MedWorm provides a medical RSS filtering service. Over 6000 RSS medical sources are combined and output via different filters. This feed contains the latest medical blog items that have been tagged with 'capital'. Sat, 03 Sep 2011 01:55:45 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5181769&cid=t_119509_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FO8JYkfthuh4%2F By Steve H. HankeOn August 29th, I penned “Lagarde Confused, Again.” In it, I argued that Christine Lagarde, the new managing director of the International Monetary Fund, misdiagnosed Europe’s banking crisis. Ms. Lagarde’s assertion that Europe’s banks “need urgent recapitalization” is based on faulty economics. While the higher capital-asset ratios that Ms. Lagarde extols are intended to strengthen banks (and economies), higher ratios destroy money and are “deflationary.” This is not what a struggling Europe needs. Indeed, higher capital-asset ratios imposed on Europe’s banks at this juncture would virtually ensure that Euroland would take another dive. In consequence, some of the banks that were made “safer” by Ms. L... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5181769 Tue, 30 Aug 2011 20:45:32 +0100 5181769 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5158861&cid=t_119509_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F08%2F22%2Fsocial-networks-their-role-in-addressing-poverty%2F Title: Social networks: Their role in addressing poverty Scan or click to download ‘Social networks: Their role in addressing poverty’ The Skinny: Considers the role of social networks in delivering social capital and their consequential impact on poverty. Finds that they are not a substitute for financial resources. It is only those with sufficient financial resources that think it is. Investment, then, is still required. Where social networks do help people in poverty, there is no short cut or substitute for the kind of state-funded investments that have helped people to capitalise on the social networks they do have (training, financial support and effective equality practice). Suggests therefore that there is an over emphasis on the Big Society. Publisher: JRF Published:... Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5158861 Mon, 22 Aug 2011 13:15:31 +0100 5158861 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5139936&cid=t_119509_113_f&fid=34634&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FEmrAndHipaa%2F%7E3%2FKqkEipeJQHc%2F I hate to keep bashing Silicon Valley, since I’ve come to think that it’s venture capitalists, not tied to one particular region, who are the ones not “getting” healthcare. That said, we got a bit more overblown hyperbole coming out of Northern California this morning from drchrono. The Mountain View, Calif.-based company, which likely is correct when it says it created the first EHR that it native to the iPad—and a free one at that—announced today that it has received an new round of $650,000 in seed funding  from the VC community. (Congratulations on that.) Drchrono today also introduced OnPatient, an iPad app that replaces the hated clipboard and paper form for taking patient history at the doctor’s office. Here are the details, from the drchrono press... EMR and HIPAA blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5139936 Thu, 18 Aug 2011 20:58:28 +0100 5139936 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5118744&cid=t_119509_113_f&fid=34625&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FNeilVerselsHealthcareItBlog%2F%7E3%2FHw9Eqbe3jNk%2F I definitely ruffled a few feathers with my commentary last month in MobiHealthNews about the arrogance of Silicon Valley when it comes to healthcare and health IT. More importantly, I seem to have provoked exactly the kind of discussion I had hoped for, most notably in the Wireless Health group on LinkedIn. (It’s an open group, so please join if you haven’t already). To date, a link to my story has elicited 53 comments. Some of my favorites: “Whatever the opinion on how Neil chose to wrote the piece he does appear to have started a real conversation. And that my friends is one thing that’s been missing for years. If I had to pick one thing to contribute as someone who’s been at it for over a decade it’s to reiterate there has been a lot of wasted inves... Neil Versel's Healthcare IT Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5118744 Thu, 11 Aug 2011 20:01:50 +0100 5118744 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5118992&cid=t_119509_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FosMPR6kwVuo%2F Venture capital investing in life sciences may be rising overall but, with one exception, the biotech sector is not receiving as much funding as it has for the past few years, according to new data released by PricewaterhouseCoopers and the National Venture Capital Association. In this year’s second quarter, biotech investing fell by 9 percent in dollars and dropped 24 percent in deals, on a year-over-year basis, with $1.2 billion going into 116 deals. A year earlier, investing amounted to $1.37 billion in 156 deals. On the bright side, funding increased from $901 million invested in the second quarter in 2009, which represented a low mark in backing for biotech in recent years. By contrast, venture investing in medical devices rose 9 percent in dollars, but declined 17 percent in d... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5118992 Thu, 11 Aug 2011 13:50:29 +0100 5118992 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5107731&cid=t_119509_123_f&fid=39036&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpediatricinc.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F08%2F07%2Fexit-interviews-before-they-exit%2F Exit interviews are done when an employee is leaving the organization. The intent of the interview is for the employer to gather data for improving working conditions and retaining employees. Theoretically, I understand why one would want to do exit interview. But I don’t understand why one would wait until the employee is leaving to ask their opinion. Seems to me that at that point, it is too late. Asking employees exit interview type questions while employees are working at your practice can also be a good tool to gather employees’ feedback on their work experience in and effort to improve working conditions and retain employees. Examples of exit interview type questions that can help one get a sense of how employee perceive working at your practice. For example: What is most satisfy... Pediatric Inc blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5107731 Sun, 07 Aug 2011 13:46:28 +0100 5107731 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5096473&cid=t_119509_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Flook-hit-future-follow-money Given the ongoing debates over the federal budget, advocates for a strong government role in the HIT transition may feel somewhat disheartened. read more (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5096473 Tue, 02 Aug 2011 13:28:22 +0100 5096473 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5062499&cid=t_119509_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F_zpfd5XXIyY%2F Early next year, a drug for cystic fibrosis is expected to be reviewed by the FDA and it is a moment the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation has been waiting years to occur. The non-profit has invested $75 million and approval of the drug - which was developed by Vertex Pharmaceuticals with support from the foundation - would provide a new treatment for patients. And CFF will get a new revenue stream. Why? As Nature writes: CFF has a stake in the intellectual property underlying the drug and is entitled to royalties. So-called venture philanthropy is increasing among foundations, which are managing research projects, making funding dependent on projects reaching predetermined milestones and potentially reaping a return. They are also trying to keep control in the event obstacles emerge. Not surpris... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5062499 Mon, 25 Jul 2011 14:59:40 +0100 5062499 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4952797&cid=t_119509_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FczovuTGcLYA%2F By Alan ReynoldsRobert Reich posted a letter in June 20 Wall Street Journal responding to my article of June 16, “Why 70% Tax Rates Won’t Work.” He argues that I distort his proposal (though I wasn’t talking about his proposal) and ignore his argument that, “Giving the middle class more purchasing power by lowering its rates while raising the rates at the top will help spur [economic] growth.” This strikes me as a futile effort to change the subject.  Since I proved that past tax rates of 50-70% on relatively modest incomes raised less revenue than a top tax rate of 28%, how could Reich’s proposal of 50-70% rates at incomes above $500,000 raise more revenue?   And if 50-70% tax rates would not raise more revenue, then how could he possibly promise “substantial rate ... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4952797 Mon, 20 Jun 2011 21:05:45 +0100 4952797 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4952807&cid=t_119509_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FwsPZxFTvNJQ%2F By Steve H. HankeThe rate of broad money growth (M3) in the United States is weak (see the accompanying chart).  The ultra-low federal funds rate (0.25%) has acted to keep a lid on broad money growth and, in turn, economic activity.  Yes, “low” interest rates imposed by the Fed are contributing to a credit crunch and anemic money growth.  But, wait.  This is counter-intuitive.  And if that’s not enough, it’s not what the textbooks tell us, either. While the Fed has pumped huge quantities of so-called high powered money into the economy, the U.S. is paradoxically facing a credit crunch.  Banks have utilized their liquidity to pile up cash and accumulate government bonds and securities.  In contrast, bank loans have actually decreased since May 2008.  And since credit is a s... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4952807 Mon, 20 Jun 2011 00:45:07 +0100 4952807 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4945200&cid=t_119509_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FCbqgDgPCnaw%2F In a highly unusual move, a Wall Street fund manager has filed a citizen’s petition with the FDA in an effort to prevent a small drugmaker from having its imaging agent reviewed. Why take such a step? The investor readily acknowledges that he holds a short position in the stock which, of course, means that he is betting the value of the shares will drop. The petition was filed by Martin Shkreli of MSMB Capital Management, who believes the FDA should decline to review a pair of Phase III clinical trials that were conducted by Neoprobe due to what he calls “severe deficiencies and flaws” (you can read the petition here). The move comes just as Neoprobe plans to submit an approval application for its Lymphoseek imaging agent with the FDA. Filing a citizen’s petition is... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4945200 Thu, 16 Jun 2011 15:25:38 +0100 4945200 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4934548&cid=t_119509_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2FFQD0FQS_7mw%2F Lumos Labs, the company behind lumosity.com, has raised $32.5 million dollars in a Series C round from Menlo Ventures, FirstMark Capital, Harrison Metal and Norwest Venture Partners. In our 2010 market report Lumos Labs came up as one of the category Leaders given its market and research momentum (not easy for a startup to get clear momentum in either of those dimensions, much less in both of them), so our congratulations to them for now adding such investment traction. This is the largest round of funding so far in the cognitive fitness space so far, and should contribute to the maturity of the field as well as to more innovation and R&D. Description: Lumos Labs is a cog­ni­tive neu­ro­science research and devel­op­ment com­pany that builds soft­ware tools for improv­ing bra... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4934548 Thu, 16 Jun 2011 11:01:51 +0100 4934548 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4953050&cid=t_119509_113_f&fid=34634&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FEmrAndHipaa%2F%7E3%2FMzBp8c6lN5A%2F What happened in the M&A arena had interesting ramifications, but what didn’t happen might be equally significant: The overcrowded electronic health records market didn’t consolidate. Well over 200 EHR vendors are fighting for meaningful use business. How crowded is the field? As of mid-April, the federal government lists 393 Complete or Modular certified ambulatory EHR products, along with 182 certified inpatient Complete or Modular products. There were several good reasons for the non-event, but consolidation’s got to come soon, says Rob Tholemeier, senior research analyst at Crosstree Capital Partners, a Tampa-based corporate financial advisory firm. “There has never in the history of software been 200-plus companies selling similar functionality,” he ... EMR and HIPAA blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4953050 Fri, 10 Jun 2011 17:17:31 +0100 4953050 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4893452&cid=t_119509_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fwhy-arent-there-more-women-ceos-in-health-it%2F2011.06.03 The Health Tech 2011 Conference, held earlier this month in Boston, featured presentations from startup CEOs in the health and wellness space. The conference had nothing to do with gender issues or leadership per se. Yet the Twitter feed from the conference (#ciht11) contained this: @ml_barnett By my count, only 3 of 27 speakers are women. RT @taracousphd: where are the female entrepreneurs? It’s healthcare!!! taracousphd and @ml_barnett reminded us of a painful fact. There aren’t many female CEOs in Health IT. Why is this? Women certainly aren’t short on content knowledge in health care. In fact, they dominate men in this area. More than 40% of all practicing physicians and 50% of all medical school graduates are women. Women earn nearly 3 times more PhDs in psychology (useful cont... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4893452 Fri, 03 Jun 2011 14:30:14 +0100 4893452 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4872065&cid=t_119509_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2Fb9IhkADCNqc%2F By Andrew J. CoulsonCiting new Census figures, the New York Times claims that “public school districts spent an average of $10,499 per student on elementary and secondary education in the 2009 fiscal year.” But according to the most recent issue of the Digest of Education Statistics, expenditures haven’t been that low for over a decade. In the last year reported, 2007-08, total expenditures per pupil in average daily attendance were already $12,922 (in 2008-09 dollars). Adjusting for inflation, that’s about $13,500 in today’s dollars. (Looking at spending per student enrolled, rather than per student actually taught, lowers the total figure, but not by that much). So what gives? How can the Times claim that public school “spending” is $3,000 lower ... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4872065 Thu, 26 May 2011 18:59:51 +0100 4872065 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4862503&cid=t_119509_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FuZCuZ559vDU%2F By Ilya ShapiroThe representation of prisoners accused of capital crimes is unique in its difficulty — and in the consequences — when that representation is inadequate. Maples v. Thomas, which will be argued before the Supreme Court this fall, exposes some of the serious cracks in the system charged with representing indigent defendants in such cases.    Cato takes no position on the merits of the death penalty other than that the Constitution does not prohibit it and that our justice system is responsible for, at the very least, ensuring that prisoners receive fair notice of orders on which their lives depend.  Both the courts and counsel failed Cory Maples here.  Maples was convicted of capital murder and sentenced to death for killing two companions.  After a ser... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4862503 Wed, 25 May 2011 20:38:35 +0100 4862503 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4848170&cid=t_119509_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2FEiWfpLhbTbQ%2F In most industries and professions, there are plenty of other people who do what you do. You need social capital in order to get recognized, remembered, recommended … and hired. Social capital is generated when you invest in your relationships, by being as valuable as you possibly can be in your network. That means knowing and recommending others, and becoming engaged in your networks so that you’re seen as an invaluable resource. We all engage with people on multiple different levels, starting with making pleasant conversation and “getting to know” someone, and gradually building up to profound levels of trust. There’s substantial social capital in being regarded as an individual of great integrity – someone who’s known, liked and trusted. In short, social capital measur... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4848170 Fri, 20 May 2011 05:29:25 +0100 4848170 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4762850&cid=t_119509_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2FJJpc_cY72x4%2F Discussion moved from cognitive fitness to neuroplasticity, across regulatory and policy trends, and new product launches by new and established players  What did we take home from the SharpBrains Summit? Was it novel consumer insights arising from a new retail landscape? What of policy initiatives from innovation clusters around the globe? Do you see a future populated by neuroscience toolkits, driven by the inexorable demographic changes set to occur in the coming decades? Or was it a look “under the hood” of technology platforms developed by category leaders that sharpened our insight? Here are 10 emerging themes: The Need for Standardization of methodologies A profusion of cognitive and emotional health tests, batteries and new technologies are crowding the research environment... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4762850 Tue, 26 Apr 2011 15:41:34 +0100 4762850 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4753830&cid=t_119509_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2FJJpc_cY72x4%2F Discussion moved from cognitive fitness to neuroplasticity, across regulatory and policy trends, and new product launches by new and established players  What did we take home from the SharpBrains Summit? Was it novel consumer insights arising from a new retail landscape? What of policy initiatives from innovation clusters around the globe? Do you see a future populated by neuroscience toolkits, driven by the inexorable demographic changes set to occur in the coming decades? Or was it a look “under the hood” of technology platforms developed by category leaders that sharpened our insight? Here are 10 likely themes to emerge. The Need for Standardization of methodologies A profusion of cognitive and emotional health tests, batteries and new technologies are crowding the research env... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4753830 Tue, 26 Apr 2011 15:41:34 +0100 4753830 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4696608&cid=t_119509_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FPkaC9qB_l8c%2F By Daniel J. MitchellI’m not a big fan of the IRS, but usually I blame politicians for America’s corrupt, unfair, and punitive tax system. Sometimes, though, the tax bureaucrats run amok and earn their reputation as America’s most despised bureaucracy. Here’s an example. Earlier this year, the Internal Revenue Service proposed a regulation that would force American banks to become deputy tax collectors for foreign governments. Specifically, they would be required to report any interest they pay to accounts held by nonresident aliens (a term used for foreigners who live abroad). The IRS issued this proposal, even though Congress repeatedly has voted not to tax this income because of an understandable desire to attract job-creating capital to the U.S. economy. In oth... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4696608 Mon, 11 Apr 2011 12:00:46 +0100 4696608 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4566337&cid=t_119509_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FLVl3LDBcoDM%2F The Massachussets Secretary of the Commonwealth has filed a complaint that accuses a hedge fund of making profits on two pharmaceuticals stock by using insider information. Specifically, Risk Reward Capital Management was charged with using a so-called expert consultant to obtain advance info about an Ariad Pharmaceuticals clinical trial and a forthcoming abstract about a med sold by Questor Pharmaceuticals. According to the complaint, Risk Reward principal investment advisor James Silverman* retained Guidepoint Global for an $80,000 annual fee in exchange for obtaining alleged insider info. He hired the firm in early 2008, after his fund lost 16.9 percent in 2007, which was his first year of operation. Ultimately, Guidepoint arranged for him to meet with 225 experts, about 60 percent of ... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4566337 Wed, 09 Mar 2011 19:11:53 +0100 4566337 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4460185&cid=t_119509_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FcHs7oSEPblk%2F Good morning, everyone, and nice to see you again. Yet another deep freeze has descended on the Pharmalot corporate campus, but we manage to keep warm with our mandatory cup of stimulation and stimulating news. On that note, we offer you a smattering of tidbits to get you started. We hope your day goes well and your goals are accomplished. Have a good one… Novartis Moves To Prevent Execution Drug From Reaching US (Reuters) Botox Use For Migraines Is Questioned (BBC News) Novartis And Pfizer Drugs Boost Lung Function In COPD Patients (Reuters) Medical Device Makers Shun The US (New York Times) J&J Negotiates Hip Replacements With Lawyers (Bloomberg News) Black Rock To Provide Data Merck Wants For Vytorin Defense (Dow Jones) Shire Pharma Earnings Match Expectations (Reuters) IFPMA... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4460185 Thu, 10 Feb 2011 13:09:18 +0100 4460185 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4445901&cid=t_119509_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2Fg9Otx7nU2Jg%2F We are proud to confirm six additional excellent Speakers at the upcoming 2011 SharpBrains Summit (remember, this is a fully virtual event so it requires no travel). Three Speakers are based in the US, two in the UK, one in Australia, and they truly represent a range of perspectives and expertise to discuss, as the Summit tagline promises, Retooling Brain Health for the 21st Century. Professor Cary L. Cooper chaired the Science Co-ordination team of the Foresight Project on Mental Capital and Wellbeing. He is a Professor of Organizational Psychology and Health at the Lancaster University Management School, President of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, and Director and founder of Robertson Cooper Ltd. Prof. Cooper is recognised as a world-leading expert on stres... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4445901 Mon, 07 Feb 2011 20:44:19 +0100 4445901 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4436939&cid=t_119509_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FsCHNSKX3aBI%2F The ongoing shortage of a drug used for prison executions has now ensnared the FDA. Six inmates on death row in prisons in Arizona, California and Tennesse yesterday filed a lawsuit claiming the agency violated federal law by allowing the states to import thiopental sodium, even though there was no official review for safety and effectiveness. In other words, there are no approved suppliers. The shortage began when Hospira stopped making thiopental in 2009, prompting prisons to seek alternates. Last month, the FDA decided to permit imports, but declined to vouch for the meds, even though one recent execution may have involved an expired import (back story). “Reviewing substances imported or used for the purpose of state-authorized lethal injection clearly falls outside of FDA’s exp... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4436939 Fri, 04 Feb 2011 23:53:10 +0100 4436939 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4372026&cid=t_119509_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2Fjgx0zOlu-9w%2F By Tad DeHavenAlmost half of America’s farmland is operated by someone other than the owner. Critics of farm subsidies often point to examples of famous wealthy landowners receiving handouts as a reason to end the federal government’s agriculture gravy train. Notable recipients have included Ted Turner, Larry Flynt, Charles Schwab, and numerous members of Congress. While policymakers justify their support for farm subsidies in the name of “protecting farmers,” a new academic study describes how landowners are often the real winners. Farm subsidies get “capitalized” into the price of farm land, pushing up land prices. As a result, those farmers who lease land from landowners at the inflated prices end up having a substantial share of their subsidy benefits effectively canceled o... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4372026 Wed, 19 Jan 2011 16:08:36 +0100 4372026 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4298670&cid=t_119509_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F12%2F29%2Fcalories-in-disguise%2F Low-carb proponents claim that eating a low-carb diet enhances weight loss irrespective of caloric content.  Low-fat proponents often make the same claim.  Many other advocates of special diets make similar claims: It’s not calories, it’s something else causing weight loss. In support of their diet’s efficacy, proponents often cite their own successes or the success of other followers. However, they often fail to acknowledge that many other people lose weight following radically different weight-loss plans.  And never mind the scientific research, as it provides evidence that all successful weight loss programs share a common characteristic: create a calorie deficit on a consistent basis and weight loss follows. Calorie Defined A calorie is a unit of energy. It is the amount ... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4298670 Wed, 29 Dec 2010 13:20:17 +0100 4298670 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4259129&cid=t_119509_135_f&fid=35247&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmyjourneywithaids.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F12%2F14%2Factivists-warmly-received-okay-met-with-mild-bemusement-during-very-cold-die-in-for-bill-c-393%2F It was such a cold walk down to Yonge-Dundas Square this morning I was glad to be able to walk the full block south from Gerrard to Gould Streets through the corridors of Jorgenson Hall at Ryerson University. I was dressed for the outdoors reminiscent of my childhood in Quebec.  Fluorescent red earmuffs, attached to [...] (Source: My journey with AIDS) My journey with AIDS blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4259129 Tue, 14 Dec 2010 06:20:09 +0100 4259129 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4139479&cid=t_119509_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FtplnNqFKIZU%2F Nearly four years after raising a big stink - and filing a group of $4.6 billion lawsuits - over allegations that research analysts and hedge funds conspired to drive down its stock price, Biovail has finally given up. The white flag was raised, however, only after a recent merger with Valeant Pharmaceuticls that ushered in new management and a new way of viewing a dispute that generated significant publicity and aggravation, but not much else. And so Valeant has agreed to pay $10 million to SAC Capital Advisors to reimburse the hedge fund for the cost of defending two earlier actions filed by Biovail and its shareholders. Both suits against SAC, which is run by billionaire investor Steven Cohen, were dismissed. Moreover, the drugmaker has issued an apology, a rather rare omission, given t... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4139479 Fri, 05 Nov 2010 13:41:00 +0100 4139479 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4077232&cid=t_119509_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FQTQlc2lMaiM%2F By Daniel J. MitchellHere are a handful of the posters being used in the United Kingdom to fight the perversely-destructive proposal to increase tax rates on capital gains. (for an explanation of why the tax should be abolished, see here) Which one is your favorite? I’m partial to the last one because of my interest in tax competition. But this isn’t just a popularity contest. With Obama pushing for higher capital gains rate in America, it’s important to find the most persuasive ways of educating people about the damage of class-warfare tax policy. By the way, “CGT” is capital gains tax, and “Vince” and “Cable” refers to Vince Cable, one of the politicians pushing this punitive class-warfare scheme. A Clever British Campaign against ... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4077232 Mon, 18 Oct 2010 11:08:27 +0100 4077232 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4018161&cid=t_119509_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FwUHSuC1bydo%2F By Daniel J. MitchellWhile I’m glad Republicans are finally talking about smaller government, I’ve expressed some disappointment with the GOP Pledge to America. Why “reform” Fannie and Freddie, I asked, when the right approach is to get the government completely out of the housing sector. Jacob Sullum of Reason is similarly underwhelmed. He writes: In the “Pledge to America” they unveiled last week, House Republicans promise they will “launch a sustained effort to stem the relentless growth in government that has occurred over the past decade.” Who better for the job than the folks who ran the government for most of that time? …Republicans, you may recall, had a spending spree of their own during George W. Bush’s recently conclude... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4018161 Thu, 30 Sep 2010 15:15:16 +0100 4018161 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4003246&cid=t_119509_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FLjELq4jbnBY%2F By Daniel J. MitchellWarren Buffett once said that it wasn’t right for his secretary to have a higher tax rate than he faced, leading me to point out that he didn’t understand tax policy. The 15 percent tax rates on dividends and capital gains to which he presumably was referring represents double taxation, and when added to the tax that already was paid on the income he invested (and the tax that one imagines will be imposed on that same income when he dies), it is quite obvious that his effective marginal tax rates is much higher than anything his secretary pays. Though he is right that his secretary’s tax rate is much too high.    Well, it turns out that Warren Buffett also doesn’t understand much about other areas of fiscal policy. Like a lot of ultra-... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4003246 Mon, 27 Sep 2010 11:03:40 +0100 4003246 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3987035&cid=t_119509_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FYHZGYI1lNxs%2F By Daniel J. MitchellThanks to the Obamacare legislation, we already know there will be a new 3.9 percent payroll tax on all investment income earned by so-called rich taxpayers beginning in 2013. And the capital gains tax rate will jump to 20 percent next year if the President gets his way. This sounds bad (and it is), but the news is even worse than you think. Here’s a new video from the Center for Freedom and Prosperity that exposes the atrociously unfair practice of imposing this levy on inflationary gains. The mini-documentary uses a simple but powerful example of what happens to an investor who bought an asset 10 years ago for $5,000 and sold it this year for $6,000. The IRS will want 15 percent of the $1,000 gain (Obama wants the tax burden on capital gains to climb to 23.... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3987035 Mon, 20 Sep 2010 21:08:20 +0100 3987035 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4013320&cid=t_119509_113_f&fid=39278&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblogsite.mdbuyline.com%2F%3Fp%3D8 Interesting question, tough to answer. I spoke with Jack Wheeler, Ph.D., professor of health management and policy and professor of pediatrics and communicable diseases at the University of Michigan and faculty associate at the Institute for Social Research, and asked him about value and prioritizing capital. Dr. Wheeler stated, “Priorities will vary between hospitals.  First, hospitals must determine the financial implications of a new piece of equipment.”I agreed.  Innovative technologies have always captured the attention of both physicians and informed patients.  Historically, the drive for increased revenue has been a determining factor for new capital purchases; but during my recent research, “value” appeared to be the new determining factor.  However, I also found that w... MD Buyline blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4013320 Wed, 15 Sep 2010 13:00:06 +0100 4013320 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3933261&cid=t_119509_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FiGLdLFQj2Bg%2F Danish investor Ib Sonderby is stepping up the pressure on Elan. The dissident shareholder, who recently launched a web site called Save Elan in which he has launched tirades against Elan ceo Kelly Martin, will hold a conference call next Wed., Sept. 8, to introduce four people he would like to install on the board. The move is the latest step in Sonderby’s quest to overthrow Martin, who he has accused of having various undisclosed conflicts of interest and simply being overpaid. Earlier this week, for instance, Sonderby alleged that Martin (that’s him in the photo) has also been a board member of Kinsale Capital Management, a hedge fund, at the same time that he was ceo of the biotech. “Is Mr. Martin breaching his position of trust within industry by serving in such a co... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3933261 Fri, 03 Sep 2010 13:03:16 +0100 3933261 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3848830&cid=t_119509_83_f&fid=34856&url=http%3A%2F%2Finsidesurgery.com%2F2010%2F08%2Frickets%2F Pathophysiology 1) functional vitamin D deficiency causing inadequate mineralization of bones and the matrix of growth plates 2) two forms – type 1 (vitamin D dependent) and type 2 Signs and Symptoms 1) type 1 – usually presents in first year of life 2) type 2 – usually presents early in life but not uncommon for first signs to appear in childhood up to puberty 3) bowed legs 4) slipped capital femoral epiphysis 5) short stature 6) patients dit in a Buddha-like posture 7) flattened skull 8) prominent forehead (frontal bossing) 9) classic rachitic rosary chest (knobs on costochondral cartilage) 10) pectus carinatum 11) potbelly 12) weak muscles 13) irritability 14) apathetic 15) difficulty in focusing on tasks 16) severe dental caries Characteristic Test Findings Laboratory... Inside Surgery blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3848830 Mon, 09 Aug 2010 16:01:41 +0100 3848830 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3827053&cid=t_119509_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2Fd7YS7cSIecw%2F By Alan ReynoldsA decade ago, amid much controversy, I persuaded the Australian government to cut the capital gains tax rate in half. Stephen Kirchner, an economist from Australia’s leading think tank, the Center for Independent Studies, reviewed the results last November. This a brief summary: The introduction of capital gains tax discounts for individuals and funds as part of the 1999 Ralph business tax reforms has received a lot of bad press, but much of this commentary is ill-informed. . . . Those who called for reform of Australia’s capital gains tax regime 10 years ago argued that the Ralph reforms would likely raise more revenue because of the increased incentive they provided for taxpayers to realise capital gains that would otherwise go untaxed. Supply-side economist Ala... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3827053 Thu, 05 Aug 2010 18:42:19 +0100 3827053 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3718397&cid=t_119509_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fpublic-health-whats-digital-got-to-do-with-it%2F2010.07.01 Better Health’s Dr. Val Jones recently expert-moderated TogoRun’s Digital Capital Week event entitled “Public Health: What’s Digital Got to Do With It?” featuring panelists Susannah Fox of the Pew Internet & American Life Project, Maya Linson of the National Association of Public Hospitals and Health Systems, and Erin Enke of TogoRun. A capacity crowd in attendance at the Pew Research Center and another group following on Twitter sparked a vibrant online discussion of how health institutions are using social media and how digital innovation is improving public health: A conversation with Maya Linson about “Public Hospitals and the Social Media Imperative“ followed via podcast:  SOURCE: Unleashed: The Health + Communications Blog (Source: Better Healt... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3718397 Thu, 01 Jul 2010 18:12:18 +0100 3718397 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3699485&cid=t_119509_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FFLyk-xzuIJo%2F By Daniel J. MitchellAs the chart below indicates, the United Kingdom has a large budget deficit solely because government spending has increased to record levels (OECD data). Unfortunately, the new Tory-Liberal coalition government has decided that taxpayers should be punished for all the over-spending that occurred when the Labor government was in charge. The Telegraph reports that the top capital gains rate will jump to 28 percent, up from 18 percent (the new government foolishly thinks this will result in more revenue). But the biggest change is that the value-added tax will increase to 20 percent. According to Business Week, the Chancellor of the Exchequer (the British equivalent of Treasury Secretary) actually bragged that the VAT increase was good since it would generate “13 ... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3699485 Wed, 23 Jun 2010 17:03:37 +0100 3699485 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3690822&cid=t_119509_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FFLyk-xzuIJo%2F By Daniel J. MitchellAs the chart below indicates, the United Kingdom has a large budget deficit solely because government spending has increased to record levels (OECD data). Unfortunately, the new Tory-Liberal coalition government has decided that taxpayers should be punished for all the over-spending that occurred when the Labor government was in charge. The Telegraph reports that the top capital gains rate will jump to 28 percent, up from 18 percent (the new government foolishly thinks this will result in more revenue). But the biggest change is that the value-added tax will increase to 20 percent. According to Business Week, the Chancellor of the Exchequer (the British equivalent of Treasury Secretary) actually bragged that the VAT increase was good since it would generate “13 ... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3690822 Wed, 23 Jun 2010 17:03:37 +0100 3690822 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3679751&cid=t_119509_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2Fk3TRIEo_4Zo%2F By Daniel J. MitchellThe former communists running Russia apparently understand tax policy better than the crowd in charge of U.S. tax policy. Not only does Russia have a 13 percent flat tax, but the government has just announced it will eliminate the capital gains tax (which shouldn’t exist in a pure flat tax anyhow). Here’s a passage from the BBC report: Russia will scrap capital gains tax on long-term direct investment from 2011, President Dmitry Medvedev has said. …Mr Medvedev told the St Petersburg International Economic Forum that long-term direct investment was “necessary for modernisation”. …Its oil revenues fund, which has been financing the deficit, is expected to end next year, and the government wants to attract more foreign investment to boo... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3679751 Sun, 20 Jun 2010 12:36:44 +0100 3679751 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3629868&cid=t_119509_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F8dfKEzRr_-8%2F The Congressional committee investigating the J&J recall scandal is now looking at two contractors that were hired by the healthcare giant to retrieve defective Motrin tablets from stores in what is being called a “phantom recall.” The move comes after a hearing last week in which it was learned employees were instructed not to discuss a possible recall (see this memo). In a letter to the contractors, the House Committee on Oversight & Government Reform is seeking info about their relationships with Johnson & Johnson and details of their activities. The letters allege the contractors - WIS and Carolina Supply Chain Services ( see the letter here and here) - secretly purchased Motrin bottles in order to avoid issuing a formal recall, but J&J announced a recall after... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3629868 Fri, 04 Jun 2010 11:32:18 +0100 3629868 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3618090&cid=t_119509_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FN9tgr5BITH0%2F Here’s an interesting aftermath to Pfizer’s $68 billion purchase of Wyeth. To win approval in China, the big drugmaker has agreed to sell an animal vaccine for a reported $50 million to Harbin Pharmaceuticals, which is mostly owned by a provincial government and Citic Capital, a state-affiliated Chinese investment group. If not for the sale, Chinese antitrust officials argued that Pfizer would now control half of the domestic market for mycoplasma hyopneumoniae vaccines, which are used to inoculate pigs, The Financial Times points out, adding that experts believe the sale is likely to be the first of many more transfers of intellectual property to Chinese groups arising from antitrust rulings. The vaccine is made in Nebraska and Pfizer retains the IP rights to RespiSure outside... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3618090 Tue, 01 Jun 2010 12:36:11 +0100 3618090 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3607815&cid=t_119509_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2Fp-JHO6PwXU8%2F Hired someone new and exciting? Promoted a rising star? Finally solved that hard-to-fill spot? Share the news with us and we’ll share with it others. That’s right. Send us your announcements and we’ll find a home for them. Don’t be shy. Everyone wants to know who is coming and going, especially with all the layoffs. Despite the downsizing, there is movement. Here are some of the latest changes. Recognize anyone? And here is something that’s become a regular feature. Send us a photo and we will spotlight a different person each week. This time around, we note that David Rosen joined MPM Capital as an entrepreneur-in-residence. And here is something we hope to make a regular feature. Send us a photo and we will spotlight a different person each week. Before joining MPM, he was ... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3607815 Fri, 28 May 2010 12:11:21 +0100 3607815 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3581565&cid=t_119509_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F05%2F19%2Finclusion-health-improving-primary-care-for-socially-excluded-people%2F Title: Inclusion Health: improving primary care for socially excluded people Skinny: A practical guide to support PCTs in commissioning improved primary care services for socially excluded people. Publisher: DH Size of Publication: 68p. Published: 22/03/2010 Filed under: Commissioning, Equity, Health Needs, Inequalities in Health, Interagency Relations, NHS, Poverty, Practice Based Commissioning, Primary Care, Quality, Social Capital, Social Exclusion, Social Inclusion, Voluntary Sector Tagged: Commissioning, Contracts, Deprivation, Equity, Good Practice, Grey Literature, Interagency Relations, Outcomes, Poverty, Practice Based Commissioning, Primary Care, Procurement, Social Exclusion, Social Inclusion, Voluntary Sector (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3581565 Wed, 19 May 2010 18:44:23 +0100 3581565 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3577509&cid=t_119509_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F0fUDUBWsUes%2F Now that we are preparing our 2010 market report we are analyzing in depth a number of important recent developments. A major one, whose implications haven’t yet been properly digested, was the publication in the UK of a fantastic series of policy, scientific and technology reports by the Foresight Project on Mental Capital and Wellbeing. If you want to have a stimulating and substantial read, you can download the Executive Summary (and most other reports) for free. I was thinking about their main recommendation (the need to focus more attention, as a society and as individuals, on building mental capital and wellbeing trajectories along the lifecourse), as I came across these apparently completely separate news. Doesn’t the lifelong mental capital framework add new light on t... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3577509 Wed, 19 May 2010 04:56:22 +0100 3577509 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3563953&cid=t_119509_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F3EvyfoWCfPY%2F By Daniel J. MitchellThe chart below shows everything you need to know about why the United Kingdom is a fiscal disaster. Over the past 10 years, the burden of government spending has skyrocketed from 36.6 percent of GDP to more than 53 percent of GDP. Taxes, meanwhile, have remained largely unchanged, averaging about 40 percent of GDP. Since the OECD numbers show that the fiscal crisis in the U.K. is solely the result of a bloated public sector, the obvious solution is … you guessed it, higher taxes. David Cameron’s new coalition government has announced support for a higher capital gains tax and is signalling that this will be followed by an increase in the value-added tax. There are some proposals to curtail the growth of spending, including some pay cuts for Prime Minster C... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3563953 Thu, 13 May 2010 16:11:46 +0100 3563953 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3526727&cid=t_119509_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FQZPXOLxWLuU%2F By Daniel J. MitchellEvery economic theory — even socialism and Marxism — agrees that saving and investment (a.k.a., capital formation) are a key to long-run growth and higher living standards. Yet the tax code penalizes with double taxation those who are willing to forgo current consumption to finance future prosperity. This new video, narrated by yours truly, explains why the capital gains tax should be abolished. Unfortunately, Obama wants to go in the wrong direction. He wants to boost the official capital gains tax rate from 15 percent to 20 percent – and that is after imposing a back-door 3.8 percentage point increase in the tax rate as part of his government-run healthcare scheme. The video concludes with six reasons why the tax should be abolished, including its... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3526727 Mon, 03 May 2010 12:44:18 +0100 3526727 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3463576&cid=t_119509_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FGc3yNwm3Qa0%2F By Mark A. CalabriaThe extent to which government spending either complements or crowds out private investment has long been one of the most heated debates in economics (and politics).  Generally economic theorists posit that an increase in government spending drives up interest rates, which increases the cost of private investment, accordingly reducing such investment.  Most macroeconomic models are build on this relationship.  In an interesting new working paper, a trio of economists attack the question from a different angle.  They measure the impact of increased earmarks on the local economy receiving those earmarks, and compare the impact to areas not receiving the increased earmarks, which allows them to control for the overall macroeconomic environment.  Their finding: even in... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3463576 Tue, 13 Apr 2010 12:38:20 +0100 3463576 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3416324&cid=t_119509_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FSwMkgjZm9wc%2F Talk about being blunt. In an unusual resignation letter to the BioMarin Pharmaceutical board, one former member offers some tantalizing tidbits about developments at the company - the way serious acquisition offers are handled by the ceo; the handling of an ongoing investigation of a ’serious matter’ by the board’s audit committee, and disagreement over the combining the roles of chairman and ceo, among other things. This is a far cry from the standard ‘thanks for the memories’ departure. Instead, Joseph Klein III, who is also on the board of OSI Pharmaceuticals, PDL BioPharma, Savient Pharmaceuticals, Genaissance Pharmaceuticals, Guilford Pharmaceuticals, and NPS Pharmaceuticals, writes that ceo Jean-Jacques Bienaime (see photo) unexpectedly phoned him earli... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3416324 Mon, 29 Mar 2010 12:32:03 +0100 3416324 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3408329&cid=t_119509_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F03%2Fnow-private-equity-jumps-into-health.html And now for an early report on what may be the latest fashion in the ongoing commercialization of US health care in the US.  In the last few weeks we spotted three stories that appear to be closely related.  (And thanks to one of our ever vigilant scouts for finding the first of these.)Psychiatric Solutions and Bain CapitalThe first story was in BusinessWeek in early March:Psychiatric Solutions Inc., the operator of psychiatric facilities in 32 states, said it has been approached by a potential buyer.A special board committee will consider possible responses and Goldman, Sachs & Co. has been hired as a financial adviser, the Franklin, Tennessee-based company said today in a statement.Earlier today, the Wall Street Journal reported the company was in buyout talks with Bai... Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3408329 Thu, 25 Mar 2010 20:26:00 +0100 3408329 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3370392&cid=t_119509_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F5gBFWWzUHUY%2F By David RittgersRadley Balko will be moderating a panel at Georgetown Law next week, “Bad Science: The Execution of Cameron Todd Willingham and the Case for Forensic Reform.” Radley will be leading a discussion about the case of Willingham, who was executed by the state of Texas in 2004. Willingham was convicted in 1992 of murdering his three young daughters in a house fire that the state determined was arson. A report issued in 2009 claimed that in convicting Willingham, the state used techniques and assumptions that were no longer recognized as scientifically valid and that the original finding of arson could not be sustained. If you can’t attend in person, a webcast will be available. (Source: Cato-at-liberty) Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3370392 Tue, 16 Mar 2010 15:06:22 +0100 3370392 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3350420&cid=t_119509_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F6ki3S0Q1arM%2F We are pleased to announce the new annual Brain Fitness Innovation Awards, designed to foster innovation and best practice sharing by celebrating outstanding pioneers who apply neuroplasticity-based research and tools in the “real world”. The awards will recognize organizations that are devising and implementing results-oriented and scalable initiatives that demonstrate their commitment to the brain fitness of their clients, members, patients, students or employees, and showcase innovative uses of non-invasive tools to improve cognitive and emotional functions and “real-world” outcomes. Prizes 1 Grand Prize Winner will receive: $2,500 check, consulting session with SharpBrains staff, 2 tickets for each SharpBrains Summit in 2011; 10 signed copies of The SharpBrains ... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3350420 Wed, 10 Mar 2010 17:08:14 +0100 3350420 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3205117&cid=t_119509_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F8zWL0UIlaCQ%2F Welcome to the working week. We hope your weekend was refreshing and invigorating. Now, though, the time has come to return to the usual pile of meetings and deadlines. To arm ourselves, we are brewing the usual cup(s) of stimulation and scouring about for a few interesting items. We have uncovered this much so far. Hope your day goes well and stay in touch… Alcon Investor Expects Higher Novartis Bid (Reuters) China To Open Market To Indian Drugmakers (PharmaTimes) Venture Capitalists Reduced Biotech Funding (Boston.com) Japanese Market Forecast To Plummet (OutsourcingPharma) Welsh MP Slams Swine Flu Vaccine Makers (WalesOnline) Amylin Braces For Once-Weekly Diabetes Drug (Xconomy.com) PPD Sells Biomaker Biz To Caprion (OutsourcingPharma) Coffee thanks to chichcacha Flickr Common Cre... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3205117 Mon, 25 Jan 2010 12:35:08 +0100 3205117 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3178743&cid=t_119509_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F01%2F16%2Fall-i-want-for-chistmas-somewhere-to-call-home-a-report-into-the-plight-of-the-82000-homeless-children-in-england%2F Title: All I Want for Chistmas… Somewhere to Call Home: A report into the plight of the 82,000 homeless children in England. The Skinny: Report by Grant Shapps of the Conservatives on the state of homeless children in England. It finds that: 82,780 children in England will be in temporary accommodation on Christmas Day 2009 6,500 of the families leaving temporary accomodation have waited over 3 years to do so Poor health is twice as prevalent in children in temporary accomodation 33% of children in temporary accomodation have no school to go to One in four households are in temporary accommodation for over a year and 4 percent are in temporary accommodation for over 5 years before a permanent settlement can be found. One in three homeless children will develop a major mental disorde... Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3178743 Sat, 16 Jan 2010 11:17:33 +0100 3178743 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3171838&cid=t_119509_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F01%2F14%2Fa-healthier-nation-policy-green-paper-no-12%2F Title: A Healthier Nation:  Policy Green Paper No.12 The Skinny: Conservative Party policy document that identifies the  importance of public health and expresses a commitment to improving health outcomes across the board – from improving the quality of maternity care, to lowering rates of childhood obesity, and cutting rates of smoking and alcohol abuse later in life.  Identifies policies that they believe will deliver on key priorities. Key priorities identified are: Reducing health inequalities through locally led public health strategy and government support. Evidence based national public health policy in areas that are universal e.g.  immunisation programmes, emergency planning or behaviour change campaigns. Decentralised responsibility for improving public health. Rewards sho... Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3171838 Thu, 14 Jan 2010 09:38:17 +0100 3171838 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3142484&cid=t_119509_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F01%2F04%2Fthe-prince%25e2%2580%2599s-trust-yougov-youth-index-2010%2F This report reveals how unemployed young people living in the UK today are already less happy with their friendships, family life and health than those in work. They are also more likely to feel ashamed, rejected and unloved.This report reveals how unemployed young people living in the UK today are already less happy with their friendships, family life and health than those in work. They are also more likely to feel ashamed, rejected and unloved. Publisher: Princes Trust Size of Publication: 10p. Published: 29/12/2009 Posted in Alcohol, Deprivation, Drugs of Abuse, Employment, Equity, Grey Literature, Health Economics, Health Needs, Inequalities in Health, Mental Health, Motivation, Personal Identity, Poverty, Psychology, Smoking, Social Capital, Social Exclusion, Social Inclusion, Substan... Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3142484 Mon, 04 Jan 2010 22:00:37 +0100 3142484 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3137649&cid=t_119509_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FIu_VuYVe7SE%2F Hello, everyone. Hope your holiday break was fun and while you continue to unwind, we thought it might be helpful to offer you a few minutes of interesting reading. Meanwhile, we hope to brave the brisk winds to walk our faithful friend shortly. So we’ll leave you with these items for now and resume the usual routine tomorrow. Hope your weekend is going well and you enjoy yourselves… James Goddard, a former FDA commish who was credited with overhauling the agency’s methods for evaluating drugs, died last week of a brain hemorrhage. From 1966 to 1968, he cracked down on exaggerated drug ads, delayed approval of new drug applications until drugmakers backed them up with more testing, and campaigned to take ineffective drugs off the market. A fly in industry’s ointment, he was... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3137649 Sun, 03 Jan 2010 14:30:31 +0100 3137649 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3092648&cid=t_119509_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F12%2F15%2Flearning-from-the-past-tackling-worklessness-and-the-social-impacts-of-the-recession%25c2%25ad-%25e2%2580%2593-briefing-paper%2F Title: Learning from the Past: Tackling worklessness and the social impacts of the recession­ – Briefing Paper Skinny: Paper that argues that beating the social impacts of recession is crucial in preventing the downward spiral into long-term worklessness that the country has seen in the past. It is published alongside an evidence pack that sets out the data related to the past and current economic context.  It outlines how previous recessions have resulted in not just rising unemployment, but also increases in crime, mental health problems and family and relationship breakdown. It highlights the social impacts of previous recessions and how this time round despite steeper falls in GDP, labour market effects have been less severe than in the past. Publisher: Cabinet Office Size of Publ... Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3092648 Tue, 15 Dec 2009 18:14:59 +0100 3092648 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3075475&cid=t_119509_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F_BaInbbZYyM%2F By David BoazIn a report on Attorney General Eric Holder’s approach to seeking the death penalty, NPR reports: A few months after Holder made that statement, he authorized a capital prosecution in Vermont, a state that does not have the death penalty. When Ashcroft brought a federal death penalty case in Vermont seven years ago, the mayor of Burlington called it “an affront to states’ rights” and “not consistent with the values of a majority of Vermonters.” But this time, there was hardly any outcry. So the former antiwar movement doesn’t complain about President Obama’s expansion of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. And opponents of capital punishment don’t protest the Obama administration’s seeking the death penalty in liberal... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3075475 Thu, 10 Dec 2009 14:05:12 +0100 3075475 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3075479&cid=t_119509_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FmhO10FsBKMQ%2F By Mark A. CalabriaA recent policy forum here at Cato discussed the role of the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) in the financial crisis.  While the forum focused on the federal push for ever expanding homeownership to marginal borrowers, the analysis did not touch directly upon the question of whether CRA lending undermines bank safety. Fortunately this is a question that one economist at the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas bothered to ask.  While his research findings were available before the crisis, they were clearly ignored. In a peer-reviewed published article, appearing in the journal Economic Inquiry, economist Jeff Gunther concludes that there is “evidence to suggest that a greater focus on lending in low-income neighborhoods helps CRA ratings but comes at the expense of s... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3075479 Wed, 09 Dec 2009 19:53:35 +0100 3075479 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2981364&cid=t_119509_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FSBfgKUzy9Cg%2F The Sanofi-Aventis ceo made the equivalent of a sales pitch yesterday to some 200 guests in Cambridge, Ma., yesterday in a bid to attract what he called partners for innovation. The notion is nothing new in big pharma, where drugmakers are turning over rocks to find new compounds to exploit. But Chris Viehbacher wanted to make the sales call himself to Boston’s biotech community. And so he talked up plans to start a venture capital fund and strike more partnerships that yield what he called “the right brain activity.” “We all know there is a patent cliff in this industry, and it goes from 2012 to 2014,” he explained, according to Xconomy.com. “But my goal isn’t just to fill a sales gap.” “We’re starting to learn to work with others, to play nice... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2981364 Wed, 11 Nov 2009 13:20:07 +0100 2981364 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2954456&cid=t_119509_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F11%2F03%2Fageing-and-society-2009-vol-29-no-8%2F This article looks at the consequences of childlessness among those aged 85 years or more living in rural Wales. (Print subscription held at Fade Library) Posted in Journals Tagged: Childlessness, Family Life, Marital Status, Social Capital (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2954456 Tue, 03 Nov 2009 13:04:58 +0100 2954456 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2904948&cid=t_119509_109_f&fid=38950&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.shockmd.com%2F2009%2F10%2F19%2Felderly-and-internet-and-computer-skills-an-update%2F Social Capital Divide between the young and the elderly A social capital divide between elderly and younger people on the Internet is best described as a difference in resources that are created in social networks and relationships between people and that have a certain value or benefit for individuals participating in this network/relationships. Social capital can be created with participating in online networks such as Myspace. Age differences in online networking in Myspace exist. Elderly have fewer friends and mostly from age groups outside their own age compared to teenagers. Older people tend to be more careful and selective when choosing their friends on MySpace and only want to add to their friends list people that they know very well. Older people tend to represent themselves in a... Dr Shock MD PhD blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2904948 Mon, 19 Oct 2009 06:19:06 +0100 2904948 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2871869&cid=t_119509_122_f&fid=37835&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.iqscorner.com%2F2009%2F10%2Fiq-profile-variability-and-mr-dx-life.html Readers of IQs Corner will likely find the guest post, by Dr. Dale Watson, a clinical forensic neuropsychologist, regarding the intelligence test interpretation issues in a recent Atkins IQ MR death penalty decision of interest. It can be viewed at IQs Corner sister blog - Intellectual Competence and the Death PenaltyTechnorati Tags: psychology, forensic psychology, criminal psychology, school psychology, educational psychology, MR, mental retardation, Atkins cases, death penalty, capital punishment, IQ, IQ tests, intelligence, general intelligence (Source: Intelligent Insights on Intelligence Theories and Tests (aka IQ's Corner)) Intelligent Insights on Intelligence Theories and Tests (aka IQ's Corner) blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2871869 Wed, 07 Oct 2009 17:17:00 +0100 2871869 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2846315&cid=t_119509_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F09%2F30%2F6148%2F Title: Monitoring poverty and social exclusion in Northern Ireland 2009 The Skinny: Details indicators of poverty and social exclusion in Northern Ireland, providing a comprehensive analysis of trends. The study includes analysis of trends relating to: low income; worklessness and unemployment benefit; young adult unemployment; housing; and migrant workers. Publisher: Joseph Rowntree Foundation Size of Publication: 6p Published: 29/09/2009 Posted in Deprivation, Equity, Grey Literature, Inequalities in Health, Poverty, Social Capital, Social Exclusion, Social Inclusion Tagged: Economics, Grey Literature, Income, Pay, Social Deprivation, Social Inclusion (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2846315 Wed, 30 Sep 2009 13:35:12 +0100 2846315 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2846316&cid=t_119509_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F09%2F30%2Fa-minimum-income-standard-for-northern-ireland%2F This study asks if this standard is applicable for Northern Ireland and whether it is possible to have a ‘UK-wide MIS’.The study: is based on what members of the public think people need for a minimum, socially-acceptable standard of living; compares standards for Great Britain and Northern Ireland for selected household types; and examines how prices compare and whether what people need differs between the two places. Publisher: Joseph Rowntree Foundation Size of Publication: 24p (4p) Published: 29/09/2009 Posted in Deprivation, Equity, Grey Literature, Health Economics, Inequalities in Health, Poverty, Social Capital, Social Exclusion, Social Inclusion Tagged: Economics, Grey Literature, Income, Pay, Social Deprivation, Social Inclusion (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2846316 Wed, 30 Sep 2009 13:31:04 +0100 2846316 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2834345&cid=t_119509_122_f&fid=37835&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.iqscorner.com%2F2009%2F09%2Fdid-us-5th-circuit-court-of-appeals-use.html Very interesting (puzzling) death penalty case decided on creative averaging of three IQ scores spanning decades.  Check it at sister blog.Technorati Tags: psychology, forensic psychology, neuropsychology, criminal justice, criminal psychology, IQ, IQ tests, IQ scores, Atkins case, MR, mental retardation, death penalty, capital punishment (Source: Intelligent Insights on Intelligence Theories and Tests (aka IQ's Corner)) Intelligent Insights on Intelligence Theories and Tests (aka IQ's Corner) blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2834345 Sat, 26 Sep 2009 01:54:00 +0100 2834345 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2832286&cid=t_119509_122_f&fid=37835&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.iqscorner.com%2F2009%2F09%2Ffyi-court-computes-average-iq-score.html I've been contacted by an individual in the legal profession re: a very recent Circuit Court of Appeals (I'm not designating which district at this time) Atkins ruling where the court reconciled three different IQ test scores, one being a group IQ score from first grade, the other the WAIS-R as an adult in the early 1990s, and the last a WAIS-III in mid 2000, by taking the arithmetic average of the three.  Granted, the three scores were very similar....but no measurement person I know would support the notion of taking the average of three different IQ test scores across decades (one being a group test when the individual was in first grade) to come up with an IQ estimate upon which to base a decision regarding life-or-death.  I'm stunned....but am becoming less shocked at the lack of ps... Intelligent Insights on Intelligence Theories and Tests (aka IQ's Corner) blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2832286 Fri, 25 Sep 2009 18:00:00 +0100 2832286 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2832131&cid=t_119509_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FQ9S6Mew6hiY%2F Perhaps the biggest problem with the Obama plan to “reform” our financial system is the impact it would have on the market perception surrounding “too big to fail” institutions.  In identifying some companies as “too big to fail” holders of debt in those companies would assume that they would be made whole if those companies failed.  After all, that is what we did for the debt-holders in Fannie, Freddie, AIG, and Bear.  Both former Secretary Paulson and Geithner appear under the impression that moral hazard only applies to equity, despite debt constituting more than 90% of the capital structure of the typical financial firm. Geithner believes he’s found a way to solve this problem – he’ll just tell everyone that there isn’t an ... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2832131 Thu, 24 Sep 2009 18:54:35 +0100 2832131 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2800301&cid=t_119509_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F09%2F16%2Fdynamic-benefits-towards-welfare-that-works-a-policy-report-by-the-csj-economic-dependency-working-group%2F Title: Dynamic Benefits: Towards Welfare That Works: A Policy Report by the CSJ Economic Dependency Working Group The Skinny : Report from the thinktank Centre for Social Justice that presents a review of the UK benefits system and proposals for a radical recasting of state support for the jobless and low-paid. The proposals would result in 600,000 households coming off welfare dependency and into work, boost the incomes of the lowest paid by nearly £5 billion and help move more than 200,000 children out of poverty. In addition the report suggests that this reform will make welfare spending predictable and promote a culture of working rather than not working. Publisher: Centre for Social Justice Size of Publication: 369p Published: 16/09/2009 Posted in Employment, Grey Literature, Health ... Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2800301 Wed, 16 Sep 2009 09:15:17 +0100 2800301 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2796414&cid=t_119509_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FgXSkReayefo%2F When Treasury Secretary Hank Paul proposed the bailout of Wall Street banks last September, I objected in part because the TARP meant that government connections, not economic merit, would come to determine how capital gets allocated in the economy. That prediction now looks dead on: As financial firms navigate a life more closely connected to government aid and oversight than ever before, they increasingly turn to Washington, closing a chasm that was previously far greater than the 228 miles separating the nation’s political and financial capitals. In the year since the investment bank Lehman Brothers collapsed, paralyzing global markets and triggering one of the biggest government forays into the economy in U.S. history, Wall Street has looked south to forge new business strategies... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2796414 Mon, 14 Sep 2009 18:27:19 +0100 2796414 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2793105&cid=t_119509_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F09%2F14%2Fin-pursuit-of-egalitarianism-and-why-social-mobility-cannot-get-us-there%2F This report suggests that meritocracy is a route map to a divided and dysfunctional society as opposed to the principle of egalitarianism which provides the route to a strong and cohesive society in which everyone can prosper,both individually and collectively. Publisher: Compass Size of Publication: 30p Published: 10/09/2009 Posted in Deprivation, Equity, Grey Literature, Poverty, Social Capital, Social Exclusion, Social Inclusion Tagged: Grey Literature, Social Capital, Social Policy (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2793105 Mon, 14 Sep 2009 18:07:33 +0100 2793105 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2796606&cid=t_119509_122_f&fid=37835&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.iqscorner.com%2F2009%2F09%2Fcontroversy-re-use-of-mexican-wais-iii.html See post at sister blog Intellectual Competence and the Death Penalty.Technorati Tags: psychology, school psychology, educational psychology, neuropsychology, developmental psychology, forensic psychology, MR, Atkins cases, SCOTUS, WAIS-III, Mexican WAIS-III, IQ tests, IQ scores, test norms, psychometrics (Source: Intelligent Insights on Intelligence Theories and Tests (aka IQ's Corner)) Intelligent Insights on Intelligence Theories and Tests (aka IQ's Corner) blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2796606 Tue, 08 Sep 2009 01:09:00 +0100 2796606 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2765957&cid=t_119509_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F09%2F04%2Fpoverty-inequality-and-human-rights%2F Title: Poverty, inequality and human rights (Executive Summary) The Skinny: Using international experience this report focus’ on how human rights have been used to understand poverty; how communities experiencing poverty use human rights to act against injustice, build alliances between disparate groups, and articulate their conditions and claims; the tools that communities and their allies use to hold the state accountable for its human rights obligations; how human rights have been implemented in practice in anti-poverty work by governments and other organisations; and lessons for integrating human rights and anti-poverty work in the UK. Publisher: Joseph Rowntree Foundation Size of Publication: 61p (4p) Published: 03/09/2009 Posted in Deprivation, Grey Literature, Health Beli... Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2765957 Fri, 04 Sep 2009 10:04:59 +0100 2765957 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2765959&cid=t_119509_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.idea.gov.uk%2Fidk%2Faio%2F12491691 Podcast from IDEA about the Fenland District Council approach to Health Inewqualities.  The Council has its own set of unique issues to deal with when catering to the needs of the local community.  It is a predominantly rural area with a small population with more people over 60 in Fenland than under 18, hence the Golden Age Fairs that have helped older people access information and services since 2003. There is also a 50,000-strong Gypsy and Traveller community that has specific needs. Tackling health inequalities in Fenland (WMV file, 52MB) Tackling health inequalities in Fenland (MP4 file, 49MB) Posted in Deprivation, Equity, Health Needs, Inequalities in Health, Podcasts, Poverty, Public Health, Social Capital, Social Exclusion, Social Inclusion Tagged: Equity, Good Practice, Inequ... Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2765959 Fri, 04 Sep 2009 10:01:45 +0100 2765959 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2796611&cid=t_119509_122_f&fid=37835&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.iqscorner.com%2F2009%2F09%2Fiq-tests-scores-and-mr-death-penalty.html April 2009 US District Court ruling demonstrates courts thinking regarding dueling expert opinions re: use of IQ tests, Flynn Effect and adaptive behavior in MR death penalty case (Atkin's cases).  Check it out at Intellectual Competence and the Death Penalty blog.Technorati Tags: psychology, educational psychology, school psychology, neuropsychology, forensic psychology, clinical psychology, intelligence, cognition, IQ, IQ tests, IQ scores, MR, mental retardation, intellectual disability, AAIDD, AAMR, Atkins cases, SCOTUS (Source: Intelligent Insights on Intelligence Theories and Tests (aka IQ's Corner)) Intelligent Insights on Intelligence Theories and Tests (aka IQ's Corner) blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2796611 Fri, 04 Sep 2009 02:37:00 +0100 2796611 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2737878&cid=t_119509_122_f&fid=37835&url=http%3A%2F%2Fintelligencetesting.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F08%2Fnew-iq-mr-and-death-penalty-blog.html IQ, MR and the death penalty.Today I'm announcing a new blog projected related to the "life-and-death" (literally) issues surrounding Atkins cases...court cases dealing with the topic of mental retardation and the death penalty.  The blog has a specific focus on the intellectual competence (IQ) issues and research surrounding Atkin's cases.Additional information can be found at Intellectual Competence and the Death Penalty blog.  The announcement statement can be viewed here.Technorati Tags: psychology, educational psychology, school psychology, forensice psychology, criminal psychology, neuropsychology, developmental psychology, clinical psychology, Atkins cases, MR, mental retardation, IQ, IQ tests, IQ scores, death penalty, capital punishment, SCOTUS, intellectual competence (Source: ... Intelligent Insights on Intelligence Theories and Tests (aka IQ's Corner) blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2737878 Wed, 26 Aug 2009 15:36:00 +0100 2737878 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2733990&cid=t_119509_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F08%2F26%2Ftransfer-of-learning-disability-social-care-funding-and-commissioning-from-the-nhs-to-local-government%2F Title: Transfer of Learning Disability Social Care Funding and Commissioning from the NHS to local Government The Skinny: Further guidance on capital transfers and other financial and practical issues is provided following the transfer of funding and commissioning responsibility of social care for adults with learning disabilities from the NHS to local authorities. Publisher: DH Published: 25/08/2009 Posted in Commissioning, Grey Literature, Learning Disabilities, Local Authorities, NHS Tagged: Capital Transfers, Commissioning, FAQs, Financial Management, Grey Literature, Learning Disabilities, Local Authorities, NHS (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2733990 Wed, 26 Aug 2009 09:30:58 +0100 2733990 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2734014&cid=t_119509_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FXmuqbPJu1us%2F In re-appointing Bernanke to another four year term as Fed chairman, President Obama completes his embrace of bailouts, easy money and deficits as the defining characteristics of his economic agenda. Bernanke, along with Secretary Geithner (then New York Fed president) were the prime movers behind the bailouts of AIG and Bear Stearns. Rather than “saving capitalism,” these bailouts only spread panic at considerable cost to the taxpayer. As evidenced in his “financial reform” proposal, Obama does not see bailouts as the problem, but instead believes an expanded Fed is the solution to all that is wrong with the financial sector. Bernanke also played a central role as the Fed governor most in favor of easy money in the aftermath of the dot-com bubble — a policy t... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2734014 Tue, 25 Aug 2009 14:25:29 +0100 2734014 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2653669&cid=t_119509_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FgXFYSxav4ZQ%2F While banks such as Goldman and J.P. Morgan have managed to find a way to re-pay the capital injections made under the TARP bailout, their reliance on public subsidies is far from over. The federal government, via a debt guarantee program run by the FDIC, is still putting considerable taxpayer funds at risk on behalf of the banking industry.  The Wall Street Journal estimates that banks participating in the FDIC debt guarantee program will save about $24 billion in reduced borrowing costs of the next three years. The Journal estimates that Goldman alone will save over $2 billion on its borrowing costs due to the FDIC’s guarantees. One of the conditions imposed by the Treasury department for allowing banks to leave the TARP was that such banks be able to issue debt not guaranteed�... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2653669 Wed, 29 Jul 2009 18:48:54 +0100 2653669 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2648964&cid=t_119509_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F21KAs7jsxn4%2F There seems to be near universal agreement that the excessive use of debt among both corporations, particularly banks, and households contributed to the severity of the financial crisis.  However, other than the occasional refrain that banks should hold more capital, there has been little discussion over why corporations choose to be so highly leveraged in the first place.  But then such a discussion might lead us to the all too obvious answer — the federal government, via the tax code, encourages, even heavily subsidizes corporate leverage. Cato scholar and banking analyst Bert Ely has estimated that the subsides for debt have historically resulted in an after tax cost of debt of 3 to 5 percent, compared to an after tax cost of equity of 12 to 15 percent.  With differences of th... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2648964 Tue, 28 Jul 2009 20:53:32 +0100 2648964 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2648970&cid=t_119509_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2Fd0G9SHVipA8%2F Inside Higher Ed features a terrific essay today by economist Michael Rizzo. Rizzo takes issue with President Obama’s goals to have all Americans complete at least one post-secondary year of education or job training, and for the nation to have the world’s highest percentage of college graduates by 2020. I’ve opined about this before, but Rizzo does it much more comprehensively, noting especially that - surprise! - education can suffer from “diminishing returns.” Here’s the meat of Rizzo’s piece, but you really should read the whole thing: More education has to be a good thing. After all, receiving more schooling can’t make you less productive, right? Education is like exercise, reading, spending time with one’s children, and sleeping –... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2648970 Tue, 28 Jul 2009 14:42:27 +0100 2648970 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2598160&cid=t_119509_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F07%2F14%2Fbuilding-a-society-for-all-ages%2F Title: Building a society for all ages (Executive Summary) The Skinny: Government strategy that sets out a programme of action to support the changes for individuals, for families, for the workplace and economy and for public services and communities; to move us closer to a true society for all ages. Publisher: HM Government Size of Document: 64p (16p) Additional Documents: Implementation plan Work across government for older people and the ageing society Age Concern LifeStage Survey, Older People in the UK: Analysis and Segmentation in the Over 50s Population Increasing Longevity and the Economic Value of Healthy Ageing and Working Longer, Les Mayhew Working Together for Older People in Rural Areas Posted in Equity, Grey Literature, Older People Tagged: Economics, Equity, Financial Mana... Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2598160 Tue, 14 Jul 2009 09:52:47 +0100 2598160 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2576520&cid=t_119509_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F07%2F06%2Fbuilding-public-support-for-eradicating-poverty-in-the-uk%2F Title: Building public support for eradicating poverty in the UK (Summary Findings) The Skinny: New from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation this report focus’ on: successful ways of building public support for tackling UK poverty, including the use of ‘real life’ stories, for example; explores how organisations measure the effectiveness of their initiatives; finds that only few initiatives explicitly aim to build public support for the UK poverty agenda – and these initiatives tend to change perceptions and behaviour rather than attitudes; and argues that the term ‘poverty’ needs to be clarified, and possibly avoided when first engaging people. Publisher: JRF Size of Document: 110p (4p) Published: 06/07/2009 Posted in Equity, Grey Literature, Poverty, Public... Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2576520 Mon, 06 Jul 2009 12:18:03 +0100 2576520 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2572896&cid=t_119509_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F07%2F06%2Fpoverty-in-the-media-being-seen-and-getting-heard%2F Title: Poverty in the media: Being seen and getting heard (Summary) The Skinny: New from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation this report focus’ on: how people can give their views and tell their stories when they are presented as ‘case studies’ in the press, on radio or television; the roles and responsibilities of voluntary and community organisations in helping journalists find case study individuals – and the issues those individuals should consider; opportunities in the ‘new’ media to produce and disseminate material, and the challenge of reaching an audience; the need to produce accessible, good-quality material that people will pass on; ‘viral’ media and developing online communities. Publisher: JRF Size of Document: 39p (4p) Published: 06/07/... Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2572896 Mon, 06 Jul 2009 12:12:24 +0100 2572896 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2570386&cid=t_119509_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FMwC1DQQHSZY%2F Economists have advanced many theories of taxation. But as usual, the one that seems to explain the policies of the Obama administration best is what I call the Mikulski Principle, the theory most clearly enunciated in 1990 by Sen. Barbara Mikulski (D, Md.): Let’s go and get it from those who’ve got it. Just take a look at the myriad taxes proposed or publicly floated by President Obama and his aides and allies: Raise the top income tax rates from their current 33 percent and 35 percent rates to 36 percent and 39.6 percent in 2011 Limit itemized deductions for people paying high rates Increase capital gains and dividend taxes by 33 percent for people paying high income tax rates Impose a value-added tax (VAT) on all goods and services Raise the Social Security tax by lifting the ca... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2570386 Thu, 02 Jul 2009 13:02:26 +0100 2570386 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2561658&cid=t_119509_180_f&fid=38610&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.productivity501.com%2Fwhy-you-need-personal-capital%2F108%2F I’ve been exploring several business opportunities recently, so I’ve been thinking a lot about capital.  If we want to do X it will take $1500 of capital.  If we want to do Y it will take $4000 of capital. Our options in business greatly depend on the amount of capital we control. Capital represents the ability to do something.  Better yet, it creates an option for you to choose a particular path. Without enough capital, that particular path is not available to you. When it comes to our personal performance, capital is an important concept.  True, we don’t usually call it capital, but if you think in terms of that which gives you options, it functions in the same way.  You have to build up a reserve of capital in order to accomplish anything significant.  As indivi... Productivity501 blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2561658 Tue, 30 Jun 2009 18:00:17 +0100 2561658 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2556082&cid=t_119509_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2Fx2eR4WlcWos%2F The U.S. is not yet out of Iraq, but American forces have pulled back from Iraqi cities.  Iraq’s future increasingly is in the hands of Iraqis.  And most Iraqis appear to be celebrating. Reports the Washington Post: This is no longer America’s war. Iraqis danced in the streets and set off fireworks Monday in impromptu celebrations of a pivotal moment in their nation’s troubled history: Six years and three months after the March 2003 invasion, the United States on Tuesday is withdrawing its remaining combat troops from Iraq’s cities and turning over security to Iraqi police and soldiers. While more than 130,000 U.S. troops remain in the country, patrols by heavily armed soldiers in hulking vehicles as of Wednesday will largely disappear from Baghdad, Mosul and Iraq... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2556082 Tue, 30 Jun 2009 12:40:22 +0100 2556082 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2510274&cid=t_119509_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FXRf-8rG1MnY%2F The class-warfare crowd in Washington wants bigger government and higher tax rates, so it’s a bit shocking to see that a group of Northeastern Democrats are slashing tax rates. Yet that is exactly what Maine’s politicians are doing. The Governor even makes the common-sense observation (that so far has escaped President Obama’s attention) that there won’t be any jobs without investors and entrepreneurs. The Wall Street Journal approves: This month the Democratic legislature and Governor John Baldacci broke with Obamanomics and enacted a sweeping tax reform that is almost, but not quite, a flat tax. The new law junks the state’s graduated income tax structure with a top rate of 8.5% and replaces it with a simple 6.5% flat rate tax on almost everyone. Those with ... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2510274 Wed, 24 Jun 2009 12:33:19 +0100 2510274 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2553120&cid=t_119509_113_f&fid=34634&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.emrandhipaa.com%2Femr-and-hipaa%2F2009%2F06%2F20%2F100-million-in-interest-free-ehr-loans-from-ge%2F Today I came across this coverage of an announcement that GE Capital will be providing $100 million of loans to “accelerate adoption of electronic health records (EHR).” The loans from GE will carry no interest until the institutions obtaining these loans begin receiving government money, typically in 2012. Does anyone see a problem with this? GE Capital isn’t giving EHR loans to you because they are doing charity work. They are a business and they know that in 2012 a large number of these loans will start earning them a bunch of interest. This could easily happen because a doctor’s office was unable to implement the GE Centricity EHR software in the alloted time frame or maybe they couldn’t get GE Centricity EHR to show meaningful use (through GE Centricity&#... EMR and HIPAA blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2553120 Sat, 20 Jun 2009 15:38:03 +0100 2553120 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2414721&cid=t_119509_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F05%2F16%2Fmanaging-resources-in-later-life%2F This study explores the changing lives of older people and shows how resources are used to manage change and maintain stability. Key points Declining health, particularly mobility, had the most effect on older people’s lives. Participants drew on family and friends, formal services, financial resources and personal strategies to cope. Moving to a more suitable property had made a positive difference to a few people. However, the process could take time, and practical and emotional obstacles could put people off moving. Changes in older people’s social networks and the local environment were often felt to be beyond people’s control. This included relationships with families and friends, neighbours and changes in the community. The introduction of free off-peak local bus travel for pe... Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2414721 Sat, 16 May 2009 03:47:17 +0100 2414721 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2389671&cid=t_119509_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F-07jcqg6oek%2F As the bank stress tests are released, it is vital that the public receive specific and detailed information on each financial institution.  The Administration’s and the Federal Reserve’s continued policy of attempting to disguise the differing health of each bank has been a failure.  What is best for the taxpayer and the investing public is sufficient information to separate the good banks from the bad. For those institutions which lack sufficient capital to remain solvent, they should seek private capital or else be closed and resolved.  Too many taxpayer dollars have already been wasted keeping alive failed institutions.  The Administration’s policy of keeping failed institutions on taxpayer-financed life-support only serves to retard the market’s ability... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2389671 Mon, 04 May 2009 19:25:02 +0100 2389671 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2353864&cid=t_119509_109_f&fid=36089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fthesituationist.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F04%2F22%2Fmood-and-moral-judgment-abstract%2F We recently encountered an interesting paper by Jeremy A. Blumenthal, “Does Mood Influence Moral Judgment?: An Empirical Test with Legal and Policy Implications” (29 Law and Psychology Review (2005)) on SSRN.   Here’s the abstract. * * * Despite recurring interest in the potential for affect to influence “rational” reasoning, in particular the effect of emotion on moral judgments, legal scholars and social scientists have conducted far less empirical research directly testing such questions than might be expected. Nevertheless, the extent to which affect can influence moral decisions is an important question for the law. Watching a certain sort of movie, for instance, can significantly influence responses to opinion polls conducted shortly after that movie. ... The Situationist blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2353864 Wed, 22 Apr 2009 04:01:59 +0100 2353864 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2347923&cid=t_119509_87_f&fid=34825&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.wesleyjsmith.com%2Fblog%2F2009%2F04%2Flead-into-gold-al-gore-to-fund-ipscs.html Al Gore is set to head a venture capital foray into the very promising field of induced pluripotent stem cell research. From the story:Former vice president Al Gore is entering the stem cell arena with an announcement today of a $20 million biotech venture in the hot area of "induced pluripotent" stem cells. Induced cells are attracting interest from researchers and biotech firms as an alternative to embryonic stem cells. Induced cells are made by inserting four genes into ordinary skin cells, and they offer a new path for "regenerative" medical treatments."I just think it's a very important breakthrough that is filled with promise and hope," says Gore, a partner with the venture-capital firm Kleiner Perkins Caufield and Byers, which is backing the research. "I think this is one of those g... Secondhand Smoke blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2347923 Wed, 15 Apr 2009 15:37:00 +0100 2347923 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2320739&cid=t_119509_125_f&fid=34820&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dentalblogs.com%2Farchives%2Fadministrator%2Fdentists-receive-letter-from-financing-company%2F Over the past few days, many dentists who use CapitalOne Healthcare Finance have received this letter (download below) that announces, as of April 10th, the company will not accept requestes for and will not approve any loans for patients. Loans approved or funded prior to this date are in the clear. The rebate program for dentists ended April 1st, and last payments will be made by April 30th. The letter also instructs dentists to remove CapitalOne HCF from advertising, including website links, and to trash all promotional materials. If you have questions about CapitalOne pulling out of healthcare financing, call 877-559-5050. The letter suggests, as do most experts, that you provide your patinets with financing options. This part is from DentalBlogs, not CapitalOne… CHASE got in t... dental blog for dentists about dentistry blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2320739 Fri, 03 Apr 2009 12:55:41 +0100 2320739 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2195766&cid=t_119509_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F541881207%2F Hiroshi Komiyama, President of the University of Tokyo and Chairperson of the Global Agenda Council on the Challenges of Gerontology I am a member of, just provided council members with a brief update of his participation in the recent World Economic Forum. Part of the proceedings are public - you may enjoy reading this panel write-up of the session Healthcare under Stress: - "Japan has the world’s oldest population. Health and longevity create wealth and, thus, “health begets wealth”. It is documented that nations that develop a five-year life expectancy advantage also create a larger GDP. A healthy childhood and adulthood contribute to a more productive old age. New markets and industries are arising – “silver industries” such as financial services, health, housing and h... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2195766 Tue, 17 Feb 2009 18:28:34 +0100 2195766 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2156324&cid=t_119509_113_f&fid=34634&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FEmrAndHipaa%2F%7E3%2FdR40qPbMBMg%2F Unless you’re a part of the health care blogosphere, you probably haven’t been following the incredible firestorm that health care bloggers have created around the acquisition of Wellsphere by HealthCentral. Here’s the cliff notes version: Bloggers receive flattering email from Wellsphere asking to join their Health Care blogger network Bloggers provide their blog feed to Wellsphere Wellsphere aggregates their blog content for months HealthCentral Acquires Wellsphere Bloggers Freak Out Bloggers learn that the TOS gave Wellsphere the right to sell their content Bloggers feel betrayed Bloggers flame Wellsphere and HealthCentral for acquiring them Bloggers pull their blog feeds from Wellsphere ? (still to be written) Honestly, I feel like bloggers are making much ado about... EMR and HIPAA blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2156324 Tue, 03 Feb 2009 22:00:31 +0100 2156324 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2073822&cid=t_119509_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F01%2F02%2Fcivic-pioneers-case-study-review%2F The Civic Pioneers Case Study Review looks at case studies of 12 projects focussing on community empowerment. It also offers a simple analysis of the lessons learned from these experiences and represents valuable learning for practitioners and policy makers. Posted in Deprivation, Equity, Grey Literature, Poverty, Social Capital, Social Exclusion, Stakeholder Engagement   Tagged: Empowerment, Grey Literature, Local Authorities, Social Capital, Stakeholder Engagement    (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2073822 Fri, 02 Jan 2009 10:55:25 +0100 2073822 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2053208&cid=t_119509_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F488596090%2F According to a new survey by the National Venture Capital Association, next year will usher in a slowdown in investing across most sectors and a continued weakened exit market. To be specific, 92 percent of VC’s foresee a slowdown, compared with this year, which is expected to reach as much as $30 billion in investment by year end. And 61 percent believe the decline will exceed 10 percent and fall below $27 billion in 2009. The outlook is not entirely gloomy, though. The life sciences sector offered the second-highest promising area for investment stability and maybe even a little growth, with 25 percent saying biotech investment will increase and 33 percent predicting biotechs investments will remain stable. And in medical devices, 24 percent say investment will increase and 38 perc... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2053208 Thu, 18 Dec 2008 12:04:32 +0100 2053208 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2039840&cid=t_119509_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F12%2F15%2Fevaluating-cross-community-work-in-holme-wood-making-connections%2F considers the possibilities and challenges of promoting cohesion and meaningful interaction between different groups in a particular setting. Holme Wood in Bradford has traditionally been populated by people from white British ethnic backgrounds. This is gradually changing. The report covers: the importance of taking the local context into account when designing interventions; the tendency of ‘newcomers’ from different cultural backgrounds to be isolated; the importance of bringing these isolated newcomers together for mutual support, while also developing their opportunities for wider relationships; the significance of the challenges, including: the time-consuming nature of relationship-building work; and potential tensions between developing opportunities for mutual suppor... Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2039840 Mon, 15 Dec 2008 14:01:51 +0100 2039840 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2039841&cid=t_119509_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F12%2F15%2Flessons-from-west-bowling-youth-initiative-then-now-and-the-future%2F This report in-depth exploration of the work of one grassroots organisation in West Bowling, Bradford. It highlights: the impact made in building social capital, developing active citizenship and encouraging participation in neighbourhood life; the need for sustainability and flexibility in effective engagement with young British Muslim Pakistani men; the importance of building trusting relationships with local communities; the effectiveness of capitalising on local talent and local networks for meeting community needs; and the potential of creative arts informed project work. Posted in Deprivation, Diversity, Equity, Grey Literature, Poverty, Social Capital   Tagged: Art, Deprivation, Equity, Ethnic Groups, Grey Literature, Poverty, Religion, Social Capital, Stakeholder E... Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2039841 Mon, 15 Dec 2008 13:01:09 +0100 2039841 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2039842&cid=t_119509_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F12%2F15%2F1952%2F This report looks at levels of cohesion in a single housing estate with low numbers of minority ethnic groups. It examines the experience of new residents from minority backgrounds recently housed in the area, as well as service providers and long-term residents. The report covers: the priorities of local services; the perception of change in population measured through the changing nature of services; perception of levels of racism on the estate; specific nature of hostility to new communities, if any; and community cohesion, key local issues and future outlook. Posted in Deprivation, Diversity, Environment, Equity, Poverty, Social Capital, Social Exclusion   Tagged: Demographics, Deprivation, Equity, Ethics, Grey Literature, Poverty, Racism, Social Capital, Social Inclus... Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2039842 Mon, 15 Dec 2008 12:01:29 +0100 2039842 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2035539&cid=t_119509_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F12%2F15%2Fcommunity-ownership-and-management-of-assets%2F The Joseph Rowntree Foundation’s report Community ownership and management of assets is a review of evidence on community organisations owning or managing assets, including buildings and land. Public policy is encouraging the community ownership and management of assets in England and there are similar moves in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Many community organisations own or manage assets – this report reviews the evidence on the scale of this activity, the benefits that arise and the factors that support it happening. The report also: sums up UK policy and funding initiatives; looks at the risks and barriers involved in asset ownership; gives perspectives from practitioners in this field; briefly reviews international perspectives; discusses the differences in the assets... Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2035539 Mon, 15 Dec 2008 01:01:52 +0100 2035539 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2035541&cid=t_119509_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F12%2F14%2Fmonitoring-poverty-and-social-exclusion-2008%2F (Monitoring poverty and social exclusion 2008: Findings) from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation provide an independent assessment of the progress being made in eliminating poverty and social exclusion in Britain.  A major theme of this year’s report is comparing progress over the first five years of this government with the most recent five. One thing that stands out from this analysis is where earlier momentum has not been sustained, not just on child poverty but across matters such as: the number of people in households below a fixed income threshold; the number of working-age adults lacking but wanting paid work; and levels of worry about being a victim of burglary or violent crime. At the same time, however, there are important exceptions to this pattern, including some showing stea... Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2035541 Sun, 14 Dec 2008 10:58:58 +0100 2035541 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2027157&cid=t_119509_131_f&fid=34989&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FGeneticsHealth%2F%7E3%2Fi0x1sg9QdXs%2F The land of pineapples, bananas and sugarcane, Hawaii seems like an unlikely place to grow corn. But in the last 10 years or so, the Aloha state has been home to genetically modified crops - potatoes, soybeans, wheat, beets, rice, safflower and other food traditionally grown in the mainlands. Scientific American takes another jab at the pros and cons debate on Genetically modified food, in the background of a economically thriving but ecologically isolated Hawaii. Of interest is a report that genetic drift has been found in non-GM papaya seeds that test positive for GM material. The safety of genetically modified food is always a top debate topic. But in the case of Hawaiians, rejection of GM food, in particular taro root crop, has as more to do with its legendary origins and ties with th... Genetics and Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2027157 Thu, 11 Dec 2008 09:30:40 +0100 2027157 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1955845&cid=t_119509_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F449788110%2F Discussion Highlights. Below go some of my own still-jetlagged reflections. The financial crisis has made obvious the obvious: that we live in a truly new and global world. And that business as usual will lead to global disaster - we need new approaches to collectively adapt to and thrive in this new environment. The answer is not to go back to any old paradigm, which simply will not work in a new reality, but to imagine and build a better new way of doing things. Some of the attendants urged us to “reboot” the system. I don’t think that a "reboot" is enough - we need to upgrade to a new operating system. We can call it Planet Earth 2.0.Based on the group discussion we had on Sunday morning, let me propose some of the architectural principles that should underlie any emergi... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1955845 Tue, 11 Nov 2008 18:07:19 +0100 1955845 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1943290&cid=t_119509_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F11%2F07%2Fpreventing-sibling-gang-membership-mentoring-project-manchester%2F reports on an interagency approach bringing together Greater Manchester Police, Manchester City Council’s children’s services, Manchester Youth Offending Team (YOT) and Greater Manchester Probation to work with young people and families affected by gun-gang violence as either victims or offenders. It was formed from the recommendations of Crime and Disorder Reduction Research series, paper 13, produced by the UK Home Office. The research identified that some young people are at risk of joining gangs at primary school age where family members are already linked to a gang or have been affected by gang violence and aimed to find ways of preventing these young people from being drawn into gang membership. In 2007/08, 13 children aged 18 and under have been shot in Manchester – two fatal... Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1943290 Fri, 07 Nov 2008 16:24:16 +0100 1943290 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1924405&cid=t_119509_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F10%2F31%2Fpromoting-intergenerational-understanding-through-community-philosophy%2F This report: introduces Community Philosophy and demonstrates how it can develop over time; explores the activities and levels of participation of local residents, the team of philosophers, the project’s advisory group and the project management; examines emerging themes and the extent to which philosophy is an appropriate tool for developing relationships in the community; discusses, through project workers’ stories, issues for supporting Community Philosophy practitioners and engaging and developing trust within the community. Posted in Crime Prevention and Control, Grey Literature, Older People, Social Capital, Stakeholder Engagement, Young People   Tagged: Community, Crime Prevention and Control, Fear, Grey Literature, Older People, Social Capital, Young Pe... Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1924405 Fri, 31 Oct 2008 15:27:09 +0100 1924405 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1901317&cid=t_119509_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F10%2F24%2Ffour-acres-and-a-donkey%2F This report notes public toilets are especially important for older people, disabled people, families (especially those with babies and very young children), women, tourists and visitors. Recommendations: Local authorities provide visible, clear signs for their existing public toilets, detailing such information as opening hours and location. Standard public toilet signage across the country. Local authorities should exercise existing legislative powers to prevent anti-social behaviour. Local authorities study the benefits and cost effectiveness of providing attended public toilets, or at least ensuring regular inspections, so that the public regains its confidence in using them. Public toilets should be taken into account in needs assessments of older people and in supporting the indepen... Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1901317 Fri, 24 Oct 2008 10:07:23 +0100 1901317 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1901327&cid=t_119509_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F10%2F23%2Festimating-the-costs-of-child-poverty-round-up%2F Child poverty is costly to everyone in Britain. What are the costs to the whole of society of allowing child poverty to continue?  The Estimating the costs of child poverty: Round-up summarises the findings of key reports on child poverty from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation. Key Findings are: Child poverty’s consequences are wide-ranging and long-lasting. Children are less likely to do well in school, and more likely to suffer ill-health and to face pressures in their lives that help to explain an association with anti-social behaviours and criminality if they are brought up in poverty. These consequences cost society: in the money that government spends in trying to counter the effects of child poverty, and in the economic costs of children failing to reach their potential. These cost... Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1901327 Thu, 23 Oct 2008 18:51:34 +0100 1901327 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1901329&cid=t_119509_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F10%2F23%2Fthe-costs-of-child-poverty-for-individuals-and-society-a-literature-review%2F from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation examines the costs of child poverty to individuals and wider society, through reduced productivity, lower educational attainment and poor health. It explores the financial consequences of child poverty for individuals, families, neighbourhoods, society and the economy in the following areas: health; education; employment; behaviour; financial; family and personal relationships; and subjective well-being. Posted in Children, Crime Prevention and Control, Deprivation, Education, Environment, Grey Literature, Health Economics, Health Needs, Poverty, Social Capital, Social Exclusion, Young People   Tagged: Children, Crime Prevention and Control, Deprivation, Economics, Equity, Grey Literature, Health Economics, Poverty, Public Sector, Regen... Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1901329 Thu, 23 Oct 2008 16:43:05 +0100 1901329 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1901330&cid=t_119509_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F10%2F23%2Fthe-public-service-costs-of-child-poverty%2F from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation estimates the costs of child poverty to the Exchequer and focus’ on the cost to the public sector.  This against the background of Government pledges to end child poverty in the UK. It includes: services provided to individuals or families on a basis of need or demographic eligibility, including education, most health services, subsidised housing and social care services; services which provide local ‘public goods’ such as policing and the criminal justice system; area-based regeneration initiatives and more general supplementary expenditure targeted on deprived neighbourhoods. Posted in Children, Crime Prevention and Control, Deprivation, Environment, Equity, Grey Literature, Health Economics, Poverty, Social Capital, Social Exclusion, You... Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1901330 Thu, 23 Oct 2008 15:42:55 +0100 1901330 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1863216&cid=t_119509_109_f&fid=36089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fthesituationist.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F10%2F09%2Fthe-legal-and-procedural-situation-of-segregation%2F Bennett Capers, has posted an intriguing article, “Policing, Race, and Place” (forthcoming 44 Harv. CR-CL L. Rev. (2008)) on SSRN.  Here’s the abstract. * * * Most Americans live in neighborhoods and communities segregated along race lines, and take this segregation for granted. To the extent they view their communities as racially segregated at all, they assume that this segregation is the largely the result of individual choice or socio-economic status, or perhaps a remnant of de jure segregation. The ambition of this Article is to draw attention to a component of segregation that has been largely ignored: the significant role that criminal law and procedure have played, and continue to play, in maintaining racialized spaces.        (Sourc... The Situationist blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1863216 Thu, 09 Oct 2008 04:41:30 +0100 1863216 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1829942&cid=t_119509_118_f&fid=36984&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FHealthManagementRx%2F%7E3%2F402887668%2Fpart-iii-go-edupunk-healthcare.html Blogger's Note: Today I'm skipping around a bit during our week-long look at healthcare incubators.Before we look at when incubators in healthcare/startup health WON'T work, let's take a look at what's working from the business end of startup tech incubation. Part of the problem with incubation in startup health is that startup tech has been playing this game for at least 2 decades.As a result, they've got a cast of characters - expected players who will scoop in and pick off any smaller firms whose products and services they want to integrate.Want the ultimate exit? Look for acquisition by Google, Microsoft, Yahoo, etc.But it wasn't until earlier this year that Microsoft and Google's health interests pushed them into releasing PHRs. In health, we couldn't look to the big boys for adoption... Health Management Rx blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1829942 Thu, 25 Sep 2008 13:59:00 +0100 1829942 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1798034&cid=t_119509_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F09%2F16%2Fthe-media-poverty-and-public-opinion-in-the-uk%2F from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation considers the role of the media in creating public understanding and opinion on the subject of poverty. It recognises the mass media shapes, amplifies and responds to the public attitude toward poverty. The role of national, local and community media in reflecting and influencing public ideas of poverty and welfare is considered in this report. It: compares representations of poverty across different contemporary UK media; identifies the principal factors and considerations influencing those involved in producing media coverage of poverty; considers how UK media representations of poverty relate to the public’s understanding of poverty, and any differences between the responses of different groups; identifies examples of effective practice in communi... Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1798034 Tue, 16 Sep 2008 12:04:59 +0100 1798034 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1794308&cid=t_119509_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F09%2F16%2Fduty-and-obligation-the-invisible-glue-in-services-and-support%2F The case for change - why England needs a new care and support system green paper opened a debate on the long-term future of England’s care and support system. ‘Duty and obligation’ - the invisible glue in services and support from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation suggests that if social care services are to transform people’s lives, they must be based on a deeper understanding of human relationships and the nature of duty and obligation inherent within them. Lessons from different generations and cultures about the importance of ‘duty and obligation’ can provide powerful levers for change and strengthen community and family relationships. Citizenship and inclusion are key messages in different government policies. We need to increase our understanding about barriers to... Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1794308 Tue, 16 Sep 2008 10:30:30 +0100 1794308 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1794312&cid=t_119509_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F09%2F16%2Fwhat-role-for-community-enterprises-in-tackling-poverty%2F is a Viewpoint from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation on the impact community groups can have in tackling poverty in their neighbourhood?  It suggests that community-led enterprise organisations including development trusts can act as a driver for positive change, creating a self-help and problem-solving culture, and helping individuals move out of poverty. Key points: A new generation of more confident and aspirational community organisations is emerging. These are characterised by the use of social enterprise methods, community asset ownership, and a ‘can do’ attitude that seeks to unlock potential in people and places: in short, ’community enterprise’. The DTA has reviewed the wide range of actions that its member development trusts are undertaking, which they feel make a contri... Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1794312 Tue, 16 Sep 2008 08:38:45 +0100 1794312 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1764226&cid=t_119509_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F382310300%2F Some biotech stocks may have been on hot recently, but that hasn’t translated into more backing from venture capitalists. The number of biotech venture investments fell by nearly 50 percent in the second quarter, and the dollar amount invested fell by more than 40 percent from the first quarter, according to Thomson Financial data cited by Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News. In addition to the decrease in absolute dollars being invested in biotechs over the past year, the proportion of life science dollars going to these companies has shifted compared to medical devices and equipment as well as other healthcare ventures. Biotech’s share of investments made in the life science industry fell to below 40 percent from approximately 45 percent in 2007, the mag writes. Wh... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1764226 Wed, 03 Sep 2008 13:12:18 +0100 1764226 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1730805&cid=t_119509_109_f&fid=36089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fthesituationist.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F08%2F24%2Fthe-situation-of-punishment%2F Mary R. Rose and Janice Nadler have a nice paper, “Victim Impact Testimony and the Psychology of Punishment” available for downloading on SSRN. Here’s the abstract. * * * A growing body of empirical evidence from psychology, sociology, law, and criminal justice has demonstrated that lay intuitions about punishment are strongly rooted in retributivism: i.e., the idea that punishment should be distributed in proportion to moral desert. Level of harm is often thought to be indicative of desert, but harm described by victims (or survivors) in the context of victim impact evidence is subjective and often unforeseeable insofar as it is attributable to chance factors. How do observers (such as jurors or judges) use information about consequences determined by chance factors whe... The Situationist blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1730805 Sun, 24 Aug 2008 17:12:51 +0100 1730805 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1713844&cid=t_119509_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F08%2F19%2Fthe-bradford-community-guide-a-guide-to-community-and-development-projects%2F report from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation provides an overview of development projects and community initiatives in Bradford undertaken part of its ten-year programme of engagement, in partnership with statutory organisations and third sector organisations.  JRF wants to make a positive difference to the people of Bradford. The Bradford Community Guide is an online resource, listing community and development projects in the city. It lists projects in the city that fall under the themes of: Culture; Faith and Cohesion; Impact of Migration on Communities. Featuring ten in-depth case studies and over 100 listings, the guide includes a wide range of projects, from youth development, training and housing, to faith, regeneration and film and media. The Bradford Community Guide will be of in... Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1713844 Tue, 19 Aug 2008 10:07:24 +0100 1713844 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1714711&cid=t_119509_118_f&fid=36984&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FHealthManagementRx%2F%7E3%2F368546914%2Fcongrats-zocdoc.html On raising a nice round with Khosla...see you at Health 2.0! (Source: Health Management Rx) Health Management Rx blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1714711 Mon, 18 Aug 2008 23:51:00 +0100 1714711 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1713849&cid=t_119509_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F08%2F17%2Fwomen-and-poverty-experiences-empowerment-and-engagement%2F is a project from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation to empower women in poverty to take part in the policy-making process. While the Government has developed strategies to combat poverty, especially for children and pensioners, there is no strategy to challenge women’s poverty specifically. This project set out to support women living in poverty so that they could go beyond being ‘witnesses’ to poverty to become actively involved in policy development. It allowed them to develop ideas to improve their lives and better understand how policy is made. The project’s aims were: To encourage participation in and understanding of the policy-making process by women living in poverty, using participatory methods. To help women living in poverty to understand policy debates, explore policy so... Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1713849 Sun, 17 Aug 2008 09:48:01 +0100 1713849 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1705066&cid=t_119509_109_f&fid=36089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fthesituationist.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F08%2F13%2Fthe-situation-of-criminality-abstract%2F Craig Haney posted a terrific situationist article, “Evolving Standards of Decency: Advancing the Nature and Logic of Capital Mitigation” (forthcoming in Hofstra Law Review, Vol. 36, No. 3, 2008) on SSRN. Here’s the abstract. * * * The article builds on converging lines of research in the social sciences that have constructed a framework which conceptualizes the roots of violent behavior as extending beyond the personality or character structure of those people who perform it, connecting it historically to the brutalizing experiences they have commonly shared as well as the immediately precipitating situations in which their violence transpires. The piece explains how to translate these insights into the collection and presentation of mitigation evidence in capital cases.... The Situationist blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1705066 Thu, 14 Aug 2008 01:11:09 +0100 1705066 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1677591&cid=t_119509_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F353499517%2F From the website of the investing venture capital firm, Milk Capital: Milk Capital invests USD 5 million in CogniFit -July 31st, 2008. "Milk Capital invest USD 5M in Cognifit, a company specialized in cognitive and brain software The solutions developed by CogniFit are designed to be applied to a large number of fields, such as healthcare, driving, education, sport and many others. The field of applications is almost unlimited as it is only restricted by the capacities of the brain." -"Since its establishment in 1999, CogniFit attracted 4.2M$. Despite this rather moderate investment at the beginning, the company has grown significantly and today, its software is distributed in a large number of countries, from the United States through France to New Zealand, and has been tr... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1677591 Sun, 03 Aug 2008 10:37:08 +0100 1677591 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1605819&cid=t_119509_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F07%2F10%2F751%2F evaluates the contribution of public transport to regeneration. It considers the benefits – both monetary and quality of life – of transport services to the people who use them and to the local practitioners responsible for the wider regeneration of these neighbourhoods. It covers: the policy context; Characteristics of the four case study areas (Braunstone, Leicester; Camborne, Pool, and Redruth, Cornwall; Wythenshawe, Manchester and Walsall, West Midlands); key findings from interviews with local professionals; information on use of the services and their value to local people; an evaluation of the social benefits of the services; key messages for local and central government. (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1605819 Thu, 10 Jul 2008 15:56:23 +0100 1605819 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1543417&cid=t_119509_140_f&fid=35448&url=http%3A%2F%2Fseemedlikeagoodideathetime.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F06%2F25%2Fyes-virginia-there-is-a-real-boogeyman%2F I’m spittin’ mad. This is bullshit…. WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court on Wednesday struck down a law that allows the execution of people convicted of a raping a child. In a 5-4 vote, the court said the Louisiana law allowing the death penalty to be imposed in such cases violates the Constitution’s ban [...] (Source: bipolar chicks blogging) bipolar chicks blogging blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1543417 Wed, 25 Jun 2008 16:11:51 +0100 1543417 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1531703&cid=t_119509_150_f&fid=35779&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pharmamanufacturing.com%2Fonpharma%2F%3Fp%3D2111 On Tuesday afternoon, a panel discussed ways in which corporations might be able to stimulate the development of more therapies for serious diseases—-the world’s top killers such as malaria. The topic is one that I’m very interested, but, unfortunately, I arrived late and missed much of the discussion. Genzyme has been doing some pioneering work with [...] (Source: On Pharma) On Pharma blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1531703 Fri, 20 Jun 2008 14:49:31 +0100 1531703 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1526118&cid=t_119509_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2008%2F06%2F17%2Fcommunity-connections-mean-better-health-study-shows%2F Do you feel healthy, both physically and mentally? If so, according to a new study in the August American Journal of Preventive Medicine, you’re also likely to be involved in your community and feel a sense of belonging to it — characteristics referred to as “social capital,” which include factors like community participation, volunteer work and comfort within a neighborhood. The study focused on 944 sets of twins, ages 25 and 74, from the National Survey of Midlife Development in the U.S. More than half of participants rated their health as “very good” to “excellent.” Researchers found that “social trust, sense of belonging and community participation were each significantly associated with health outcomes” — regardless of genetics or upbringing, according to study ... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1526118 Tue, 17 Jun 2008 18:28:08 +0100 1526118 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1512062&cid=t_119509_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F06%2F12%2Fpeople%25e2%2580%2599s-attachment-to-place-the-influence-of-neighbourhood-deprivation%2F is an examination of the attachment people feel to their current neighbourhood, looking at the extent and nature of attachment in deprived areas from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation. In particular, the study looks at the impacts of neighbourhood instability and social mix on attachment, and considers place attachment from a regeneration perspective, drawing on quantitative and qualitative evidence. It covers: the main drivers of neighbourhood attachment, in general and in deprived areas in particular; the extent to which neighbourhood turnover undermines attachment in deprived areas; whether attachment is lower in more ‘mixed communities’; whether attachment depends on the ’fit’ between personal and area characteristics; and the implications for regeneration policy and practice. (... Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1512062 Thu, 12 Jun 2008 12:57:53 +0100 1512062 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1494235&cid=t_119509_125_f&fid=34820&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dentalblogs.com%2Farchives%2Fadministrator%2Fcarecredit-endorsements%2F CareCredit is endorsed by 46 state dental associations. The company has been around for two decades, and CareCredit financing has helped more than seven million patients on this continent. Why is it the leader in patient financing? Convenience, most likely. CareCredit makes application easy for patients and the dental team. Having a simple financing option for patients – especially one that offers no-interest and low-interest long-term loans, only increases case acceptance. It’s a win-win…win! Many other financing institutions assist dental patients. Check out these websites… CareCredit CapitalOne Healthcare Finance Chase Springstone (Source: dental blog for dentists about dentistry) dental blog for dentists about dentistry blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1494235 Thu, 05 Jun 2008 13:26:04 +0100 1494235 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1466336&cid=t_119509_109_f&fid=36089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fthesituationist.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F05%2F23%2Fthe-situation-of-capital-punishment-abstract%2F This article presents the results of an empirical study of intentional homicide cases in Missouri. The authors created a database of 1046 cases; it includes substantially all of the homicide cases prosecuted in Missouri over a five year period that were initially charged as murder or voluntary manslaughter and that yielded criminal convictions. The authors selected 247 cases from the larger database for more detailed analysis. We analyzed geographic and racial disparities in the rates at which: prosecutors charge first-degree murder versus lesser charges; prosecutors seek the death penalty, not lesser punishments; defendants are convicted of first-degree murder versus lesser crimes; and defendants are sentenced to death, not lesser punishments. The Missouri statute gives prosecutors very b... The Situationist blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1466336 Fri, 23 May 2008 23:12:31 +0100 1466336 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1454778&cid=t_119509_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F294206655%2F In fact, financing topped $21.3 billion for US biotechs last year, the $5.5 billion contributed by venture capital firms beat the record set of $39.4 million in 2000, according to Ernst & Young’s annual financial report card on the industry. Whether this pace will continue is less certain, Scott Morrison, E&Y’s US life sciences director, tells The San Francisco Chronicle, because new product approvals will slow as regulators scrutinize applications. And drug prices may face more pressure in a political environment focused on health care reform and the federal budget deficit. Beyond that, constriction in the larger capital markets has finally started to affect biotech companies this year. “Biotech has not been immune from the ills of the subprime mortgage meltdow... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1454778 Tue, 20 May 2008 11:41:22 +0100 1454778 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1443057&cid=t_119509_151_f&fid=35823&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FAddictionInbox%2F%7E3%2F290415254%2Flethal-injections.html Bloggers Unite for Human RightsI offer the following post as a participant in "Unite For Human Rights," a campaign co-sponsored by BlogCatalog and Amnesty International USA.----------------Last month, in Baze v. Rees, the U.S Supreme Court dashed the hopes of human rights activists and ruled 7-2 that lethal injection in Kentucky does not constitute cruel and unusual punishment as defined by the constitution. In a narrowly technical ruling, the Court found that this method of execution under death penalty statutes was legal so long as there was no "substantial risk" of pain that could be alleviated by participating health professionals.In response to the court decision, Amnesty International USA released a public statement decrying the government's "preoccupation with lethal injection," cal... Addiction Inbox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1443057 Wed, 14 May 2008 20:05:00 +0100 1443057 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1393673&cid=t_119509_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F04%2F23%2Fregeneration-in-european-cities-making-connections%2F is a study of successful urban regeneration schemes in mainland Europe to draw lessons for the UK from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation. It compares regeneration at Norra Alvstranden in Gothenburg; Kop van Zuid in Rotterdam; and Roubaix in Metropolitan Lille making comparisons with similar places in the UK (Gateshead, North Southwark, and Bradford). An extensive literature review identifies where the UK might learn from Europe. Each case study: sets the context; assesses actions and achievements; looks at benefits for vulnerable groups; sets out the main elements of the scheme; includes reactions from UK partners; and outlines implications for UK policy. (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1393673 Wed, 23 Apr 2008 11:51:24 +0100 1393673 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1392475&cid=t_119509_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F04%2F23%2Fresidents-views-of-new-forms-of-high-density-affordable-living%2F Residents’ views of new forms of high density affordable living from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation explores residents’ views about living in new affordable higher density housing and how far residents’ expectations of living in high-density developments were met. In particular it explores: reasons for moving in; the impact of architecture and design; community cohesion, including integration across tenures; crime and antisocial behaviour; the impact of the surrounding neighbourhood; future housing aspirations, including whether residents wanted to move; housing management; affordability. (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1392475 Wed, 23 Apr 2008 05:39:30 +0100 1392475 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1386864&cid=t_119509_132_f&fid=35011&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2Fmndoci%2F%7E3%2F274257343%2F YCombinator just organized startup school #4. According to TechCrunch, there was a crowd of over 650 developers, writers, and entrepreneurs at Stanford. The event gives techies the chance to learn, network and, perhaps most importantly, pick the brains of industry stalwarts like Jeff Bezos, Marc Andreessen and ask questions about venture capital, IP law, and other aspects of the startup process. I can’t help but wonder if we will ever have a similar forum for the biosciences; a place where graduate students with ideas, postdocs, or young science types (or even older ones like yours truly) can gather to talk to VCs, compare notes, etc. Innovation in the sciences has always had small academic roots and you all know that I feel that the way this innovation reaches people, whether throug... business|bytes|genes|molecules blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1386864 Sun, 20 Apr 2008 20:45:50 +0100 1386864 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1382604&cid=t_119509_109_f&fid=35677&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FBrainBasedBusiness%2F%7E3%2F272857326%2Ffund_more_of_the_finest_firms.html A few years ago,  it was deemed that too few NY women received funding for their business plans. Noticed that in your area?Surveys showed that while many female owned firms flourished … any capital came off their own back. The NY system ... we were told ... favored men’s business plans over women's.In an attempt to help firms fairly, NY officials set up a financial pool for women owned organizations. Within weeks of the fund’s announcement … I overheard a young man just out of college … brag about his big win from this special funding. “It was easy …” he said, “I quick shifted my new business into my wife’s name … and we cleaned up.” Business plan writing is big business for ... BrainBasedBusiness blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1382604 Fri, 18 Apr 2008 13:08:26 +0100 1382604 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1377929&cid=t_119509_125_f&fid=34819&url=http%3A%2F%2Fflapsblog.com%2F%3Fp%3D6778 In this photo released of Benjamin Vaughn, lower right, with his great uncle Clarence Ray Allen, lower left, and Allen’s son Roger Allen, upper left, and his wife, Dell Ray Allen, upper right, inside San Quentin Prison in San Quentin, Calif., Monday, Jan. 16, 2006, before the execution of Allen. Allen, 76, was sentenced to death for ordering the slaying of three people at a Fresno, Calif., market while he was behind bars in 1980 for another murder. The last California execution. California lethal injection executions may resume by the end of the year. Executions in California may resume by the end of the year — with one inmate being put to death by lethal injection each month — as a result of today’s Supreme Court ruling, a high-level state prosecutor said. Chief Assist... FullosseousFlap's Dental Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1377929 Thu, 17 Apr 2008 00:28:47 +0100 1377929 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1376668&cid=t_119509_125_f&fid=34819&url=http%3A%2F%2Fflapsblog.com%2F%3Fp%3D6777 The United States Supreme Court upheld the use of lethal injection executions this morning. The Supreme Court upheld Kentucky’s use of lethal injection executions Wednesday. The justices, by a 7-2 vote, turned back a constitutional challenge to the procedures in place in Kentucky, which uses three drugs to sedate, paralyze and kill inmates. “We … agree that petitioners have not carried their burden of showing that the risk of pain from maladministration of a concededly humane lethal injection protocol, and the failure to adopt untried and untested alternatives, constitute cruel and unusual punishment,” Chief Justice John Roberts said in an opinion that garnered only three votes. Four other justices, however, agreed with the outcome. So, let’s get on with the ... FullosseousFlap's Dental Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1376668 Wed, 16 Apr 2008 18:13:03 +0100 1376668 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1375246&cid=t_119509_109_f&fid=36089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fthesituationist.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F04%2F16%2Fvictims-closure-and-the-sociology-of-emotion-abstract%2F Susan Bandes has posted an interesting paper, titled “Victims, ‘Closure’, and the Sociology of Emotion” on SSRN (forthcoming in Law and Contemporary Problems). Here is the abstract. * * * The concept of closure, almost unknown two decades ago, has had a meteoric rise. It has been enthusiastically embraced by the legal system not only as a legitimate psychological state, but as one that the criminal justice system ought to help victims and murder survivors to attain. In the death penalty context, the concept of closure has changed the way we talk about the rationale for capital punishment, it has changed the shape of the legal process, and it has even changed what both survivors and jurors in capital cases expect to feel. Yet, as I will illustrate, the term clos... The Situationist blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1375246 Wed, 16 Apr 2008 04:36:50 +0100 1375246 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1368891&cid=t_119509_134_f&fid=36049&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FDiabetesNotes%2F%7E3%2F269213249%2F According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), India is home to over 36 million diabetic patients, constituting 20 per cent of the world diabetic population. What is scary about this statistic is the fact that in India you have half of the population malnourished and starving and the other half eating too much junk food and such. While they are fighting the diseases such as heart disease and diabetes that the rest of the developed world suffer from, they are also fighting infectious diseases such as malaria, dengue, chikungunya, and diarrhoea. Huge balance needed there. India is now coined the diabetes capital of the world all the while they have an enormous shortage of doctors and nurses and make up a sixth of the world population. via NDTV.com Tags: capital of the world, Diabetes, di... Diabetes Notes blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1368891 Sun, 13 Apr 2008 01:53:36 +0100 1368891 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1332727&cid=t_119509_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F259577222%2F Hired someone new and exciting? Promoted a rising star? Finally solved that hard-to-fill spot? Share the news with us and we’ll share with it others. That’s right. Send us your announcements and we’ll find a home for them. Don’t be shy. Everyone wants to know who is coming and going, especially with all the layoffs being announced each month. Despite downsizing, there is movement. Here are some of the latest changes. Recognize anyone? Depomed hired Abid Rawn as vp sales and marketing; Regeneron promoted Joanne Deyo to vp facilities; EKR Therapeutics named Richard DeSimone as COO; EKR Therapeutics hired Ernic Biczak as senior vp marketing; EKR Therapeutics hired Dave Iwanicki as senior vp commercial operations; EKR Therapeutics hired Stephen Hulse as vp sales; EKR Therapeutics promo... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1332727 Fri, 28 Mar 2008 11:13:42 +0100 1332727 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1305062&cid=t_119509_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F251645034%2F We read today how Panel Urges Schools to Emphasize Core Math Skills (Washington Post). Now, there is a more fundamental question to consider: what should the schools of the XXI century look like and do?. To create a much needed dialogue, I asked one the most thoughtful education bloggers around to share her (I guess it's "her") impressions with us. Enjoy! --------------- What do we want our schools to do, and for whom?  --By eduwonkette "Schools," Stanford historian David Labaree wrote, "occupy an awkward position at the intersection between what we hope society will become and what we think it really is." What do we want our schools to do, and for whom? Schools, like most organizations, have many goals. These goals often compete with and displace each other... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1305062 Fri, 14 Mar 2008 22:04:03 +0100 1305062 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1301788&cid=t_119509_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F03%2F13%2Fcommunity-empowerment-in-practice%2F Community empowerment in practice: lessons from Communities First looks at community empowerment in local governance and service delivery which has become a key component of government policy in the UK. However, there are critical challenges to achieving this in practice. This research sees the Joseph Rowntree Foundation use 9 case studies to consider: It considers: how far partnerships have developed and evolved to empower communities; the relationships communities have with other representative channels; the extent to which communities have influenced other agendas; the overall impact of regeneration partnerships. It finds that: Community members responded positively to the opportunities for participation provided by Communities First and, as they began to recognise their own ro... Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1301788 Thu, 13 Mar 2008 20:22:13 +0100 1301788 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1300236&cid=t_119509_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F03%2F13%2Fneighbourhood-identity-people-time-and-place%2F from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation considers the formation of neighbourhood identity and it’s potential impact on regeneration. The report focuses on: why regeneration policies often fail in their objectives; why the reputations of housing estates often display a remarkable longevity and resilience to change; how such reputations are established and understood by those in and outside particular areas; the implications these reputations have for the identities of neighbourhoods and the people who live in them. (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1300236 Thu, 13 Mar 2008 14:37:20 +0100 1300236 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1239190&cid=t_119509_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F02%2F18%2Fout-of-sight-out-of-mind-social-exclusion-behind-closed-doors%2F Looking at social exclusion in the elderly Age Concern have produced  Out of sight, out of mind: Social exclusion behind closed doors sets a number of challenges across both local and central government and for voluntary groups to ensure that older people are socially included.  These are: Develpment of a cross-departmental government commitment to help the most disadvantaged older people. Central and local government strategies for tackling social exclusion and neighbourhood renewal must include older people. Local authorities should revisit A Sure Start to Later Life and re-model their services to ensure they are joined-up, user-friendly, rooted in the community and flexible enough to reach out to vulnerable older people. The report recommends: For people who are over 80 and livi... Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1239190 Mon, 18 Feb 2008 18:21:51 +0100 1239190