bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mordell’s exponential sum estimate revisited
Authors: Bourgain J.
Published: March 2005

The aim of this paper is to extend recent work of S. Konyagin and the author on Gauss sum estimates for large degree to the case of ‘sparse’ polynomials. In this context we do obtain a nearly optimal result, improving on the works of Mordell and of Cochrane and Pinner. The result is optimal in terms of providing some power gain under conditions on the exponents in the polynomial that are best possible if we allow arbitrary coefficients. As in earlier work referred to above, our main combinatorial tool is a sum-product theorem. Here we need a version for product spaces

F

p

×

F

p

\mathbb {F}_{p}\times \mathbb {F}_{p}

for which the formulation is obviously not as simple as in the

F

p

\mathbb {F}_{p}

-case. Again, the method applies more generally to provide nontrivial bounds on (possibly incomplete) exponential sums involving exponential functions. At the end of the paper, some applications of these are given to issues of uniform distribution for power generators in cryptography.
The hypoelliptic Laplacian on the cotangent bundle
Authors: Bismut Jean-Michel
Published: March 2005

In this paper, we construct a new version of Hodge theory, where the corresponding Laplacian acts on the total space of the cotangent bundle. This Laplacian is a hypoelliptic operator, which is in general non-self-adjoint. When properly interpreted, it provides an interpolation between classical Hodge theory and the generator of the geodesic flow. The construction is also done in families in the superconnection formalism of Quillen and extends earlier work by Lott and the author.
On Grief and Gratitude
Authors: Solomon Robert C.
Published: March 2005

Is grief a “negative” emotion? Is it an emotion at all? We often tend to conflate what causes an emotion (in this case, a serious loss) with the value of the emotion itself. I argue that grief plays an unappreciated positive role in our experience. I also suggest that we too often tend to think of emotions as distinctive feelings and not as processes, but grief is a clear case of an emotional process (that includes several other emotions). I similarly suggest that gratitude is an unappreciated emotion in ethics. But, on a cosmic level, there is some question who the grateful person (especially a grateful humanist) is grateful to.
Spirituality as Sentimentality
Authors: Solomon Robert C.
Published: March 2005

Spirituality (as opposed to religion and theology) is often dismissed as mere sentimentality. It is also often opposed to science and the scientific worldview, as if the one is anathema to the other. I suggest that spirituality has distinct advantages over religion and is not at all opposed to science or scientific thinking.
Reasons for Love
Authors: Solomon Robert C.
Published: March 2005

Do we love for reasons? Most romantics would insist not. In fact, we love despite good reasons not to love. I argue that love necessarily involves reasons (though not necessarily conscious or articulate reasons). I discuss the problem of loving someone for his or her looks and what I call Plato's Problem, loving only the properties of a person. I end by discussing some dubious and perverse reasons for love.
A Lover's Reply (to Roland Barthes'sA Lover's Discourse)
Authors: Solomon Robert C.
Published: March 2005

Roland Barthes's book, A Lover's Discourse, is a classic confession of the pains of love. This chapter is an homage to the late great contemporary French thinker.
God, the Devil, and Darwin
Authors: Shanks Niall , Dawkins Richard
Published: March 2005

This book introduces the intelligent design theory, which preserves the core of creation science while doing away with much of the biblical literalism and explicit references to God. It discusses the theory, where it came from, and how it is presented to the public. It argues that the theory represents a serious threat to the educational, scientific, and philosophical values of the Enlightenment that have shaped modern science and modern democratic institutions.
Darwin and the Illusion of Intelligent Design
Authors: Shanks Niall
Published: March 2005

Darwin’s response to apparent design in nature, in the form of the adaptation of organisms to their environments, is examined. It is explained how his theory of evolution by natural selection is able to account for organic structures and processes in terms of unguided, natural causes rather than the intelligent, supernatural ones to which Paley appealed. Darwin’s attitude to religion is discussed, and his concern that the manifest suffering in nature is inconsistent with the existence of an omnipotent, benevolent God is observed. It is argued that modern advances in our understanding of genetics and developmental biology reinforce the explanatory power of Darwin’s theory.
Thermodynamics and the Origins of Order
Authors: Shanks Niall
Published: March 2005

The creationist claim that evolution is inconsistent with the Second Law of Thermodynamics, which states that entropy in the universe increases, is discussed and refuted: local reductions in entropy can be offset against increases in entropy elsewhere, so that the net increase in entropy required by the Law is consistent with local decreases in entropy. It is explained how recent developments in nonequilibrium thermodynamics have shown how physical systems can organize themselves into highly ordered states under the influence of natural laws alone.
Science and the Supernatural
Authors: Shanks Niall
Published: March 2005

The creationist criticism of modern science that it rules out supernatural causation a priori and prejudicially, owing to a misplaced commitment to metaphysical naturalism, is discussed. It is argued that supernatural causation is not taken seriously at present because it is completely lacking in evidential support, and not because its very possibility has been dismissed prior to experiment, data, and interpretation. As a case study, a controlled, randomized, double-blind investigation by Harris et al. into the efficacy of intercessionary prayer on coronary patients, putative empirical evidence of supernatural causation, is examined and shown to be, at very best, inconclusive.
The Biochemical Case for Intelligent Design
Authors: Shanks Niall
Published: March 2005

The subject of this chapter is irreducible biochemical complexity, which, according to Michael Behe amongst others, is not susceptible to explanation in evolutionary terms, because the removal of any one of the complex system’s component parts would cause it to cease to function; it must, therefore, be attributed to intelligent supernatural design. The Belousov-Zhabotinski reaction, in which a certain series of chemicals perform a repeating cycle of reactions in each other’s presence, is adduced as an example of chemical self-organization’s giving rise to an irreducibly complex system. It is shown how unthinking evolutionary processes can produce irreducible biochemical complexity by means of redundant complexity, which acts in concert with existing functional systems to produce structures that ultimately exhibit irreducible complexity; natural selection either eliminates the redundant complexity or retains it for further evolutionary elaboration.
Conclusion
Authors: Shanks Niall
Published: March 2005

The social, political, and legal implications of creation science and its belief in a transcendent supernatural creator are analyzed. It is suggested that creation science is not in fact a genuine attempt to advance scientific knowledge but rather a vehicle for propagating a conservative, Christian social agenda. The moral implications for the doctrine of intelligent design in such areas as abortion, human cloning, and stem cell research are drawn out and argued to be highly deleterious to the advance of medical science and scientific research generally.
Coming to Terms
Authors: DeCaroli Robert
Published: March 2005

This introductory chapter presents an overview of the ways in which the iconographic evidence, provided by the sculptural imagery found on early Buddhist monasteries, contradicts the traditional histories of early Buddhism that rely almost exclusively on textual sources. These discrepancies are largely due to the work of European authors writing during the colonial period and, as such, functioned to support the colonial agenda. However, long after the end of Imperialism these ideas still remain entrenched in our understanding of Buddhism's early history. As a first step, this chapter undertakes a thorough analysis of the diverse terminology associated with various categories of spirit‐deities in order to work out an appropriate vocabulary for use in the rest of the book.
Making Believers
Authors: DeCaroli Robert
Published: March 2005

After an analysis of the historical periods dealt with in the book and their connections to various relevant textual and artistic forms of evidence, this chapter presents one of the central arguments. Specifically, I claim that Buddhism's interaction with popular religion played a pivotal role in the new faith's expansion and acceptance. By acting as intermediaries between the public and the often capricious whims of local demigods, the Buddhists established a social role for themselves that helped to ensure their continued public support. As evidence of this shift, I have cited or referenced numerous tales and legends featuring encounters between monks and spirit‐deities. And, while these tales are often too fantastic to be used as literal historical sources, the physical evidence provided in the next chapter reveals that they are one part of a larger historical process by which the Buddhists came to associate their beliefs with these pre‐existent deities.
Ghost Stories
Authors: DeCaroli Robert
Published: March 2005

This chapter examines the relationship between local deities and the ancestral dead. There are a vast number of tales in the early Buddhist literature that detail situations in which a dangerous demigod or ghost confronts the Buddha, a monk, or a nun. With few exceptions, these tales conclude when the supernatural being realizes that it is unable to sway or harm its intended victim and, after a brief sermon, the creature ends up being converted to Buddhism as a new guardian of the faith. These tales demonstrate the Buddhist efficacy in helping the dead and relate to the development of the monks’ role as funerary experts. This growing association between the Buddhist community and the dead receives additional support from an analysis of the thousands of votive stupas (relic mounds) that have been dedicated by lay devotees to the memory of deceased relatives and are found at the majority of early Buddhist sites.
The Politics of Enlightenment
Authors: DeCaroli Robert
Published: March 2005

Most people who have studied Buddhism to any degree are familiar with the tale of the Buddha's enlightenment at Bodh Gaya. However, Bodh Gaya was also the foremost location at which to perform funerary rites and was therefore one of the most haunted places in India. I demonstrate in this chapter that the Buddha's famous encounter with Mara (the deity who presides over desire and fear) serves as the template for all successive confrontations between supernatural beings and members of the monastic community. In this manner the Buddha himself established the precedents by which a monk or nun may subdue troublesome local spirits and, in so doing, helps to establish a social role for the ostensibly insular monastic community.
Policing the Monastery
Authors: DeCaroli Robert
Published: March 2005

This chapter examines the relationship between monks and nuns and the supernatural beings with whom they shared their monastic residences. The Buddhist monastic codes (Vinaya) contain descriptions of legal cases that demonstrate the importance spirit‐deities held for the members of the monastic community. More specifically, they inform us about the ways in which the Buddhist community performed rites in honor of the popular deities whose images are found decorating the monasteries. The chapter goes on to examine the literary accounts of the popular deities providing services to the community in return for this devotion. In particular, these deities were believed to be skilled at monitoring the monastic community for any infractions against their strict codes of behavior and, as such, functioned to police the inappropriate behavior of wayward monks and nuns.
Confronting Their Demons
Authors: DeCaroli Robert
Published: March 2005

The relationship between Buddhism and popular deities unquestionably changed over time. With the emergence of new forms of Buddhism, the spirit deities take on new roles and, in some cases, even have connections to specific bodhisattvas. By converting and incorporating local deities into Buddhism, the Buddhists managed to garner public acceptance and ensure continued public support and these deities remain a consistent and important part of Buddhism, no matter its form. What emerges from this study is a methodology for Buddhist expansion that depended upon interaction with pre‐existent, indigenous systems of belief.
Happiness Quantified
Authors: Praag Bernard van , Ferrer-i-Carbonell Ada
Published: March 2005

This book deals with satisfaction analysis, the way humans evaluate many aspects of their situation. It focuses on that which precedes decision taking, i.e., judgements and evaluations, likes and dislikes, and from which preference orderings originate. Although written by two economists, the book is intended for social scientists with the aim of promoting discussion between the two disciplines. It presents methodology by which satisfaction can be analysed along the lines similar to those used by econometricians to analyse ‘objective’ variables.
5 Political Satisfaction
Authors: Van Praag Bernard
Published: March 2005

This chapter applies the three-layer model of job satisfaction discussed in Chapter 4 to political satisfactions. A survey of political satisfaction in the Netherlands is studied, wherein an individual’s satisfaction with government policy is considered analogous to life as a whole, and satisfaction with policies on health, employment, migration, income, etc. is analogous to the breakdown with respect to life domains. It is shown that political satisfaction may be broken down into a number of satisfactions with political aspects, i.e., political-sub-domains. Political satisfaction is a significant component of general satisfaction with life as a whole.
The Impact Of Past And Future On Present Satisfaction
Authors: Van Praag Bernard
Published: March 2005

This chapter examines the theory that the individual’s current satisfaction will depend on his or her own past experience and expected future. The study assumes that both the past and the future have an effect, and that the impact distribution is described by a mass-density function on the time axis. Estimations of the function showed that it varies its position and shape depending on age and other individual variables. The young and elderly place more weight on the past, while those in mid-life give more weight to the future.
The Effects Of Climate On Welfare And Well‐Being—External Effects
Authors: Van Praag Bernard
Published: March 2005

This chapter examines the effects of climate on welfare and well-being. Climate is shown to be a multidimensional phenomenon with complex effects on financial satisfaction and general satisfaction. This case is considered a particular instance of a more general problem: how to estimate the effect of an externality in terms of satisfaction and monetary compensation to neutralize externality differences. Most external effects are neither completely internalised nor completely non-compensated through market income and prices. This method makes it possible to assess how far the externality is compensated, and the size of residual effects.
How To Find Compensations For Aircraft Noise Nuisance
Authors: Van Praag Bernard
Published: March 2005

This chapter examines the monetary compensation needed to neutralize aircraft noise for households living around the Amsterdam airport. Two cases are considered. In the first case, houses with a noisy environment are cheaper than houses in a quiet environment, while there is no price adaptation in the second case. It is shown that Amsterdam housing costs do not depend on the noise, meaning the housing prices and rents do not appear to internalise the external effect completely.
12 Taxation and Well‐being
Authors: Van Praag Bernard
Published: March 2005

This chapter examines the feasibility of a lump-sum tax based ‘ability’, defined as a function of IQ and education. Empirical research on a Dutch database shows that shifting from income-based to an ability-based taxation would not have devastating effects on short-term net income positions. Although individuals with low IQs will have to pay extra taxes while those with the highest IQs mostly gain, this effect is restricted to a gain or loss of roughly just 10% of net monthly income. These small effects are attributed to the equitable tax rates in the Netherlands, and the limitation of the study to full-time employees.
A Generalized Approach to Subjective Inequalities
Authors: Van Praag Bernard
Published: March 2005

This chapter applies the subjective income inequality concept developed in Chapter 13 to analyse inequality in domains of life other than finance such as health, job, marriage, etc. It is shown that if satisfaction vector inequality is defined as a variance-covariance matrix of a vector of individual satisfactions, those satisfaction dimensions are highly correlated. The inequality of satisfaction with life as a whole can be defined as an aggregate of several domain satisfactions, which is a more important index to evaluating the distribution of well-being in a population than inequality with respect to one domain.
Poverty
Authors: Van Praag Bernard
Published: March 2005

This chapter explores the poverty phenomenon, distinguishing between the status of objective poverty and the subjective feeling of poverty. It is argued that defining objective poverty in terms of a minimum income or ‘basic needs’ runs the risk that some people who are officially declared to be ‘poor’ feel ‘non-poor’ and vice versa. A multidimensional poverty concept is presented, conforming to the approach to multidimensional inequality.
Halting Degradation of Natural Resources
Authors: Baland Jean-Marie , Platteau Jean-Philippe
Published: March 2005

This book focuses on the efficient and equitable management of local or village-level natural resources. It is divided into two parts. Part 1 provides an in-depth analysis on the optimal use of natural resources. It dwells on the “tragedy of the commons”, which attributes inefficient resource use to the absence of well-defined property rights. Non-cooperative game theory is used to examine the impact of human interactions on resource management, and discusses the implications of the privatisation of common property resources. In Part 2, the main lessons drawn from Part 1 are compared against evidence obtained from field settings, particularly traditional village societies in developing countries.
The Tragedy of the Commons
Authors: Baland Jean‐Marie , Platteau Jean‐Philippe
Published: March 2005

This chapter analyses the ‘tragedy of the commons’, which attributes the inefficiency in managing natural resources to the absence of well-defined property rights and the regime of open access that characterizes them. It discusses the problem of open access and problem of common property, the Pareto-inefficiency of the Nash equilibrium under common property, and the Lindahl equilibrium.
The Property Rights School Solution: The Privatization Programme
Authors: Baland Jean‐Marie , Platteau Jean‐Philippe
Published: March 2005

This chapter discusses the property rights school solution, which advocates the development of private property rights in a resource. It argues that private property rights do not necessarily promote efficiency due to the absence of markets for certain resources, and imperfect markets. The impact of a privatization programme on income distribution is examined.
Moral Norms and Co‐Operation
Authors: Baland Jean‐Marie , Platteau Jean‐Philippe
Published: March 2005

This chapter analyses the role of moral norms in shaping individual preferences and expectations in a way that is conducive to cooperation. It covers norms as constraints on the pursuit of self-interest, norms as social devices shaping preferences and expectations, and the emergence and erosion of moral norms.
Some Concluding Reflections on the Privatization of Common Property Resources
Authors: Baland Jean‐Marie , Platteau Jean‐Philippe
Published: March 2005

This chapter presents some conclusions on the privatisation of common property resources. It argues that the property rights school confuses property regimes in which a resource is free for the taking, with other regimes where access to, and the use of resources are subject to strong internal regulations. More scientific thinking is needed to refine the different arguments on the impact of a particular property regime on the nature and forms of innovative activities, and on the role of the State.
Conditions for Successful Collective Action: Insights from Field Experiences
Authors: Baland Jean‐Marie , Platteau Jean‐Philippe
Published: March 2005

This chapter analyses the conditions for successful collective action in the local level management of common property resources (CPRs). It discusses the problem of economic incentives, the twin issues of group size and homogeneity, the rationale and characteristics of the sanction system, and the role of tradition.
Co‐Management as a New Approach to Regulation of Common Property Resources
Authors: Baland Jean‐Marie , Platteau Jean‐Philippe
Published: March 2005

This paper focuses on the co-management approach to regulating common property resources. The nature of co-management arrangements or contracts, and applications of co-management in various countries, particularly coastal fishery management in Japan are discussed. The success of co-management lies in its operation within a framework where the state integrates the populations concerned during the early design stages of the resource-preserving strategy. Given the ‘culture of distrust’ in relationships between the State and local resource users, development projects initiated by local or foreign donor agencies play a key role within a co-management framework of action.
Political and Social Citizenship: An Examination Of the Case Of Poland
Authors: Heinen Jacqueline , Portet Stéphane
Published: March 2005

This chapter examines the difference in the status of men and women in Poland, based on the legal changes affecting employment, reproduction, and political representation. It covers the different types of rights, the continuity/restructuring of the public-private relationship, new citizenship opportunities and increased marginalization of women, inequalities in the right to work, unemployment and limitations on social rights, prohibition of abortion, and the impact of European integration on equal rights between men and women.
National Law and Indigenous Customary Law: The Struggle For Justice Of Indigenous Women In Chiapas, Mexico
Authors: Castillo R. Aída Hernández
Published: March 2005

This chapter examines the ways national law and indigenous customary law respond to the struggle of indigenous women in Chiapas, Mexico for rights within the new macro-political context of multiculturalism. It is argued that certain academic paradigms used to analyse indigenous normative systems have contributed to creating an image of customary law as a harmonious space free of contradiction, and in isolation from national law. This is an image that can impede the development of proposals for reform aimed at increasing access to justice for indigenous women.
The Exaltation of Faith: The State of Current Research
Authors: Laird Martin
Published: March 2005

A synthesis of mid to late twentieth-century scholarship on Gregory’s understanding of faith (Dani” lou, von Balthasar, Völker, Can”vet, Harrison, Dünzl, Pottier, Desalvo). Indicates how the present study will advance our understanding of faith in Gregory, adjust our understanding of a characteristic feature of Gregory’s apophaticism, redress how we understand Gregory’s mysticism of darkness.
4 The Grasp of Faith and Supranoetic Union
Authors: Laird Martin
Published: March 2005

In designating a non-discursive faculty of apophatic union, Gregory is doing nothing new. This chapter explores parallels in Middle and Neoplatonism: Celsus, The Chaldaean Oracles, Plotinus. Gregory ascribes to faith many of the same qualities as others did to faculties of union, yet Gregory differs markedly in the dynamic, exegetical, and sacramental character he accords faith as an apophatic faculty.
6 Christ Speaking Himself
Authors: Laird Martin
Published: March 2005

Discusses an over-looked dimension of Gregory’s apophaticism. By virtue of apophatic union with the Word, the soul, while remaining unknowing, paradoxically takes on the qualities of the Word. The Word speaks (logophasis) in the deeds and discourse of Paul, Peter, Thekla, andthe bride.
7 The Luminous Dark Revisited
Authors: Laird Martin
Published: March 2005

Redresses Gregory’s over-identification with a ‘mysticism of darkness’ and shows that he is no less concerned with a ‘mysticism of light’. The mysticism-of-darkness theme is grounded in exegesis; outside of commenting certain scriptural texts, Gregory does not concern himself with the divine dark but prefers instead to speak of the soul’s transformation in the language of light. Gregory does not subordinate light to dark or darkto light. This parity reflects his understanding of the relationship of knowledge to virtue.
International Business and Democracy
Authors: Youngs Richard
Published: March 2005

This chapter examines the evolving positions and actions of multinational corporations in relation to democratic norms. The focus on core rights issues under the Corporate Social Responsibility agenda was stronger than concerns over democratic trends. Many companies prioritised the autocratic stability and autonomy of elite policymaking structure from civil society pressure, and new investments were not linked to improvements in political freedom.
Civil Society and Democracy Promotion
Authors: Youngs Richard
Published: March 2005

This chapter argues that civil society’s perceptions of the relationship between democracy on one hand, and development, security, conflict and globalisation on the other, were less than straightforward. For some NGOs democracy was a legitimate political crusade; for others it was anathema to cultural heterogeneity and practical development needs; for most it was a welcome yet somewhat fuzzy dimension of international policy that was influential in orienting many elements of civil society but absent in name from their stated priorities.
Conclusions
Authors: Youngs Richard
Published: March 2005

This chapter discusses the evolution of Western actors’ democracy-related strategies. Governments, businesses and NGOs all showed increased concern for democratic trends, but their strategies were beset by uncertainty and ambivalence. A general feature to emerge was a common concern for encouraging islands of liberal rights protection, combined with a reluctance to link this to primary and overarching macro-level action on democracy.
Introduction
Authors: Hills John
Published: March 2005

Argues that the evidence and research presented in this book bear on questions that are at the centre of politics, not just in Britain, but in other industrialized countries. How society’s resources are ultimately distributed and how collective decisions through the State affect that distribution are very big issues. Explains the structure of the book and its focus on how the State affects distribution through its spending programmes and through taxation, and what the public thinks of all three.
Poverty, Deprivation, and Exclusion
Authors: Hills John
Published: March 2005

Examines trends in poverty and in wider indicators of deprivation and social exclusion in the UK. Discusses different ways of measuring the extent of poverty. Presents trends in the numbers with low incomes, progress towards the abolition of child poverty in a generation as promised by Tony Blair in 1999, and evidence on the depth of poverty. Discusses the concepts of ‘social inclusion’ and ‘social exclusion’ and shows quite how poor Britain’s record on deprivation and exclusion had become in international terms by the mid-1990s. Presents attitudes survey evidence on what the public as a whole thinks about poverty, shedding light on which measures resonate with the public and how great they think the problems are.
Income Dynamics and Social Mobility
Authors: Hills John
Published: March 2005

Presents evidence on income dynamics, using data from longitudinal surveys that track what has happened to the same people over time. Discusses what such information can tell us, and why it might be useful in formulating policy. Looks at the extent of income mobility in the UK during the 1990s and presents evidence on movements in and out of poverty. It looks across the distribution at the overall patterns that these data reveal for the trajectories that people’s incomes follow over time. Presents evidence on whether income mobility has been changing over time, and at how income and earnings mobility in the UK compare with other countries. The final section looks at longer-term links between generations.
Distribution and Redistribution
Authors: Hills John
Published: March 2005

Suggests that discussion of either tax or spending in isolation can easily be misleading. Discusses the combined impact of tax and public spending on income distribution in the UK, analysing differences between groups defined in different ways. Presents the distribution by income group of both social security benefits and other government services in kind – what is sometimes known as the ‘social wage’, and compares the distribution of these benefits from social spending with that of the taxes that pay for them, to see which income groups gain or lose from the combination. Examines what changes if a longer time horizon is used, and the focus is on redistribution over the life cycle or on intergenerational distribution. Finally, discusses public attitudes in the UK towards the redistributive role of government, and how these have changed over the last 20 years.
New Labour, Welfare, and Distribution
Authors: Hills John
Published: March 2005

Analyses the impact of changes in tax and social security policy since the New Labour government came into office in the UK in May 1997. Looks at the challenges the Blair government faced in 1997 and at what has been new about ‘New’ Labour policies since then. Outlines the key features of these policies, looking in turn at those connected with labour markets, incomes, social exclusion, and public spending. Examines what we know so far about the outcomes of these policies in terms of recent trends in poverty, inequality, and social exclusion, and at what modelling evidence suggests their impact will be, particularly on rates of poverty.
Conclusions: The Spending Pit or the Tax Pendulum?
Authors: Hills John
Published: March 2005

Looks at the policy dilemmas created by these pressures and constraints explored in Ch. 10 in the light of the evidence in the rest of the book. Highlights some parts of the evidence reviewed in earlier parts of the book that may come as a surprise to readers and summarizes its central themes. One of these is whether it is possible for policy-makers to resolve the conflicting pressures of public desires for reduced poverty and inequality, growing demands on social programmes as the population ages, and the constraints imposed by objectives of keeping down taxation. There are few easy ways out, but better public understanding of precisely that may be one of the crucial ingredients of any resolution.
Consumption Smoothing Across Space: Testing Theories of Risk-Sharing in the ICRISAT Study Region of South India
Authors: Morduch Jonathan
Published: March 2005

The risk-sharing and insurance strategies used by rural households to smooth consumption are investigated, using data from the ICRISAT (International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics) Village Level Studies. Self-insurance is the most important risk coping mechanism. Limits in self-insurance and high costs of risk-coping strategies suggest opportunities for institutions that can help households save, work, and accumulate buffer stock to cope with risk.
Inequality and Risk
Authors: Fafchamps Marcel
Published: March 2005

The impact of risk, wealth accumulation and insurance on inequality are investigated. Trade-offs exist between insurance and mobility, and asset markets and social polarization. In the presence of imperfect commitment, mutual insurance may be easier to sustain in the form of patronage in unequal societies. When wealth is made up of assets in fixed supply, trade in these assets leads to an unequal distribution of welfare and income.
The Macroeconomic Repercussions of Agricultural Shocks and their Implications for Insurance
Authors: Collier Paul
Published: March 2005

The macroeconomic effects of agricultural shocks are investigated. A decline in the price of agricultural exports can cause an income shock to the household, locality, and the nation. Positive price shocks may cause a temporary increase in the demand for financial assets. Output shocks, represented as variations in national agricultural value-added, did not affect output in other sectors of the economy.
Risk-Sharing and Endogenous Network Formation
Authors: De Weerdt Joachim
Published: March 2005

A method is developed for analysing the determinants of network formation. The unit of analysis will be the dyad, a pair of households. Application of the method to data on a small Haya village in rural Tanzania showed that the formation of risk-sharing networks was influenced by kinship, geographical proximity, the number of common friends, clan membership, religious affiliation, and wealth.
The Gradual Erosion of the Social Security Function of Customary Land Tenure Arrangements in Lineage-based Societies
Authors: Platteau Jean-Philippe
Published: March 2005

This chapter argues that economic development has eroded the effectiveness of land tenure arrangements in African village societies. It discusses the growing incidence of exclusionary practices, the diminishing role of the commons, and increasing individualization of land tenure rights. It argues that the intervention of central agencies becomes more essential as market development advances.
Do Public Transfers Crowd Out Private Transfers?: Evidence from a Randomized Experiment in Mexico
Authors: Albarran Pedro , Attanasio Orazio P.
Published: March 2005

This chapter examines the interaction between public programmes and private transfers. It analyses the PROGRESA — a large welfare programme in rural Mexico aimed at fostering the accumulation of human capital by increasing school enrolment, improving nutrition, and health practices. The programme crowded out private transfers. It negatively affected the likelihood of receiving a transfer and the amount received.
Learning from Visa®? Incorporating Insurance Provisions in Microfinance Contracts
Authors: Sadoulet Loïc
Published: March 2005

This chapter argues that the repeated interaction between banks and clients allows borrowers to establish a credit record, which they can use to insure themselves from temporary liquidity shocks. It discusses microcredit contracts, and the importance of insurance for borrowers based on a survey in Guatemala. It presents a model that captures the features of microcredit contracts, i.e., the joint liability of members for individual loans and group loans. The model shows the incentive mechanisms behind microfinance contracts, and how insurance is an important by-product of liability loans.
Pressure ulcer prevention in intensive care – a randomised control trial of two pressure‐relieving devices
Authors: Theaker C. , Kuper M. , Soni N.
Published: March 2005

Pressure sores are a potential complication of intensive care. Modern methods of pressure sore prevention centre around the use of pressure‐relieving devices. Few studies exist that confirm the effectiveness of these devices. This study evaluates the effectiveness of two devices, the Hill‐Rom Duo® mattress and the KCI TheraPulse®. High‐risk patients were randomly assigned to receive one of two devices. We excluded those patients who had pressure sores upon admission. Those patients that did develop a pressure sore had their wound digitally photographed and graded by two independent tissue viability nurses. Sixty‐two patients were included (30 TheraPulse® , 32 Duo®). Nine developed a pressure sore (6 Duo®, 3 TheraPulse®). No statistical differences between the two devices could be found. The longer a patient was nursed on a device, the greater the risk of pressure sore development. Despite the use of these devices, pressure sores can still develop in the Intensive Care patient population.
Quality of life before and after intensive care
Authors: Cuthbertson B. H. , Scott J. , Strachan M. , Kilonzo M. , Vale L.
Published: March 2005

Quality of life is often thought to be poor before and after intensive care unit admission. The aim of this study was to investigate changes in quality of life before and after intensive care. A prospective cohort study of 300 consecutive patients admitted to intensive care was performed in a Scottish Teaching Hospital. Quality of life was assessed premorbidly and 3, 6 and 12 months after intensive care admission for surviving patients using SF‐36 as well as EQ‐5D scores at 12 months. The median value for age was 60.5 years and for APACHE II score, 18. The mean length of stay was 6.7 days. SF‐36 physical component scores decreased from premorbid values at 3 months (p = 0.05) and then returned to premorbid values at 12 months (p < 0.001). The mean physical scores were below the population norm at all time points but the mean mental scores were similar or higher than these population norms. Patients who died after intensive care discharge had lower quality of life scores than did survivors (all p < 0.01). Poor premorbid quality of life was demonstrated and appears to reduce after ICU discharge. For survivors there was a slow increase in physical quality of life to premorbid levels by the end of the first year but these remained lower than in the general population. ICU patients experience a considerable longer‐term burden of ill health.
Effects of a height and weight adjusted dose of local anaesthetic for spinal anaesthesia for elective Caesarean section*
Authors: Harten J. M. , Boyne I. , Hannah P. , Varveris D. , Brown A.
Published: March 2005

In this prospective, randomised, double‐blind study, we compared the effects of two dosage regimens. Pregnant patients at term were randomly assigned to two groups to be given diamorphine 0.4 mg in hyperbaric bupivacaine 0.5% 2.4 ml or diamorphine 0.4 mg in a volume of hyperbaric bupivacaine 0.5% adjusted according to the patient's height and weight. Adequate anaesthesia was provided in all patients in both groups. The onset of the sensory block for cold and pinprick was faster with the fixed dose regimen (p = 0.01). There were more spinal blocks to above the first thoracic dermatome in the fixed dose group (17.1% vs. 2.2%, p = 0.022). Hypotension occurred in 71.7% vs. 50.0% of patients in the fixed dose and adjusted dose groups respectively (p = 0.035). In the fixed dose group, more patients required ephedrine to treat hypotension (79.5% vs. 56.8%, p = 0.022) and a larger median dose was administered (9 mg vs. 6 mg, p = 0.042). The decrease in mean (SD) arterial pressure was less in the adjusted group (35.0 (16.4) mmHg vs. 28.0 (13.5) mmHg, p = 0.036).
Assessing the applicability of scoring systems for predicting postoperative nausea and vomiting
Authors: Van Den Bosch J. E. , Kalkman C. J. , Vergouwe Y. , Van Klei W. A. , Bonsel G. J. , Grobbee D. E. , Moons K. G. M.
Published: March 2005

We have validated two scoring systems for predicting postoperative nausea and vomiting, derived by Apfel et al. and Koivuranta et al. from 1388 adult inpatients undergoing a wide range of surgical procedures. The predictive accuracy of the scoring systems was evaluated in terms of the ability to discriminate between patients with and without postoperative nausea and vomiting (discrimination) and agreement between observed and predicted outcomes (calibration). Discrimination and calibration were less than expected based on previous reports, with both scoring systems providing risk predictions that were too extreme. The area under the ROC curve was 0.63 for Apfel et al.'s scoring system and 0.66 for Koivuranta et al.'s scoring system. Neither of the scoring systems provided a risk threshold for administering anti‐emetic prophylaxis that yielded satisfying results in terms of predictive values, sensitivity and specificity. Hence, in their original forms, the scoring systems do not guarantee accurate prediction of the risk of postoperative nausea and vomiting in other patient populations. Koivuranta et al.'s scoring system appears to be more robust across different populations.
Evaluating a family‐centred intervention for infant sleep problems
Authors: Thome Marga , Skuladottir Arna
Published: March 2005

Aim.  This paper reports a study to describe changes in parents’ distress after a family‐centred intervention for sleep problems of infants.

Background.  Infant sleep problems are common and are related to depressive symptoms in mothers, but their impact on fathers has rarely been studied. Because childhood sleep problems and parental distress are associated, their interdependence should be recognized in research and in paediatric sleep practice.

Methods.  All children hospitalized for sleep problems in a hospital in Iceland in 1997–1998 and their parents were studied using a pre‐ and post‐test quasi‐experimental design. The sample consisted of 33 infants (6–23 months of age), 33 mothers and 30 fathers. Parents’ distress was assessed before and after treatment with regard to: (1) fatigue and resulting symptom distress; (2) parenting stress; (3) state‐anxiety; and (4) depressive symptoms. Infants were treated for a variety of sleep problems by a paediatric nurse. The parents were simultaneously treated for distress by either the paediatric nurse or a specialist, depending on the nature of their problems.

Results.  Mothers and fathers experienced a high degree of distress before the intervention, with no significant difference between them. Two months after the intervention both parents’ distress had significantly improved. Parents’ degree of distress was at a psychopathological level before the intervention but was reduced to population norms 2 months after the intervention. The paediatric nurse intervention was sufficient to reduce distress for 83% of parents.

Conclusions.  Health care professionals who care for infants with sleep problems should pay attention to the distressed responses of parents and support their recovery. An intervention such as that described here could be used by nurses for this purpose.
Beliefs about health and diabetes in men of different ethnic origin
Authors: Hjelm Katarina G. , Bard Karin , Nyberg Per , Apelqvist Jan
Published: March 2005

Aim.  This paper reports the findings of a study exploring the health and illness beliefs of men with diabetes, who were from different cultural backgrounds and living in Sweden.

Background.  No studies have been reported that have focused on the beliefs about health and illness in men with diabetes mellitus of different ethnic origin. Beliefs may affect self‐care and care‐seeking behaviour.

Method.  An explorative study design and purposive sampling procedure was used. Focus‐group interviews were held with 35 men with diabetes and aged between 39 and 78 years. Fourteen participants were born in Arabic countries, 10 in former Yugoslavia and 11 in Sweden.

Findings.  Important factors for health were the ability to be occupied/employed and economically independent and, especially among Arabs and former Yugoslavians, sexual functioning. Swedes focused on heredity, lifestyle and management of diabetes, while non‐Swedes claimed the influence of supernatural factors and emotional stress related to the role of being an immigrant and migratory experiences as factors related to development of diabetes and having a negative influence on health. Swedes and Arabs described health as ‘freedom from disease’ in contrast to many former Yugoslavians who described health as ‘wealth and the most important thing in life’. Knowledge about diabetes was limited among the men studied, but Arabs showed an active information‐seeking behaviour compared with Swedes and former Yugoslavians. Non‐Swedish respondents, particularly Arabs, had sought help from health care professionals to a greater extent than Swedes, who were more likely to use self‐care measures.

Conclusion.  Being occupied/employed and having knowledge about the body and management of diabetes are important for positive health development. There are dissimilarities in beliefs about health and diabetes that influence self‐care behaviour and health care seeking. Men's cultural backgrounds and spiritual beliefs need to be considered in diabetes care.
Maternal–fetal attachment: an integrative review
Authors: Cannella Barbara L.
Published: March 2005

Aims.  This paper presents an integrative review of the literature that aimed to (a) review, categorize and critique the published research on maternal–fetal attachment (MFA), (b) analyse and interpret the MFA findings and (c) evaluate the state of knowledge on MFA and provide directions for future research.

Background.  Previous researchers have examined MFA in independent studies using a variety of research designs. There was a need to synthesize the findings across studies in order to evaluate the knowledge developed about MFA since the construct was created.

Methods.  Five stages for conducting an integrative review were carried out. The research problem was identified; data were collected; data were evaluated; findings were analysed and interpreted. Forty‐one studies of MFA were located using the online databases of Medline, International Nursing Index, Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature, and Psychological Information. The keywords for the search were MFA, parental–fetal attachment, and prenatal attachment.

Findings.  Of the 41 studies reviewed, there were 152 findings relevant to the analysis. Of the 152 findings, 70 were statistically significant, while 82 were not.

Conclusions.  Research focusing on MFA has begun to create a body of scientific knowledge. This needs to be expanded through continued research using a variety of designs.