Urban Adolescents’ Perceptions of their Neighborhood Physical Activity Environments

Reduced physical activity is particularly pronounced among lower income individuals and racial/ethnic minorities, and may be related to unsupportive neighborhood environments for physical activity. The purpose of this research was to conduct focus groups with low-income urban Black and Latino adolescents to identify whether these adolescents were physically active, in what settings, and what features of the settings were important for encouraging their physical activity. Results suggest potential gender differences, but little difference across race/ethnicity. Results can inform the development of a park/physical activity setting characteristics survey to help improve conditions of parks.     

Intriguing behavior when testing the impact of quotation marks usage in Google search results

Quality & Quantity - Internet research on search engine quality and validity of results demand much concern. Thus, the focus in our study has been to measure the impact of quotation marks usage...     

Using stated preference discrete choice modelling to inform health care decision-making: A pilot study of breast screening participation

This study was an important start to explore the feasibility of applying stated preference discrete choice modelling (SPDCM) for use in developing breast screening participation enhancement strategies. It needs to be followed by further research to establish model validity and authoritative results. In the meantime a random effects binary probit choice model was estimated using a main effects with selected 2-way interaction design and a convenience sample of Australian breast cancer screening participants. A response rate of 48% was obtained. Clear preferences for different service configurations were revealed and used to demonstrate how potential strategies to enhance future participation rates of women placed on routine recall could be identified. As anticipated accuracy of screening was the most important attribute of the service to influence the probability of uptake but others were screening time, travel time, information about screening benefits and the desire for privacy lending support to the view that benefit assessment goes beyond health factors. In summary, the SPDCM approach can be regarded as a judicious approach for helping decision-makers improve screening participation.     

2010年十大趋势

趋势预测家（futurist）这个词，或者说趋势观察家，听起来有点神神叨叨，对大多数国人来说是陌生的。他们并不是我们想象的：一群穿着长袍、手捧水晶球的巫师，事实上在欧美，这是一群精通文化、历史、经济学等多种学科的社会学家。他们通过自己的调查研究，每年在各个领域作出新的趋势预测。     

Book review

Evaluating Health and Social Care By C. Phillips, C. Palfrey and P. Thomas (Macmillan, Basingstoke, 1994). Hardback £35.00; paperback £11.99. ISBN 0 333 59185 2 (hardback); 0333 59186 0 (paperback).     

Chinese Auditors' Ethical Behavior in an Audit Conflict Situation

This paper draws on the economics of ethical compliance model to examine the association between ethical reasoning, perceived risk of detection, perceived levels of penalties and Chinese auditors' ethical behavior in an audit conflict situation. Using 53 Chinese auditors from Shenzen as subjects, and a survey questionnaire, this study found that there is a significant negative association between ethical reasoning and the likelihood of unethical behavior and that this negative association is weaker for auditors who perceive higher risks of detection.     

The effect of sunlight on the colour of Ghanaian cotton printed fabrics

Abstract In a 3·2·2 factorial experiment in three replicates, Ghanaian cotton prints (Real Wax, Real Java, Batik) were studied. Specimens were hand washed in soap solution, rinsed in clean water and dried in shade or sunlight twice a week for 3 weeks. Unwashed specimens were similarly sun-dried or aired. All specimens were exposed to a total of 42 h in the sun or shade. Colour loss was measured by means of a grey scale. The specimens lost significantly more colour (P < 0·01) when dried in the sun (3·96) than when dried in the shade (4·09). Irrespective of the drying method, washed fabrics lost significantly more colour (P<0·01) (3·96) than unwashed ones (4·09). There was no significant interaction effect (P > 0·01) between method of drying and fabric type. However, there was a significant interaction (P<0·01) between fabric type and washing or airing. The grey scale mean for washing was 4·03 for Wax, 3·81 for Batik and 3·75 for Java. For airing, Batik, Wax and Java had means of 4·22, 4·19 and 4·17 respectively. Thus, Real Wax was the most stable when washed, whereas Batik was the most stable to airing. It is suggested that drying or airing of these fabrics be performed in the shade to preserve their colour.     

The spirit of capitalism? Ethnicity, religion, and self-employment in early 20th century Canada

This paper examines self-employment in Canada at the beginning of the 20th century. Self-employment 100 years ago was associated with greater human capital and negatively related to earnings in employee occupations in the local district. We also find strong evidence of immigrant assimilation in self-employment and modest evidence of higher self-employment in enclaves with greater concentration of immigrants. An analysis of recent immigrants supports the hypothesis that liquidity constraints were an important determinant of self-employment. Christian affiliation had little impact on self-employment outcomes.     

Impact of a local host on the success of an international assignment

This longitudinal study examined whether contact with a local host in the Netherlands positively impacts on the adjustment and performance of “Western” expatriates with English or French as their first language. Thirty‐one expatriates were put in contact with a Dutch host with whom they would have regular contact over nine months; another 30 similar expatriates would have no contact with a host. After a five‐month period of contact with a host, there was a positive impact on interaction adjustment. The results also indicated that expatriates who valued the contact highly derived more benefit from it. Contact with a host seems to be especially worthwhile for expatriates who have to deal with host nationals on a daily basis. ©2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.