bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Challenges and Opportunities of International Clinical Practica
Authors: Mill Judy E. , Yonge Olive J , Cameron Brenda L.
Published: December 2005

International clinical practica are a strategy to integrate a global dimension in nursing curricula and achieve culturally sensitive nursing practice. In this paper, a review of the history and development of international practica for nursing students is presented, and research evaluating the effectiveness and impact of international experiences is analyzed. A description of experiences working with Canadian nursing students is used to highlight the challenges and opportunities inherent to international clinical practica. International student experiences involving clinical practica pose challenges that are additional to, and often more complex than, those faced in traditional international, course-based exchanges. The significant opportunities, however, continue to make international student practica a desirable and positive experience for Canadian nursing students.
Implementing and Evaluating a Culturally-Focused Curriculum in a Collaborative Graduate Nursing Program
Authors: Ciesielka Debbie J , Schumacher Gretchen , Conway Alice , Penrose Joyce
Published: December 2005

For more than a decade, nurses and nurse educators have been held to national and professional goals aimed at affirming diversity, integrating cultural competence, and closing the healthcare disparity gap. Faced with shrinking resources, meeting these goals has been harder to achieve. In September 2004, the Sullivan Commission report renewed attention to the widening gap in healthcare quality for Americas growing minority population as well as the shortage of minority healthcare providers. The focus of this article is how faculty at a collaborative nurse practitioner program responded to these concerns. Described is a multifaceted approach, beginning with participation in a nationally recognized cultural awareness workshop and continuing through a process designed to bridge theory with clinical and classroom practice. Emphasis is given to the challenges of meeting the needs of a wide geographic area and the opportunities engendered by shared resources.
Graduate Students' Perceptions of the Practice of Posting Scholarly Work to an Online Class Forum: Balancing the Rhetorical Triangle
Authors: Park Caroline L.
Published: December 2005

In both healthcare and education, basing ones practice upon research evidence, has become very important. This paper presents the findings from a descriptive analysis of graduate students perceptions of the practice of posting their scholarly work to a class discussion forum, where it can be read by their peers. The resulting themes are described and discussed in relation to the balance of a model of rhetorical stance or a rhetorical triangle. This will be of interest to instructors facilitating courses with online capacity.
Perspectives of Latin American Nursing Professors and Leaders About Research Competencies Needed by Nurses with Different Levels of Academic Preparation
Authors: Harrison Lynda , Hernandez Alison R , Cianelli Rosina , Rivera Maria Soledad , Urrutia Mila
Published: December 2005

This article describes a study to identify perspectives of Latin American nursing professors and leaders about the research competencies needed by students with different levels of academic preparation (bachelors, masters, and doctoral). The sample included 42 nurses from eight Latin American countries who wrote narrative comments on a questionnaire sent by email. The responses were analyzed by a process of content analysis. The participants identified differences that should be emphasized in the different academic levels. The findings could be used to develop educational programs to prepare nurse researchers.
PDAs Bring Information Competence to the Point-of-Care
Authors: Altmann Tanya K , Brady Debra
Published: December 2005

The ability of nursing faculty and students to efficiently obtain accurate information at the point-of-care is a critical aspect of providing quality patient care. Personalized Digital Assistants (PDAs) can provide instant access to entire textbooks of information where it is needed most, in the dynamic learning environment of the clinical setting. With a growing trend in higher education to include instruction on information competency in the curriculum, the use of PDAs in nursing education needs to be explored.This article discusses the use of PDAs by faculty and students within one nursing program. Results from a survey of faculty and students demonstrated a clear discrepancy in their use of PDAs. Although students recognized the benefits of PDA use in the clinical setting, they did not want owning a PDA to be a program requirement. Discussed are several approaches being used to overcome identified barriers to PDA use and ownership.
Helping Baccalaureate Nursing Students Care for the Wellbeing of Older Adults
Authors: King Ti
Published: December 2005

Because the world's population is aging there is a dire need for gerontologically prepared registered nurses. Baccalaureate nursing students, therefore, need experiences with older adults. However, due to constraints on their practice, students might have insufficient opportunities to learn about how to contribute to older adults' wellbeing. Students provided with a combination of learning experiences may understand how to contest constraints on their practice and create conditions that facilitate the provision of age-responsive care for older adults. In this paper gerontological-nursing content, constraints on practice, and learning experiences to help students come to understand their contributions to older adults' wellbeing are identified. Potential benefits of these learning experiences for students, older adults, and the nursing profession are discussed.
The Strength of Rural Nursing: Implications for Undergraduate Nursing Education
Authors: Van Hofwegen Lynn , Kirkham Sheryl , Harwood Catherine
Published: December 2005

Nursing in rural communities offers opportunities for independent nursing practice and community participation. However, recruitment of nurses to rural settings can be difficult. In response to this challenge and the rising demand within nursing education for community clinical placements, intensive, short-term, rural community clinical placements are being developed by urban universities. As yet, little research has examined the use of these placements for undergraduate nursing education. The purpose of this qualitative research study was to examine the experiences of students, registered nurse mentors, and clinical instructors in rural health clinical placements, as part of a larger study examining alternative clinical placements. Through use of the interpretive descriptive method, the perspectives of participants were elicited from focus groups and interviews. The paradox of nursing student placements in rural health is that limitations of the rural site became the impetus for nursing student learning and partnership. An implication is that service learning partnerships be pursued for mutual benefit of students, communities, and rural nurses.
Perspectives of Nursing Education in Poland
Authors: Krzeminska Belcher Dianne , Hart Beverly G
Published: December 2005

Nursing education in Poland are developing slowly but steadily in response to changing social needs and emerging healthcare issues. In particular, the immediate demand for more nurses is generating innovation in nursing education and encouraging Polish universities to graduate more nurses. Unfortunately, nursing wages remain low in regards to other professions, which only fuels the nursing shortage. Polish nurses are also facing staffing issues. At times, the nurse-patient ratio is 28 to 1. These working conditions also discourage people from pursuing a career in nursing. Finally, male nurses are rare in Poland. The future of nursing in Poland will be dictated by the Polish government and university systems and their efforts to produce more graduate nurses who can thrive and practice in a more complex, evolving world and who receive competitive pay for their expertise.
Depression, Stress, Emotional Support, and Self-Esteem among Baccalaureate Nursing Students in Thailand
Authors: Ross Ratchneewan , Zeller Richard , Srisaeng Pakvilai , Yimmee Suchawadee , Somchid Sujidra , Sawatphanit Wilaiphan
Published: December 2005

Nursing students are valuable human resources. Detection of potential depression among nursing students is crucial since depression can lead to low productivity, minimized quality of life, and suicidal ideas. Identifying factors affecting depression among students can help nursing educators to find ways to decrease depression. The purpose of this study was to examine rates of depression and the associations between depression and stress, emotional support, and self-esteem among baccalaureate nursing students in Thailand. This correlational, cross-sectional study recruited 331 baccalaureate Thai nursing students. Students completed three instruments that had been translated into Thai: The Center for Epidemiology Studies Depression Scale, Perceived Stress Questionnaire, and Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale. Another instrument created in Thai was used to measure emotional support. Results revealed that, when using the standard definition, 50.1% of the students were depressed. Stress was positively related to depression, whereas emotional support and self-esteem were negatively related to depression.
A Tri-Level HIV-Prevention Educational Intervention
Authors: Brown Emma J. , Smith Frances B.
Published: December 2005

Preventing HIV transmission is a major world health goal. The international nursing shortage and the cost of educational and healthcare require innovative approaches to meet this goal. The initiative described provided HIV education at three levels: to students in an R.N. to BSN program, lay health advisors (LHA's), and participants in a high-risk community. Students completed the traditional community needs assessment and teaching plans. Additionally, they contributed to funding proposals, implemented and evaluated their plan. They prepared LHA's as peer group educators. This was cost-effective and increased credibility in an African-American community. Using tested materials tailored to this population, six LHA's conducted 24 sessions in two months. Of the 168 community participants, 151 completed the pre-and post-test of HIV knowledge. Correct responses increased significantly overall from 81.9% to 88.3 (t = 4.88, df = 150; p = .001). The three items with the greatest change in correct responses related to African American HIV exposure, female condoms, and lubricants. Rationale for the project and recommendations for improvement are included.
Should We Still Support Untrammelled International Capital Mobility? Or are Capital Controls Less Evil than We Once Believed?
Authors: DeLong J. Bradford
Published: December 2005

Fifteen years ago, I found it easy to be in favor of international capital mobility  the free flow of investment financing from one country to another. Then it was easy to preach for an end to all systems of controls on capital that hindered this flow. Now it is harder.
The Parties' Flip-Flops on Deficit Spending: Economics or Politics?
Authors: Stiglitz Joseph
Published: December 2005

Not long ago, Republicans were trying to pass a balanced budget amendment to the constitution. Democrats were skeptical, overwhelmingly Keynesian, and believed that deficit spending had ended the Great Depression. Under Rubinomics the positions began to switch: Democrats became the defenders of fiscal orthodoxy. Now Bush has cut taxes for the rich and caused huge deficits. Is the flip-flop just politics?
Clinton and Bush's Report Cards on Crime Reduction: The Data Show Bush Policies Are Undermining Clinton Gains
Authors: Donohue John
Published: December 2005

At the Democratic Convention Clinton argued that he had put police on the street and took guns off, but that Bush has done the opposite. Was Clinton truly more anti-crime? I estimate that Clinton-era federal programs were responsible for a six to eight percent reduction in crime seen in the last decade. The Bush administration has failed to build on the Clinton administration's success in funding more police. For no good reason, a crime-control program that has a very favorable benefit/cost ratio is being cut back.
Eldred and Fair Use
Authors: Posner Richard A.
Published: December 2005

Larry Lessig flagellates himself about losing the Eldred case, which upheld the legality of copyright extensions. He shouldnt: Eldred was unwinnable. (The Courts 7-2 vote is one clue). Besides, the worst of the Sonny Bono Copyright Term Extension Acts effects can still be made to disappear, if courts deem it fair use to copy an old work whose copyright owner hasnt taken reasonable steps to provide notice of his rights. This is what Bill Patry and I propose in a forthcoming article in the California Law Review. The present paper is based on that article and on a stint of guest blogging that I did for the Lessig Blog the week of August 22, 2004. See http://www.lessig.org/blog/archives/posner.shtml.
The Budget Outlook: Projections and Implications
Authors: Gale William G. , Orszag Peter R.
Published: December 2005

Under reasonable projections, the unified budget deficits over the next decade will average 3.5 percent of GDP. Compared to a balanced budget, the unified budget deficits will reduce annual national income a decade hence by 1 to 2 percent (or roughly $1,500 to $3,000 per household per year, on average), and raise average long-term interest rates over the next decade by 80 to 120 basis points. Looking out beyond the next decade, the budget outlook grows steadily worse. Over the next 75 years, if the tax cuts are made permanent, this nations fiscal gap amounts to about 7 percent of GDP. The main drivers of this long-term fiscal gap are, in order, the spending growth associated with Medicare and Medicaid, the revenue losses from the 2001 and 2003 tax cuts, and increases in Social Security costs. The nation has never before experienced such large long-term fiscal imbalances. They will gradually impair economic performance and living standards, and carry with them the risk of a severe fiscal crisis.
The Real Lesson of Enron's Implosion: Market Makers Are In the Trust Business
Authors: McAfee R. Preston
Published: December 2005

How did Enron, a firm worth $60 billion, collapse over the discovery of a billion or so in hidden debt and fraudulent accounting? It didn't. Or, at least, not directly. Market makers like Enron and Ebay are in the "trust" business, just as banks and insurance companies are. Once trust was lost, the rest of Enron's value quickly disappeared. The maintenance of customer trust is an important, and frequently mismanaged, aspect of business strategy. The legislative response of Sarbanes-Oxley may do some good, but cannot really ensure trust.
Why Mickey Mouse is Not Subject to Congestion: A Letter on 'Eldred and Fair Use'
Authors: Boldrin Michele , Levine David K
Published: December 2005

In Eldred and Fair Use, Posner comments that awarding a monopoly over Mickey Mouse avoids the congestion problem that occurs with open access highways. Is the public domain a commons like an open access highway? No, it is not.
Could Social Security Go Broke?
Authors: Bergmann Barbara R.
Published: December 2005

The public is anxious because it has often been told that Social Security will run out of money around 2042", that it wont be there for our young people, that it will go bankrupt. In truth, our Social Security system will never go bankrupt. Businesses or individuals can go bankrupt when they are legally obligated to make payments, but dont have enough money coming in to make them, and no way to increase that inflow of money. A U.S. government program like Social Security is in an entirely different situation. Social Security gets the money it needs to make benefit payments from taxes. If Social Security taxes and benefits get out of balance, either or both can be adjusted by our democratic processes.
Election 2004: Fiction vs. Reality
Authors: Akerlof George
Published: December 2005

In a campaign speech given in Iowa, George Akerlof argues that the Bush administration has hamstrung its good administrators and opted time and again for waving a magic wand to solve problems instead of facing reality. The problem may be most severe in the case of the deficits, where if we don't face up to reality, Akerlof argues, there will be profound consequences.
The Choose-your-Charity Tax: A Way to Incentivize Greater Giving
Authors: Edlin Aaron S.
Published: December 2005

Why dont people give more to charity? One reason is that the problems will be there whether individuals give or not. Here is a policy--inspired by the matching grants that charities use so effectively--that could actually make a real difference.
Posner responds to "Why Mickey Mouse is Not Subject to Congestion," by Michele Boldrin and David Levine
Authors: Posner Richard A.
Published: December 2005

The question is whether it is possible to have a congestion externality in intellectual property, such as the Mickey Mouse character. Literally, the answer is no. Figuratively, it is yes.
Sense and Nonsense About Federal Deficits and Debt
Authors: Boskin Michael J
Published: December 2005

In the short run, the Bush tax cuts were one of the largest and best-timed uses of fiscal policy in history, helping to prevent a much worse downturn (but it would have been better still if the tax rate cuts had been immediate and real spending controls enacted simultaneously to take effect well into the economic expansion). In the medium run of five-to-ten years, the CBO projects gradually declining deficits and a debt-GDP ratio that rises slightly to peak at about 40% in two or three years, and then stabilizes for the rest of the decade through 2014 even as the tax cuts are made permanent, so long as the post-1998 splurge in non-defense discretionary spending is slowed substantially. This is hardly a debt spiraling out of control. The deficits will reduce domestic investment, but less than dollar-for-dollar. The effect is important, but hardly a cause for hysteria. Of course, President Bushs tax cuts and Senator Kerrys spending increases have ramifications well beyond the next decade, when fiscal pressures will become even more pronounced. In the long run of decades, the deficits in Social Security and Medicare are projected to be much larger than the unified deficit in the next ten years. Standard projections exceed fifty trillion dollars in present value, but may overstate the problem by assuming quite modest long-run annual growth, increases in health care outlays far in excess of GDP growth for the better part of a century (the only way that will happen is if the health benefits are sufficient for citizens to want to spend that much), large real benefit increases in Social Security, and continuous tax cuts to offset real bracket creep and the AMT. But even with less stark projections, there would still be large deficits and large tax increases looming. To avoid them, continuously rigorous spending control and major program reform is essential.
The Profile of An Election, 2004: Outcomes and Fundamentals
Authors: Nordhaus William
Published: December 2005

In the wake of the 2004 election, Democrats are weighing their strategies and considering whether to refashion themselves after the victors. If the election is seen as a sweeping rejection of Democratic prospects and values, some have advised the Democrats to reshape their fundamental beliefs. A careful look at underlying economic and political fundamentals reveals a historically small swing toward the incumbent. Based on exit polls and historical data, the major conclusion I draw is that the election was surprisingly unfavorable to incumbent Republican President Bush. His was the smallest non-recession incumbent victory since World War I. Moreover, a look at different economic and demographic groups reveals some surprising swings.
Securing Social Security for the Future
Authors: Stiglitz Joseph
Published: December 2005

The funding troubles of Social Security have been greatly exaggerated in an effort to push a privatization agenda. Privatization has laudable goalsincreased choice and higher returnsbut few would choose to risk their secure retirement income and unfortunately higher returns cannot be achieved without risk. Regrettably, if private accounts really do offer a lot of choices, many people who cannot afford to do so will unwittingly risk their incomes; and, in many cases, a combination of this risk and high transaction costs will consume what should be their core retirement income. When the government picks up the pieces, the funding troubles will be worse, not better.
Charity, Publicity, and the Donation Registry
Authors: Cooter Robert , Broughman Brian J
Published: December 2005

Many Americans donate little or nothing to charity, but according to Robert Cooter and Brian Broughman, our social environment is the cause, not human nature. They propose a small policy change to increase transparency and elicit generosity inspired by experimental evidence about the nature of giving.
Going Soft on Microsoft? The EU's Antitrust Case and Remedy
Authors: Ayres Ian , Nalebuff Barry
Published: December 2005

In March 2004, following a five-year investigation, the European Commission found Microsoft liable for illegally tying the Windows Media Player to the Windows operating system. This Column evaluates the antitrust issues and the proposed remedy. What is remarkable is that the remedy eliminates false positives. Just as King Solomon's proposal to divide the baby only caused pain to the true mother, the Commission's remedy will only cause pain to a monopolist who abused its position.
The Economic Agenda
Authors: Mankiw N. Gregory
Published: December 2005

The U.S. economy is now on a sound footing for sustained expansion. This is a remarkable state of affairs in light of the powerful contractionary forces that have been at work since early 2000  the bursting of the high-tech bubble of the 1990s, corporate scandals, slow growth among our major trading partners, and of course terrorist attacks. But it is important not to take the economic expansion for granted. President Bush has set out an ambitious agenda to ensure a continued and expanding prosperity. At the top of his economic agenda are tax reform, the reduction of the fiscal deficit, and social security reform.
Confusions about Social Security
Authors: Krugman Paul
Published: December 2005

There is a lot of confusion in the debate over Social Security privatization, much of it deliberate. This essay discusses the meaning of the trust fund, which privatizers declare either real or fictional at their convenience; the likely rate of return on private accounts, which has been greatly overstated; and the (ir)relevance of putative reductions in far future liabilities.
The Constitutional Protections for the Social Security Trust Fund: a Letter Commenting on "Confusions about Social Security" by Paul Krugman
Authors: Kaiser David
Published: December 2005

The Social Security trust fund is protected by the U.S. Constitution.
Radical Social Security Reform Is Not Needed: a Letter Commenting on "The Economic Agenda" by N. Gregory Mankiw
Authors: Agosin Manuel R
Published: December 2005

In his article on President Bushs second term economic agenda, Professor Mankiw is vague and misleading with regard to the costs and benefits of partial privatization of social security reform. There are other, simpler ways to fix the problem of Social Security which Mankiw fails to mention. In addition, the Chilean experience suggests that privitization may be more costly than anticipated and benefits more difficult to cut, at least for those who lose their money in private investments.
Putin, the Oligarchs & the End of Political Liberalization
Authors: Goldman Marshall I
Published: December 2005

President Putins reassertion of state control over more and more of the economy combined with his radical reversal of many of the countrys political reforms is ominous. Correcting for some of the political and economic excesses of the original reforms is all to the good, but unless he can do so without sowing the seeds of future recriminations and turmoil, Russia will find it difficult to establish the climate of stable property ownership, encourage long-term investment or spur the diversified economic growth, all of which are essential for political stability and legitimacy.
Why the Annuity Feature of Social Security is Valuable and Why Despite the Annuity Feature African-Americans Do Not Fare Badly: a Letter Commenting on "The Virtues of Personal Accounts for Social Security" by Edward P. Lazear
Authors: Needleman Jack
Published: December 2005

Edward Lazears analysis of the virtues of private accounts for social security exagerates the degree to which African Americans subsidize white Americans and largely ignores the value of Social Security as an annuity that individual beneficiaries cannot exhaust.
Quiggin Responds to "Neither Borrower nor Lender Be" by Thomas J. Grennes
Authors: Quiggin John
Published: December 2005

Thomas Grenness letter criticizing my article, "The Unsustainability of the US Trade Deficit," fails to distinguish between the trade deficit and the current account deficit, and therefore does not respond to my argument.
Saving Social Security: The Diamond-Orszag Plan
Authors: Diamond Peter A , Orszag Peter R
Published: December 2005

Social Security is one of Americas most successful government programs. It has helped millions of Americans avoid poverty in old age. To be sure, the program faces a long-term deficit and is in need of updating. But Social Securitys long-term financial health can be restored: the projected deficit is small enough that it can be eliminated through a progressive reform that combines modest benefit reductions and revenue increases.
Mankiw vs. Board of Trustees: A Letter Commenting on "The Economic Agenda" by N. Gregory Mankiw
Authors: Chyla Jiri
Published: December 2005

Mr. Mankiw and the Board of Trustees of the Social Security administration appear to have very different views of the solvency of Social Security.
What Does the Equity Premium Mean?
Authors: Grant Simon , Quiggin John
Published: December 2005

Simon Grant and John Quiggin argue that taking the equity premium seriously-the well-known fact that the average annual historical return of stocks is seven times that of government bonds and other debt-has many implications, the most robust of which is that recessions are extremely costly even if they dont lower average consumption and that macroeconomic stabilization policies are more important than has been thought.
Progressive Consumption Taxation as a Remedy for the U.S. Savings Shortfall
Authors: Frank Robert H
Published: December 2005

The American savings rate, always low by international standards, has fallen sharply in recent decades. In this essay, I argue that a large part of the savings shortfall results from pressures to keep pace with community spending standards, pressures that have been exacerbated by rising income and wealth inequality. The progressive consumption tax is one possible remedy.
The Editors respond to "Mankiw vs. Board of Trustees" by Chyla
Authors: DeLong James B. , Edlin Aaron S.
Published: December 2005

The difference in unfunded obligations observed by Professor Chyla is explained by the difference between 75-year and infinite-horizon projections.
Lazear Responds to "Why the Annuity of Social Security is Valuable and Why Despite the Annuity Feature African-Americans Do Not Fare Badly," by Jack Needleman
Authors: Lazear Edward P.
Published: December 2005

Supporters of government programs often look for ways to incorporate pet transfers into an existing system. Health and disability concerns may suggest some social insurance, but a private market that is sufficiently broad could accomplish this. Integration of many programs under one umbrella creates distortions. Forced saving is the main goal of social security and it can be served well by private accounts.
Life-Cycle Portfolios as Government Policy
Authors: Shiller Robert J.
Published: December 2005

A life-cycle portfolio for personal accounts within Social Security, such as President George Bush has proposed, would adjust risk exposure as a function of the workers age. This would involve the government in making complex dynamic portfolio decisions for individuals. The conventional rule of thumb that workers should invest a percentage of their portfolio equal to roughly 100 minus their age in stocks appears to be far from optimal. Choosing the optimal portfolio requires considering issues of behavioral economics such as why people do not already invest optimally and what kinds of people will sign up for the life-cycle portfolio.
Privatizing Gay Rights with Non-discrimination Promises Instead of Policies
Authors: Ayres Ian , Brown Jennifer Gerarda
Published: December 2005

Firms that are committed to employment equality for gay and lesbian workers don't need to wait for state or federal legislation. A little-known type of intellectual property can allow individual corporations to privately opt into non-discrimination duties. We see this as a potential model for other civil rights or policy implementation.
Should the Government Rebuild New Orleans, Or Just Give Residents Checks?
Authors: Glaeser Edward L
Published: December 2005

Should government rebuild New Orleans? Edward Glaeser asks whether the residents would be better off with $200,000 in their pockets than to have $200 billion spent on infrastructure: shouldn't we be insuring the people, not the place? New Orleans has been declining and its people mired in poverty for decades; its port and pipelines cannot employ a large city, and $200 billion is unlikely to change that.
Tax Reform: Time For a Plan C?
Authors: Graetz Michael J.
Published: December 2005

Michael Graetz assesses the two proposals of the Presidents Advisory Panel and finds them lacking and politically infeasible. He proposes moving to a VAT, the Panel's plan C, and using the VAT to eliminate the income tax for 150 million Americans. Graetz has an answer to maintain progressivity as well.
A Broader Perspective on the Tax Reform Debate
Authors: Boskin Michael J
Published: December 2005

The evolution of taxes and government spending will be a primary determinant of whether America remains a successful economy or slides into economic stagnation. The current level of government appears consistent with solid economic growth; a substantially higher tax and spending burden does not appear so.The release of the Report of the President's Advisory Panel on Federal Tax Reform provides an opportunity for a vigorous national debate on taxes and their effect on our economy and society.I present five big-picture tests for tax reform: the likely effects of the reform on economic performance; the size of government; federalism; tax law stability; stable democracy and conclude that we need to keep the hand of government in the economy light; to keep tax rates as low as possible; to prevent tax and spending burdens from growing to those of Western Europe.Since the tax share of GDP is projected to rise by more than one-third in coming decades, we will have to continuously "cut" taxes and spending relative to their projected growth to prevent that large step toward a European style social welfare state. The Panel's proposed tax reforms stabilize federal taxes at the 18% of GDP historical average, by making the Bush tax rate cuts permanent and cutting the top rate slightly more. This is by far the most important aspect of the proposals.Replacing the corporate and personal income taxes with the Panel's Growth and Investment Tax Plan (GIT) or something still closer to a pure flat-rate consumption tax is therefore highly desirable.
The Tax Reform Panel's Report: Mission Accomplished?
Authors: Auerbach Alan J.
Published: December 2005

Alan Auerbach assesses the report of the Presidential Panel on Federal Tax Reform. He finds much good, some bad, and too much missing. Although the reform mission is not yet accomplished he favors Congress pursuing serious tax reform.
Providing Probiotics to Sub-Saharan Africa: Ethical Principles to Consider
Authors: Anukam Kingsley , Reid Gregor
Published: December 2005

The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization and World Health Organization in 2001, made a clarion call for efforts to be made to make probiotic products more widely available, especially for relief work and populations at high risk of morbidity and mortality. This strong and direct request to governments, funding agencies, corporate pharmaceutical and food industries has so far not had any impact in sub-Saharan Africa, where people are mired in poverty and stricken with gastro-intestinal and an escalating epidemic of sexually transmitted diseases including HIV/AIDS.The ability of certain probiotic strains to prevent and treat some gut and urogenital conditions, and the relative low cost and practical means by which this can be achieved, provides a potential addition to the armamentarium of methods to lower the impact of disease and enhance the quality of life of people in this part of the world.Companies selling reliable probiotic products have not yet entered sub-Saharan Africa, perhaps due to logistical reasons and low pricing. Nevertheless, in order to make a significant impact on the health and wellbeing of this large population, ways must be found to provide access to this technology. A community kitchen project in Tanzania, initiated by our group, is one way of taking the concept to the grass roots.
Mentorship Programs within a Network to Build Research Literacy & Capacity in Complementary & Alternative Medicine (CAM) Practitioners
Authors: Leung Brenda , Verhoef Marja J. , Dryden Trish
Published: December 2005

Background: A lack of research literacy and capacity has been identified as a key barrier to research in complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). Networks may enable multidisciplinary collaboration between academic researchers and CAM practitioners and provide opportunities for mentoring and capacity building. Little is known about how mentoring can operate within a network and what its potential is as a strategy to increase research literacy and capacity among CAM practitioners. Purpose: To explore how mentoring within a network can be used to build research literacy and capacity amongst CAM practitioners. Methodology: Qualitative method was used for data collection and content analysis. Participants were individuals with knowledge and/or experience in networks and/or mentoring, as well as CAM practitioners. Results: Background: A lack of research literacy and capacity has been identified as a key barrier to research in complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). Networks may enable multidisciplinary collaboration between academic researchers and CAM practitioners and provide opportunities for mentoring and capacity building. Little is known about how mentoring can operate within a network and what its potential is as a strategy to increase research literacy and capacity among CAM practitioners. Purpose: To explore how mentoring within a network can be used to build research literacy and capacity amongst CAM practitioners. Methodology: Qualitative method was used for data collection and content analysis. Participants were individuals with knowledge and/or experience in networks and/or mentoring, as well as CAM practitioners. Results: Some major categories derived from the data were: 1) A network must clearly define the role and goals of mentoring. 2) An infrastructure to support and maintain the mentoring relationship should be in place. 3) A number of barriers and enablers for successful mentoring within a network were addressed. 4) Some issues specific to CAM practitioners ability to conduct research were raised. Conclusion: Mentoring was seen as a potentially useful strategy. Ideas for mentoring were suggested, including cooperative models, job shadowing, perceptorship and role modeling. Innovative models were discussed.
An ANN-Based High Impedance Fault Detection Scheme: Design and Implementation
Authors: Khorashadi Zadeh Hassan
Published: December 2005

This paper presents a new approach to detection of high impedance faults in distribution systems using artificial neural networks. The proposed neural network, was trained by data from simulation of a distribution system under different faults conditions, and tested by data with different system conditions. The proposed neural network has been implemented on a digital signal processor board and its behavior is investigated on a computer power system model. Details of the design procedure, implementation and the results of performance studies with the proposed relay are given in this paper. Performance studies results show that the proposed algorithm performs very well in detecting a high impedance fault with nonlinear arcing resistance. It is clearly shown that with this integrated approach, the accuracy in fault detection is significantly improved compared to other techniques based on conventional algorithms.
DSP Based Neural Network Controlled Parallel Hybrid Active Power Filter
Authors: Dubey Satya Prakash , Singh Pukhraj , Manjunath H. V.
Published: December 2005

In this paper, a novel neural network controlled Hybrid Parallel Active Power Filter has been presented. The neural network controller comprises two similar adaptive linear neurons (ADALINE), and it has been designed to extract fundamental frequency components from non-sinusoidal and unbalanced currents. It has been shown that the proposed neural controller is simple, fast and accurate. The proposed system is implemented using Digital Signal Processor (DSP). Experimental results with different nonlinear loads are presented to confirm the validity of the proposed technique.
Power System Stability Computer Simulation Using a Differential-Algebraic Equation Solver
Authors: Onoda Pessanha Jose Eduardo , Saavedra Osvaldo , Paz Alex , Portugal Carlos
Published: December 2005

The preset work tested a freely domain software for solving index zero and one systems of differential-algebraic equations, named as DASSL. The code encompasses an efficient variable step size and variable order based on BDF methods to solve a system of DAEs or ODEs. The code was applied in power systems time domain studies, i.e., synchronous machine angular transient stability and long-term voltage stability, using the Brazilian South-Southeast Equivalent Power System. Using this real power system model including fast and slow response control devices, it was possible to investigate the code capability in simulating different stability phenomena in the same run. The variable step size and variable order algorithm implemented in DASSL results in a very powerful tool for power system time domain computer simulation.
Individual Channel Design for Synchronous Generators
Authors: Ugalde Loo Carlos Ernesto , Olguín Salinas Daniel , Liceaga Castro Eduardo , Liceaga Castro Jesus Ulises
Published: December 2005

In this paper a novel control strategy for a real synchronous generator is presented. It is based on linear, diagonal, low order, minimum-phase, fixed, and stable controllers. The controller was obtained via individual channel design (ICD), a framework that allows analysis and synthesis of multivariable control systems by means of classical techniques based on the Bode and Nyquist plots. The generator is part of a one machine – infinite bus system. A linearised model around an operating point in a rotating coordinate frame is used. The theoretical principles behind this control strategy are summarised for completeness. The results using this novel control strategy are obtained throughout simulations in MATLAB®.
Methods for Characterizing Flicker and its Applications
Authors: Nassif Alexandre B , Tayjasanant Thavatchai , Xu Dr. Wilsun
Published: December 2005

Flicker is an important power quality disturbance and has received an increasing concern from power system researchers. Interharmonics are the non-integral frequencies other than harmonic frequencies. Nowadays, research has shown that interharmonics and flicker seem to be closely related. To clarify this relationship, flicker is characterized in the frequency domain. The traditional Fourier-based methods have shown some drawbacks in representing non-stationary, non-periodic power signals and therefore other methods should be investigated for accomplishing this task. This paper introduces the most common signal processing approaches to assess the problem, power spectrum estimation methods and linear transforms. The wavelet transform has shown superior performance comparing to other methods and circumventing the problem time-frequency resolution.
Parameters Affecting Milling Qualities of Undefatted Soybeans (Glycine max, L. Merill) (2): Selected Physical Properties
Authors: Raji Abdul Ganiy O. , Famurewa John Alaba Victor
Published: December 2005

Soybean protein is highly rich in the essential amino acid needed by human body. In the developing countries, its use will be more generally acceptable when converted to flour like wheat. This work focused on establishing the optimum conditions of some physical characteristics of soybean for high quality and acceptable soy flour. The characteristics studied for soybean samples subjected to heat treatment of boiling and oven drying were the effect moisture content (MC) and the hull thickness on the quality of the flours. Ten samples of Tax 1485 at different moisture levels ranging from 20.6% to 8.6% and five varieties (Tax 1440-1E, Tax 1740, Tax 1485, Tax 1456 and Tax 1448-2E) obtained from International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA), having different hull thicknesses were used. Soybean with mixed varieties commonly found in the open markets was also used to compare the effects of MC on the studied parameters. Flours obtained from the samples milled in an attrition mill were subjected to proximate, sieve and organoleptic evaluations. The hull thickness was found to have no correlation with protein retention, acceptability and flour yield, but moisture content has a very significant effect on the qualities. Between moisture content of 20.6% and 8.6%, protein and acceptability reduced from 40.0% to 27.7% and 4.3 to 2.2 respectively while yield increased from 0.9% to 5.8%. Though protein was reducing with reduced MC, there was no significant difference (p<0.05) in protein retention between MC of 20.6% and 10.1% but it became significant at 9.4%. There was no significant difference in acceptability from 13.6% to 8.6% MC and between 8.9% and 11.0% MC for flour yield. Both Tax 1485 and mixed varieties followed the same trend only that they have different absolute values. The mixed varieties however had no significant difference in protein content between 19.8% and 10.2% MC. These results, therefore established that to obtain acceptable soyflour of high flour yield and protein content, moisture content of soybean after processing should be about 10% (dry basis).
Desorption Isotherm of Mango Soy Fortified Yoghurt
Authors: Kumar Pradyuman , Mishra H. N.
Published: December 2005

Desorption isotherms of three yoghurt samples viz. plain yoghurt, mango soy fortified yoghurt (MSFY) and MSFY containing 0.4 % gelatin stabilizer (MSFYG) were determined by gravimetric static method at 20, 30, 40 and 50 °C in the range of 0.11 – 0.81 water activity. It was found that desorption isotherm of yoghurt samples follow a typical type III sigmoid curve. Experimental data were fitted to five mathematical models i. e. modified Henderson, modified Chung Pfost, Oswin, Smith and Guggenheim-Anderson-deBoer (GAB). Equations were developed for the prediction of the GAB constants as a function of temperature and these equations were used during modeling. Standard error of estimate (SE), mean relative percentage error (P), percent root mean square (% RMS) and trend of residual plots were used to compare the goodness of fit. It was found that the GAB models were acceptable in describing equilibrium moisture content – water activity relationships for yoghurt samples over the entire experimental temperature range.
Effect of Phosphate and Silica on the Rate of Crystallization of Sucrose
Authors: Puri Ms. Aamarpali Ratna , Kaur S.
Published: December 2005

Sucrose Crystallization is a mass transfer process. Sucrose molecule's migration from solution to crystal is driven by concentration difference between the mother liquor and the crystal surface; the coefficient of super saturation is the most important parameter for the process. Supersaturation of sugar solution depends on the purity and brix of the mother liquor. It has large influence on product's quantity and quality (crystal yield, crystal size and size distribution) and on the cost of production i.e output/hour and energy consumption. However there is still no generally applicable theory, which permits an accurate prediction of the effects of all the factors that govern the industrial processes of crystallization from solution. The crystal growth depends on the viscosity, which further depends on the nature and amount of impurities. If the local conditions are favourable, localized layers of molecules of impurity can statistically remain on the surface for a period of time. On the other hand, if the interaction between the impurity and the layer is weak, then there will be competition between impurity and sucrose molecules thus affecting the sucrose crystal growth rate. In the present study, the growth rate of sugar crystals was studied, using two-litre automatic laboratory vacuum pan, under controlled conditions in the presence of impurities. The effect of phosphate and silica (adding one at time) on the growth rate of sugar crystals was studied at two different temperatures 328 and 338K and with two different seed sizes of sucrose (850 and 600µm). The growth rate was studied at two degrees of supersaturation (1.10 and 1.15). The growth rate of sucrose crystals (with or without added impurities) showed significant increase with the 10°C rise in temperature. The growth rate of sucrose crystals increased with the increase in the level of phosphate but decreased with the increase in the level of silica in sugar solution.
Computer Simulation of On-Line Control of Thermal Sterilization of Canned Foods Subjected to Arbitrary Retort Temperature Deviations
Authors: Mohamed Ibrahim O.
Published: December 2005

A computer control logic algorithm has been developed to compensate for the effects of arbitrary retort temperature deviations on lethality. The algorithm is based on calculating the can center temperature for any retort temperature profiles using an alternating direction implicit finite difference method. Lethal rate and corresponding accumulated lethality were calculated during the simulation process. Five types of process deviations were investigated including one with multiple deviations. All the deviations investigated resulted in serious under processing with relative errors in sterilization value ranges from 16.9 % to 43.2 %. A correction measure for process with retort temperature deviations based on targeting the lethal rate of the standard process at the end of the heating phase was proposed. The implementation of this measure resulted in successful correction for all the deviations investigated with a maximum relative error in sterilization value of 9.5 % on the over processing side. This work indicates that the current control algorithm could be incorporated in HACCP guideline, as an online corrective measure for retort temperature deviations during thermal sterilization process.