bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Health and Health Protection of the Polish Population
Authors:   Experience and the Future
Published: May 2005

This report, drafted by members of a discussion group (Experience and the Future) consisting primarily of Polish physicians, concerns the problems of personal health and of the health care system in Poland in recent years. Data are presented on key indicators of the health of the Polish population, including mortality, incidence rates of viral and infectious diseases, child health, occupational health, care of the disabled, and alcohol consumption, and a program for improving these indicators is set forth. In addition, achievable short- and long-term goals for the health sector are suggested. It is maintained that many of the unsolved problems in Poland's health sector result from its structure. The foundation on which the health pyramid should rest—primary care in local medical institutions—is the weakest element in the system, whereas the top of the pyramid—specialized, technologically oriented hospitals—is given highest priority.
Role of Deceased Mentors in the Ongoing Lives of Protégés
Authors: Marwit Samuel J. , Lessor Clayton
Published: May 2005

Participants addressed questions relating to the role(s) that deceased mentors continue to play in their lives, if any. Three active roles, designated as role model, situation specific guidance, and values clarification emerged, along with one inactive role designated remembrance formation. Roles were evenly distributed among participants. Membership in role category appeared unrelated to participants' age, gender, relationship to mentor, length and timing of mentoring, degree of grief resolution, emotional stability, and a number of other potentially relevant variables. Findings are discussed in relation to Western theories of grief, the emerging literature on continuing bonds with the deceased, and implications for conceptual changes in the language and goals of grief therapy and grief counseling.
Phases of Capitalism, Welfare States, Medical Dominance, and Health Care in Ontario
Authors: Coburn David
Published: May 2005

There has been a lacuna in previous studies of medicine and health care of concepts or structures relating changes in health care with their contextualizing social structures. That is, there is a need to more adequately account for health care and social structure in terms of dynamic rather than static concepts. This article reports the application of a general schema outlining the transformation of capitalism through the phases of entrepreneurial, monopoly, and global capitalism, first presented by Ross and Trachte, to help understand both the changing role of medicine in Canada and the historical trajectory of the development of health insurance. These related events are shown to be partly reflective of the transformed class dynamics involved in a changing capitalist mode of production. The recent history of challenges to medicare in Canada as well as evidence of the declining power of medicine are both related directly and indirectly to the increased power of business and the decline in the relative autonomy of the state accompanying globalization. The application of the phases of capitalism sequence does roughly fit the Canadian instance although some modifications will be required to account for the specifics of the Canadian case. The schema also helps resolve two previously competing class arguments about the rise of health insurance in Canada.
Interactive Multimedia Development: Pre-Design Analyses
Authors: Beasley Robert E.
Published: May 2005

With some modification, the traditional system development life cycle (SDLC) can be used for developing interactive multimedia instructional (IMI) applications. The new model, referred to in this article as the instructional system development life cycle (ISDLC), can be used to help guide the multimedia instructional developer through the process of designing, developing, and maintaining highly effective IMI applications. However, before designing and developing an IMI application, several types of pre-design analyses should take place to help ensure a pedagogically effective design. These analyses include a client request analysis, a task/concept analysis, an audience analysis, an objectives analysis, a constraints analysis, and a costs/benefits analysis. The purpose of this article is to describe these various types of analyses and where they fit within the ISDLC.
Communications Satellites in Health Education and Health Care Delivery: Operation Considerations
Authors: Boor John L. , Schaad Douglas C. , Evans Franklin W. , Dohner Charles W. , Schwarz M. Roy
Published: May 2005

In the past decade, communication satellites have assumed an increasingly significant role in meeting world communication needs. Advocates project vast arrays of potential utilization for this distance independent technology. Such expansion of use depends upon user acceptance, a variable which has as a requisite dimension, the perception of trouble-free operation and similarity with face to face verbal interaction. Following two hundred twenty-two satellite-mediated broadcasts, the authors review the variety of user-related pitfalls which occurred during this experiment in health education and health care delivery. Specific consideration is given to those problems which need to be remedied for a “user acceptable” system of satellite communication in the health care arena. Though the technical system works, it is suggested that additional emphases upon participant acceptance are necessary before the technology will be widely accepted and utilized.
Using Prosthetic Motivational Statements to Facilitate Attitudes and Computer Usage of Beginning Logo Teachers
Authors: Vitale Michael R. , Medland Michael B. , Romance Nancy R.
Published: May 2005

Teachers participating in an initial two-day field-tested LOCO training program received group-focused prosthetic motivational statements based upon formats described by Medland and Vitale [1]. Results showed that compared to controls, teachers receiving statements displayed a more positive attitude toward LOGO training, both upon the conclusion of the initial training session and after a six-week interpolated time period. Additionally, the experimental teachers also reported greater incidences of using their training skills for subsequent LOGO instruction in their schools.
The Stream of Consciousness: XX: A Non-Egological Conception
Authors: Natsoulas Thomas
Published: May 2005

This article develops the concluding section of a previous article of mine, which briefly contrasted William James's views on consciousness in The Principles with those of Susanne K. Langer in her own magnum opus. This comparative approach allows me to bring out vividly the fact that James's discussion of consciousness seeks to express a non-egological conception of the subject matter. James consistently refuses to adopt any theory according to which consciousness is brought into being by something more than the processes of the brain; there exists no mental spring or source from which the mental stream flows or has its origin; the ongoing activity of the brain, without knowing what it does, produces mechanically one state of consciousness after another. In contrast, Langer's descriptions of the organism as that which feels may be a way of implicitly introducing a physical ego, which does all that a metaphysical Subject or ego is supposed to do. A brain center that, as Langer holds, receives impressions of physiological processes above a certain limen and, by apprehending them, renders these processes into states of consciousness is a physical ego.
Pupils' Problem-Solving Processes in a Complex Computerized Learning Environment
Authors: Suomala Jyrki , Alajaaski Jarkko
Published: May 2005

The study examines fifth-grade Finnish pupils' problem-solving processes in a complex technology-based learning environment. The subjects were pupils in two primary schools ( N = 88). The pupils were divided into two learning groups (a mediated and a discovery group) for a 20-hour-long teaching period. The mediated group ( n = 42) received teaching according to the mediated model, whereas the discovery group ( n = 46) was taught according to the discovery model. The teaching period consisted of merry-go-round and robot-projects. After the teaching period, the pupils participated in an experimental phase, which consisted of an open problem-solving task. The task comprised programming the robot constructed during the teaching period to follow a certain route. The pupils' problem-solving processes were videotaped and the subsequent analysis was based on measures developed by Clements and Nastasi [1]. The analysis focused on the occurrences of the cognitive conflict solving, cooperation with the teacher, and explicit planning. In addition, the relationship of problem-solving to gender was analyzed. The study also reports the analyses of the features of the Logo programs developed by the pupils in the experimental phase and their relationship to the pupils' problem solving processes. The results of the study indicate that learning model and gender account for group differences in problem solving processes of the pupils. The results are interpreted as supporting the validity of the discovery learning, when pupils are solving problems in a progressive learning environment.
Social Reactions to the Survivor of a Suicide in the Family: A Review of the Literature
Authors: Calhoun Lawrence G. , Allen Breon G.
Published: May 2005

This article reviews the available literature on reactions to family members surviving another member's suicide. Three factors determining the reaction of others to persons bereaved by suicide are investigated: 1) the cause of death, 2) characteristics of the deceased, and 3) characteristics of the respondent. The perceptions that persons bereaved by suicide have of the way others view them are reviewed. Methodological flaws and limitations of the current research are noted, with suggestions for the direction of future research. Tentative generalizations and suggestions for clinical practice are also made.
An Experiment in Death Education in the Medical Curriculum: Medical Students and Clergy “on Call” Together
Authors: Davis Gary , Jessen Arne
Published: May 2005

Death education for medical students is a newly developing aspect of the medical curriculum. Medical death educators must make an attempt to provide medical students with clinical exposure to dying patients and their families. A one-to-one relationship is one vehicle for such exposure. This paper discusses an alternative vehicle, that of assigning medical students to “on call” clergy. The on-call clergy help cope with crises that arise in the hospital and counsel dying patients and their families. The students gain clinical experience through the tutelage of the clergy. The reactions of the students are discussed and the mechanics of the on-call program are presented.
Attitudes towards Death in Creative Artists
Authors: Goodman Lisl Marburg
Published: May 2005

A positive relationship was hypothesized between acceptance of death, strength of motivation, breadth of time perspective, and self-fulfillment in creative artists. This hypothesis was based on the assumption that fear of death inhibits orientation toward the future and thereby tends to restrict movement toward achievement and self-fulfillment. By contrast, acceptance of death and awareness of one's finitude is thought to act as a galvanizing force, impelling one toward creativity and accomplishment. Interviews were conducted with ten individuals ranked as outstanding creative artists in their fields, and a control group of ten other respondents. Findings in this preliminary study suggest some differences between the two groups in the hypothesized direction.
Dissemination of Family Life Education to Adolescents by Their Parents in Suburban Ibadan, Nigeria
Authors: Adeyemo Moridiyat O. A. , Brieger William R.
Published: May 2005

Family life education (FLE) is a process of imparting both factual knowledge about human development, sexual relationships, preparation for parenthood, pregnancy, contraception and sexually transmitted diseases and also values, attitudes and perceptions that will enhance health self-concepts and relationships. Although experts agree that the home is the best place to begin FLE, parents themselves are sometimes reluctant as discussion of these topics may be embarrassing or even taboo between generations. Parents also express concern that they may not be knowledgeable enough to handle FLE. The inhibitions on FLE in the home may be exacerbated by urbanization that reduces traditional social support systems. With this background, the investigators looked at the nature and level of family life communication between parents and their adolescent children in homes in the suburban community of Apata in Ibadan, Nigeria. Of six FLE topics, the 253 families interviewed discussed only an average of three. Some parents did not feel competent and others felt that raising such issues might encourage undesirable behavior by the youth. Mothers were found to be the major initiators of FLE. A 12-point communication score was constructed based on potential FLE topics that could be discussed at home. The level of FLE communication was found to increase with parents' level of education. Greater time at home by parents was also associated with better scores. A positive perception of a parental role in FLE was reflected in higher scores. Strategies to increase parents' knowledge on FLE topics as well as their self-efficacy in providing FLE is suggested with special focus on the facilitating potential of schools and women's groups in the community.
Barklay and Eve: The Role of Activity Books for Bereaved Children
Authors: Carney Karen L.
Published: May 2005

I liked that the book was a coloring book, because I think young kids would look at the book many times while they are coloring … making kids informed is the best place to start.
Some Subjective Reactions of a Behavioral Scientist Involved in Thanatological Research
Authors: Devins Gerald M.
Published: May 2005

Ethical and pragmatic considerations often preclude the application of classical experimental approaches to in vivo thanatological research. While quasi-experimental and correlational designs may be employed to circumvent a number of potential problems, many more empirically testable research questions simply remain unaskable in the applied setting. Clearly, extra-experimental sources of information are of particular value in such situations. The present paper reports some of the observations and subjective reactions experienced by the writer while engaged in a series of experimental thanatological research studies. The issues addressed include the motivations of thanatological investigators and research participants, personal awareness of death, displacement of grief, anxieties about personal utility, paternalism, and honesty (i.e., frankness) as a primary ethic in facilitating a peaceful, “natural,” death in the moribund individual.
Technical Editing Online: The Quest for Transparent Technology
Authors: Dayton David
Published: May 2005

Now that intranets have become the new model for information technology systems, we can expect that more organizations will adopt online document review and editing procedures. This may be problematic for technical editors. Survey studies published in 1992 and 1995 found that most technical editors were still editing on paper most of the time even though an overwhelming percentage of them had access to computers and expressed a positive attitude toward using computers for editing-related tasks. In this article I review discussions of online editing in the technical communication literature to understand how online editing has been constructed within the discipline and why many technical editors remain loyal to traditional paper-based procedures. I discuss a recent call for emulating handwritten mark-up and author queries electronically and compare this “technical fix” with the collaborative online editing affordances of the latest word processors. I then discuss studies of online reading and composition whose results suggest that the materiality of hard-copy editing procedures may contribute to some inherent advantages over online emulations of such procedures, or at least foster the widespread perception that certain advantages exist for hard-copy editing. I conclude by urging an open-minded and flexible but also critical perspective toward online editing technology. Such a perspective should help make the move to online editing a more positive experience for technical editors. It might also help them define a higher-level role for editing in the information and document development process.
Willa Cather: Transitional Objects and Creativity
Authors: Schneiderman Leo
Published: May 2005

The present article attempts to extend Winnicott's concept of the transitional object to include not only soothing objects but people as well. I refer not only to people—above all, the mother—who were soothing to the infant before self/other differentation had taken place, but to people who continued to provide emotional support before the child's identity was fully crystallized. These objects of identification serve as more than mere models to be emulated. They are intrinsic to the child's security system, providing quasi-magical sources of comfort and inspiration, especially in the face of hardship. The introjection of these love objects enables the child to draw upon the strength of real and symbolic alter egos. In the case of Willa Cather, I have emphasized the role of benevolent father-figures as alter egos to fictional heroines whose principal motivations include the drive toward achievement, whether as an artiste or as a successful farm manager. These fantasy alter egos are traced to real men who figured prominently in Cather's early life. Her fictional protagonists are viewed as derivatives of her early ambitions in life. The obstacles they face—materialism, philistinism, provincialism—are interpreted as derivatives of Cather's early struggles as a creative artist, as well as inner conflicts between rebellion and conformity, aggression and self-discipline, hedonism, and asceticism. The present study is based on Cather's entire range of novels and short stories.
Two Centuries of Miami Indian Death Customs
Authors: Schorer C. E.
Published: May 2005

A comparison is made of Miami Indian death customs of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries as described by French explorers ca. 1702 and by C. C. Trowbridge to Michigan Territorial Governer Lewis Cass in 1825. Changes in customs reflect the influence of time, invasion, and tribal identity on a universal observance. Distinguishing features of nineteenth century customs are the ceremonial provision of a surrogate to replace the deceased and protection of the corpse from an inimical medicine man. Similarities and differences between the death customs of the Miamis and other Great Lakes tribes are also noted.
The Vanishing Health Care Safety Net: New Data on Uninsured Americans
Authors: Himmelstein David U. , Woolhandler Steffie , Wolfe Sidney M.
Published: May 2005

New data obtained from the Census Bureau shows that the number of Americans without any health insurance increased by 1.3 million between 1989 and 1990, bringing the total number of uninsured to 34.7 million, more than at any time since the passage of Medicare and Medicaid 25 years ago. This increase coincided with a 10.5 percent increase in health spending, the second largest in the past three decades. The number of people covered by Medicaid grew by 3.1 million, due to a one-time expansion of eligibility mandated by Congress, but this was more than counterbalanced by a population growth of 3 million and a decrease of 1.3 million in people covered by private insurance. Had Medicaid not been expanded, the number of uninsured would have increased by 4.4 million. The increase in the uninsured affected virtually all parts of the nation. Seven states had increases of more than 100,000 persons each. Only Texas experienced a decrease of that magnitude, but still had the second highest rate of uninsurance of any state. Of the 1.3 million additional uninsured in 1990, 77 percent were male, 32 percent had family incomes in excess of $50,000 per year, and 74 percent had annual family incomes above $25,000. Fewer than 9 percent had incomes below the poverty line. The numbers of uninsured children and senior citizens fell slightly (but not significantly), while the number of uninsured working-age adults rose by 1.4 million. The number of uninsured workers in each of four of 20 major industry groups increased by more than 100,000 in 1990. None of the industry groups showed a significant decline in the number of uninsured. Among professionals, there were substantial numbers of uninsured doctors, engineers, teachers, college professors, clergy, and others, but all legislators and judges were insured. The data presented here largely predate the recession and understate current problems. In 1991 the number of uninsured will likely reach nearly 40 million. Also, these estimates are based on the number of people uninsured at a single time during 1990; a far higher number were temporarily uninsured at some point during the year. Moreover the Census Bureau survey ignores the problem of the underinsurance of at least 50 million insured Americans. Patchwork public programs are grossly inadequate to plug the holes. A national health program covering all Americans could assure access to care and contain costs.
Teaching Decision Science in Educational Administration
Authors: Mathews Walter M.
Published: May 2005

The universities in the United States that offer a Doctorate in Educational Administration were surveyed to collect information on courses that they offer which include decision sciences—techniques which aid the decision-making process of administrators and which are usually mathematically or technologically based. With a 71 per cent response rate to a mail questionnaire, it was found that forty-five of the responding seventy-six universities (59 per cent) offered such a course to their administration majors. Data were collected from the instructors concerning frequency offered, average enrollment, year originated, and percentage of administration doctoral majors enrolled. A tally of the major topic areas was also recorded.
Foreign Nations, International Organizations, and Their Impact on Health Conditions in Nicaragua since 1979
Authors: Linsenmeyer William S.
Published: May 2005

In July 1979, a coalition of social forces in Nicaragua, under the leadership of the Sandinistas, toppled the discredited 43-year Somoza dictatorship. In addition to revolutionary Nicaragua's own substantial efforts, since 1979 international forces and developments have had profound impacts on the nation's ambitious social programs. This article investigates the impact of foreign nations and international organizations on Nicaragua's health conditions since 1979. Given or pledged assistance, for health and other social needs, has been forthcoming, for example, from Latin America, Western Europe, socialist countries, the United Nations, the Organization of American States, and the European Economic Community. International forces, however, have also had a negative impact on Nicaragua's health conditions. Since 1981, counter-revolutionary guerilla forces, known as contras, have fought the Nicaraguan government troops in a disastrous conflict, involving substantial international assistance for each side. The United States and several other nations have provided some form of aid to the contras. The war in Nicaragua has resulted in enormous human and material losses, and, of course, has adversely affected health conditions.
The Air Force Academy Instructor Workstation (IWS): II. Effectiveness
Authors: Gist Thomas E. , McQuade Marilyn K. , Swanson Richard E. , Lorenzen Gary L. , Schmidt Stephen R. , Boudot James R. , Fuller Robert G.
Published: May 2005

This article discusses the results of measuring the in-class effectiveness of a computer controlled instructor workstation (IWS). The IWS was used in an introductory calculus-based physics course. It provided computer control of the presentation of videodisc scenes in support of the lecture. We found no significant difference in the performance of the students, but did see a significant improvement in their attitude. Instructor reaction was generally favorable. We also discuss the pedagogy used in developing the lessons, and the design of the evaluation.
The Politics of Health Care Reform in the United States, 1992–1994: A Historical Review
Authors: Navarro Vicente
Published: May 2005

In an analysis of the sociopolitical context of the debate on health care reform in the United States, the author focuses on the political events that led to the election of a Democratic administration in 1992; the evolution of the White House task force on health care reform and the interests and positions it represented; the connection between economic and political power in the United States; and the reasons for the defeat of the health care reform proposal. This historical analysis questions some of the dominant interpretations of the failure to reform health care, which assume that the U.S. population was not yet ready for these reforms.
Retention of Women and People of Color: Unique Challenges and Institutional Responses
Authors: Landry Carol Couvillion
Published: May 2005

A literature review on retention as it relates explicitly to women and people of color suggests that specific and unique factors play a part in student persistence. Despite the gains made in enrollment on college campuses, this group of students seems to have a particularly difficult time completing degree requirements. This article reflects on key variables that affect persistence in this group of students as well as institutional responses to the retention problem. Also, the need for curricular reform to address the experiences of minorities and women and the need for gender equity in the classroom are discussed.
Microvascular Angina and Panic Disorder
Authors: Roy-Byrne Peter P. , Schmidt Peter , Cannon Richard O. , Diem Heidi , Rubinow David R.
Published: May 2005

Recent cardiac studies have suggested that patients with chest pain and angiographically normal coronaries have “microvascular angina” (MVA). In contrast, prior psychiatric studies have shown that some of these patients have panic disorder (PD). We compared the clinical and psychologic characteristics of fifteen patients with MVA and fifteen patients with panic disorder (PD), and examined response to lactate infusion in a subgroup of MVA patients. Although 40 percent of MVA patients met criteria for PD and had chest pain following lactate infusion, there were psychologic and symptomatic differences between the MVA and PD groups. These results reflect either co-morbidity of MVA and PD in some patients or two types of MVA, one of primary cardiac origin and one a centrally mediated epiphenomenon of the increased autonomic arousal seen in PD.
Planning the Technical Paper
Authors: Gould Jay R.
Published: May 2005

In the Winter 1973 issue of the Journal was presented a chapter on planning the technical article, part of a projected book on publishing in technical journals and magazines. This particular chapter discusses the organization of the technical paper as distinct from the technical article. It shows the relationship of the paper to the report and compares the practices of several scientific and technical journals.
Photic Driving and Altered States of Consciousness: An Exploratory Study
Authors: Glicksohn Joseph
Published: May 2005

The use of photic driving to induce an altered state of consciousness (ASC) is investigated and discussed in this exploratory study. Four male subjects were exposed to photic stimulation at the frequencies of 18, 10, and 6 c/s, and were required to provide a verbal report regarding their mentation at the end of each block of photic stimulation. Individual differences were apparent at both cognitive and electrophysiological levels. Two subjects experienced ASCs, reported visual imagery induced by the photic stimulation, and exhibited a driving response to the stimulation at 10 c/s. It was tentatively concluded that the successful induction of a driving response at 10 c/s is conducive both to visual imagery and to the induction of an ASC.
Metaphor Interpretation as Selective Inferencing: Cognitive Processes in Understanding Metaphor (Part 1)
Authors: Hobbs Jerry R.
Published: May 2005

The importance of spatial and other metaphors is demonstrated. An approach to interpreting metaphor in a computational framework is described, based on the idea of selective inferencing, in which a processor draws or refrains from drawing certain inferences in a controlled fashion. Two examples of metaphors are examined in detail in this light—a simple metaphor and a spatial metaphor schema. In Part 2 a novel metaphor will be examined and there will be a discussion, from this perspective, of some classic issues concerning metaphor, including the analogical processes that underlie metaphor, the stages in the life of a metaphor, and the definition of metaphor.
Sinclair Site: Use of Space at an Early Archaic Period Housepit Site, South-Central Wyoming
Authors: Smith Craig S. , Reust Thomas P.
Published: May 2005

Block excavations at the Sinclair site yielded the remains of a housepit and exterior features with radiocarbon age estimates of 5770 and 5540 years ago. The housepit is a shallow, unprepared basin that is approximately 5.6 m in diameter. It has five interior pits with oxidized sides, a posthole, a fire-affected rock concentration, and an alignment of sandstone rocks. The examination of site structure indicates that the excavated portion of the site contains two domestic work areas; one within the housepit and another outside. The site probably represents a short-term residential camp of foragers occupied during the late summer and fall. Comparisons with other Early Archaic period housepit sites in Wyoming suggest that these sites may be divided into two groups which may represent different seasons of occupation.
An Educator's Criterion-Referenced Evaluation System (Computer Supported)
Authors: Harrison Shelley A.
Published: May 2005

We describe the design and operation of a computerized objective-based instructional support system. Single-point-in-time criterion mastery testing and periodic trend test sampling combine to form a dynamic evaluation system. Student and group learning curves are readily assembled from timely computer reports. Performance feedback, interpretation, and instructional decision-making become a continuous quantitatively supported process.
Septic Shock: Phenomenology
Authors: Fitzgerald Roy G.
Published: May 2005

This is an autobiographical account of an episode of life-threatening endotoxin shock experienced in the intensive care unit of a university-affiliated V.A. hospital. It was written within a day of the event by a psychiatrist interested in sharing with other physicians and nurses his harrowing time as a patient. He has added some afterthoughts as his perspective has broadened. The account presents the moment-to-moment events as he perceived them as well as his thoughts, feelings and fantasies. The ambiguities of being a psychiatrist-patient with its passivity-control, intellectual defenses, denial and fears of death are prominent in his thoughts.
Why the U.S. Government is Not Contributing to the Resolution of the Nation's Drug Problem
Authors: Chambliss William J.
Published: May 2005

When the U.S. Surgeon General suggested looking at the experience of countries that have officially or de facto decriminalized drugs, the administration's reaction was unequivocal: under no circumstances would the decriminalization of drugs be considered. This reaction prevails despite the admission by almost everyone that the so-called “war on drugs” is not merely a failure but a disaster. Had the Surgeon General's suggestion been followed the results would show that decriminalization—judging from the experience of other nations and states within the United States that have decriminalized marijuana—would have few negative consequences and many positive ones, not the least of which would be a lessening of crimes associated with the prohibition of drugs. In the United States the effect might also be to reduce the hidden racist war that takes place nightly in the ghettoes of the nation's underclass.
Death Anxiety in Leukemic Chinese Children
Authors: Lee Peter W. H. , Lieh-Mak Felice , Hung Beatrice K. M. , Luk S. L.
Published: May 2005

The pattern of psychopathology in Chinese leukemic children as compared to Chinese children with orthopaedic disorder was studied through analysis of their respective responses to the Children's Apperception Test. Leukemic children were found to exhibit a distinctly different pattern of psychopathology and psychological defenses. Isolation, detachment and denial were commonly used to defend against their insecurity, abstract fears and uncertainties. Themes relating to parental misunderstandings and maltreatment were also elicited. These findings are discussed in relation to the Chinese conception of death as a taboo subject. Recommendations are made for a better psychological management of fatally ill children and their parents.
The Need for Individualized System of Instruction in Engineering and Related Fields in Nigerian Universities
Authors: Oaikhinan Eguakhide P.
Published: May 2005

Nigerian universities are faced with problems of finding enough textbooks and other physical means of meeting the educational requirements of disciplines like architecture, materials science, and engineering. Current instructional methods and their problems are outlined. The need for the introduction of the module system in engineering and related disciplines in Nigerian universities is recognized.
Spending Time on Art
Authors: Smith Jeffrey K. , Smith Lisa F.
Published: May 2005

Conventional wisdom among museum professionals is that art museum visitors do not spend much time viewing works of art. The purpose of this study was to empirically investigate that question as well as to look at the relationship that age, gender, and group size have on viewing times. Visitors to The Metropolitan Museum of Art were observed as they looked at six masterpieces in the Museum's collection. A total of 150 individuals looking at six paintings comprised the sample for the study. The observations were of naturally occurring stops at the works of art. The gender, group size, estimated age, and time spent at the work of art were recorded for each encounter. The mean time spent viewing a work of art was found to be 27.2 seconds, with a median time of 17.0 seconds. Viewing time was not related to gender or age, but was strongly related to group size, with larger groups spending more time. There were also significant differences among paintings. Results are discussed in terms of how different types of looking patterns may be related to the amount of time spent in front of works of art.
Medication-Associated Depression: A Two and One-Half Year Follow-up of a Community Sample
Authors: Maricle Robert A. , Kinzie J. David , Lewinsohn Peter
Published: May 2005

A community sample of forty subjects (of a total of 5 0) were followed up an average of two and one-half years after a SADS/RDC diagnosis of depression. The group was composed of twenty-one subjects whose depressions were judged to be associated with a medical illness or medication use and nineteen without this association. There was no difference in outcome as measured by persistence or recurrence of depression when groups were defined by associated medical illness. There was a significant difference when groups were defined by association with medication use. Of the nine subjects whose depressions were associated with medication, six were still depressed at follow-up; all six had continued to use implicated “depressogenic” medications. The three who were not depressed at follow-up were no longer using the originally implicated medications. The use of depressogenic medication appears to influence the course and/or duration of depression and must be accounted for in epidemiological studies and clinical practices.
Much More Than HIV! The Reality of Life on the Streets for Drug-Using Sex Workers in Inner City Hartford
Authors: Romero-Daza Nancy , Weeks Margaret , Singer Merrill
Published: May 2005

This article presents a qualitative account of the risks faced by sex workers in inner-city Hartford, Connecticut. Data were collected from sixteen ethnic minority drug-using women actively involved in prostitution. In addition to the risk of HIV and other STDs, emotional and physical violence, including assault, rape, and even murder, figure prominently in the lives of these women. Daily exposure to street violence, coupled with the demands of a drug habit, and limited economic possibilities, often hinder sex workers' efforts to protect themselves against HIV infection. General recommendations are made for the development of prevention efforts that specifically target the needs of this population.
Task-Unrelated Image and Thought Frequency during Chronic Auditory Sensory Deprivation: A Laboratory Study with the Severely Hearing-Impaired
Authors: Giambra Leonard M. , Grodsky Alicia , Swartz Daniel B. , Bernard Maria E.
Published: May 2005

Earlier studies have reported an inverse relationship between information load and internally generated stimulation in the form of task-unrelated images and thoughts (TUITs). It was hypothesized, based on these studies and several theories of optimal stimulation levels, that auditory deprivation, as chronically experienced by the severely hearing-impaired, would result in more frequent TUITs. TUITs were reported, shortly after they occurred, while the participant was engaged in a visual sustained attention task. Both intentional and spontaneous TUITs were recorded. The hearing-impaired participants ( n = 15, 20 to 26 years old) all had experienced severe or profound auditory loss prior to the age for normal acquisition of language. As hypothesized, the severely hearing-impaired participants had significantly, p < .05, more TUITs than normal-hearing participants ( n = 17, 18 to 30 years old).
Social Support and Social Action Organizing in a “Grey Ghetto”: The Tenderloin Experience
Authors: Minkler Meredith , Frantz Sheryl , Wechsler Robin
Published: May 2005

The Tenderloin Senior Outreach Project (TSOP) is presented as a case study of effective community-based organizing among the isolated elderly in one of America's large “grey ghettos.” Based on the theoretical underpinnings of social support theory and Freire's “education for critical consciousness,” the Project has attempted to address the interrelated problems of poor health, social isolation and powerlessness endemic among the elderly in Single Room Occupancy hotels.

The Project's metamorphosis is traced from a university-sponsored community development effort to a community-controlled organization focused on broad social action objectives. The transference of leadership from health education facilitators to indigenous elderly leaders within the hotels is examined, as are some of the strategies employed in increasing Project visibility, preventing burn-out, and facilitating replication in other areas.
Clock Tests in Depression, Alzheimer's Disease, and Elderly Controls
Authors: Herrmann N. , Kidron D. , Shulman K. I. , Kaplan E. , Binns M. , Leach L. , Freedman M.
Published: May 2005

Objective:

While clock-drawing tests are commonly used to screen for cognitive impairment in the elderly, little is known about the performance of elderly depressives.

Methods:

We compared thirty-three patients with major depression to forty-two Alzheimer's disease and thirty age-matched controls on clock-drawing, copying, and reading.

Results:

Patients with Alzheimer's disease had significantly lower scores on clock-drawing, copying, and reading than patients with depression or the controls (p < 0.05). Patients with depression did not differ significantly from controls on quantitative scores or qualitative errors.

Conclusions:

Clock tests may be useful for identifying depressed patients with underlying dementia.
Grief Resulting from Euthanasia and Natural Death of Companion Animals
Authors: McCutcheon Kelly A. , Fleming Stephen J.
Published: May 2005

Pet death, like other losses, requires that the bereaved adjust to the often severe consequences of that loss. Previous research suggests there may be specific owner characteristics and situational variables that can affect how individuals adjust to the loss of their pet (Thomas, 1982). The present study investigated the influence of a number of variables on how one adjusts to companion-animal death including: Cause-of-Death (euthanasia versus natural death); Attachment; Gender; Age; Time-Since-Loss; Type-of-Pet; Replacement-of-Pet; and Household-Make-up. Voluntary participants ( N=103) completed the Grief Experience Inventory (Sanders, Mauger,&Strong, 1985), the Companion Animal Loss Scale (Stallones, Johnson, Garrity,&Marx, 1989), and a General Information Questionnaire. Major findings indicated that: 1) owners whose pets died naturally experienced significantly more total grief, social isolation, and loss of control compared to owners who had their pets euthanized; 2) female owners experienced significantly greater depersonalization, death anxiety, and rumination compared to males; 3) younger owners experienced significantly greater anger/hostility and despair than elderly owners; and 4) owners who lived alone experienced significantly greater somatization than owners who lived with others. Results of the present study suggest reasons why some owners may be “at risk” for excessive grief reactions due to the loss of their companion animal. The importance of providing bereaved owners with a source of mental health counseling is discussed, and directions for future research are suggested.
How the Medical Staff Copes with Dying Patients: A Critical Review
Authors: Schulz Richard , Aderman David
Published: May 2005

Although not conclusive, the literature reviewed suggests that as a result both of their personality structures and the training they receive, medical practitioners associate dying patients with failure and disappointment and tend to cope with death by avoiding it. Not only is the dying patient frequently neglected by physicians and nurses, but his desire to be informed about his condition is typically ignored. Although research data suggest that most terminal patients suffer no permanent negative consequences if they are informed tactfully about the true nature of their illness, the majority of physicians adhere to a policy of not sharing their diagnosis with the dying patient.
Advancing the Theory and Measurement of Collective Empowerment: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Reininger Belinda , Martin David W. , Ross Michael , Sinicrope Pamela Smith , Dinh-Zarr Tho
Published: May 2005

Grounded Theory, a qualitative research method, was used to fully describe the construct of empowerment and its measurement in racially and ethnically diverse urban and rural neighborhoods. Forty-nine grass roots experts, primarily from six communities in Texas, participated via semi-structured interviews and focus groups. Observational data were also collected. Results revealed that the framework of collective empowerment has two main dimensions: ten processes necessary for developing greater empowerment and eight long-term outcomes that result from the process strategies. The two main dimensions of collective empowerment are cyclically, rather than linearly, related. While the results are unique to the communities studied because of the nature of the analysis, the process by which they were elucidated can be replicated in any setting. These findings suggest that the construct of collective empowerment can be both operationalized and evaluated at the community level.
Drug Use in a Small Midwestern Community and Relationships to Selected Characteristics
Authors: Thomas Barbara S.
Published: May 2005

A description of 1074 high school students' alcohol and other drug (AOD) use along with the consequences of such use was supplemented with comparisons of grade level and gender differences and analyses of the relationships between AOD use and incidence of adverse consequences with grade point average, attendance at religious services, frequency of dating, frequency of driving a car and frequency of having trouble at school. Alcohol was clearly the drug of choice and produced a variety of adverse consequences. Most frequently reported were arguments, trouble with parents and at school and nausea or vomiting. Grade level differences were found, but few significant gender differences emerged. Significant relationships between AOD use and consequences with all other independent variables were found.
Slide Composition for Electronic Presentations
Authors: Larson Ronald B.
Published: May 2005

Instructors who use computer-generated graphics in their lectures have many options to consider when developing their presentations. Experts give different advice on which typefaces, background and letter colors, and background imagery improve communications. This study attempted to resolve these controversies by examining how short-term recall of presented information is affected by the choice of Times Roman or Helvetica typefaces, by the use of positive type (light-colored backgrounds and dark-colored letters) or reverse type (dark-colored backgrounds and light-colored letters), and by the addition of complex background images. One hundred and fifty-eight students viewed presentations on negotiation skills and answered questions about each presentation. Neither typefaces nor type significantly affected short-term recall of presented information. Complex backgrounds in slides tended to reduce short-term recall. If instructors use computer-generated slides that are less visually complex, they can help students recall more from lectures.
Instant Communication Processes
Authors: Laner Frances J.
Published: May 2005

Communication, as a basic process for exchanges between individuals or groups, involves the development and use of various systems. Focusing on fundamental elements of one system—speech (language) and its formalized extension, writing, the author describes instant techniques or processes for overcoming obstacles to effective communications.

In particular, emphasis will be given to the role of the communicator-educator involved in the development and training efforts to improve day-to-day exchanges among working groups. Such efforts have been retarded through complicated language structures and an overconfident reliance on elaborate devices and myriads of machines and equipment. In addition, the escalating changes in many fields have contributed to frustrations and complexities in achieving goals. To overcome the problems, recommendations stress the importance of a recall of basic principles of communication in the language-writing system and an understanding of the processes involved. Techniques described represent simple practical solutions available for instant adoption by the educator in meeting current needs.
Integration of Electronic Mail into Schools
Authors: Wiebe Eric N.
Published: May 2005

Surveys and site-based interviews and observation were used to examine the introduction of electronic mail (e-mail) into three elementary schools. A contingency model of technology adoption by organizations was used to develop the instruments and interpret the results. Surveys were given to all of the school staff to capture information on key factors such as: expectations for e-mail, influence of peers and administrators, training, technical support, and other logistical factors. On-site observation was used to expand on the findings of the surveys. Findings indicated that a majority of the contingency factors were correlated to e-mail usage and that these contingency factors also helped explain the differences in usage between the three schools.