bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Some Remarks on Splines
Authors: McCutcheon J. J.
Published: July 2016

Although detailed proofs of certain of the more elegant fundamental properties of splines are sometimes non-trivial, the basic underlying ideas are very simple indeed. With a modern computer it is easy to implement the methods described in this paper. Many computer libraries will include optimisation and spline subroutines which can be combined conveniently for this purpose. (For example, several of the calculations in this paper were carried out with the aid of NAG library facilities.)
Indexing Long-Term Financial Contracts
Authors: Wilkie A. D.
Published: July 2016

Synopsis

The prime purpose of the paper is to present the case for the issue of longterm index-linked stocks by the government and by other borrowers, for the issue of index-linked life assurance and annuity contracts by life offices and for the index-linking of pension scheme benefits, all of which the author believes are possible and would be beneficial to all parties.

Part 1 of the paper uses the methods of statistical time-series analysis to study the way in which inflation has behaved in the U.K. over the long period 1661 to 1980 and over various shorter and more recent periods. While prices were far from static in the period up to 1914 the average change was nevertheless almost nil. However, during the 20th century prices have generally risen and in recent years this rise has accelerated. It is possible that the series has become unstable, and hyperinflation will result. It is certain that no one statistical model can satisfactorily “explain” the movements of prices. Future uncertainty is now very great.

The author concludes from this that index-linking oflong-termcontracts, i.e. adjusting for price changes after they have occurred, is more satisfactory to both parties to the contract than to guess at a single fixed inflation rate and build that into the contract.

Part 2 discusses the issue of long-term index-linked government stocks. It demonstrates the uncertainty attached to fixed interest borrowing and lending, and the harmful effect on the future PSBR of the government's present funding methods. The author discusses the Wilson Committee's view on index-linking, and supports their suggestions of tax changes to make practicable the issue by companies of index-linked loan stocks. Index-linked house purchase loans are also advocated.

In Part 3 the author presents the advantages to life offices and their policyholders of policies with index-linked premiums and benefits, and discusses some of the complications of such policies, in particular the tax obstructions for certain types of policy.

In Part 4 the author suggests that index-linked pensions are both desirable and possible for all pension schemes, not only those in the public sector, though possibly they should start at a reduced level. Evidence is presented to show that “negative real returns” on ordinary share investment were a temporary aberration of the mid 1970s, and that in more recent years ordinary shares have shown very satisfactory real returns, which may very well continue. Ordinary shares have nothing to fear from index-linked stocks, and pension funds should be able to earn satisfactory real returns on any assets other than long-term fixed interest stocks.
Some Applications of the Poisson Distribution in Mortality Studies
Authors: Scott W. F.
Published: July 2016

Let θx, denote the number of deaths (from all causes or a certain cause) at age x last birthday arising from the central exposed to risk Ecx. We show that, under certain conditions, θx, has approximately a Poisson distribution with parameter

where μy denotes the force of mortality at age y. This result is applied to find confidence intervals for the true central death rate, to estimate the distribution of the cost of claims and the expected death strain.

The frequently-used actuarial formula

where A is the actual deaths and E the expected deaths, is found to hold in large investigations, as is the alternative (but generally less accurate) formula
A Financial Framework for Pension Funds
Authors: McLeish D. J. D.
Published: July 2016

1.1. This paper is written at a time when, I believe, the greatest challenge facing actuaries engaged in pension work is to communicate.

1.2. We must communicate with Trustees, with members, with employers, with Government, with accountants, with the O.P.B., with the S.F.O. and, through the media, with public opinion: we must also communicate with each other.
On Estimating the Force of Mortality
Authors: McCutcheon J. J.
Published: July 2016

If x1<x2<…<xn and the values of lx1, lx2,…, lxn are given, we may wish to estimate the value of the force of mortality at a particular age xi. Two alternative methods of estimation, each used in standard tables, are discussed in some detail.

The most general estimates for each method are given by equations (13) and (22) above, the coefficients {cij} in these equations being defined by equation (11).

In the particular case of consecutive ages, the relevant estimates are given by equations (14) and (23). In this case the values of {cij} for n = 3, 5, 7, and 9 are contained in Tables 1—4 above.
The Solvency of Life Assurance Companies
Authors: Hardie A. C. , Limb A. P. , Loades D. H. , Lumsden I. C. , Mason D. C. , Pollock G. , Robertson E. S. , Scott W. F. , Wilkie A. D.
Published: July 2016

1.1.1. In October 1980 the Council of the Faculty of Actuaries set up a Working Party with the following brief:—

(1) To investigate the criteria by which the solvency of life assurance companies should be assessed and to determine the amount of the solvency margin which should be required in practice by supervisory authorities. The existing requirements of the E.E.C. Life Establishment Directive should be considered with a view to recommending any desirable alterations thereto to be made when those requirements are reviewed in due course by the E.E.C. Commission. In carrying out its work the Working Party should co-operate with Working Parties or Committees of other actuarial bodies.

(2) To report the result of their investigations to Council.
A Stochastic Investment Model for Actuarial Use
Authors: Wilkie A. D.
Published: July 2016

1.1. The purpose of this paper is to present to the actuarial profession a stochastic investment model which can be used for simulations of “possible futures” extending for many years ahead. The ideas were first developed for the Maturity Guarantees Working Party (MGWP) whose report was published in 1980. The ideas were further developed in my own paper “Indexing Long Term Financial Contracts” (1981). However, these two papers restricted themselves to a consideration of ordinary shares and of inflation respectively, whereas in this paper I shall present what seems to me to be the minimum model that might be used to describe the total investments of a life office or pension fund.
Investment Facts and Fancies
Authors: Marshall J. B.
Published: July 2016

1.1. All speculative activities seem to breed deeply-held but unsupported beliefs. Some of these, for example in horse-racing, might be expected to relate to natural laws and be susceptible to analysis, which they do not normally receive. Others, such as any so-called system for winning at roulette, can be dismissed without observation.
Experiments in Graduating the Data for the English Life Tables (No. 14)
Authors: McCutcheon J. J.
Published: July 2016

By courtesy of the Government Actuary, the preliminary data relating to the proposed English Life Tables (No. 14) were made available to the author. In this paper we describe briefly the graduation of the underlying crude mortality rates by cubic splines and give an outline of the salient features of the graduations finally adopted. Complete details of the English Life Tables are given in reference 1, which also includes historical comparisons.
Merging Life Funds
Authors: Hunter J. R. , Jones E. J.
Published: July 2016

1.1. This paper developed from an earlier paper given by the authors to the New Zealand Society of Actuaries. The authors were involved in acquisitions and mergers at a time when there was very little actuarial literature on the subject. Since then, the 1980 International Congress of Actuaries had as one of its subjects “Estimating the Value of Insurance Companies and Portfolios” and a wealth of papers appeared on the subject of pricing life funds. However, the aspect of merging life funds does not appear to have been covered to the same extent.
The Life Associations' Inter-Office Expense Investigation
Authors: Luffrum G. G. , O'Leary A. G. , Shedden A. D.
Published: July 2016

1.1.1. In the course of the discussion of the paper by Praetz at the International Congress of Actuaries in Sydney, reference was made to the existence of the ongoing Expense Investigation conducted amongst life offices in the United Kingdom. Considerable interest was aroused and it was subsequently suggested that a paper describing this investigation be presented to the actuarial bodies in order that data on life office costs might be made available to the profession and its significance discussed. In agreeing to present such a paper the authors considered that its scope should be extended to include a study of the attitudes of offices and actuaries to expense analysis and control and of the uses made by offices and actuaries of the results of the Expense Investigation and other expense analyses.
Bonus Rates, Valuation and Solvency During the Transition Between Higher and Lower Investment Returns
Authors: Forfar D. O. , Milne R. J. H. , Muirhead J. R. , Paul D. R. L. , Robertson A. J. , Robertson C. M. , Scott H. J. A. , Spence H. G.
Published: July 2016

1.1. The work for the paper was carried out by the authors as members of the Bonus and Valuation Research Group of the Faculty of Actuaries. The previous paper produced as a result of work done in the Bonus Research Group (Studies of Reversionary Bonus using a Model Office, TFA 37, 91) used a deterministic model office. Future interest rates and returns from equity investment were assumed known and the effects on reversionary bonus of variations in the valuation bases, rates of expansion and inflation of expenses were examined. The assumption of an exact knowledge of future investment returns was a great simplification and begged many of the important questions facing a life office actuary. In this paper the Research Group has paid attention to the change in the value of the assets under variations in financial conditions.
On the Measurement of Infant Mortality
Authors: McCutcheon J. J.
Published: July 2016

In England and Wales prior to 1956 annual estimates for the infant mortality rate q0 were obtained as the quotient of an observed number of deaths and an exposure calculated by reference to the related births. Since 1956, however, infant mortality rates have been measured as the ratio of the numbers of deaths and births in a given calendar year (cf. reference 4, Part I, supplement to Table 24).
A Note on Varying Rates of Interest
Authors: Scott W. F.
Published: July 2016

Synopsis

Let us suppose, for the purpose of calculating premium rates, that interest rates will not fall below those of the straight lines from their present value io to in in n years' time (in < io), thereafter remaining constant at in. On the basis of this assumption we derive formulae for the (minimum) effective rates of interest on single and annual premium contracts of term m years (m ≤ n, or m > n) and give examples in which gross interest rates fall from 8%, 9%, 10%, 11%, to 4½% in 40 years' time, and other examples. We conclude with a discussion of modifications to the term of the contracts which enable our results to be used for pure endowments, with-return endowments, endowment assurances, deferred annuities and other policies in life assurance and pensions business, and we mention some objections to our methods.

Our thanks are due to C. M. Stewart, F.I.A., F.S.S., for suggesting some improvements to this note.
Accounting for Inflation—Recent Proposals and Their Effects
Authors: Parker P. W. , Gibbs P. M. D.
Published: July 2016

Synopsis

A time-honoured convention in accounting has been that accounts should be based on historic cost, with all items being recorded in terms of the purchasing power of the pound at the date of each transaction. In a period of rapid inflation, accounts on the traditional basis become distorted and dangerously misleading. The authors describe the theory and practice of the proposals of the Accounting Standards Steering Committee for current purchasing power accounting and examine replacement cost accounting, comprehensively applied, as an alternative. They point out the advantages, despite somewhat greater practical difficulties, of current value accounting. A sample of large United Kingdom companies is analysed and the effect on their earnings of the A.S.S.C.'s proposals is estimated where these figures are not already published. Share price movements by different industry sectors over the last five years are examined in relation to changes in earnings on inflation accounting principles. It is stressed that gaining from inflation accounting is not the same as gaining from inflation, and that liquidity is a separate question. Problems of taxation (notably on stock appreciation) are discussed and practice in other countries is mentioned, as are the implications for price controls, trade unions, and indexation. The authors hope that the Sandilands Committee on Company Accounts and Inflation will find a convincing case for inflation-adjusted accounts to form the basis for taxation and price controls. They look forward to the gradual abandonment of historiccost accounts, regarding the proposals of the A.S.S.C. as a desirable but imperfect first step, and urge that meantime investors and creditors should make their own estimates of the impact of inflation on particular companies.
The Interaction Between State and Occupational Pension Schemes in the United Kingdom
Authors: McBride W. B.
Published: July 2016

Synopsis

The paper discusses the implications of the Social Security Pensions Act 1975 and associated Regulations for occupational pension scheme design and finance. Firstly, a general preface deals with currently topical matters. Secondly, integration of State and Occupational Schemes as practised up to the present time is described. Next, integration in future, whether contracted in or contracted out, is considered from the scheme design point of view, and some problems are mentioned. Finally, the financial background to the contracting-out conditions is described and some evaluation made of the terms available.
Life Assurance Accounting and the Sandilands Report
Authors: Lundie W.
Published: July 2016

Synopsis

The paper considers the possible application of the system of Current Cost Accounting proposed by the Inflation Accounting Committee (the Sandilands Committee) to the accounts of life assurance funds and pension funds. The author concludes that, while it is practicable and possibly desirable that the method of valuing assets leading to Revenue Account and Balance Sheet should conform with generally accepted accounting principles and be capable of independent audit, the nature of funds securing long term financial obligations is such that a complete accounting picture is only possible if the system is converted to a system of Present Value Accounting by the actuary in his Report. In the second part of the paper, the author makes suggestions regarding the presentation of results by the actuary.
Some Thoughts on Solvency of Life Assurance Companies
Authors: Baker A. C. , Graham N. S.
Published: July 2016

Synopsis

In recent years, the insolvency of Life Assurance Companies has become a subject of practical importance to the actuarial profession. In April 1976 Mr. Peter Shore, then Secretary of State, stated in this connection that “prevention is better than cure”. The authors of this paper contend that prevention has been neglected because of the more immediate problems of recognition when insolvency is reached and the action required after the event.

After some comments upon the legislation, the authors discuss the role of the Appointed Actuary. They then consider the main causes of insolvency, and suggest that the basic cause of the recent financial difficulties of certain Life Offices was rapid expansion based upon inadequate capital and free reserves. The paper argues the need for explicit solvency margins in preference to implicit ones and proposes a method for determining the capital base of a life office and the maximum growth rates which can be supported.
On Graduation By Mathematical Formula.
Authors: Forfar D. O. , McCutcheon J. J. , Wilkie A. D.
Published: July 2016

In the course of work undertaken as members of the Executive Committee of the Continuous Mortality Investigation Bureau in the preparation of graduated tables of mortality for the experiences of 1979–82, we have had occasion to make use of and develop a number of statistical techniques with which actuaries may not be familiar, and which are not fully discussed in the current textbook by Benjamin & Pollard (1980), though some of them have been referred to in previous papers by the CMI Committee (1974, 1976). We therefore felt that it would be useful to the profession if we were to present these methods comprehensively in one paper. We do this with the permission of the other members of the CMI Committee, who do not, however, take responsibility for what follows, whether good or bad.
Proposals for the Statutory Basis of Valuation of the Liabilities of Linked Long-Term Insurance Business.
Authors: Fine A. E. M. , Headdon C. P. , Hewitson T. W. , Johnson C. M. , Lumsden I. C. , Maple M. H. , O'Keeffe P. J. L. , Pook P. J. , Purchase D. E. , Robinson D. G.
Published: July 2016

1.1 The background to the production of this paper is somewhat involved, but is necessary for an understanding of why it contains what it does. Readers who are familiar with recent developments in the valuation field may proceed straight to Section 2.

1.2 Statutory valuations of long-term insurance business under the Insurance Companies Act 1982 (“the Act”, which superseded the 1974 and 1981 Acts) and the Insurance Companies Regulations 1981 (“the current Regulations”) have now been prepared by actuaries for some years. Similarly the guidance issued by the profession to Appointed Actuaries, specifically GN1 and GN8, has also remained substantially unchanged over that period. The time was opportune for valuation practice to be reviewed in the light of recent experience.
Marketing of Retail Financial Services.
Authors: Iqbal M
Published: July 2016

1.1 In recent years insurance companies have begun to employ marketing techniques in search of greater success in an increasingly competitive market place. Several companies have Marketing Departments. However, those who have used marketing techniques most efficiently are not necessarily those with the largest departments.

1.2 Too often marketing is confused with promotion which is but one facet of a multi-faceted discipline. Another common mistake is to regard marketing as a subset of selling. This is understandable because most senior marketing appointments in the insurance industry have gone to people with a sales background. Levitt in his classic article Marketing Myopia inHarvard Business Reviewsaid:

“Selling focuses on the needs of the seller; marketing on the needs of the buyer. Selling is preoccupied with the seller's need to convert his product into cash; marketing with the idea of satisfying the needs of the customer by means of the product and the whole cluster of things associated with creating, delivering and finally consuming it.

The selling concept starts with the company's existing products and calls for heavy promotion and selling to achieve profitable sales. The marketing concept is a customers' needs and wants orientation backed by integrated marketing effort aimed at generating customer satisfaction as a key to satisfying customer goals.

The determination of what is to be produced should not be in the hands of the companies but in the hands of the customers. The companies produce what the consumers want and in this way maximize consumer welfare and earn their profits.”
The Appointed Actuary.
Authors: Johnston Edward A.
Published: July 2016

1.1 A paper about the Appointed Actuary is essentially a paper about prudential supervision of life insurance companies. The system which has operated in the UK since the mid-1970's is only partly one of Government supervision. Through the professional role of the Appointed Actuary, it also contains elements of a system of self-regulation with the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries standing in place of SRO's. Unlike the self-regulatory arrangements of the Financial Services Act. though, this second part of the system has grown up by custom and practice and in certain respects it is not codified. However it enables the Insurance Companies Act to be operated successfully.
Improving the Performance of Equity Portfolios.
Authors: Clarkson R. S. , Plymen J.
Published: July 2016

This paper has the strictly practical objective of devising procedures for managing Equity portfolios to the best advantage.

First, Modern Portfolio Theory, (MPT) which has been developed over the last 35 years with just this objective, is critically examined; from a study of the history of MPT and of its philosophy, principles and practices, the authors conclude that this discipline makes no contribution whatever to improving the performance.
Reflections on Resilience: Some Considerations of Mismatching Tests, with Particular Reference to Non-Linked Long-term Insurance Business
Authors: Purchase D. E. , Fine A. E. M. , Headdon C. P. , Hewitson T. W. , Johnson C. M. , Lumsden I. C. , Maple M. H. , O'Keeffe P. J. L. , Pook P. J. , Robinson D. G.
Published: July 2016

The paper considers the valuation for solvency purposes of traditional long-term insurance business. It concentrates on without-profit business, and discusses the reserves that are required to protect against the contingency of sudden adverse changes in asset values (the ‘mismatching’ or ‘resilience’ test). The details of a suitable test, and a method of applying it in practice using a ‘matching rectangle’, are described. Investigations into the effectiveness of such a test, using both deterministic and stochastic methods, are followed by concluding remarks on the underlying philosophical issues raised.

Full numerical results are presented in the Appendices.
A Marketing Audit of the Actuarial Profession
Authors: Milne Ray J. H. , Bagot Gordon M. , Buchanan Alasdair C. , Goodman Alan R. , Gupta Ashok K. , Horn Iain G. , Lee Stewart F. , Porch Bob , Thomson Ian J.
Published: July 2016

1.1.1 The Faculty of Actuaries' Marketing Research Group was set up in May 1988 to research areas of interest to that new breed of Fellow, the “Marketing Actuary”.

In the initial meetings two general areas of interest were identified—namely the marketing of the actuarial profession, and the marketing of financial services products.

Whilst the group has spent time on both subjects this first paper is concerned with the marketing of the actuarial profession.

1.1.2 We felt that the starting point for a marketing audit of the profession was to conduct research amongst the members. In addition we have investigated the coverage achieved by the profession in the media, and looked into developments in North America, including a survey which ranked the actuarial profession against other forms of employment.
A Matter for Professional Judgement in the Matter of the Perfect Profits PLC Pension Scheme
Authors: MacNeill James , Stephens J. L. , Ross T. M.
Published: July 2016

In giving their advice, actuaries form part of a complex series of interlocking relationships – pensions advice must take account of the Trust Deed, the Faculty's and the Institute's Rules of Professional Conduct and the law.

The law is paramount as interpreted by judges. Lawyers and judges have little difficulty in investigating transactions of many years ago – what was deemed normal and proper by actuaries then could well not be perceived by the court as reasonable – either then or now. The fact that everyone does it may be a defence against negligence – or it may not.
Positive braid knots of maximal topological 4-genus
Authors: LIECHTI LIVIO
Published: July 2016

We show that a positive braid knot has maximal topological 4-genus exactly if it has maximal signature invariant. As an application, we determine all positive braid knots with maximal topological 4-genus and compute the topological 4-genus for all positive braid knots with up to 12 crossings.
Practice Change Interventions in Long-Term Care Facilities: What Works, and Why?
Authors: Caspar Sienna , Cooke Heather A. , Phinney Alison , Ratner Pamela A.
Published: July 2016

Au cours des trois dernières décennies, il y a eu une augmentation notable dans les études de pratique concernant changements dans les interventions en soins de longue durée (SLD). Cette critique, basé sur une approche réaliste modifiée, répond aux questions suivantes: Quelles caractéristiques de changement d’intervention fonctionnent bien? Et, dans quelles circonstances, fonctionnent-elles, et pourquoi? Une approche réaliste modifiée a été appliquée pour identifier et expliquer les interactions parmi le contexte, le mécanisme, et les résultats. Nous avons cherché des bases de données électroniques et la littérature publiée pour les études empiriques des interventions pratiques modifiées qui (a) ont été menées dans les établissements de SLD, (b) ont impliqué le personnel soignant formel, et (c) ont fait état d’une évaluation formelle. Quatre-vingt-quatre articles répondaient à nos critères d’inclusion. Les interventions qui ne comprenaient que des facteurs prédisposants étaient moins susceptibles d’être efficaces, tandis que les interventions qui comprenaient des facteurs renforçants étaient les plus susceptibles de produire des résultats durables. Nous avons conclu que les interventions visant à changer les pratiques dans les milieux de SLD devraient inclure les facteurs habilitants et renforçants qui sont à la fois réalisables et efficaces.
A review of risk factors for bovine tuberculosis infection in cattle in the UK and Ireland
Authors: BROUGHAN J. M. , JUDGE J. , ELY E. , DELAHAY R. J. , WILSON G. , CLIFTON-HADLEY R. S. , GOODCHILD A. V. , BISHOP H. , PARRY J. E. , DOWNS S. H.
Published: July 2016

Bovine tuberculosis (bTB) is an important disease of cattle caused by infection withMycobacterium bovis, a pathogen that may be extremely difficult to eradicate in the presence of a true wildlife reservoir. Our objective was to identify and review relevant literature and provide a succinct summary of current knowledge of risk factors for transmission of infection of cattle. Search strings were developed to identify publications from electronic databases to February 2015. Abstracts of 4255 papers identified were reviewed by three reviewers to determine whether the entire article was likely to contain relevant information. Risk factors could be broadly grouped as follows: animal (including nutrition and genetics), herd (including bTB and testing history), environment, wildlife and social factors. Many risk factors are inter-related and study designs often do not enable differentiation between cause and consequence of infection. Despite differences in study design and location, some risk factors are consistently identified, e.g. herd size, bTB history, presence of infected wildlife, whereas the evidence for others is less consistent and coherent, e.g. nutrition, local cattle movements. We have identified knowledge gaps where further research may result in an improved understanding of bTB transmission dynamics. The application of targeted, multifactorial disease control regimens that address a range of risk factors simultaneously is likely to be a key to effective, evidence-informed control strategies.
Isolation ofBartonella henselae, Bartonella koehleraesubsp.koehlerae, Bartonella koehleraesubsp.bothieriand a new subspecies ofB. koehleraefrom free-ranging lions (Panthera leo) from South Africa, cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus) from Namibia and captive cheetahs from California
Authors: MOLIA S. , KASTEN R. W. , STUCKEY M. J. , BOULOUIS H. J. , ALLEN J. , BORGO G. M. , KOEHLER J. E. , CHANG C. C. , CHOMEL B. B.
Published: July 2016

Bartonellae are blood- and vector-borne Gram-negative bacteria, recognized as emerging pathogens. Whole-blood samples were collected from 58 free-ranging lions (Panthera leo) in South Africa and 17 cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus) from Namibia. Blood samples were also collected from 11 cheetahs (more than once for some of them) at the San Diego Wildlife Safari Park. Bacteria were isolated from the blood of three (5%) lions, one (6%) Namibian cheetah and eight (73%) cheetahs from California. The lionBartonellaisolates were identified asB. henselae(two isolates) andB. koehleraesubsp.koehlerae. The Namibian cheetah strain was close but distinct from isolates from North American wild felids and clustered betweenB. henselaeandB. koehlerae. It should be considered as a new subspecies ofB. koehlerae. All the Californian semi-captive cheetah isolates were different fromB. henselaeorB. koehleraesubsp.koehleraeand from the Namibian cheetah isolate. They were also distinct from the strains isolated from Californian mountain lions (Felis concolor) and clustered with strains ofB. koehleraesubsp.bothieriisolated from free-ranging bobcats (Lynx rufus) in California. Therefore, it is likely that these captive cheetahs became infected by an indigenous strain for which bobcats are the natural reservoir.
Counselling effectiveness of guidance officers in Queensland State high schools
Authors: Brittain Jan
Published: July 2016

The counselling effectiveness of guidance officers (GOs) was examined in a study involving 21 State secondary schools in Queensland. Students from Year 8 to Year 12 from each school were asked to rate the level of satisfaction with a counselling session. This was measured by the Client Satisfaction Questionnaire (CSQ) developed by Larsen, Attkisson, Hargreaves and Nguyen (1979). Based on Strong's (1968) Social Influence model, counselling was assumed to be an interpersonal influence process. Therefore these students also rated their perceptions of a GO's counselling attributes on the Counselor Rating Form – Short Version (CRF-S; Corrigan & Schmidt, 1983). Results indicated that ratings on the 12 CRF-S items as a total as well as a number of individual items significantly predicted CSQ scores. Student ratings on both questionnaires were high and possible explanations are considered. Also, several GO and student variables (e.g. sex of student, willingness, year level) were found to significantly predict satisfaction. Additionally, a number of these GO and student variables (e.g. GO and sex of student, willingness, the number of counselling sessions) were also found to differentially affect students' perceptions of GOs' counselling attributes.
Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: An introduction
Authors: Gravestock Fred
Published: July 2016

Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is one of numerous explanations for ongoing behaviour disturbance in children both at home and school. With an incidence rate of between 5% and 10% in the general population, it accounts for a significant percentage of patients presented at child guidance facilities. It is a pervasive and chronic developmental disorder as apparent from its natural course. Treatment, while effective in the short-term, has limited impact on the long-term prospects for these children. Current research in multi-modal, long-term treatment is however producing more positive results. Presentation of research findings on the classroom behaviour of ADHD are followed by consideration of several methods for assessing the disorder. The paper concludes with a brief outline of the role teachers, guidance officers and school counsellors can play in this major childhood disorder.
Psychosocial aspects of the development of gifted underachievers: Review and implications
Authors: Gonzalez Jacqueline , Hayes Alan
Published: July 2016

Gifted underachievers are children who display a discrepancy between high achievement and actual performance. Focusing on gifted children with a long-standing pattern of underachievement not explicable in terms of learning disability, this paper adopts a developmental perspective to the problem of gifted underachievement. Literature is reviewed on the affective development of gifted underachievers and the environmental factors which may foster or diminish success in school. It is argued that cognitive and affective variables do not operate independently and should not be considered in isolation from the environmental context of development. Further, gifted underachievers are situation-specif icand highly variable. Finally, implications for intervention are discussed in light of the need to view children's development not as a dichotomy of cognitive and affective change but holistically, as a complex interaction of child and environment.
Mutidimensional self-concept in adolescence: Academic self-concept in specific school subjects
Authors: Bryant Lenore
Published: July 2016

The School Subjects Questionnaire was administered to 300 students (15-22 years old) in Years 11 and 12 at a Brisbane metropolitan State high school. Ratings of self-concept in eleven specific school subjects and in “all school subjects” were obtained. Factor analysis of these responses identified nine separate facets of academic self-concept. The hypothesised relationships among English subject-related self-concepts, Math subject-related self-concepts, Creative Arts subjects and Practical Arts subjects were not clearly obtained in this study.
Tutoring learning disabled children using cognitive strategy training techniques
Authors: Gillies Robyn
Published: July 2016

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effect of a peer tutoring program that was implemented to improve the reading skills of a group of learning disabled children. The study used peer tutoring strategies in conjunction with cognitive strategy training techniques to change the reading behaviours of both the tutors and tutees. Emphasis was attached to ensuring that reciprocal benefits would be derived by both the tutors and tutees by sharing a task on which there was room for both to gain in skill. The results indicated that learning disabled children can be tutored by peers who are only slightly better readers and that reading gains accrued to both parties.
The effect of social skills and assertiveness training on the attitudes and behaviours of socially anxious adolescents
Authors: Jupp J. J. , Plummer B.
Published: July 2016

Skills deficit, anxiety, inhibition and cognitive interference models have been proposed to explain why people characteristically behave unassertively. Northern American professionals now use omnibus procedures based on these perspectives to modify attitudes and behaviours associated with shyness. The investigation reported here attempted to examine how effectively an omnibus package of procedures based on the three different models translated to the Australian context. Subjects were young, shy, socially non-assertive Australian high school students. The design was quasi-experimental and used an experimental control group test-retest follow-up design. Results of the study showed that subjects expressed stronger assertive belief s and had more internal locus of control following the intervention. However, there was no evidence of significant change in behaviour or in self-concept. There was independent evidence that there may have been a “ripple” effect. Reasons for these apparently less effective outcomes among Australian students, in contrast with American students, are discussed.
Meeting students' needs through a whole school approach to pastoral care
Authors: Gannon Rosalie
Published: July 2016

Pastoral care is defined as being that element of the teaching process which centres around the individual needs and environmental forces which either facilitate or impede the all-round development of the individual child. Present Victorian State Government policy endorses the establishment of effective pastoral care systems in schools. Three hundred students in Years 7 and 10 in three Victorian secondary schools were surveyed in order to find out how well these schools were meeting the non-academic needs of their students. A two-way ANOVA indicated that the way in which students perceive their needs will be met differs across schools, and between year levels. The functional differences in pastoral care teachers' roles across the three schools are considered and support is given for the inclusion of the “Student Welfare Coordinator” role in the pastoral team. The conclusion reached suggests that an effective pastoral system provides for meeting the needs of individual students, but in doing so, teaches problem solving skills that will be of use outside the classroom.
The effectiveness of student tutors in the treatment of speech articulation problems in young school children
Authors: Jupp James J. , Svenson Christine J. , Reed K.
Published: July 2016

This study investigated the effectiveness of well-adjusted and less well-adjusted fifth and sixth year level students used as tutors to treat the speech articulation problems of younger socio-economically deprived students. It was found that adjusted tutors were relatively more effective in reducing articulation problems. Both types of tutors were equally effective in promoting more positive attitudes towards “self”, “school” and “voice” in tutees. Both types of tutors were more positive about “self” and “school” following successful tutoring. These results suggest that some students may provide an efficient and effective resource for professionals in the treatment of functional articulation problems of other students.
Training parents as effective listeners of their children's reading
Authors: Raciti S. , Mathams P.
Published: July 2016

This study briefly outlines the results of a pilot project within the Bowen Special Education District directed to the training of parents as effective listeners of children's oral reading. The study assesses the relevant listening behaviours of two parents before, during and after being involved in a Parent Helper's Reading Program. The effectiveness of the program is generally evident from the observed improvement in listening behaviours demonstrated by the parents. Furthermore, the increased competency in listening behaviours by parents is paralleled by a simultaneous improvement in oral reading and comprehension performance by the target children. Also, the children's generalisation of skills from home to school is noted by both parents and teachers. Overall, this study suggests two significant implications to be considered within the context of existing reading programs utilising adult helpers. Firstly, the use of untrained helpers within school reading programs needs to be questioned. Secondly, the effectiveness of parent helper programs is dependent upon the level of follow-up and monitoring made available to program participants.

While the limitations of generalising from a project using only two subjects is realised, the results suggest important areas for future investigations.
Assisting teachers to implement peer-tutored remedial reading using Pause, Prompt and Praise procedures
Authors: Medcalf John E. , Glynn Ted
Published: July 2016

In this case-study, an educational psychologist trained three primary teachers to give feedback to three 11-12 year-old low progress readers who were each tutoring one low progress classmate, with the Pause, Prompt and Praise procedures. After themselves learning the Pause, Prompt and Praise procedures the teachers were provided with written instructions, and then trainer feedback on how to provide feedback for the peer tutors. Results of the eight week program indicated substantial gains for both tutees and tutors on the Dunedin Teachers College Informal Prose Inventory, and on the number of successive book levels read to criterion. With the written instructions alone, teachers use very intrusive prompts when giving feedback to peer tutors. However, when teachers also received feedback on their own performance they used far less intrusive forms of prompts, encouraging tutors to remember and explain their own tutoring behaviours and implement the procedures accurately without becoming dependent on teacher support or supervision.
A personal construct approach to avoiding teacher “burnout” and “rustout”
Authors: Diamond C. T. Patrick
Published: July 2016

Personal construct psychology enabled teacher stress to be conceptualised in terms of their perceptions of their ability to cope with stressors. Different degrees of support were seen in terms of the teachers' allocation of dependencies. Pre- and post-intervention questionnaires and FOCUS-ed (or cluster analysed) Dependency (individual and mode) grids were used to reveal and manipulate 11 teachers' resources and then to monitor how their group levels of stress were affected. Although the study reflected an idiographic approach rather than a substantive pattern, stress was reduced for the highly stressed, maintained for the moderately stressed and increased for the low stressed. Since using a not coping rather than a coping perspective characterised the distressed group before the intervention, teachers may need to emphasise a more affirmative stance. Once teachers establish what they construe as stressful and what support they can use, they are in a more informed position to engage in stress management or maintenance.
“He only talked about sex and nobody believes that stuff any more”: An attempt at Freudian consciousness raising in tertiary education
Authors: Embelton Gary
Published: July 2016

The concepts of Freud's Psychoanalytic Therapy are well-known to professional helpers, and many of his principles and techniques (e.g. the “Freudian slip”, Dream Analysis) are familiar to laypersons. For many reasons, training courses for tertiary counsellors often focus on humanistic, existential or behavioural approaches to counselling, with psychodynamic approaches relegated to the minor league. This paper highlights the attempts to raise the consciousness of postgraduate counselling students to the significance of Freudian concepts in counselling and therapy, through a teaching unit developed by the author. The rationale, objectives, content, process, and student evaluations of the course are discussed.
Effects of early intervention on dietary intake and its mediating role on cognitive functioning: a randomised controlled trial
Authors: O’Sullivan Aifric , Fitzpatrick Nick , Doyle Orla
Published: July 2016

Objective

To investigate the impact of an early intervention programme, Preparing for Life, on dietary intake between 12 and 36 months of age, and the mediating role played by diet on cognitive functioning.

Design

A randomised controlled trial evaluation of a community-based home visiting programme. The intervention involved biweekly visits from mentors from pregnancy until age 5 years and parent training at age 2 years. Dietary intake was assessed at 12, 18, 24 and 36 months using an FFQ to calculate the proportion meeting dietary recommendations. Cognitive functioning was measured at 24 and 36 months. Treatment effects were estimated using conventionalχ2tests, permutation testing, inverse probability weighting and the stepdown procedure. Mediation analysis examined the indirect effect of the intervention on cognitive functioning via its effect on dietary intake.

Setting

Socio-economically disadvantaged communities in Dublin, Republic of Ireland.

Subjects

Pregnant women (n233) were assigned to the intervention (n115) or control (n118) group using an unconditional probability randomisation strategy.

Results

Positive treatment effects were observed for meeting dietary recommendations for protein foods at 24 (OR=2·52) and 36 (OR=2·42) months, and all food groups at 24 (OR=3·92) months. There were no effects on grain, dairy, fruit and vegetable, or fatty/sugary food recommendations in most models. The conventional and more novel methods yielded similar results. Mediation analysis indicated that 13 % of the intervention’s effect on cognitive functioning was mediated by 36-month protein food consumption.

Conclusions

The study demonstrates some potential to alter early childhood dietary patterns through community-based intervention programmes.
‘Britten Minor’: Constructing the Modernist Canon
Authors: CHOWRIMOOTOO CHRISTOPHER
Published: July 2016

In the last few decades, established narratives of twentieth-century music – with Schoenberg and his disciples at the centre and others on the periphery – have come under considerable fire: some have denounced the modernist canon itself as narrow and esoteric, while others have sought to restore marginalized ‘minor’ composers to a supposedly rightful centrality. In this article, I revisit the mid-century process of canon formation in order to excavate a deeper, less divisive understanding of its history. Using Benjamin Britten as a case study, I sketch a more ambivalent and reciprocal relationship between major and minor composers than has often been suggested. After illuminating key tropes in Britten's mid-century reception, I examine how the composer and his critics fashioned his canonical minority and, in the process, helped to construct the ‘majority’ of his modernist counterparts. I argue that, far from marginalizing his oeuvre, Britten's ambivalent, peripheral, and even diminutive relationship with the ‘major’ figures of musical modernism was central both to his mid-century appeal and his enduring place in the canon. Ultimately, I suggest that attending to Britten's complex and self-conscious canonical negotiations can teach us a lot not just about his own role in history, but also about the wider ways that twentieth-century canons are negotiated, mediated, transmitted, and performed.
Orders of worth and the moral conceptions of health in global politics
Authors: Hanrieder Tine
Published: July 2016

The article analyzes the contested concept of global health through the lens of orders of worth. Drawing on pragmatist political and social theory, especially the work of Boltanski and Thévenot, I conceptualize orders of worth as moral narratives that connect visions of universal humankind to ideas about moral worth and deficiency. They thereby differ from the self/other narrative of political identity that is emphasized in International Relations scholarship. Orders of worth do not pitch a particularistic identity against foreign identities, but tie collective identity to a higher common good. They provide tools for moral evaluation and the justification of hierarchy. I use this heuristic to reconstruct four main conceptions of health in global politics: The order of survival, the order of fairness, the order of production, and the order of spirit. Each of them articulates a distinct political identity, as ‘we species’, ‘we liberals’, ‘we bodies’ and ‘we souls’, and implies different notions of virtuous and selfish conduct in the global community. These orders are derived from scholarly writings and the policies of global health institutions. Finally, I discuss the nature of compromises between the four orders regarding contested issues such as health emergencies or digital medicine.