bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Public Involvement in Breast Cancer Research: An Analysis and Model for Future Research
Authors: McCormick Sabrina , Brody Julia , Brown Phil , Polk Ruth
Published: May 2005

Public involvement in health program planning has been taking place for many years, and has provided a precedent for the emergence of public involvement in research conducted since the early 1990s. Such involvement is now widely seen in breast cancer research, due to the large public concern and major social movement activity. This article reviews current practices and general models of public involvement in research and constructs a prototype. The authors interviewed researchers, program officers, and laypeople in order to understand the obstacles, processes, and benefits. They conclude that public involvement has major ramifications for the democratization of science and the construction of knowledge by teaching lay people about science and sensitizing researchers to concerns of the public. There is growing support on the part of scientists and government agents for public involvement.
Trust in Physicians to Honor Death Related Instructions
Authors: Huber Ruth , Evans Virginia Cox
Published: May 2005

Responses from two random samples (200 from the general population and 108 institutionalized elderly) were examined to explore for differences between the two samples in trusting their physicians to honor death related instructions. Data representing trust in physicians pertains only to death related circumstances and are drawn from responses to the question “If you gave your doctor specific instructions about your dying, would you trust him (or her) to do as you asked?”, to which 69 percent of the general population and 81 percent of the institutionalized elderly population responded Yes or Probably Yes.
AIDS Prevention Programs: A Critical Review
Authors: Buchanan David , Cernada George
Published: May 2005

One way to measure the state of the art in HIV/AIDS educational intervention policy, practice, and research is to review the contents of professional journals directed primarily to health education. One such journal, the International Quarterly of Community Health Education, has seen the number of articles submitted which deal with community health education aspects of HIV/AIDS prevention increase by five times from 1984–89 to 1990–95. The number of articles on this subject actually published increased by more than six times, from three to twenty.

A critical review of the content of those articles published during the 1990s in this Journal provides a diversity of views about the kinds of theoretical models and typologies that are applicable to HIV/AIDS educational interventions. It also suggests the crying need to focus more of these social and behavioral models in a cultural context. This article provides a brief overview of AIDS in the U.S. and international settings, a description of the complexity of application of social and behavioral change models in their present context, and a review of the three categories of articles which have been published in the Journal: dogma, dissent, and innovation.
Implementing Technology in the Foreign Language Curriculum: Redefining the Boundaries between Language and Culture
Authors: Blyth Carl
Published: May 2005

This article reports a case study of the implementation of an innovative set of computer programs specifically designed to accompany a college level 1 French text. The computer materials were culturally based and included not only Parisian French speakers but also speakers from francophone countries in Africa and the Caribbean. The students' reactions were mixed. They complained that the culture lessons were unimportant and distracted from their learning the grammar rules and vocabulary. The study indicated that understanding college level students' beliefs about language learning is helpful if innovative language programs are to be successful.
Psychiatric Complications of Hydrocephalus
Authors: Alao Adekola O. , Naprawa Steven A.
Published: May 2005

This article explores the association between normal pressure hydrocephalus and psychiatric symptoms, such as depressed mood, delusions, and hallucinations. We are reporting a case of a 30-year-old female with a history of congenital hydrocephalus, is used to illustrate this association. Such patients may benefit from treatment with ventriculoperitoneal or ventriculoatrial shunt procedures.
A Survey of Eating/Dieting Attitudes and Bulimic Behavior among University Undergraduate Women
Authors: Comstock Nancy G. , Chen Ted T. L. , Cernada George P.
Published: May 2005

A random sample of female undergraduates at a large New England state university was surveyed by mail in 1983 to determine their attitudes and behavior relating to eating, dieting, and body weight. Results indicated dissatisfaction with and negative attitudes about eating habits and body weight. Forty-five percent had ever experienced uncontrolled binge-eating; 18 percent had a combination of bulimia symptoms, and 10 percent had used self-induced vomiting for weight control. The health education needs and interests of these students also were assessed and recommendations for university programs were made.
On Lies and Health Statistics: Some Latin American Examples
Authors: Escudero José Carlos
Published: May 2005

New methods of demographic analysis are producing estimates of fertility and mortality which are sometimes at great variance with “official” figures generated by the statistics organizations of the different countries and which are reproduced in international reference books. This discrepancy is greatest with regard to infant mortality. Using Latin American examples, the magnitude of this discrepancy is explored, biases in estimating causes of mortality are identified, and a consideration is made of morbidity figures, which, as they are generated by health care systems with very low coverages of population, tend to seriously underrepresent the prevalent levels of disease. A structural interpretation is made of the Latin American situation, linking this crisis of health statistics with a more general crisis of the “developmentist” model under which these systems flourished, and with an upsurge in political repression in the Continent which will tend in future to increase the inaccuracy of “official” health statistics data. Finally, alternative health statistics procedures are proposed.
Laboratory Studies of Psychological Stress
Authors: Patkai Paula
Published: May 2005

This paper reviews current methods of studying psychological stress in contrived settings. Stress may be operationally defined in terms of stimuli, responses or both. On the stimulus side, types of stressors are classified on the basis of stimulus characteristics or kinds of threat involved. On the response side, various indicators of stress are discussed including measures of changes in affective state, adaptive functioning and physiological arousal.
The Social Origin of Cardiovascular Risk: An Investigation in a Rural Community
Authors: Gold Marthe R. , Franks Peter
Published: May 2005

The effects of socioeconomic disadvantage on behavioral, psychosocial, and physiological risk factors for cardiovascular disease were investigated in an economically depressed agricultural area of New York State. After adjustment for age and sex, at least one and typically two of the three dichotomized socioeconomic factors (manual labor, lack of high school graduation, and poverty) were associated with an increased prevalence of smoking, obesity, frequent salt use, cholesterol consumption, low levels of leisure activity, and social isolation. Education and occupation also made independent contributions to systolic blood pressure. After adjustment for age, sex, behavioral, and social isolation variables, those with both risk factors (less than 12 years of school, and manual labor) had a higher mean systolic blood pressure than those with neither risk factor (9.5 mm Hg; 95 percent confidence interval = 5.5, 13.5). In contrast, after adjustment for the other variables, those with the two risk factors, less than 12 years of school and income below the poverty level, had a lower mean serum cholesterol than those with neither risk factor (11 mg/100 ml; 95 percent confidence interval = 3.1, 18.9). The policy implications of these pervasive social gradients of cardiovascular risk and the paradoxical relationship with serum cholesterol are discussed.
The Contributions and Challenge of Participatory Action Research
Authors: Deutsch Steven
Published: May 2005

This article offers some illustrations of participatory action research in the field of occupational health and safety, including collaboration with June Fisher. It places her work in the larger context of these intervention and action research efforts that are designed to improve the work environment by enhancing worker participation. Challenges for occupational health professionals in the United States are offered.
Interactions between Temporal Lobe Signs, Imaginings, Beliefs and Gender: Their Effect upon Logical Inference
Authors: Persinger M. A. , Makarec Katherine
Published: May 2005

Rotton's Paralogic Test, Wilson-Barber's Inventory of Childhood Memories and Imaginings (ICMI) and the PPI (Personal Philosophy Inventory) were administered to 100 male and 100 female university students. Both sexes displayed moderately strong (0.50) correlations between content-selected and factor analyzed clusters of possible temporal lobe signs, exotic beliefs and the numbers of childhood imaginings. Although there were no sex differences between the accuracy of logical statements that contained paranormal or neutral content, males who displayed more temporal lobe signs were more accurate for logical items that contained paranormal content. Females who displayed more imaginings were more accurate for valid than for invalid items. Accuracy for items with paranormal content increased with exotic beliefs but not with conservative religious beliefs for both sexes. The relationship between exotic beliefs and accuracy for items with paranormal content was especially strong for females. These results suggest: 1) gender differences in the neurocognitive processes that contribute to logical problem solving and 2) accuracy may depend upon the degree to which the subject matter is commensurate with the person's history of enhanced temporal lobe signs, capacity for fantasy and imaginings and beliefs in exotic concepts.
Huntington's Disease: Update and Review of Neuropsychiatric Aspects
Authors: Mendez Mario F.
Published: May 2005

Objective:

This article presents a general update on Huntington's disease (HD) and reviews the psychiatric and cognitive features of this disorder.

Method:

HD is discussed in five sections: an introduction and update, the psychiatric aspects, the cognitive aspects, brain-behavior relationships, and the differential diagnosis and management.

Results:

Recent advancements in HD include the identification of presymptomatic testing methods and HD gene defect, structural and metabolic neuroimaging findings, and a neuropsychological profile. HD is associated with mood disorders, personality changes, irritable and explosive behavior, a schizophrenia-like illness, suicidal behavior, sexuality changes, and specific cognitive deficits.

Conclusions:

HD results in organic mental disorders from dysfunction of prefrontal-subcortical circuits coursing through the caudate nuclei. The diagnosis of HD is aided by genetic testing, neuroimaging, and neuropsychological testing. Management involves education, genetic counseling, and psychotropic medications. Finally, the future of HD holds promise for the development of rational, neurobiologically-based treatments and genetically engineered therapies.
Physician-Assisted Suicide and Euthanasia: The Pharmacist's Perspective
Authors: Schneiderhan Mark E.
Published: May 2005

Pharmacists are in a critical position when pharmaceutical agents are prescribed for the purpose of physician-assisted suicide and/or euthanasia and they may need to decide whether dispensing a lethal dose of a medication is ethically and morally acceptable for a patient. In many cases, pharmacists may not even be aware that prescriptions are intended for physician-assisted suicide and/or euthanasia. Pharmacists have a special responsibility to protect patients who are contemplating end-of-life decisions such as physician- assisted suicide and euthanasia. Pharmaceutical care (“Responsible provision of drug therapy for the purpose of achieving definite outcomes that improve a patient's quality of life … ”) requires that the pharmacist not only understands the medications but also the individual patient and the complexities of their lives and suffering. Only in this way can pharmacists provide safe and effective use of medications for the patients they serve.
An Annotated Bibliography of the Journal of Technical Writing and Communication 1978–1980
Authors: Navarro Richard
Published: May 2005

This annotated bibliography includes all articles published in the Journal of Technical Writing and Communication, 1978–1980. The articles are divided into the following categories: 1) The Profession, 2) Education and Pedagogy, 3) Preparation and Presentation of Technical Information, and 4) Applied Theory in Technical Communication.
Doctors and Detailers: Therapeutic Education or Pharmaceutical Promotion?
Authors: Lexchin Joel
Published: May 2005

Pharmaceutical companies in industrialized countries generally view detailers as the most crucial element in the promotion of their products, with the result that over 50 percent of expenditures on promotion are devoted to detailers. Publicly the companies make claims for the scientific knowledge of detailers and for their role in passing on information to physicians, but the main purpose of detailers is to sell their company's products. This emphasis on sales is evident from statements of detailers themselves, from advertisements for detailers, from company documents, any by looking at the groups of physicians that companies specially target for visits by detailers. A variety of explanations are offered as to why physicians see detailers, but on examination none of the reasons is justifiable. Studies from a number of industrialized countries have shown that over 90 percent of physicians see detailers and a substantial percentage rely heavily on detailers as sources of information about therapeutics. Detailers are highly successful in altering physicians' prescribing habits, but almost all the literature available shows that the more reliant doctors are on commercial sources of information, the less appropriate they are as prescribes. Widespread use of DES (diethylstilbestrol) and the Dalkon Shield was encouraged by detailers. Although detailers have received the endorsement of both physicians' groups and government bodies, seeing detailers is detrimental to the practice of good medicine, and the best interests of doctors and their patients would be served if physicians had nothing further to do with detailers.
Physical Fitness Effects on Substance Abuse Risk Factors and Use Patterns
Authors: Collingwood Thomas R. , Reynolds Roger , Kohl Harold W. , Smith Wendy , Sloan Shelley
Published: May 2005

In this study, seventy-four adolescents in either a school, community or hospital based drug intervention program received and eight to nine week structured fitness activity class as an integrated element of their respective prevention or treatment program. Prepost assessments indicated significant gains in the field fitness tests of one mile run, 1 minute situp, 1 minute pushup, percent fat and flexibility for the total sample. Based upon prepost change on the one mile run time (<1:00) subjects were categorized as improvers ( n = 38) and non-improvers ( n = 36). Improvers demonstrated a significant increase in the self concept risk factor (Piers Harris Self Concept Scale) and a significant decrease in anxiety and depression risk factors ( General Well-Being Scale) compared to the non-improvers. At posttest, the improvers self reported substance use patterns were significantly lower compared to the non-improvers for percentage of the sample who were multiple drug users and alcohol uses per week and were significantly higher for the percentage of the sample demonstrating total abstinence. These findings are suggestive of the usefulness of physical training as a supplemental intervention for adolescent substance abusers.
The Question of who Participates in Bereavement Research and the Bereavement Risk Index
Authors: Levy Leon H. , Derby Joyce F. , Martinkowski Karen S.
Published: May 2005

Widowed spouses who either participated or refused to participate in a longitudinal bereavement study were compared using the Bereavement Risk Index (BRI). Also investigated were the psychometric characteristics of the BRI. The total BRI had poor internal consistency (α = .50). A principle components analysis yielded one factor with adequate reliability (α = .74), composed of five items associated with stress and coping. Correlations of BRI scores and selected items with measures of depression and stress at three and six months postmortem suggest that they may be more predictive of immediate than of longer-term bereavement adjustment. On the BRI, refusers scored significantly higher than participants on only two items, suggesting that they exercised less control over their emotionality at the time of their loss, and that they were less likely to be working outside their homes. Refusers were also significantly older than participants. Findings were viewed as suggesting little substantive difference between participants and nonparticipants in bereavement research.
The Experience Factor in Computer Anxiety and Interest
Authors: Okebukola Peter Akinsola , Sumampouw Willem , Jegede Olugbemiro J.
Published: May 2005

The shift towards a computerized society is stimulating active research in students' expressed computer anxiety and computer interest. This study examined how experience in computer usage influences the manifestation of computer anxiety and computer interest in high school students. Data collected from 426 students in Western Australia showed a clear gradation in the decline of anxiety level with increase in the number of years of experience. The results further showed that irrespective of experience, the subjects had high scores favoring the items “I think a computer can be very interesting” and “If my family had a home computer, I would probably use it more than any one else.” There was a significant difference in the views of the students on such items as “A computer can be a boring companion,” “People managed before without computers, so computers are not really necessary now,” and “People who like computers are not often sociable.” The educational implications of these and other interesting findings of the study are drawn.
Citizen Participation in Health in the Republic of Cuba
Authors: Minkler Meredith
Published: May 2005

Community participation in health was established as a guiding principle in the development of Cuban health services as early as 1961. This paper examines the nature and scope of popular participation in health utilizing Arnstein's “ladder of participation” as a theoretical framework for analysis. Attention is focused in particular on two of Cuba's mass organizations — the Committees for the Defense of the Revolution (CDR's) and the Cuban Women's Federation (FMC) — and on the broad-based People's Commissions on Health and Public Health Commissions which they help comprise.

Cuba's strong accent on consumer participation at all levels of society, and particularly at the broad institutional level, is seen as providing an important example to health professionals in other nations concerned with facilitating consumer involvement in the quest for healthier societies.
International Specifications for Technical Manuals
Authors: Child Joseph M.
Published: May 2005

The advantages of a one-time printing of military technical manuals that can be used without change by common language military allies is self-evident. The author describes efforts that have been made in this direction by the ABCA nations. In the process the time-honored method of structuring manuals to follow a rigid maintenance philosophy had to yield to a more flexible approach. Under this approach, each nation or military service is free to set its own maintenance philosophy independently of the pertinent manual. An interesting potential for eliminating further minor differences in the varied requirements of the military services is thereby suggested.
Rethinking the Computer in Education
Authors: Gall James E.
Published: May 2005

The computer has had a profound impact on our society, yet educators continue to struggle with its influence both inside and outside the classroom. This article recounts pivotal events in the development of the modern computer and its role in education. These events are described not only in terms of their technical importance, but also as influencing our very conception of the “computer.” The author suggests that rather than solely focusing on networked, personal computers, the future of educational technology may lie in the use of specialized, economical computing devices built around open software solutions.
School Personnel Training for the Prevention of Tobacco, Alcohol, and other Drug Use: Issues and Outcomes
Authors: Romano John L.
Published: May 2005

The training of inservice school personnel in the prevention of tobacco, alcohol, and other drug use among youth is the focus of this article. The training emphasizes an interdisciplinary, youth development, school team training model, entitled “Enhancing Student Well-Being.” The model includes both content and process components. The manuscript describes the model, evaluation procedures, and training issues. Particular attention is given to follow-up assessment and outcome of school-based prevention projects developed during the training and implemented during the school year. Results support the training model as having a positive impact on prevention initiatives in schools.
Using the Internet to Develop Students' Capacity for Scientific Inquiry
Authors: Hsu Ying-Shao
Published: May 2005

In this study, an interactive process in a Web-based learning environment was planned for the cultivation of students' cooperative learning skills and capacity for scientific inquiry. Based on detailed analyses of students' computer protocols, interview protocols, and test scores, this project sought to analyze the changes in students' scientific concepts and the development of their science process skills (SPS) after they had completed a series of Web-based lessons. Forty senior high school students were chosen and grouped into eight heterogeneous groups for online cooperative learning. As the data showed, the Web-based course used in this study can help students gain a better understanding of subject-related concepts and improve their science process skills. We also found that students with different SPS abilities had significantly different SPS improvement. Low-SPS students have made the most rapid progress in building their science process skills while the high-SPS students made the least progress after interacting with four Web-based lessons. It was also found that heterogeneous grouping in a cooperative learning environment increases the weak learners' motivation and participation.
Death and Ancient Finnish Culture
Authors: Achté Kalle
Published: May 2005

This paper considers the beliefs of ancient Finnish and Karelian culture about death, immortality and ghosts. These beliefs are reflected in the Finnish national epic Kalevala. Finno-ugric mythology has a great deal in common with Greek mythology. The beliefs described in the paper are discussed in the light of certain psychodynamic views.
Defusing the Baby Boomer Time Bomb: Projections of After-Tax Income in the Twenty-First Century
Authors: Baker Dean
Published: May 2005

There has been a major national policy debate over the prospective tax burden facing future generations of workers as a result of the impending retirement of the baby boom generation. However, the real determinant of well-being is after-tax income, not the tax rate on before-tax income. This study constructs a series of projections of after-tax income, for workers and families at different points in the income distribution, to examine the effects of several different trends. The author first calculates the extent to which after-tax income can be expected to decline as the result of the aging of the baby boomers, then calculates the impact on after-tax income for families at different points in the income distribution of a continuation of recent trends in wage inequality. He also constructs a category of “after-tax, after-health-care spending” income, which examines the impact of the continued rapid growth in health care costs. The findings suggest that the continuation of recent trends in inequality and health care cost growth will have a much larger effect on future living standards than will the aging of the baby boomers.
Psychiatric Assessment of Leg Fracture Patients: A Pilot Study
Authors: Kuhn Wolfgang F. , Bell Roger A. , Netscher Ruth E. , Seligson David , Kuhn Sarah J.
Published: May 2005

Of 200 consecutively admitted leg fracture patients, 101 consented to be screened for psychopathology using the BSI and SMAST questionnaires. Probable cases of psychopathology were referred for diagnostic psychiatric evaluation. Of the participants, 80.2 percent were identified as possible psychiatric cases. Diagnostic evaluation revealed high prevalence of substance abuse (66.0%), depression (46.8%), and personality pathology (38.3%). Accident victims tended to be single young males. Accidents occurred mostly during leisure hours, and were often associated with alcohol use. Psychiatric assistance appears essential in the management of such patients. Psychiatrists need to be especially knowledgeable about chemical dependency, interpersonal issues and psychotherapy.
The Effect of Labor Force Participation on Female Suicide Rates: An Analysis of Individual Data from 16 States
Authors: Stack Steve
Published: May 2005

Previous American-based research on the effect of womens' labor force participation (WPLF) on suicide has been based on highly aggregated data which makes it difficult to determine the actual, individual level suicide rate of employed versus unemployed women. The present study employs recent data which allow for the calculation of such individual-level suicide rates. Controls are incorporated for age and marital status. The results indicate that the suicide rates for employed, younger women are consistently lower than the suicide rates of women who are unemployed. The same tends to be true of middle-aged women. For elderly women, however, the relationship reverses with WPLF being associated with relatively high suicide rates. The findings on young and middle-aged women support a role accumulation model of WPLF, while the findings on elderly women support the theory of status integration.
Possible Mimbres Documentation of Pueblo Snake Ceremonies in the Eleventh Century
Authors: Shaffer Brian S. , Nicholson Holly A. , Gardner Karen M.
Published: May 2005

Ceremonies using live snakes are highly publicized events of many southwestern Pueblos, due in part to the handling of rattlesnakes. Although some of these ceremonies have been described at length, little is known of their antiquity. While informants indicated that such ceremonies are quite old and greatly precede documentation by western anthropologists, no chronological dates were specified. Without written records or clear archaeological evidence, no good assessment of the chronology of these events has been established. Analysis of three Classic Mimbres vessels ostensibly documents the Pueblo snake ceremonies to as early as the eleventh century. These archaeological data corroborate ethnographers' and informants' claims of the antiquity of the ceremonies.
Toward a Transformation of Health and Aging Policy
Authors: Estes Carroll L. , Binney Elizabeth A.
Published: May 2005

Millions of Americans are plagued by serious problems of inadequate health care benefits, limiting their access to services and creating hardship. For those under 65 years of age, the problem is the lack of insurance for many working poor and others. For the elderly, the problem is one of underinsurance in terms of both cost and coverage, particularly for long-term care. Policies of cost containment and cost shifting to consumers have exacerbated these problems, and current health policy proposals offer little respite. Arguments are made for a program of public national health care. Health policy interventions are considered at four levels: incrementalism, modification, alteration, and transformation. A proposal is presented for universal health benefits that are organized and operated to eliminate for-profit medical care and to promote social and preventive care.
Distant Learning Students: A Comparison with Traditional Studies
Authors: Yellen Richard E.
Published: May 2005

This study was undertaken to determine if distant learning students are different from traditional students as concerns their motivation, wants, and what they receive from their educational experience. The differences between these two groups was found to be small. The major difference uncovered was that the distant learning students are less dissatisfied with what they receive from the educational experience. This could imply that the distant learning student is learning more of the course material due to less frustration. The major differences in types of students is between those who are motivated by a desire to learn the material versus those who are taking the course to satisfy some higher requirement, such as getting a degree from the institution. However, the motivation for taking the course is nearly identical for distant learning students and traditional students. Educational emphasis and presentation was not shown to demand modification to accommodate distant learning students. The distant learning educational format, while not directly examined in this study, should, however, probably be altered from the traditional educational format to accommodate the electronic media.
Health Services and the Legitimation of the Colonial State: British Malaya 1786–1941
Authors: Manderson Lenore
Published: May 2005

This article is concerned with the establishment and extension of health care and medical services in British colonial Malaya. Initially, medical care was provided for the colonial elite and those in their direct employment. With the expansion of colonial control beyond trade centers into the hinterland and with the growth of agriculture and mining, Western medicine was extended both to labor involved in these export industries and to others whose ill health might jeopardize the welfare of the colonists. Public health programs in the twentieth century continued to focus on medical problems that had direct impact on the colonial economy, but programs were extended to ensure the reproduction as well as the maintenance of the labor force. This article develops the notion of a legitimation vacuum, and the role of the state provision of social services, including medical services, in legitimizing colonial presence and control.
The Story Underground
Authors: Martin Harold C.
Published: May 2005

Much experimentation in the twentieth-century novel has concentrated on diminishing the importance of narrative. In part this course of action reflects the artistic necessity to do things differently, but more significantly it represents artistic response to the intellectual currents of the time. Specifically, philosophical and scientific challenges to traditional concepts of chronology, of cause-and-effect, of the limits of powers of perception, of the relationship between conscious and unconscious states of knowing have made discernible impressions on the novelist's management of his materials. The total effect has been to enhance his sense of being master of the world he creates, a gamesman for whom not truth or even verisimilitude is of first importance but the delight of the game, the pleasure in virtuosity.
Global Thinking, or the Utility of Trivia
Authors: Harris John S.
Published: May 2005

The constant emphasis on specialization produces university graduates who do not or cannot look at problems broadly. As a result, engineers, scientists and executives—indeed graduates in all fields—including the supposedly broad-based humanities—often cannot solve problems that require knowledge outside of their specializations. Or their narrowness causes them to commit embarrassing blunders that could be avoided if they took a broader view. The case of the British Westland Lysander P12 Ground Strafer aircraft illustrates the problem of narrow thinking. Very little direct information is available on this ingenious but obscure prototype airplane, but by examining many peripheral matters we can determine not only why the P12 was built but also how it was built. Further, we can also determine why it failed. Had the initial designers approached the problem in a broad way, and using information that was then available, they would have seen in advance that the project would fail. The case is instructive as an industrial problem, but it also demonstrates the value of global thinking methodology.
A Comparative Study of Screening Instruments for Mental Disorders in General Hospital Patients
Authors: Clarke David M. , Smith Graeme C. , Herrman Helen E.
Published: May 2005

Objective:

Self-administered questionnaires are frequently used in studies of hospitalized physically ill patients to identify and measure psychiatric morbidity. This study examines the validity of some commonly used questionnaires in this context.

Method:

One hundred and seventy-nine patients in a general hospital completed the GHQ, HAD, BDI and STAI and were interviewed using the SCID-R. The findings were evaluated against DSM-III-R diagnoses using the QROC curve.

Results:

Thirty-eight percent of patients obtained one or more DSM-III-R diagnoses; 25 percent mood disorder, 12 percent anxiety disorder, 11 percent drug abuse or dependence, 2 percent a somatic syndrome. Eleven percent had more than one diagnosis. As screening instruments for general psychiatric morbidity there were no statistically significant differences between versions of the GHQ and the HAD. With respect to identifying depression, the GHQ tended to perform better than the other instruments.

Conclusions:

The questionnaires identified general morbidity and depression satisfactorily but anxiety and drug abuse and dependence syndromes poorly. The results also support the notion that the DSM-III-R classification has a number of deficiencies when used in this population.
The Relationship between Computer Anxiety and Computer Achievement
Authors: Marcoulides George A.
Published: May 2005

Computers are rapidly being introduced into virtually every work setting. The ability to use computers, therefore, has become a crucial component in the educational process. Computer anxiety, however, may influence student abilities to master computer skills and consequently affect the degree to which computers can effectively be utilized. This study investigates the possible effects of computer anxiety on student achievement in computer skills. The results suggest that computer anxiety is an important predictor of computer achievement. Educational systems that seek to prepare students in the field of computer applications must, therefore, become particularly concerned with creating less stressful environments.
The Effects of a Student Achievement Information System on Student Learning
Authors: Adams Charles F. , Howland Ruth
Published: May 2005

This paper deals with the formative evaluation of Project IMPACT. This multi-faceted computer-based information system is designed to provide educators with the kinds of data and the scope of information which will enable them to make the best possible decisions relative to instruction. The preliminary evidence is in the direction of supporting the contention that when school personnel are provided frequent systematic evaluation information on student progress, there will be an increase in student achievement.
Quantification of Determinism in Music Using Iterated Function Systems
Authors: Meloon Brian , Sprott Julien C.
Published: May 2005

This article proposes a novel technique for exhibiting and quantifying the determinism in music. A written score of music is modeled as a dynamical system employing an iterated function system to generate a picture from the music. This picture is then analyzed using methods of chaos theory and time-series analysis to quantify the determinism. Comparisons with random and chaotic control data and with some algorithmic compositions are made. The method might be useful for cataloging different musical styles or perhaps even testing authenticity of musical compositions.
Why Did Norway Say No?
Authors: Evang Karl
Published: May 2005

By a percentage of S3 against 47 of those who voted on September 25, 1972 (approximately 70 per cent of the electorate), Norway rejected full membership in the European Economic Community (EEC). This result came as a shock to the vast majority of those holding power and influence in Norway, including the leading political parties and organizations. The Social Democratic Party, with nearly half of the population behind it, and the National Federation of Trade Unions had made it a condition of loyalty to vote for full membership. The Conservative Party, with about 20 per cent of the voters backing it, had also taken a strong stand for full membership. The discussion for or against membership goes back to 1962–1963, and was resumed 2 years ago. A movement against membership had been built up from the grass roots, crossing party lines and organizations. The author discusses this unique situation, where overriding values and philosophies were able to unite a majority of the nation. All age groups and social classes were involved, although younger people probably were in majority. In the author's view, this movement had very little to do with narrow nationalism or fear of contact. On the contrary, it was a forward-looking movement, motivated, among other factors, by the importance of international cooperation at a global level; by the feeling that the economic growth model of the Treaty of Rome was now outmoded; that the supplementary values to be created must be developed by decentralization in smaller units at a local level; that spreading alienation can only be counteracted by more active participation by and responsibility of the individual citizen; and that the bigger was not always a better unit. The victorious movement was, in fact, carried by a feeling that one had to break loose from the conventional development model and consciously try to lay the foundation for the coming postindustrial society.
Behavior Assessment and Cross-Validation by Surrogate Measures in Drug Prevention Research
Authors: Duryea Elias , Nagel Liza
Published: May 2005

When used with more orthodox survey or interview techniques, surrogate measures can enhance a study's credibility. Presented is a case report which illustrates the viability of using a surrogate measure to cross-validate self-reports of alcohol consumption by members of a fraternity at a large Midwestern university. As federal authorities continue to scrutinize myriad ways to reduce the nation's health care burden drug abuse research will have an enhanced opportunity to justify its role in that movement. The historical reliance on self-report methods which lack supportive, corroborating evidence of behavior change may jeopardize preventive drug education's opportunity to play a more integral part in influencing health promotion policies.
Collaborative Writing in Graduate Technical Communication: Is there a Difference?
Authors: Barnum Carol M.
Published: May 2005

Although there is much literature that describes collaborative writing projects in undergraduate courses, little is reported about such projects for graduate students. This article reports the results of a collaborative writing project in a graduate course in usability testing. Because the graduate students were sophisticated practitioners in career positions in technical and professional communication, the instructor made the assumption that the normal requirements of journal checks, conferences, and self- and group-assessment tools would not be needed. The results proved otherwise. An analysis of the two teams' efforts—both product and process—establishes the need for structure and guidance for graduate collaborative writing projects, regardless of the audience's professional experience.
Can We Have an Image of a Concept? The Generation Process of General and Specific Mental Images
Authors: Gardini Simona , De Beni Rossana , Cornoldi Cesare
Published: May 2005

Previous studies investigated different kinds of mental images with reference to vividness, generation, maintenance times and recall. The present study focuses on the distinction between general and specific mental images and examines the time required for generating the images of concrete nouns as well as their recall under different task conditions. Results show that the generation time of general images are shorter than that of specific ones. Processes underlying the generation of general images appear different from the processes involved either in the retrieval of the concepts associated with the nouns or in the generation of more specific images.
A Home/University Computer Network: Test of a System to Study Families
Authors: Watson J. Allen , Eichhorn Michelle I. , Scanzoni John
Published: May 2005

The primary purpose of this study was to produce a new computer-based research paradigm designed to test family process variables. Twenty-nine males representing twenty-nine homes each with a microcomputer and modem served as subjects across a two-month period. A microcomputer/mainframe system was developed and integrated with a conceptual model used to test family decision-making variables. Nine subtests used in the conceptual model served as process variables in this study. Attitude questions concerning gender role preferences, religious commitment, empathy toward spouse, marital commitment, perception of spousal conflicts, degree of individualism, and self-esteem were presented and recorded via university mainframe from home computers. Data were analyzed across two test battery replication (two months). Data showed that the integration of an existing family process conceputal model and the microcomputer/mainframe system could be used as a new research paradigm, that the two months testing provided strong support for paradigm efficiency, and that the paradigm proved to be highly reliable and valid.
Cynthia Ozick: Diverse Functions of Transitional Objects in Fiction
Authors: Schneiderman Leo
Published: May 2005

The purpose of this article is to examine the role of transitional love objects in the lives of fictional adults, as depicted in the works of Cynthia Ozick. Ozick's protagonists are characterized by their symbiotic attachment to parent figures with whom they are unable to establish empathic and trusting relationships. In lieu of finding nurturance Ozick's fictional characters go in search of idealized love objects in the form of fetishes or idols, i.e., objects seeming to possess magical trustworthiness. Ozick warns against the choice of such narcissistically-determined, idolatrous objects, and extends her caveat even to human love relationships, with the implication that they are likely to prove disappointing. All of Ozick's fictional love objects represent partially differentiated, fetishistic extensions of the lover's self. These objects include a modern-day golem, idols, demons, witches, a tree, a shawl, and even a literary manuscript. Ozick clarifies the distinction between healthy self-love and self-acceptance and total absorption in the fetish as a soothing, symbolic substitute for satisfying unfulfilled developmental needs.
Modafinil Augmentation of Mirtazapine in a Failure-to-Thrive Geriatric Inpatient
Authors: Schillerstrom Jason E. , Seaman Jeff S.
Published: May 2005

The failure-to-thrive syndrome in geriatric patients is marked by social withdrawal, apathy, depression, anorexia, and cognitive impairment. For therapy to be effective, the treatment plan must target several of these areas. This case report describes one such course of treatment for a patient with multiple myeloma with failure-to-thrive who was successfully treated with modafinil and mirtazapine. By using combination pharmacotherapy, we were able to achieve immediate results in a gravely ill patient.
Computerized Adaptive Mastery Tests as Expert Systems
Authors: Frick Theodore W.
Published: May 2005

Expert systems can be used to aid decision making. A computerized adaptive test is one kind of expert system, though not commonly recognized as such. A new approach, termed EXSPRT, was devised that combines uncertain inference in expert systems with sequential probability ratio test stopping rules. Two versions of EXSPRT were developed, one with random selection of items (EXSPRT-R) and one with intelligent selection (EXSPRT-I). Two empirical studies were conducted in which these two new methods were compared to the traditional SPRT and to an adaptive mastery testing (AMT) approach based on item response theory (IRT). The EXSPRT-I tended to be more efficient than the AMT, EXSPRT-R and SPRT models in terms of average test lengths. Although further research is needed, the EXSPRT-I initially appears to be a strong alternative to both IRT- and SPRT-based adaptive tests for making categorical decisions about examinee mastery of single instructional objectives. The EXSPRT-I is clearly less complex than IRT, both conceptually and mathematically. It also appears to require many fewer examinees to establish empirically a rule base when compared to the large numbers required to estimate parameters for item response functions in the IRT model.
The Relationship between Trauma, PTSD, and Medical Utilization in Three High Risk Medical Populations
Authors: Rosenberg Harriet J. , Rosenberg Stanley D. , Wolford George L. , Manganiello Paul D. , Brunette Mary F. , Boynton Robin A.
Published: May 2005

Objective:

Increased use of medical and psychiatric services has been reported as a correlate of exposure to trauma. Recent studies suggest that: 1) physical and sexual abuse traumas are particularly associated with increased utilization and 2) posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a common sequela of abuse, mediates the relationship between trauma exposure and elevated utilization. The goal of this study was to explore the relationships between trauma, abuse, PTSD, and medical utilization in three medical help seeking groups reported to be at high risk for trauma exposure.

Method:

One hundred and seven patients receiving care at a university-affiliated medical center were surveyed for trauma history and PTSD using the Trauma History Questionnaire (THQ) and the PTSD Checklist (PCL). The sample included: forty-eight gynecologic outpatients, thirty-five inpatients with seizure disorders, and twenty-four psychiatric inpatients with non-PTSD admitting diagnoses. Medical utilization data were obtained from a computerized medical center data base.

Results:

Ninety-six patients reported a trauma history. Of these patients, sixty-six reported abuse and forty-five qualified for PTSD diagnoses. Total number of traumas and reported sexual and physical abuse correlated significantly with elevated medical utilization and PTSD prevalence. PTSD diagnosis was not significantly correlated with utilization, but the five highest utilizers received PTSD diagnoses.

Conclusions:

Study results supported hypotheses regarding the relation of trauma exposure to medical utilization, but were less clear about the mediating role of PTSD. These findings suggest that routine screening of high-risk patient groups might promote timely identification of trauma history and PTSD, and subsequently impact health care utilization.