bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
At risk of prevention
Authors: Billis David 
Published: January 2009

ABSTRACTThe first part of this article explores the ways in which the term ‘prevention’ is utilized in the field of the personal social services. The conclusion is reached that, unlike its legitimate use in the physical world, the term is intellectually confused when applied to social services. In Part Two it is argued that this confusion has unanticipated and damaging consequences. It leads to an unfair deal for clients, to confusion and status differentials for staff, and an increase in the social control apparatus of public agencies. It is suggested that the abandonment of ‘pseudo-prevention’ may lead to the clarification and explication of more defensible boundaries based on the analysis of problems rather than the attainment of ideal states.
Freedom and the Welfare State: Theoretical Foundations
Authors: Goodin Robert E. 
Published: January 2009

AbstractThis essay critically assesses nine claims concerning freedom and the welfare state, the latter defined narrowly and the former broadly. On balance, the findings favour the welfare state. Allegations concerning its negative impact on freedom, where true, are contingently rather than inherently so. The positive impacts are more clearcut, and work to the benefit of citizens as a whole in addition to welfare recipients themselves.
An End to the Means Test? Social Security and the Attlee Government
Authors: Deacon Alan 
Published: January 2009

ABSTRACTThe post-war Labour Government has often been criticized for its failure to remove the means test from social security. Labour ministers, however, had no reason to anticipate the problems which were later to arise in the administration of means tested social assistance. The experience of the supplementary pension scheme during the war had indicated that there would be few problems of take-up or stigma if old people were required to claim assistance as a supplement to their pensions. Furthermore, the abolition of the household means test in 1941 was believed to have removed the cause of much of the bitterness surrounding the means test in the 1930s. A further, crucial, point is that the assistance scale was not seen as a poverty line, but was believed to provide more than a bare subsistence income. Indeed, the recent opening of the official records of the period has revealed that the 1948 scale was not based upon the subsistence diets calculated by Beveridge, and the comparisons which have often been made between the benefits rates proposed by Beveridge and those introduced in 1948 are of little value, whatever price index is used to express the Beveridge figures in 1948 prices.
Incomes of the Early Retired
Authors: Altmann Rosalind M. 
Published: January 2009

ABSTRACTThis paper examines the incomes of men retiring before age 65, using FES data for years 1970–77. The findings are that such men generally rely on state benefits for most of their income. In particular, it seems that many of the early retired are receiving benefits related to ill-health which suggests that early retirement decisions are attributable more to poor health than to any voluntary desire for increased leisure by those who can afford not to work. It is found that the incomes of the early retired improved over the 1970s relative to average eararnings, but this may be due to a rise in levels of state benefit rather than private sources of income. Incomes of this group have generally been lower than for men over age 65. There is, however, a small number of early retired men with very high incomes and extensive private support, but this is only about ten per cent of the group.
‘No Sufficient Security’: The Reaction of the Poor Law Authorities to Boarding-Out
Authors: Horsburgh Michael 
Published: January 2009

AbstractThe period from 1860 to 1870 saw the growth of a campaign to persuade the Poor Law Board to accept the practice of boarding-out pauper children. This paper examines the nature of the requests made to the board and the responses they elicited. The deterrent aspects of the New Poor Law and the difficulty of securing proper supervision of foster placements were the main objections raised in the board's office. Changes occurred through the direct intervention of George Goschen, appointed president in 1868. The campaign for boarding-out saw not only some success in their direct efforts, but increased the role played by women in poor law administration.
Ideology and Analysis in American Social Security Policymaking
Authors: Freeman Gary , Adams Paul 
Published: January 2009

AbstractThe extreme dispersion of authority and power in the American political system fosters a politics of bargaining, negotiation, and compromise. Nevertheless, technical-rational analysis plays a major role in the identification of public problems and in the legitimation of official responses. We explore this apparent paradox through an examination of the interaction between politics, ideology and analysis in the current crisis of the American public retirement system. Two analytical approaches are employed: an interpretation of the historical evolution of the programme through three relatively distinct phases; and an evaluation of the reports of three recent national commissions which have studied the social security crisis. We argue that in the American system policy must be made through either subsystem or consensual politics. Social security has benefited from the unusual conjunction of these two conditions through most of its history. Policy has been made by a small subsystem dominated by the social security bureaucracy itself and the programme has received widespread bipartisan support. Analysis has been central to this process, but its impact has differed over time. Analysis exerted a decisive influence on the initial shape of the programme even in the absence of an ideological consensus because it enjoyed a quasi-monopoly position in the President's Committee on Economic Security. During the long expansionary phase of the programme, subsystem autonomy and bipartisan consensus together fostered the emergence of a technocratic policy style, but the independent effects of analysis were more apparent than real. The contemporary commissions fail to provide an adequate response to the crisis because their technically competent proposals no longer rest on an underlying consensus and because the institutional autonomy of the old social security policymaking subsystem has broken down.
Housing Pathways and Stratification: Some Evidence from a British National Survey
Authors: Sullivan O. , Murphy M. J. 
Published: January 2009

AbstractFive principles determining movement in the housing market relating to tenure, social class and fertility status were suggested by Payne and Payne (1977) on the basis of a small-scale study in Aberdeen. Analysis of a large-scale nationally-representative survey containing full housing and maternity histories suggests that some of these principles require modification at the national level. For example, movement into and between tenures, although heavily influenced by demographic and socio-economic factors, is not as rigid as the Aberdeen study suggested. The interaction of social class, age at marriage and childbearing patterns is assessed. Finally, changes over time in these relationships and the long-term effects on final family size and tenure are discussed.
Beveridge, Workmen's Compensation and the Alternative Remedy
Authors: Bartrip P.W.J. 
Published: January 2009

ABSTRACTThe passing of the Workmen's Compensation Act 1897 did not affect an injured worker's rights to sue for damages at common law or under the Employers' Liability Act 1880. However, the evidence suggests that these alternative remedies declined in importance until the 1930s when certain court decisions and acts of Parliament gave them renewed significance. For several reasons Beveridge was antipathetic towards unmodified retention of the alternative remedy, but he proposed the establishment of an official committee for the purpose of making a full inquiry. As a result, the Home Secretary, Herbert Morrison, appointed the Monckton Committee on Alternative Remedies. The Committee's majority report largely endorsed the TUC's viewpoint in recommending maintenance of the alternative remedy. Subsequent legislation, the Law Reform (Personal Injuries) Act, permitted reduction of damages where industrial injuries benefit was secured; otherwise injured workers' rights to sue were perpetuated, albeit with questionable results. Down to the present day the costly alternative remedy survives, despite lack of evidence that it achieves either of its supposed objectives, namely, the compensation of personal injury victims or the deterrence of carelessness.
Leaving the Parental Home: An Analysis of Early Housing Careers
Authors: Jones Gill 
Published: January 2009

ABSTRACTPatterns of leaving home vary between classes in terms of the reason for the move, its timing, reversibility of the process, and the type of accommodation entered on leaving the family of origin. The association between leaving home and marriage is seen to be weakening as more young people move into single independent housing prior to marriage. The notion of transitional housing is raised, and it is argued that there will be an increasing demand for such housing, characterised by suitable accommodation for the single, geographically mobile young. The study draws upon evidence in the General Household Survey and the National Child Development Study.
Comparing Social Policies: Some Problems of Method and the Case of Social Security Benefits in Australia, Britain and the USA
Authors: Bolderson Helen 
Published: January 2009

ABSTRACTThe cross-national works of development sociologists and of political scientists have sought to disentangle some of the determinants of welfare, whereas studies in comparative social policy have been mainly evaluative. These have laid themselves open to charges of being, variously, a-theoretical, unsystematic and narrowly focused on the state sector. However, a case is made here for the continuation of such studies with a clear focus on social policy rather than the mixed economy of welfare, using more explicit evaluative criteria and a range of methods. A small comparative study of social security benefit levels in Australia, Britain and the USA is used as an illustration of the potential in this approach and the problems of method involved.
Restructuring Canada's Welfare State
Authors: Lightman Ernie , Irving Allan 
Published: January 2009

ABSTRACTThis paper highlights the development of the welfare state in Canada to its peak in the mid-1960s, and then traces the retreat from that height. While federalism and the complex relations between Ottawa and the provinces clearly represent a complicating factor, the paper argues that the fiscal crisis of the state has been the primary influence in the decline. As a major trading economy, Canada could not be immune from the onset of worldwide monetarism, though its effects were felt relatively late. Canadian monetarism has been marked by high taxes, an unwillingness/inability to cut government spending, and a singular absence of the anti-welfare state rhetoric of Reaganomics or Thatcherism. Neo-liberal outcomes are still likely to emerge, however, though they will be couched in market language and the need to be competitive internationally, particularly after the 1988 Free Trade Agreement with the United States.
Mothers, Markets and the State: A Scandinavian ‘Model’?
Authors: Leira Arnlaug 
Published: January 2009

ABSTRACTIn Denmark, Norway and Sweden mothers of young children have a higher employment rate than have the mothers of other Western European countries. To make high quality childcare universally available is regarded as a national concern, and as part of the welfare state commitment. It is also often regarded as a precondition of mothers' employment. The modes of state intervention and the structure of child-care provision are basically the same in all three countries, yet this paper questions the commonly made assumption that Scandinavian reproduction policies are developed in accordance with one common model. The interrelationship between welfare state, market and family differs between the countries. While in Denmark and Sweden national policies supported the dual role of mothers in production and social reproduction, this was not the case in Norwegian policies in which the concept of the employed mother made only modest impact. Not surprisingly, Denmark and Sweden are more successful in approaching national aims for provision of childcare and also in facilitating mothers' labour market participation.
Group Rights v. Individual Rights: The Case of Race-Conscious Policies
Authors: Edwards John 
Published: January 2009

ABSTRACTAffirmative action and preferential treatment are group policies. Their desired effects will be on groups of people rather than on individuals. The two main purposes for such race conscious practice are to compensate for past harm and to promote greater equality of opportunity, and arguments in the debate about such practice have often marshalled ideas about group rights to compensation and equality of opportunity. Most rights-talk on the other hand is about individual rights and the idea of group rights sits uneasily with individual liberalism. This article discusses the nature of group rights and whether they can easily co-exist with individual rights in the pursuit of compensation and equality of opportunity.
The Social Consequences of High Unemployment
Authors: Hakim Catherine 
Published: January 2009

ABSTRACTForecasts suggest that unemployment will remain above 2 million in Britain for the best part of the 1980s. The social consequences of protracted high levels of unemployment are explored. The evidence comes from four types of source: cross-sectional surveys of (unemployed) individuals; longitudinal and cohort studies; aggregrate time series; and area-based studies. The advantages and limitations of each are identified. The available evidence on the consequences of unemployment for poverty; health and mortality; mental health; crime and delinquency; and the social fabric is reviewed. The implications for policy and public expenditure are explored.
The Housing Needs of Women and Children Escaping Domestic Violence
Authors: Charles Nickie 
Published: January 2009

ABSTRACTThis article discusses the experiences of women and children who become homeless as a result of domestic violence and assesses the extent to which their need for housing, both temporary and permanent, is being met within Wales. It explores women's experiences of living in and moving on from refuges. Refuge provision in Wales is not sufficient to meet the demand for refuge spaces. However, for those women and children who are accommodated in refuges, the experience is significant in supporting them through a highly stressful period of their lives. This is related to the communal nature of refuge living and the high levels of support from refuge workers and from other women. The availability of suitable and affordable move-on accommodation for women and children leaving refuges is also insufficient to meet need. This results in long stays in refuges for women and children who have been accepted as officially homeless and are waiting to be rehoused by local authorities and may lead to their returning to violent domestic situations. It also exacerbates the shortage of refuge provision for women and children in need of temporary, crisis accommodation. Women and children who have survived domestic violence need access to housing which is safe and affordable where support is available if wished for. These needs are not being met.
Gypsies: Current Policies and Practices
Authors: Adams Barbara , Okely Judith , Morgan David , Smith David 
Published: January 2009

ABSTRACTThis article describes current policies and practices in relation to English Gypsies and a study of Gypsies by participant observation. While governments in the past have always sought to prevent the Gypsies from travelling, local authorities have been equally concerned to prevent camping or settlement in their district. Despite the Caravan Sites Act 1968, which makes the provision of caravan sites mandatory, many authorities are reluctant to fulfil their obligations. By June 1974, pitches for little more than a quarter of Gypsy families had been provided. Harassment of travelling families who have no legal place to which to go persists.The evidence suggests that the Gypsies are a cohesive ethnic group with membership based primarily on descent. They are not drop-outs from house-dwelling society and they maintain their separation by intent. They have a viable economy based mainly on scrap breaking and it seems likely that travelling, which facilitates their work, will persist. Though some Gypsies wish to settle, many do not.Several short-term policy changes are proposed, requiring a more flexible and varied approach to accommodation for Gypsies. The hope is that Britain might ultimately become the first country to permit Gypsies their own separate way of life, travelling or settled by choice.
A model predictive controller for robots to follow a virtual leader
Authors: Gu Dongbing , Hu Huosheng 
Published: January 2009

SUMMARYIn this paper, we develop a model predictive control (MPC) scheme for robots to follow a virtual leader. The stability of this control scheme is guaranteed by adding a terminal state penalty to the cost function and a terminal state region to the optimization constraints. The terminal state region is found by analyzing the stability. Also a terminal state controller is defined for this control scheme. The terminal state controller is a virtual controller and is never used in the control process. Two virtual leader-following formation models are studied. Simulations on different formation patterns are provided to verify the proposed control strategy.
Iodine nutritional status of children on the island of Tanna, Republic of Vanuatu
Authors: Li Mu , McKelleher Natalie , Moses Theto , Mark John , Byth Karen , Ma Gary , Eastman Creswell J 
Published: January 2009

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate the iodine nutritional status of children living on the island of Tanna, Republic of Vanuatu.DesignCross-sectional study. Urine and household salt samples were collected for iodine measurement. Thyroid volumes were measured by ultrasound. A food consumption frequency survey was carried out, particularly in relation to salt, iodine-rich foods and foods that containing thiocyanate, a potentially goitrogenic substance. Urinary thiocyanate levels were also measured.SettingIsland rural communities in Tanna, Vanuatu.SubjectsOne hundred and fifty-three schoolchildren between 8 and 10 years of age from four locations on the island participated.ResultsThe median urinary iodine excretion (UIE) among the children was 49mg/l, indicating moderate iodine deficiency. This was corroborated by 27% of boys and 33% of girls having thyroid glands greater than the international standard for their age, and 36% of boys and 45% of girls having thyroid glands greater than the international standard for their body surface area based on ultrasonography. There was a highly statistically significant inverse correlation between thyroid volume and UIE for boys and girls (r= −0·444,P= 0·001 andr= −0·319,P= 0·005, respectively). There was no correlation between thiocyanate and UIE or thyroid volume. Only 34% of children reported to consume fish (tinned or fresh) on a weekly basis.ConclusionsAgainst the common perception, the study has demonstrated that the children on the island of Tanna were in a state of moderate iodine deficiency. More data need to be collected from other Pacific Island countries in order to provide evidence for formulating public policy in prevention and control of iodine deficiency disorders in these nations.
IslandViewer: an integrated interface for computational identification and visualization of genomic islands
Authors: Langille Morgan G. I. , Brinkman Fiona S. L. 
Published: January 2009

Abstract
Summary: Genomic islands (clusters of genes of probable horizontal origin; GIs) play a critical role in medically important adaptations of bacteria. Recently, several computational methods have been developed to predict GIs that utilize either sequence composition bias or comparative genomics approaches. IslandViewer is a web accessible application that provides the first user-friendly interface for obtaining precomputed GI predictions, or predictions from user-inputted sequence, using the most accurate methods for genomic island prediction: IslandPick, IslandPath-DIMOB and SIGI-HMM. The graphical interface allows easy viewing and downloading of island data in multiple formats, at both the chromosome and gene level, for method-specific, or overlapping, GI predictions.
Availability: The IslandViewer web service is available at http://www.pathogenomics.sfu.ca/islandviewer and the source code is freely available under the GNU GPL license.
Contact: brinkman@sfu.ca
Jalview Version 2—a multiple sequence alignment editor and analysis workbench
Authors: Waterhouse Andrew M. , Procter James B. , Martin David M. A. , Clamp Michèle , Barton Geoffrey J. 
Published: January 2009

AbstractSummary: Jalview Version 2 is a system for interactive WYSIWYG editing, analysis and annotation of multiple sequence alignments. Core features include keyboard and mouse-based editing, multiple views and alignment overviews, and linked structure display with Jmol. Jalview 2 is available in two forms: a lightweight Java applet for use in web applications, and a powerful desktop application that employs web services for sequence alignment, secondary structure prediction and the retrieval of alignments, sequences, annotation and structures from public databases and any DAS 1.53 compliant sequence or annotation server.Availability: The Jalview 2 Desktop application and JalviewLite applet are made freely available under the GPL, and can be downloaded from www.jalview.orgContact: g.j.barton@dundee.ac.uk
CPSP-web-tools: a server for 3D lattice protein studies
Authors: Mann Martin , Smith Cameron , Rabbath Mohamad , Edwards Marlien , Will Sebastian , Backofen Rolf 
Published: January 2009

Abstract
Summary: Studies on proteins are often restricted to highly simplified models to face the immense computational complexity of the associated problems. Constraint-based protein structure prediction (CPSP) tools is a package of very fast algorithms for ab initio optimal structure prediction and related problems in 3D HP-models [cubic and face centered cubic (FCC)]. Here, we present CPSP-web-tools, an interactive online interface of these programs for their immediate use. They include the first method for the direct prediction of optimal energies and structures in 3D HP side-chain models. This newest extension of the CPSP approach is described here for the first time.
Availability and Implementation: Free access at http://cpsp.informatik.uni-freiburg.de
Contact: cpsp@informatik.uni-freiburg.de; cpsp@informatik.uni-freiburg.de