warrick H.J.
Published: July 2010

Bien qu'on n'ait pas demandé à de nombreux services traditionnels de sauté de participer à la promotion de la santé et à la prévention des maladies dans deux déclarations de ministres fédéraux de la Santé et du Bien-être social, nombre d'entre eux ont des programmes bien établis, complémentaires au traitement. Comme il importe d' être en mesure d' évaluer l' efficacité de ces activités, l'auteur propose la création d'un Indice de promotion de la santé et de prévention des maladies (IPP) au sein du système de soins de santé. L'IPP, unfacteur percentile, serait calculé en fonction des services et des programmes, et il fournirait, selon les espoirs exprimés, une échelle de reconnaissance formelle démarquant les établissements traditionnels entre eux.
Regulation and Hospital Strategic Planning in Canada
Authors: Baker G. Ross , Cockerill Rhonda , Charles Catherine , Voelker Cam
Published: July 2010

Constraints on resources push hospitals into strategic planning. Although this process is accelerating in the United States, Canadian hospitals need to approach planning according to the provincial structure. This study included a literature and policy review as well as interviews of key stakeholders. Decisions toward centralized planning versus hospital-initiated development were found to depend on the availability of planning and policy staff, and the views of the elected representatives. Implications for Canadian health care planners were offered.
Surgical Staff Resource Management of the Operating Room
Authors: Germano Constantine Dean
Published: July 2010

Physician involvement in the resource decision-making process has become an increasingly important objective for administrations and boards. The clinical program budget approach was initiated in the operating room as a test case, combining elements of education, peer review and economic incentives. This trial was successful, resulting in greater awareness of costs as well as budget changes. The Victoria Hospital Corporation experience supports the future viability of clinical program budgeting.
Ethics Committees in Canadian Hospitals: Report of the 1990 Pilot Study
Authors: Storch Janet L. , Griener Glenn G.
Published: July 2010

The second phase of a Canada-wide study of ethics committees in English-language hospitals in Canada involved site visits to five selected hospitals to assess the effectiveness of the ethics committee. In this article the findings of this pilot study are reported, including the perspectives of physicians, nurses and hospital administrators on the ethics committee of the various hospitals. The results of the study, albeit limited by being a pilot study, raise a series of questions for hospital administrators, medical administrators and nursing administrators.
Management Training: How Canadian Health Care Organizations Compare
Authors: Loo Robert
Published: July 2010

Management training has been receiving increasing attention over the past decade. The present study reports on a survey of 1,000 randomly selected Canadian organizations having at least 500 employees. Analysis of returns from 56 health care organizations and 169 other Canadian organizations yielded many notable findings. Only 36 percent of health care and 37 percent of other organizations report formal policies and procedures for management training. Fortunately, many health care organizations are evolving toward a more articulated and comprehensive approach to management training; however, the constraint of limited funds for training is frequently cited. Overall, both health care and other Canadian organizations recognize the importance of management training for achieving organizational goals and they are striving to improve such training.
A Review Process for a Hospital at Home
Authors: Russon Neil
Published: July 2010

The field of home health care is the focus of much attention as alternatives to institutionalization are sought. As a result, many types of organizations are now providing home care, health or otherwise, without the guidance of national standards similar to those found in accreditation models for care in an institutional setting. So that stakeholders in New Brunswick can be assured of the quality of the service it provides, the Extra-Mural Hospital has embarked upon the development of a review process which will, to some extent, follow established accreditation models.
Alberta's Acute Care Funding Project
Authors: Jacobs Philip , Hall Edward M. , Lave Judith R. , Glendining Murray
Published: July 2010

Alberta initiated the Acute Care Funding Project (ACFP) in 1988, a new hospital funding system that institutes case mix budgeting adjustments to the global budget so that hospitals can be treated more equitably. The initiative is a significant departure in principle from the former method of funding.

The ACFP is summarized and critiqued, and focuses on the inpatient side of the picture. The various elements of the project are discussed, such as the hospital performance index, the hospital performance measure, the Refined Diagnostic Related Group, case weights, typical and outlier cases, and the costing mechanisms. Since its implementation, the ACFP has undergone substantial changes; these are discussed, as well as some of the problems that still need to be addressed.

Overall, the system offers incentives to reduce length of stay and to increase the efficiency with which inpatient care is provided.
Issues for Consideration in the Establishment of a Program Management Structure
Authors: Harber Bruce W. , Eni Godwin O.
Published: July 2010

In a product management structure, the management of separate products is moved down in the organization to achieve greater participatory management as well as greater effectiveness in the identification of factors most relevant to the survival of the product. For the business industry, managing products as separate entitites enables more effective competition in the marketplace.

This approach has been used in U.S. hospitals in managing programs and services. Described here are the initial attempts at program management undertaken at the Health Sciences Centre in Winnipeg, a highly specialized, provincial 1, 100-bed teaching and referral hospital. Some issues important in developing and implementing the program management approach are discussed.
Women Executives in Canadian Hospitals
Authors: Storch Janet L.
Published: July 2010

Despite a high percentage of female graduates from health services administration (HSA) programs since the late 1970s, there is little evidence that the increase has translated into greater employment for women in the top positions in Canadian hospitals. Results of an analysis of data from a 1987 study of chief executive officers (CEOs) in Canadian hospitals are reported relative to difference by gender. These data show that women CEOs are better educated, more experienced, older and likely to be more mobile than their male counterparts. Several suggestions to increase the acceptance of women into top health administrative positions in hospitals are offered.
Living Wills and Medical Treatment of the Terminally Ill
Authors: Schmeiser Douglas A.
Published: July 2010

A terminally ill individual may sign a living will, which is a document requesting to be allowed to die a natural death, have it witnessed and address this wish to a relative, physician, lawyer or medical facility. No legislation, however, exists in Canada concerning living wills. Consequently, establishing the legal situation is based on both legislative and non-legislative sources.

This article explores implications of the Criminal Code, the application of rules of criminal and civil law, provisions of the Charter, living will legislation in the United States and the power of attorney approach regarding this controversial issue.
The Canadian Hospital Executive Simulation System (CHESS)
Authors: Pink George H. , Knotts Ulysses A. , Parrish Leo G. , Shields Charles A.
Published: July 2010

The Canadian Hospital Executive Simulation System (CHESS) is a computer-based management decision-making game designed specifically for Canadian hospital managers. The paper begins with an introduction on the development of business and health services industry-specific simulation games. An overview of CHESS is provided, along with a description of its development and a discussion of its educational benefits.
Comprehensive Auditing Systems: Potents, Possibilities and Promises in the Health Care Sector
Authors: Caro Denis H.J.
Published: July 2010

This paper examines key issues of comprehensive audit systems in health care in Canada. The concept of comprehensive auditing preparedness is explored and a synopsis of the central challenges are presented. The need for sound accountability structures, strategic effectiveness targets and effectiveness control systems in health care facilities as solid management building blocks is underlined.
Planning for Shared Services: Lessons from Experiences of the Princess Margaret Hospital
Authors: Ratz Johanne E. , Chenoy Neville C. , Morrison Mary Jean
Published: July 2010

The plan to rebuild The Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH) on University Avenue in Toronto has provided several opportunities for institutions in the area to share programs and services. The PMH planning process has raised questions about the factors that influence the development of shared services plans, and the organizational and management challenges posed by such plans. This experience suggests 13 principles to develop effective shared services.
Role Statement: One Hospital's Experience
Authors: O'Connell Petra
Published: July 2010

This article is a case study of a strategic planning process used by one Edmonton teaching hospital to develop a five-year planning document or role statement. In contrast to hospital role statements that are typically composed in the organization by senior personnel, input was sought from other health care providers, affiliated organizations and community groups. The role statement has since been endorsed by the provincial government and is the primary reference document for future funding strategies. General conclusions and observations are offered regarding role statements and their development.
Merger and Medical Staff: An Approach to Integration
Authors: Johnson Michael W. , Coombs Geoffrey W. , Wood Victor M.
Published: July 2010

One of the most important aspects of a hospital merger is the impact on the medical staff. At University Hospital in British Columbia, which was established when two large general teaching hospitals merged, the comprehensive process to reorganize the medical staff structure was designed to account for this impact.

Preliminary indications are that the process used was effective in creating a positive atmosphere and that the fundamental arrangements that resulted are conducive to future development. Although a formal evaluation of the overall integration of the medical staff at University Hospital is some time off, general evaluative criteria are proposed for future application.
Managing for Change: A Departmental Quality Improvement Program (QIP)
Authors: Cyr Linda V.
Published: July 2010

The development and implementation of an integrated Quality Improvement Program (QIP) for the Department of Surgery at The Hospital for Sick Children was approached as a problem-solving process by which departmental managers could bring about change so that actual results would align more closely with desired outcomes. A planned and systematic process was developed, through which managers are able to reach decisions about when and where to make useful changes that result in improved quality of care and services provided.

Three useful techniques were employed: team-building, continuing education and quality circles.
La gestion du changement: Un programme d'amélioration de la qualité (PAQ) du service
Authors: Cyr Linda V.
Published: July 2010

L'élaboration et la mise en oeuvre d'un programme intégré d'amélioration de la qualité (PAQ) au Service de chirurgie du Hospital for Sick Children ont été abordées comme un processus de solution aux problèmes grâce auquel les directeurs de services pourraient apporter des changements de telle sorte que les résultats concrets correspondent davantage aux résultats voulus. Un processus planifié et systématique a été élaboré au moyen duquel les directeurs peuvent prendre des décisions par rapport au moment et au lieu où effectuer des changements utiles qui permettent d'améliorer la qualité des soins et des services offerts.

Trois techniques utiles ont été employées: la constitution d'équipes, la formation permanente et les cercles de qualité.
A Process for Implementation of the Strategic Plan: From Strategic Planning toward Strategic Management
Authors: Chenoy Neville C. , Morrison Mary Jean , Carlow Donald R.
Published: July 2010

Although the principles and process for developing a strategic plan are well established, little information exists on how organizations can implement these plans. The authors developed a framework and methodology for The Ontario Cancer Institute/Princess Margaret Hospital that connects the implementation of the strategic plan with resource allocation and the budget; thus, the budget is a quantified expression of the strategic plan. To accomplish this, a specific cycle of events leading to the development of a corporate calendar was undertaken, which results in the establishment of the annual budget.
Estimating Replacement Costs for Hospital Equipment
Authors: Jacobs Philip , Hall Edward M.
Published: July 2010

This paper presents a methodology for predicting future replacement costs of hospital capital equipment. The methodology is applied to the equipment inventory of a large Canadian teaching hospital.

The authors used forecasted Producer Price Indexes for several equipment categories, and applied them to the estimated equipment replacement needs. The Canadian Management Information System schedule and the American Hospital Association schedule were used to determine the estimates, which varied considerably between the two schedules. However, the test case demonstrated that such estimates can help hospitals to document capital funding needs in relation to available funds.
Occupational Health Services for Hospital Workers: Who Does it Best?
Authors: Yassi Annalee , Gidotti T.L.
Published: July 2010

Occupational health services in hospital do not carry the same clout as clinical departments and are regarded by the medical staff as peripheral functions at best. Although some large teaching hospitals have recognized the need to put occupational health services for employees under medical directors trained in occupational health, most community hospital and long-term care facilities have not. These institutions need to reassess their occupational health program if hospitals, which are committed to healing, are not to be viewed as backward, regressive employers.
Conceptual Models of the Professions and Their Implications for the Professionalization of Health Administration
Authors: Hollander Marcus J. , Campbell Alan
Published: July 2010

The extent to which health administration can be considered a profession is examined in the context of the five major models of the professions in the literature (historical, trait, functional, economic and power). A synthesis of the various models into a proposed integrative model, or typology of occupations, is also presented. Control over entry and control over conduct are identified as the two major dimensions by which the professional status of various occupations is measured. Health administration is seen as a profession in this context, and the prospects for further professionalization are discussed.
Quality Utilization Management: Preliminary Results to a Canadian Approach
Authors: Harrison Fernande P. , Roger W. F. Rick
Published: July 2010

VI-CARE (Victoria Integrated Care Alternative Review and Evaluation) was introduced in 1988 to improve utilization of hospital services while matching patient needs to their care. Objective criteria were used to review admissions: Examination of occupancy, waiting lists, the MedisGroup patient severity index and surgical hours indicate the preliminary success of the program. Formal research is underway, but article two of the two-part series suggests targeted utilization be implemented in conjunction with quality assurance activities.
L'initiative de financement transitoire des hôpitaux ontariens: Aperçu et évaluation
Authors: Lave J.R. , Jacobs P. , Markel F.
Published: July 2010

En 1989 était lancée l'initiative de financement transitoire des hôpitaux, qui incorpore des mesures de groupements de cas dans le mécanisme de financement hospitalier. Cette initiative marque le début d'un principe nouveau, plus objectif, pour calculer le financement des hôpitaux. Aux premiers stades, la croissance progressive et les ajustements d'affectations inter-hospitalières sont apportés aux budgets globaux. Nous décrivons au document le lancement de l'initiative et les formules de financement issues de la première phase. Nous abordons ensuite la question des effets incitatifs et, puisque c'est une initiative en évolution ou transitoire, nous formulons des observations sur plusieurs questions économiques qui découlent de cette nouvelle tentative.
Innovative Revenue Generation
Authors: Pink George H. , Deber Raisa B. , Lavoie Joe N. , Aserlind Eric
Published: July 2010

Innovative revenue generation by Canadian hospitals is drawing increasing attention. After a critical examination of the literature, we classified these into six areas: clinical/diagnostic insured services, clinical/diagnostic non-insured services, hotel services, retail services, administrative services and financial activities.

We concluded that many Canadian hospitals are engaging in innovative revenue generation activities, the success of such activities has been mixed, there are many factors to consider when selecting revenue generation activities, many aspects of innovative revenue generation involve sophisticated business and risk management skills not traditionally required in hospital management, and implementation of many such activities requires support from the hospital board, hospital staff and medical staff.
Hospital Reimbursement in Alberta: Outcomes Management is on the Way
Authors: MacKenzie T.A. , Reynolds D. , Greenaway-Coates A.
Published: July 2010

The Alberta government has initiated a process to alter fundamentally the way it pays hospitals. As with most provinces, Alberta has been paying hospitals for what they spend. The new Alberta model will initially pay hospitals for what they do and ultimately will pay hospitals for what they ought to do; that is, for the outcomes that should be achieved. This article describes the initial step of what is expected to be a lengthy journey.

The principles underlying the model are: it should be a prospective case-based system; there should be performance linkages between types of hospitals; severity should be incorporated into the model; and cost or cost proxies should be used where possible in weight development and clinical concerns, both nursing and medical, should be addressed.

For the past two years funding adjustments have been made on the basis of the calculation of a Hospital Performance Index (HPI). The HPI is the average predicted cost per case divided by the unweighted average actual cost per case. The HPI is intended as an interim measure only. Ultimately, the system will evolve into a true prospective case-based system with volume controlled via role statements and linked to clinical outcomes.
Beyond Four Walls: Ideas and Applications on Regional Planning of Health Care Services
Authors: Weatherill Jeffrey L.
Published: July 2010

This paper received the 1992 Agnew Peckham Literary Prize of the Canadian College of Health Service Executives in recognition of excellence in content and presentation of ideas related to a current issue in the management of health services.
Executive Briefing
Authors: Shields Charles A.
Published: July 2010

Although discussion and debate are continuing on the Free Trade Agreement between Canada and the U.S., implementation is expected to take place on January 1, 1989.

In April 1988, CCHSE hosted a workshop, attended by senior healthcare executives and policy makers, to explore the effects of the Agreement on the Canadian healthcare system.

Participants raised a number of important questions. While some areas might possibly see changes, most views were that, overall, the Free Trade Agreement would not have serious implications. Many also believed that finding ways to market Canada's healthcare expertise in the U.S. and the expected boost in the Canadian economy would be positive aspects of the Agreement.
Sale and Leaseback by Canadian Hospitals: Theory and Practice
Authors: Pink George H. , Hudson Steven K.
Published: July 2010

Currently in Canada, between $3 and $4 billion of assets are financed annually through various forms of leasing, with the sale and leaseback transaction as the common vehicle for larger value asset financing.

Financial theory of sale and leaseback is applied to Canadian hospitals with illustrations of the structure and process of sale and leaseback in practice. The moratorium on sale and leaseback transactions recently imposed by the federal and Ontario governments is also covered.
Psychogeriatric Care: Problems and Challenges
Authors: Rapelje Douglas H.
Published: July 2010

From the aspect of homes for the aged, understanding the needs of the elderly mentally frail is the initial step to providing more suitable conditions. Many of the traditional features of these long-term care facilities need to be questioned and challenged.

Care does not stop at the physical environment, indeed it goes even beyond establishing excellent relationships with the families involved and a caring, well-trained staff. Stress is needed on emphasizing the resident's remaining capacities and skills, not on behavioural problems.
Editorial: Administrative Ethics and Conflicts of Interest
Authors: Stock Richard G.
Published: July 2010

A great deal of healthcare management literature and an increasing amount of newspaper coverage are dealing with the subject of ethics. However, most of this attention is directed at clinical ethics. At the same time, the media have regularly covered alleged scandal or inappropriate behaviour by public officials in all walks of public life. Canadian healthcare executives will undoubtedly become more engrossed in the issue of ethics than ever before. It is both timely and essential for executives and their Boards to address these concerns squarely and develop ethically based policies and procedures for conflicts of interest.
Executive Briefing: Sunnybrook's Matrix Organizational Model—Moving Ahead
Authors: Ellis Peter H. , Gaskin Patrick M.
Published: July 2010

Traditionally, hospitals have denied the true intricacy of their organization by forcing all reporting relationships into a single structure. To address this complexity, Sunnybrook has developed three independent, yet interrelated, organization dimensions. Three structures—the traditional, the clinical unit and the programmatic dimension —provide a better link of accountability by holding departments responsible for the efficiency of their operations, holding physicians accountable for the resource implication of volume and case mix, and ensuring that the activities of the hospital's departments and clinical units are in line with the hospital's overall mission and programs.
Le programme de formation en gestion pour les médecins et pharmaciens à l'Université de Montréal
Authors: Gosselin Roger
Published: July 2010

En 1981, le gouvemement du Québec promulguait une loi qui visait à intégrer davantage les médecins chefs de département clinique à la gestion des hôpitaux. Aussitôt, le département d'administration de la santé de l'Université de Montréal a mis sur pied des sessions intensives de formation en gestion pour ces médecins, À partir de leur début en 1985, 14 sessions ont été offertes à près de 400 médecins. Également, depuis 1985, le ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux du Québec octroie au département une subvention annuelle de 50000 $ garantie jusqu'en 1992. Les responsables de ce programme sont à concevoir un programme semblable pour les personnes qui assument diverses responsabilités à la direction des soins infirmiers.
Sharing Power and Authority
Authors: Dixon Maureen
Published: July 2010

Healthcare for a particular population or community, and providing leadership by general management rather than professional ethics are two major trends appearing in healthcare in Britain, and a parallel can be drawn between its system and Canada's, In Britain, however, partnerships are taking a back seat to personal accountability, and nurses, doctors and administrators are stepping out of their regular roles into general management. When partnerships do form between these groups, it is important that they be between management providing certain services, and not different professions.
Implementing a Value Improvement Process
Authors: Coombs Ralph
Published: July 2010

At Foothills Hospital in summer 1984, physicians, nurses and administrators began working toward a new interdisciplinary partnership and more effective management of resources through a hospital-wide initiative—the Value Improvement Program (VIP). The program has been enormously successful. VIP has helped to streamline procedures, promote teamwork and reduce costs, while simultaneously improving patient care.
Opinion Leadership Amongst Leading Edge Users
Authors: Morrison Pamela D. , Roberts John H. , Midgley David F.
Published: July 2010

Leading Edge Users have been attracting increasing attention in the study of innovation. Their effect is hypothesised to be threefold: in the development of new product concepts; their role in early adoption and thus cash flows for the firm; and acting as a catalyst for the diffusion process. Urban and von Hippel (1988) demonstrate the first, Morrison, Roberts and Midgley (1998) test the second. In this paper we examine the degree of opinion leadership that Leading Edge Users (LEUs) have so we can estimate their potential to do the third.

This paper shows that Leading Edge Status (LES) is related to opinion leadership as long as the organisation is well connected to the network. We found strong evidence that organisations with high LES were more likely to play a bridging role with organisations outside the industry than were Innovators (measured by Rogers’ time of adoption). This implies that LEUs are extremely useful in bringing information about technology into the industry from outside. When this is added to the Opinion Leadership role of LEUs, it is seen that they can play a positive role in speeding up the diffusion process.
Creativity in Print Advertising: A Test of the Remote Associate Matching Model
Authors: Ang Lawrence
Published: July 2010

The aim of this paper is to test a structural model of creativity in print advertising called the Remote Associate Matching (RAM) model. This model states that the essence of creativity lies in being able to associate seemingly remote, or unusual ideas together, such that they are linked to the attribute or benefit of the advertised product. Three essential components of the RAM model are the conveyor (ie. the unusual picture in the ad), the product-representation (ie. the advertised product or service), and the attribute-benefit prompt (ie. the headline or copy).

The main hypothesis is that the more remote the ad, the more likely it is perceived to be creative, provided the target audience can make the attribute or benefit link between the conveyor (ie. the unusual picture in the ad) and the product-representation (ie. the advertised product or service).

In an experiment using 6 print ads for two product categories, three levels of remoteness and two levels of resolution were manipulated. The predicted effect was consistently found across two product categories, thus supporting the new theory.
Whether an Australian Agenda?
Authors: Roberts John H.
Published: July 2010

The question often arises as to whether management disciplines in Australia should encourage a peculiarly Australian stream of research or if Australia should compete on an equal footing on the global research playing field. This paper aims to provide a framework to address that issue with respect to marketing, as well as providing some thoughts on where the profession falls with respect to issues discussed within the framework. By looking at supply side and demand side aspects of market management we are able to get some feel for the pros and cons of participating on the global scene relative to specializing in the local environment.
Increasing the Relevance and Productivity of Academic Research in Marketing in Australia and New Zealand
Authors: Brodie Roderick J.
Published: July 2010

Ways of increasing the relevance and productivity of academic research in marketing in Australia and New Zealand are explored. The recently formed regional organisation ANZMAC provides the infrastructure to help facilitate this. Initiatives include the ANZMAC annual conference and doctoral colloquium and establishing an ANZMAC journal that publishes high quality research. There are also plans to further develop the ANZMAC website so it provides a hub for the networking between researchers. The paper also examines the Marketing Science Institute and the Institute of Business Studies and suggests they provide excellent models for facilitating interaction with business and increasing the relevance of research.
The Effect of Power Bases in the Selection and Purchase of Advertising Agency Services
Authors: Farrell Mark , Schroder Bill
Published: July 2010

This paper examines the power bases used by the most influential person in the buying centre established for the selection of the services of an advertising agency. Findings suggest that expert power and referent power are important determinants of manifest influence. Kohli's (1989) measure of information power is found to be inadequate, and may require a new scale to measure possession and use of information, as opposed to the process of obtaining information.
The Dual Nature of Country-Of-Origin Effects - a Study of Australian Consumers’ Evaluations
Authors: Amonini Claudia , Keogh Julia , Sweeney Jillian C.
Published: July 2010

This study examines the dual effect of country-of-origin (in terms of the country of source or manufacture and country of brand) on Australian consumer evaluations of uni-national and bi-national products. The product selected for this study was an apparel item, a shirt, which can be described as a relatively low involvement product category. The country of manufacture was found to have a dominant influence on product evaluations, suggesting that product quality perceptions generated by the brand do not compensate for the effect on image when production is sourced in less developed countries. Strategic implications are discussed.
Conducting Cross-National Research in Relational Marketing: A Discussion of Methodological Challenges
Authors: Coviello Nicole E.
Published: July 2010

As research in the area of relational marketing evolves, the challenges associated with conducting cross-national investigations need to be considered and understood. Using the framework offered by Nasif et al. (1991), this paper discusses various methodological issues in the context of a research program developed to examine marketing practices within and across five nations: the Contemporary Marketing Practices (CMP) program. The paper describes and critiques the CMP program, and highlights key issues facing researchers interested in examining the nature of contemporary marketing across countries and cultures.
Information Technology and Relationship Marketing: Advances, Incompatibilities, and Opportunities
Authors: Gabbott Mark , Colgate Mark
Published: July 2010

This paper examines the interface between information technology (IT) and relationship marketing. In particular, it aims to ascertain the extent to which relationship marketing and technological development are synchronous in terms of organisational development or asynchronous as some commentators have suggested. To achieve this goal this paper looks at the advances that have been made, the areas where incompatibilities exist between the two fields and the opportunities that are present but have not been fully exploited.
A Preliminary Study of Influential Observation Measurement in K-Means Clustering Procedure
Authors: Kim Jonathan Sungho
Published: July 2010

An influential observation measurement procedure was developed in the context of cluster analysis, and in particular, k-means partitioning procedure (using the Jancey and the Forgy algorithms) adapting the idea of “leave-one-out” method. A computer program called DETLIE was developed and then applied to both synthetic data and empirical data sets to explore the applicability of the developed procedure of influential observation measurement. The results are promising given the exploratory nature of the current study. Directions for future research were also discussed.
Biochemical markers of nutritional status and childhood malaria severity in Cameroon
Authors: Pankoui Mfonkeu Joël Bertrand , Gouado Inocent , Fotso Kuaté Honoré , Zambou Odile , Combes Valéry , Raymond Grau Georges Emile , Amvam Zollo Paul Henri
Published: July 2010

To investigate the part played by undernutrition in malaria severity, some biomarkers of nutritional status were assessed in children with severe malarial anaemia (MA) and cerebral malaria (CM) in comparison with healthy children or those with uncomplicated malaria. Undernutrition was assessed using the weight-for-ageZscore (WAZ). Retinol was determined by HPLC; lipid profile, Ca, Mg and albumin were determined by spectrophotometry. Severe and moderate undernutritions were more prevalent in children with MA and those with the combined symptoms of CM and MA, but not in those with CM alone. Some perturbations were noticed in the lipid profile, but most of the values remained within the normal ranges. The risk of vitamin A deficiency, as assessed by plasma retinol concentration, was noteworthy in children with severe malaria: 0·48 × 10− 6and 0·50 × 10− 6 mol/l, respectively, in children with MA and CM (reference value: >0·7 × 10− 6 mol/l). A significant difference was obtained for retinol values after an ANOVA of all the groups (P = 0·0029), with the value in the MA group being significantly low than that in the control group (P < 0·05); likewise, a significant difference was obtained after comparison of all the groups for Mg and albumin (P = 0·0064 and 0·0082, respectively). Despite their low number (n6), fatal cases of CM had a normal mean WAZ on admission, but low values of retinol, albumin and HDL:LDL ratio. Despite these associations, undernutrition itself did not appear to be a primary factor associated with fatal outcome.
Antidiabetic effects of bitter gourd extracts in insulin-resistant db/db mice
Authors: Klomann Sandra D. , Mueller Andreas S. , Pallauf Josef , Krawinkel Michael B.
Published: July 2010

Bitter gourd (BG,Momordica charantia) exerts proven blood glucose- and body weight-lowering effects. To develop an effective and safe application, it is necessary to identify the bioactive compounds and biochemical mechanisms responsible for these effects in type 2 diabetes. A total of forty-five 4-week-old male db/db mice were assigned to five groups of nine each. The mice were given sterile tap water as a control, a whole fruit powder, the lipid fraction, the saponin fraction or the hydrophilic residue of BG at a daily oral dosage of 150 mg/kg body weight for 5 weeks, respectively. Weight gain was significantly decreased in all the BG-treated groups (P ≤ 0·05). Glycated Hb levels were the highest in the control mice compared with all the four BG-treated mice (P = 0·02). The lipid fraction had the strongest effect, and it tended (P = 0·075) to reduce glycated Hb levels from 9·3 % (control mice) to 8·0 % (lipid fraction-treated mice). The lipid and saponin fractions reduced lipid peroxidation of adipose tissue significantly (P ≤ 0·01). Additionally, the saponin fraction and the lipid fraction reduced protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP 1B) activity in skeletal muscle cytosol by 25 % (P = 0·05) and 23 % (P = 0·07), respectively. PTP 1B is the physiological antagonist of the insulin signalling pathway. Inhibition of PTP 1B increases insulin sensitivity. This is the first study to demonstrate that BG is involved in PTP 1B regulation, and thus explains one possible biochemical mechanism underlying the antidiabetic effects of BG in insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes.
Sulfur volatiles from Allium spp. affect Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Psyllidae), response to citrus volatiles
Authors: Mann R.S. , Rouseff R.L. , Smoot J.M. , Castle W.S. , Stelinski L.L.
Published: July 2010

The Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri Kuwayama, vectors Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (Las) and Candidatus Liberibacter americanus (Lam), the presumed causal agents of huanglongbing. D. citri generally rely on olfaction and vision for detection of host cues. Plant volatiles from Allium spp. (Alliaceae) are known to repel several arthropod species. We examined the effect of garlic chive (A. tuberosum Rottl.) and wild onion (A. canadense L.) volatiles on D. citri behaviour in a two-port divided T-olfactometer. Citrus leaf volatiles attracted significantly more D. citri adults than clean air. Volatiles from crushed garlic chive leaves, garlic chive essential oil, garlic chive plants, wild onion plants and crushed wild onion leaves all repelled D. citri adults when compared with clean air, with the first two being significantly more repellent than the others. However, when tested with citrus volatiles, only crushed garlic chive leaves and garlic chive essential oil were repellent, and crushed wild onions leaves were not.

Analysis of the headspace components of crushed garlic chive leaves and garlic chive essential oil by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry revealed that monosulfides, disulfides and trisulfides were the primary sulfur volatiles present. In general, trisulfides (dimethyl trisulfide) inhibited the response of D. citri to citrus volatiles more than disulfides (dimethyl disulfide, allyl methyl disulfide, allyl disulfide). Monosulfides did not affect the behaviour of D. citri adults. A blend of dimethyl trisulfide and dimethyl disulfide in 1:1 ratio showed an additive effect on inhibition of D. citri response to citrus volatiles. The plant volatiles from Allium spp. did not affect the behaviour of the D. citri ecto-parasitoid Tamarixia radiata (Waterston). Thus, Allium spp. or the tri- and di-sulphides could be integrated into management programmes for D. citri without affecting natural enemies.
A review ofPachyvaranus crassispondylusArambourg, 1952, a pachyostotic marine squamate from the latest Cretaceous phosphates of Morocco and Syria
Authors: HOUSSAYE ALEXANDRA , BARDET NATHALIE , RAGE JEAN-CLAUDE , PEREDA SUBERBIOLA XABIER , BOUYA BAÂDI , AMAGHZAZ MBAREK , AMALIK MOHAMED
Published: July 2010

The discovery of new specimens ofPachyvaranus crassispondylusArambourg, 1952 from the Maastrichtian phosphates of Morocco and Syria enables us to (1) redescribe in detail this poorly known varanoid lizard, (2) provide a more detailed diagnosis and (3) re-evaluate the systematic affinities of this taxon within squamates. The latter is placed in Pachyvaranidae nov., considered a new unranked clade of non-pythonomorph Varanoidea. The intense pachyosteosclerosis observed in the vertebrae and ribs suggests a primarily aquatic mode of life forPachyvaranus. This is in accordance with the sedimentological context (shallow marine environment). As for its palaeobiogeographical distribution,Pachyvaranusis a component of the marine reptile assemblages from the southern margin of the Mediterranean Tethys, around palaeolatitudes 20° N. The osteoderms previously referred to this taxon by Arambourg are reanalysed and assigned to a teleost fish.
Planar inviscid flows in a channel of finite length: washout, trapping and self-oscillations of vorticity
Authors: GOVORUKHIN V. N. , MORGULIS A. B. , VLADIMIROV V. A.
Published: July 2010

The paper addresses the nonlinear dynamics of planar inviscid incompressible flows in the straight channel of a finite length. Our attention is focused on the effects of boundary conditions on vorticity dynamics. The renowned Yudovich's boundary conditions (YBC) are the normal component of velocity given at all boundaries, while vorticity is prescribed at an inlet only. The YBC are fully justified mathematically: the well posedness of the problem is proven. In this paper we study general nonlinear properties of channel flows with YBC. There are 10 main results in this paper: (i) the trapping phenomenon of a point vortex has been discovered, explained and generalized to continuously distributed vorticity such as vortex patches and harmonic perturbations; (ii) the conditions sufficient for decreasing Arnold's and enstrophy functionals have been found, these conditions lead us to the washout property of channel flows; (iii) we have shown that only YBC provide the decrease of Arnold's functional; (iv) three criteria of nonlinear stability of steady channel flows have been formulated and proven; (v) the counterbalance between the washout and trapping has been recognized as the main factor in the dynamics of vorticity; (vi) a physical analogy between the properties of inviscid channel flows with YBC, viscous flows and dissipative dynamical systems has been proposed; (vii) this analogy allows us to formulate two major conjectures (C1 and C2) which are related to the relaxation of arbitrary initial data to C1: steady flows, and C2: steady, self-oscillating or chaotic flows; (viii) a sufficient condition for the complete washout of fluid particles has been established; (ix) the nonlinear asymptotic stability of selected steady flows is proven and the related thresholds have been evaluated; (x) computational solutions that clarify C1 and C2 and discover three qualitatively different scenarios of flow relaxation have been obtained.
Lattice Boltzmann method for direct numerical simulation of turbulent flows
Authors: CHIKATAMARLA S. S. , FROUZAKIS C. E. , KARLIN I. V. , TOMBOULIDES A. G. , BOULOUCHOS K. B.
Published: July 2010

We present three-dimensional direct numerical simulations (DNS) of the Kida vortex flow, a prototypical turbulent flow, using a novel high-order lattice Boltzmann (LB) model. Extensive comparisons of various global and local statistical quantities obtained with an incompressible-flow spectral element solver are reported. It is demonstrated that the LB method is a promising alternative for DNS as it quantitatively captures all the computed statistics of fluid turbulence.
Variation in contrastive phonation in Santa Ana Del Valle Zapotec
Authors: Esposito Christina M.
Published: July 2010

The present study sets out to investigate variation due to gender, F0, and/or prosodic position in Santa Ana del Valle Zapotec (Oto-Manguean), a language with phonemically breathy, modal and creaky vowels, each associated with a tone. Male and female speakers produced words in five prosodic positions: isolation (with focus, F0 higher than sentence-medial position), initial (focused, high F0), isolation (without focus, mid-range F0), medial (mid-range F0), final (lower F0). Two acoustic measures of phonation, H1-H2 and H1-A3, were made for each vowel. Results were inconclusive as to whether one gender was creakier or breathier than the other, though they did suggest that there was a difference in theproductionof phonation. In addition, there was also a strong effect of F0 on phonation, but not of position independently of F0. While the three-way phonation contrast was present in all five prosodic positions, it was not always well-defined. The contrast was minimized in isolation with focus (high F0) and initial position (high F0). The results obtained indicate that there is variation in phonation, even in a language with contrastive phonation.
Bengali (Bangladeshi Standard)
Authors: Khan Sameer ud Dowla
Published: July 2010

Bengali ( /baŋla/) is an Indo-European language (Indic branch) spoken by over 175 million people in Bangladesh and eastern India (Dasgupta 2003: 352; Lewis 2009). The speech illustrated below is representative of the standard variety widely spoken in Dhaka and other urban areas of Bangladesh.
Compliance among weak states: Africa and the counter-terrorism regime
Authors: WHITAKER BETH ELISE
Published: July 2010

This article examines levels of compliance with the counter-terrorism regime in Africa, where weak states might have been expected to conform. Instead, even under American pressure, some governments have seized the anti-terrorism rhetoric while others have been more reluctant. A comparative analysis of Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda demonstrates that domestic political factors largely explain this variation; compliance is highest in countries with the least democratic institutions and minimal mobilisation of domestic constituencies. Aid dependence and the perception of a terrorist threat also play a role. To the extent that popular pressures in transitional democracies reduce compliance, the article raises questions about the legitimacy and effectiveness of the counter-terrorism regime.
Do newly formed word representations encode non-criterial information?
Authors: CURTIN SUZANNE
Published: July 2010

Lexical stress is useful for a number of language learning tasks. In particular, it helps infants segment the speech stream and identify phonetic contrasts. Recent work has demonstrated that infants aged 1 ; 0 can learn two novel words differing only in their stress pattern. In the current study, we ask whether infants aged 1 ; 0 store stress information in their representations of words even when it not required for the task. To this end, we taught infants novel, three-syllable word–object pairings. At test, we manipulated the word by presenting infants with forms that shared the stress pattern of the familiar words but differed in the segments, and forms that shared the segments of the familiar word but differed in the stress pattern. Our findings reveal that infants' representations of new words include word-level stress information and do not simply contain the information critical for distinguishing between different forms.
Clinicians' Attitudes Towards the Use of Computerized Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (cCBT) with Children and Adolescents
Authors: Stallard Paul , Richardson Thomas , Velleman Sophie
Published: July 2010

Background: Research has begun to examine the effectiveness of computerized cognitive behaviour therapy (cCBT) with children and adolescents. Although cCBT appears promising, the attitudes of clinicians towards this type of intervention with children and young people have not been assessed, yet these are important in determining when and if cCBT will be offered. Aims: To survey clinicians’ attitudes towards cCBT with children and adolescents. Method: A self-report questionnaire was completed by 43 mental health professionals attending a conference. Results: Clinicians were cautious but generally positive about the use of cCBT with children and adolescents, particularly for the delivery of prevention programmes and in the treatment of mild/moderate problems. Few felt that cCBT should be available freely online without any professional support. Indeed, the lack of a therapeutic relationship and professional support were identified as the biggest problems, whilst the potential to use cCBT at home was the greatest advantage identified. Conclusions: This survey suggests that clinicians are generally positive about the use of cCBT with children and adolescents for the prevention and treatment of mild/moderate problems. Further research is required to address clinicians’ concerns about the effectiveness of cCBT for more substantial problems and the level of therapeutic support required.