Relationships between pet ownership and health: Asking questions and passing criticisms

The literature examining purported relationships between ownership of companion animals and health is extremely heterogeneous. While much of the descriptive literature tends to support benefits of animal companionship, large scale, controlled research yields inconsistent and even contradictory findings on several issues, including associations with cardiovascular disease, mood and wellbeing. In an analysis of a large longitudinal data-set from the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health, a prospective study of a nationally representative sample of more than 12,000 older women, difficulties with disentangling the effects of powerful demographic variables and age-related factors from the specific effects of pet ownership became apparent. Both cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses demonstrated that associations between mental and physical health and pet ownership as well as changes in pet ownership over time were weak and inconsistent compared to the large effects of living arrangements and other demographic variables. As sociodemographic variables relate strongly to both health and opportunities for pet ownership, this high level of confounding means it is unlikely that the impact of the specific variable of pet ownership on health can be ascertained from such studies. Rather, well-designed experimental studies, wherein the majority of such confounding variables can be held constant or at least somewhat controlled, are needed.

Knowledge management: uncovering risky gaps underlying the criticisms and moving to another perspective

The comments related to the sustainability of knowledge management (KM) have shown signs that it possibly can be a discourse which determines a quick style, but otherwise have also allowed the building of a better understanding about the limits and weaknesses of the knowlege management. In addition to the criticisms, the conceptual bases of knowledge management have been undermined by a contradictory combination of paradigms; there are also contradictions between the theoretical perspective jubjacent to the knwoledge management and its operationality. As a way of minimizing the possibility that the knowledge management may be turned into an umbrella concept and fail, it is suggested that its approaches embody a more interpretative perspective, taking up the role of an instrument which enables and facilitates the processes and practices in building up knowledge and information, enhancing their focus on the support to the establishment of human competences in order to deal intelligently with the present overcharge of information resources and need for building up information in the organizations.

Southern literature from 1579-1895 a comprehensive review with copiors extracts and criticisms

UANL

Criticisms and suggestions on the cross-conditionality of the IMF and the World Bank

Includes bibliography

Shaker sermons, scripto-rational : containing the substance of Shaker theology : together with replies and criticisms logically and clearly set forth /

Frontispiece is a portrait of H.L. Eads engraved by J.C. Buttre.

The art of the Venice Academy, containing a brief history of the building and of its collection of paintings, as well as descriptions and criticisms of many of the principal pictures and their artists,

Bibliography: p. 347-351.

Criticisms.

Bibliographical footnotes.

The Oxford review; or, Literary censor: containing analyses, criticisms, and notices of new books, domestic and foreign.

Mode of access: Internet.

The organ : writings and other utterances on its structure, history, procural, capabilities, etc. ; with criticisms, and depositories; preceded by an analytical consideration of general bibliographical and catalogual construction /

Imprint covered by label: London : W. Reeves Bookseller.

The works of Thomas Love Peacock, including his novels, poems, fugitive pieces, criticisms, etc.,

v. 1. Preface. Biographical notice. Headlong hall. Melincourt. Nightmare abby.--v. 2. Maid Marian. Misfortunes of Elphin. Crotchet castle. Gryll grange--v. 3. Poetry. Miscellanies. Four ages of poetry. Horæ dramaticæ, no. 1-3 . Shelley. Shelley letters.

Criticisms and elucidations of Catullus.

Mode of access: Internet.