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The purpose of this study is to examine if school principals' roles and responsibilities in China, Ghana, Hungary, Turkey, Poland and the United States are significantly different from one another. This study adopts a survey design which provides a quantitative or qualitative description of trends, attitudes, or opinions of a population by studying a sample of that population. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected from school principals in these six countries by using a researcher designed survey questionnaire. The quantitative data derived from principals' responses were analyzed by country and by total average according to the subsets of character, professional knowledge, professional skill, administrative style, administrative duties, personnel management, and student affairs management. The principals' roles and responsibilities of the six countries were compared by using Multivariate Analysis of Variance. Answers to the three open-ended questions provide qualitative data for analysis. Emerging themes and patterns were observed among the principals' responses. Results of data analysis show that principals of the six countries confront many similar problems in their daily school functions. The unique political infrastructures of their locations determine how they address these problems to meet the individual demands of their own societies. Understanding of common challenges and emerging roles of principals in changing social and political settings provide educational leaders of these countries the opportunities to share their unique experiences and success stories.

Background: Dysphagia has been reported as an adverse event for patients receiving rivastigmine for Alzheimer's disease (AD) treatment.Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the association between dysphagia and the usage of rivastigmine by using the pharmacovigilance data from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS).Methods: The risk of dysphagia in patients who took rivastigmine was compared with those of patients who took other medications. In addition, this study sought to determine if the dysphagia risk was influenced by sex, age, dosage, and medication routes of administration.Results: When compared to patients prescribed donepezil, galantamine, or memantine, individuals prescribed rivastigmine were almost twice as likely to report dysphagia as an adverse event. The dysphagia risk in individuals prescribed rivastigmine is comparable to individuals prescribed penicillamine but significantly higher than clozapine, drugs of which have been previously shown to be associated with elevated dysphagia likelihood. Individuals older than 80 were 122% more likely to report having dysphagia after being prescribed rivastigmine than patients that were 50-70 years of age. Oral administration of rivastigmine was associated with approximately 2 times greater likelihood of reporting dysphagia relative to users of the transdermal patch. In addition, dysphagia showed higher association with pneumonia than other commonly reported adverse events.Conclusion: Patients prescribed rivastigmine were at greater risk of reporting dysphagia as an adverse event than patients prescribed many other medicines. This increase in dysphagia occurrence may be attributed to the dual inhibition of both acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Pneumonia is an inflammatory condition induced by infection of the lungs and is frequently a cause of morbidity and mortality among patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD). Some studies have shown an association between acetylcholinesterase inhibitor use and elevated pneumonia risk.Objective: The purpose of this study was to perform a comparative analysis of the number of reported pneumonia cases in individuals prescribed rivastigmine relative to the number of reported cases by patients using other therapeutics including over-the-counter drugs and other AD therapeutics, as reported to the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) database.Methods: A disproportionality analysis was conducted to investigate the association between using rivastigmine and risk of pneumonia. Age, gender, dosage, temporality, and geographic distribution of reported cases were also assessed.Results: Patients prescribed rivastigmine were more likely to report pneumonia as an adverse event than many drugs except galantamine. Males were found to be 46% more likely than females to report pneumonia as an adverse event while likelihood of pneumonia diagnosis increases 3-5-fold in patients older than 65 years of age.Conclusion: The observed elevated frequency of aspiration pneumonia in patients prescribed rivastigmine may be due to an induced cholinergic crisis that is selective for the medulla oblongata, resulting in gastrointestinal distress, impaired swallowing, heightened salivation, and labored breathing. The observed elevated frequency of infectious pneumonia in patients prescribed rivastigmine may also be linked to overstimulation of neurons in the medulla oblongata and downstream suppression of localized inflammatory responses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The stability of self-control represents a recently popular empirical topic; however, little attention has been paid to the stability of the underlying constructs of Gottfredson and Hirschi's conception of self-control. The present study uses longitudinal data on youth residing in the northeastern United States and employs trajectory analysis to explore the presence of varying developmental trends in these constructs. The findings indicate that these constructs follow unique and varied trajectories that may help to elucidate issues with our understanding of the stability of self-control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although there has been much interest in research on aggression and in particular bullying, a relatively less charted area of research has centered on articulating a better understanding of the mechanisms and processes by which persons are at increased risk for bullying. Furthermore, those studies that have investigated the linkages between childhood experiences and bullying perpetration have been limited with respect to definitional and operational issues, reliance on cross-sectional data, and the lack of assessing competing explanations of bullying perpetration. Using five waves of data from a community-based longitudinal sample of children followed through age 18 (N = 763), the current study examines the extent to which childhood negative life events in a variety of domains predict adolescent bullying. Results show that early childhood experiences, particularly those within the family and school domains, may alter life trajectories and can act as predictors for later adolescent bullying, thereby underscoring the potential importance that relatively minor experiences can have over the long term. Implications for future research based on these analyses are examined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The following article defines and explores the power of myth in shaping societal attitudes. The author discusses cultural myth as it pertains to a nation's self-image and conception of its past. The American cultural myth is examined in detail to help discover the roots of unsustainable aspects of American thinking. The author discusses the history of the North American colonies, challenges faced by early settlers, and the belief systems that formed the roots of the American cultural myth. The article goes on to explore how early events brought about the evolution of the legendary American cowboy and how the cowboy mythos is closely tied to the hero's journey and psychological development. The author maintains that the Puritan mindset, the cowboy ideal and present-day circumstances have forged a national psyche resembling the Jungian orphan archetype. The author's hope is that by understanding the root causes of some of the nation's difficulties we may begin healing many of the spiritual wounds of the past and set off on a path towards stronger and healthier community bonds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The role that department policy plays in shaping how police officers exercise their discretionary powers to use physical force against citizens is a critical issue in the American justice system. Research has established that department policies regarding officers’ use of deadly force effected firearm use and led to reductions in incidents of officers discharging their weapon. There is a noticeable lack of similar evidence on the effects of policy changes regarding the use of non-lethal force. This study describes the results of an assessment of the effect that a change in policy governing a specific type of non-lethal force—TASERs—in one major police department had on officers’ use of the device. The results show that a move to a more restrictive TASER policy led to a reduction in TASER use. The study also reports on the role that factors besides policy play in officers’ TASER usage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This manuscript consists of three sections. Section one provides historical data on some 310 documented shootings that have taken place on school property within the United States. Section two discusses numerous risk factors associated with school shooters. Section three discusses numerous strategies for creating safe schools. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the influence of a construction management educational intervention on the expertise and work practice of nonconstruction engineers affiliated with a premiere U.S. engineering procurement and contractor (EPC) firm. In this experimental study, nonconstruction engineers with a supervisory role in the delivery of capital projects were instructed in three fundamental construction management subjects, i.e. front-end planning, contracts and project execution, and project completion and team dynamics. These subjects were independently instructed in a traditional classroom-style setting. To capture the sustained impact of the educational intervention, a self-assessment survey tool was designed and distributed to the instructed engineers 4 months after the intervention. The educational intervention resulted in a significant gain in construction expertise among the engineers. The intervention also induced positive changes in the work practice of the instructed engineers and of their organization, such as the development of solid intercommunication skills across engineering disciplines. Overall, the results of this study indicate a significant opportunity for transferring construction management principles and techniques to the engineers in the U.S. construction workforce. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Managing career inmates (e.g., capital murderers) is a serious burden for prison administrators and taxpayers. Research findings are mixed as to whether such inmates will engage in increased levels of institutional misconduct. Using complete disciplinary histories from non-death-sentenced capital inmates in Texas whose offenses occurred between 1987 and 1994, the authors explored the need for increased security levels between capital murderers sentenced to markedly different parole eligibility policies (15 years vs. 35 to 40 years before becoming eligible for parole). They also explored whether career inmates represent greater management challenges because they have "nothing to lose," compared with capital inmates with less time to parole eligibility. Findings suggest that capital inmates sentenced to longer mandatory prison terms are less likely to engage in serious and violent misconduct. Policy implications are discussed in terms of prison administration, fiscal practicability, and career inmate social development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many claims have been made about how the events of September 11 have thrust American policing into a new era, one wherein homeland security is the dominant strategy. To examine the validity of such claims, a sample of 208 Texas police chiefs is surveyed concerning their perceptions of homeland security as a strategy for local law enforcement. Factors that influence those perceptions are also examined. The findings reveal that, whereas the majority of chiefs felt that homeland security had become the dominant strategy of the police institution, few believed that homeland security had become the overriding strategy of their respective departments. Furthermore, regression analyses suggest that federal collaboration, preparedness, and threat perceptions were predictive of homeland security perceptions. Regarding department size, chiefs of very small departments are more likely to report homeland security as their dominant strategy in relation to chiefs of larger departments. Policy implications are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Estimates from the U.S. Secret Service suggest that $40 million worth of counterfeit currency are confiscated each year in the United States. Despite measures to guard against the crime, modern technology has made reproducing fraudulent bills relatively easy. Over 90 percent of counterfeiting reported in the United States results from the use of readily available digital technology. Yet, little is known about the characteristics of the crime or those who engage in it. The current article presents a descriptive analysis of counterfeiting using data from closed case files from the Secret Service in a southern jurisdiction. Results suggest advances in consumer digital technologies have democratized the crime. That is, this form of offending is committed by a diverse group in terms of age, gender, race, and criminal history. The majority of counterfeiting cases involved multiple offenders, particularly among female counterfeiters. Sample limitations are discussed, as are recommendations for future research. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

NASA and the United States Geological Survey (USGS) are collaborating to produce a global map of the Earth using Landsat S Thematic Mapper (TM) and Landsat 7 Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus (ETM+) remote sensor data from the period of 2004 through 2007. The map is composed of thousands of scene locations, and for each location there are tens of different images of varying quality to choose from. Constraints and preferences on map quality make it desirable to develop an automated solution to the map-generation problem. This article formulates a global map-generator problem as a constraint-optimization problem (GMG-COP) and describes an approach to solving it using local search. The article also describes the integration of a GMG solver into a graphical user interface for visualizing and comparing solutions, thus allowing for solutions to be generated with human participation and guidance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article highlights the evaluation of a Special Exposure Cohort petition filed on behalf of workers at the Rocky Flats Plant. As part of the evaluation, the U.S. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) was required to demonstrate that bounding values could be established for radiation doses due to the potential intake of all radionuclides present at the Rocky Flats. The main radioactive elements of interest at the facility were plutonium and uranium, but much smaller quantities of several other elements, including thorium. The results of NIOSH's investigation of the uses of thorium at Rocky Flats are presented.

Q fever, a zoonosis caused by Coxiella burnetii, is seen throughout the world. Recent reports suggest that its incidence in the United States is increasing, with more than 30 cases reported in the US military. The disease has many acute and chronic manifestations. Endocarditis is the most common form of chronic disease, and recent studies have led to substantial changes in the approach to its diagnosis and treatment. Military and civilian health care professionals need to consider Q fever when evaluating patients with appropriate geographic exposures and clinical presentations to prevent delays in diagnosis and treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two phylogenetically distinct marine strains producing transparent exopolymers (TEP), designated HTCC2155T and HTCC2160, were cultivated from Oregon coast seawater by dilution to extinction in a high throughput culturing format. When cultured in low-nutrient seawater media, these strains copiously produced Alcian Blue-stainable viscous TEP. Growing cells were attached to each other by the TEP in a three dimensional network. Polymerase chain reaction employing 16S rDNA primers specific for the novel isolates indicated that they are indigenous to the water column of the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. The abundance of the isolates as determined by 16S rRNA dot blots, however, indicated that they are less than 1% of the total bacterial community. In phylogenetic analyses, the strains consistently formed a new phylum-level lineage within the domain Bacteria, together with members of the candidate phylum VadinBE97, which consists of Victivallis, the first cultured genus in the candidate phylum, and 16S rRNA gene clones from DNA extracted from marine or anaerobic terrestrial habitats. Five putative subgroups were delineated within this phylum-level lineage, including a marine group and an anaerobic group. The isolates are Gram negative, strictly aerobic, chemoheterotrophic, and facultatively oligotrophic sphere-shaped bacteria. The DNA G+C content of strain HTCC2155T was 48.3 mol% and the genome size was 2.9 mb. It is proposed from these observations that the strains be placed into a new genus and a new species named Lentisphaera araneosa (type strain HTCC2155T = ATCC BAA-859T = KCTC 12141T) gen. nov., sp. nov., the cultured marine representative of the Lentisphaerae phyl. nov., and the phylum be divided into two novel orders named the Lentisphaerales ord. nov. and the Victivallales ord. nov. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A survey of Nevada residents in the Las Vegas Valley was conducted to determine perceptions and attitudes as they may contribute to the marketing potential of composted biosolids for residential use. Currently only 5 percent of Nevada's sludge is being composted, 15 percent is land applied while 80 percent is being sent to landfills. Sludge generated in the Las Vegas Valley is extremely low in heavy metals due to the low presence of industries that are characterized with the release of heavy metals. A residential surve was developed and mailed to over one percent of the valley's households resulting in a 21.5 percent return. Seventy-six percent of the respondents rated recycling as important or very important and 74 percent indicated that it is important or very important to find uses specifically for sewage sludge. A large percentage of residents were not aware of how sewage sludge is disposed (73.7%), but felt the community should be examining sewage sludge recycling options (75.1%). After a descriptive paragraph defining and describing composted sludge, there was a high level of support for the use of composted sludge on golf courses and public landscapes but a much smaller level of support for its use on vegetable gardens and houseplants. Respondents were more concerned about safety and health than they were about the cost of the product. Respondents looked to public health officials and University scientists for information concerning its safety. Backward multiple regression analysis indicated that males, individuals with higher incomes and higher education were more supportive of the use of composted sludge. Comparing responses from two different cities within the Las Vegas Valley, it was found that differences in demographics between communities led to differences in response. In particular, differences in the level of education, income, sex and ethnicity influenced responses from the two communities. Evaluation of the data suggests that based on a... [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The most abundant class of bacterial ribosomal RNA genes detected in seawater DNA by gene cloning belongs to SAR11—an α-proteobacterial clade. Other than indications of their prevalence in seawater, little is known about these organisms. Here we report quantitative measurements of the cellular abundance of the SAR11 clade in northwestern Sargasso Sea waters to 3,000 m and in Oregon coastal surface waters. On average, the SAR11 clade accounts for a third of the cells present in surface waters and nearly a fifth of the cells present in the mesopelagic zone. In some regions, members of the SAR11 clade represent as much as 50% of the total surface microbial community and 25% of the subeuphotic microbial community. By extrapolation, we estimate that globally there are 2.4 × 1028 SAR11 cells in the oceans, half of which are located in the euphotic zone. Although the biogeochemical role of the SAR11 clade remains uncertain, these data support the conclusion that this microbial group is among the most successful organisms on Earth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduces articles published in volume 14, 2002 issue of 'Journal of Aging and Social Policy.' Implementation of federal-state programs for the elderly; Innovation within established federal-state programs for the elderly; Long-term care services for the elderly.

Evaluates temporal and spatial variations in the reporting of cases of giardiasis and cryptosporidiosis to a passive surveillance system in Massachusetts. Relationship of the variations to source of drinking water; Number of cases reported to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health for 1993-1996; Age distributions of reported cases; Combined analysis of spatial and temporal variation.

OBJECTIVE. To analyze and compare epidemiological and clinical information on serious fireworks-related eye injuries from two affiliates of the United States Eye Injury Registry. METHOD. Retrospective review. RESULTS. In the Eye Injury Registry of Alabama (EIRA) database, 185 of the 4150 injuries (4.4%) were caused by fireworks. In the Hungarian Eye Injury Registry database, only two of the 1245 cases (0.1%, p=0.000001) were fireworks-related. In the EIRA, 79% of patients were males and 87% were under 31 years. A bystander was injured in 67% of the cases, being an average of 23 feet away; 39% of bystanders had a final vision ≤19/200. No injured person wore eye protection. Bottle rockets caused 80% of the 185 injuries. Overall, 20% of eyes had <5/200 final visual acuity. Twenty-five percent of bottle rocket-injured eyes, compared to 64% of those injured by other devices, had ≥20/40 final vision (p=0.000004). CONCLUSIONS. The rate of fireworks-related serious eye injuries has not decreased in Alabama in the last 16 years; most patients are young males. Since bystanders are at a measurable risk even at a distance of 100 feet, wearing eye protection is recommended to both bystanders and operators. Bottle rockets cause most of the injuries and the more severe ones, and should be the prime target for prevention. The benefit of a strict and enforced legislative ban on private fireworks displays is demonstrated by the much lower incidence figure in Hungary. Such a ban should be considered in other countries where fireworks-related eye injuries are common. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Focuses on abstract art in the United States. Representation of utilitarian urban space by abstract art; Stories of transcendent or spiritual impulses as abstract art motivation; Influence of rationalistic formalistic empiricism on abstract objects; Account on the emergence of abstract expressionism, abstract action painting and minimal art.

Presents updates on clinical engineering in the U.S. as of February 1999. List of questions developed by the U.S. General Accounting Office to check the status of Year 2000 date conversion programs; Information on a list of Year 2000 conversion sensitive dates; Disadvantages of interference from digital television for hospitals.

The potential for the increased risk of transmission of HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) from patients to dental health care workers (DHCWs) in the workplace is examined. Based on published and hypothetical risk estimates, the authors conclude that in certain world communities with high prevalence rates of HIV infection (e.g. Central Africa), the potential yearly incidence rate and cumulative long-term incidence rate of HIV transmission in the dental workplace could place these workers in a high risk subgroup similar to that of homosexuals. Reported high levels of noncompliance with infection control procedures in the dental care workplace in the United States by these workers suggests the potential for increased risk in communities with high prevalence rates of this disease. Present and past educational efforts toward protection of the DHCW in the United States may be considered inadequate, and even more so when these educational efforts are applied in the world community. Additional efforts should be made by the public health community to alert and educate DHCWs worldwide to the potential for increased HIV transmission in the workplace. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Focuses on the impact of urbanization on the water supply of Las Vegas Valley, Nevada. Water conservation issues; Possibility of a water crisis; Per capita water use; Federal acts and state laws; Cumulative artificial recharge of ground water; Trends in total water usage, population growth and personal water use.

Discusses the impact of the change in the makeup of the Congress, following the 1994 elections, on government policies. Major changes and legislation proposed in the new congress; Changes in policies concerning social welfare and its impact on the elderly; Approach for advocates for the elderly.

Describes a pilot project to develop and implement a low-cost system for ongoing surveillance of childhood asthma in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin. Design of the project's workshop; Background on the disease; Comparison of data from Children's Hospital of Wisconsin (CHW) to data from other emergency departments; Utilization of care by patient subgroups; Surveillance costs; Adapting the project model to other communities.

Discusses the fact that both public policy and employer policy have encouraged the development of a large pool of 55-64 year old and 65-74 year old individuals who are not members of the full-time work force. Trend toward early retirement; Access to employment; Needs of family caregivers; Community-service crisis; Productive contributions through volunteering; Enhancing volunteer activities.

The article focuses on planning and organization of community services for the elderly. This is a preliminary report of the results of consciously planned attempts in seven local American communities to develop services for the elderly through the social work method of community organization, concentrating on the use of existing health and welfare services rather than on the creation of new agencies. Funds were made available by The Ford Foundation to planning agencies in each of seven communities for employment of a full-time community organizer for three years to develop programs for the elderly. Community organization doctrine has thus far proceeded on the assumption that civic and professional leadership in a health and welfare planning association will represent major forces and community as interests concerned with welfare, that this condominium of leadership can respond to new and emergent welfare problems, and that it can organize community resources for both old and new requirements. The report has limited itself to four selected factors studied in a current intercommunity research program in community planning in the U.S., planning structures, civic leadership patterns, the relationship of public and voluntary agencies, and varying professional styles.

The article focuses on the conditions of health programs of the U.S. government. A comprehensive analysis of the commitment of government for health shows a complex structure replacing the simple patient-doctor relationship as a descriptor of medical care. The new structure reflects an effort to respond to the pressures of the mid-twentieth century such as population growth and concentration, urbanization, industrialization, mobility, specialization, and rapid technological or scientific change. Also, the present structure is the result of ad hoc responses to specific needs. Health services consumers and American families expect from their physicians special attention and specialist skills brought by scientific advances.

The article explores the contribution of composer, music theorist and teacher Milton Babbitt to U.S. music. It recognizes Babbitt as a pioneer of modern music theory and electronic music. It compares Babbitt's principles of composition with those of other composers. In addition, the article discusses the experience of Babbitt in teaching music at Princeton University in New Jersey and the Juilliard School of Music in New York City.

Q fever is an emerging infectious disease among US soldiers serving in Iraq. Three patients have had atypical manifestations, including 2 patients with acute cholecystitis and 1 patient with acute respiratory distress syndrome. Providers must be aware of Q fever's signs and symptoms to avoid delays in treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Discusses several issues on year 2000 date conversion compliance among health care organizations in the U.S. Implications of the date conversion for the clinical engineering department of hospitals; Action taken by the New England Baptist Hospital to address the problem; Role of clinical engineers in the date conversion planning and implementation.

The independent association of waist hip ratio (WHR), relative weight, and family history with the prevalence of non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) was investigated in a population of 25,254 White females in the United States and Canada. A multivariate logistic analysis yielded standardized odds ratios 1.47, 1.46, 1.54, and 1.14 for family history index, WHR, relative weight, and age, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The author offers information on the publication policy of the periodical. Topics including jurisdiction in the U.S.; factors influencing the judiciary; laws protecting judicial independence; the American Judicature Society; and devotion of the periodical's publisher John Rabiej and publications manager Melinda Vaughn for the periodical.

Reports on the activities of the American College of Clinical Engineering (ACCE) from 1998 to 1999. Meetings between the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and ACCE on the proposed regulations for non-original equipment manufacturer medical device refurbishers and remanufacturers; Agreement of ACCE with Health Tech concerning registration discounts to members; Cooperation of ACCE with the World Health Organization and the Pan American Health Organization.

The author reflects on the resumption in growth of federal expenses for health and welfare services in the U.S. under the Reagan Administration. He laments the deferment of cost-of-living adjustments, regressive increases in health insurance deductibles and co-insurance. He argues that the changing demographic profile of the American populace should be considered in the resumption of health and welfare service spending.