Suggests that a chief contributor to the continued economic success of the western economies will be the productivity gains available through efficient preventative maintenance planning and argues for appropriate changes in engineering curricula. Describes the formulation of maintenance planning problems and illustrates with numerical examples the…

Reports on the experience of the University of Pennsylvania in outsourcing the operation and maintenance of its campus buildings. Finds differing opinions on why the contract with Trammell Crow Company has not been successful, such as the extreme state of disrepair of many of the buildings. Also notes the experiences of institutions in this…

Low German is in danger of being given up by native speakers. The projects reported in this article were carried out in Western Westfalia and Emsland, German regions generally known as conservative with respect to language maintenance and language change. (Author/JL)

Examines the vitality perceptions of the Dutch and the Germans in the context of the progressive European unification with special emphasis on the relationship between subjective vitality perceptions and group identification. Results are discussed with reference to recent findings and developments in vitality theory as well as with regard to…

Examines some intergenerational changes in subordination (conditionals and subjunctive clauses) in a Cajun French community, exploring the gradual loss of nonindicative moods and the abandonment of finite clauses in subjunctive contexts in favor of innovative nonfinite clause types via a continuum of variation. (Author/MSE)

Discusses the idea of team cleaning educational facilities as a new concept in maintaining floors and carpets, as well as maintaining the entire building. This team effort can streamline and improve custodial operations. Each worker becomes a specialist with two or three functions instead of multiple cleaning tasks. (RE)

Outlines open university models and discusses the criteria necessary for establishing one in the French-speaking areas of Switzerland, characterized by a rural/urban mix and variety of cultures. Argues that a home-grown open university can respect indigenous cultures and provide opportunities to those denied them better than an externally imposed…

Interviews with 25 primary care physicians found that (1) self-employed and salaried doctors view important practice issues identically; (2) they have different views of professional role and image; (3) self-employed doctors were concerned with protecting economic autonomy; and (4) salaried doctors' technical autonomy was threatened by the…

Through a joint venture between the school district and the municipality of Scarsdale (New York), the district's buses are serviced in a $2 million maintenance and ground facility. The arrangement has reduced vehicle down time, saved wear and tear on the buses, and reduced fuel consumption. (MLF)

Presents cleaning profiles for educational facilities that help clarify and quantify the cleaning process, thus aiding labor allocation and addressing contract specifications as well as verifying standards through quality assurance. Strategies cover various cleaning levels from overall spotlessness to constantly utilized areas only affording…

Examines 1990 Census data for a large sample of the Hispanic-origin population in the Southwest, exploring two possible indices of language maintenance--Spanish home language claiming and English proficiency--as these are influenced by nativity, time, and age of immigration, citizenship status of the foreign born, education, and income.…

Discusses playground safety and design issues. Considers the safety, appropriateness, and cost- effectiveness of renovating, removing, maintaining, and purchasing new playground equipment. Notes legal guidelines and standards for playgrounds. (JPB)

Discusses the overlooked similarities between the therapeutic process of solution-focused brief therapy (SFBT) and the Adlerian process of therapeutic encouragement. SFBT and Adlerian therapy share common perspectives, albeit using different nomenclature, on maladjustment, the client-counselor relationship, and methods of facilitating change.…

Discusses how proper maintenance can help schools eliminate sources contributing to poor air quality. Maintaining heating and air conditioning units, investigating bacterial breeding grounds, fixing leaking boilers, and adhering to ventilation codes and standards are discussed. (GR)

Explains how establishing a cleaning and maintenance program for floors and carpets makes schools safer and more attractive, including recommendations for cleaning that help maintain good air quality. The problems of shorter summer opportunities for cleaning are highlighted. (GR)