Behavioral Remediation Research Articles

A Framework to Enforce Anti-Predation Rules

The major interest of antitrust law and economics with respect to predation strategies has been largely twofold. On the one hand, there has been a lively discussion on the question whether predation can basically be a rational strategy for an incumbent facing an entry threat. On the other hand, research has focused on the problem of how an antitrust authority should detect predation strategies and especially distinguish such abuses from socially desirable, procompetitive behaviour. However, compared to other areas of antitrust policy such as hard core cartel enforcement or merger control, surprisingly little research has been devoted to the subsequent third stage in antitrust analysis: intervention. This stage acknowledges the necessity of appropriate detection rules for efficient antitrust enforcement, but it uses these insights to answer the complementary question of how these rules should be linked to punishment with a pecuniary fine and/or the imposition of behavioural remedies. Against this background, the paper aims at developing a framework to enforce anti-predation rules that explicitly takes the intervention stage into account. Following a characterisation and rationalisation of predation, the welfare effects of predation are studied. Given the key finding that predation can be a rational business strategy with negative implications on overall welfare, research with respect to the detection of predation is reviewed. However, given the fact that detecting is a necessary but not sufficient condition for ‘enforcing’, the intervention options against predators are analyzed subsequently. The analysis differentiates between a no rule approach, an ex post rule of reason and an ex ante per se rule. It was shown that no policy option dominates the others and that the welfare optimal policy response depends on several industry and market characteristics such as the level of the incumbency advantages, the level of the gains of entry for society or the specifics of antitrust enforcement in the respective jurisdiction. Subsequently, the key insights of the analysis are incorporated into the development of a framework to enforce anti-predation rules which aims at increasing the deterrence effect of predation strategies without biasing the fundamentally important incentives of firms for procompetitive price decreases.

Market structures, political surroundings, and merger remedies: an empirical investigation of the EC’s decisions

This paper aims to build and empirically evaluate a discrete choice model of merger remedies as a basis for policy analysis. The database consists of 229 merger cases accepted in Phase I or Phase II of the European merger process between 1990 and 2005. We focus on the following question: Which merging firms’ characteristics lead the European Commission to decide whether to require conditional acceptance? Although a lot of empirical studies have been carried out these last years, ours is distinguished by at least two original features. First, we explore determinant factors of the Commission’s decisions with a neural network model differentiating cases accepted with or without remedies (either structural or behavioral). Secondly, we implement three multinomial logit models. We find that variables related to high market power lead more frequently to a remedy outcome, no matter the phase. Innovative industries such as energy, transportation and communications positively affect the probability of a behavioral remedy. Lastly, former Competition Commissioner Mario Monti’s policy appears to be pro-remedy, i.e. seeking concessions from merging parties.

Relations between sorption behavior and electrokinetic remediation effect in soils contaminated with heavy metals

Adsorption–desorption is an important mechanism for controlling metal mobility in soil and has a large effect on remediation efficiency. Very little research has examined the relations between heavy metal sorption behaviour and electrokinetic (EK) remediation effect. Four typical soil samples in China (Chernozem, Fluvisol, Yellow brown earth, and Purple soil) were studied. Adsorption isotherms were fit to Freundlich equations. EK removal ratios in the 4 soils were: Purple soil > Yellow brown earth > Fluvisol > Chernozem. Results show that the influencing characteristics significant to Cd EK removal order as follows: total organic carbon (TOC) > 1/n (Freundlich constant) > clay ratio > K (Freundlich constant) > cation exchange capacity > background pH. When 1/n (Freundlich constant) increases by 0.124 or TOC increases by 0.858 g/kg in soils, EK removal ratio (%) of Cd decreases by 1.0%. A ‘2-reactions’ mechanism during EK remediation is speculated, including rapid and slow reactions. Fast reactions are attributed to H+–M2+ exchange processes occurring on the surfaces of different inorganic phases and to the dissolution of the water-insoluble precipitates. Slow irreversible reactions refer to H+ ions exchanging with metal ions bound in the internal lattice sites and organic matter being oxidised by oxidants produced by electrochemical reactions. Slow reactions limit the EK remediation effect.

Interoperability and Foreclosure in the European Microsoft Case

Introduction The cases in the US and Europe against Microsoft have been perhaps the most high-profile antitrust cases in the last twenty years. In the various Microsoft cases, antitrust authorities in the US and Europe took on what was at some points the most valuable company in the world and its CEO Bill Gates, the world's richest man. After five years of investigation, on 24 March 2004, the European Commission held Microsoft guilty of an abuse of a dominant position under Article 82 and imposed the largest fine ever for such an antitrust violation in Europe – €497 million. The Commission also demanded major forward-looking behavioural remedies including compulsory licensing of intellectual property and forced unbundling. This degree of behavioural intervention is highly unusual and led to continued conflict about the implementation of the remedies. The Decision found that Microsoft had abused its dominant position in the PC operating system market in two ways: ‘deliberately restricting interoperability between Windows PCs and non-Microsoft workgroup servers, and by tying its Windows Media Player (WMP), a product where it faced competition, with its ubiquitous Windows operating system.' As remedies for these violations the European Commission ordered Microsoft: ‘within 120 days, to disclose complete and accurate interface documentation which would allow non-Microsoft workgroup servers to achieve full interoperability with Windows PCs and servers’; ‘within 90 days, to offer to PC manufacturers a version of its Windows client PC operating system without Windows Media Player’. The case is fascinating as it touches on one of the key issues concerning the conduct of modern competition policy': how should we think about the role of antitrust in high-tech industries dominated by rapid innovation?

Better, Stronger, Faster: Self-Serving Judgment, Affect Regulation, and the Optimal Vigilance Hypothesis.

Self-serving judgments, in which the self is viewed more favorably than other people, are ubiquitous. Their dynamic variation within individuals may be explained in terms of the regulation of affect. Self-serving judgments produce positive emotions, and threat increases self-serving judgments (a compensatory pattern that restores affect to a set point or baseline). Perceived mutability is a key moderator of these judgments; low mutability (i.e., the circumstance is closed to modification) triggers a cognitive response aimed at affect regulation, whereas high mutability (i.e., the circumstance is open to further modification) activates direct behavioral remediation. Threats often require immediate response, whereas positive events do not. Because of this brief temporal window, an active mechanism is needed to restore negative (but not positive) affective shifts back to a set point. Without this active reset, an earlier threat would make the individual less vigilant toward a new threat. Thus, when people are sad, they aim to return their mood to baseline, often via self-serving judgments. We argue that asymmetric homeostasis enables optimal vigilance, which establishes a coherent theoretical account of the role of self-serving judgments in affect regulation.

Remedies and Sanctions in Abuse of Dominance Cases

In recent years, the OECD's Competition Committee has held a number of roundtable discussions on issues related to liability in abuse of dominance cases; in its June 2006 meeting, the Committee turned its attention to the question of what to do with companies once their liability has been established. A Background Note by the Secretariat addresses the potential objectives of various types of remedies and sanctions, general suggestions for designing effective remedies, specific types of remedies and sanctions and their respective strengths and weaknesses, and the remedies and sanctions applied in recent cases. In the oral discussion, the Committee first addressed the contentious issue of whether it is appropriate to impose fines in abuse of dominance cases. While some delegations view abuse cases as conceptually similar to cartel cases (in which fines may be imposed in every OECD member country), others do not impose fines because they have concluded that abuse of dominance is so difficult to identify that defendants cannot reasonably be expected to know that their conduct will constitute a violation. The Committee then discussed the advantages and disadvantages of structural versus behavioural remedies, as well as the utility of conducting follow-up studies to determine how effective remedies turned out to be in previous cases. Finally, the discussion included analyses of the remedies imposed in a number of illustrative competition law cases.

Behavioural Remedies in EC Merger Control - Scope and Limitations

Behavioural remedies provide the competition agency with flexibility and reversibility which are not usually found in structural remedies. On the other hand, behavioural remedies tend to generate uncertainty and costs, casting doubt upon their usefulness and reflecting their alleged inferiority. The following article explores the scope and limitations of behavioural remedies and questions whether they are used adequately in light of their potential role in conditional clearances of merger transactions. The discussion first focuses on the characteristics, benefits and drawbacks associated with behavioural remedies. It then moves on to consider which incentives may affect the negotiation of remedies and how the risk of “under-fixing” influences the competition agency’s position when assessing proposed commitments. Following this theoretical debate, the discussion shifts to the European merger regime and reviews the way in which the European Commission and Courts have shaped the scope of behavioural remedies. The range of behavioural remedies accepted by the European Commissions and their effectiveness are also considered together with the mechanisms used to facilitate their monitoring and enforcement. The article concludes with a discussion of the likelihood of behavioural remedies being used more prevalently in the future and the factors that could influence such direction.

Under (and Over) Prescribing of Behavioural Remedies

The following paper explores the costs and benefits associated with behavioral remedies and competition authorities' policy considerations in prescribing them. It considers the difficulties in designing, monitoring and enforcing behavioral remedies and how these difficulties affect the negotiation, use and usefulness of these remedies.

Merger Remedies

The following principles should guide competition authorities when devising remedies in merger cases: i) remedies are to be considered only if a threat to competition has been identified; ii) remedies should be the least restrictive means to effectively eliminate competition concerns; iii) remedies should address only competition concerns, and should not be used for industrial planning or other non-competition purposes; and iv) flexibility and creativity are key in devising remedies. Competition authorities in general strongly prefer structural remedies in the form of divestitures even though they might consider behavioural remedies, alone or in conjunction with divestiture remedies, appropriate in certain cases to address competitive concerns raised by a merger. Where several competition authorities consider remedies in the same transaction, coordination and cooperation among them is important to ensure consistency between remedial solutions. Despite differences in substantive tests and procedures, such cooperation and coordination with respect to remedies has been successful in an increasing number of transnational mergers. This Competition Committee roundtable was held in October 2003.

Reading depends on writing, in Chinese

Language development entails four fundamental and interactive abilities: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Over the past four decades, a large body of evidence has indicated that reading acquisition is strongly associated with a child's listening skills, particularly the child's sensitivity to phonological structures of spoken language. Furthermore, it has been hypothesized that the close relationship between reading and listening is manifested universally across languages and that behavioral remediation using strategies addressing phonological awareness alleviates reading difficulties in dyslexics. The prevailing view of the central role of phonological awareness in reading development is largely based on studies using Western (alphabetic) languages, which are based on phonology. The Chinese language provides a unique medium for testing this notion, because logographic characters in Chinese are based on meaning rather than phonology. Here we show that the ability to read Chinese is strongly related to a child's writing skills and that the relationship between phonological awareness and Chinese reading is much weaker than that in reports regarding alphabetic languages. We propose that the role of logograph writing in reading development is mediated by two possibly interacting mechanisms. The first is orthographic awareness, which facilitates the development of coherent, effective links among visual symbols, phonology, and semantics; the second involves the establishment of motor programs that lead to the formation of long-term motor memories of Chinese characters. These findings yield a unique insight into how cognitive systems responsible for reading development and reading disability interact, and they challenge the prominent phonological awareness view.

Treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in adults

A number of medication and psychologic treatment options for adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder have become available during the past 5 years, while others are under investigation. This review describes the safety and effectiveness of the stimulants (i.e., methylphenidate and dexedrine), and particularly the newer long-acting stimulants (i.e., Concerta® and Adderall XR®) in the treatment of this population. Some nonstimulant/nonantidepressants, particularly atomoxetine, have also been shown to improve attention deficit hyperactivity disorder symptoms. Combination treatment of stimulants and antidepressants require more study with regard to safety and efficacy. Psychosocial interventions (e.g., cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness training and cognitive remediation) can also benefit adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Cognitive behavioral therapy combined with medication is more effective than either intervention alone, especially for addressing the emotional and functional aspects of peoples’ lives and thus improving occupational, interpersonal and emotional outcomes.

Neural deficits in children with dyslexia ameliorated by behavioral remediation: evidence from functional MRI.

Developmental dyslexia, characterized by unexplained difficulty in reading, is associated with behavioral deficits in phonological processing. Functional neuroimaging studies have shown a deficit in the neural mechanisms underlying phonological processing in children and adults with dyslexia. The present study examined whether behavioral remediation ameliorates these dysfunctional neural mechanisms in children with dyslexia. Functional MRI was performed on 20 children with dyslexia (8-12 years old) during phonological processing before and after a remediation program focused on auditory processing and oral language training. Behaviorally, training improved oral language and reading performance. Physiologically, children with dyslexia showed increased activity in multiple brain areas. Increases occurred in left temporo-parietal cortex and left inferior frontal gyrus, bringing brain activation in these regions closer to that seen in normal-reading children. Increased activity was observed also in right-hemisphere frontal and temporal regions and in the anterior cingulate gyrus. Children with dyslexia showed a correlation between the magnitude of increased activation in left temporo-parietal cortex and improvement in oral language ability. These results suggest that a partial remediation of language-processing deficits, resulting in improved reading, ameliorates disrupted function in brain regions associated with phonological processing and produces additional compensatory activation in other brain regions.

Group psychotherapy for persons with traumatic brain injury: management of frustration and substance abuse.

Residual emotional and behavioral difficulties in individuals who have sustained a traumatic brain injury (TBI) have been well documented in the literature. The issues are complex, interdependent, and often include substance abuse, depression, anxiety, chronic suicidal or homicidal ideation, poor impulse control, and significant degrees of frustration and anger. Often, preexisting psychological conditions and poor coping strategies are exacerbated by the trauma. Emotional and behavioral difficulties can interfere with the neurorehabilitation process at all levels. In acute rehabilitation, these issues have traditionally been addressed on an individual basis. However, in postacute settings, an interpersonal group format can be effectively implemented. The majority of individuals with TBI have minimal funding for long-term cognitive and behavioral remediation; often the only avenue available is support groups. This article will describe group psychotherapy models used with individuals with acute or postacute TBI within a comprehensive rehabilitation center. Interdisciplinary treatment of frustration and substance abuse and a continuum of care will be emphasized. Education, social support, skills development, interpersonal process, and cognitive-behavioral approaches will also be discussed. The psychotherapy groups focus on treatment of substance abuse and frustration management through education, social support, and development of interpersonal skills. Practical considerations of running such groups are presented.

A Comparison of Children With and Without Learning Disabilities on Social Problem-Solving Skill, School Behavior, and Family Background

The study compared 86 children with learning disabilities (LD) with 86 matched children without learning disabilities (NLD) on three domains of variables: social problem-solving skill, teacher-rated school behavior and competence, and family background. The children with LD and the NLD group differed on variables in all three domains. More specifically, the children with LD were able to generate fewer alternatives for solving social problem situations, showed less tolerance for frustration and less adaptive assertiveness, and had more overall classroom behavior problems and less personal and social competence in a variety of areas as rated by teachers. Children having LD also showed more family background difficulties (e.g., lack of educational stimulation at home, economic difficulties). The findings suggest the need for greater attention to social and behavioral remediation for children with LD and greater involvement of their families, in addition to the cognitive and academic remediation emphasized in existing curricula for children with LD.

Pharmacological treatment of urinary incontinence

Urinary incontinence (UI) is a major problem especially to the elderly. The only absolute indications for drug therapy in this condition are infection and atrophic urethritis. Other causes of UI should be treated with behavioural remedies and physiotherapy. If these measures are impractical or fail to improve the condition, then we would recommend additional drug therapy.

A Behavioural Remediation Program for Oral Reading: effects on errors and comprehension

Abstract This study examined the efficacy of a behavioral remediation program for oral reading on oral reading errors and comprehension of four moderately mentally retarded children. The remediation program included previewing of the target text, delayed attention to oral reading errors, and positive practice overcorrection of errors plus positive reinforcement for self‐correction of errors. A multiple‐baseline across subjects design was used, with comprehension probes scheduled once every two or three days across both baseline and remediation phases. Comprehension probes consisted of 10 questions based on the target text and aimed to assess the child's literal comprehension, interpretation and critical reading. While the results demonstrated a clear relationship between remediation and oral reading errors, the relationship between remediation and comprehension was less clear. The remediation program was effective in reducing oral reading errors and, in the course of the study, increasing comprehension sc...

Remediating Academic Deficiencies in Learning Disabled Children

The effects of behavioral remediation procedures were assessed with children showing academic difficulties associated with the learning disabled. In Experiment 1, the child showed reversals, omissions, and substitutions under letter naming and letter dictation exercises. A child's written 2 digit number reversals were selected for remediation in Experiment 2. During Experiment 3, a small group of remedial reading students displayed written letter reversals. The results showed (a) that flash card modeling and social reinforcement procedures eliminated all children's errors, (b) that (in Experiment 2) tutorial treatment effects generalized to classroom addition exercises, and (c) that treatment results were maintained in post-experiment observations. These findings appear to offer school personnel effective and economical remediation procedures for the learning disabled.

The autistic child: A challenge for educators

Our knowledge of infantile autism, albeit inconclusive and controversial, has improved since Kanner's initial description in 1943. However, there is still no agreement regarding etiology, diagnosis, or methods of treatment for these children. As a result, autism remains an obscure, ill-defined and poorly understood child psychopathy. Efforts directed at diagnosis and etiology are often far removed from issues of necessity for educators in planning day to day instructional activities for autistic children. Educators require information that is specific and focused, and which directs the teacher in his selection of methods and materials. With time and more research targeted on techniques and agents of change, specific methods appropriate for educational, social and behavioral remediation will emerge. This article discusses general aspects of our knowledge about autism, as well as behavioral and cognitive characteristics of autistic children. Attention is also directed toward treatment techniques, especially those of direct use for the educator.

Case study: Implementation of behavior modification techniques in summer camp settings

Application of behavior modification techniques in summer camp settings can serve the purpose of remediating severe behavioral problems in environments conducive to efficient behavioral engineering. Reasons for the paucity of research in camp settings are examined. A single-subject case study is presented to demonstrate that research in such environments can support the efficacy of behavioral remediation procedures. Advantages such settings offer in terms of conducting unobtrusive assessment, ease of staff training, and utilization of a wide-variety of potential reinforcers are discussed.

Improving Classroom Behavior and Achievement

The purpose of this investigation was to assess the effects of behavioral objectives, criterion evaluation, and remediation upon the classroom progress of disruptive adolescents. Two eighth grade teachers participated, and twenty-two students were the Ss. Four observers and one grader recorded data daily. The teachers were trained to write behavioral objectives and to employ criterion evaluation and remediation during treatment conditions. Analyses of variance showed significant differences in classroom behavior and in achievement. It was concluded that the use of behavioral objectives, criterion evaluation, and remediation had a positive effect on the classroom progress of disruptive adolescents.