bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
SMEs and Crime
Authors: Masurel Enno
Published: April 2004

This article deals with different aspects relating to how SMEs in the city and urban surroundings of Amsterdam (the Netherlands) go about creating a more secure environment. Security and criminality appear to be important issues for them. One-third of the entrepreneurs do not feel particularly safe at their current location. Robbery and burglary are the most important threats. Additional locks and alarm installations are the measures that are taken the most frequently to combat crime. The security issue has an important role to play when it comes to possible plans to move to a new location, thus being an important external factor which can only partially be dealt with. Some interesting sector, location and firm size effects emerged. Strikingly, these differences do not lead to any significant differences in thelevels of investment in security measures: the general investment in security is about 1 per cent of a firm’s sales.
Thyroid Indices and Response to Fluoxetine and Nortriptyline in Major Depression
Authors: Gendall Kelly A. , Joyce Peter R. , Mulder Roger T. , Luty Sue E.
Published: April 2004

We investigated: (i) the status of thyroid hormones and their clinical correlates in patients with major depression; (ii) changes in thyroid hormone status after treatment with fluoxetine versus nortriptyline; and (iii) whether blunted thyrotropin-stimulating hormone (TSH) response to thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) challenge predicts improvement after 6 weeks of fluoxetine versus nortriptyline treatment. Patients with major depression entering a treatment trial were assessed with the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-III-R and were rated on the Montgomery–Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS). Blood samples were taken for TSH, thyroxine (T4) and free thyroxine (FT4) measurement, and the maximum TSH response (δmaxTSH) to a TRH challenge test was undertaken. Patients were then randomly assigned to receive fluoxetine or nortriptyline for six weeks. At 6 weeks, patients repeated the thyroid hormone assessment and completed the MADRS. Mean concentrations of TSH, T4, FT4 and δmaxTSH were within reference ranges. T4 and FT4 levels decreased significantly after treatment in responders, but not in nonresponders. After treatment,δmaxTSH concentrations decreased significantly in patients who responded to fluoxetine, and increased in patients who responded to nortriptyline. Patients with δmaxTSH blunting at pretreatment were more likely to be male, to have higher MADRS scores and have a history of alcohol and drug dependence. Patients with a pretreatmentδmaxTSH of < 3.0 µm/ml showed greater improvement on the MADRS when treated with fluoxetine than if treated with nortriptyline. We observed a decrease in T4 and FT4 in responders to treatment with fluoxetine or nortriptyline. Positive relationships between δmaxTSH blunting and alcohol and drug abuse and severity of depression were found. Patients with bluntedδmaxTSH responded better to fluoxetine than to nortriptyline. It is suggested that a blunted DmaxTSH may reflect a predominantly serotonergic disturbance in this group of patients with major depression.
Successful Risperidone Rechallenge after Blepharospasm in a Patient with Schizophrenia: 24-Month Follow-Up
Authors: Gulati Sanjiv , Singh Ashok N. , Libretto Sue E.
Published: April 2004

We report the case of a 44-year-old female patient with paranoid schizophrenia, who developed blepharospasm on risperidone treatment, but who was successfully rechallenged by risperidone without recurrence of blepharospasm. Possible mechanisms of action and implications for clinical care are discussed.
Involvement of Dopamine Receptors of the Dorsal Hippocampus on the Acquisition and Expression of Morphine-Induced Place Preference in Rats
Authors: Rezayof Ameneh , Zarrindast Mohammad-Reza , Sahraei Hedayat , Haeri-Rohani Ali
Published: April 2004

In the present study, the effects of bilateral intrahippocampal CA1 injections of dopamine receptor agonists and antagonists on the acquisition and expression of morphine-induced place preference were examined in male Wistar rats. Subcutaneous administration of different doses of morphine sulphate (0.5–10 mg/kg) produced a conditioned place preference (CPP) dose-dependently. Using a 3-day schedule of conditioning, it was found that dopamine D1receptor agonist, SKF 38393 (0.01–1 µg/rat), dopamine D1receptor antagonist, SCH 23390 (0.25–1 µg/rat), dopamine D2/3 receptor agonist, quinpirole (0.3–3 µg/rat) or dopamine D2 receptor antagonist, sulpiride (0.04–5 µg/rat) did not produce significant place preference. The administration of SKF 38393 (1 µg/rat) significantly potentiated the acquisition of morphine (0.5 and 2.5 mg/kg)-induced place preference. This potentiation was reversed by SCH 23390 (1 µg/rat) pretreatment. Quinpirole injection (0.3 µg/rat) induced CPP in combination with the lower doses of morphine but decreased the response of the higher doses of morphine. These responses of quinpirole were reversed by sulpiride (5 µg/rat) pretreatment. SCH 23390 or sulpiride reduced the acquisition of morphine (7.5 mg/kg)-induced place preference. The administration of sulpiride, but not other drugs, during acquisition showed an increase in the locomotor activity on the testing days. SKF 38393, SCH 23390 or sulpiride, but not quinpirole when used before testing, reduced the expression of morphineinduced place preference. Sulpiride, but not other drugs, increased locomotion when used before testing. It is concluded that dorsal hippocampal dopamine receptors may play an active role in morphine reward.
Reduced Bone Mineral Density in Patients with Schizophrenia Receiving Prolactin Raising Anti-Psychotic Medication
Authors: Meaney Anna Maria , O’Keane Veronica
Published: April 2004

Patients with schizophrenia frequently develop drug-induced hyperprolactinaemia and consequent hypogonadism. Reduced bone mineral density as a consequence of hyperprolactinaemia-induced hypogonadism has been well documented in medical, but not psychiatric, disorders. Little attention has been given to the potential risk of developing osteoporosis secondary to anti-psychotic-induced hyperprolactinaemia. Three cases are presented that illustrate how this debilitating but silent disease may affect even those young individuals with schizophrenia.
Quitting Ecstasy: An Investigation of Why People Stop Taking the Drug and Their Subsequent Mental Health
Authors: Verheyden Suzanne L. , Maidment Rachel , Curran H. Valerie
Published: April 2004

The regular use of ecstasy (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine, MDMA) has been associated with depressed mood, anxiety and hostility, but it is not known whether such effects persist after people stop using the drug. Furthermore, little is known about what factors might influence the decision to quit using MDMA. The aim of the present study was to examine the reasons why ex-users had stopped using this drug and to assess their current levels of depression, anxiety, anger and aggression. Telephone interviews were conducted with people who used to take MDMA on a regular basis but who no longer used the drug. The participants comprised sixty-six ex-users who used to take MDMA regularly (at least once every 2 months over a period of at least 1 year), but who had not taken MDMA for at least 1 year (average 3 years). Participants were asked about why they had quit MDMA. They also completed questionnaires to assess trait mood.Ex-users could be divided into two groups based on their reason for quitting: (i) those who had quit for mental health reasons and (ii) those who had quit for circumstantial reasons. Approximately half of those in the mental health group scored in the range for clinical depression. In that group, current levels of depression and anxiety correlated significantly with the cumulative amount of MDMA that they had taken several years previously. These findings suggest that some users may either be more vulnerable to the adverse effects of MDMA or have pre-existing mental health problems for which they self-medicate by using ecstasy. The present study shows that some ex-users experience an impairment to mental health that persists for years after they stop using this drug.
Dissociable Effects of a Single Dose of Ecstasy (MDMA) on Psychomotor Skills and Attentional Performance
Authors: Lamers C. T. J. , Ramaekers J. G. , Muntjewerff N. D. , Sikkema K. L. , Riedel W. J. , Samyn N. , Read N. L. , Brookhuis K. A.
Published: April 2004

Ecstasy (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine, MDMA) is a psychoactive recreational drug widely used by young people visiting dance parties, and has been associated with poor cognitive function. The current study assessed the influence of a single dose of MDMA 75 mg and alcohol 0.5 g/kg on cognition, psychomotor performance and driving-related task performance. Twelve healthy recreational ecstasy users participated in an experimental study conducted according to a double-blind, double-dummy, placebo-controlled three-way cross-over design. MDMA improved psychomotor performance, such as movement speed and tracking performance in a single task, as well as in a divided attention task. MDMA impaired the ability to predict object movement under divided attention. However, the inability to accurately predict object movement after MDMA may indicate impairment of particular performance skills relevant to driving. There was no effect of MDMA on visual search, planning or retrieval from semantic memory.
Does Acamprosate Improve Reduction of Drinking As Well As Aiding Abstinence?
Authors: Chick Jonathan , Lehert Philippe , Landron Frederic
Published: April 2004

The study aimed to discover whether acamprosate reduces the severity of relapse for those patients undergoing abstinence–orientated treatment who are unable to abstain completely. Data on patients’ alcohol consumption from 15 placebo-controlled treatment studies (n = 3309) were examined to test whether, at a given time point, patients who have taken one or more drinks since the last assessment (‘relapsers’, n = 1010) take alcohol on fewer days, report lower average number of drinks per day, and consume less alcohol in total with acamprosate compared to placebo. These studies had varying duration (90 days, 180 days and 360 days). There were four dates that were common to some studies (days 30, 90, 180 and 360). Among relapsers, acamprosate was significantly associated with less quantity (Q) and frequency (F) of drinking compared to placebo in each of the four follow-up periods (p < 0.001). The differences were most marked for the product Q × F (overall weekly consumption). For each period, there were fewer who were drinking an average of five or more drinks per day in the acamprosate compared to the placebo groups. Acamprosate helps reduce the severity of relapse in patients undergoing abstinence-orientated treatment.
Selective Effects of Acute Serotonin and Catecholamine Depletion on Memory in Healthy Women
Authors: Harrison Ben J. , Olver James S. , Norman Trevor R. , Burrows Graham D. , Wesnes Keith A. , Nathan Pradeep J.
Published: April 2004

There is converging evidence that brain serotonin and dopamine may selectively modulate learning and memory in humans. However, this has not been directly demonstrated. In the current study, we used the method of amino acid precursor depletion to explore the effects of low serotonin and catecholamine function on memory in healthy female volunteers. Participants completed three experimental sessions: (i) tryptophan depletion (TD to lower 5-HT); (ii) tyrosine and phenylalanine depletion (TPD to lower catecholamines); and (iii) a balanced control condition (Bal). All testing was conducted in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover design. Cognitive and mood assessments were performed at baseline and 5 h after ingesting the amino acid mixture. Consistent with previous studies, TD impaired declarative memory consolidation on a structured word-learning task, while TPD, acting to lower brain dopamine availability, impaired spatial working memory. No secondary deficits were observed on measures of attention, short-term memory or subjective mood state. These findings suggest that low brain serotonin versus dopamine selectively impairs memory performance in humans. This may shed light on the role of these neurotransmitters in disorders that are characterized by significant memory impairment.
Imidazoline2 (I2) Receptor- and α2- Adrenoceptor-Mediated Modulation of Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis Activity in Control and Acute Restraint Stressed Rats
Authors: Finn David P. , Hudson Alan L. , Kinoshita Hiroshi , Coventry Toni L. , Jessop David S. , Nutt David J. , Harbuz Michael S.
Published: April 2004

Central noradrenaline regulates the activity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and the neuroendocrine response to stress. α2-adrenoceptors and imidazoline2 (I2) receptors modulate the activity of the central noradrenergic system. The present set of experiments investigated the role of α2-adrenoceptors and I2 receptors in the regulation of HPA axis activity under basal conditions and during exposure to the acute psychological stress of restraint. Three separate experiments were carried out in which rats were given an i.p. injection of either saline vehicle, the combined α2-adrenoceptor antagonist and I2 receptor ligand idazoxan (10 mg/kg), the selective I2 receptor ligand BU224 (2.5 or 10 mg/kg) or the selective α2-adrenoceptor antagonist RX821002 (2.5 mg/kg) with or without restraint stress. Drugs were administered immediately prior to restraint of 60 min duration. Blood was sampled pre-injection, 30, 60 and 240 min post-injection and plasma corticosterone was measured by radioimmunoassay. In experiment 1, idazoxan increased plasma corticosterone levels in naive animals and potentiated the corticosterone response to acute restraint stress. In experiment 2, BU224 administration increased plasma corticosterone levels in a dose-related manner in naive rats. The results of experiment 3 indicated that RX821002 also elevated plasma corticosterone levels in naive rats, however, only BU224 potentiated the corticosterone response to restraint stress. These studies suggest that both α2-adrenoceptors and I2 receptors play a role in modulating basal HPA axis activity and that I2 receptors may play a more important role than α2-adrenoceptors in modulating the HPA axis response to the acute psychological stress of restraint.
Spontaneous cannabinoid withdrawal produces a differential time-related responsiveness in cannabinoid CB1 receptor gene expression in the mouse brain
Authors: Oliva José M. , Ortiz Sergio , Palomo Tomás , Manzanares Jorge
Published: April 2004

This study aimed to examine the behavioural and neurochemical (cannabinoid CB1 receptor gene expression) changes induced by spontaneous cannabinoid withdrawal in mice. Tolerance was assessed by measuring rectal temperature and motor activity in the open-field test after CP-55, 940 administration. Cannabinoid withdrawal symptoms were determined by measuring motor activity and behavioural signs of abstinence. Cessation of CP-55, 940 treatment in tolerant mice induced a spontaneous time-dependent behavioural withdrawal syndrome consisting of marked increases (140%) in motor activity, number of rearings (170%), decreases in grooming (57%), wet dog shakes (73%) and rubbing behaviours (74%) on day 1, progressively reaching values similar to vehicle-treated mice on day 3. Interestingly, this spontaneous cannabinoid withdrawal resulted in CB1 gene expression upregulation (20–30%) in caudate-putamen, ventromedial hypothalamic nucleus, central amygdaloid nucleus and CA1, whereas in the CA3 field of hippocampus, a significant decrease (15–20%) was detected. Taken together, the results of this study suggest that cessation of CP-55, 940 administration in tolerant mice produces a behavioural cannabinoid withdrawal syndrome and a selective and differential responsiveness in CB1 receptor gene expression in several brain regions of the mice. These findings further suggest a time and regional differential role for cannabinoid receptors in short- and long-term neuroadaptations that occur after exposure to cannabis derivatives.
Self-Reported Psychopathology in Polydrug Users
Authors: Sumnall Harry R. , Wagstaff Graham F. , Cole Jon C.
Published: April 2004

There is a large body of work investigating concurrent associations between polysubstance use and psychopathology, but much of this work has either pre-dated or failed to account for the complex and culturally specific patterns of contemporary drug use. In particular, attendees of dance music events report a greater drug history than their peers and engage in a unique lifestyle. To further investigate the consequences of this type of drug use, 100 subjects who regularly attended dance music events were administered a battery of self-report psychiatric symptom scales. This battery contained the Anxiety Sensitivity Index, the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression scale (CES-D), the Dissociative Experiences Scale, the Padua Inventory Revised and additional questions about substance use. Our study population included abstainers and drug users with a wide history of use. We demonstrated strong associations between use of many different drugs, suggesting that polydrug use is the norm in this type of population. We found weak, but statistically significant, correlations between use of alcohol ( p < 0.05), amphetamine ( p < 0.01) and ecstasy ( p < 0.01) with self-reported score on the BAI. There were also positive associations between dissociative symptomatology and the use of amphetamine ( p < 0.05) and cocaine ( p < 0.05). Furthermore, weekly unit intake of alcohol positively correlated with score on the CES-D ( p < 0.05). As polydrug use was the norm in this sample, we performed regression analysis to investigate the contribution of multiple drug use on self-report. This showed that weekly use of alcohol, and frequency of use of amyl nitrate and cigarettes were significant predictors of BAI score. However, the majority of subjects reported being unworried by these symptoms, which may represent a lack of self-awareness, or acceptance of them as the subacute effects of substance use. It remains to be determined at what point adverse effects of drug use begin to interfere with day-to-day life.
Reproducibility of Negative Mood Induction: a Self-Referent Plus Musical Mood Induction Procedure and a Controllable/Uncontrollable Stress Paradigm
Authors: Richell R. A. , Anderson M.
Published: April 2004

Mood induction procedures (MIPs) have been used extensively as a means of inducing a variety of mood states in laboratory settings. Recently, MIPs have been employed in a repeated measures design in combination with such techniques as functional imaging and psychopharmacological investigations. This study attempted to assess the repeatability of two paradigms designed to induce a depressed/negative affect, a self-referent plus musical MIP and a controllable/uncontrollable stress paradigm, to assess the viability of using such procedures in a repeated design. Healthy volunteers were enrolled in to one of two studies. Study 1 administered a self-referent plus musical MIP on three separate occasions: neutral and depressive mood induction (MI) in a balanced order, followed by a further depressive MI. In study 2, volunteers were subjected to sessions of controllable and uncontrollable noise stress in a balanced order on two different occasions. Subjective ratings of mood were obtained prior to and following the interventions. Depressive MI successfully increased ratings of negative affect, although this effect tended to be greater on the first occasion than on the second. Correlation between mood change on the first and second occasions were low, both for the MIP and stress paradigm. As such, caution should be exercised in using these procedures in a repeated measures design. However, the results may vary depending on the type of MIP employed.
No evidence of the usefulness of eye blinking as a marker for central dopaminergic activity
Authors: van der Post J. , de Waal P. P. , de Kam M. L. , Cohen A. F. , van Gerven J. M. A.
Published: April 2004

This study aimed to evaluate eye blinking as a marker for central dopaminergic activity by investigating the effects of sulpiride (D2-antagonist) and lisuride (D2-agonist) on spontaneous eye blinks. Twelve healthy subjects were included in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, three-period crossover trial. They received sulpiride 400 mg, lisuride 0.2 mg and placebo on different occasions. Eye blinks, prolactin, finger tapping, eye movements and visual analogue scales were measured at baseline and regularly for 12 h after administration. No effect of sulpiride or lisuride was observed on the number of eye blinks. Sulpiride caused an increase in prolactin (643 U/ml) [confidence interval (CI) 549–737). Lisuride caused a decrease in smooth pursuit eye movements (–4.1%) (CI –7.3 to –0.9) and visual analogue scales for mood (–2.1 mm) (CI –3.7 to –0.4). Spontaneous eye blink rate was not affected by sulpiride and lisuride, which makes eye blinking not suitable as a marker for central D2 activity.
Cost-Effectiveness of Pharmacological Interventions for Smoking Cessation: A Literature Review and a Decision Analytic Analysis
Authors: Song Fujian , Raftery James , Aveyard Paul , Hyde Chris , Barton Pelham , Woolacott Nerys
Published: April 2004

To evaluate the relative cost-effectiveness of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) and bupropion SR for smoking cessation, the authors reviewed published studies and developed a decision analytic model from the UK National Health Services perspective. Irrespective of the methods or assumptions involved, the results of published studies consistently indicated that NRT for smoking cessation is cost-effective. No published studies have evaluated the relative cost-effectiveness of bupropion SR for smoking cessation. The results of the decision analyses indicated that, as compared with advice or counseling alone, the incremental cost per life-years saved is about $1,441~$3,455 for NRT, $920~$2,150 for bupropion SR, and $1,282~$2,836 for NRT plus bupropion SR. The cost-effectiveness of adding NRT and bupropion SR to advice or counseling for smoking cessation is better than many other accepted health care interventions.
Paper Standard Gamble: The Reliability of a Paper Questionnaire to Assess Utility
Authors: Littenberg Benjamin , Partilo Steven , Licata Anita , Kattan Michael W.
Published: April 2004

Background. Quality of life is often best estimated by standard gamble techniques. However, these techniques usually require time-consuming and expensive interviews or computerdirected questionnaires. Paper Standard Gamble (PSG) is a paper questionnaire that has previously been shown to accurately represent standard gambles elicited by computer. The authors sought to demonstrate its test-retest reliability in comparison to other, paper-based measures of quality of life. Methods. The authors used a longitudinal cohort designwith duplicate assessments of quality of life by PSG, the Dermatology Life Quality Index, and the Mental and Physical Component Summary scores of the SF-12 in stable dermatology outpatients. Baseline measures were performed by mail 1 to 2 weeks before a scheduled dermatology clinic visit. Follow-up measures were performed in the waiting room before being seen by the dermatologist. The authors calculated the coefficient of variation and the Spearman rank correlation coefficient for each of the instruments. Results.74 patientswith stable skin conditions participated. The coefficient of variation of PSG (0.47%) was smaller than the other instruments (4.26%–5.22%); PSG’scorrelation washigher (0.97 v. 0.65–0.80). Conclusion. PSG, a 1-page paper questionnaire, is a reliable measure of patient utility suitable for use in postal surveys.
Attitudes, Sociodemographic Characteristics, and Actual End-of-Life Decisions of Physicians in Flanders, Belgium
Authors: Mortier F. , Bilsen J. , Vander Stichele R. H. , Bernheim J. , Deliens L.
Published: April 2004

Aim. To study the effect of sociodemographic and attitudinal determinants of physicians making end-of-life decisions (ELDs). Methods. The physicians having signed 489 consecutive death certificates in the city of Hasselt (Belgium) were sent an anonymous questionnaire regarding their ELDs and another on their attitudes toward voluntary euthanasia (EUTH) and physician-assisted suicide (PAS).Results.55% response rate. Nontreatment decisions occurred in 16.7% of all death cases; in 16%, there was potentially life-shortening use of drugs to alleviate pain and symptoms; in 4.8% of cases,death was deliberately induced by lethal drugs, including EUTH, PAS, and life termination without explicit request by the patient. In their attitudes toward EUTH and PAS, the 92 responding physicians clustered into 3 groups: positive and rule oriented, positive rule-adverse, and opposed. Cluster groupmembership, commitment to life stance, years of professional experience, and gender were each associated with specific ELD-making patterns.
Gaussian Process Modeling in Conjunction with Individual Patient Simulation Modeling: A Case Study Describing the Calculation of Cost-Effectiveness Ratios for the Treatment of Established Osteoporosis
Authors: Stevenson M. D. , Oakley J. , Chilcott J. B.
Published: April 2004

Individual patient-level models can simulate more complex disease processes than cohort-based approaches. However, large numbers of patients need to be simulated to reduce 1storder uncertainty, increasing the computational time required and often resulting in the inability to perform extensive sensitivity analyses. A solution, employing Gaussian process techniques, is presented using a case study, evaluating the cost-effectiveness of a sample of treatments for established osteoporosis. The Gaussian process model accurately formulated a statistical relationship between the inputs to the individual patient model and its outputs. This model reducedthe time required for future runs from 150 min to virtually-instantaneous, allowing probabilistic sensitivity analyses-to be undertaken. This reduction in computational time was achieved with minimal loss in accuracy. The authors believe that this case study demonstrates the value of this technique in handling 1st- and 2nd-order uncertainty in the context of health economic modeling, particularly when more widely used techniques are computationally expensive or are unable to accurately model patient histories.
Cost-Effectiveness of Sibutramine in the Treatment of Obesity
Authors: Warren Emma , Brennan Alan , Akehurst Ron
Published: April 2004

Background. This study reports incremental cost-utility of sibutramine compared to diet and lifestyle advice for the treatment of obesity. Method. The model estimates the costs and quality of life benefits associated with weight loss itself and the reduced incidence of coronary heart disease (CHD) and diabetes in the “healthy obese.” The key source of effectiveness data is 2 randomized controlled trials over 12 months. Utility gain per kilogram lost is analyzed using Short Form–36 data from sibutramine trials. The impact on CHD is estimated using the Framingham risk equation, which relates age/sex/body mass index to risk of heart disease. The reduced incidence of diabetes due to weight loss is estimated from published literature. A life tables approach was used to calculate the cost per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) of 1 year’s treatment with sibutramine compared to diet and lifestyle advice. Results. The incremental cost per QALY of sibutramine is £4780. Sensitivity analyses show that this result is sensitive to utility associated with weight loss and the frequency of monitoring.Conclusions. Sibutramine is a costeffective treatment for obesity when combined with diet and lifestyle advice.
Parametric Mean Survival Time Analysis in Gastric Cancer Patients
Authors: Maetani Shunzo , Nakajima Toshifusa , Nishikawa Toshikuni
Published: April 2004

Background The mean survival time (MS) has acquired increasing importance as an outcome indicator for patient care and technology assessment. The authors use lifelong followup data from gastric cancer patients to study whether the MS is predictable from 5-year follow-up information based on 2 parametric models. Methods. The authors used 3597 gastric cancer patients operated on between 1950 and 1969 to create 50 groups. For each group, the disease-related survival curve (DRSC) was estimated from the 5-year follow-up data using the Boag model. The MS for the group was then estimated by combining the DRSC with the survival curve for the age and sex-matched contemporaries (control group) based on the competing risk model. Alternatively, it was estimated by using the DRSC and the MS for the control group (the survival limit model). These predicted MS values were compared with the full follow-up observations. Results. Although individual prediction errors varied depending on the group size (63 to 3597 patients) and the length of MS (0.3 to 20.2 years), the mean prediction errors were reasonably small; the survival limit model overestimated MS by 4.7% (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.6 to 7.8) and the competing risk model by 3.2% (95% CI, 0.1 to 6.5). Conclusions. MS for gastric cancer patients is parametrically predictable from 5-year follow-up data. This analysis should be applicable to other diseases showing log-normal failure time distributions.
HIV Prevention, Cost-Utility Analysis, and Race/Ethnicity: Methodological Considerations and Recommendations
Authors: Holtgrave David R.
Published: April 2004

In this methodological article, the author reviews 1) the disproportionate impact that HIV/AIDS is having on communities of color in the United States, 2) what is known about the cost-effectiveness of HIV prevention interventions for racial/ethnic minority communities (including the methods used in these studies), and 3) the relative lack of methodological guidance in the field for conducting economic evaluation studies specifically for communities of color. The author finds that race/ethnicity affects cost-utility analyses in several heretofore unrecognized ways. In this article, methodological techniques to address these concerns are proposed. In particular, the author recommends cost-utility analytic strategies that maximize comparability among studies and avoid the introduction of methodological discrimination.
Predicting EuroQoL EQ-5D Preference Scores from the SF-12 Health Survey in a Nationally Representative Sample
Authors: Lawrence William F. , Fleishman John A.
Published: April 2004

Purpose. To predict the EuroQoL EQ-5D utility index from the SF-12 Health Survey for a US national sample of adults. Methods. The authors used the 2000 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey to examine the relationship between instruments. Linear regression was used to predict EQ-5D scores from Physical Component Summary (PCS) and Mental Component Summary (MCS) scores of the SF-12. A prediction model was derived in one half of the sample and validated in the other half. Results. Complete responses to both measures were available for 14,580 adults; 7313 (50.2%) surveys were used for the derivation set. The 2-variable model predicted 61% of the variance in EQ-5D scores and provided reasonable ability to predict mean EQ-5D scores from mean PCS and MCS scores. Confidence intervals are dependent on sample size and variance of PCS and MCS scores. Conclusions. EQ-5D scores can be reasonably predicted from the SF-12. This model allows researchers to estimate utility data for use in decision and cost-utility analyses.
Health State Utilities in Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Patients with Heartburn: A Study in Germany and Sweden
Authors: Kartman Bernt , Gatz Gudrun , Johannesson Magnus
Published: April 2004

The objectives of this study were to assess health state utilities in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease with heartburn and to analyze if severity and annual frequency of heartburn can predict utilities. Atotal of 1011 patients in Germany and Sweden participated in telephone interviews, where utilities were assessed using the rating scale (RS), EQ-5D, time trade-off (TTO) and standard gamble (SG) instruments. The average RS, EQ-5D, TTO, and SG utilities were 0.69, 0.70, 0.88, and 0.89, respectively. Linear regression analyses showed that the EQ-5D and RS utilities were negativelyand significantly related to the severity and frequency of heartburn. The EQ-5D and RS results indicate that patients with heartburn assign their health states substantial disutility and that it is feasible to estimate regression equations to predict utilities from heartburn-specific variables. In the TTO and SGanalyses, the impact of heartburnwas in the expected direction but smaller and in general not significant.
Socially Responsible Organizational Buying: How Can Stakeholders Dictate Purchasing Policies?
Authors: Maignan Isabelle , Mcalister Debbie Thorne
Published: April 2004

This article investigates socially responsible buying (SRB), a subject that has received little attention in past marketing literature on buyer-seller relationships. On the basis of a brief review of the literature on corporate social responsibility, the article proposes a conceptualization of SRB that accentuates the role of stakeholder and organizational norms, respec tively. These conceptual grounds are used to depict various SRB strategies and to advance research propositions outlining their likely antecedents.
License Suspension Revisited: A 3-Year Follow-Up Study of Older Drivers
Authors: Lundberg Catarina , Hakamies-Blomqvist Liisa , Almkvist Ove , Johansson Kurt
Published: April 2004

This 3-year follow-up study addressed changes in health, cognitive functioning, and driving status among 37 older drivers and 37 individually matched controls. Initially, the study group had suspended driver’s licenses due to traffic violations. The in-person follow-up medical and neuropsychological examinations concerned 20 case participants and 22 controls. Mortality tended to be higher with case participants than with controls (p = .085), and there was more dementia or cognitive impairment with case participants (5/37) than with controls (0/37,p = .027). Initially, crash-involved case participants performed consistently worse on measures of cognitive functioning than did controls and noncrashed case participants and showed greater deterioration over time. Compared to controls, more crash-involved drivers had died (p = .019) or had stopped driving (p = .040). Because some older drivers with unsafe driving behavior may be in early phases of dementing processes or serious medical conditions, they should be medically and cognitively assessed.
The Delivery of Health Care to the Elderly: Lessons Learned from the Creation of Interorganizational Linkages Between Area Agencies on Aging and Managed Care Organizations
Authors: Iutcovich Joyce Miller , Pratt Donald J.
Published: April 2004

This process evaluation of the development of strategic alliances between area agencies on aging (AAAs) and managed care organizations (MCOs) identified factors that facilitated the establishment of these partnerships along with the challenges they faced. Data were gathered from two Pennsylvania sites (Philadelphia and Erie), using documentation and records along with interview data that were gathered during site visits. The principal findings include: (a) The AAAs experienced difficulty in “selling” their services to the MCOs. (b) There were misconceptions on the part of the MCOs and AAAs regarding the specific services that the partner would provide— misconceptions that only became obvious once the projects were operational. (c) Concerns about consumer’s outcomes appear to have been lost in the shuffle as both projects focused on “completing the in-home assessments and producing a caring plan.” (d) It appears unlikely that theMCOs will consider reimbursing the AAAs to deliver a package of social services designed to reinforce community-based care.
Behavior Problems in Assisted Living Facilities
Authors: Schonfeld Lawrence
Published: April 2004

Assisted living facilities (ALFs) are caring for increasing numbers of residents with cognitive impairment and physical disorders, yet little is known about behavior problems in these facilities. In the present study, surveys were mailed to all ALFs (N = 2,221) in Florida, asking administrators or key staff to identify categories, frequency, and severity of behavior problems observed in their residents. Respondents (n = 612) identified resistance to staff assistance, wandering, verbal aggression, and psychiatric/emotional problems as the most frequent problems, and physical aggression was rated as the most difficult. Facility capacity was inversely related to the proportion of residents with behavior problems—that is, smaller ALFs had a higher proportion of residents exhibiting behavior problems. Results suggest that behavior problems in ALFs are similar to those in nursing homes but not as frequent. This is likely because of restrictions in ALF admission criteria and policies prohibiting the use of restraints thereby resulting in fewer residents with cognitive impairment.
Privacy Needs When Visiting a Person With Alzheimer’s Disease: Family and Staff Expectations
Authors: Chapman Nancy J. , Carder Paula C.
Published: April 2004

Over the past decade, environmental psychologists and architects have combined efforts to create living environments that respond to the needs of persons with Alzheimer’s disease. Although they have defined privacy as a significant topic, we know little about the importance of physical privacy for family visitors to long-term care facilities. This exploratory study addressed this topic through in-depth interviews with 22 family and 26 staff members of 15 long-term care facilities. Thematic analysis indicates that families attempt to achieve privacy by personalizing their relative’s living space and by maintaining territorial control over personal objects. Both families and staff members must adapt to behaviors of persons with dementia that do not meet cultural norms. The most popular places for visiting were public and semipublic spaces, even when private areas were available. Implications for researchers, facility designers, and operators are presented.
American Indian Elders and Depression: Short-and Long-Term Effects of Life Events
Authors: Chapleski Elizabeth E. , Kaczynski Richard , Gerbi Sherry A. , Lichtenberg Peter A.
Published: April 2004

This research examines stressful life events as predictors of psychological problems among a population of older American Indians of the Great Lakes region. It assumes that meaning attached to these events is not culture-free. The data used are from a longitudinal study of 309 American Indians age 55 and older who were interviewed at two time periods in three distinct strata: urban, rural (off-reservation), and reservation. Life events are measured by the presence and perceived severity of 19 discrete events. Hierarchical regression analysis is used to determine the influence of life events on depression after controlling for sociodemographic factors, functional ability, and comorbidity at both Time 1 and 18 to 24 months later at Time 2. Although Time 1 depression accounts for most of the variance at Time 2, comorbiditywas also a significant predictor over time. Whereas life stress has a short-term effect on mental health, the burden of comorbidity increases over time.
Alternative Therapy Use Among the Young-Old (Ages 65 to 74): An Evaluation of the MIDUS Database
Authors: McMahan Shari , Lutz Rafer
Published: April 2004

By the year 2020, 20% of the U.S. population will be age 65 years or older. From a health care perspective, there is growing concern about the aging population. Little is known about the elderly and their use of alternative therapies. This study included data from the National Survey of Midlife Development in the United States (MIDUS). Three-hundred and thirty-five participants between the ages of 65 and 74 completed the interview and mailback questionnaire. One-hundred and forty-five individuals (43.3%) reported using alternative medicine therapies during the past year. The most common types of alternative medicine utilized were as follows: spiritual practices, exercise/movement therapies, special diets, chiropractic, and meditation. Income, education, and sex of respondent were found to be predictors of alternative therapy use among this age group. Results from this study could provide conventional practitioners greater awareness of the health beliefs and practices of their young-old patients.
The Employer’s Advantage in Sexual Harassment Cases
Authors: Mani Bonnie G.
Published: April 2004

Why does sexual harassment continue to be a problem in the workplace? Do employers have an advantage in the courts when victims file complaints? This article explores these questions by analyzing court cases, an interview with a litigant, Equal EmploymentOpportunity Commission statistics, andMerit Systems Protection Board studies. The results of this analysis suggest practical strategies for improving compliance with Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Although complaint processes and litigation might serve as deterrents, employers have an advantage so victims have been reluctant to file formal complaints. Women have a disadvantage in the courts because fewwomen serve on the bench, however the number of female judges is likely to increase in the future. Also, agencies need to open and legitimize the process by establishing informal aswell as formal complaint processes and networks of impartial counselors and investigators who are qualified to hear complaints.
Psychological Contracts in Local Government
Authors: Berman Evan M. , West Jonathan P.
Published: April 2004

Psychological contracts are agreements between managers and individual workers that aim to increase worker commitment and alignment with the needs of the organization. Psychological contracts clarify expectations,addr ess ambiguity, and attempt to ensure a reasonable balance between expectations (what one gets) and contributions (what one gives). Based on a national survey,this study finds that in about one half of U.S. citiesmostmanagers believe they have a psychological contract of some sort and that in about one fifth of cities,these understandings meet amore stringent definition of such contracts. Respondents report that utilizing the notion of psychological contracts improves understanding and agreement about employees’ and managers’ responsibilities and also increases openness in communication. Psychological contracts are associated with the use of performance enhancement strategies,and some respondents report that they increase loyalty and trust as well.
An Inspection Criterion for Flashover in Compartment Fires Based on Catastrophe Theory
Authors: Weng W. G. , Fan W. C.
Published: April 2004

Flashover is a phenomenon whereby a compartment fire undergoes a rapid increase in size and intensity. Such a transition is suggestive of a catastrophe process. In this paper, catastrophe behavior of flashover is analyzed and equilibrium manifold function equation is created based on catastrophe theory. The corresponding relation between system control variables and operating conditions are discussed. The results indicate that the catastrophe form of flashover is swallowtail catastrophe. This result has already been found by Beard et al. Some additional results are presented. Therefore, an inspection criterion for flashover in compartment fires can be determined from the bifurcation set of the swallowtail catastrophe.
Mathematical Model of Smoldering Combustion in a Carbonaceous Porous Medium Part 2 – Sensitivity Analysis of Model Parameters
Authors: Yi Sung-Chul , Song Eun-Seok , Joung Whi-Dong , Oh Seong-Geun , Moon Sei Ki , Hajaligol Mohammad R.
Published: April 2004

In this paper, we systematically evaluated the effects of model parameters on the linear burn rate (LBR) and temperature to control smoldering of a cigarette. Fifteen model parameters were identified as smoldering factors. Among them, the theoretical findings of the effects of the cigarette radius, packing density, and water content on LBR and the peak temperature agree well with the experimental results in the literature. The method presented in this paper is adequate, and the basic mechanism of the natural smoldering process of tobacco can be explained.

We evaluated the effects of smoldering factors on the LBR and the peak temperature ( Tmax), and obtained the basic data for establishing a scientific means of limiting the smoldering process, that can replace conventional experience and the trial and error approach.
A Systemic Approach to Measuring Fire Safety Performance
Authors: Santos-Reyes Jaime , Beard Alan N.
Published: April 2004

Traditionally, fire safety approaches have been reactive rather than proactive. They have tended to focus on technical aspects and look for the immediate causes of incidents or accidents after they have taken place. Negative outcomes have been seen as means to measure the organisation’s fire safety performance. More recently, fire safety approaches have focused on assessing the consequences of the fire risk inherent in the organisation’s operations more proactively. They may however not address human factors. There is a need to understand the systemic nature of fire safety, so that both technical and human factors can be addressed as a coherent whole. Moreover, this understanding should help to quantify the organisation’s fire safety performance. This paper presents a systemic approach that may be used to measure an organisation’s fire safety performance. This system is intended to facilitate an understanding of the systemic nature of fire safety and to help organisations to maintain fire risk within an acceptable range.
Correlation between Limiting Oxygen Index and Phosphorus Content of the Cotton Fabric Treated with a Hydroxy-Functional Organophosphorus Flame Retarding Finish and Melamine–Formaldehyde
Authors: Wu Weidong , Zhen Xiao’a , Yang Charles Q.
Published: April 2004

The combination of a hydroxy-functional organophosphorus flame retardant agent (FR) and melamine–formaldehyde (M–F) was used as a durable flame retardant finishing system for cotton fabrics. M–F functions as a binder between FR and cotton cellulose, thus making this flame retardant system durable to home laundering. M–F also provides nitrogen to this system, therefore enhances its flame retarding performance by means of phosphorus–nitrogen (P–N) synergism. Limiting oxygen index (LOI) is one of the most commonly used parameters to indicate the flammability of textiles as well as other materials. In this research, we investigated the correlation between LOI and the phosphorus content on the cotton fabric treated with the durable flame retarding system described above. Phosphorus concentration on the fabric was analyzed by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICPAES). We developed a statistical model to predict the LOI of the treated cotton fabric based on the phosphorus concentration and the concentrations of the M–F in the finish solutions.
A Review of Current Flame Retardant Systems for Epoxy Resins
Authors: Weil Edward D. , Levchik Sergei
Published: April 2004

The review covers materials currently available or which appear to be in serious development, with emphasis on electrical laminates and encapsulation, and brief coverage of other applications. The dominant technology for FR-4 printed wiring boards uses tetrabromobisphenol-A reacted into the epoxy resin. Nonhalogen systems include additives such as alumina trihydrate, alumina trihydrate plus red phosphorus, and aromatic phosphates. Reactives include a dihydrooxaphosphaphenanthrene oxide and various adducts thereof, and hydroxyl-terminated oligomeric phosphorus-containing esters. A further approach is the modification of the epoxy resin by placement of aromatic groups between the glycidyloxyphenyl groups, and/or by use of a triazine-modified novolac as crosslinker. Flame retardant epoxy coatings continue to make use of ammonium polyphosphate plus char-forming additives.