ABSTRACT
Despite the extensive amount of research conducted on mourning doves (Zenaida macroura), no biochemical reference values exist for this species. Our objective, therefore, was to establish base line clinical chemistry reference values for mourning doves to assist with establishing clinical diagnoses. Wild mourning doves were captured 19 March 1996 to 8 August 1996, and 6 February 1998 to 12 May 1998; blood samples were collected from 382 mourning doves. Plasma biochemical values were established for glucose, sodium, potassium, chloride, enzymatic CO2, albumin, total protein, globulin, calcium, phosphorus, cholesterol, magnesium, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and uric acid. These reference values are invaluable for determining diagnosis of diseases of the gastrointestinal, hepatic, renal, cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, and endocrine systems.
Subject(s)
Blood Chemical Analysis/veterinary , Columbidae/blood , Animals , Female , Male , Reference ValuesSubject(s)
Aging , Education , Employment/legislation & jurisprudence , Personnel Management , Public Policy , Aged , Humans , Middle Aged , Population Dynamics , Unemployment , United StatesABSTRACT
Throughout the world, older women are generally poorer than men. In an era when Social Security programs are increasingly under challenge by advocates of savings and pension schemes administered by the private sector, there is a need to assess the relative advantages of different public/private approaches for dealing with older women's financial needs. What would happen to women if more of the burden were shifted from the public sector to the private sector? This article presents an overview of women's vulnerability in old age and examines the role of public and private pensions in meeting their income needs. It then discusses approaches to Social Security privatization and the special issues for women raised by these issues. Finally, the issues and approaches discussed are illustrated by developments in the United States and Australia.
Subject(s)
Aging/physiology , Self Concept , Women/psychology , Aged , Female , Humans , Middle AgedSubject(s)
Aged , Economics , Employment , Female , Humans , Income , Male , Medicaid , Medicare , Research , Social Security , United StatesSubject(s)
Aged , Income , Economics , Humans , Old Age Assistance , Pensions , Social Security , United StatesABSTRACT
The article examines the distributional impact of liberalizing the social security retirement test. The results of simulations that explore ten liberalization alternatives are presented. The distribution of pension benefit gains from liberalization of the test are determined for the aged who were affected by the test in 1972. The relative costs of various liberalization alternatives are compared with complete abolition of the test.
