bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hospital Length of Stay in the United States and Japan: A Case Study of Myocardial Infarction Patients
Authors: Muramatsu Naoko , Liang Jersey
Published: May 2005

Patients in Japan stay in the hospital significantly longer than those in the United States. This study investigates factors that may account for the difference from a sociocultural perspective. In an intensive case study on patients with uncomplicated acute myocardial infarction at a university hospital in Japan and its U.S. counterpart, the authors collected data from interviews with patients, their families, physicians, and other medical professionals and from medical, nursing, and billing records. Patients with comparable medical conditions were studied; U.S. patients stayed in the hospital for 8.8 days on average, Japanese patients for 25.0 days. The average total charge of hospitalization was 2.3 times higher in the United States than in Japan. Although length of stay is determined mainly by physicians' clinical judgment and by health care system factors, patients and their family members often actively participate in decision-making about discharge dates. This case study approach revealed how different health care systems manifest themselves in the individual patient's course of illness, which cannot be examined by macro-level comparison of nations' health care systems.
Bankrupting America: President Carter's Military Budget
Authors: Anderson James R.
Published: May 2005

This paper analyzes the tax burden that will be imposed on U.S. taxpayers over the next five years as a result of President Carter's proposed $1 trillion 16.4 billion military budget. Data are provided for states and selected metropolitan areas. The destructive impact of this enormous expenditure-including further inflation, soaring interest rates, and continued impoverishment of the civilian economy and American society as a whole—is stressed.
The Bereaved and the Stigma of Suicide
Authors: Solomon Mark I.
Published: May 2005

The relationship between self-reported stigma and potentially stigmatizing events was investigated by interviewing ninety people bereaved by a suicide of a relative or close friend. Twenty-eight felt stigmatized by the suicide (S respondents) and sixty-two did not (N respondents). Fourteen potentially stigmatizing events were examined. S respondents were significantly more likely than were N respondents to have encountered gossip, to have had a negative reaction to the conduct of officials, and to have moved within one month after the suicide. S Respondents had encountered significantly more events than had N respondents, suggesting a possible cumulative effect. Three case examples of stigma are presented.
The Effects of Instructional Control, Cognitive Style, and Prior Knowledge on Learning of Computer-Assisted Instruction
Authors: Yoon Gwan-Sik
Published: May 2005

Computer-based instruction (CBI) is the powerful tool to teach arithmetic skills for elementary school students. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects on achievement of instructional control strategies (program control, learner control, and learner control with advisement) and cognitive style (field independence and field dependence) in computer-based instruction. Also, this study attempts to find an optimal type of instructional control strategy based upon students' achievement and learning time. Subjects were eighty-six Dongsung Elementary School students in Pusan, Korea. The possible interactive effects between cognitive style and instructional control strategy on CBI were analyzed. Differences in achievement and time spent on the lessons were compared. A significant interaction effect was found between types of instructional control strategies and types of cognitive styles on and students achievement scores and time-on-task.
Consideration of Physiologic Mechanisms in Animal Models of “Sudden Death”
Authors: Hughes Carroll W. , Preskorn Sheldon H.
Published: May 2005

Animal research of the “sudden death” phenomenon purporting to demonstrate causal psychological states has serious methodologic problems. Neither models nor the definition of the term, “sudden death,” are uniformly adopted; thus, the literature contains many conflicting reports. Further, much of the work has dealt with assumed psychological causation which is nontestable in nonverbal animals and tends to obscure study of quantifiable behavioral and physiological mechanisms.
The World Economic Crisis and the Children: United States Case Study
Authors: Miller C. Arden , Coulter Elizabeth J. , Schorr Lisbeth B. , Fine Amy , Adams-Taylor Sharon
Published: May 2005

This is a review of the United States experience with issues of child health and services as they relate to changes in economic trends. No existing data systems are entirely adequate for reporting on the current health status of children. An important consideration for the monitoring of children's health in the United States is the status of subgroups such as those who are disadvantaged for reasons of poverty, discrimination or geographic isolation. Ample evidence confirms that children living in poverty suffer adverse health consequences and that the proportion of children living in poverty in the United States has increased steadily since 1975 and dramatically since 1981. Most measures of health status and health risks for children show steady improvements throughout the 1970s. The exercise of public responsibility for financing and providing essential services and supports held constant or improved during this period, especially during the recession of 1974–75. The health status and risks for children since 1981 appear to be adversely affected which must be attributed to a combination of circumstances that include serious recession, increased poverty rates for households with children and diminished health benefits and social support services. These findings suggest that when either local or widespread economic reversals are anticipated, health services and social supports for children need to be expanded rather than contracted.
Children's Emotional Memories: An Analysis in Terms of Differential Emotions Theory
Authors: Izard Carroll E. , Levinson Karen L. , Ackerman Brian P. , Kogos Jennifer L. , Blumberg Samuel H.
Published: May 2005

This article is a theory driven descriptive study of the emotional memories of economically disadvantaged children. We confirmed our hypothesis that children's emotional memories would fit into categories defined in terms of the phenomenology and functions of discrete emotions, as described in differential emotions theory. We hold that such theoretically derived categories are exemplified by events that act as affordances or that constrain causal interpretations and the development of emotional memories. We also argue that the ability to recount appropriate causal events for a broad range of emotions indexes an aspect of emotion knowledge. We see the latter as a part of the broader construct of emotional intelligence.
Designing and Testing Navigational Strategies and Guidance Tools for a Hypermedia Program
Authors: Gay Geri , Trumbull Deborah , Mazur Joan
Published: May 2005

This article reports on exploratory research that examined the effectiveness of guidance tools to help users access information in a hypermedia program. Also, the study examined the influence of affective and motivational dispositions and cognitive strategies on users' search strategies. A stepwise regression analysis revealed that students were able to effectively use the Guide and the Browse modes to locate information that pertained to focus questions assigned them. The Index was not an effective means of locating information. The findings also suggested that students need adequate learning and study skills preparation to be successful navigators in hypermedia systems.
Art and Environment in Ancient Athens: A Secret of the Proportion 1:0.382
Authors: Seki Takashi
Published: May 2005

In the year 480/479 B.C., the acropolis of Athens was invaded by Persians and valuable treasures were plundered and the temples were destroyed and burned by the enemy. In the year 447 B.C. it was decided to build the Parthenon on the acropolis under the initiative of Perikles, the leading politician of the day. It is well known that Perikles had his own building program at the time of the reconstruction of the Athenian acropolis. When we study about why Propylaia could not have been built symmetrically or why the temple of Athena Nike had to have a peculiar form and others carefully, then we will be able to figure out the idea of “art and environment” of the ancient Greeks. In the following study, I will research why the special proportion of 1.000:0.382 was abandoned in the Periclean period to show an example of the idea of art and environment of the ancient Greeks.
“He Died too Quick!” the Process of Dying in a Hutterian Colony
Authors: Stephenson Peter H.
Published: May 2005

In contrast to the fast (and therefore supposedly ‘painless‘) “death ideal” of much of Western culture, Hutterites consider a slow and drawn out period of dying to be desirable. This extended period allows the dying person to socialize other Hutterians into a joyous acceptance of death's promise of a better heavenly life. The atypical behavior of members of a colony where a sudden death disrupted this pattern is described in this paper and 1) illuminates the relationship between family members and other colonists and 2) suggests that the symbolic use of death in the rebirth rite of baptism is much more powerful than has heretofore been thought. In addition, some general recommendations are made with regard to treating both terminally ill Hutterians and surviving members of their families.
The Principles and Methods of Evaluation of National Health Plans
Authors: Litsios S.
Published: May 2005

A set of seven questions is used to define the nature of “plan evaluation.” These questions identify what are to be considered the major desirable attributes of a well-conceived “plan of action” and of the planning process that generates the plans of action. The self-generative and renewal natures of planning and evaluation are noted; they cannot exist alone and actual improvement in one can only follow either actual or conceptual improvement in the other. It is proposed that the seven questions preferred might form a useful conceptual basis for using evaluation as the means for initiating the improvement of the planning process.
Imagery, Regressive Thinking, and Verbal Performance in Internal Monologue
Authors: Hogenraad Robert , Orianne Etienne
Published: May 2005

In order to analyze a free-associative discourse–internal monologues obtained by the method of thinking aloud–, two analyses are offered, descriptive and deductive. In the descriptive analysis, an Imagery Dictionary and a Regressive Imagery Dictionary, both in French, were used to evaluate the importance and unfolding of images and regressive thinking in three-hour long internal monologues obtained from eighteen French-speaking volunteers. The deductive analysis relies on Osgood's Naturalness Principle: that congruent sentences conjoined by and evidence faster processing times than incongruent sentences conjoined by but. A positive relationship was hypothesized and confirmed between images and regressive thinking (considered as natural cognizings) on the one hand, and the use of markers of congruence on the other hand.
The Fairwood Horse Camp Site (44GY18), Grayson County, Virginia: A Middle Archaic Guilford Manifestation in the Blue Ridge
Authors: Barber Michael B. , Barfield Eugene B.
Published: May 2005

Much of the Middle Archaic culture period of southwestern Virginia remains a mystery. Discovery of a Guilford manifestation utilizing volcanic rhyolite for tools and weapons presents exciting potential for adding another cultural data link to this period. A large base camp/quarry and reduction station above 3300 ft. amsl, the Fairwood Horse Camp (44GY18) assemblage is 89 percent rhyolite with diagnostics over 90 percent Guilford. Attributes of other Middle Archaic sites as well as previous scholars research are reviewed and compared in the Grayson County, Mount Rogers, Virginia area.
A Controlled Study of the Effects of State Surveillance on Indicators of Problematic and Non-Problematic Benzodiazepine Use in a Medicaid Population
Authors: Ross-Degnan Dennis , Simoni-Wastila Linda , Brown Jeffrey S. , Gao Xiaoming , Mah Connie , Cosler Leon E. , Fanning Thomas , Gallagher Peter , Salzman Carl , Shader Richard I. , Inui Thomas S. , Soumerai Stephen B.
Published: May 2005

Objective:

Benzodiazepines (BZs) are safe, effective drugs for treating anxiety, sleep, bipolar, and convulsive disorders, but concern is often expressed about their overuse and potential for abuse. We evaluated the effects of physician surveillance through a Triplicate Prescription Program (TPP) on problematic and non-problematic BZ use.

Method:

This study uses interrupted time series analyses of BZ use in the New York (intervention) and New Jersey (control) Medicaid programs for 12 months before and 24 months after the New York BZ TPP. The regulation required NY physicians to order BZs on triplicate prescription forms with one copy forwarded by pharmacies to a state surveillance unit. Study participants were community-dwelling persons over age 18 continuously enrolled between January 1988 and December 1990 in New York ( n = 125,837) or New Jersey Medicaid ( n = 139,405).

Results:

During the baseline year, 20.2% of New York and 19.3% of New Jersey cohort members received at least one BZ prescription. After the TPP, there was a sudden, sustained reduction in BZ use of 54.8% (95% CI = [51.4%, 58.3%]) in New York with no changes in New Jersey. Significantly greater reductions were experienced by young women, and persons living in zip codes that were urban, predominantly Black, or with a high density of poor households. Increases in potential substitute medications were modest. At baseline, nearly 60% of BZ recipients had no evidence of potentially problematic use. Despite a somewhat greater likelihood of discontinuation of BZ therapy among those with potentially problematic use, the largest impact of the TPP was a substantially greater relative reduction in access to BZs among non-problematic users.

Conclusions:

State-mandated physician surveillance dramatically reduces BZ use with limited substitution of alternative drugs, lowers rates of possible abuse, but may severely limit non-problematic BZ use.
Importance of Learning-Driven Constructs on Perceived Skill Development When Using Multimedia Instructional Materials
Authors: Mbarika Victor W. , Sankar Chetan S. , Raju P. K. , Raymond Jennie
Published: May 2005

Researchers disagree on the impact of multimedia on perceived skill development. This research investigated whether intervening variables such as task-technology factors might explain the difference in the research findings. An experiment was conducted where thirty-nine students worked on a case study using both paper-based and multimedia-based technologies. An exploratory factor analysis design employing a structural equation model was utilized to analyze the data. The findings from this study suggest a strong indirect relationship between multimedia and perceived skill development with learning-driven constructs (challenging, learning interest, self-reported learning, and learned from others). The study concludes that it is critical to consider these factors in developing multimedia instructional materials.
The Psychophysiologic Aspects of Stress in Juvenile Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Tarnow Jay D. , Silverman Seth W.
Published: May 2005

Diabetes Mellitus is the most common endocrine disease found in children, and its reported incidence is increasing. Most investigators now agree that improved diabetic control is effective in decreasing both long and short term complications. The delineation of factors which affect control are, therefore, of importance. Classically, the physician has emphasized insulin dose, presence of infection, diet, and exercise. Emotional factors have long been thought to play a role in diabetes mellitus. The exact nature of this role, however, has been rather elusive and controversial. The authors review this literature, summarize the major viewpoints, and conclude that psychological factors can influence the physiology of the disease.

The focus of this paper is the synthesis of recent advances in basic metabolic, endocrinologic, and stress research, relevant to juvenile diabetes, into a psychophysiologic model. The authors discuss future research directions necessary for clarification of the model, as well as its psychological and physiological therapeutic implications.
Personality Attributes as Discriminating Factors in Distinguishing Religio-Mystical from Paranormal Experients
Authors: Nelson Peter L.
Published: May 2005

In the first section of this article, an operationalized notion of preternatural experience is described which includes two general classes of experience: religio-mystical (Ontic) and paranormal (Perceptual). The exploratory study which follows uses the personality measures of the complete Tellegen Differential Personality Questionnaire taken from 120 subjects who reported having had spontaneous religio-mystical and/or paranormal experiences at some time in the past. The scores on all eleven primary dimensions, three higher order affect factors, and two validity scales were used individually, in univariate ANOVAs, and together, in a Direct Discriminant Function Analysis, to successfully separate two classes of preternatural experients from non-experients and from each other.
Doing Homework on a Telecommunications Network
Authors: Mountain Lee
Published: May 2005

In Texas, elementary school pupils are doing homework on a telecommunications network. A professor, a principal, and a production manager for a telecommunications network spearheaded this innovative use of an educational technology system. They got a pilot project started in one innercity school in 1991, and it has already spread to six surrounding school districts. The endeavor now involves parents, elementary teachers and administrators, university faculty and students, telecommunications technologists, videotex writers, and business sponsors.

The children in the pilot program averaged two hours a week of extra-credit homework on the network during the school months. During their summer vacation, these children were allowed to keep equipment for accessing the telecom network at home. In June and July their average time online increased to over two hours a week on videotex programs that exercised math, writing, and reading. For this group, an educational technology system that involved doing homework on a telecommunications network definitely increased academic time on task.
High-Dose Olanzapine-Induced Improvement of Preexisting Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Schizophrenic Patients
Authors: Lerner Vladimir , Libov Igor , Kanevsky Michael
Published: May 2005

Objective:

During the last few years there have been numerous publications concerning glucose dysregulation and antipsychotic treatment with new-onset diabetes and exacerbation of existing disease being reported. At the same time three anecdotal reports describing decrease of blood glucose level during clozapine and olanzapine treatment were published. Here we report two cases of clinically significant dose-related reductions in glucose levels in schizophrenic and schizoaffective patients suffering from pre-existing type 2 diabetes during high dose (40 mg/day) olanzapine treatment. To the best of our knowledge, this is a first report of decreasing glucose blood levels in association with olanzapine therapy in pre-existing type 2 diabetes. Antipsychotic treatment with high doses of olanzapine showed that the relationship between olanzapine and glucose regulation is more unambiguous than usually assumed.

Conclusions:

There is a need for further studies in order to define the influence of high dose olanzapine for schizophrenic and schizoaffective patients suffering from type 2 diabetes.
Understanding William James's Conception of Consciousness with the Help of Gerald E. Myers
Authors: Natsoulas Thomas
Published: May 2005

Myers recently published a major work on James's life and thought. The present article reexamines parts of my own understanding of James's conception of consciousness in the light of Myers's advanced interpretation. In particular are addressed James's account of direct (reflective) awareness, the nature of the components of the stream of consciousness, and the significance of James's claim that the stream of consciousness is sensibly continuous.
Global Flexibility—Shop Floor Flexibility: What's a Worker to do?
Authors: Forrant Robert
Published: May 2005

For several years new forms of work organization have been introduced by U.S. management to cut labor costs, improve productivity, and increase their shop floor control. Corporations have also invested in computer-controlled machinery in an effort to eliminate large numbers of skilled blue-collar workers and to decrease their reliance on the tacit knowledge of such workers. Once seemingly secure jobs in diverse industries like airplanes, jet engines, machine tools, and computer chips, are no longer so stable. In an effort to expand their global reach and reorganize the workplace, managers are able to capitalize on two conflicted and conflicting attitudes among the workforce: the first, workers' most deep-seated fear, the loss of a permanent job; the second, their aspirations to contribute their knowledge and skills in a positive way on the shop floor. In this article the reorganization of work at two western Massachusetts metalworking companies is described. What distinguishes these cases is the central role that the union played in the organized plant and the workers played in both plants to improve production and at least for now preserve jobs.
Logo and Young Children: Are Quadrant Effects Part of Initial Logo Mastery?
Authors: Brinkley Vickie M. , Watson J. Allen
Published: May 2005

Initial Logo Mastery was investigated utilizing a theoretical model purposed by Watson and Busch which examined young children's use of a conceptual strategy which incorporated cursor pointing and computer screen quadrant effects. Results showed that thirty-eight young four- and five-year-olds scored significantly better, fewer keystrokes and fewer errors, when problem solving in the upper left and right quadrants than in either of the two lower quadrants. Means analyses showed children scored higher on task closure and task success in the upper right quadrant, followed by the upper left, and lastly, by the lower left and right screen quadrants.
Pet Ownership and Health Status during Bereavement
Authors: Akiyama Hiroko , Holtzman Joseph M. , Britz William E.
Published: May 2005

This preliminary study investigated the impact of pet ownership on the health status of recently widowed urban middle-class women. Analysis of data indicated 1) statistically significant differences between pet owners and nonowners in regard to symptom experiences, with nonowners reporting more symptoms, especially those with psychogenic components; and 2) altered patterns of utilization of medications, with nonowners reporting significantly higher drug use. The findings suggest pet ownership may have a salutary effect on the adjustment of recently widowed women.
Life and Death in New Guinea
Authors: van Arsdale Peter W. , Radetsky Carol L.
Published: May 2005

Using a combination of comparative/historical and ethnographic approaches, the concepts of the “life-death continuum” and the cosmic “life force” are examined for the Asmat tribe of New Guinea. Primary attention is paid to data gathered in Irian Jaya (Indonesian New Guinea) in 1973–74 and 1979. The roles of magic and sorcery are examined in the context of death causation, as is the notion of societal equilibrium/disequilibrium. The symbolism of the skull is covered briefly, being tied to tribal beliefs concerning attributes of humanness. Of importance are the concepts of probabilism and determinism, introduced to aid the understanding of life-death processes in Melanesian and Western societies, respectively. In conclusion, positive adjustments associated with the free expression of grief are examined cross-culturally.
Primary Care Patients' Reactions to Mental Health Screening
Authors: Zimmerman Mark , Lush David T. , Farber Neil J. , Hartung Jon , Plescia Gary , Kuzma Mary Ann , Lish Jennifer
Published: May 2005

Objective:

The authors examined whether there is empirical support for the notion that medical patients are upset by being asked questions about psychiatric disorders.

Method:

Six hundred and one patients attending a primary care clinic completed the SCREENER—a newly developed, brief self-administered questionnaire that surveys a broad range of psychopathology. In addition, they completed a second questionnaire that assessed their attitudes toward the SCREENER.

Results:

We found a high level of acceptance by patients. The questions were judged easy to answer, and they rarely aroused significant negative affect. Fewer than 2 percent of the patients judged the questions difficult to answer, and fewer than 3 percent were “very much” embarrassed, upset, annoyed, or uncomfortable with the questions. Individuals with a history of psychiatric treatment and poorer current mental health reacted more unfavorably to the questionnaire.

Conclusions:

From the patient's perspective, it is feasible and acceptable to use self-administered questionnaires for routine screening of psychiatric problems in primary care settings.
Health Policy under Austerity Capitalism: The Impact of the “Tax Revolt”
Authors: Bodenheimer Thomas S.
Published: May 2005

The United States has moved from the postwar period of prosperity capitalism to the current era of austerity capitalism. Two pillars of austerity policy are cutbacks in social services, including health care, and a further shift in the tax burden from corporations onto individuals. The corporate-controlled media attempt to justify these austerity measures by insisting that the government cutbacks and corporate tax reductions represent the will of the people, as expressed by the “tax revolt” of Proposition 13 in California and Proposition 2½ in Massachusetts. This paper argues that the tax revolt is actually a protest against the massive shift in taxes away from corporations and onto individual taxpayers. In addition, the tax revolt is not a rejection of government services, as the media and politicians have maintained. In fact, the majority of Americans want more rather than less public services and want more rather than less taxes on large corporations.
Dreams and Death: An Exploration of the Literature
Authors: Cookson Kelly
Published: May 2005

The literature on dreams and death is reviewed along three lines of interest: dreams as they relate to fear of death, dreams as they relate to bereavement, and dreams as they relate to dying. It is suggested that dreams can broaden our understanding of the human response to death and provide therapeutic tools when that response becomes complicated. Theoretical implications and possible areas of future research are also discussed.
Why Work Kills a Brief History of Occupational Safety and Health in the United States
Authors: Berman Daniel M.
Published: May 2005

In the early 20th century, U.S. monopoly corporations responded to the movement against work accidents by setting up a business-controlled “compensation-safety establishment,” which kept down compensation costs but did little to improve working conditions. This “establishment” was able to keep the issue of occupational safety and health out of public debate until the late 1960s through its control of research, education, compensation, and government appointments in the area, and by creating the public impression that the problems of occupational disease were almost nonexistent.

Despite the occurrence of sporadic rank-and-file uprisings, unions have been seriously involved in health and safety only since the late 1960s, when they mobilized in an effort to pass the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970. The passage of the OSHA law was made possible by the help of progressive professionals, worker dissatisfaction, the new environmental consciousness, and a general climate of social unrest. Although the corporate elite, through the “compensation-safety establishment,” has been able to dominate the operation of the federal institutions created by the new law, the question of occupational health and safety is now on the permanent agenda of workers, unions, and the public.
Computer-Based Exploratory Learning Systems for Handicapped Children
Authors: Geoffrion Leo D.
Published: May 2005

Computer-based exploratory learning systems are programs which emphasize using the computer to help children learn by manipulating their surroundings instead of answering questions posed by others. For example, in exploratory learning students might improve their reading and language skills by using the computer to draw pictures, write and edit stories, solve problems or play games. Pilot research with handicapped students using LOGO, CARIS, the Talking Typewriter, and other computer-based exploratory learning systems has shown that this approach may be more effective for reading and language skills because it parallels more accurately the stages of normal language acquisition and because it adapts more easily to their special learning needs. Particularly interesting is the finding that handicapped children often demonstrate skills thought to be beyond their ability.
Detroit: Urbanism Moves West: Palisaded Fur-Trade Center to Diversified Manufacturing City
Authors: Pilling Arnold R.
Published: May 2005

Detroit was founded in 1701 as a French fur-trading center. The British period (1760–1796) is documented archaeologically by grave goods, military palisade and picket remains, military buttons, lead balls, Chinese export porcelain, and a handful of other sherds. During the first two American decades, Detroit remained a fur-trading center. From 1820 to 1850, Detroit served mainly as a farmer's center. By 1870, Detroit was becoming a manufacturing center; both locally and in adjacent Michigan and Ontario, Detroit-made goods are known archaeologically.
Computer Simulations as a Framework for Critical Thinking Instruction
Authors: Kang Sook-Hi
Published: May 2005

Nowadays, the need for critical thinking instruction is being increasingly emphasized in order for students to function effectively inside and outside of school. In this regard, the present study was intended to illustrate how a computer simulation can be used to frame a critical-thinking lesson. For this purpose, a simulation was developed, which was designed to give students opportunities to exercise their decision-making skills and to evaluate the outcomes. Twenty-five fifth graders manipulated the simulation for two class periods. Subjects were given a short essay test before and after the simulation, which demanded that they use their critical thinking strategies. The results indicate that their thinking skills improved significantly after the simulation.
Cognitive Consequences of Programming: Augmentations to Basic Instruction
Authors: Dalbey John , Linn Marcia C.
Published: May 2005

A study of junior high students was undertaken to investigate the cognitive outcomes of a first course in computer programming. A model for understanding the learning outcomes is presented, called the chain of cognitive consequences. This model describes the knowledge and skills that potentially can be gained from programming. The model suggests how programming instruction could be augmented so as to focus on higher cognitive skills. An experimental design was implemented which compared two “augmentations” to traditional BASIC instruction. Three important findings were modest achievement scores, large between-site variation, and significant effect of augmentations. The limitations of current instruction for producing cognitive outcomes are discussed, and the instructional implications of this study are presented.
Attachment Theory and Multiple Dimensions of Grief
Authors: Jacobs Selby C. , Kosten Thomas R. , Kasl Stanislav V. , Ostfeld Adrian M. , Berkman Lisa , Charpentier Peter
Published: May 2005

In this article data from questionnaires completed by acutely bereaved widows and widowers were examined to identify the dimensions of psychological distress associated with bereavement. Using factor analysis, four factors that were meaningfully understood within the framework of attachment theory were found. These findings were consistent with the idea that grief is not a simple, decrescendoing emotional state, but rather a complex, evolving process with multiple dimensions. Our observations on the subjective distress of bereavement were related to other recently developed structured assessments of grief that are now available for the study of bereavement.
The Widening Gap in Death Rates among Income Groups in the United States from 1967 to 1986
Authors: Schalick Lisa Miller , Hadden Wilbur C. , Pamuk Elsie , Navarro Vicente , Pappas Gregory
Published: May 2005

Death rates in the United States have fallen since the 1960s, but improvements have not been shared equally by all groups. This study investigates the change in inequality in mortality by income level from 1967 to 1986. Comparable death rates are constructed for 1967 and 1986 using National Mortality Followback Surveys as numerators and National Health Interview Surveys as denominators. Direct age-adjusted death rates are calculated for income levels for the U.S. noninstitutionalized civilian population 35 to 64 years old. A summary measure of inequality in mortality adjusts for differences in the size and definition of income groups in the two years. In both 1967 and 1986, mortality decreased with each rise in income level. Measured in relative terms, this inverse relationship was greater in 1986 then in 1967 for men and women, blacks and whites. Between 1967 and 1986, death rates for those with maximal income declined between two and three times more rapidly than did rates for the middle and low income groups. The greatest increase in relative inequality was seen among white males.
Self-Perception, Impression Management, and Self-Consciousness
Authors: Snell William E. , Davis Mark H.
Published: May 2005

Consistency between behaviors and expressed attitudes has been explained in terms of two distinct tendencies: 1) self-perception processes, in which individuals “rationally” utilize past beliefs and behaviors toward some object in formulating an attitude; and 2) self-presentational concerns, in which individuals utilize memories of past behavior toward an object primarily in order to express an attitude consistent with such behavior. A study was conducted in which the influence of public and private self-consciousness on the attitude inference process was examined. It was predicted that persons higher in public self-consciousness would demonstrate a heightened responsivity of salient behavioral information, due to a concern with appearing consistent in attitude and action. It was also predicted that subjects higher in private self-consciousness would demonstrate greater responsivity to salient behavioral information because of a hypothesized tendency to make more use of salient cognitive information about themselves. Both predictions were supported.
Depression in Patients with Neuromyasthenia (Benign Myalgic Encephalomyelitis)
Authors: Taerk Gary S. , Toner Brenda B. , Salit Irving E. , Garfinkel Paul E. , Ozersky Samuel
Published: May 2005

Neuromyasthenia (benign myalgic encephalomyelitis) is a term used to describe a protracted and incomplete recovery phase following viral-like illnesses. There are few significant physical findings or abnormal laboratory determinations. Although depressive symptoms have been observed in individuals with neuromyasthenia, systematic psychological investigations based on a standardized interview technique have not been reported. This study was designed to investigate the prevalence of psychiatric disorders and psychiatric symptoms in a group of patients presenting with neuromyasthenia. The study consisted of three parts: a structured psychiatric interview (The National Institute of Mental Health Diagnostic Interview Schedule), a self-report measure (The Beck Depression Inventory) and Dexamethasone Suppression Test. Results indicated that relative to a matched comparison group of non-clinical volunteers, a significant percentage (67%) of neuromyasthenic patients met criteria for major depression. Even more striking was the observation that 50 percent of the sample had a major depressive episode prior to the development of neuromyasthenia. These findings suggest that sporadic neuromyasthenia may be the result of an organic illness in psychologically susceptible individuals.
Harry Haller's Private Sky Hook: The Role of Suicidal Ideation in the Prolongation of Life
Authors: Jacobs Jerry
Published: May 2005

Suicidal ideation is most often dealt with in the literature as being either itself pathological or in some way symptomatic of underlying pathology. At the same time, many authorities hold that while everyone or nearly everyone, has probably entertained the notion of killing themselves, relatively few persons actually resort to suicide. With this in mind, it seems more reasonable to suppose that suicidal ideation is “normal,” i.e., a general condition of society. What's more, since so many entertain suicide and so few accomplish it, it may be that suicidal ideation actually plays some key role in the retardation and/or prevention of suicide. This paper will consider some of the ways in which suicidal ideation may lead to the prolongation of life.
Problems and Prospects in Northeastern Prehistoric Ceramic Studies
Authors: Custer Jay F.
Published: May 2005

Three major research topics can be addressed using Northeastern ceramic data. First, different technological developments are seen in the earliest ceramics. Flat-bottomed wares develop in the Middle Atlantic and coiled, conoidal wares are earliest in New England. Second, the Abbott Farm and Delmarva Adena complexes of the central Middle Atlantic can be distinguished from surrounding Early and Middle Woodland complexes on the basis of ceramics; social complexity may be related to ceramic traits. Finally, Late Woodland ceramic design motifs and design “grammars” can be used to distinguish ethnic groups and study population movements throughout the Northeast.
The Death Poetry of Emily Dickinson
Authors: Cooney William
Published: May 2005

The topic of death is an important theme in the work of Emily Dickinson, one of America's greatest poets. Dickinson scholars debate whether her focus on death (one quarter of all her poems) is an unhealthy and morbid obsession, or, rather, a courageous recognition that life itself cannot be understood fully except from the vantage point of the grave (just as light cannot be fully appreciated without the recognition of its opposite, i.e., darkness). Following the latter view, Dickinson's penetrating insights into death are examined. Some of her best known death poems are presented and briefly discussed (reference is also made to many other Dickinson poems, and insights are also drawn from her many letters). Brief comparisons of Dickinson's views to certain philosophers (for example, Nietzsche) are made, in order to provide a wider context of exploration into these important themes. In the end, Dickinson contends that affirmation of life is impossible without an examination of death—the article therefore ends with her famous poem about that affirmation.
Functional Status and Depression among Men and Women with Congestive Heart Failure
Authors: Murberg Terje A. , Bru Edvin , Aarsland Torbjørn , Svebak Sven
Published: May 2005

Objective:

The study was designed 1) to examine the prevalence of depression in patients with congestive heart failure (CHF); 2) to explore associations between the physician's rating of functional status (NYHA class) and patient's assessment of functional status (physical limitation, dyspnea) with symptoms of depression; and 3) to explore gender related differences in relation to physician's rating and patient's rating of function status, and symptoms of depression.

Method:

A sample of 119 clinically stable heart failure patients (85 males and 34 females) was recruited from an outpatient cardiology hospital practice. The patients underwent a physical examination and completed a set of questionnaires. Prevalence of depressive symptoms and the association of these symptoms with NYHA class and patient's perceived functional status was studied.

Results:

Findings indicate that depressive symptoms were not predominant among this sample of CHF patients. Path analyses showed non-significant direct associations between NYHA class as well as patient's perception of dyspnea with depression. In contract, the subjective indicator of physical limitations was strongly associated with symptoms of depression among the males, but this relation was not significant among the females.

Conclusions:

Results suggest that men and women respond differently to the burden of heart failure. However, interpretation of the results from the present study should be considered as tentative and additional research is required to examine mechanisms that explain gender differences in response to heart failure.
Think They'Re Drunk? Alcohol Servers and the Identification of Intoxication
Authors: Burns Edward D. , Nusbaumer Michael R. , Reiling Denise M.
Published: May 2005

Despite alcohol server training programs and legal liability aimed at controlling intoxication, server intervention appears to be rare. Given the difficulty in assessing intoxication, it can be assumed that improvement in assessment skills would increase the likelihood of intervention. Unfortunately, little is known regarding practices servers use to identify intoxication. In order to build a more informed base for policy formation and server training, the focus of this inquiry was to examine practices used by servers to assess intoxication. The analysis was based upon questionnaires mailed to a random probability sample of licensed servers from one state ( N = 822). Indicators found to be most important were examined in relation to a variety of occupational characteristics. Implications for training curricula, policy formation, and future research are discussed.
Ranking of Indirectness in Professional Writing
Authors: Zhang John Z.
Published: May 2005

Riley has recently applied some speech act strategies of indirectness to textbook instructions on being both clear and polite in professional letter writing. Based on results from two experiments with college senior students, the present project aims to account for those strategies and to discuss four principles generated from the experimental data about each strategy: 1) its value index, 2) its writer/addressee orientation, 3) its linguistic characterization, and 4) its location in a sentence. The professional writer can achieve the desired degree of indirectness by consulting those four features about any strategy used in any context.
The Street Corner: A Laboratory for the Study of Life-Threatening Behavior
Authors: Kastenbaum Robert , Briscoe Laura
Published: May 2005

An expanded spectrum of research strategy is needed for the study of dying, death, and lethal behavior. Reported here is a small study that combines two of the approaches recommended: Naturalistic observation, and the exploration of possible relationships between predisposing factors and actual behavior. A street corner in Detroit, Michigan was selected as the research setting or natural laboratory. Types of street-crossing behavior were categorized into five groups, ranging from most to least risk-taking. Pedestrians were classified into the appropriate groups, depending upon their observed behavior, and asked to participate in a brief on-the-spot interview. The results clearly demonstrate empirical relationships between phenomenological, life history, and socio-demographic variables and type of pedestrian behavior.
Computerized Testing: The Hidden Figures Test
Authors: Jacobs Ronald L. , Byrd David M. , High William R.
Published: May 2005

The adaptation of paper-and-pencil tests to computers may be confounded by differences between the medium of paper-and-pencil and computers. The purpose of this study was to adapt the Hidden Figures Test for use on PLATO and determine the alternate-form reliability of the computerized version as compared to the paper-and-pencil version. The HFT is one of the most commonly used tests to measure the cognitive style known as field independence-field dependence. The results showed that the test could be adapted with some modifications and that a significant relationship was found between scores on the two versions of the test, though the total amount of variance explained between the tests was low. The results suggest that the computerized version may be measuring computer anxiety, perception of computer generated figures, and previous experience with a keyboard, as well as the construct under study.
The Acoustical Presentation of Technical Information
Authors: Barnett George A.
Published: May 2005

This article advocates listening to technical information in much the same way as scientists and engineers currently look at graphics in order to gain an understanding of the relations among variables. It specifies a number of potential benefits of this approach. 1) The ability to hear data may contribute to the greater understanding of the relationships that lie within data. This may lead to alternative theoretical interpretations and explanations. 2) Listening to the data may produce a greater long-term understanding. 3) It will facilitate the understanding of technical information by individuals whose dominant learning modality is acoustic rather than visual. 4) Acoustic data analysis is ideally suited for the analysis of processual data. The article provides a demonstration of the presentation of acoustic information with data on the frequency of television viewing, 1950–1988.
The Hospice Decision: Psychosocial Facilitators and Barriers
Authors: McNeilly Dennis P. , Hillary Kristine
Published: May 2005

This study examined the social and contextual process of discussion and decision making around the use of the hospice in order to clarify the facilitative and obstructive aspects to hospice patient entry. Four participants groups of physicians, hospice and home health care patient family survivors, and hospice and home health care staff, completed four complementary mail surveys of their discussions and decision process for hospice care. Non-parametric analysis of the data reaffirmed the central and key role of the physician as the expected initiator and gatekeeper of the hospice discussion and decision-making process. Physicians were found generally aware of hospice and to have discussed hospice with their patients, though that awareness and the frequency of hospice patient discussions varied by the type of medical practice. Patient family survivors were unaware of hospice prior to the terminal illness, with a majority of hospice patient family survivors receiving their initial hospice information from relatives. Implications of these results and issues for future research are identified.
Understanding the Experiential World of the Dying: Limits to Sociological Research
Authors: Chatterjee Suhita Chopra
Published: May 2005

In recent years there has been a proliferation of literature on Sociology of Dying. However, sociologists often treat the experience of those who are critically ill as similar to those who are really dying. This article argues that the level of emotional experience of one who is facing death is different from one who is critically ill but can intellectually anticipate it as the end of one's existence. In other words, dying, though mostly contiguous with illness experience, is not to be treated as synonymous with it. This study further shows how the complex issues related to the dying person's world defy a systematic sociological enquiry, as many of the conventional methods of sociological research fail to gain access to the self of the dying. It concludes by suggesting the need for a thoroughgoing rejuvenation of sociological methods and theories to accommodate the dying phenomenon.