The norm for perceived husband superiority: A cause of human assortative marriage

Abstract

I have suggested that human assortative marriage for a number of variables is partially caused by behavior in accordance with two norms. Epstein and Guttman (1987) have suggested that there is no empirical evidence for these norms. In this note evidence is reviewed for the norm of perceived husband‐superiority. Others have shown that the evidence for this norm is strong in regard to height, and it is shown here that the evidence is strong also in regard to age. Evidence for the norm seems suggestive in regard to IQ, education, and social class, and nonexistent in regard to physical attractiveness. With respect to height, it seems that the magnitude of the correlation between spouses is associated with the size of the breeding population to which they belong. Thus, it seems likely that the hypothesized norms are learned rather than genetically coded.     

Erythrocyte omega-3 fatty acids increase and linoleic acid decreases with age: Observations from 160,000 patients

BackgroundThe fatty acid (FA) composition of the red blood cell (RBC) has been reported to provide prognostic information regarding risk for coronary heart disease (CHD). In particular, the Omega-3 Index (RBC eicosapentaenoic acid+docosahexaenoic acid, EPA+DHA) has been shown to be independently and inversely related to risk for sudden cardiac death and for acute coronary syndromes. Higher linoleic acid (n-6) and lower trans FA levels have also been associated with improved CHD outcomes. Accordingly, the RBC FA panel has recently been introduced in routine clinical laboratory testing.ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to define age- and gender-based norms for RBC FA levels.MethodsRBC FA profiles from about 160,000 patients (48% from males, 52% from females) were measured at Health Diagnostic Laboratory. These data were used to create age decade and gender-specific norms (percentiles). FA values were expressed as a percent of total identified FA.ResultsCompared to men, women generally had higher C18 trans levels, and between the ages of 10–29 years, they had DHA and lower EPA levels. Among the major FA classes, saturated (41% of total) and trans (～0.85%) fats did not vary appreciably by age, whereas monounsaturated fats tended to rise slightly. Of the two major n-6 polyunsaturates, arachidonic and linoleic acids, the former was unchanged across decades (16.4% abundance) whereas the latter decreased by about 2 percentage points (13.0–11.1%). The overall median Omega-3 Index was 4.5%, and across the decades it increased by about 1.5 percentage points. The Omega-3 Index and linoleic acid stabilized after age 70.ConclusionWhereas RBC saturated, mono- and polyunsaturated FA levels are generally stable across the lifespan, there is a shift in the composition of the latter, with an increase in the Omega-3 Index and a decrease in linoleic acid. Higher DHA and lower EPA levels in younger women is consistent with enhanced conversion of EPA to DHA during the early reproductive years. The availability of RBC FA norms will facilitate research into the relationships between altered FA status and human disease, and will help physicians evaluate the n-3 FA status of their patients.     

One hundred years ago: How to be happy though a doctor

ObjectivesTo assess the growth of quality of life measures and to examine the availability of measures across specialties.DesignSystematic searches of electronic databases to identify developmental and evaluative work relating to health outcome measures assessed by patients.Results3921 reports that described the development and evaluation of patient assessed measures met the inclusion criteria. Of those that were classifiable, 1819 (46%) were disease or population specific, 865 (22%) were generic, 690 (18%) were dimension specific, 409 (10%) were utility, and 62 (1%) were individualised measures. During 1990-9 the number of new reports of development and evaluation rose from 144 to 650 per year. Reports of disease specific measures rose exponentially. Over 30% of evaluations were in cancer, rheumatology and musculoskeletal disorders, and older people''s health. The generic measures—SF-36, sickness impact profile, and Nottingham health profile—accounted for 612 (16%) reports.ConclusionsIn some specialties there are numerous measures of quality of life and little standardisation. Primary research through the concurrent evaluation of measures and secondary research through structured reviews of measures are prerequisites for standardisation. Recommendations for the selection of patient assessed measures of health outcome are needed.

What is already known on this topic

Quality of life measures are increasingly used for measuring health outcomes in evaluative researchThere is little standardisation in the use of such measures within clinical trials

What this study adds

There has been exponential growth in reports relating to the development and evaluation of quality of life measuresThe number of reports varies considerably according to the health problem     

Self-made lawyers? Pathways of socially mobile descendants of migrants from Turkey in Europe

ABSTRACT

This study is based on narratives of successful lawyers in Europe who are descendants of migrants from Turkey. I will discuss the main mechanisms whereby social actors have a significant impact on the professional pathways of these upwardly mobile professionals. The findings provide two insights. The relevance of significant others found in literature on educational mobility of descendants of migrants can be extended to professional pathways. Some respondents became acquainted with the middle-class culture of the majority group through peers and school during their youth. This was instrumental in adjusting to the specific white-collar professional environments of corporate law firms. Others who grew up and attended schools in disadvantaged neighbourhoods had more difficulties adjusting. However, they became accustomed to middle- and upper-class norms and behaviour at university or on the job by observing and learning along the way.     

Anthropologists And Indians: A New Look At The Fox Project

Abstract

The often referred to but little understood “Fox Project” is re-examined through the use of the primary documents contained within the report Documentary History of the Fox Project: A Program of Action Anthropology (Gearing et al.,1960), Many basic questions are raised concerning the role of the “action” anthropologist in a native community. Through the use of the case study method, many of the pitfalls that await the unwary anthropologist in this type of endeavor are vividly illustrated. Finally, the need for independent evaluative studies of “action” projects is pointed out.     

Adolescent Movements: Dating,Elopements, and Youth Policing in Ladakh,India

ABSTRACT

In India's northwest border region of Ladakh, norms of sexuality are changing, which is resulting in the emergence of new sexual practices, such as dating, ‘roaming’, and the dramatic elopements of Buddhist and Muslim youth. This has caused the emergence of youth policing the perceived sexual infractions of others, through targeting particular zones of intimacy – marriage, religious identity, and mobility. Yet, youth policing is uneven, targeting those considered to be the most ‘at risk’ for moral transgressions, including Buddhists, the elite, and those pursuing education. Ladakhi youth are in a tenuous position, where they negotiate their desires to be ‘modern’ with the community pressure to maintain a strong sense of cultural identity. This paper examines how youth navigate between tensions of modernity and culture, showing that they employ a range of strategic practices and tactics that provide space for expressing desires for modernity, while simultaneously securing cultural loyalty.     

‘No caps,no coconuts,no all-male groups’ … the regulation of Asians in London clubs

Abstract

Until now, British Asian popular music culture and leisure spaces have attracted little sociological investigation. This article redresses the lack of attention paid to this area by focusing on an ethnographic study of the ‘desi’ South Asian club scene in London. It explores the relationship between contemporary discourses of Asianness as they are constructed within an East London desi club space and made to matter through embodied social practices. Asian bodies are disciplined in the making of normative ethnic, gendered and sexual subjectivities, which demonstrates how discourses of difference create complex subjectivities and practices that theories of diaspora and cultural studies have not fully explored. It offers a rethinking of diasporic identities as lived and embodied experiences that are ambivalently constructed and performative projects, neither entirely resistant to white, dominant discourses nor wholly complicit with its existing norms.     

基于探索性因子分析的输血科人员胜任力模型构建

??????? 目的 构建医院输血科室人员胜任力模型。方法 采用横断面问卷调查收集数据,采用探索性因子分析对胜任力模型内部结构进行分析。 结果 医院输血科室人员胜任力模型包含了6个公因子和24个特征指标,维度分别为：专业技能、个人特质、能力素质、防控差错、遵守规范和职业素养。结论 构建医院输血科室人员胜任力模型可以极大的丰富医院人力资源管理策略,在甄选、培训和绩效测评输血科室人员等方面具有积极的现实意义。     

Barriers and Facilitators to Engagement With a Weight Management Intervention in Asian Patients With Overweight or Obesity: A Systematic Review

ObjectiveThe obesity epidemic is a global health concern with Asian countries facing one of the most rapid rises in obesity rates. However, given the underwhelming long-term efficacy of weight loss strategies, especially in Asia, this review aimed to explore barriers and facilitators to weight management of patients with overweight and obesity in Asia.MethodsMedline, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and Web of Science were searched for articles discussing barriers and facilitators of treatment to obesity from the perspectives of both health care professionals (HCPs) and patients. Qualitative and mixed method studies from Asia were included. Key quotes were extracted, coded, and thematically analyzed according to the methodology of Thomas and Harden.ResultsA total of 26 articles were included in this review. From patient perspectives, 3 main themes were identified: factors influencing poor eating behavior, inhibiting lifestyle modifications, and facilitating lifestyle modifications. Patients highlighted several barriers including the lack of social support, physiologic limitations to exercise, and low health literacy. Rigid sociocultural norms and lack of accessible health care services, exercise facilities, and healthy food exacerbated the barriers. Facilitators to lifestyle modifications consisted of strong support systems and high health literacy. HCPs agreed that low health literacy, lack of social support, and patient motivation impeded patients’ weight loss attempts but were unaware of the other barriers they faced.ConclusionThere are discrepancies between ideas of barriers and facilitators of HCPs and patients. A mixture of population level, primary care, and personal interventions are required to address this disparity, and enhanced health literacy can improve weight loss outcomes.     

3D打印技术在骨科临床应用中的感知研究

目的 了解医院骨科医师和管理者对3D打印技术在骨科应用的安全性、有效性、经济性和伦理性的感知。方法 对上海市4所三级综合性医院的所有骨科临床医师和相关管理部门的负责人或管理者进行问卷调查,并邀请4名骨科专家进行定性访谈。结果 3所被调查医院在骨科领域应用了3D打印技术,但使用量有限。被调查的医师和管理者认为：骨科3D打印主要优点是手术时间短、增加手术便利性和手术成功率高,主要缺点是费用高且价格昂贵、缺乏相关规范标准和整个过程相对复杂且耗时长。结论 3D打印技术在骨科临床应用的安全性和有效性需长期评价,骨科3D打印技术的临床应用需要规制。     

Cultural Factors in Crime Among the Dakota Indians

Abstract

In spite of the breakdown of traditional Dakota social systems, especially the kinship structuring related to criminality, the modern pattern and rate of Dakota crime appears to reflect old norms of behavior. The comparatively low crime rate against property and the high rate against per sons is particularly suggestive of the traditional pattern operating in a modern context.     

Might there be a medical conscience?

I defend the feasibility of a medical conscience in the following sense: a medical professional can object to the prevailing medical norms because they are incorrect as medical norms. In other words, I provide an account of conscientious objection that makes use of the idea that the conscience can issue true normative claims, but the claims in question are claims about medical norms rather than about general moral norms. I further argue that in order for this line of reasoning to succeed, there needs to be an internal morality of medicine that determines what medical professionals ought to do qua medical professionals. I utilize a constructivist approach to the internal morality of medicine and argue that medical professionals can conscientiously object to providing treatment X, if providing treatment X is not in accordance with norms that would have been constructed, in light of the end of medicine, by the appropriate agents under the appropriate conditions.     

Performance of Dutch Children on the Bayley III: A Comparison Study of US and Dutch Norms

Background

The Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development-third edition (Bayley-III) are frequently used to assess early child development worldwide. However, the original standardization only included US children, and it is still unclear whether or not these norms are adequate for use in other populations. Recently, norms for the Dutch version of the Bayley-III (The Bayley-III-NL) were made. Scores based on Dutch and US norms were compared to study the need for population-specific norms.

Methods

Scaled scores based on Dutch and US norms were compared for 1912 children between 14 days and 42 months 14 days. Next, the proportions of children scoring < 1-SD and < -2 SD based on the two norms were compared, to identify over- or under-referral for developmental delay resulting from non-population-based norms.

Results

Scaled scores based on Dutch norms fluctuated around values based on US norms on all subtests. The extent of the deviations differed across ages and subtests. Differences in means were significant across all five subtests (p < .01) with small to large effect sizes (η _p ²) ranging from .03 to .26). Using the US instead of Dutch norms resulted in over-referral regarding gross motor skills, and under-referral regarding cognitive, receptive communication, expressive communication, and fine motor skills.

Conclusions

The Dutch norms differ from the US norms for all subtests and these differences are clinically relevant. Population specific norms are needed to identify children with low scores for referral and intervention, and to facilitate international comparisons of population data.     

Qualitative study of evidence based leaflets in maternity care

ObjectiveTo examine the use of evidence based leaflets on informed choice in maternity services.DesignNon-participant observation of 886 antenatal consultations. 383 in depth interviews with women using maternity services and health professionals providing antenatal care.SettingWomen''s homes; antenatal and ultrasound clinics in 13 maternity units in Wales.ParticipantsChildbearing women and health professionals who provide antenatal care.InterventionProvision of 10 pairs of Informed Choice leaflets for service users and staff and a training session in their use.ResultsHealth professionals were positive about the leaflets and their potential to assist women in making informed choices, but competing demands within the clinical environment undermined their effective use. Time pressures limited discussion, and choice was often not available in practice. A widespread belief that technological intervention would be viewed positively in the event of litigation reinforced notions of “right” and “wrong” choices rather than “informed” choices. Hierarchical power structures resulted in obstetricians defining the norms of clinical practice and hence which choices were possible. Women''s trust in health professionals ensured their compliance with professionally defined choices, and only rarely were they observed asking questions or making alternative requests. Midwives rarely discussed the contents of the leaflets or distinguished them from other literature related to pregnancy. The visibility and potential of the leaflets as evidence based decision aids was thus greatly reduced.ConclusionsThe way in which the leaflets were disseminated affected promotion of informed choice in maternity care. The culture into which the leaflets were introduced supported existing normative patterns of care and this ensured informed compliance rather than informed choice.

What is already known on this topic

Informed Choice leaflets are widely used in maternity care but little is known about their ability to influence informed choice and decision makingHigh quality information is essential for promoting informed choice but is insufficient by itself

What this study adds

Time constraints and other pressures on health professionals resulted in a lack of discussion of the content of the leafletsFear of litigation, power hierarchies, and the technological imperative in maternity care limited the choices availableHealth professionals promoted normative practices rather than choice, and as women valued their opinions this led to the promotion of informed compliance rather than informed choice     

Three new species of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Stelis</Emphasis> (Orchidaceae) from Mexico

Three new species of the genus Stelis from Mexico are described and illustrated; they were recently collected in the Tacana volcano region of Chiapas, and are named as S. annedamoniae, S. hagsateri, and S. soconuscana. For each species information is provided about habitat, phenology, and conservation status, and the relationships with similar taxa are discussed. Stelis andamoniae is similar to S. hagsateri and both are sympatric at the Tacana volcano; they are members of the Stelis argentata complex. The first has red-wine flowers, and glabrous sepals, while S. hagsateri has greenish-yellow flowers and glandular-papillose sepals. Stelis soconuscana is similar to S. bidentata, from which it is different by its broader leaves, raceme as long as the leaf, smaller flowers, and its distribution.     

Are you more than the sum of your parents’ genes? Phenotypic plasticity in a clonal vertebrate and F1 hybrids of its parental species

All known vertebrate clones have originated from hybridization events and some have produced distinct evolutionary lineages via hybrid speciation. Amazon mollies (Poecilia formosa) present an excellent study system to investigate how clonal species have adapted to heterogeneous environments because they are the product of a single hybridization event between male sailfin mollies (Poecilia latipinna) and female Atlantic mollies (Poecilia mexicana). Here, we ask whether the hybrid species differs from the combination of its parental species’ genes in its plastic response to different environments. Using a three-way factorial design, we exposed neonates produced by Amazon mollies and reciprocal F1 hybrid crosses to different thermal (24°C and 29°C) and salinity (0/2, 12, and 20 ppt) regimes. We measured various ontogenetic and life history characteristics across the life span of females. Our major results were as follows: (1) Reaction norms of growth and maturation to temperature and salinity are quite similar between the two hybrid crosses; (2) Amazon molly reaction norms were qualitatively different than the P. latipinna male and P. mexicana female (L×M) hybrids for the ontogenetic variables; (3) Amazon molly reaction norms in reproductive traits were also quite different from L×M hybrids; and (4) The reaction norms of net fertility were very different between Amazon mollies and L×M hybrids. We conclude that best locale for Amazon mollies is not the best locale for hybrids, which suggests that Amazon mollies are not just an unmodified mix of parental genes but instead have adapted to the variable environments in which they are found. Hybridization resulting in asexuality may represent an underappreciated mechanism of speciation because the unlikely events required to produce such hybrids rarely occur and is dependent upon the genetic distance between parental species.     

Force and torque production in static multifinger prehension: biomechanics and control. II. Control

 The coordination of digits during combined force/torque production tasks was further studied using the data presented in the companion paper [Zatsiorsky et al. Biol Cybern this issue, Part I]. Optimization was performed using as criteria the cubic norms of (a) finger forces, (b) finger forces normalized with respect to the maximal forces measured in single-finger tasks, (c) finger forces normalized with respect to the maximal forces measured in a four-finger task, and (d) finger forces normalized with respect to the maximal moments that can be generated by the fingers. All four criteria failed to predict antagonist finger moments when these moments were not imposed by the task mechanics. Reconstruction of neural commands: The vector of neural commands c was reconstructed from the equation c=W ⁻¹ F, where W is the finger interconnection weight matrix and F is the vector of finger forces. The neural commands ranged from zero (no voluntary force production) to one (maximal voluntary contraction). For fingers producing moments counteracting the external torque (`agonist' fingers), the intensity of the neural commands was well correlated with the relative finger forces normalized to the maximal forces in a four-finger task. When fingers produced moments in the direction of the external torque (`antagonist' fingers), the relative finger forces were always larger than those expected from the intensity of the corresponding neural commands. The individual finger forces were decomposed into forces due to `direct' commands and forces induced by enslaving effects. Optimization of the neural commands resulted in the best correspondence between actual and predicted finger forces. The antagonist moments are, at least in part, due to enslaving effects: strong commands to agonist fingers also activated antagonist fingers. Received: 8 August 2001 / Accepted in revised form: 7 February 2002     

Photographing worship: Ethnographic study of children's participation in acts of worship

This article reports the uses of photography in the Religious Education and Community Project, Coventry, England. It shows how ethnographic fieldwork and the development of curriculum materials for religious education in Britain are being conducted as phases of an integrated process. The photographic record, it is argued, is intrinsic both to eliciting data from members of the communities under study and in the sensitizing and informing of both pupils and educators. Furthermore not only the photographs themselves but also the differing reactions of specific communities to the prospect of being photographed during worship need analysis and can provide insights of value to religious educators in understanding the relation of cultural norms and theological emphases. As an illustration the responses of Christians to the ethnographer's requests to photograph the rite of Holy Communion are considered.     

The political economy of fish: The fishery conservation and management act of 1976

Abstract

This essay examines the management system created under the terms of the Fishery Conservation and Management Act of 1976 as an example of a restricted common property regime. Both the origins and the operation of the regime are analyzed in detail. Additionally, the performance of the regime is assessed in terms of evaluative criteria like allocative efficiency, noneconomic values, equity, transaction costs, and durability. This case study points out a number of serious shortcomings of the FCMA regime and offers no basis for concluding that restricted common property constitutes a trouble‐free option in the marine fisheries or in any other realm. Nonetheless, the argument suggests that restricted common property not only has advantages over the traditional unrestricted or open‐to‐entry common property regime in the marine fisheries, it also seems more likely to yield satisfactory results than any other alternative that comes to mind.