Assessment of home-based behavior modification programs for autistic children: reliability and validity of the behavioral summarized evaluation

Since the publication of Lovaas' (1987) impressive findings, there has been a proliferation of home-based behavior modification programs for autistic children. Parents and other paraprofessionals often play key roles in the implementation and monitoring of these programs. The Behavioral Summarized Evaluation (BSE) was developed for professionals and paraprofessionals to use in assessing the severity of autistic symptoms over the course of treatment. This paper examined the psychometric properties of the BSE (inter-item consistency, factorial composition, convergent validity, and sensitivity to parents' perceptions of symptom change over time) when used by parents of autistic youngsters undergoing home-based intervention. Recommendations for future research are presented.     

A Historical,Detailed Toolmark Examination from 1916

Marc Bischoff received his PhD from the University of Lausanne, Institute of Police Science and Criminology, and later became the head of the Institute. His final examination paper for his doctorate degree constitutes a toolmark analysis and comparison between a suspected axe and questioned cuttings of wood trunks. Bischoff uses the scientific method to test the hypothesis he formulated. Dated 1916, this report includes his notes, measurements, photomicrographs of the questioned toolmarks and the test impressions, detailed sketches, technical discussion, results, and conclusions. Recognizing the historical value of Bischoff's work, it seemed important to get it translated. Photocopies of Bischoff's original work were obtained. The case report, translated from French, is presented here along with a brief history of the Firearm and Toolmark Identification field and Bischoff's role in the beginning of this field. Bischoff's work stands as testimony to the long tradition of the field of forensic toolmark analysis.     

The Transfer of Manufacturing Processes and Standards in U.S. Plants Operating in the U.K.

This paper finds that U.S. firms tend to utilize their manufacturing processes when operating in the U.K. but that they adopt the production standards of the host country. Three process technology variables are examined: MRP I (materials requirements planning), JIT (just in time), and TQM (total quality management). While significant differences are found between indigenous plants in each of the two countries, the adoption of these manufacturing technologies is similar for American firms operating in either country. In contrast, U.S. transplants are found to be enthusiastic adopters of ISO 9000, suggesting that host country effects are large when it comes to conforming to regional standards.     

创业的民族景观与全球化身份的建立--对台北女性创业者的田野调查

在当今通迅便利、传媒超越国界的时代,一些都市变成了全球化的城市,台北即是其中之一.走在全球化潮流最前沿的人中,有企业家和商界人士.他们建立的个人身份不仅涵盖自己的乡土社区和民族文化,还包括了他们对全球公民(Global Citizenship)的理解.本文是一个建立在对台北市100多名女老板的访谈基础上的人类学研究.文章描绘了她们的生活世界(Life-Worlds),并探究其想法可能对21世纪都市人类学所具有的意义.     

The Historical Mind and Military Strategy

As important as the study of history for military strategists is the acquisition of the historical mind—that is, a way of thinking that uses history as a mode of inquiry. From practical cases to inspiration, history can help with U.S. military decision-making. The historical mind will detect differences as much as similarities between cases, avoiding false analogies, and look for the key questions to be asking. It will look for continuity but also for more important discontinuities; it will look for linkages between data points, but not be too quick to attribute causation. It is a well-traveled mind that appreciates the variability of people and places, conditions and problems; it avoids over-reliance on “lessons learned.” For that reason, the historical education of civilian and military strategists is more, not less, important in an age of rapid change.     

THE QUALITY OF LIFE IN THE GROWING CITY

When the stranger says: “What is the meaning of this city? Do you huddle close together because you love each other?” What will you answer?“We all dwell together to make money from each other” or “This is a community”?     

The reorganization of the professions by regulation

This paper briefly notes recent efforts at regulating the professions, distinguishing regulation by the market, by the bureaucracy and by collegial mandate. It attempts to assess regulation by first evaluating and then rejecting the theories of deprofessionalization and of proletarianization. This paper suggests that while the essential corporate autonomy of professions is not being affected by regulatory activities, traditionally “free” professions like law, medicine, and dentistry are being reorganized into a formal system of stratification. Consequently, a formal professional elite is being created that develops standards enforced to govern the performance of the rank-and-file professional worker. Possible consequences are briefly discussed.