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Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons

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The University of Maine

2006

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Articles 1 - 30 of 59

Full-Text Articles in Social and Behavioral Sciences

Itr/Im: Enabling The Creation And Use Of Geogrids For Next Generation Geospatial Information, Peggy Agouris, Mary-Kate Beard-Tisdale, Chaitanya Baru, Sarah Nusser Dec 2006

Itr/Im: Enabling The Creation And Use Of Geogrids For Next Generation Geospatial Information, Peggy Agouris, Mary-Kate Beard-Tisdale, Chaitanya Baru, Sarah Nusser

University of Maine Office of Research Administration: Grant Reports

The objective of this project is to advance science in information management, focusing in particular on geospatial information. It addresses the development of concepts, algorithms, and system architectures to enable users on a grid to query, analyze, and contribute to multivariate, quality-aware geospatial information. The approach consists of three complementary research areas: (1) establishing a statistical framework for assessing geospatial data quality; (2) developing uncertainty-based query processing capabilities; and (3) supporting the development of space- and accuracy-aware adaptive systems for geospatial datasets. The results of this project will support the extension of the concept of the computational grid to facilitate …


Collaborative Research: Matching Levels Of Detail In Descriptions And Depictions Of Geographic Space, Michael Warboys Dec 2006

Collaborative Research: Matching Levels Of Detail In Descriptions And Depictions Of Geographic Space, Michael Warboys

University of Maine Office of Research Administration: Grant Reports

This collaborative research project focuses on issues related to wayfinding, and is at the interface of geographic information science and human cognition. The research addresses the questions of the relationship between verbal and pictorial representations of geographic information, and how both representation modes can be successfully integrated in systems relating geographic information to users. To address this question, a theory of content and level of geographic detail is constructed that is independent of specific mode. The research is founded upon computational and cognitive theories of geographic information. The main idea is that theories of information granularity can be imposed on …


Minerva 2006, The Honors College Dec 2006

Minerva 2006, The Honors College

Minerva

This issue of Minerva includes an article on the course "Honors for All Ages," an Honors course offered at Penobscot Valley Senior College; an interview with notable Honors alum, Bernard Lown; and a celebration of the life of former Honors Program Director, Ulrich Wicks.


Final Report: Westbrook Downtown Parking Study/Management Plan, Gorrill-Palmer Consulting Engineers, Inc. Dec 2006

Final Report: Westbrook Downtown Parking Study/Management Plan, Gorrill-Palmer Consulting Engineers, Inc.

Maine Town Documents

In the early 2000's, Westbrook was the beneficiary of an upswing in the Southern Maine economy, aided by a strong marketing effort on the part of the City. As a result, new office buildings and retail facilities located in or near the downtown area and older buildings were rehabilitated and redeveloped. This increase in commercial and business activity increased the demand for parking downtown. With an eye toward long-term growth, a parking management plan was developed to provide the tools necessary to manage the increased demand for parking.


Derivation Of Change From Sequences Of Snapshots, Dominik Wilmsen Dec 2006

Derivation Of Change From Sequences Of Snapshots, Dominik Wilmsen

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Current research in the domain of geographic information science considers possibilities of including another dimension, time, which is generally missing to this point. Users interested in changes have few functions available to compare datasets of spatial configurations at different points in time. Such a comparison of spatial configurations requires large amounts of manual labor. An automatic derivation of changes would decrease amounts of manual labor. The thesis introduces a set of methods that allows for an automatic derivation of changes. These methods analyze identity and topological states of objects in snapshots and derive types of change for the specific configuration …


The Pay-Per-View Trend, Stephen Fadel Nov 2006

The Pay-Per-View Trend, Stephen Fadel

Library Staff Publications

No abstract provided.


Pine Tree Notes (November-December 2006), General Federation Of Women's Clubs - Maine Chapter Staff Nov 2006

Pine Tree Notes (November-December 2006), General Federation Of Women's Clubs - Maine Chapter Staff

Maine Women's Publications - All

No abstract provided.


Silverwire, Lenard W. Kaye Oct 2006

Silverwire, Lenard W. Kaye

Maine Center on Aging Education and Training

he Silverwire Newsletter is a triannual publication that highlights the work of the UMaine Center on Aging. The topics covered in this edition of the Silverwire Newsletter include the publication of findings from a year long study on substance abuse assessment, updates around the senior college program, and a summary of the Center on Aging's volunteer work within the Bangor community.


Airplay, Vol. 18, No. 1, Maine Public Broadcasting Network Sep 2006

Airplay, Vol. 18, No. 1, Maine Public Broadcasting Network

Airplay: MPBN Radio Program Guide

Airplay is published to provide the most thorough information possible about MPBN Radio and its programs, hopefully in a visually appealing way. Each month of Airplay features works by Maine artists and photographers on its cover. Maine Public Broadcasting Network Radio is a member of National Public Radio (NPR) and the Eastern Public Radio Network (EPRN). Maine Public Broadcasting was founded by the University of Maine System and Colby, Bates and Bowdoin Colleges.


Pine Tree Notes (Septemer-October 2006), General Federation Of Women's Clubs - Maine Chapter Staff Sep 2006

Pine Tree Notes (Septemer-October 2006), General Federation Of Women's Clubs - Maine Chapter Staff

Maine Women's Publications - All

No abstract provided.


Defining And Implementing Best Available Science For Fisheries And Environmental Science, Policy, And Management, P. J. Sullivan, James Acheson, P. L. Angermeier, T. Faast, J. Flemma, C. M. Jones, E. E. Knudsen, T. J. Minello, D. H. Secor, R. Wunderlich, B. A. Zanetell Sep 2006

Defining And Implementing Best Available Science For Fisheries And Environmental Science, Policy, And Management, P. J. Sullivan, James Acheson, P. L. Angermeier, T. Faast, J. Flemma, C. M. Jones, E. E. Knudsen, T. J. Minello, D. H. Secor, R. Wunderlich, B. A. Zanetell

Marine Sciences Faculty Scholarship

In the United States, many of the laws governing environmental conservation and management stipulate that the best available science be used as the basis for policy and decision making. The Endangered Species Act, for example, requires that decisions on listing a species as threatened or endangered be made on the basis of the "best scientific and commercial data available." Similarly, National Standard 2 of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act states that conservation and management measures shall be based on "the best scientific information available." Further, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has emphasized the role of best available science …


Healthy Aging, Mary Walsh, Peggy Haynes, Chris Sady, Matt L'Italien Sep 2006

Healthy Aging, Mary Walsh, Peggy Haynes, Chris Sady, Matt L'Italien

Maine Center on Aging Research and Evaluation

It has been scientifically proven that preventative measures such as regular physical activity and healthy eating are crucial in maintaining good health, reducing the impact of disease, delaying disability, and reducing the need for expensive long term care for older adults. Among individuals in Maine aged 65 or older, 43 percent are overweight, 18 percent are obese, and 36 percent do not do any leisure time physical activities. Most of these individuals suffer from one or more chronic health problems. This can be avoided by incorporating moderate physical activity, good nutrition, and no smoking, thus delaying disability by as much …


Maine’S Aging Economy And The Economy Of Aging, Charles S. Colgan, Muskie School Of Public Service Sep 2006

Maine’S Aging Economy And The Economy Of Aging, Charles S. Colgan, Muskie School Of Public Service

Maine Center on Aging Research and Evaluation

This paper explores the demographics of aging in Maine and some of the important relationships between these trends and the economy. Growth in the Maine’s population of those 65 and older will substantially exceed growth in total population in Maine from 2000 to 2030. Furthermore, Maine’s elderly population will not occur evenly. These changes will alter perceptions about aging in American society, and there will no longer be a bright line between work and retirement, as the nature of work has changed, retirement savings may be inadequate, and family structure has changed. With increasing populations of older individuals in concentrated …


Informal Caregiving, Julie Ann Scott, University Of Maine Center On Aging Sep 2006

Informal Caregiving, Julie Ann Scott, University Of Maine Center On Aging

Maine Center on Aging Research and Evaluation

With advances in medicine and nutrition resulting in longevity comes increased risk of debilitating diseases, such as cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and stroke. Although trained professionals can provide care to these individuals, simple aspects of care may be provided by family members or friends. There are now over 52.4 million informal caregivers in the United States. Although informal caregiving comes with personal rewards, it also has emotional, physical, and financial challenges. This role is underappreciated, yet is crucial to society. Sixty-five percent of older individuals with long-term care needs rely exclusively on family and friends for assistance. The economic …


Civic Engagement, Paula Burnett, Andrew Matlins, University Of Maine Center On Aging Sep 2006

Civic Engagement, Paula Burnett, Andrew Matlins, University Of Maine Center On Aging

Maine Center on Aging Research and Evaluation

This report looks at civic engagement as volunteerism and community activism. It looks to analyze whether or not seniors will seek to become civically engaged, as well as the best methods for attracting, engaging, and retaining these individuals. By 2020, approximately one in six Americans will be 65 years of age or older. Maine’s population is now the oldest in the nation. These statistics are causing many nonprofit organizations across Maine and the nation to rethink how they can attract and retain volunteers, which are crucial assets to the agencies. Some suggest that we can expect a rise in volunteers …


Civic Engagement, Paula Burnett, Andrew Matlins, University Of Maine Center On Aging Sep 2006

Civic Engagement, Paula Burnett, Andrew Matlins, University Of Maine Center On Aging

Maine Center on Aging Research and Evaluation

What is meant by “civic engagement”? Many people limit civic engagement to volunteerism and community activism. Others contend it also includes being in the work force. For the purpose of this issue brief, we are primarily examining civic engagement as it relates to volunteerism and community activism. We do not intend to minimize the issue of older adults in the workforce by taking this approach. Many older adults will either wish to, or need to, remain in the work force. Older adult in the workforce is a significant issue that deserves to be examined separately from the topic of civic …


Meeting Maine’S Need For Frontline Workers In Long-Term Care And Service Options, Lisa Pohlmann, Maine Center For Economic Policy Sep 2006

Meeting Maine’S Need For Frontline Workers In Long-Term Care And Service Options, Lisa Pohlmann, Maine Center For Economic Policy

Maine Center on Aging Research and Evaluation

Thousands of workers across Maine and the nation provide assistance and health care for elders as well as adults and children with disabilities. The Maine Department of Labor estimates that there were about 17,600 direct care workers employed in 2005, which does not include self-employed workers in private pay arrangements. As baby boomers retire over the next 20 years, the demand for direct care and personal assistance services will continue to grow, making direct care occupations some of the highest demand jobs in the state. There is already a labor shortage in this area of work, and thus long-term consumers …


Elder Abuse, Neglect, And Exploitation, Jason C. Charland, University Of Maine Center On Aging Sep 2006

Elder Abuse, Neglect, And Exploitation, Jason C. Charland, University Of Maine Center On Aging

Maine Center on Aging Research and Evaluation

Elder abuse is one of the most disturbing and rapidly growing areas of crime in the United States, and it remains hidden in our communities. It is estimated that as many as five million individuals 65 years of age or older are abuse in the United States every year. Approximately 84 percent of all cases are never reported. Furthermore, Maine has one of the highest elderly suicide rate in the United States. Many times, the abuser is a family member or a caregiver, of whom the elderly individual is dependent upon. There exists fear, embarrassment, and blame in the elderly …


Transportation, Jason C. Charland, University Of Maine Center On Aging Sep 2006

Transportation, Jason C. Charland, University Of Maine Center On Aging

Maine Center on Aging Research and Evaluation

Due to the size of the state of Maine and the fact that goods, services, and communities are separated by many miles of roads, transportation is often a particular challenge for Maine’s older citizens. Older adults drive themselves, rely on family or volunteers to drive them, use public transportation, and utilize transportation services offered by social service agencies, all of which present their own distinct challenges. In rural communities in Maine, transportation is a significant barrier. At the national level, 41 percent of rural residents have no available public transportation, and another 25 percent have inadequate public transportation. Many older …


Housing And Service Options For Older Adults In Maine, Julie Fralich, Kate Maggioncalda Sep 2006

Housing And Service Options For Older Adults In Maine, Julie Fralich, Kate Maggioncalda

Maine Center on Aging Research and Evaluation

In order to allow older adults to live at home and in their community as independently as possible for as long as possible, it is crucial to identify the needs in regard to housing and services. Meeting the needs of people with Alzheimer’s and dementia is particularly challenging due to the duration and complexity of the disease process. These aspects must be taken into consideration when evaluating the best location and services in a community. Housing should be affordable, accessible, and available to older adults in their communities. In Maine, almost one quarter of homeowners over the age of 65 …


Mt. Piscgah Community Conservation Area Management Plan, Winthrop Conservation Commission, Kennebec Land Trust Sep 2006

Mt. Piscgah Community Conservation Area Management Plan, Winthrop Conservation Commission, Kennebec Land Trust

Maine Town Documents

The 94-acre Mt. Pisgah Community Conservation Area was established in 2003 when the Maine Forest Service granted a conservation easement to the Kennebec Land Trust and then sold the property to the Town of Winthrop. The successful protection of the Mt Pisgah tower property culminated a community-wide effort to conserve the area for outdoor recreation, water quality protection, and continued access to the lookout tower.


Preventing Generalized Anxiety Disorder In An At-Risk Sample Of College Students: A Brief Cognitive-Behavioral Approach, Diana M. Higgins Aug 2006

Preventing Generalized Anxiety Disorder In An At-Risk Sample Of College Students: A Brief Cognitive-Behavioral Approach, Diana M. Higgins

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Empirical investigations of psychological interventions designed to prevent common mental health conditions have yielded encouraging results. Prior to the current investigation, however, there had been no published studies of a prevention program specifically designed for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). A twosession prevention workshop for GAD was developed based upon empiricallysupported cognitive-behavioral treatments for GAD. The workshop provided participants with instruction in the following topics: psychological models of anxiety and worry, cognitive distortions, cognitive therapy techniques, relaxation training, worry exposure, problem-solving and problem orientation. The brief preventative intervention was examined in college students determined to be at-risk for developing GAD where …


Maine Women's Insider (August 2006), Maine Women's Giving Tree Staff Aug 2006

Maine Women's Insider (August 2006), Maine Women's Giving Tree Staff

Maine Women's Publications - All

No abstract provided.


The Effects Of Category Overlap On Information-Integration And Rule-Based Category Learning, Shawn W. Ell, Gregory F. Ashby Aug 2006

The Effects Of Category Overlap On Information-Integration And Rule-Based Category Learning, Shawn W. Ell, Gregory F. Ashby

Psychology Faculty Scholarship

Three experiments investigate whether the amount of category overlap constrains the decision strategies used in category learning, and whether such constraints depend on the type of category structures used. Experiments 1 and 2 used a category learning task requiring perceptual integration of information from multiple dimensions (information-integration task) and Experiment 3 used a task requiring the application of an explicit strategy (rule-based task). In the information-integration task, participants used perceptual-integration strategies at moderate levels of category overlap, but explicit strategies at extreme levels of overlap – even when such strategies were sub-optimal. In contrast, in the rule-based task, participants used …


Hancock County And Statewide Needs, Resources, And Readiness Assessment On Older Adult Alcohol Abuse, University Of Maine Center On Aging, Bucksport Bay Healthy Communities, Coastal Hancock Healthy Communities, Healthy Peninsula Project, Healthy Acadia Coalition Aug 2006

Hancock County And Statewide Needs, Resources, And Readiness Assessment On Older Adult Alcohol Abuse, University Of Maine Center On Aging, Bucksport Bay Healthy Communities, Coastal Hancock Healthy Communities, Healthy Peninsula Project, Healthy Acadia Coalition

Maine Center on Aging Research and Evaluation

Alcohol and drug abuse remains to be a serious health issue among 17 percent of adults aged 60 or older. This assessment was conducted in order to determine and fully understand the needs, resources, and readiness necessary to address the issue of substance abuse throughout the state of Maine. It involved a four-part study focused in the Hancock County region. Twelve focus groups were held with the target groups being professionals, caregivers, and older adults. Surveys and interviews were distributed statewide to evaluate substance abuse. Secondary data analysis was included as well in order to analyze arrests, hospital admissions, treatment, …


Hancock County Needs, Resources, And Readiness Assessment On Older Adult Alcohol Abuse, Lenard Kaye, Maine Office Of Substance Abuse Aug 2006

Hancock County Needs, Resources, And Readiness Assessment On Older Adult Alcohol Abuse, Lenard Kaye, Maine Office Of Substance Abuse

Maine Center on Aging Service and Consultation

This tip-sheet will provide you with key project recommendations and action steps to utilize within your community to implement project findings. It includes tips for many distinct groups, such as healthcare providers and administrators, advocates, local leaders and officials, researchers, program planners, administrators and policymakers, and practitioners. They include implementation of models for healthcare strategies, open discussions, system changes, funding, decision making, intervention, and education. Resources include the Office of Substance Abuse Information Resource Center, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Agency, the Centers for Disease Control, and the recovery community. It identifies key partners and crucial aspects of …


Test Anxiety: A Test Of Attentional Bias, Darla Jane Lawson Aug 2006

Test Anxiety: A Test Of Attentional Bias, Darla Jane Lawson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Test anxiety is characterized by apprehension, panic, and ruminating thoughts of potential failure that are experienced during an exam situation. In a test conscious society, students’ lives are significantly affected by their test performance. Tests are used to measure and determine thresholds in education, career placement and advancement. Possibly due to pressure to perform well, students often experience heightened stress and anxiety during tests, and thus test anxiety has become a pervasive problem. This study investigated attentional bias among a test-anxious sample. It is suggested that test-anxious individuals have a tendency to use a disproportionate amount of their cognitive resources …


A Spatial Anaylsis Of Passenger Vehicle Attributes, Environmental Impact And Policy, Gregory M. Gould Aug 2006

A Spatial Anaylsis Of Passenger Vehicle Attributes, Environmental Impact And Policy, Gregory M. Gould

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Passenger vehicle use contributes significantly to energy consumption, criteria air pollution and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Recent developments in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) decoding enable researchers to make use of vehicle registration records to consider the spatial distribution of the vehicle fleet when modeling emissions. In this thesis, these techniques are used to view spatial variation in passenger vehicle attributes and environmental characteristics. The distributions of vehicle type, make and model, size, age, criteria and GHG emission rates, and fuel economy are analyzed. Next, the spatial distribution of private costs and benefits resulting from a …


Semantic Similarity Of Spatial Scenes, Konstantinos A. Nedas Aug 2006

Semantic Similarity Of Spatial Scenes, Konstantinos A. Nedas

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The formalization of similarity in spatial information systems can unleash their functionality and contribute technology not only useful, but also desirable by broad groups of users. As a paradigm for information retrieval, similarity supersedes tedious querying techniques and unveils novel ways for user-system interaction by naturally supporting modalities such as speech and sketching. As a tool within the scope of a broader objective, it can facilitate such diverse tasks as data integration, landmark determination, and prediction making. This potential motivated the development of several similarity models within the geospatial and computer science communities. Despite the merit of these studies, their …


Silverwire, University Of Maine Center On Aging Jul 2006

Silverwire, University Of Maine Center On Aging

Maine Center on Aging Education and Training

The Silverwire Newsletter is a publication that highlights the work of the UMaine Center on Aging. The topics covered in this edition of the Silverware Newsletter include the plans of the National Advisory Committee on Rural Health and Human Services to visit Maine, new grants and filled positions, the Mental Health and Substance Abuse Summit for Grand families, the Legal Colloquium, and older adult alcohol abuse needs, resources, and readiness assessment analysis.