RAND Corporation

About: RAND Corporation is a nonprofit organization based out in Santa Monica, California, United States. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Health care & Population. The organization has 9602 authors who have published 18570 publications receiving 744658 citations.

The Processes of Creative Thinking

Abstract: : We ask first whether we need a theory of creative thinking distinct from a theory of problem solving. Subject to minor qualifications, we conclude there is no such need - that we call problem solving creative when the problems solved are relatively new and difficult. Next, we summarize what has been learned about problem solving by simulating certain human prblem solving pro cesses with digital computers. Finally, we indicate some of the differences in degree that might be observed in comparing relatively creative with relatively routine problem solving. (Author)

Voyager 2 in the Uranian System: Imaging Science Results

Abstract: Voyager 2 images of the southern hemisphere of Uranus indicate that submicrometersize haze particles and particles of a methane condensation cloud produce faint patterns in the atmosphere. The alignment of the cloud bands is similar to that of bands on Jupiter and Saturn, but the zonal winds are nearly opposite. At mid-latitudes (-70 degrees to -27 degrees ), where winds were measured, the atmosphere rotates faster than the magnetic field; however, the rotation rate of the atmosphere decreases toward the equator, so that the two probably corotate at about -20 degrees . Voyager images confirm the extremely low albedo of the ring particles. High phase angle images reveal on the order of 10(2) new ringlike features of very low optical depth and relatively high dust abundance interspersed within the main rings, as well as a broad, diffuse, low optical depth ring just inside the main rings system. Nine of the newly discovered small satellites (40 to 165 kilometers in diameter) orbit between the rings and Miranda; the tenth is within the ring system. Two of these small objects may gravitationally confine the e ring. Oberon and Umbriel have heavily cratered surfaces resembling the ancient cratered highlands of Earth's moon, although Umbriel is almost completely covered with uniform dark material, which perhaps indicates some ongoing process. Titania and Ariel show crater populations different from those on Oberon and Umbriel; these were probably generated by collisions with debris confined to their orbits. Titania and Ariel also show many extensional fault systems; Ariel shows strong evidence for the presence of extrusive material. About halfof Miranda's surface is relatively bland, old, cratered terrain. The remainder comprises three large regions of younger terrain, each rectangular to ovoid in plan, that display complex sets of parallel and intersecting scarps and ridges as well as numerous outcrops of bright and dark materials, perhaps suggesting some exotic composition.

Costs of medical injuries in Utah and Colorado

Abstract: Patient injuries are thought to have a substantial financial impact on the health care system, but recent studies have been limited to estimating the costs of adverse drug events in teaching hospitals. This analysis estimated the costs of all types of patient injuries from a representative sample of hospitals in Utah and Colorado. We detected 459 adverse events (of which 265 were preventable) by reviewing the medical records of 14,732 randomly selected 1992 discharges from 28 hospitals. The total costs (all results are discounted 1996 dollars) were $661,889,000 for adverse events, and $308,382,000 for preventable adverse events. Health care costs totaled $348,081,000 for all adverse events and $159,245,000 for the preventable adverse events. Fifty-seven percent of the adverse event health care costs, and 46% of the preventable adverse event costs were attributed to outpatient medical care. Surgical complications, adverse drug events, and delayed or incorrect diagnoses and therapies were the most expensive types of adverse events. The costs of adverse events were similar to the national costs of caring for people with HIV/AIDS, and totaled 4.8% of per capita health care expenditures in these states.

Changes in undergraduate students’ psychological well‐being as they progress through university

Abstract: This article investigates the psychological well‐being of students from all faculties across their undergraduate degree from pre‐registration to semester two of year three at one UK university. Data were collected on seven occasions, with 66% of students who began their studies between 2000 and 2002 taking part in the project. Psychological well‐being was assessed using the General Population Clinical Outcomes in Routine Evaluation (GP‐CORE). Results show that greater strain is placed on well‐being once students start university compared to pre‐university levels. Levels of strain are generally highest during semester one, with significant reduction in levels of distress from semester one to semester two being observed in both year one and year three. At no time did levels of distress fall to pre‐registration levels. Given these results show university to be a time of heightened distress, there is a need to ensure that students receive the support necessary throughout their studies to enable them to succes...

A model of mental health, life events, and social supports applicable to general populations

Abstract: This research addresses measurement issues, derives a model of the effects of life events on mental health, and tests hypotheses regarding the role of social supports in modifying these effects over time. Analyses were based on a longitudinal study of persons (N = 2,234) sampled from a general population in Seattle, Washington, as part of Rands Health Insurance Experiment. In addition to sociodemographic variables, measures of physical limitations, mental health, social supports, and stressful life events were fielded twice (one year apart), using previously validated measures. Data for a random half of the sample were analyzed to evaluate different approaches to defining and scoring life events and social supports and to fit a model of the main and interactive effects of these variables on mental health. The best-fitting model was then crossvalidated, using the remaining half of the sample. Results support the following conclusions: (1) Social supports predict improvements in mental health over time, (2) life events and physical limitations predict a deterioration in mental health over time, (3) the negative effects of life events and physical limitations on mental health do not vary according to amount of social support, and (4) differences in measurement strategies for life events and social supports produce some variance in results, but not in conclusions about whether effects on mental health are additive or interactive. This paper presents a longitudinal analysis