Response : A defensible and workable approach to the income tax treatment of financial instruments

It is a privilege to have the opportunity to respond to the comments on my monograph1 provided by Mark Gergen, Glenn May, and Gordon Longhouse. Their comments, which are inevitably coloured by their very different perspectives, reflect the considerable expertise that each one of them has in the area of the income taxation of financial instruments. Indeed, it is with some hesitation that I offer a response in defence of various portions of the analysis presented in my monograph in support of some pretty modest proposals in this extremely difficult area of income tax law. Although I spent considerable time exploring some necessary first principles and their implications for the design of a system for the income taxation of financial instruments, I made several concessions to certain practical constraints that led me to support, in some measure, the status quo reflected in certain of the existing literature, as well as the legislation in a select group of countries. On the assumption that many readers may be unfamiliar with the monograph, I propose to respond by outlining much of my analysis in the monograph and the proposals that are the logical outcome. Throughout the outline, I will highlight and respond to what I see as the important points of difference emphasized by Gergen, May, and Longhouse.

Quality of life instruments for caregivers of patients with cancer : A review of their psychometric properties

The quality of life of caregivers of patients with cancer is an important construct given the substantial impact of caring on the physical, psychological, social, and financial well-being of caregivers. Moreover, caring for patients with cancer also affects family functioning and places burdens on caregivers. The reliability and validity of instruments used to assess the quality of life of caregivers of patients with cancer were reviewed to aid in the selection of the most appropriate measures For research and practice. MEDLINE (1980-2000) and c/NAHL (1982-2000) searches located relevant quality of life instruments using the keywords "cancer and quality of Iife" and "caregiver or spouse or partner." The search identified the following instruments: the Caregiver Quality of life Index-Cancer Scale, the 'Caregiver Quality of Life Index, the Quality of Life Tool, and the Quality of life Index-Cancer Version. Quality of life instruments developed specifically to measure the quality of life of caregivers of patients with cancer had the best psychometric properties. The Caregiver Quality of Life Index-Cancer Scale, in particular, met or exceeded minimum psychometric criteria for reliability and validity. The development of reliable and valid caregiver quality of life measures is an important factor in developing interventions to enhance quality of life of caregivers of patients with cancer.

Paediatric quality of life instruments: a review of the impact of the conceptual framework on outcomes

With an increasing number of paediatric quality of life (QOL) instruments being developed, it is becoming difficult for researchers and clinicians to select the most appropriate instrument. Reviews of QOL instruments tend to report only basic properties of the instruments such as domains and psychometric properties. This paper seeks to appraise critically the conceptual underpinnings of paediatric QOL instruments. A systematic review was conducted to identify QOL instruments for children aged 0 to 12 years, and to examine and compare their conceptual frameworks, definitions employed, and structure. Both generic and condition-specific measures were reviewed. Fourteen generic and 25 condition-specific QOL instruments were identified. Eleven types of definition of QOL and health-related QOL and three theories of QOL were identified. QOL was measured by a variety of domains including emotional, social and physical health, and well-being. Items commonly assessed difficulties, or intensity/frequency of feelings/symptoms, in contrast to positive aspects of life and happiness. The findings highlight the diversity that is apparent in the conceptualization of paediatric QOL and draw attention to the lack of empirical evidence for many of the fundamental assumptions. The impact of the conceptual underpinnings of the instruments on the resulting QOL scores is discussed.

Further evidence on the corporate use of derivatives in Australia : the case of foreign currency and interest rate instruments

In a recent issue of this journal Nguyen and Faff (2002) reported on an empirical exploration of the motives behind the aggregate use of financial derivatives by Australian companies. Employing the same sample of firms, the current paper extends their analysis to investigate similar issues, this time focussing separately on foreign currency and interest rate derivatives. At a specific level, our results reveal the following. A firm is more likely to use foreign currency derivatives if it is large and has more debt in its capital structure. Interest rate derivatives, on the other hand, are more likely to be used if a firm is larger, more levered, more liquid and pays higher dividends. These results are consistent with existing hedging theories. Market to book value (proxying growth opportunities), however, portrays an inconsistent relationship with the likelihood of interest rate derivative usage. When it comes to the extent of usage, a firm uses foreign currency derivatives more extensively if it is smaller, pays higher dividends and has more debt. Similarly, interest rate derivatives are used more extensively to address a high level of debt and a high dividend payout policy. At a general level, the current study confirms the core finding of Nguyen and Faff (2002), namely, that Australian companies use derivatives with a view to value maximisation.

Financial institutions, instruments and markets

Latest information, developments and statistics, with website addresses provided to allow students to access up to the minute, real-world data. Real-world examples throughout the text help students relate theory to pracical situations.

Exploring contributions to scholarship in e-learning : weighing up the evidence

Recent views on the scholarship of teaching and learning have conceptualised the work of teachers as a form of inquiry, drawing on scholarly discourse about teaching and learning and communicating new understandings back to the scholarly community for peer review and evaluation. Knowledge about teaching may be based on a variety of forms of evidence, including research, evaluation, reflection, review, and the discussion or development of theoretical perspectives, ideas and concepts. This raises questions about the quality and forms of evidence about teaching which contribute to scholarship, whether these are the same in relation e-teaching and learning as they are for teaching in other contexts, and the implications of different forms of evidence for the relationship between research and teaching. In this paper we examine articles from three recent issues of three journals (two of them relating to e-learning and one to higher education in general), in order to draw some preliminary conclusions about the kind of contributions to discourse about e-learning which may be regarded as valuable in advancing the scholarship of teaching and learning.

Nutrition screening in long-term care facilities : an evaluation of the methodological quality of available instruments

A variety of nutrition screening instruments have been developed and implemented for identifying the risk of undernutrition among community and hospitalized older adults. Despite the high prevalence of undernutrition amongst older adults in long-term care, few screening instruments have been developed or evaluated in this setting. This review aims to evaluate the validity, reproducibility and feasibility of nutrition screening instruments developed for use, or described as being used, with older adults in long-term care. Ten publications encompassing nine independent nutrition screening tools were identified using electronic databases and manual searches of reference lists. The Mini Nutritional Assessment-Short Form (MNA-SF) was the most widely evaluated nutrition screening instrument and met the requirements for a valid instrument (sensitivity and specificity >0.9) for use in the long-term care setting. Modified versions of the MNA for use in China and South Africa also demonstrated acceptable levels of sensitivity and specificity. Other nutrition screening instruments were found to have variable levels of sensitivity and specificity and while some demonstrated levels consistent with the MNA-SF, only two were evaluated across more than one study population, Body Mass Index (BMI)+weight loss and BMI+albumin. These same instruments reported the highest levels of inter-rater and test-retest reproducibility, although this was only tested in one other instrument (Chinese Nutrition Screen -modified MNA). In conclusion, it is evident from this review that further work in this area is needed. Based on validity, reproducibility and feasibility it appears that BMI+weight loss is the most suitable nutrition screening instrument for use in the long-term care setting at this time. MNA-SF is promising; however, there is currently no data for inter-rater or test-retest reproducibility in the long-term care setting.

Weighing it up : thinking about the implications of school based obesity prevention initiatives

In this paper we explore the tensions that exist between two health promotion discourses prevalent in school based Health Education. We use one example from a widely used curriculum resource and one classroom episode to explore discourses related to obesity prevention, often described as an obesity epidemic by media and health professionals alike. Our argument is that these discourses work to produce the 'unhealthy other' that everyone is then in danger of becoming and in the process produce moral judgements and reinforce stereotypes about overweight and obese people. In so doing they run counter to health education and other discourses that seek to promote self-esteem and body acceptance in students no matter what their shape and size.

Critical ethnography of the cross-cultural adaptation of HRQoL instruments

The thesis examines current approaches to the adaptation of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) instruments for cross-cultural research. The major conclusion is that nearly all existing HRQoL adaptation is based on simplistic processes that ignore relevant underlying disciplines including cognitive psychology, sociolinguistics, cultural anthropology, translation theory and survey research.

Income tax treatment of financial instruments : theory and practice

Examines the theoretical and practical aspects of the treatment of financial instruments under a realisation-based income tax. Argues that, within such a context, a system of expected-return taxation in preferable. The argument is developed through a review of the academic literature and selected legislative regimes.

Validity and reliability of instruments to assess potential mediators of children's physical activity : a systematic review

This paper aimed to (1) identify potential mediators reported in children's physical activity interventions; and (2) review the psychometric properties of measures of potential mediators included in such interventions. A systematic search of the literature was conducted and studies that reported potential mediators and/or the psychometric properties of measures of potential mediators were retrieved and reviewed. The studies were reviewed for the following psychometric properties: face/logical, construct, and criterion validity; and test–retest and internal consistency (factor analysis and Cronbach's α) reliability. Twenty-one potential mediators were identified from 24 published children's physical activity intervention studies; 17 individual, three social, and one physical environmental. Overall, there was considerable variation in the reporting of the psychometric properties of these measures. Reliability properties (specifically Cronbach's α) were more commonly reported than validity properties; however, for many potential mediators, the quality of these measures was low. Future studies should examine the psychometric properties of measures of potential mediators to ensure appropriate, valid and reliable instruments are used. This will assist in the ability to accurately determine the efficacy of physical activity interventions among children.

Improving our superannuation regime : a post-Henry review look at superannuation taxation, raising superannuation balances and longevity insurance

This paper examines what, if any changes should be made regarding certain aspects of the superannuation system. Specifically, it looks at possible changes to the superannuation tax regime, measures intended at increasing superannuation balances, as well as policies aimed at improving the price and availability of retirement income streams. The recommendations of the final report of the Henry Review on these issues are also critically evaluated. The paper finds that a greater targeting of superannuation tax concessions towards middle and lower income earners would make the system more equitable and achieve other desirable goals such as increasing voluntary savings. Furthermore, the available evidence suggests that the current mandatory contributions rate of 9% is adequate, and a higher contributions rate is likely to have more costs than benefits. On the issue of superannuation income streams, the article finds that whilst taxpayers should continue to be allowed to take their superannuation as a lump sum, policies should be implemented to make lifetime annuities more readily available and better value for money. The Henry Review's recommendations on these issues, with some exceptions, are for the most part sound and based on logic.

Biological maturity and primary school children's physical activity : influence of different physical activity assessment instruments

Biological maturation may attenuate hypothesized sex differences in children’s physical activity but overall the evidence for this is equivocal. In this study, we investigated how the selection of different physical activity assessment instruments affects the detected relationship between biological maturation and late primary school children’s physical activity. Altogether, 175 children (97 girls, 78 boys) aged 10.690.3 years completed the PAQ-C self-report questionnaire and wore ActiGraph GT1M accelerometers for 5 consecutive days. Maturity status was predicted by estimating attainment of age at peak height velocity. Following initial exploration of sex differences in PAQ-C (t-test) and multiple ActiGraph outcome variables (MANOVA), the influence of maturity status was controlled using ANCOVA and MANCOVA. Unadjusted analyses revealed that boys were significantly more active than girls according to the PAQ-C (PB0.0001, d0.52) and ActiGraph (PB0.0001, d0.360.72). After controlling for maturity status, the differences in PAQ-C scores increased (P0.001, d0.64), but the significant differences disappeared for the ActiGraph data (P0.36, d0.170.33). The detected relationship between maturity status and late primary school children’s physical activity is dependent on the physical activity assessment tool employed, reflecting the different aspects of physical activity captured by the respective measures.