bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Time Period Required for Transcranial Doppler Monitoring of Embolic Signals to Predict Recurrent Risk of Embolic Transient Ischemic Attack and Stroke From Arterial Stenosis
Authors: Blaser Till , Glanz Wenzel , Krueger Stephan , Wallesch Claus-Werner , Kropf Siegfried , Goertler Michael
Published: July 2004

Background and Purpose—

We aimed to investigate whether the time period of transcranial Doppler monitoring for embolic signals can be reduced without loss of clinical yield compared with routinely performed 1-hour monitoring.

Methods—

Investigations on the basis of a post hoc analysis of a previously published cohort of 86 patients (55 men, 31 women; mean age 60.6 years) with a nondisabling arterioembolic ischemic event in the anterior circulation within the last 30 days (mean 7.3) and an ipsilateral medium-grade or high-grade stenosis of the carotid or middle cerebral artery. Patients underwent 1-hour monitoring for embolic signals and were followed up prospectively for 6 weeks to evaluate the relationship between embolic signals and risk of an early ischemic recurrence. Risk was also calculated after fictitious reduction of the monitoring period from 60 minutes to 50, 40, 30, 20, and 10 minutes, respectively, and compared with the results obtained from the 1-hour period.

Results—

The number of patients positive for embolic signals decreased with the decreasing monitoring period. By this, the odds ratio of embolic signals for an early ischemic recurrence “decreased” from 40 (derived from the 1-hour monitoring) to 10 when the monitoring lasted ≤30 minutes. The relationship between the rate of embolic signals per hour and risk of a recurrent stroke is described by an S-shaped curve. As a consequence, risk estimated from reduced monitoring periods can differ considerably from that derived from the 1-hour monitoring if the signal frequency lies within a medium range (eg, between 3 and 15 signals in 30 minutes).

Conclusions—

The time period of monitoring for embolic signals may be reduced without loss of clinical relevant information when signal frequency is low or already high during the reduced monitoring period, but it should be prolonged to maximally an hour at signal numbers within a medium range. However, our results need to be externally validated on an independent cohort of patients or confirmed by a prospective study before this modification can be recommended in general.
Direct Assessment of Completeness of Ascertainment in a Stroke Incidence Study
Authors: Coull A.J. , Silver L.E. , Bull L.M. , Giles M.F. , Rothwell P.M.
Published: July 2004

Background and Purpose—

Validity of comparisons of stroke incidence between studies or time periods depends on the completeness of ascertainment. Ascertainment cannot be reliably assessed indirectly by statistical methods, such as capture–recapture. We report the first use of direct methods to determine the completeness of different ascertainment strategies in a population-based stroke incidence study (Oxford Vascular Study).

Methods—

We assessed completeness of 2 different ascertainment strategies: the core methods common to most previous incidence studies and core plus supplementary methods used in some studies (including access to carotid and brain imaging referrals and assessment of patients referred as “transient ischemic attack” or “recurrent stroke”). We assessed completeness of ascertainment in 2 ways. First, we searched anonymized primary care electronic patient records of the whole study population (n=90 542). Second, we interviewed and followed-up a high-risk subset of our study population: all patients who had an acute coronary or peripheral vascular event or a related elective investigation or intervention.

Results—

126 strokes were ascertained by the core plus supplementary methods, of which only 108 were identified by the core methods alone. Only 2 additional incident strokes were identified by access to primary care electronic patient records of the whole study population. Assessment and follow-up of 1103 high-risk individuals (5.5% of our total study population aged older than 60 years) identified 16 incident strokes. However, all 16 had already been ascertained by the core plus supplementary methods.

Conclusions—

The core methods of ascertainment used in some stroke incidence studies lead to significant underascertainment. However, direct assessment of ascertainment suggests that the supplementary methods used in recent studies can lead to near-complete ascertainment.
Prospective Community-Based Study of Stroke in Northern Portugal
Authors: Correia Manuel , Silva Mário R. , Matos Ilda , Magalhães Rui , Lopes J. Castro , Ferro José M. , Silva M. Carolina
Published: July 2004

Background and Purpose—

Mortality statistics indicate that Portugal has the highest stroke mortality in Western Europe. Data on stroke incidence in Northern Portugal, the region with the highest mortality, are lacking. This study was designed to determine stroke incidence and case fatality in rural and urban populations in Northern Portugal.

Methods—

All suspected first-ever-in-a-lifetime strokes occurring between October 1998 and September 2000 in 37 290 residents in rural municipalities and 86 023 living in the city of Porto were entered in a population-based registry. Standard definitions and comprehensive sources of information were used for identification of patients who were followed-up at 3 and 12 months after onset of symptoms.

Results—

During a 24-month period, 688 patients with a first-ever stroke were registered, 226 in rural and 462 in urban areas. The crude annual incidence was 3.05 (95% CI, 2.65 to 3.44) and 2.69 per 1000 (95% CI, 2.44 to 2.93) for rural and urban populations, respectively; the corresponding rates adjusted to the European standard population were 2.02 (95% CI, 1.69 to 2.34) and 1.73 (95% CI, 1.53 to 1.92). Age-specific incidence followed different patterns in rural and urban populations, reaching major discrepancy for those 75 to 84 years old, 20.2 (95% CI, 16.1 to 25.0) and 10.9 (95% CI, 9.0 to 12.8), respectively. Case fatality at 28 days was 14.6% (95% CI, 10.2 to 19.3) in rural and 16.9% (95% CI, 13.7 to 20.6) in urban areas.

Conclusions—

Stroke incidence in rural and urban Northern Portugal is high compared to that reported in other Western Europe regions. The high official mortality in our country, which could be explained by a relatively high incidence, was not because of a high case fatality rate.
Student Achievement in High Performing, Suburban Middle Schools and Low Performing, Urban Middle Schools
Authors: Brown Kathleen M. , Anfara Vincent A. , Roney Kathleen
Published: July 2004

Utilizing a qualitative, multisite case study design and the theoretical framework of Hoy and Hannum (1997), the design and execution of this research investigates plausible explanations for the difference in student achievement between high performing (HPS) suburban middle schools and low performing (LPS) urban middle schools. Aside from the great disparity in SES, test scores, and funding, findings show stark contrasts between the 2 types of schools with regard to the technical, managerial, and institutional levels of the schools’ organizational health (i.e., teacher efficacy, curriculum articulation, student expectations, collegiality, instructional leadership, institutional integrity, etc.). Outlining quick fixes and easy-to-follow reform initiatives that are not so easy to achieve is a grave disservice and, under these circumstances, promoting best practices as an ecological package promotes false hope. The power of this study encourages us to move away from the structures per se and return to the deeper meaning and purpose under girding them.
Strengths and Weaknesses of Bright Urban Children
Authors: Kritt David W.
Published: July 2004

Patterns of individual scores are used to critique citywide testing of urban children at the beginning of their schooling. Of the 47 children identified as gifted in a citywide assessment, 25 exhibited substantial intra individual differences between skill subscales on a standardized intelligence test. Eighty percent of the children had a perceptual-performance(P) area of strength, and for half of these children, it was the greatest area of strength. Discussion focuses on implications for the education of bright urban children.
What to Do When Your Hessian is Not Invertible
Authors: Gill Jeff , King Gary
Published: July 2004

What should a researcher do when statistical analysis software terminates before completion with a message that the Hessian is not invertible? The standard textbook advice is to respecify the model, but this is another way of saying that the researcher should change the question being asked. Obviously, however, computer programs should not be in the business of deciding what questions are worthy of study. Although noninvertable Hessians are sometimes signals of poorly posed questions, nonsensical models, or inappropriate estimators, they also frequently occur when information about the quantities of interest exists in the data through the likelihood function. The authors explain the problem in some detail and lay out two preliminary proposals for ways of dealing with noninvertable Hessians without changing the question asked.
Methodologist as Arbitrator
Authors: Morgan Stephen L.
Published: July 2004

When progress in applied research slows because opposing coalitions of investigators privilege their favored models, methodologists can contribute by addressing a tractable unresolved question that is relevant to all competing positions. In this article, the literature on educational attainment is addressed, broadly by focusing on alternative positions on the need to model students’ own beliefs and more narrowly by attempting to answer a classic question that emerged in debates over the power of status attainment approaches: Why is the relationship between educational expectations and subsequent educational attainment weaker for Blacks than for Whites? Five complementary models of the causal effect of expectations on attainment are offered: a traditional path model, an average effects instrumental variable model, a counterfactual analysis of bounds, a rational expectations forecasting model, and a panel data model of updated expectations.
Bayesian Posterior Estimation of Logit Parameters with Small Samples
Authors: Galindo-Garre Francisca , Vermunt Jeroen K. , Bergsma Wicher P.
Published: July 2004

When the sample size is small compared to the number of cells in a contingency table, maximum likelihood estimates of logit parameters and their associated standard errors may not exist or may be biased. This problem is usually solved by “smoothing” the estimates, assuming a certain prior distribution for the parameters. This article investigates the performance of point and interval estimates obtained by assuming various prior distributions. The authors focus on two logit parameters of a 2 × 2 × 2 table: the interaction effect of two predictors on a response variable and the main effect of one of two predictors on a response variable, under the assumption that the interaction effect is zero. The results indicate the superiority of the posterior mode to the posterior mean.
Pharmacological and Clinical Profile of Moexipril: A Concise Review
Authors: Chrysant Steven G. , Chrysant George S.
Published: July 2004

Angiotensin‐converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors are effective and safe antihypertensive drugs, with the exception of the rare occasion of angioedema. These drugs have demonstrated additional cardiovascular protective effects to their blood pressure lowering, and their combination with the diuretic hydrochlorothiazide potentiates their antihypertensive effectiveness. Moexipril is a long‐acting ACE inhibitor suitable for once‐daily administration, and like some ACE inhibitors, moexipril is a prodrug and needs to be hydrolyzed in the liver into its active carboxylic metabolite, moexiprilat, to become effective. Moexipril alone and in combination with low‐dose hydrochlorothiazide has been shown in clinical trials to be effective in lowering blood pressure and be well tolerated and safe given in single daily doses. In this review, the pharmacological profile of this drug and its clinical usefulness are discussed.
Pharmacokinetics of Meloxicam in Patients With Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: Burgos‐Vargas Rubén , Foeldvari Ivan , Thon Angelika , Linke Ronald , Tuerck Dietrich
Published: July 2004

The pharmacokinetics of a meloxicam suspension were studied in 18 children with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. Children received a single 0.25‐mg/kg dose up to a maximum of 15 mg. Pharmacokinetic parameters after the first dose were calculated by noncompartmental methods. Geometric mean (percent coefficient of variation for geometric mean [gCV]) Cmax, AUC0‐∞, apparent clearance, apparent volume of distribution, and elimination half‐life values were 1.24 μg/mL (47% gCV), 25.6 μg•h/mL (81% gCV), 0.17 mL/min/kg (83% gCV), 0.19 L/kg (63% gCV), and 13.4 hours (54% gCV) in the younger group and 1.89 μg/mL (25% gCV), 35.8 μg•h/mL (21% gCV), 0.12 mL/min/kg (23% gCV), 0.13 L/kg (22% gCV), and 12.7 hours (21% gCV) for the older group, respectively. Area under the curve, volume of distribution, and clearance tended to be higher in the younger group, whereas elimination half‐lives were similar. A post hoc comparison to pharmacokinetic data in adults revealed no relevant differences. Thus, a common body weight–normalized dose is considered appropriate for children older than 2 years.
Effects of Nicotine on the Number and Activity of Circulating Endothelial Progenitor Cells
Authors: Wang XingXiang , Zhu JunHui , Chen JunZhu , Shang YunPeng
Published: July 2004

Recently, some studies have shown that nicotine increased neovascularization, which involves endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs). The effects of nicotine on EPCs are still unclear at present. Therefore, the authors investigated whether nicotine had influences on EPC number and activity. The EPCs were stimulated with nicotine (to make a series of final concentrations: 10−12 mol/L, 10−10 mol/L, 10−8 mol/L, 10−6 mol/L, 10−4 mol/L) or vehicle control for the respective time points(12, 18, 24, 32, and 48 hours). The EPCs were characterized as adherent cells double positive for DiLDL uptake and lectin binding by direct fluorescent staining under a laser‐scanning confocal microscope. They were further documented by demonstrating the expression of KDR, VEGFR‐2, and AC133 with flow cytometry. The EPC proliferation, migration, and in vitro vasculogenesis activity were assayed with the 3‐(4, 5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2, 5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay; the modified Boyden chamber assay; and the in vitro vasculogenesis kit, respectively. The EPC adhesion assay was performed by replating those on fibronectin‐coated dishes and then counting the adherent cells. As a result, nicotine dose dependently increased the EPC number and the proliferative, migratory, adhesive, and in vitro vasculogenesis capacity at nicotine concentrations of 10−12 to 10−8 mol/L. The peak effects on EPCs were observed at concentrations of nicotine 10−8 mol/L, similar to those in the blood of smokers. In addition, nicotine (10−8 mol/L) time dependently increased the EPC number and activity. However, cytotoxicity was seen at higher nicotine concentrations (> 10−6 mol/L). In conclusion, nicotine had complex effects on EPCs: nicotine might induce the augmentation of EPCs with enhanced functional activity at relatively low concentrations. However, cytotoxicity was seen at higher nicotine concentrations.
No Pharmacokinetic or Pharmacodynamic Interaction Between Digoxin and the Oral Direct Thrombin Inhibitor Ximelagatran in Healthy Volunteers
Authors: Sarich Troy C. , Schützer Kajs‐Mariey , Wollbratt Maria , Wall Ulrika , Kessler Eva , Eriksson Ulf G.
Published: July 2004

The interaction potential of digoxin and ximelagatran, an oral direct thrombin inhibitor being developed for the prevention and treatment of thromboembolic disease, was investigated in this randomized, double‐blind, 2‐way crossover study. On 2 separate occasions, healthy female and male volunteers (n = 16) received ximelagatran 36 mg or placebo twice daily for 8 days separated by a 4‐ to 14‐day washout period. All volunteers received a single oral dose of digoxin 0.5 mg on day 4 of both study periods. No interaction between ximelagatran and digoxin was detected in the pharmacokinetic parameters (using a 90% confidence interval [CI] of least squares mean estimate ratios), including melagatran (the active form of ximelagatran) AUCτ and Cmax and digoxin AUCt and Cmax. Digoxin did not alter the melagatran‐induced prolongation of the activated partial thromboplastin time, and both drugs were well tolerated when administered in combination. In conclusion, no pharmacokinetic or pharmacodynamic interaction between digoxin and ximelagatran was observed in this study.
Psychometric Properties of the Spanish Version of the Therapeutic Collaboration Scale (TCS)
Authors: Paris Manuel , Bedregal Luis E. , Añez Luis M. , Shahar Golan , Davidson Larry
Published: July 2004

The development of appropriately normed Spanish-language assessments is a necessity as a result of (1) a growing Latino population in need of behavioral health services and (2) a limited number of linguistically and culturally sensitive instruments that are currently available. As part of a broader assessment on the needs and satisfaction with services received, 103 Latina women completed the Therapeutic Collaboration Scale (TCS). This measure attained a substantial internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha =.94) and good convergent validity with another instrument that also assessed the therapeutic relationship named the Therapeutic Alliance with Clinician (r = .71, p < .05). A principal component analysis evidenced one component underlying the TCS, which further confirmed the unidimensionality of this instrument. This measure achieved a good correlation with an instrument assessing the participants’ satisfaction with services (SWS, r = .44, p < .05). Conclusions and implications of this study are presented in this article.
Acculturation and Acculturative Stress as Predictors of Psychological Distress and Quality-of-Life Functioning in Hispanic Psychiatric Patients
Authors: Thoman Lisa Vinuesa , Surís Alina
Published: July 2004

This study examined acculturation level and type, acculturative stress, and several demographic variables as predictors of psychological distress and health-related quality of life in a sample of 101 Hispanic patients at a community psychiatric clinic. Acculturative stress was predictive of psychological distress beyond the effects of the demographic variables. It was also predictive of quality of life with regard to mental health, but not with effects of demographic variables controlled. Acculturation level was not predictive of any of the dependent variables. Low-bicultural acculturation type predicted high psychological distress and poor quality of life-mental health. Assimilated acculturation type was predictive of good quality of life-mental health and traditional acculturation type was predictive of good quality of life-physical functioning. Results demonstrated the importance of evaluating acculturative stress in the psychological assessment of Hispanic psychiatric patients.
Pulse Oximetry in Children with Congenital Heart Disease: Effects of Cardiopulmonary Bypass and Cyanosis
Authors: Torres Adalberto , Skender Kelly M. , Wohrley Julie D. , Aldag Jean C. , Raff Gary W. , Bysani G. Kris , Geiss Dale M.
Published: July 2004

The objective of this prospective, observational study with consecutive sampling was to assess the reliability, bias, and precision of Nellcor N-395 (N) and Masimo SET Radical (M) pulse oximeters in children with cyanotic congenital heart disease and children with congenital heart disease recovering from cardiopulmonary bypass-assisted surgery admitted to a cardiovascular operating suite and pediatric intensive care unit at a tertiary care community hospital. Forty-six children with congenital heart disease were studied in 1 of 2 groups: (1) those recovering from cardiopulmonary bypass with a serum lactic acid > 2 mmol/L, and (2) those with co-oximetry measured saturations (SaO 2) < 90% and no evidence of shock. Measurements of SaO 2 of whole blood were compared to simultaneous pulse oximetry saturations (SpO 2). Data were analyzed to detect significant differences in SpO 2 readout failures between oximeters and average SpO 2 - SaO 2 ± 1 SD for each oximeter. A total of 122 SaO 2 measurements were recorded; the median SaO 2 was 83% (57 - 100%). SpO 2 failures after cardiopulmonary bypass were 41% (25/61) for N versus 10% (6/61) for M ( P < .001). There was a significant difference in bias (ie, average SpO 2 - SaO 2) and precision (± 1 SD) between oximeters (N, 1.1 ± 3.3 vs M, -0.2 ± 4.1; P < .001) in the postcardiopulmonary bypass group but no significant difference in bias and precision between oximeters in the cyanotic congenital heart disease group (N, 2.9 ± 4.6 vs M, 2.8 ± 6.2; P = .848). The Nellcor N-395 pulse oximeter failed more often immediately after cardiopulmonary bypass than did the Masimo SET Radical pulse oximeter. SpO2 measured with both oximeters overestimated SaO2 in the presence of persistent hypoxemia.
The European Union Pension Directive: Implications for U.S. Business
Authors: Marshall Jane
Published: July 2004

For years, multinational companies have complained about the fact that they must establish separate pension schemes in each European Union country in which they operate. Significant progress has been made in recent months with respect to pan-European pensions. On September 23, 2003, the European Commission finalized the Pension Fund Directive and took a major step toward the creation of an internal market in Europe for occupational pensions. The Directive will apply to all existing and future pension schemes, with limited exceptions, within member states as well as to pan-European schemes. All member states have less than two years to implement provisions of the Directive. The new European market will offer enormous opportunities to businesses that are prepared for the changes ahead. This article provides a preview of what businesses should be doing now to prepare to reap the benefits.
Stock Options in Employee Compensation: Employing a Symmetrical Reload Feature
Authors: Nowicki Margaret D. , Lewis Eric E. , Lippitt Jeffrey W.
Published: July 2004

The granting of options on common stock to corporate executives has recently attracted a great deal of attention. Some scholars suggest that the granting of options will help motivate key employees to act in the best interests of the share-holders of a corporation. There are also strong criticisms of the conflicts of interests that the most commonly granted options may have the propensity to create. The reloading of options to lower settlement prices in response to declining market values has been criticized as a management perquisite that has little potential for adding value to a firm. This article proposes a strategy for systematically repricing options in both directions according to expected returns on corporate common stock, with a new, market-based method for determining the reload price. This technique promises to retain the motivational benefits of stock option grants while curbing some of the abuses for which these instruments have been criticized.
The Future of Broad-Based Options
Authors: Shah Sam
Published: July 2004

Numerous studies have investigated the effect that the new expensing rules will have on existing balance sheets, but a closer analysis demonstrates that companies will have an opportunity to rethink their existing approach to accounting and, ultimately, equity compensation. In addition to accounting for stock options, companies also have to expense their employee stock purchase plans. New rules from the NYSE and the NASDAQ will also influence equity compensation plans, calling for shareholder approval of all employee stock ownership plans. Specialists in benefits and compensation must understand the scope of changes that will arrive in 2005. Perhaps broad-based equity compensation plans will be the answer. As recent studies linking broad-based equity pay to performance show, they might just be a welcomed alternative.
Necrotizing Enterocolitis: the Evidence for Use of Human Milk in Prevention and Treatment
Authors: Updegrove Kim
Published: July 2004

Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is one of the diagnoses for which donor human milk is regularly prescribed. The role of human milk in both prevention and treatment of NEC has long been recognized. Human milk, whether mother’s own or donor, provides significant protection against many of the known risk factors of NECas well as therapeutic protection for the infant recovering from NEC. In the absence of mother’s own milk, donor human milk could be life saving to fragile preterm infants, who are at highest risk of developing NEC. J Hum Lact. 20(3):335-339.
Breastfeeding Attitudes, Intention, and Initiation in Low-Income Women: the Effect of the Best Start Program
Authors: Ryser Faun G.
Published: July 2004

This study compared breastfeeding attitudes, intention, and initiation among low-income women exposed or not exposed to the Best Start program. A between- (experimental vs control group) and within-factor (pretest vs posttest) repeated measures design was employed. A nonprobability sample of 54 subjects was randomly assigned to a control group (n = 28) or an experimental group (n = 26). Using the Breastfeeding Attrition Prediction Tool, statistically significant group by time interaction effects were found for negative breastfeeding sentiment, positive breastfeeding sentiment, and breastfeeding control scales. Compared to the control group, the experimental group had significantly increased positive breastfeeding sentiment ( P < .01), decreased negative breastfeeding sentiment ( P < .01), and increased breastfeeding control ( P < .01) from pretest to posttest. Following exposure to the Best Start program, subjects in the experimental group showed statistically significantly higher breastfeeding intention and initiation than did those in the control group. Practical implications are discussed. J Hum Lact. 20(3):300-305.
Women’s Experiences Using a Nipple Shield
Authors: Powers Diane , Tapia Vicki Bodley
Published: July 2004

An informal, retrospective telephone survey of 202 breastfeeding women was conducted over an 8-month period of time, assessing patients’ perceptions regarding use of a silicone nipple shield. Women used the shield most frequently because of flat nipples (62%). Other reasons for shield use included the infant’s disorganized suck (43%), sore nipples (23%), engorgement (15%), prematurity (12%), short frenulum (1%), and other reasons (1%). Fortysix percent of the women gave more than 1 reason for using a shield. Sixty-seven percent of the women continued to breastfeed after transitioning off the nipple shield. Median duration of nipple shield use for this group of women was 2 weeks. Thirty-three percent of the women who used the nipple shield with every breastfeeding breastfed from 1 day to 15 months. Five percent of women used the shield on only one side from 1 day to 9 months. J Hum Lact. 20(3):327-334.
Can Cost-Benefit Analysis Answer Criminal Justice Policy Questions, And If So, How?
Authors: Roman John
Published: July 2004

Cost-benefit analysis (CBA) is commonly used in criminal justice research, but the results are rarely embraced with great confidence. The CBA method that is routinely applied in crime research is not a well-developed empirical method but rather an intuitive extension of economic theory appended onto an impact evaluation. Small errors resulting from common problems in evaluation, such as small sample sizes and selection effects, are magnified in the CBA framework. In particular, rare events with large costs or benefits can obscure all other program effects. Even with careful attention to these issues, CBA conducted in conjunction with an impact evaluation will, as a rule, omit critical information. Because public safety is at the core of crime control, it is critical that CBA captures the effects of crime-control policy at the community level. Moving the unit of analysis from individual to community level effects may resolve these problems.
Labor Market Effects of Permitting Employer Access to Criminal History Records
Authors: Bushway Shawn D.
Published: July 2004

There is an ongoing debate about the wisdom of allowing employers to use criminal history records in the employment screening process. The debate typically places the rights of individuals with criminal history records against the rights of employers concerned about hiring workers who might be inclined to commit crime in the workplace. The author argues that such a characterization of the debate is too narrow. In particular, this article uses a simple economic analysis to argue that employer access to criminal history records might actually increase the wages of individuals without criminal history records and may, moreover, increase average market wages for groups of individuals with large number of convicted individuals, such as Black males. This theory is tested by exploiting cross-state variation in policies governing employer access to criminal history records.
Assessing the Effect of Adolescent Employment on Involvement in Criminal Activity
Authors: Brame Robert , Bushway Shawn D. , Paternoster Raymond , Apel Robert
Published: July 2004

This article considers the problem of estimating the effect of a binary independent variable (employment) on a binary outcome variable (involvement in criminal activity) for a nationally representative sample of adolescents (ages 15-18). The authors’ bivariate analysis confirms a common finding from the literature, that adolescent employment is associated with increased risk of involvement in criminal activity. They then turn to the problem of assessing whether this association is sensitive to plausible assumptions about the impact of other variables (both observed and unobserved) on both employment and crime. This assessment reveals that both the sign and magnitude of the maximum likelihood estimate of the employment effect are quite sensitive to these assumptions. Based on this evidence, they conclude that future efforts to understand the adolescent work-crime relationship will benefit from resolving the ambiguities identified by their analysis.
The Cost-Effectiveness of Criminal Justice Diversion Programs for People with Serious Mental Illness Co-Occurring with Substance Abuse
Authors: Cowell Alexander J. , Broner Nahama , Dupont Randolph
Published: July 2004

Many cities, counties, and states have criminal justice diversion or jail diversion programs, in which those committing low-level offenses and who have mental illness or substance abuse are diverted from the criminal justice system into treatment. However, there is little existing evidence on the cost and cost-effectiveness of such programs. This article presents the first such estimates for four sites. Estimates of the impact of diversion on both costs and effectiveness varied across the sites. This variation likely reflects heterogeneity in the structure and implementation of the programs across the sites. Directions for future research are suggested.
A Detailed Cost Analysis in a Mature Drug Court Setting
Authors: Carey Shannon M. , Finigan Michael W.
Published: July 2004

Assessing the costs of drug court in relation to benefits has become an important issue for policy makers. Past cost-benefit studies have often relied on proxy estimates, client self-reports and/or non-local data to provide their estimates. This is less than helpful to policy makers particularly at the local level who are trying to understand both their actual investment into drug court and the real local cost savings. This study is an intensive examination of investment costs and benefits resulting from the operation of a single court. Data were collected in a manner that allowed costs and benefit to be assessed both overall and agency-by-agency, and the value of less intensive approaches in providing similar estimates. The study used a Transactional Cost economic model that examines complex multiple agency contributions to costs. The results of this study demonstrate that drug courts can be a cost effective use of taxpayer resources.
Identity Management Strategies Utilized by Lesbian and Gay Employees
Authors: Button Scott B.
Published: July 2004

Although it is commonly assumed that gay and lesbian employees face a dichotomous choice between passing as a heterosexual and openly identifying oneself as a sexual minority member, past qualitative research has suggested that the decision is more complex. A set of confirmatory factor analyses was conducted to examine this issue quantitatively and identify the factor model that best explains the patterns of behavior associated with identity management in organizational settings. The results revealed that gay and lesbian employees may counterfeit a false heterosexual identity, avoid the issue of sexuality altogether, or integrate a gay or lesbian identity into the work context. The factor pattern was the same for lesbians and gay males. In addition, the results suggest that these strategies may be used in combination. The importance of identity management strategies for the individual and the organization are discussed and suggestions for future research are provided.
Self-Other Rating Agreement in Mentoring
Authors: Sosik John J. , Godshalk Veronica M.
Published: July 2004

This study used Atwater and Yammarino’s (1997) self-other rating agreement process model to examine whether mentor-protégé agreement regarding mentor transformational leadership would influence mentoring functions (i.e., psychosocial support and career development) and protégé outcomes (i.e., career satisfaction, job satisfaction, desired aspirations, enacted aspirations). Mentors in 217 mentor-protégé dyads were classified as over-estimators, under-estimators, in-agreement/poor, or in-agreement/good based on the difference between mentor's self-rating and protégé’s rating of mentor’s transformational leadership. Results of multivariate analysis of covariance indicated that protégés in over-estimator dyads reported the lowest levels of psychosocial support and career satisfaction. Protégés in under-estimator dyads reported higher levels of psychosocial support, career development, and enacted aspirations than in-agreement/poor and over-estimator dyads. Protégés in in-agreement/good dyads reported higher levels of psychosocial support than in-agreement/poor and over-estimator dyads. The practical implications of these results are discussed.
Collectivism in Action
Authors: Francesco Anne Marie , Chen Zhen Xiong
Published: July 2004

This study explores the role of collectivism as a moderator of the relationship between organizational commitment (OC) and employee performance in a Chinese setting. The relationships between OC and both in-role and extra role performance were found to be weaker for collectivists. These weaker relationships were thought to be because of feelings of obligation to the organization that may have been aroused in collectivists who considered the organization as an in-group. Limitations of the study, directions for future research, and implications of the findings are discussed.
Care and Justice Orientations in Workplace Ethical Dilemmas of Women Business Owners
Authors: Hopkins Margaret M. , Bilimoria Diana
Published: July 2004

In this study, the authors examine the justice and care moral orientations that women business owners employ when resolving important workplace dilemmas and the influence of material financial consequence from these dilemmas on their ethical deliberations. The findings indicate that women business owners predominantly use an ethic of justice in addressing workplace ethical dilemmas, especially when significant financial consequence to the business is perceived to stem from the workplace dilemma. Implications of the study are drawn for extant knowledge and future research on women’s use of moral orientations.
The Effects of Diversity Awareness Training on Differential Treatment
Authors: Sanchez Juan I. , Medkik Nohora
Published: July 2004

A quasi-experimental design was used to evaluate the effects of cultural diversity awareness training among 125 managers and supervisors. Approximately half of the participants attended a cultural diversity awareness training session where as the other half served as a matched comparison group. A coworker specifically designated for each participant evaluated the extent to which the participant engaged in differential treatment of culturally different individuals. Trainees’ reactions to the training program were positive. However, there was an interaction between training and coworker’s ethnicity, such that trainees received higher ratings of differential treatment from non-White coworkers than did matched controls. Post training interviews suggested that such difference was due to a resentful demoralization of trainees. The results should warn organizations that diversity awareness training may not have the desired effects in the absence of a supportive work context.
The Direct Care Worker: A Key Dimension of Home Care Policy
Authors: Stone Robyn
Published: July 2004

Home health aides, home care workers, and personal care attendants form the core of the formal home care system by providing assistance with activities of daily living and the personal interaction that is essential to quality of life and quality of care for their clients. High turnover and long vacancy periods are costly for providers, consumers, their families, and workers themselves. In 2002, 37 states identified worker recruitment and retention as major priority issues. Demographic and economic trends do not augur well for the future availability of quality home care workers. Policy makers in the areas of health, long-term care, labor, welfare, and immigration must partner with providers, worker organizations, and researchers to identify and implement the most successful interventions for developing and sustaining this workforce at both policy and practice levels. The future of home care will depend, in large part, on this third rail of long-term care policy.
An Emergency Management Model for Home Health Care Organizations
Authors: Doherty Meg
Published: July 2004

In June 2002, President George W. Bush signed the Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Act into law. Local, state, and federal government authorities face the challenge of balancing safeguards to the public safety, anticipating threats in advance, and treating the victims of bioterrorist attacks. The Joint Commission on Accreditation for Healthcare Organizations recently developed new compliance standards for all health care organizations including home health care to advance this effort. The intent of these standards is to change the way health care organizations plan for emergencies to a more comprehensive process of emergency management using an all-hazards approach. Implementation of these standards will result in the mitigation of potential identified threats to patients, employees, and the community and the provision of essential services and business operations. For all federal, state, and local organizations responsible for the realization of this essential and urgent public policy including health care, planning and implementation expenses are a major concern.
The Nurse Practitioner in Home Care
Authors: Neal Leslie Jean
Published: July 2004

Since 1889, when the role of the nurse anesthetist as an advanced practice nurse was first recognized in the United States, the roles and utilization of the advanced practice nurse in general and that of the nurse practitioner in particular have expanded significantly. Nurse practitioners are moving into the home health care setting and practice in a variety of specialties within home care. This article discusses the need for the nurse practitioner role in home care, the benefits of the role, and the potential for the role in home care for the future.
Examining Home Care in Other Countries: The Policy Issues
Authors: MacAdam Margaret
Published: July 2004

This article uses Canada as a case study to demonstrate how one country with a strong social welfare focus has addressed the policy and delivery issues embedded in home care. It moves on to briefly discuss recent home care developments in Germany, Japan, and Great Britain to provide examples of how other countries are coping with such issues as access to care, financing, and consumer preferences. It ends with a discussion of policy issues that many countries are facing today.
Linking Home Care and the Workplace through Innovative Wireless Technology: The Worker Interactive Networking (WIN) Project
Authors: Mahoney Diane Feeney
Published: July 2004

Family caregivers are a critical component in home care. Employee caregivers carry an additional set of demands that overlay their caregiving responsibilities. Work accommodations may result in loss of work time, pay, and benefits with detrimental income and retirement implications. Can technology be used to better manage the dual demands of employment and caregiving? Through the aegis of the Department of Commerce, National Telecommunications and Information Administration Technology Opportunity Program, this question is addressed through the development and testing of an innovative telecare system designed to support working caregivers concerned about vulnerable adults or older adults at home. Known as the Worker Interactive Networking (WIN) Project, an Internet-based telecommunication program was developed to promote workplace intergroup support and links to a home-based wireless sensor monitoring system (Nursense) that informs and alerts the worker about his or her personalized areas of oversight concern. This article presents the background and development of this application, the nursing framework, and the implications for home care.
Social Work Licensure: A Brief History and Description
Authors: Dyeson Timothy B.
Published: July 2004

This article provides a brief history of the development of social work as a profession including professional training, educational accreditation, and state licensing for professional practice. This brief history is followed by a description of the varying state licensing laws and their implications for social work practice in home health.
Social Determinants of Health: Implications for Environmental Health Promotion
Authors: Schulz Amy , Northridge Mary E.
Published: July 2004

In this article, the authors draw on the disciplines of sociology and environmental and social epidemiology to further understanding of mechanisms through which social factors contribute to disparate environmental exposures and health inequalities. They propose a conceptual framework for environmental health promotion that considers dynamic social processes through which social and environmental inequalities—and associated health disparities—are produced, reproduced, and potentially transformed. Using empirical evidence from the published literature, as well as their own practical experiences in conducting community-based participatory research in Detroit and Harlem, the authors examine health promotion interventions at various levels (community-wide, regional, and national) that aim to improve population health by addressing various aspects of social processes and/or physical environments. Finally, they recommend moving beyond environmental remediation strategies toward environmental health promotion efforts that are sustainable and explicitly designed to reduce social, environmental, and health inequalities.
The Impact of a Promotora on Increasing Routine Chronic Disease Prevention among Women Aged 40 and Older at the U.S.-Mexico Border
Authors: Hunter Jennifer B. , de Zapien Jill Guernsey , Papenfuss Mary , Fernandez Maria Lourdes , Meister Joel , Giuliano Anna R.
Published: July 2004

A randomized controlled intervention tested the effectiveness of a community health worker (CHW) program in increasing compliance with annual preventive exams among uninsured Hispanic women living in a rural U.S.-Mexico border area. During 1999-2000, household surveys were administered to women aged 40 and older. Uninsured women not receiving routine comprehensive preventive care were invited to participate in a free comprehensive clinical exam. Participants in the initial exam were eligible to participate in the CHW (promotora) intervention. Women were randomized to one of two intervention arms. One arm received a post-card reminder for an annual preventive exam, the other a postcard reminder and follow-up visit by a promotora. Receiving the promotora intervention was associated with a 35% increase in rescreening over the postcard-only reminder (risk ratio [RR] = 1.35, 95% confidence interval 0.95-1.92). Using promotoras to increase compliance with routine screening exams is an effective strategy for reaching this female population.
Disaster Down East: Using Participatory Action Research to Explore Intimate Partner Violence in Eastern North Carolina
Authors: Frasier Pamela York , Belton Leigh , Hooten Elizabeth , Campbell Marci Kramish , DeVellis Brenda , Benedict Salli , Carrillo Carla , Gonzalez Pam , Kelsey Kristine , Meier Andrea
Published: July 2004

In the aftermath of Hurricane Floyd in 1999, a Community Advisory Committee requested assistance from its university partners (University of North Carolina) to address stress and increased risk for intimate partner violence (IPV). Collected from 12 study work sites, baseline data indicated that IPV rates were higher among blue-collar women in eastern North Carolina than national population-based rates suggest. IPV victims reported higher levels of perceived stress, psychological distress, somatic complaints, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms than did nonvictimized coworkers. As for the relationship of the flood to IPV, no significant increase in IPV incidence occurred after the flood. Regardless of their flood experience, however, IPV victims consistently reported greater stress, PTSD symptoms, and somatic and psychological problems. Moreover, IPV victims may be at higher risk for stress-mediated chronic illnesses and for using negative coping behaviors. This study uses an established trusting relationship between researchers and community members to explore community needs and inform intervention design.
Sociodemographic, Behavioral, and Psychological Correlates of Current Overweight and Obesity in Older, Urban African American Women
Authors: Patt Madhavi Reddy , Yanek Lisa R. , Moy Taryn F. , Becker Diane M.
Published: July 2004

To better understand obesity and overweight among urban African American women, the authors examined sociodemographic, behavioral, and psychological factors within body mass index (BMI) categories. A total of 496 women were recruited for cardiovascular risk factor screening from 20 urban African American churches. Study participants had a mean age of 52.8 years, 13.5 years of education, and an average BMI of 32 kg/m2. Bivariate analyses showed increased overall energy intake and decreased physical performance on a walk test, and general well-being declined as the BMI class increased; obese women had the lowest physical performance and well-being levels and the highest energy intake levels. There was no difference by BMI category, however, in social variables such as educational attainment, employment, marital status, or household income. This study suggests that although women with increasing BMI have some physical and well-being concerns, the major social variables are not differentially distributed by BMI in this sample of women.