bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Performance Evaluation Of Balanced Mutual Fund Schemes In Indian Scenario
Authors: Puri Himanshu
Published: November 2015

Indian Investors are risk averse and thus they prefer to invest in safe securities giving them decent returns. There are lots of investment alternatives available to them. But according to past experience, Mutual Fund Industry is having the safest image. Number of investors investing in this industry is rising day-by-day, so it becomes important for them as well as fund houses to know the performance of their mutual funds. In this paper, an attempt has been made to study the performance of selected balanced schemes of mutual funds based on risk-return relationship models and various measures. Balanced schemes of mutual funds are the ones which are mostly preferred by Indian investors because of their balanced portfolio in equity and debt. A total of 30 schemes offered by various mutual funds have been studied over the time period September 2007 to August 2010 (3 years). The analysis has been made on the basis of mean return, beta risk, total risk, Sharpe ratio, Treynor ratio and Jensen Alpha. The overall analysis finds HDFC (Growth) Mutual fund being the best performer and JM Financial (Dividend) Mutual fund showing poor below-average performance when measured against the risk-return relationship models.
Occupational Stress And Job Satisfaction Among Working Women In Banks
Authors: Jacob Dr. K.K.
Published: November 2015

Banking is a force that is the very life-line of the Indian economy. Banking sector in India has undergone fast changes in the wake of new economic reforms. These changes have qualitatively revolutionized the banking system as a whole. The effectiveness of banking is closely linked to the manpower resources because it is purely a service sector. Customer satisfaction is the secret of success of the banking industry. Unless the bank employees are satisfied with the organizational climate, they cannot deliver quality service to the customers. This confronting situation can be tackled by an efficient human resource management policy of the banking institutions. Women have made considerable progress in acquiring responsible positions in banking institutions. Women as a work force have to face problems unique to their gender. An exploration of concern and problems of working women in banks assumes ut-most importance today as banks are focusing on Total Quality Management and women are making their presence felt by their numbers and quality of service rendered.
Book Review: Programming Models for the Electricity Industry
Authors: Gupta Chandra Prakesh
Published: November 2015

Programming Models for the Electricity Industry, Joga Singh Khokhar (Ed.) Commonwealth Publishers, New Delhi (1997) pp. 333, Price Rs. 850
The Nigerian Capital Market in an Era of Privatisation
Authors: Edo Samson E.
Published: November 2015

The Nigerian Capital Market achieved a significant growth during the period of privatisation (1988-1993). Through the process of privatisation, a large volume of shares was transferred from government to individual and institutional investors. The shares were offered for sale through the capital market either by placement or quotation at the Stock Exchange. As a result, the capital market expanded in terms of facilities and activities as shown by various indicators. In the same period, Nigeria entred the global equity market as one of the emerging capital markets in the world. It also became one of only four African capital markts to be so acknowledged. Despite these encouraging developments, its potentials for enhancing economic growth and development are yet to be fully exploited. In view of this, policy recomendations have been proffered to further enhance the capital market in readiness for its role in economic growth and development.
Book Review: Transition or Transcendence? A Study of Indian Managerial Values
Authors: Gupta Rajen
Published: November 2015

Transition or Transcendence? A Study of Indian Managerial Values Dr. Bengt Gustavsson, Research Monograph 4, Management Centre for Human Values, I.I.M., Calcutta, 1997
Attitude Change Through Training : A Follow-Up Study
Authors: Singh Rajesh
Published: November 2015

The article highlights the role of training in bringing about attitude change. It focusses upon the impact of imparting behavioural skills through a training programme to bring about attitude change leading to better performance with specific reference to three work related attitudes: Positive Attitude towards work, Personalised Attitude and Cooperative Attitude.

The study was conducted on 35 (Thirty Five) officers belonging to different Central/State Government/PSU/Nationalised Banks etc. The results showed that training does bring about a change in attitudes. Credibility of the communicator; Experience based training through Management Games/Exercises and Group Discussion emerged as factors fascilitating the attitude change. The implications of the study are also discussed.
Managing Currency Risk
Authors: Singh Devi
Published: November 2015

With market frontiers expanding and financial price volatility and risk going up, management of foreign exchange risk assumes importance. The implications of increased involvement of Indian companies in international trade and finance require managers to measure the foreign exchange exposure and manage it to maximise profitability, net cash flow and the market value of the firm.

An analysis of the foreign risk management practices of some Indian companies reveals that they neither have a model for forecasting foreign exchange rate movement nor a detailed mechanism to evaluate the effectiveness of their foreign exchange risk management practices. The general perception among the managers of these companies is that Indian companies are small players in the foreign exchange market and better management practices would evolve only after the Indian market for hedging products fully developed and experience gained in this regard.
Book Review: Productivity Management A Systems Approach (1998)
Authors: Bhaumik Pradip K.
Published: November 2015

Productivity Management A Systems Approach (1998), Prem Vrat, G.D. Sardana and B.S. Sahay, Narosa Publishing House, New Delhi, pp. 300
African Peer Review Mechanism: An Assessment
Authors: Kebonang Zein
Published: November 2015

In 2002 at the inaugural Summit of the African Union (AU) held in Durban, South Africa, the African Heads of State and Government committed themselves to adhere to international standards on democracy, good governance (political, economic and corporate), peace, the rule of law, and respect for human rights. They also agreed to hold each other accountable through African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM). The present paper examines whether the APRM constitutes a viable peer review mechanism; and, if not, how it can be strengthened?
Ethnic Identity and Humanitarian Intervention: The Case of Kosovo
Authors: Shrivastava B. K. , Agrawal Manmohan
Published: November 2015

In this paper we look at the background of the Kosovo problem, its intensification since the 1980s in particular, the response of the international community leading finally to bombing. We also look at whether the international community was able to achieve its objective of preventing ethnic violence and cleansing.

Yugoslavia had been a mosaic of ethnic groups with long histories of conflict but without segregated housing patterns. While the other ethnic groups feared Serbian domination in Yugoslavia where the Serbs were the largest ethnic group, the Serbs feared domination in the regions where they were in a minority. Ethnic conflict was aggravated by the economic crisis in the 80s which widened economic disparities, and also because of differences about the relative importance of the state and the market in economic management. The Serbs favoured a more controlled economy and the others a more liberal economy.

The conflict in Kosovo flared up with the Serbs trying to limit Kosovar autonomy; the Kosovars retaliated by demanding greater autonomy initially and independence later. The resulting armed conflict led to considerable killing. The international community leaned heavily on the Serbs and their leader Milosevic to stop the repression, but failed. Ultimately the western countries had to resort to bombing. While this resulted in the capitulation by the Serbs, the problem was not solved as now the Kosovars started purging the Serbs. If the objective was to preserve a multi-ethnic Yugoslavia, the Western powers seemed to have failed.
The Indian Ocean In World Politics: Reflections On Its Future By Prasanta Sen Gupta
Authors: Mahan Alfred
Published: November 2015

Whoever controls the Indian Ocean dominates Asia. This ocean is the key to the seven seas. In the 21st century the destiny of the world will be decided on its waters.
Changing Tunes: Musical Experience and Self-Perception Amongst School and University Music Students
Authors: Pitts Stephanie E.
Published: November 2015

Academic research and popular discussion generally assume a common definition of the term “musician”, despite the complex social, cultural and critical meanings that emerge under closer scrutiny. On the one hand, inclusive approaches have recognised the importance of music to all individuals, yet the status afforded to professional performers still leads many active players and attentive listeners to be self-deprecating about their own skills, perpetuating the notion of the “non-musician” in Western culture. This paper considers the changing perceptions of music students undergoing the transition from school to university, using their implicit and explicit understandings of what it means to be a musician to explore the consequences for their self-identity. Qualitative questionnaire and interview data are reported from twenty participants, as a precursor to replicating and extending the study within a wider variety of musical communities. Clear differences between the expectations and experiences of school and university students are revealed, and self-identification as a musician is shown to depend on quantity and level of musical behaviour, as well as being affected by comparisons with peers. The role of school and university music education in shaping perceptions and opportunities is discussed, and conclusions are drawn about the importance of musical participation to these young people.
Tribute to our Colleague and Friend Jean-Pierre Lecanuet (1946–2002)
Authors: Granier-Deferre Carolyn
Published: November 2015

Promoted from Assistant to Associate Professor in General Psychology at Lille III University (1969–1972), Jean-Pierre continued his career at the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique first as Associate and then Research Director (1972–2002) in three laboratories: laboratoire de Physiologie Nerveuse (1972–1985), laboratoire de Psychobiologie du Développement (1985–1995) and the laboratoire Cognition et Développement (1996–2002).
Motivations and Methodologies for Automation of the Compositional Process
Authors: Pearce Marcus , Meredith David , Wiggins Geraint
Published: November 2015

Our aim in this paper is to clarify the range of motivations that have inspired the development of computer programs for the composition of music. We consider this to be important since different methodologies are appropriate for different motivations and goals. We argue that a widespread failure to specify the motivations and goals involved has lead to a methodological malaise in music related research. A brief consideration of some of the earliest attempts to produce computational systems for the composition of music leads us to identify four activities involving the development of computer programs which compose music each of which is inspired by different practical or theoretical motivations. These activities are algorithmic composition, the design of compositional tools, the computational modelling of musical styles and the computational modelling of music cognition. We consider these four motivations in turn, illustrating the problems that have arisen from failing to distinguish between them. We propose a terminology that clearly differentiates the activities defined by the four motivations and present methodological suggestions for research in each domain. While it is dearly important for researchers to embrace developments in related disciplines, we argue that research in the four domains will continueto stagnate unless the motivations and aims of research projects are clearly stated and appropriate methodologies are adopted for developing and evaluating systems that compose music.
Bayesian Models of Musical Structure and Cognition
Authors: Temperley David
Published: November 2015

This paper explores the application of Bayesian probabilistic modeling to issues of music cognition and music theory. The main concern is with the problem of key-finding: the process of inferring the key from a pattern of notes. The Bayesian perspective leads to a simple, elegant, and highly effective model of this process; the same approach can also be extended to other aspects of music perception, such as metrical structure and melodic structure. Bayesian modeling also relates in interesting ways to a number of other musical issues, including musical tension, ambiguity, expectation, and the quantitative description of styles and stylistic differences.
An Algorithm to Extract Expressive Timing and Dynamics from Piano Recordings
Authors: Earis Andrew
Published: November 2015

Measurable features of expressive piano performance include timing, dynamics, articulation and pedalling. This paper concerns the measurement of expressive timing and dynamics in audio recordings of piano music using a multi-stage semi-automated expression extraction process. A digitised version of the musical score is synchronised with the audio recording using a simple manual beat tapping system. The continuous wavelet transform (CWT) is then employed, with a Morlet wavelet, to correct the beat tapped times, and any further errors are then corrected manually. Precise note and chord onset times and dynamics of the recorded performance can then be calculated using the CWT. Sample results of the measurement of expression in keyboard music by Bach are given and the application of the algorithms to end users discussed.
Towards Greater Objectivity in Music Theory: Information-Dynamic Analysis of Minimalist Music
Authors: Potter Keith , Wiggins Geraint A. , Pearce Marcus T.
Published: November 2015

We present evidence for a relationship between two objective measures of the information dynamics of music and points of structural importance in the music as analysed by an expert musicologist. Our approach is motivated by ecological validity: rather than taking musical stimuli and artificially simplifying them to make their study tractable, we have sought and found music which is appropriate to our study. We give a novel, detailed analysis of one piece, Glass' Gradus, and show how the analysis corresponds with the information dynamics of the piece as heard. To show that this correspondence generalises, at least to music in a similar style by the same composer, we go on to analyse Glass' Two Pages. We suggest that this research provides further evidence that information-dynamic modelling is a worthwhile approach to the study of music cognition and also has the potential, if automated, to be a powerful tool to increase objectivity in data-based music analysis.
I'd like to Teach the World to Sing: Music and Conflict Transformation
Authors: Bergh Arild
Published: November 2015

Music is commonsensically thought of as something that unites people, hence it is frequently deployed in multicultural contexts. However, little research has been done to see how this works over time. This article discusses new research from 2006 into a project that originally took place from 1989–1992. The original three year project aimed to improve relations between different ethnic groups through the use of music in schools in Norway. The project, which was documented at the time through annual reports and evaluations, consisted of performances of traditional folk and classical music by musicians from the home countries of different immigrant groups. This has been re-examined by interviewing the initial participants, 13 years after the project finished. Working from a grounded theory approach, semi-structured interviews of 23 people, primarily former pupils, took place in 2005–2006. The key focus was to learn how important the musical intervention had been in the participants' life-worlds, how they viewed it at the time and in retrospect and if it made any impact on their relations to pupils from other ethnic groups. The key finding indicates that although all participants remember the project and generally enjoyed it at the time, in particular the participatory events, it had little impact on their daily lives and their relations with other groups. The lack of impact seems to be due to the fact that the pupils did not see any connections between the musical performances or the musicians and the local population from these countries. This raises questions about the use of music to represent social groups, and how to effectively embed musical experiences into people's everyday cultures.
Formes de la répétition et formes des affects du temps dans l'expression musicale
Authors: Imberty Michel
Published: November 2015

Cet article se propose de montrer ce que la psychologie récente du développement peut apporter pour la compréhension des phénomènes affectifs de nature temporelle qui sous-tendent l'écoute musicale et ses effets sur l'auditeur. L'article part de l'analyse du phénomène de répétition, tant dans les situations interactives chez le nourrisson que dans les structures les plus élémentaires des langages musicaux. La répétition, dans un cas comme dans l'autre, engendre le temps, la durée, mais y introduit une régularité qui permet au sujet l'anticipation et la maîtrise du futur. Cette régulatité et cette prévisibilité rendent possible la Variation, principe générateur du développement psychologique par les adaptations successives à une réalité changeante, mais aussi principe créateur du développement musical. Cette analyse conduit alors aux concepts centraux développés ici à partir des travaux du psychologue et psychanalyste, Daniel Stern. L'hypothèse est que l'unité d'une expérience interpersonnelle ou interactive chez le très jeune enfant est sa structure temporelle. Sur elle, par la suite, se greffent les expériences sensorielles, motrices et affectives pour construire des représentations intériorisées. Mais ce qui caractérise fondamentalement une expérience affective, c'est sa courbe temporelle, le rythme d'alternance des moments de tension et des moments de détente, c'est sa ligne de tension dramatique, ce que Daniel Stern appellera trame temporelle du ressenti… L'expérience affective, dans la vie relationnelle comme dans la musique, est partagée, communiquée, sur la base d'un accordage affectif qui n'est autre qu'une interrégulation temporelle, cellelà měme qui régit les rapports des musiciens dans le quatuor par exemple. L'article s'achève enfin par des considérations sur la sémiotisation du temps musical et la notion d'enveloppe proto-narrative: celle-ci est définie comme sens d'une trame temporelle du ressenti, orientée par une motivation ou un désir vers un but. La musique apparaî;trait alors comme la représentation de la matrice originelle de toutes les formes symboliques, de toutes les formes de langage, c'est-à-dire de toutes les formes de mise en ordre du temps dans la vie humaine.
La troisième audition est la bonne (De l'audition musicale conçue comme une intégration)
Authors: Nicolas François
Published: November 2015

On définit l'audition musicale comme le processus par lequel l'oreille tente d'édifier une unité de l'œuvre au fil du temps (au fur et à mesure done de son déroulement sensible), c'est-à-dire tente d'en dégager une Forme. On fait ensuite l'hypothèse que l'opération musicale d'audition s'apparente à l'opération mathématique d'intégration: l'oreille élabore l'unité de l'œuvre en «intégrant» celle-ci. On s'appuie alors sur la théorie mathématique de l'intégration (qui distingue les intégrates de Riemann, Lebesgue et Kurzweil-Henstock) pour catégoriser trois types d'audition musicale: l'audition spontanée, l'audition perceptive et l'audition réflexive. On éclaire ainsi le travail musical d'audition d'une œuvre comme passage cumulatif et ordonné de l'une à l'autre. On en déduit cette proposition: il convient d'écouter une œuvre au moins trois fois (dont la seconde, partition en mains) pour pouvoir en saisir l'unité selon le cours de son temps propre.
Experience with the Vacuum Assisted Closure Negative Pressure Technique in the Treatment of Non-healing Diabetic and Dysvascular Wounds
Authors: Clare Michael P. , Fitzgibbons Timothy C. , McMullen Scott T. , Stice R. Colleen , Hayes Dennis F. , Henkel Loree
Published: November 2015

The purpose of this study is to report our experience with the Vacuum Assisted Closure (VAC) negative pressure technique in patients with non-healing wounds of the foot, ankle, and lower limb. We retrospectively reviewed 17 patients with non-healing wounds of the lower extremity who underwent treatment using the Vacuum Assisted Closure (VAC) device. Thirteen of 17 (76%) had diabetes mellitus, nine of whom were insulin-dependent, and 10 of whom had associated peripheral neuropathy. Eight of 17 (47%) had severe peripheral vascular disease. All had failed previous management with serial wound debridements and dressing changes; 15 of 17 (88%) had previously completed at least one course of oral antibiotics. Thirteen of 17 (76%) had previously undergone operative irrigation and debridement of the wounds; six of 17 (35%) had previously undergone revascularization procedures of the involved extremity. Five of 17 (29%) had wounds necessitating an amputation procedure prior to the present treatment; seven of 17 (41%) had failed treatment with local growth factors prior to the present treatment. Average length of treatment with the VAC device was 8.2 weeks. Fourteen of 17 (82%) wounds successfully healed; four underwent split-thickness skin grafting for wound closure; four were briefly treated with local growth factors; six were treated with only dressing changes following VAC treatment. Three of 17 (18%) wounds failed VAC treatment; all three patients had diabetes and had wounds located in the midfoot or forefoot; two of three had severe peripheral vascular disease. Our results indicate that the Vacuum Assisted Closure negative pressure technique is emerging as an acceptable option for wound care of the lower extremity. Not all patients are candidates for such treatment; those patients with severe peripheral vascular disease or smaller forefoot wounds may be best treated by other modalities. Larger wounds seem to be better suited for skin grafting or two-stage primary closure.
Ankle and Pantalar Arthrodeses Using Vascularized Fibular Grafts
Authors: Yajima Hiroshi , Kobata Yasunori , Tomita Yasuharu , Kawate Kenji , Sugimoto Kazuya , Takakura Yoshinori
Published: November 2015

From 1989 to 1998 ankle and pantalar arthrodeses using vascularized fibular grafts were performed for seven patients. The indications for surgery were chronic nonunion following fracture of the distal tibia in four patients, rheumatoid arthritis in two, and talus necrosis in one. The ankle joint was fused in the two patients with a pilon fracture, and in the other five patients, both the ankle and subtalar joints were fused. In one patient, additional bone grafting was required for delayed union. In the other six patients, the mean period required to obtain radiographic bone union was 6 months (range, 4–9 months). The time until the patients could walk without braces ranged from 6 to 20 months (mean, 12.3 months). Local infection was not encountered in any patients. This procedure represents a viable option for patients in whom a standard, less complicated arthrodesis cannot be performed.
Use of a Torque-Range-of-Motion Device for Objective Differentiation of Diabetic from Normal Feet in Adults
Authors: Trevino Saul G. , Buford William L. , Nakamura Takayuki , Wright Anthony John , Patterson Rita M.
Published: November 2015

Background: The ability of the foot and ankle complex to act as an energy absorber is reflected in its viscoelastic properties. The Torque-Range-of-Motion (TROM) device was designed to provide an effective objective assessment of foot and ankle passive mechanical function. The hypothesis of this study was that mechanical parameters derived from passive TROM curves of otherwise normal feet of adults with diabetes would be significantly different from those of adults without diabetes. Methods: The TROM device is a single-degree-of-freedom hinge transducer system that is manually rotated through plantarflexion and dorsiflexion. The device was rotated manually with the muscles relaxed during a 50-second data acquisition period. A strain gauge provided the torque signal and a precision single-turn potentiometer provided plantarflexion-dorsiflexion angle to a two-channel portable data acquisition system. With the TROM device connected to a computer, input for instantaneous torque and range of motion was acquired and displayed as angle (degrees) versus torque (Newton-meters) on an output screen. The period provided sufficient data to average 16 to 20 cycles of motion. The study included 41 feet in adults without diabetes and 42 age-matched feet in adults with diabetes but no known foot problems. Results: For a probability level of .0001 there were significant differences in hysteresis area (normal: 91.1 ± 46.9 Nm-deg and diabetic: 161.7 ± 65.7 Nm-deg) and both dorsiflexion (normal: 0.4 ± 0.1 Nm/deg and diabetic: 0.9 ± 0.3 Nm/deg) and plantarflexion stiffness (normal: 0.3 ± 0.1 Nm/deg and diabetic: 0.7 ± 0.3 Nm/deg). Conclusions: The feet of adults with diabetes absorb more energy during cyclic motion (thus must dissipate more energy per cycle) and are stiffer in the terminal regions (where muscle-tendon-ligament properties prevail) than are the feet of adults without diabetes. These results suggest that this passive TROM method may be a sensitive, objective measurement of the viscoelastic properties of the foot and ankle, which may be an early indicator of diabetic patients who are at risk for the development of foot problems.
Variations in Fibular Position, Talar Length, and Anterior Talofibular Ligament Length
Authors: McDermott John E. , Scranton Pierce E. , Rogers James V.
Published: November 2015

Background: Proprioceptive deficiencies, peroneal muscle weakness, varus hindfoot, and varus tibial plafond have each been implicated as a predisposing factor in recurrent ankle instability. Another predisposing factor for instability is a position of the fibula posterior to the transverse axis of the talus. This study examined the relationship of fibular position and ankle instability with anatomic dissection and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Methods: Data were obtained from 100 consecutive MRI scans of adult ankles: the malleolar index in degrees and the fibular position anterior or posterior to the anteromedial malleolar plane and relative to the transverse axis of the talus. Twenty cadaver ankles also were studied by MRI and then by anatomic dissection. The malleolar index, the talar length, and the length of the anterior talofibular (ATF) ligament were recorded. Results: The MRI study showed that variation of the malleolar index ranged from 2 to 30 degrees. There was no correlation between the malleolar index and the talar length or the length of the ATF ligament. Conclusions: There is a bell-shaped curve of variation of the position of the fibula relative to the transverse axis of the talus. An ankle mortise with a more posteriorly positioned fibula has less structural stability and is more susceptible to sprain. Neither talar length nor ATF ligament length correlated with fibular position.
Models for Automated Motor Skills Training
Authors: Williges Beverly H. , Williges Robert C. , Savage Ricky E.
Published: November 2015

Motor control tasks are characterized by large inter-subject variability which for efficiency necessitates an individualized approach to training. Because of the storage and memory capacity of the computer, research directed toward automated optimizing of individualized motor skills training is possible. Two studies that examined various training models in motor learning are presented. These models include the linear adaptive model, a learner-centered model, a shifting-difficulty model, and a fixed-difficulty model. Each of these training models was evaluated using a two-dimensional pursuit tracking task with an isometric controller. Feedback in terms of level of task difficulty and level of tracking performance was provided during training. The transfer task involved one seven-minute tracking session in which task difficulty shifted to one of three levels after each minute of tracking. Results for each training model are discussed in terms of training time required to reach the exit criterion and in terms of root-mean-square tracking error exhibited during the transfer task.
Cyclic Nucleotide-Gated Channels, Nitric Oxide, and Neural Function
Authors: Zufall Frank
Published: November 2015

Cyclic nucleotide-gated (CNG) channels are nonselective cation channels that are activated by direct interaction of the second messengers cAMP and cGMP. Once activated, they provide for membrane depolarization and Ca2+ influx into cells. The functions of CNG channels are tightly coupled to the mechanisms by which cAMP and cGMP are regulated in neurons, namely through activation of G-protein–coupled membrane receptors and through the nitric oxide/guanylyl cyclase signaling system. These functions are best understood in sensory neurons of the vertebrate visual and olfactory system, where CNG channels are critical components of the signal transduction apparatus. The family of known CNG channels is expanding, and there is now increasing evidence that these channels are also present in many other areas of the nervous system. Based on their role in sensory neurons, a functional framework for the role of CNG channels in the CNS is provided.
The Thalamic Intralaminar Nuclei: A Role in Visual Awareness
Authors: Purpura Keith P. , Schiff Nicholas D.
Published: November 2015

We briefly review the anatomy and functional properties of the intralaminar nuclei (ILN) of the thalamus and the neurological disorders associated with their dysfunction. The ILN project over a wide range of cortical territories and are connected to several subcortical structures that place the ILN within the distributed networks underlying arousal, attention, working memory, and gaze control. The temporal structure of the spike discharges of ILN neurons can be controlled by levels of arousal and visuomotor behavior. Taken together, the anatomy, cellular physiology, and clinical data suggest that in the state of wakefulness, the ILN neurons promote the formation of an “event-holding” function in the cortex. In the prefrontal cortex, this function facilitates the storage of target location in working memory. In the frontal eye fields, the function produces sustained activation that anticipates the onset of intended eye movements. In the posterior parietal cortex, the sustained activation can be boosted at the start of the intersaccadic interval and can operate as an attentional gate regulating the flow of information back to the prefrontal cortex. The attentional gate is of limited capacity, as is working memory, and is best utilized during the intersaccadic interval. The ILN may help to synchronize the eye movement commands of the frontal eye fields with the episodic dynamics of the attentional gate and working memory.
The Calpain Hypothesis of Neurodegeneration: Evidence for a Common Cytotoxic Pathway
Authors: Bartus Raymond T.
Published: November 2015

Calpain's general function and pathogenic role in the CNS are reviewed. Collectively, the literature indicates that calpain proteolysis plays a common and important role in a variety of acute neurodegenerative conditions, including focal ischemia (stroke), global ischemia, traumatic brain injury, and spinal cord injury. This evidence indicates that 1) calpain is activated in an abnormally sustained fashion during cellular events commonly associated with neurodegeneration (e.g., excessive interstitial glutamate and cytosolic calcium); 2) many of calpain's preferred substrates are degraded as important components in these neurodegenerative conditions; 3) calpain activation occurs early in the pathogenic cascade of each, prior to onset of substantial cell death; and 4) calpain inhibitors can effectively reduce the severity of neuronal damage and loss of function normally associated with these acute neurodegenerative perturbations. Calpain proteolysis is also implicated in chronic neurodegenerative diseases, with the strength of current evidence varying among specific diseases. The evidence accumulated for a plausible role in Alzheimer's disease (AD) is currently the strongest. For example, empirical links have been established between abnormal calpain proteolysis and 1) the cellular formation of classic Alzheimer's pathology, such as β-amyloid plaques, neurofibrillary tangles, and Alz-50 immunoreactivity; 2) the brain regions with greatest concentrations of AD-related pathology; and 3) the degeneration of key brain pathways vulnerable in the early stages of the disease. Similar, though less extensive, evidence exists for a potential role of abnormal calpain proteolysis in Parkinson's disease. Finally, for several other chronic neurodegenerative conditions (e.g., Huntington's disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), early evidence is emerging that calpain may also play some pathogenic role. Thus, these data support the possibility that uncontrolled calpain proteolysis may contribute to and/or accelerate the loss of neurons associated with a wide range of neurodegenerative conditions and may, therefore, represent an important, final common cytotoxic pathway for many diverse forms of neurodegeneration. NEUROSCIENTIST 3:314–327, 1997
GABAA Receptors: Diversity and its Implications for CNS Disease
Authors: Tallman John F. , Cassella James V. , White Geoff , Gallager Dorothy W.
Published: November 2015

Recent advances in the molecular biology of GABAA receptors is described along with the impact of these advances on drug design for this family of receptors. The receptor molecular structure is described with particular emphasis on the sites to which the transmitter GABA and modulatory drugs, such as the benzodiazepines, bind. The relationship of subunit structure to the electrophysiological properties of GABAA receptors is detailed with emphasis on the functional subtyping of GABAA receptor responses. The behavioral pharmacological results of knockout and knockin models are described, along with the effects of specific drugs on sleep, anxiety, and learning in normal animals.
Saudi Arabia: Profile of a Teacher of the Gifted in Ryadh
Authors: Clemens Jo Ann
Published: November 2015

Wanted: Enrichment teacher for Grades 1 through 6. Requires B.A. and classroom experience. Reports to building principals. Responsibilities include: provides curriculum enrichment through teacher in-service; prepares and conducts classroom demonstrations based on the higher-leuel thinking skills of Bloom's Taxonomy and Frank Williams' creative behaviors; assists teachers in identifying and providing for gifted children in the classroom. Must exhibit willingness to wear plastic noses and false beards, don silly hats.
Gifted Students and the Adventure of Philosophy
Authors: White David A.
Published: November 2015

“I wonder …” According to the ancient Greeks, philosophy—the love of wisdom—begins in wonder. It is frequently observed that gifted students are exceptionally curious, wondering about many things. Once this natural sense of wonder has been introduced to issues that philosophers have found fascinating and vital, young people may well be in a position to expand that wonder into the kind of interest—perhaps the kind of love—that drives the impetus to know about things in a philosophical sense.
Presidential News: The Expanding Public Image
Authors: Cornwell Elmer E.
Published: November 2015

An analysis of front-page news in a large daily and a medium-sized daily over the last 70 years indicates that Presidential news has increased more rapidly than either national governmental news as a whole or Congressional news. The author is assistant professor of political science at Brown University.
The Fiscal System and Income Distribution: The Case of Puerto Rico
Authors: Mann Arthur J.
Published: November 2015

This study provides statistical estimates of the incidence of Puerto Rico's fiscal system. In developing the estimates the openness of the Commonwealth's economy and its particular internal economic structure are taken into account. The tax system is found to be slightly progressive across income classes, whereas the public expenditure structure is found to be regressive (favoring the lower income classes). Thus, the overall fiscal system redistributes real incomes from higher to lower income classes.
Addicts, Fences, and the Market for Stolen Goods
Authors: Roumasset James , Hadreas John
Published: November 2015

Examination of the literature of the heroin problem in the United States Reveals that there has been scant attention paid to the type of property crime specialized in by addicts or to the marketing network of addict-stolen goods. This paper begins to remedy both neglects by focusing on merchandise theft as a primary source of income for the heroin addict. A methodology is developed for estimating the income addicts receive for merchandise that they steal. Next a method is discussed for determining the type of middlemen who purchase stolen merchandise from addicts and how much they mark up the items before retailing them in the secondhand goods market. This yields estimates for the retail value of goods stolen and the gross revenue to middlemen. Since addicts tend to sell stolen items to otherwise legitimate businessmen, not underground fences as is widely believed, there appears to be substantial scope for reducing merchandise theft by instituting stricter regulations on the sale of secondhand goods. A system for providing middlemen with telephone access to a computerized “hot-list” is recommended. Stricter regulation of the middlemen would lower the effective wage of stealing and raise the relative price of heroin. Under reasonable assumptions about addict preferences, it is shown that such a policy would result in a decrease in the total amount of theft.
Comment on “Budgetary Responses of Individual Governmental Units to Federal Grants”
Authors: Harford Jon D.
Published: November 2015

In a recent issue of Public Finance Quarterly, Hardy (1976) presented results of a study of the effect of conditional and unconditional grants on various categories of expenditures of the provinces of Ontario and New Brunswick. It is the purpose of this comment to point out several shortcomings of this paper with respect to the formulation of the provincial decision maker's utility function and his constraints with respect to conditional grants.
Horizontal Equity with Respect to Family Size
Authors: Habib Jack
Published: November 2015

This article examines the pattern of family-size tax reductions implied by a concern for horizontal equity. Conditions are derived for a falling or rising pattern of reductions with respect to income and for the pattern of marginal reductions at a given income level. The required pattern is systematically related to assumptions about the variations in needs, with family size and the desired progressivity of the tax system. The case in which economies of scale vary with the level of income is singled out and it is shown that previous treatments of this case have been inadequate. Based on this analysis, the adequacy of reductions in the Israeli tax structure is examined.
Debt Refunding: The State and Local Government Sector
Authors: Mitchell William E.
Published: November 2015

Most corporate debt refunding is motivated by interest savings, but similar studies for the state-local sector have found little correlation between cyclical interest rates and refunding. Interest savings is only one reason for refunding and there are possible institutional constraints on state and local call-refunding activities. When annual refunding is deflated by outstandings, the state-local demand to refund is highly sensitive to cyclical interest rates (elasticity coefficient of −2.82 for 1901–1975). This characteristic is also typical for general obligation and nonguaranteed bonds considered separately, and for both “large” and “average” size issues. Interest savings appears to be an important motivation for state-local refunding activity. Finally, state and local governments issue refunding debt in approximately the same relative proportions as private corporations.
Optimality Conditions for Public and Private Goods
Authors: Weymark John A.
Published: November 2015

In general, the optimal provision of a good requires the simultaneous choice of (a)the optimal scale of output given the proportions in which consumers are allocated this total, and (b)the optimal consumption shares given the total available. With public goods the shares are not variable. The usual optimality conditions for private goods collapse (a) and (b) together. Here a general optimality rule for (a) is developed and related to the traditional efficiency rules for public and private goods.
A Remote Auscultation Tool for Advanced Home Health-Care
Authors: Johanson Mathias , Gustafsson Mats , Johansson Lars-Åke
Published: November 2015

We have developed an Internet-based tool for remote realtime auscultation. The device was based on a commercially available electronic stethoscope and a PC which digitized and transmitted the signals. A voice and video channel were also available. The remote auscultation tool was evaluated between two sites in Sweden separated by a distance of 500 km. A doctor at one of the sites performed cardiac and pulmonary auscultations on patients located at the other site. Four test patients were assisted by a nurse operating the electronic stethoscope. The auscultation sessions were performed with and without video support to assess the importance of visual contact between doctor and patient. Twenty sessions were conducted (excluding technical testing to solve problems with the equipment). Audio quality was sufficient, as judged subjectively by the doctors concerned. Video support improved the doctor's confidence that the stethoscope was being operated properly and greatly simplified the interaction. Moreover, it improved all participants' subjective impression of the virtual meeting. Our work demonstrates the feasibility of performing remote auscultation sessions over the Internet.
Using Commercially Available Technology to Assist in the Delivery of Person-Centred Health and Social Care
Authors: Martin Suzanne , Rankin Gillian
Published: November 2015

Videoconferencing (via ISDN at 128 kbit/s) was used between a service provider, the South and East Belfast Health and Social Services Trust, and clients at home. The equipment was used successfully by various health-care workers and was sufficient for the clinical requirements of professional staff. Our experience demonstrated that there are clinical benefits of telecare. The users perceived that the technology added to the quality of their lives. Clients reported feeling less isolated, more secure at home and more in control. The Trust is currently commissioning purpose-built accommodation for adults with cognitive impairment. The residents will be people who are on the verge of requiring institutional care. Presence sensors, appliance and door contacts will allow lifestyle patterns to be monitored. The system will notify the service provider's staff of variations from the norm for each resident.
Tele-Ultrasound for Remote Areas
Authors: Smith Pat , Brebner Eileen
Published: November 2015

We studied the introduction of a telemedicine service for the prenatal diagnosis and management of pregnant patients at a remote site in Scotland. During a 10-month study period, 85 videoconferences were carried out between the remote hospital in Elgin and the fetal medicine unit in Aberdeen. ISDN transmission at 384 kbit/s was used. There were technical problems in five calls (6%). The mean call duration was 40 min (range 5–60 min). Most calls (62%) were for educational reasons and 26% were for clinical purposes. The degree of satisfaction recorded by the remote health-care staff was high: the mean score on a five-point scale (1, very unsatisfied; 5, very satisfied) for general satisfaction with the clinical support was 4.2. The system was found to be both clinically useful and educationally beneficial.
Datascapes: Tourism and the Historical Geography of Knowledge
Authors: Machin Alan
Published: November 2015

This paper argues for a fresh perspective on the significance of tourism. Its educational origins are recalled, and tourism is seen to parallel the mass media and formal education as a means of world discovery. Using an approach largely from historical geography, a historical model of urban growth is proposed. This is based on the concept of the ‘datascape’, with environments considered as assemblies of data to be accessed and interpreted by the individual. By bringing travellers into contact with new information environments, tourism acts as a highly significant educator.
Tourism Careers in Trinidad and Tobago: Perceptions of Secondary School Students
Authors: Lewis Acolla , Airey David
Published: November 2015

Tourism development in Trinidad and Tobago (T&T) is a strategic economic priority in the new millennium. The tourism industry in T&T is still in its embryonic stage, and one of the fundamental challenges facing the industry is the attraction and retention of the necessary number and quality of young people in highly competitive employment markets. Against this background, this paper seeks to examine the attitudes of potential recruits towards working in the tourism industry in T&T.

Following a review of the occupational decision-making process, the concept of work values and attitudes towards tourism employment, 120 questionnaires were distributed to high school students in T&T to determine their attitudes towards careers in tourism. The main finding is that secondary school students in both Trinidad and Tobago have a favourable attitude towards tourism employment, which is strongly influenced by their work values and their sources of information about the industry. Students who are interested in ‘self-development’ and ‘working with friendly people’ see tourism as providing good career opportunities; a lack of knowledge tends to be associated with positive, perhaps unrealistically glamorous views of tourism employment. These findings present a challenge to stakeholders in the industry to nurture this favourable attitude and to provide these young leaders with adequate and accurate information and training, without dampening their enthusiasm, to take the industry into the future.
Menu Development and Analysis in UK Restaurant Chains
Authors: Jones Peter , Mifll Mazalan
Published: November 2015

This paper reports on a study of menu development and analysis policies and practices in seven of the top UK foodservice chains. The study reveals a range of alternative policies based largely on in-house expertise rather than any of the approaches proposed in the literature on this subject. An analysis of these firms suggests there are three alternative strategic approaches to menu development: the ‘minimal adjustment’ strategy, the menu development strategy, and the dish (or menu item) development strategy.