Well-being Criteria Research Articles

Toxicity and effects of a glyphosate-based herbicide on the Neotropical fish Prochilodus lineatus

The toxicity of Roundup, a glyphosate-based herbicide widely used in agriculture, was determined for the Neotropical fish Prochilodus lineatus. The 96 h-LC 50 of Roundup was 13.69 mg L − 1 , indicating that this fish is more sensitive to Roundup than rainbow trout ( Oncorhynchus mykiss) and Atlantic salmon ( Salmo salar). These differences should be considered when establishing criteria for water quality and animal well-being in the Neotropical region. Short-term (6, 24 and 96 h) toxicity tests were then performed to evaluate the effects of sub-lethal concentrations of the herbicide (7.5 and 10 mg L − 1 ) to P. lineatus. Roundup did not interfere with the maintenance of the ionic balance and there was no significant alteration in plasma cortisol levels in Roundup-exposed fish. However an increase in plasma glucose was noted in fish exposed to 10 mg L − 1 of the herbicide, indicating a typical stress response. Catalase liver activity also showed an increase in fish exposed to 10 mg L − 1 of the herbicide, suggesting the activation of antioxidant defenses after Roundup exposure. In addition, Roundup induced several liver histological alterations that might impair normal organ functioning. Therefore, short-term exposure to Roundup at subletal concentrations induced biochemical, physiological and histological alterations in P. lineatus.

Evolution of adults with autism and profound intellectual disabilities living within a structured residential programme: a 21-month longitudinal study

The purpose of this work is to observe the evolution of persons with autism or pervasive developmental disorders and profound intellectual disabilities (ID) implicated in a Programme for Autistic Residents (PAMS = Programme Autisme Methode Structuree) within the Public Socio-Educational Institutions (EPSE) in Geneva. People with autism or pervasive developmental disorders are characterised by the need to live in a very structured environment. They would greatly benefit from a specific treatment programme in residential setting. Our main hypothesis supposes that behavioural disorders could be reduced if the environment is structured, constant and predictable. Time and space must be clearly organised in order to reduce anxiety. As a consequence of anxiety, we often observe behavioural disorders that can compromise the residential life and end up in hospitalisation. PAMS proposes an individual programme for each person, supported by objects, pictures or pictograms. In parallel, the social-educational staff is present in workshops and in apartments in order to enhance continuity. We evaluated the evolution of 10 residents' behaviour using the ABC (Aberrant Behavior Checklist, Aman and Singh, 1985) every three months. We chose to investigate behavioural problems as a criterion of well-being. We checked the presence and the importance of the autistic features using the CARS (Children Autism Rating Scale, Schopler et al., 1988) before the beginning of the study and then once a year. This longitudinal study over 21 months suggests a favourable clinical evolution of residents confirmed by a significant reduction of some behaviours. The evolution is slow and irregular, but a statistical decrease in irritability and social withdrawal factors was observed during the study. This result validates our hypothesis that PAMS is a beneficial programme for residents with autistic features. To confirm our results, this research will continue and has been extended to another resident group living with structured paedagogy and a control group. Further implications will be discussed.

Choosing Expensive Tastes

The possibility that individuals might have expensive tastes is the basis of arguments for and against various theories of how social resources should be allocated. Expensive tastes play a role, for example, in Dworkin's advocacy of equality of resources rather than welfare, in Rawls's account of primary goods, in Scanlon's argument for an objective criterion of well-being, and in Arneson's favoring of equality of opportunity for welfare rather than equality of welfare.Much of the argument about whether expensive tastes should be treated distinctively concerns whether or not individuals choose to have such tastes. If individuals are simply born with different tastes, or perhaps if they develop them through socialization when young, it is suggested, individuals should not be seen as responsible for their expensive tastes. However, it is argued that individuals should not be com pensated for expensive tastes that they have freely chosen — or would hypothetically have chosen — to cultivate.

Birth Parents in Adoption

This article addresses birth parents in the adoption triad by reviewing and integrating both the clinical and empirical literature from a number of professional disciplines with practice case studies. This review includes literature on the decision to relinquish one’s child for adoption, the early postrelinquishment period, and the effects throughout the lifespan on birth parents. Clinical symptoms for birth parents include unresolved grief, isolation, difficulty with future relationships, and trauma. Some recent research has found that some birth mothers who relinquish tend to fare comparably to those who do not relinquish on external criteria of well-being (e.g., high school graduation rates). However, there appear to be serious long-term psychological consequences of relinquishment. Limitations of the current literature are presented, and recommendations for practice and research are offered.

Anthropometric indicators of nutritional status: implications for fitness, activity, and health in school-age children and adolescents from Maputo, Mozambique

Studies are needed to test the relevance of the anthropometric criteria for health and well-being, particularly in developing countries. The objective of the study was to identify the relevance of anthropometric indexes as indicators of nutritional status. The sample consisted of 2316 subjects (n = 1094 males, 1222 females) aged 6-18 y from Mozambique. Anthropometric variables, maturity stage, physical fitness, physical activity, and metabolic fitness were measured. Samples of blood, urine, and feces were obtained. Subjects were classified in 5 nutritional groups labeled normal, low height-for-age (stunted), low weight-for-height (wasted), low height-for-age and low weight-for-height (stunted and wasted), and overweight, according to cutoffs set by a World Health Organization expert committee. Socioeconomic status was classified according to region of residence. Prevalence rates for males and females, respectively, in the nutritional groups were 3.0% and 2.3% (stunted group), 21.9% and 10.0% (wasted group), 3.0% and 0.8% (stunted and wasted group), and 4.8% and 7.7% (overweight group). With control for age, socioeconomic status, and maturity stage, the overweight group performed significantly worse than did the other groups on most of the fitness tests. Compared with the normal group, the 3 undernourished groups performed significantly worse in absolute strength tasks, better in endurance tasks, and equally in flexibility and agility. Very few differences were found in physical activity scores. The 3 undernourished groups had scores for the biochemical indicators that were similar to those of the normal group and had more favorable profiles for blood pressure and cholesterol. In this population, the cutoffs used to classify overweight status appear to appropriately identify potential health problems. No relevance to health was found for the lower cutoffs identifying undernourished children.

Work and development

International Labour ReviewVolume 138, Issue 1 p. 5-30 Work and development Henry BRUTON, Henry BRUTON *Department of Economics, Williams College, Williamstown, MA.Search for more papers by this authorDavid FAIRRIS, David FAIRRIS **Department of Economics, University of California, Riverside, CA.Search for more papers by this author Henry BRUTON, Henry BRUTON *Department of Economics, Williams College, Williamstown, MA.Search for more papers by this authorDavid FAIRRIS, David FAIRRIS **Department of Economics, University of California, Riverside, CA.Search for more papers by this author First published: 28 June 2008 https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1564-913X.1999.tb00002.xCitations: 9AboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Citing Literature Volume138, Issue1March 1999Pages 5-30 RelatedInformation

A policy‐theoretic analysis of sample survey of the Mi’kmaq People of Cape Breton in the light of the knowledge‐based world view

Carries out a statistical and economic analysis of socio‐economic survey results on the Mi’kmaq People of Cape Breton in the light of the criterion of the social wellbeing function. Focuses on studying the social wellbeing criterion with the socio‐economic variables involved in the surveys in a relational perspective among alternatives. Points out that this approach is distinct from the neoclassical resource substitution method. Instead, the relational perspective is shown to be premissed on a system of universal complementarities.

The Ethnomedical Model as a Conceptual Tool for Counselling in Health-Care Decision-Making

Abstract A nine-dimensional ethnomedical model is introduced. The empirical validity of the model in information processing about disease and health-care decision-making has been demonstrated. Sickness conception, well-being criteria and recognition of health need were ranked as the three most important dimensions. These dimensions could help to focus counselling efforts. Suggestions are offered for integrating the ethnomedical approach into trans-cultural counselling using a briefcase example.

Self-Other Differentiation and the Mother-Child Relationship: The Effects of Sex and Birth Order.

We examined the effect of sex and birth order on the experience of a separate sense of self and its connection to mothers' differential involvement with sons and daughters. Results from two samples of college-age students are reported. Men showed a more separate sense of self than women, and mothers were reported to be more highly involved with and intrusive in the lives of their daughters than their sons. Results for birth order were consistent though not always statistically significant: First-born women had the least separate sense of self and reported the greatest degree of maternal involvement and intrusiveness. Implications of these findings for developmental theory and criteria of Psychological well-being are discussed.

Motivation in relation to the welfare of enclosed livestock

Motivation is the concept used to describe how behavior is both initiated and directed toward a goal. Motivation affects the welfare of enclosed livestock through all the physiological and psychological pathways that relate behavior and welfare, particularly those involved in the body's maintenance of homeostasis and its response to acute and chronic stressors. Increased motivation for locomotion and kinesis in response to chronic deprivation of movement is one of the most readily demonstrable effects of chronic close confinement of livestock. Chronically unsatisfied motivation may be manifested as stereotypies; in livestock species these most often involve movements of the mouth or limbs. The major aspects of livestock housing that affect the welfare of enclosed livestock are the quality, amount and type of space, amount and duration of movement restraint, and sensory deprivation imposed on the animals. Systematic research into the behavioral and physiological effects of these factors, and their variation within and across different species, breeds, sexes and ages of livestock is required if current ethical issues regarding the welfare of enclosed livestock are to be resolved objectively and efficaciously. While the resolution of ethical controversies regarding the welfare of enclosed livestock is ultimately philosophical and the responsibility of human society at large, it is the challenge of applied ethologists and other scientists in related fields to improve our knowledge of significant relationships among motivation, behavior and welfare. The further elucidation of the many and complex factors that influence motivation and the formulation of objective criteria of animal wellbeing that include a reasonable consideration of the animals' probable emotional or subjective experience must also be researched.

Observer-Rated Functional Assessments for Institutionalized Elders

A content analysis was conducted of 320 units of observational data generated on 40 randomly selected institutionalized and uncommunicative elders over a 5-day (220-hour) period. When existing observer-rated instruments were compared with observational data, using a six-dimensional theoretical framework, gaps in the existing instruments became apparent. Future research and development of functional assessments should include observer-rated criteria for health and well-being for the affective dimension of functioning and criteria for determining mental judgment in uncommunicative elders.

Health and well-being disorders in air-conditioned buildings; comparative investigations of the “Building Illness” syndrome

Complaints about disorders of comfort, well-being and health in air-conditioned (AC) buildings have often been reported [1–8]. Nevertheless, there is little knowledge about their qualitative and quantitative structure, as well as their possible causes. To get detailed information, two different kinds of studies have been performed [9]: Study A: a representative Gallup poll (INFRATEST); Study B: comparative investigations in 11 “matched” buildings by questionnaire, combined with simultaneous measurements including: air velocity and turbulence, temperature, humidity, low frequency noise, CO 2 concentration, technical and weather conditions. Results—study A: The Gallup poll, including 8000 representative persons older than 14 years, showed that 2.5 million residents of the F.R.G. and West Berlin are working in AC buildings. Compared to controls in conventional buildings, AC persons complained significantly more frequently of “tendency to colds” (+14.6%), “dry mucous membranes” (+13.0%), “rheumatism” (+7.5%), “headache” (+5.0%), “rapid fatigue” (+5.0%), irritability (+4.1%) and “numbness” (+3.3%). Furthermore, they felt more affected by the following environmental conditions; “missing window ventilation” (+24.4%), “draught” (+12.8%), “dry air” (+12.1%), “changing temperatures” (+11.3%) and “stale, stuffy air” (+4.8%). None of the 23 investigated parameters had favourable results for the AC group compared to controls. Results—study B: An extended questionnaire (47 parameters) has been used for investigations in “matched” individual buildings. The investigations included a total number of ≈3000 persons in 5 administration buildings and 6 schools. As in study A, the criteria of well-being, health and comfort have been evaluated to be considerably worse by persons in AC buildings, compared to controls. Sets of typical complaints could be isolated, quantified and hypothetically related to certain conditions, e.g.: • increase of air velocity and turbulence • disturbed heat budget • stress reactions to low frequency noise • allergic reactions to microorganisms and dust • insufficient air quality • insufficient AC systems, control and regulation • insufficient building constructions.

Differences in Person-Environment Congruence between Microenvironments

ABSTRACTIn the Person-Environment (P-E) Congruence model, psychological well-being is proposed to be a function of the degree of fit between the perceived environment and the important needs of the individual; and, that in more restricted environments, the relationship is stronger. The present study examined, cross-sectionally and longitudinally, the Congruence levels and well-being of elderly veterans (N = 165) in four microenvironments within a single instutition. Congruence was assessed using the multidimensional Environmental Perception, Preference and Importance Scale (EPPIS). Well-being was measured using the PGC Moral Scale, the Life Satisfaction Index A and a semantic differential self-concept scale. There were significant microenvironment differences on three of the 15 EPPIS dimensions; the P-E Congruence scores were predictive of well-being; and, the specific dimensions predictive of well-being varied across microenvironments, criterion of well-being and time. The data reinforces the notion that treatment programs must be individualized and that the P-E model, operationalized in the EPPIS, may serve as a viable clinical tool.

Ill-health and health-care in Khartoum/Omdurman

Medical geographies of Third World cities are particularly affected by lack of data of sufficient detail and spatial resolution to allow proper analyses of intra-urban patterns of variation. Rapid rates of population growth fuelled both by natural increase and migration compound the problem of demographic accounting. Khartoum/Omdurman, the major urban complex in the Sudan is no exception to this situation and although some available statistical information from official sources is used to portray some of the characteristics of urban ill health, greater reliance is placed upon data collected during a social survey of seven contrasted residential areas. Whilst the extent of under-reporting of disease and the typical patterns of ill-health become apparent, it is also clear that there are very large differences among the different types of residential area. The gap between rich and poor, manifest in many criteria of social well-being, is also no less acute in terms of vulnerability to disease. It is also evident that although quality of services is generally problematic, something resembling an ‘inverse-care’ situation seems to exist which further exacerbates the disadvantage of poor urban dwellers.

Options and problems in environmental management and evaluation

Although logical compromise agreement between all the conflicting users of the sea seems the most obvious way to protect marine life, we have in practice mainly ad-hoc restrictions aimed at protecting habitats or species, or at trying to prevent chemical/physical deterioration of the environment. The establishment of reserves on biological rather than touristic grounds necessitates consideration of the criteria, appropriate to marine life, that should be used. Successful reserve management or species protection measures depend upon distinguishing between natural and man-made changes, an ability that can be enhanced in part by appropriate disturbance experiments. Anti-pollution measures have centred upon effluent input rather than biological effect in the field, with “acceptable discharge levels” being based upon lethal and sub-lethal experimental effects. But the ultimate criteria of environmental well-being are ecological responses at the population and community levels where, unfortunately, many natural and man-made influences produce similar changes. Knowledge of community dynamics and a resulting ability to discount natural events require long-term studies and are slow to accumulate. Thus while short-term sublethal studies proliferate many ecological data remain uninterpretable except in localities of gross and obvious pollution (including tanker accidents). The scarcity of sub-lethal and ecological effects in the field is even supplemented by ecological changes that are contrary to expectations based on pollution loadings. Is this because ecological expertise is still inadequate, or because experimental and environmental loading data grossly overstate the risks and are largely irrelevant at the community level? Can we assume that fears of chronic pollution are unfounded or must we intensify our efforts? If the latter, in which direction?

Must a Good Man Be Invulnerable?

Previous articleNext article No AccessMust a Good Man Be Invulnerable?Antony DuffAntony Duff Search for more articles by this author PDFPDF PLUS Add to favoritesDownload CitationTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints Share onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail SectionsMoreDetailsFiguresReferencesCited by Ethics Volume 86, Number 4Jul., 1976 Article DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1086/292006 Views: 2Total views on this site Citations: 2Citations are reported from Crossref Copyright 1976 The University of ChicagoPDF download Crossref reports the following articles citing this article:Hermen Kroesbergen The commitment in feeling absolutely safe, International Journal for Philosophy of Religion 84, no.22 (Jul 2018): 185–203.https://doi.org/10.1007/s11153-018-9680-3Ryoichi FUKUSHIRO, Mitsuo SAWADA, Norio OTSUKI, Tsutomu SANO, Masayasu IKEDA , Nishi Nihon Hifuka 43 (Jan 1981): 1085–1099.https://doi.org/10.2336/nishinihonhifu.43.1085

Preference and Urgency

Arguments in moral philosophy frequently turn on appeals to some standard on the basis of which the benefits and sacrifices of different people can be compared. In applying principles of distributive justice, for example, we must appeal to some standard of this kind as a ground for measuring the equality or inequality of shares, and similar appeals must be made in defending systems of rights, and institutionally defined prerogatives and protections. Such appeals to the comparison of benefits and burdens will of course be most direct in those theories which are, broadly speaking, utilitarian, but they also play a crucial role in theories that diverge from utilitarianism. Comparisons of this kind are, for example, crucial to the argument from Rawls's Original Position, and, in general, criteria of relative well-being and relative sacrifice will have a central place in any moral theory that does not start with a system of rights taken as standing in need of no defense. In this paper I want to describe and discuss some problems concerning the way in which criteria of well-being are to be formulated and defended and the ways in which they enter into moral arguments. Let me begin by stating some properties which it seems that criteria of well-being should have if they are to play the role commonly assigned to them in moral argument.