bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Chromatic Organization of Ganglion Cell Receptive Fields in the Peripheral Retina
Authors: Solomon Samuel G. , Lee Barry B. , White Andrew J. R. , Rüttiger Lukas , Martin Paul R.
Published: May 2005

This study addresses the chromatic properties of receptive fields in the subcortical visual pathway of primates. There is agreement that, in the central visual field, many cells belonging to the parvocellular (PC) division of the subcortical pathway show red-green opponent responses, that a subgroup of cells belonging to the koniocellular (KC) pathway shows blue-yellow opponent responses, and that magnocellular (MC) pathway cells show only weak signs of chromatic input. However, the chromatic properties of ganglion cells in the peripheral retina are poorly understood. Here, we measured the temporal-chromatic properties of ganglion cells in extracellularin vivorecordings from peripheral macaque retina. We show that the chromatic responsivity of peripheral KC (“blue-on”) and MC cells is very similar to that of their counterparts in the foveal retina. Cone-opponent responses are expressed only at low temporal frequencies (<10 Hz) in the majority of peripheral PC cells, and some peripheral PC cells show non-opponent response properties. With these exceptions, the chromatic properties of ganglion cells are essentially preserved throughout the first 50° of visual eccentricity. The main change seen in passing from foveal to peripheral retina is that all ganglion cell classes become more responsive to high temporal-frequency modulation.
Maternal Deprivation Increases Vulnerability to Morphine Dependence and Disturbs the Enkephalinergic System in Adulthood
Authors: Vazquez Vincent , Penit-Soria Jacqueline , Durand Claudette , Besson Marie Jo , Giros Bruno , Daugé Valérie
Published: May 2005

Maternal deprivation can trigger long-lasting molecular and cellular modifications in brain functions and might facilitate the appearance of pathogenic behaviors. This study focuses on the vulnerability to develop morphine dependence in adult rats that were separated from their mother and littermates for 3 h per day for 14 d after birth and examines the adaptive changes in the enkephalinergic pathways. Place-preference conditioning was observed with 2 mg/kg morphine in deprived rats, whereas 5 mg/kg morphine was necessary to induce conditioning in nondeprived animals. A prolonged morphine conditioning was shown in deprived rats. A strong increase in oral morphine self-administration behavior and preference was observed in deprived rats. Only a very slight increase in preference for sucrose solution, a more ethological reinforcer known to interact with the opioid system, was shown in deprived rats. These results indicate that this postnatal environment change leads to a hypersensitivity to the reinforcing properties of morphine and to the development of morphine dependence. A significant decrease in preproenkephalin mRNA expression was observed in the nucleus accumbens and the caudate-putamen nucleus of deprived rats. The basal extracellular levels of the Met-enkephalin-like immunoreactivity in the nucleus accumbens were significantly lower in deprived rats when compared with nondeprived animals, whereas no change in μ-opioid receptor binding occurred. These results strongly support that maternal deprivation leads to a basal hypoactivity of the enkephalinergic system and hypersensitivity to morphine effects.

Together, our results suggest that maternal deprivation in pups likely represents a risk factor for morphine dependence in adult rats.
Respiratory Abnormalities Resulting from Midcervical Spinal Cord Injury and their Reversal by Serotonin 1A Agonists in Conscious Rats
Authors: Choi Howard , Liao Wei-Lee , Newton Kimberly M. , Onario Renna C. , King Allyson M. , Desilets Federico C. , Woodard Eric J. , Eichler Marc E. , Frontera Walter R. , Sabharwal Sunil , Teng Yang D.
Published: May 2005

Respiratory dysfunction after cervical spinal cord injury (SCI) has not been examined experimentally using conscious animals, although clinical SCI most frequently occurs in midcervical segments. Here, we report a C5 hemicontusion SCI model in rats with abnormalities that emulate human post-SCI pathophysiology, including spontaneous recovery processes. Post-C5 SCI rats demonstrated deficits in minute ventilation (Ve) responses to a 7% CO2challenge that correlated significantly with lesion severities (no injury or 12.5, 25, or 50 mm × 10 g weight drop; New York University impactor;p< 0.001) and ipsilateral motor neuron loss (p= 0.016). Importantly, C5 SCI resulted in at least 4 weeks of respiratory abnormalities that ultimately recovered afterward. Because serotonin is involved in respiration-related neuroplasticity, we investigated the impact of activating 5-HT1Areceptors on post-C5 SCI respiratory dysfunction. Treatment with the 5-HT1Aagonist 8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylmino)tetralin (8-OH DPAT) (250 μg/kg, i.p.) restored hypercapnic Ve at 2 and 4 weeks after injury (i.e., ∼39.2% increase vs post-SCI baseline;p≤ 0.033). Improvements in hypercapnic Ve response after single administration of 8-OH DPAT were dose dependent and lasted for ∼4 h(p≤ 0.038 andp≤ 0.024, respectively). Treatment with another 5-HT1Areceptor agonist, buspirone (1.5 mg/kg, i.p.), replicated the results, whereas pretreatment with a 5-HT1A-specific antagonist, 4-iodo-N-[2-[4(methoxyphenyl)-1-piperazinyl]ethyl]-N-2-pyridinyl-benzamide (3 mg/kg, i.p.) given 20 min before 8-OH DPAT negated the effect of 8-OH DPAT. These results imply a potential clinical use of 5-HT1Aagonists for post-SCI respiratory disorders.
Lesions of Orbitofrontal Cortex Impair Rats' Differential Outcome Expectancy Learning But Not Conditioned Stimulus-Potentiated Feeding
Authors: McDannald Michael A. , Saddoris Michael P. , Gallagher Michela , Holland Peter C.
Published: May 2005

Patients with damage to the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) display various impairments in cognitive and affective function, including a reduced ability to use information about the consequences of their actions to guide their behavior. In this study, rats with neurotoxic lesions of the OFC failed to use specific expectancies about outcomes to guide their learning of an instrumental discrimination task. In contrast, lesioned rats were unimpaired in a measure of learned motivational function, the potentiation of feeding under conditions of food satiation, by a conditioned stimulus that had been paired with food while the rats were food deprived. Notably, performance of both of these tasks has been shown to depend on the function of the basolateral amygdala (BLA), a region that is richly interconnected with the OFC. Thus, the present results are consistent with the view that the acquisition and use of specific outcome expectancies to guide behavior critically involve a neural system that includes the BLA and the OFC, but they indicate that certain motivational properties acquired by cues on the basis of appetitive learning involve BLA circuitry apart from the OFC.
Label Your Information
Authors: Andersson Ulf-L
Published: May 2005

Is this article written for you? If you are a documentalist, a journal or report editor or an article or report writer, it is. What then shall you be able to do when you have read it? You shall be aware of a possibility to put special address labels on articles and reports to tell the readers if the information is intended for them and how they can use it.
Attitudes toward Classroom Discussions of Death and Dying among Urban and Suburban Children
Authors: Balkin Esther , Epstein Carole , Bush David
Published: May 2005

Fifty black inner-city children and fifty white suburban children were asked their views on discussing death in the classroom. The suburban upper-middle class children were significantly more likely to think that death should be discussed in the classroom. The reasons given for not wanting to discuss death also differed between the two groups. In urban children fear of bad things happening and unwanted emotions were the most frequent responses. In suburban children unwanted emotions was the most frequent response. A better understanding of death and preparation for loss were cited with equal frequency as reasons for discussing death by suburban children. The most frequently occurring response among those urban children who were positive toward discussing death was a better understanding of death. Some implications for death education were presented.
Working with Communities to Increase the Use of Health Services: An Experience from Togo, West Africa
Authors: Naimoli Joseph F. , Gbekley Anani , Bamaze Tchao , Parker Kathleen A. , Bryce Jennifer , Naimoli Gail C.
Published: May 2005

A project in Togo, West Africa, demonstrated that motivated and skilled district health teams can increase community involvement in promoting positive health behavior. Village health committees, village volunteers, health workers, itinerant health agents, and school teachers collaborated with district health personnel in village-wide efforts to increase the use of health services targeted to children under five years of age. The project also demonstrated that in areas where health services are accessible, high levels of service utilization can be achieved by villages through a combination of strategies that rely on person-to-person and group methods of communication. Village-level educational programs, which included theater, storytelling, patient education at health facilities, and child-to-child activities in schools contributed to improvements in immunization coverage levels in children twelve to twenty-three months of age after less than one year following the educational intervention. The major factors responsible for the success of the project are summarized, and issues related to project replication and diffusion are discussed.
Sacramento: Urbanism in the Pacific West
Authors: Schulz Peter D.
Published: May 2005

Within fifty years of the first European settlement in Sacramento, California, the first archaeological, archival, and oral historical research was conducted to reconstruct Sutter's Fort. Since then, numerous projects have been undertaken to reconstruct the 19th century architecture of the city. Current research, however, focuses upon the structure of 19th century urban life in the different aspects of the city's development.
A Report of the Archaeological Investigations at the House of Thomas Cuff, a Free Black Laborer, 108 Cannon Street, Chestertown, Kent County, Maryland
Authors: Catts Wade P. , McCall Davy
Published: May 2005

Archaeological inquiry at the home of an antebellum free black laborer in Chestertown, Maryland, has provided an opportunity to examine the material culture of 19th century African Americans on the Eastern Shore, a subject and a region that has received comparatively little historical archaeological attention. While the conditions of the excavation were not optimal, the large artifact assemblage recovered, coupled with architectural and historical evidences, can be used to formulate some general conclusions about antebellum blacks on the Eastern Shore. The results of the investigations at the site suggest that Thomas Cuff, a former slave and slave owner himself, and one of the more prominent members of the black community in Chestertown, was possessed of material culture that was representative of the laboring free blacks on the 19th century Delmarva Peninsula.
Towards Criteria for Visual Layout of Instructional Multimedia Interfaces
Authors: Chang Dempsey , Wilson Campbell , Dooley Laurence
Published: May 2005

This article investigates the use of 11 refined Gestalt laws as the layout rules for instructional multimedia screen design by way of the redesign of the interface of a multimedia computer application and the subsequent evaluation of this redesigned interface. These layout rules are suitable for designing interfaces for complex learning materials in order to achieve more effective learning environments. To test the usefulness of these layout methodologies in visual screen design, they were applied to the redesign of an instructional multimedia application. Three different user groups evaluated the new screen design by comparing the designs. The evaluation results were overwhelmingly positive. Overall, 85% of the evaluators rated positively both the new design and the value of applying the 11 layout rules to improve the learning. This set of layout rules may also be successfully applied to design many different instructional multimedia applications.
Technical Communication and Clinical Health Care: Improving Rural Emergency Trauma Care through Synchronous Videoconferencing
Authors: Doheny-Farina Stephen , Callas Peter W. , Ricci Michael A. , Caputo Michael P. , Amour Judith L. , Rogers Fred B.
Published: May 2005

While debates continue over the effectiveness of innovative communication technologies to bring information and services to populations that have been underserved by such new technologies, a federally-funded program at the University of Vermont and Fletcher Allen Health Care (FAHC), Burlington, Vermont, has enabled trauma specialists to link with rural emergency room health care providers through a synchronous videoconferencing (telemedicine) network. Analysis of patient histories and surveys completed by the participating physicians after each use of the computer conferencing system as well as interviews and observations indicate that the FAHC consulting trauma specialists and the remotely located physicians felt the linkups do not interfere with standard ER procedures, that communication was at least adequate for all consultations, and that the consults improved the quality of care, for over half of the cases. Furthermore, interviews with rural ER physicians indicated that they saw the program operating as the first stage of FAHC's management of a patient to be transferred to that facility.
Nominalizations vs. Denominalizations: Do They Influence What Readers Recall?
Authors: Spyridakis Jan H. , Isakson Carol S.
Published: May 2005

Technical writers and editors assume that readers are generally helped when nominalizations and the weak verbs that accompany them are replaced with the verb form of the nominalization. The study discussed here tests that assumption. Specifically, the study assessed the effect of nominalizations, nominalization imageability, and idea importance on readers' recall of technical prose. The results indicate that denominalized text is most effective in helping native speakers focus on more important information. Yet for non-native speakers, nominalized text may work quite well. Conclusions and recommendations for further study are offered.
Preparing Students for a Distance Learning Environment: A Comparison of Learning Strategies of in-Class and Distance Learners
Authors: Sizoo Steve , Malhotra Naveen K. , Bearson Joseph M.
Published: May 2005

By 2010, college enrollments are expected to increase by one-third, yet this growth happens at a time when colleges and universities are faced with limited or reduced funding [1]. The result is a demand for cost-effective methods of instruction like distance learning [2]. But to be successful in a distance learning environment, students must not only be self-disciplined but also have effective learning skills [3]. What learning skills do the students need and how can they acquire them? This article examines the learning and study strategies of in-class and distance learners. It indicates the skills they need and the skills they have. It also suggests sources and methods of how they might acquire the skills they lack.
The Effectiveness of Computer-Based Adult Education: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Kulik Chen-Lin C. , Kulik James A. , Shwalb Barbara J.
Published: May 2005

A meta-analysis of findings from twenty-four controlled evaluations showed that computer-based education (CBE) usually has positive effects on adult learners. CBE raised the examination scores of such students by 0.42 standard deviations in the average study—a moderate-size but statistically significant effect. Two study features appeared to be related to the size of achievement effect reported in the studies: type of use of CBE and publication source for the studies. CBE also reduced substantially the amount of time needed for instruction. Reliable conclusions could not be reached about affective or long-term cognitive effects of CBE because of the small number of studies that investigated such effects.
Studies of Ethnicity in North American Historical Archaeology
Authors: Staski Edward
Published: May 2005

This article concerns recent approaches in North American historical archaeology to studying issues of ethnicity. It begins with a consideration of fundamental concepts and definitions. Next, discussions regarding the nature of archaeological research on ethnicity are offered. Consideration is given to ethnic groups, ethnic settings, and ethnic topics studied by archaeologists. It is suggested that certain groups, settings, and topics are emphasized while others receive little attention. The paper concludes with the presentation of a set of recommendations for future work.
Alcohol Policies and Free to Be Foolish: An Analysis of College Students
Authors: Reis Janet , Chamberlain Elizabeth Ann
Published: May 2005

A convenience sample of 472 undergraduate students from a large public university in the Midwest was surveyed with regard to their views on consumption of alcohol as a personal privilege and related policies on alcohol use. The sample of predominantly white students was divided between 239 libertarians and 192 supporters of collective responsibility. Compared with their collective peers, the libertarian students were younger, heavier consumers of alcohol, and more likely to be male. The libertarian students were opposed to external sanctions on drinking behavior regardless of source of authority. Intervention programs such as server training implemented by the students themselves were, however, supported by both groups. The potential for achieving wider low risk alcohol use through server training programs is considered in the context of campus and campus town life. Although promotion of such programs has potential for positive change, administrators must recognize the potency of the world view of “free to be foolish” and broader external forces when seeking a comprehensive needs-based approach to program planning.
Reading Abilities of Drug Users in Anchorage, Alaska
Authors: Johnson Mark E. , Fisher Dennis G. , Davis Dawn C. , Cagle Henry H.
Published: May 2005

Evaluated the reading abilities of 122 male and fifty-nine female intravenous and other drug users in Anchorage, Alaska. Reading abilities were assessed through the Reading subtest of the Wide Range Achievement Test-Revised and the short Form of the Woodcock Reading Mastery Test-Revised. Results indicated that men and Black subjects reported the highest levels of schooling completed. However, no differences were revealed across gender and ethnicity in actual reading levels. Among all subjects, the average reading ability was between 8.5 and 8.7 grade level. These scores place the average subject reading at a level lower than approximately 76 percent of the general population. Implications are provided for development of educational materials accessible for this population.
Postcardiotomy Delirium: An Overview
Authors: Vasquez Ernesto , Chitwood W. Randolph
Published: May 2005

Any one of a number of psychologic patterns may appear after cardiotomy: (1) Some patients may be elated and confident after awakening from anesthesia and have no severe changes of affect or neurologic deficit. Denial seems to be for them an adequate defense against anxiety. (2) Others are disoriented and manifest neurologic disturbance immediately after awakening, without a lucid interval. The sensorium begins to clear five days after surgery. (3) Some patients go into delirium after being lucid for as long as a week and have hallucinations, illusions, and motor excitation for a few days—or over several weeks.

Pathologic brain changes that are apparently anatomical correlates of neurologic deficits in delirium include anoxic lesions of the hippocampus, and infarcted foci. Physiologic factors that contribute to this reaction include: long periods of extracorporeal circulation, arterial hypotension during surgery, emboli, and low postoperative cardiac output. Age, and the type and severity of heart impairment are also factors. Psychologic factors to be taken into account include preexisting psychopathology and the failure of denial under the stress of physical symptoms or hospitalization. Delirium is fostered by sensory overload (or deprivation) in the recovery room and intensive care unit, and by staff tension. Modification of the intensive care unit environment, the administration of antipsychotic drugs, and metabolic correctives are recommended. Preoperative psychologic evaluation, with therapy as needed, preliminary familiarization with perioperative procedures, as well as collaboration between psychiatrist and surgeon, can do much to prevent postcardiotomy delirium.
Implementing School-Based Microcomputers for Student Information Management
Authors: Wright Peter
Published: May 2005

In stressing the need to embrace the use of technology in American Schools, Doyle states that educators “can't afford not to use technology” [1]; he goes on to say that the effective use of technology “will transform not just what a school accomplishes, but how it does so.” Despite being the focus of a great deal of attention, such visions are slow to materialize. So how can a school go about achieving an emphasis on technology? One strategy is for the school principals to lead by example. The use of microcomputers for student information management provides such an opportunity. After reviewing the process for selecting the most appropriate software, this article presents the experiences of the first ten Edmonton Public high schools to implement microcomputer based student information management.
Interaction and Communication: An Examination of Gender Differences in Elementary Student Mathematics and Science Learning Using CMC
Authors: Li Qing
Published: May 2005

In this study, gender difference is explored from two perspectives: 1) student interaction patterns, and 2) communication patterns. The data used is collected from a fifth- and sixth- grade classroom in an inner city elementary school in Toronto, Ontario. There were 24 students (12 male students and 12 female students) in the class. First, the interaction patterns of students' mathematics and science learning were examined in terms of turn taking, conversation initiating, and conversation following. The results of the analysis show that male students still take more turns in this CMC setting. Male and female students are equally likely to initialize topics. Those male generated messages were significantly less likely to be followed than those female generated messages. But male and female students are just as likely to follow and support previous messages in this CMC setting. Based on these results, gender differences are then examined with respect to student communication pattern. Communication is explored in terms of language functions. The analysis of the data indicates that female students tend to request more information, but offer fewer explanations and opinions than male students do. With respect to connected initiating messages, female students are found to be similar to male students in the use of the five language functions. However, moving to conversation development, two significant gender differences are found in student use of language functions: female students tend to request more information but offer fewer explanations than male students do in those followed-up messages.
Systematic Thinking as a Prerequisite to Clarity of Expression in Business Writing
Authors: Mc Ginty Susan L. , Mc Ginty Robert L.
Published: May 2005

It has long been recognized that one man's problems are another man's opportunities. But, whether one thinks of solving problems or exploiting opportunities, one must still apply skills and competencies in a systematic and clear manner. How to develop student skills and competencies as these relate to thinking systematically as a prerequisite to clarity of self-expression is the topic of this paper. To succeed in this task, departments of business and English must work together to enhance business students' thinking and writing skills. The student studying courses in his major area needs the English professor to guide him through a systematic problem-solving approach to report writing. Here the College of Business and the College of Arts and Science can benefit by requiring business majors to complete a technical professional writing course through the English Department which uses experiential learning as the focal point in report writing. The result is that the student writes in and studies an area of interest, but learns to apply the problem-solving approach to writing as he concentrates on a typical problem in the field of business. Students place a high value on this type of learning, and the two disciplines work well together in accomplishing their goals.
Antismoking Public Policies as Envisioned by Bangladeshi Smokers and Non-Smokers
Authors: Budden Michael C. , Hossain Najmul
Published: May 2005

Tobacco use is growing quickly in the developing countries. International tobacco companies often escape the strict labeling laws of their national origins by operating in developing societies where such laws are lacking. Bangladesh is a prime example of a developing society where tobacco use and its subsequent social costs are increasing. A survey of Bangladeshis in the capital city of Dhaka shows that both smokers and non-smokers believe public programs aimed at educating the public on the dangers of tobacco use should be implemented. Schools were seen as a viable medium for educating the young. Government warnings concerning any dangers were mandated by both smokers and non-smokers. Limitations on where persons would be allowed to smoke was seen as a viable government policy by the respondents. A promising finding was that the more aware a person was of the dangers of tobacco consumption, the less likely the person was to use tobacco. Implications for government policy makers are discerned.
Retention Initiative for Unscheduled Sophomores and Unscheduled Readmits
Authors: Karp Rashelle , Logue Rose
Published: May 2005

The retention initiative described in the study was performed at a comprehensive public university in northwestern Pennsylvania that offers associate, baccalaureate, and master's degrees, and enrolls approximately 6,000 students. In an attempt to increase student retention, phone calls were made to: 1) non-returning sophomores, and 2) students who had applied for readmission to the University after a hiatus. The purpose of the phone calls was to facilitate the students' registration for classes, and thus, their return to campus. This strategy proved effective as a retention device and it provided useful information regarding local reasons for non-return, as well as recommendations for changes in University procedures that could increase student retention. Cross-divisional cooperation is noted as critical to student retention.
Evaluation of an Automated Reading Tutor That Listens: Comparison to Human Tutoring and Classroom Instruction
Authors: Mostow Jack , Aist Greg , Burkhead Paul , Corbett Albert , Cuneo Andrew , Eitelman Susan , Huang Cathy , Junker Brian , Sklar Mary Beth , Tobin Brian
Published: May 2005

A year-long study of 131 second and third graders in 12 classrooms compared three daily 20-minute treatments. a) Fifty-eight students in six classrooms used the 1999–2000 version of Project LISTEN's Reading Tutor, a computer program that uses automated speech recognition to listen to a child read aloud, and gives spoken and graphical assistance. Students took daily turns using one shared Reading Tutor in their classroom while the rest of their class received regular instruction. b) Thirty-four students in the other six classrooms were pulled out daily for one-on-one tutoring by certified teachers. To control for materials, the human tutors used the same set of stories as the Reading Tutor. c) Thirty-nine students served as in-classroom controls, receiving regular instruction without tutoring. We compared students' pre-to post-test gains on the Word Identification, Word Attack, Word Comprehension, and Passage Comprehension subtests of the Woodcock Reading Mastery Test, and in oral reading fluency. Surprisingly, the human-tutored group significantly outgained the Reading Tutor group only in Word Attack (main effects p > .02, effect size .55). Third graders in both the computer- and human-tutored conditions outgained the control group significantly in Word Comprehension ( p > .02, respective effect sizes .56 and .72) and suggestively in Passage Comprehension ( p = .14, respective effect sizes .48 and .34). No differences between groups on gains in Word Identification or fluency were significant. These results are consistent with an earlier study in which students who used the 1998 version of the Reading Tutor outgained their matched classmates in Passage Comprehension ( p = .11, effect size .60), but not in Word Attack, Word Identification, or fluency. To shed light on outcome differences between tutoring conditions and between individual human tutors, we compared process variables. Analysis of logs from all 6,080 human and computer tutoring sessions showed that human tutors included less rereading and more frequent writing than the Reading Tutor. Micro-analysis of 40 videotaped sessions showed that students who used the Reading Tutor spent considerable time waiting for it to respond, requested help more frequently, and picked easier stories when it was their turn. Human tutors corrected more errors, focused more on individual letters, and provided assistance more interactively, for example getting students to sound out words rather than sounding out words for students as the Reading Tutor did.
Simulated Travel and Place Location Learning in a Computer Adventure Game
Authors: Forsyth Alfred S. , Lancy David F.
Published: May 2005

As numerous surveys attest, place location learning among American school children is inadequate using traditional instructional methods centered on passive map study. This study examined the use of a computerized adventure game to simulate an environmental exploration for fourth and fifth graders. The computer game involved a “treasure hunt”-type search, under subject control, through a simulated environment of thirty “places.” Subjects ( N = 120) played individually for forty minutes, while using one of four variations of maps: thirty subjects were given a map with each location named and graphically represented; thirty were given a map with names only; thirty with pictures only and thirty had to play the game without the aid of a map. Subjects were tested for recall of place locations. The main variables examined were type of accompanying map and subject gender. Results showed statistically significant differences among the kinds of maps used. No significant gender differences were found. Subjects in all groups indicated they enjoyed the simulation game experience. Results from a two-week post treatment follow-up test showed high levels of retention for all groups.
The Anatomy of Plastic Bullet Damage and Crowd Control
Authors: Metress Eileen K. , Metress Seamus P.
Published: May 2005

The plastic bullet was introduced into Northern Ireland as a riot control weapon in 1973. It became fully operational in 1975, replacing its predecessor the rubber bullet. The missile, which has been portrayed as a “minimum force,” nonlethal weapon, has resulted in 13 deaths, including those of seven children, and scores of serious, permanent injuries and disabilities. Evidence regarding injury inflicted by the plastic bullet indicates that it is more dangerous than the rubber bullet that it replaced. It tends to cause more serious injuries to the skull and brain and therefore more deaths. An examination of the three rubber bullet and 13 plastic bullet deaths reveals that most victims were shot from distances much less than that determined to be “safe” and in a manner that contrasted with the rules of engagement. The data from numerous case studies seem to support allegations of abuse of the weapon by security forces.
Forewarning of a Husband's Death: Does it Make a Difference for Older Widows?
Authors: O'Bryant Shirley L.
Published: May 2005

To date, studies of spousal anticipatory grief have resulted in equivocal results. One complicating factor is that a variety of events are apt to occur concomitantly with forewarning of a spouse's death; these events may facilitate faster recovery from grief. It was hypothesized that being forewarned, being a caregiver, and having had discussions with the husband on various topics before his death contribute to faster psychological adjustment for an older widow. Results provide evidence that both forewarning of the spouse's death and the couple's discussion of the wife's future financial circumstances are related to higher levels of positive affect in widowhood but do not relate to negative affect.
What is Multimedia?
Authors: Schlesinger Emily
Published: May 2005

Use of the word multimedia is discussed in terms of cultural history, English grammar, classical rhetoric, communication technology, and recent articles by audiovisualists. Against this background, adjectival usage is seen as traditional, and nominative usage is shown to be justified by precedent and specialist practice, although not yet widely conven- tional. The following definitions are offered for general acceptance: multimedia (adjective)—involving several media; referring to any mixture of communication media, including mediated lectures, TV, film, drama, collages, and slide/tape programs multimedia (noun)—multiple-projection presentations reinforced by sound, and methods or equipment used to make such presentations; a method of communication which uses multi-image techniques combining static and moving projections with live or reproduced sound.
The Ganser Syndrome: Evidence Suggesting its Classification as a Dissociative Disorder
Authors: Cocores James A. , Santa Wilfredo G. , Patel Mukesh D.
Published: May 2005

The past and present nosology of Ganser's syndrome is discussed. The anomaly is defined as the presence of approximate answers with hallucinations, clouded sensorium, somatic conversion, and amnesia. The characteristic symptom of the syndrome, paralogia, is appreciated as an associated feature of Factitious Disorder with Psychological Symptoms. It is suggested that Ganser syndrome may be linked inappropriately with the concept of factitious illness. Two new cases of the Ganser syndrome are presented, and an additional forty-one case reports are reviewed. A high correlation between the presence of paralogia and amnesia is revealed, which suggests that paralogia and related psychological symptoms are better classified as associated features of Atypical Dissociative Disorder.
Early Childhood Experience in Nepal: A Study of Sickness, Treatment and Mortality
Authors: Carlaw Raymond W. , Pande Badri Raj , Vaidya Kokila , Nakermi Basundhara
Published: May 2005

This article reports on a longitudinal study of almost 7,000 children under six years in selected villages in Nepal, giving their morbidity and mortality history, treatments given and costs involved. The study suggests that about two children out of three are defined as sick by their mothers in any given year and that treatment is sought for about 40 percent of sickness in small children. Three of four children treated are treated by scientific medicine, that is by physicians, nurses or pharmacists. The principal causes of death are fevers and diarrhea. Education of mothers in spacing of births, hygiene, nutrition and rehydration therapy would appear to be the most important primary health care service, along with increased access to potable water and to medical clinics.
A Review of Data on the Health Sector of the United States
Authors: Hellander Ida
Published: May 2005

This report provides data on the state of U.S. health care at the start of the new century. It reveals increasing numbers of uninsured and underinsured Americans; increasing costs for health insurance, health care services, and medicines; and increasing inequalities in health and in access to health care. The author also provides data on the current state of the pharmaceutical and health service industries, including Medicaid and Medicare HMOs. The results of some opinion polls on health care, conducted among physicians and the general public, are also summarized.
A System-Topics Framework for the Study of Personality
Authors: Mayer John D.
Published: May 2005

Organizational frameworks help communicate the knowledge of a given field so as to promote that field's research, education, and applications. This article develops one possible framework for the organization of personality psychology. The framework's rationale, based on General Systems Theory, is developed and its organization is described. This organization, which includes several topics each subdivided into multiple perspectives, is specifically intended to accommodate both the elements of specific theories in personality psychology (e.g., psychodynamic, humanistic), as well as contemporary research in the field both related and unrelated to those theories. Examples are provided of how the framework might be applied. Its potential strengths and weaknesses are evaluated.
A Service Learning Approach to Business and Technical Writing Instruction
Authors: Henson Leigh , Sutliff Kristene
Published: May 2005

Service learning, an expanding pedagogical movement, educates students to volunteer their expertise for the benefit of society. Teachers of business and technical writing can apply this pedagogy by assigning students to write for nonprofits. Such assignments prepare students for both workplace writing and responsible citizenship. To help our profession consider the appropriateness of this pedagogy, this article describes the origins of the movement and proposes a rationale for it in our field. This article then explains sequential projects and teaching methods intended to reduce problems related to collaborative writing for nonprofits. Last, resources are identified to help prepare grant proposals, perhaps the most beneficial kind of document for nonprofits.
Depressed Mood and Subjective Health Symptoms as Predictors of Mortality in Patients with Congestive Heart Failure: A Two-Years Follow-up Study
Authors: Murberg Terje A. , Bru Edvin , Svebak Sven , Tveterås Ragnar , Aarsland Torbjørn
Published: May 2005

Objective:

The present study was undertaken in order to evaluate the relationship between depressed mood (depression, emotional distress) and disease-specific subjective health symptoms upon mortality risk among patients with congestive heart failure (CHF).

Methods and Results:

Proportional hazard models were used to evaluate the effects of selected biomedical, subjective health and psychological variables on mortality among 119 clinically stable patients (71.4% men; mean age 65.7 years +/− 9.6) with symptomatic heart failure, recruited from an outpatient cardiology practice. Twenty deaths were registered during the twenty-four-month period of data collection, all from cardiac causes. Results indicated that depressed mood was a significant predictor of mortality with a hazard ratio of 1.9, p .002. In contrast, subjective health was not a significant predictor of mortality in a Cox regression model that included depressed mood. The hazard ratio for a 1-point increase in Zung Depression Scale score was equal to 1.08 based on the multivariate model.

Conclusions:

Results indicate that depressed mood is significantly related to increased mortality risk among heart failure patients. This finding is of concern to clinicians and should have implications for treatment of patients with congestive heart failure.
The Effects of Major Depression and Phobia on Stage at Diagnosis of Breast Cancer
Authors: Desai Mayur M. , Bruce Martha Livingston , Kasl Stanislav V.
Published: May 2005

Objective:

To examine the longitudinal effects of major depression and phobia on stage at diagnosis of subsequent breast cancer.

Method:

Data from the New Haven Epidemiologic Catchment Area (ECA) study were linked to the Connecticut Tumor Registry (CTR). The sample comprised of seventy-two women with a first primary breast cancer diagnosed sometime after their baseline ECA study interview. In the ECA study, lifetime psychiatric history was assessed using the Diagnostic Interview Schedule based on DSM-III criteria. Stage at diagnosis of breast cancer was taken from CTR records and dichotomized into early stage (in situ and localized tumors) versus late stage (regional and distant tumors).

Results:

A positive history of major depression was associated with an increased likelihood of late-stage diagnosis of breast cancer (odds ratio [OR] = 9.81, p = 0.039), whereas a positive history of phobic disorders was associated with a decreased likelihood of late-stage diagnosis (OR = 0.01, p = 0.021), controlling for sociodemographic characteristics of the sample.

Conclusions:

These analyses revealed a longitudinal association between reported lifetime psychiatric history and stage at diagnosis of subsequent breast cancer. Phobia may motivate women to adhere to breast cancer screening recommendations and to report suspicious symptoms to a physician without delay. Major depression, on the other hand, was identified as an important predictor of late-stage diagnosis; proper recognition and management of depression in the primary care setting may have important implications for breast cancer detection and survival.
Water, Water Everywhere: Collections Management for Wet Sites
Authors: Magid Barbara H.
Published: May 2005

Digging a wet site (wells, privies, and other waterlogged contexts) can present a logistical challenge to field directors. But what happens once the artifacts come into the lab? All archaeologists know that wet organic artifacts should be kept wet, but then what? And what about ceramics, glass, and other inorganic artifacts? Does slow-drying mean more than drying something slowly? When can all those wet artifacts come out of the water to be labeled and cross-mended? This paper presents lessons learned from the recent excavation of a Civil War privy and some practical guidelines for managing collections from wet sites so as to promote their long-term preservation. A lab manager teamed with an archaeological conservator to develop easy-to-follow procedures which are being followed by a largely volunteer work force.
The Active Participation of Highly Susceptible Hypnotic Subjects in Generating Their Hypnotic Experiences
Authors: Gorassini Donald R. , Hooper Cynthia L. , Kitching Kathleen J.
Published: May 2005

Hypnotized individuals have traditionally been considered to be detached from the control of their own suggested behavior. We tested this and the alternative notion that hypnotized subjects attempt to self-generate the experiences (i.e., mainly of in voluntariness) as well as produce the behaviors thought to be prototypical of high hypnotic ability. In an experimental investigation, highly susceptible hypnotic subjects were found to engage in the kind of imaginative activity that would be expected of individuals who were attempting deliberately to generate their experiences of involuntariness; they engaged as actively in imagery-generation as did subjects who were specifically instructed to imagine during suggested responding, and they experienced as much involuntariness as subjects in whom suggested movements were produced by an external physical force. The implications of these findings for the neodissociation and social psychological theories of hypnotic responding are discussed.
Relationship of Computer Users' Performance to Their Attitudes toward Interactive Software
Authors: Rushinek Avi , Rushinek Sara F. , Stutz Joel
Published: May 2005

The present study suggests a method of integrating user performance and attitudes toward the computer system into the quality control procedures (QCP). The objective of this approach is to enable the decision makers to manage by exceptions (MBE) and thus be more effective and more efficient. Accordingly, this study computes the correlations between performance related variables and users' attitudes. The computer facility management will investigate only systems whose users have demonstrated performance or attitudes below a desirable minimum level and thus manage by exception. Likewise, the relationship between performance and attitude will be investigated.
Lessons from a Study of Defense Training Technology
Authors: Alluisi Earl A.
Published: May 2005

The general findings and recommendations of a Defense Science Board Task Force on Training Technology are presented, and eight lessons for the training technology research and development community are drawn.
The Search for Medical Care: An Exploration of Urban Black Behavior
Authors: Shannon Gary W. , Bashshur Rashid L. , Spurlock Carl W.
Published: May 2005

Results are presented of a study of the medical care-seeking behavior of black adult residents of lower and middle socioeconomic status in two predominantly black, yet geographically and socioeconomically distinct communities within the District of Columbia. Against a varied distribution of primary medical care opportunities within the District, substantial differences are demonstrated in their use by lower- and middle-status residents of a lower-class community. These differences are not, however, manifested among lower- and middle-status residents of an essentially middle-class neighborhood. The patterns of medical care-seeking behavior are observed within a framework of an almost total avoidance of the available medical care personnel and facilities in the proximate suburbs.
Older Bereaved Spouses' Participation in Self-Help Groups
Authors: Lund Dale A. , Caserta Michael S.
Published: May 2005

This study reports on bereaved spouses' assessments of their participation in twenty-six self-help groups which consisted of eight weekly meetings (short-term; N = 82) or ten monthly meetings in addition to the weekly ones (long-term; N = 52). Regardless of the duration of the groups whether they were led by a professional or a widowed peer, assessments were generally positive. The most commonly reported benefit the participants hoped to gain was emotional support. No statistical differences were noted between those in the short- versus long-term condition or between those in the widow- versus professional-led groups regarding perceived helpfulness of the meetings, level of participation, or the extent to which participants' primary needs were filled. Trends, however, seemed to favor those in the long-term groups. Statistically significant correlations were observed between the number of meetings attended and a composite index of perceived value of the meetings. Major recommendations include the importance of making self-help groups that allow for greater involvement over time available for older bereaved adults, and to make use of both professionals and widowed persons as group leaders.
Day Labor and Occupational Health: Time to Take a Closer Look
Authors: Buchanan Susan
Published: May 2005

The term “day labor” refers to work performed by individuals who are hired on a temporary basis, often for one day at a time. This type of employment has increased in North America as informal work arrangements and immigration have increased. Research on the occupational health of day laborers is minimal. The objectives of this article are to review the current literature pertaining to occupational health in day laborers, and to characterize the issues that affect this population's access to occupational health services. Surveys of day laborers and other immigrant, low-wage workers show that they are at elevated risk for occupational injury and are often unable to access medical care when injured on the job. Reasons include workers' reluctance to complain about unsafe work conditions, inadequate safety training, and lack of incentive for employers to reduce workplace injuries. More research is needed to better characterize the occupational health of this population.