bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
N-Terminal–Pro-Brain Natriuretic Peptide Predicts Outcome After Hospital Discharge in Heart Failure Patients
Authors: Bettencourt Paulo , Azevedo Ana , Pimenta Joana , Friões Fernando , Ferreira Susana , Ferreira António
Published: September 2004

Background—

Heart failure (HF) is responsible for a huge burden in hospital care. Our goal was to evaluate the value of N-terminal–pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) in predicting death or hospital readmission after discharge of HF patients.

Methods and Results—

We included 182 patients consecutively admitted to hospital because of decompensated HF. Patients were followed up for 6 months. The primary end point was death or readmission. Twenty-six patients died in hospital. The median admission NT-proBNP level was 6778.5 pg/mL, and the median level at discharge was 4137.0 pg/mL (
P
<0.001). Patients were classified into 3 groups: (1) decreasing NT-proBNP levels by at least 30% (n=82), (2) no significant modifications on NT-proBNP levels (n=49), and (3) increasing NT-proBNP levels by at least 30% (n=25). The primary end point was observed in 42.9% patients. Variables associated with an increased hazard of death and/or hospital readmission in univariate analysis were length of hospitalization, heart rate, signs of volume overload, no use of ACE inhibitors, higher NYHA class at discharge, admission and discharge NT-proBNP, and the change in NT-proBNP levels. The variation in NT-proBNP was the strongest predictor of an adverse outcome. Independent variables associated with an increased risk of readmission or death were signs of volume overload and the change in NT-proBNP levels.

Conclusions—

Variations in NT-proBNP levels are related to hospital readmission and death within 6 months. NT-proBNP levels are potentially useful in the evaluation of treatment efficacy and might help clinicians in planning discharge of HF patients. Whether therapeutic strategies aimed to lower NT-proBNP levels modify prognosis warrants future investigation.
Interaction Between an 11βHSD1 Gene Variant and Birth Era Modifies the Risk of Hypertension in Pima Indians
Authors: Franks Paul W. , Knowler William C. , Nair Saras , Koska Juraj , Lee Yong-Ho , Lindsay Robert S. , Walker Brian R. , Looker Helen C. , Permana Paska A. , Tataranni P. Antonio , Hanson Robert L.
Published: September 2004

11β-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11βHSD1) is a candidate gene for hypertension, diabetes, and obesity through altered glucocorticoid production. This study explored the association of 11βHSD1 gene variants with diabetes, hypertension, and obesity in a longitudinal population study of American Indians (N=918; exams=5508). In multivariate mixed models assuming an additive effect of genotype, a 5′ upstream variant (rs846910) was associated with blood pressure (diastolic blood pressure β=1.58 mm Hg per copy of the
A
allele,
P
=0.0008; systolic blood pressure β=2.28 mm Hg per copy of the
A
allele,
P
=0.004; mean arterial blood pressure β=1.83 mm Hg per copy of the
A
allele,
P
=0.0006) and hypertension (odds ratio=1.27 per copy of the
A
allele,
P
=0.02). However, birth date modified these associations (test for interaction: diastolic blood pressure
P
=0.16; systolic blood pressure
P
=0.007; mean arterial blood pressure
P
=0.01), such that the magnitude and direction of association between genotype and blood pressure changed with time. Finally, in models controlling for potential confounding by population stratification, we observed evidence of within-family effects for blood pressure (diastolic blood pressure β=1.77 mm Hg per copy of the
A
allele,
P
=0.004; systolic blood pressure β=2.04 mm Hg per copy of the
A
allele,
P
=0.07; mean arterial blood pressure β=1.85 mm Hg per copy of the
A
allele,
P
=0.01) and for hypertension (odds ratio=1.26 per copy of the
A
allele;
P
=0.08). No association was observed for obesity. Associations with diabetes were similar in magnitude as reported previously but were not statistically significant. These data demonstrate association between genetic variability at 11βHSD1 with hypertension, but these effects are modified by environmental factors.
The Long Road to the Fast Track: Career and Family
Authors: Goldin Claudia
Published: September 2004

The career and family outcomes of college graduate women suggest that the twentieth century contained five distinct cohorts. The first cohort, graduating college from 1900 to 1920, had either “family or career.” The second, graduating from 1920 to 1945, had “job then family.” The third cohort, the college graduate mothers of the baby boom, graduated from 1946 to the mid1960s and had “family then job.” Among the fourth cohort, graduating college from the late 1960s to 1980 and whose stated goal was “career then family,” 13 to 18 percent achieved both by age forty. The objective of the fifth cohort, graduating from around 1980 to 1990, has been “career and family,” and 21 to 28 percent have realized that goal by age forty. The author traces the demographic and labor force experiences of these five cohorts of college graduates and discusses why “career and family” outcomes changed over time.
Mommies and Daddies on the Fast Track in Other Wealthy Nations
Authors: Moore Gwen
Published: September 2004

Social and cultural contexts, as well as public policies, shape the experiences of women and men in demanding occupations. This article compares work-family themes in the conference papers to research outside of the United States, especially to a mid-1990s survey of twelve hundred women and men holding the highest positions in elected politics and business in twenty-seven capitalist democracies, the Comparative Leadership Study. Analyses show that most leaders in the comparative study have married and are parents. Family responsibilities fall disproportionately on the women in top leadership positions. Marriage and parenthood impinge on women’s careers to a far larger extent than they do on similarly situated men’s. An international perspective on work-family conflicts highlights ways in which the United States is similar to and different from comparable countries. In many ways, the United States differs little. Yet the Nordic countries appear more successful in lessening work-family conflicts, even for top leaders.
Where We Are Now and Future Possibilities
Authors: Jacobsen Joyce P.
Published: September 2004

This article offers an overview of and commentary on the articles in the volume, ponders some of the issues they raise, and recommends further research possibilities.
September 11 Victims, Random Events, and the Ethics of Compensation
Authors: Lascher Edward L. , Powers Michael R.
Published: September 2004

The authors focus on a relatively unexplored aspect of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks—the extent to which it was ethically appropriate to compensate victims of that tragedy, especially in comparison to victims of other unfortunate events. After providing back-ground on federal disaster and victim compensation policies, the authors offer a set of principles for determining when the government should provide direct reimbursement to victims for losses incurred, drawing on both deontological and utilitarian reasoning. The authors then apply these standards to the September 11 attacks and other unfortunate events such as the Oklahoma City bombing.
Dialectical Self-Esteem and East-West Differences in Psychological Well-Being
Authors: Spencer-Rodgers Julie , Peng Kaiping , Wang Lei , Hou Yubo
Published: September 2004

A well-documented finding in the literature is that members of many East Asian cultures report lower self-esteem and psychological well-being than do members of Western cultures. The authors present the results of four studies that examined cultural differences in reasoning about psychological contradiction and the effects of naive dialecticism on self-evaluations and psychological adjustment. Mainland Chinese and Asian Americans exhibited greater “ambivalence” or evaluative contradiction in their self-attitudes than did Western synthesis-oriented cultures on a traditional self-report measure of self-esteem (Study 1) and in their spontaneous self-descriptions (Study 2). Naive dialecticism, as assessed with the Dialectical Self Scale, mediated the observed cultural differences in self-esteem and well-being (Study 3). In Study 4, the authors primed naive dialecticism and found that increased dialecticism was related to decreased psychological adjustment. Implications for the conceptualization and measurement of self-esteem and psychological well-being across cultures are discussed.
Responses to Interracial Interactions Over Time
Authors: Plant E. Ashby
Published: September 2004

The current work tested and expanded on Plant and Devine’s (2003) model of the antecedents and implications of interracial anxiety by examining people’s experiences with interracial interactions at two time points. Study 1 explored non-Black people’s responses to interactions with Black people and Study 2 explored Black people’s responses to interactions with White people. Non-Black participants’ expectancies about coming across as biased in interracial interactions and Black participants’ expectancies about White people’s bias predicted their interracial anxiety and whether they had positive interactions with outgroup members during the 2 weeks between assessments. Across both studies, interracial anxiety predicted the desire to avoid interactions with outgroup members. In addition, participants who were personally motivated to respond without prejudice reported more positive expectancies. The findings are discussed in terms of the implications for understanding the course and quality of interracial interactions.
Resistance to Persuasion and Attitude Certainty: The Moderating Role of Elaboration
Authors: Tormala Zakary L. , Petty Richard E.
Published: September 2004

Recent research (Tormala & Petty, 2002) has demonstrated that when people resist persuasive attacks, they can under specifiable conditions become more certain of their initial attitudes. The present research explores the role of elaboration in determining when this effect will occur. Using both self-reported differences in situational elaboration (Study 1) and chronic individual differences in the need for cognition (Study 2), it is demonstrated that resisting persuasion increases attitude certainty primarily when elaboration is high. When elaboration is low, resisting persuasion does not appear to impact attitude certainty. These findings shed light on the role of metacognitive factors in resistance to persuasion, pinpointing the conditions under which these factors come into play.
The Backlash of Token Mobility: The Impact of Past Group Experiences on Individual Ambition and Effort
Authors: Barreto Manuela , Ellemers Naomi , Palacios Maria Soledad
Published: September 2004

Two studies investigated the impact of past ingroup experiences on individual aspirations and effort. Participants were told that in the past, members of their group had either been offered no opportunities (closed), few opportunities (token), or equal opportunities (open) to achieve a desired outcome. The results show that past group experiences determine responses to current opportunities and affect the perceived feasibility of individual success as well as individual performance. Exposure to a token system has different effects, depending on whether the group is historically advantaged or disadvantaged. Whereas those with a collective history of success see token mobility as a challenge and show superior performance, the same situation constitutes a threat to members of a historically disadvantaged group, who fail to take advantage of the opportunities offered to them and perform suboptimally.
Gender Ideology and Investment in Housework
Authors: Solomon Catherine Richards , Acock Alan C. , Walker Alexis J.
Published: September 2004

Using data from the National Survey of Families and Households, we assessed change in the relation between gender ideology and investment in routine chores across the retirement transition. Retirement may change the relation between ideology and household labor because the direct influence of time pressures is minimized. Specifically, men who have egalitarian attitudes before retirement may act in accordance with these views when they are retired. Surprisingly, results showed that women with an egalitarian ideology increased their investment in routine tasks when retired. Egalitarian men, however, did not invest more in routine tasks postretirement. The retirement transition does not appear to be an event of sufficient significance to change the negligible relation between egalitarian gender ideology and the division of household tasks.
Perspectives on Authenticity in Teaching
Authors: Cranton Patricia , Carusetta Ellen
Published: September 2004

The authors work with 22 educators from a variety of disciplines during a 3-year time span to understand what authentic teaching means and to explore how authenticity is manifested in practice. Using a grounded theory approach, the authors interview participants twice per year, observe their classes, and hold focus groups at the end of the project. Data interpretation reveals five dimensions of authenticity: self-awareness, awareness of others, relationships with learners, awareness of context, and a critically reflective approach to practice. Following grounded theory guidelines, the authors develop a model that incorporates the categories generated from the data and generate tentative hypotheses about practice.
Globalization and Education within Two Revolutionary Organizations in the United States of America: A Gramscian Analysis
Authors: Holst John D.
Published: September 2004

This article presents the history, strategy, structure, educational practices, and globalization perspectives of two revolutionary organizations in the United States of America: the Freedom Road Socialist Organization and the League of Revolutionaries for a New America. This article relates the work of these organizations to the theory and practice of Antonio Gramsci, arguing that these organizations provide sophisticated analyses of globalization and political and educational practices in the spirit of Gramsci.
Addressing the Problem of Domestic Violence: How Far Have We Come?
Authors: Pyles Loretta , Postmus Judy L.
Published: September 2004

The social work profession has a complex and arguably problematic history in relation to the problem of domestic violence. Through a review of abstracts of social work articles published from 1985 to 2000, the authors sought to determine whether anything has changed since Davis’s (1987) seminal study regarding the way in which the profession addresses the problem of domestic violence. The findings indicate that although researchers have done a good job of listening to the voices of battered women, there has been scant theorizing in the literature about the sexist origins of the problem.
Balancing Power Through Community Building: Setting the Research Agenda on Violence Against Women
Authors: Bell Holly , Busch Noël Bridget , Heffron Laurie Cook , White Barbara , Angelelli Maria José , Rivaux Stephanie
Published: September 2004

This article presents a feminist model for collaboration by researchers, practitioners, and survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault that focuses on balancing power and building community. Thirty-eight university researchers, survivors, and practitioners met to define and prioritize a research agenda on domestic violence and sexual assault, plan for continued collaboration, and evaluate the community-building process. This article presents data from focus groups, written evaluations, and researcher-participant observations that indicated the research topics that the participants ranked as the most important or useful to them and outlines the participants’ concerns about and suggestions for ongoing collaboration.
A Review of the Use of Simulations in Teaching Economics
Authors: Porter Tod S. , Riley Teresa M. , Ruffer Rochelle L.
Published: September 2004

Since the 1960s, economists have experimented with incorporating computerized economic simulations into their classes. This article reviews the literature on the use of simulations and describes some of the simulations currently being distributed. In microeconomics, the simulations have taken three different forms: optimization exercises (in which students must maximize profits or utility given some fixed parameters), exploratory environments (in which students try to identify different aspects of a simulated economy), and market simulations (in which prices are determined endogenously). All macroeconomic simulations involve students’ selecting policy variables to try to control inflation, unemployment, and, in most cases, interest rates. Supporters of simulations, like proponents of classroom experiments, argue that simulations give students the opportunity to apply economic theory, but there have been very few controlled studies of the effectiveness of simulations. Increased support by publishers of software development may lead to wider use of computerized simulations in the near future.
PostScript Drawing
Authors: Isaac Alan G.
Published: September 2004

Economists like to support their theoretical arguments with drawings. When these drawings are intended to illustrate very precise geometrical relationships, the PostScript page description language is often an appropriate drawing tool. PostScript is an easy-to-learn, powerful, flexible tool for drawing. A few quick lines of PostScript can often replace the frustrating experimentation or tedious repetition required by a point-and-click environment. This article is an economist’s introduction to PostScript drawing.
Using Just-in-Time Teaching Techniques in the Principles of Economics Course
Authors: Simkins Scott , Maier Mark
Published: September 2004

This article provides an overview of Just-in-Time Teaching (JiTT) pedagogy and the development, implementation, and assessment of JiTT pedagogy in teaching introductory, college-level economics courses. Broadly speaking, JiTT techniques blend structured, out-of-class, web-based exercises with related classroom activities that promote active student learning. The two components work together to promote a feedback loop that encourages outside-of-class preparation by students, provides prompt feedback on students’conceptual understanding of course material, and informs just-in-time modifications of class activities and discussion. The benefits of the JiTT approach can be summarized as follows: (a) Students are more likely to be prepared for class, (b) the use of student responses in class creates a positive feedback loop that promotes further learning, (c) JiTT exercises make instructors more aware of student thinking processes, and (d) JiTT pedagogy increases students’ cognitive learning.
What Have We Learned From 15 Years of Supporting the Development of Innovative Teaching Technology?
Authors: Boylan Myles
Published: September 2004

In those disciplines, departments, and institutions that have been investing significantly in technology, there is growing evidence that this is now paying off in the form of better retention of underrepresented groups of students and better student learning. Investment in education technology across disciplines and institutions is uneven. In no single discipline has a majority of the national faculty begun to use teaching methods that rely strongly on education technology. Economics is clearly laggard when compared to disciplines in the physical sciences, engineering, and mathematics, yet on the innovation frontier, there are highly promising technologies that have been created and are being tested. Assessment is receiving growing attention, and there is high promise of large advances.
Sustainability as Process: Community Education and Expansive Collaborative Activity
Authors: Nocon Honorine D.
Published: September 2004

For most of their history, two separate, but related, after-school education programs operated independently, coordinated by separate teams of university and community partners. When the existence of the programs was threatened, a community-university coalition formed in an effort to sustain them. This coincided with the university-community teams’ joint response to a reorientation of the statewide university system’s policies on affirmative action. This article uses Cuban’s framework of sustainability and cultural-historical activity theory to analyze a process of communication, collaboration, creativity, and continuing that resulted in sustaining the two programs as well as the expansion and development of multiple new programs (Cuban, as cited in O’Neil, 2000; Cuban, 2001; Tyack & Cuban, 1995).
Fighting the Battle for Racial Diversity: A Case Study of Michigan’s Institutional Responses to Gratz and Grutter
Authors: Green Denise O’neil
Published: September 2004

How did the University of Michigan become a viable defendant of raceconscious admissions policies? Pursuing a simple legal strategy to address Gratz v. Bollinger (2003) and Grutter v. Bollinger (2003) was certainly an option; however, Michigan’s leadership chose to respond in ways that increased the institution’s role in the affirmative action debate, resulting in the Supreme Court’s decision to affirm the use of race in admissions. This case study explores Michigan’s institutional responses to understand those elements that are critical for institutional engagement as it relates to promoting race-conscious policies, racial diversity, and inclusion.
Normative Health Research Experiences Among African American Elders
Authors: Lichtenberg Peter A. , Brown Diane R. , Jackson James S. , Washington Olivia
Published: September 2004

Objectives:Data are meager regarding the prevalence of participation and the overall experience of African American elders in research across a variety of health-related studies. This study sought to increase our knowledge about older African Americans’ participation in health research by capturing some of their normative experiences and attitudes. Methods:Atelephone-based surveywas conducted on 1,290 urban African Americans = 60 years old. The assessment focused on issues of housing, neighborhoods, health, and experiences with health research. Results:The overall prevalence of respondents who took part in a health research projectwas 14%. Significant predictors included income, attitudes about fairness, perceptions of protection from harm, understanding of research as a key to improving health care, and participation in survey research. Discussion:Findings underscore the importance of addressing economic, educational, and trust barriers to research participation as well as the importance of conveying a sense of caring for the health of individuals and the community as a whole.
Ethnic Minority Older Adults Participating in Clinical Research
Authors: Moreno-John Gina , Gachie Anthony , Fleming Candace M. , NÁpoles-Springer Anna , Mutran Elizabeth , Manson Spero M. , PÉrez-Stable Eliseo J.
Published: September 2004

Objectives:African American, Latino, and American Indian older adults are underrepresented in clinical research studies. A significant barrier to participation in research is mistrust of the scientific community and institutions. The aims of this article are to discuss the lack of representation of ethnic minorities in clinical research. Methods:This article presents a review of the literature regarding medical research mistrust. Also described are the trust-building activities of the Resource Centers on Minority Aging Research (RCMAR), federally funded centers focused on research and aging in communities of color. Discussion:The RCMAR centers are building trust with the communities they serve, resulting in the recruitment and retention of ethnic minority older adults in clinical research studies and health promotion projects. Implications are discussed for other researchers toward building trust with ethnic minority elders to increase their participation in research.
Strategies for Enrolling Diverse Older Women in an Osteoporosis Trial
Authors: Unson Christine G. , Ohannessian Christine , Kenyon Lisa , Fenster Juliane , Reisine Susan , Prestwood Karen
Published: September 2004

Objectives: This study reviewed a consumer-oriented process for recruiting research volunteers age 65 or older for an osteoporosis clinical trial. Methods: Odds ratios were used to estimate the relative importance of methods to enroll research volunteers from three racial or ethnic groups. Results: Nine hundred and four women were screened; 168 African American, White, and Hispanic women enrolled. Mailings and media were effective when the target population was large and knowledgeable about the disease and treatment being investigated. Efficiency of mailings was increased when individuals in the mailing list were familiar with research and the research center. An interpersonal approach was more effective than a media-based approach when the target population was small, unaware of their personal risk of the disease, and unfamiliar with research and research center. Discussion: Information on the characteristics of potential volunteers and their communities will enable readers to evaluate the applicability of recruitment methods used.
Disability Symptoms and the Price of Self-Sufficiency
Authors: Verbrugge Lois M. , Sevak Purvi
Published: September 2004

Objective: Disability symptoms are tiredness, slowness, and pain doing daily tasks made difficult by health. The authors study factors that increase and decrease disability symptoms, especially effects of equipment and personal assistance. Method: In National Health Interview Survey Disability Supplement Phase 2, people with personal care and household management disabilities were asked about fatigue, taking a long time, and pain when doing tasks on their own and with assistance. The authors study persons ages 55 and older. Results: Poor overall health or disability and severe disability in tasks increase disability symptom chances by 11% to 18%. Assistance users are 19% to 20% less likely to have symptoms than nonusers. Personal help, alone, or with equipment, relieves symptoms better than equipment only, by9%to 13%. Discussion: Equipment-only users are self-sufficient, a highly prized situation. Because they actively engage in tasks, symptoms are still likely. This trade-off of psychological gain with comfort loss may be preferable to personal help.
Recruitment and Retention Strategies for Longitudinal African American Caregiving Research
Authors: Dilworth-Anderson Peggye , Williams Sharon Wallace
Published: September 2004

Objectives: This article provides a detailed discussion, guided by a culturally competent approach, on recruitment and retention strategies used to study caregiving to older dependent elders in African American families. Methods: The study (lasting from 1995 through 2000) included collecting three waves of data, 9 months apart, among 202 caregiving units (containing a maximum of three caregivers per unit). Results: Four key strategies were identified as useful in recruiting and retaining the sample: (a) assigning the same interviewers to communicate with and interview study participants for each wave of data collection, (b) ensuring that all interviewers are knowledgeable of possible family dynamics and social issues within the African American community (e.g., access to health care, income and education issues, and discrimination), (c) providing a mechanism by way of a toll-free number for all participants to contact the project staff at the participant’s convenience, and (d) allowing flexibility in scheduling and rescheduling interviews at the participant’s convenience. Discussion: Researchers need to acquire knowledge and develop skills that will foster culturally competent approaches when studying diverse cultural groups, which involves incorporating the beliefs, values, and attitudes of a cultural group in every phase of the research project, from conceptualization to interpretation of findings. Additionally, a genuine interest in, knowledge of, and respect for the population are necessary to help improve participant involvement in longitudinal research among African American caregivers.
Coping With Trauma and Hardship Among Unaccompanied Refugee Youths From Sudan
Authors: Goodman Janice H.
Published: September 2004

The purpose of this study was to explore how unaccompanied refugee youths from Sudan, who grew up amid violence and loss, coped with trauma and hardship in their lives. The author used a case-centered, comparative, narrative approach to analyze the narratives of 14 male unaccompanied refugee youths from Sudan recently resettled in the United States. She analyzed narratives for both content and form and identified four themes that reflect coping strategies used by the participants: (a) collectivity and the communal self, (b) suppression and distraction, (c) making meaning, and (d) emerging from hopelessness to hope. The findings underscore the importance of understanding the cultural variations in responses to trauma and are discussed in relation to the concept of resilience.
Modes of Entry Into Services for Young Children With Disruptive Behaviors
Authors: Arcia Emily , Fernández María C. , Jáquez Marisela , Castillo Héctor , Ruiz María
Published: September 2004

The authors undertook this study to describe Latina mothers’ professional help seeking for their young children’s disruptive behaviors. They interviewed 62 Cuban, Puerto Rican, and Dominican first-time help seekers and found four modes of entry: (a) coercion, (b) acceptance of offered referral, (c) responsive and resourceful help seeking subsequent to school reports of behavior problems, and (d) a laborious and convoluted path that was characteristic of 52% of the sample. Schools, maternal and child characteristics, and social network forces played significant roles for all mothers, but the final determinants of service entry varied by the mode of entry followed. Findings suggest that problem labeling is not a necessary precursor to service entry and that direct referrals might effectively shortcut the help-seeking process. Finally, the process that underlies service entry would be described more aptly as a Theory of Affective Action than a Theory of Reasoned Action.
Infant-Feeding Beliefs and Experiences of Black Women Enrolled in WIC in the New York Metropolitan Area
Authors: Cricco-Lizza Roberta
Published: September 2004

In this ethnographic inquiry, the author explored infant-feeding beliefs and experiences of Black women enrolled in WIC (BWEW) in a New York metropolitan inner city. The study was conducted over an 18-month period and included 319 people (130 BWEW, 116 children, 20 grandmothers, 17 fathers, 11 friends, and 25 other relatives). From this group of BWEW, the author interviewed and observed 11 primiparous key informants during pregnancy and the first year postpartum to see how infant-feeding decisions fit into the context of their everyday lives. The major themes that emerged from analysis include (a) formula-feeding experiences were the norm for most BWEW, (b) life experiences of BWEW included a preponderance of loss and stress, and (c) infant-feeding beliefs of BWEW reflected responses to life experiences. These findings could be used to provide culturally sensitive care for BWEW.
Chronic Disease Self-Management Improved with Enhanced Self-Efficacy
Authors: Farrell Kathleen , Wicks Mona N. , Martin Judy C.
Published: September 2004

This pilot study used a quasi-experimental pretest-posttest design to examine if participation in a chronic disease self-management program (CDSMP) improved self-efficacy, self-efficacy health, and self-management behaviors in anunderserved, poor, rural population. The sample, recruited from two clinics in a south central state, consisted of 48 adults (59.70 11.22 years) and was 79.2% Caucasian (n = 38) and 20.8% (n = 10) African American. Trained lay leaders with chronic illnesses directed the interactive CDSMP based on Bandura’s selfefficacy theory that included strategies for personal exercise program development, cognitive symptom management, problem solving, and communication skills. Program-specific paper-and-pencil instruments were completed prior to and immediately after completion of the 6-week program. Significant improvements (p < .10) in self-efficacy, self-efficacy health, and self-management behaviors occurred. Results underscore the need to evaluate intervention programs for specific populations and for a new paradigm that focuses on patient-provider partnerships that can improve health outcomes in underserved, poor, rural populations.
Happiness and Life Satisfaction in Advanced European Countries
Authors: Gundelach Peter , Kreiner Svend
Published: September 2004

Based on the European Value Survey 1999, this article analyzes happiness and life satisfaction in nine rich, industrialized countries with different levels of perceived happiness. Using graphical modeling, the statistical analysis showed that happiness and life satisfaction are related but are different concepts and that contextual as well as individual variables are important in explaining their variations. One of the most important results is that happiness depends on whether the respondent lives in a stable relationship and on country characteristics. Life satisfaction was related to the respondent’s feeling of control and his or her country of residence. In an aggregated analysis, the country-specific variables were analyzed, showing that social capital was the most important predictor of happiness.
Developing Managers in Europe: Policies, Practices, and Impact
Authors: Mabey Christopher
Published: September 2004

The problem and the solution. It is believed that management capability is a key to competitive performance at firm level and that this feeds through to economic effectiveness at a national level. Yet comparatively little is known about the policies, practices, and impact of management training and development activities undertaken by organizations in a cross-national context. This article introduces a research project designed to address these questions. Results are reported and compared for seven European countries. Although practice and priorities differ widely, certain approaches to management development are found to significantly improve organizational performance, irrespective of national setting.
Experiential Learning as Management Development: Theoretical Perspectives and Empirical Illustrations
Authors: Larsen Henrik Holt
Published: September 2004

The problem and the solution. An important part of management development (MD) is experiential learning processes in the workplace. These—not necessarily planned, expected, wanted, or pleasant—methods have traditionally been deemphasized in the MD literature and (conscious) practice. The informal, intangible, and spontaneous nature of experiential learning has made these methods difficult to research—and difficult to monitor for organizations. The article provides a theoretical background for experiential learning in the workplace. On the basis of this, potential advances in MD theory and practice are presented. In particular, ways in which organizations can enhance the use of experiential-based MD are suggested.
Management Development in Europe: Implications for Research and Practice
Authors: Mabey Christopher
Published: September 2004

The problem and the solution. Studies tracking the performance impact of progressive human resource management (HRM) practices have invariably included management training as a key element. By definition, such research explains much about the collective impact of HRM practices but does not allow us to assess the specific contribution of management training and development practices. Furthermore, the field is dominated by studies conducted in the United States. Here, the key messages emerging from the current study of management training and development in a European context are summarized. In so doing, implications for future research and professional practice are outlined.
Underdogs are Man’s Best Friend
Authors: Kochman Ladd , Goodwin Randy
Published: September 2004

Two mechanical betting rules that had exposed biases in previous studies were applied to National Football League games for the five consecutive seasons ending with the 2003 Super Bowl. Although bets on home teams produced only break-even results, wagers on underdogs posed a serious challenge to the efficient market hypothesis. One possible explanation is that favorites are no less “public” in the minds of bettors than IBM, GE, and the like are public in the minds of investors and may therefore be the victims of inflated expectations and point spreads.
Back on Track
Authors: Biglaiser Glen , Jackson David J. , Peake Jeffrey S.
Published: September 2004

Challenging conventional wisdom, which suggests that constituency interests and membership ideology guide legislative voting on trade, we argue that the relative importance of these factors fluctuates depending on party control of the presidency. Such is the casewith the House of Representatives opposing fast-track trade negotiating authority in 1997 and 1998 and then supporting trade-promotion authority in 2001. The shifting political context represented by the change in partisan control of the presidency changed the salience of ideology and constituency factors among House Republicans, leading to major trade policy changes. Using logit analysis for position taking in the House on fast track, we explore the relative effects of a variety of cross pressures on trade policy preferences across time.
Is it the Middle that is Frustrated?
Authors: Hibbing John R. , Smith James T.
Published: September 2004

One much-discussed explanation for the largely negative feelings Americans have harbored toward the federal government during the past 30 years or so is that whereas the people prefer centrist policies, elites persist in presenting and debating noncentrist policy solutions. As a result, the argument continues, many people are frustrated by policy debates that seem to be irrelevant to their own concerns and preferences. If this explanation is correct, parties and elites could boost public trust simply by moving closer to the policy center. But as yet, the “ frustratedmoderate” thesis has been largely untested. Thus, in this article, using survey research, we determine the extent to which frustration with American government is indeed traceable to the fact that people possess policy positions more moderate than those of politicos. We find the evidence for this proposition to be lacking.
Method for inducing experimental pneumococcal meningitis in outbred mice
Authors: Chiavolini Damiana , Tripodi Sergio , Parigi Riccardo , Oggioni Marco R , Blasi Elisabetta , Cintorino Marcella , Pozzi Gianni , Ricci Susanna
Published: September 2004

Background

Streptococcus pneumoniae is the leading cause of bacterial meningitis. Pneumococcal meningitis is associated with the highest mortality among bacterial meningitis and it may also lead to neurological sequelae despite the use of antibiotic therapy. Experimental animal models of pneumococcal meningitis are important to study the pathogenesis of meningitis, the host immune response induced after infection, and the efficacy of novel drugs and vaccines.

Results

In the present work, we describe in detail a simple, reproducible and efficient method to induce pneumococcal meningitis in outbred mice by using the intracranial subarachnoidal route of infection. Bacteria were injected into the subarachnoid space through a soft point located 3.5 mm rostral from the bregma. The model was tested with several doses of pneumococci of three capsular serotypes (2, 3 and 4), and mice survival was recorded. Lethal doses killing 50 % of animals infected with type 2, 3 and 4 S. pneumoniae were 3.2 × 10, 2.9 × 10 and 1.9 × 102 colony forming units, respectively. Characterisation of the disease caused by the type 4 strain showed that in moribund mice systemic dissemination of pneumococci to blood and spleen occurred. Histological analysis of the brain of animals infected with type 4 S. pneumoniae proved the induction of meningitis closely resembling the disease in humans.

Conclusions

The proposed method for inducing pneumococcal meningitis in outbred mice is easy-to-perform, fast, cost-effective, and reproducible, irrespective of the serotype of pneumococci used.
Aging is associated with increased collagen type IV accumulation in the basal lamina of human cerebral microvessels
Authors: Uspenskaia Olga , Liebetrau Martin , Herms Jochen , Danek Adrian , Hamann Gerhard F
Published: September 2004

Background

Microvascular alterations contribute to the development of stroke and vascular dementia. The goal of this study was to evaluate age and hypertension related changes of the basal lamina in cerebral microvessels of individuals, who died from non-cerebral causes.

Results

We examined 27 human brains: 11 young and 16 old patients. Old patients were divided into two subgroups, those with hypertension (n = 8) and those without hypertension (n = 8). Basal lamina changes of the cerebral microvessels were determined in the putamen using antibodies against collagen type IV and by quantitative analysis of vessel number, total stained area of collagen, thickness of the vessel wall and lumen, and relative staining intensity using immunofluorescence. The total number of collagen positive vessels per microscopic field was reduced in old compared to young subjects (12.0+/-0.6 vs. 15.1+/-1.2, p = 0.02). The relative collagen content per vessel (1.01+/-0.06 vs. 0.76+/-0.05, p = 0.01) and the relative collagen intensity (233.1+/-4.5 vs. 167.8+/-10.6, p < 0.0001) shown by immunofluorescence were higher in the older compared to the younger patients with a consecutive reduction of the lumen / wall ratio (1.29+/-0.05 vs. 3.29+/-0.15, p < 0.0001). No differences were observed for these parameters between old hypertensive and non-hypertensive patients.

Conclusions

The present data show age-related changes of the cerebral microvessels in sections of human putamen for the first time. Due to the accumulation of collagen, microvessels thicken and show a reduction in their lumen. Besides this, the number of vessels decreases. These findings might represent a precondition for the development of vascular cognitive impairment. However, hypertension was not proven to modulate these changes.
Factors influencing preoperative stress response in coronary artery bypass graft patients
Authors: Morin Astrid M , Geldner Götz , Schwarz Udo , Kahl Martin , Adams Hans A , Wulf Hinnerk , Eberhart Leopold HJ
Published: September 2004

Background

In many studies investigating measures to attenuate the hemodynamic and humoral stress response during induction of anaesthesia, primary attention was paid to the period of endotracheal intubation since it has been shown that even short-lasting sympathetic cardiovascular stimulation may have detrimental effects on patients with coronary artery disease. The aim of this analysis was, however, to identify the influencing factors on high catecholamine levels before induction of anaesthesia.

Methods

Various potential risk factors that could impact the humoral stress response before induction of anaesthesia were recorded in 84 males undergoing coronary aortic bypass surgery, and were entered into a stepwise linear regression analysis. The plasma level of norepinephrine measured immediately after radial artery canulation was chosen as a surrogate marker for the humoral stress response, and it was used as the dependent variable in the regression model. Accordingly, the mean arterial blood pressure, heart rate and the calculated pressure-rate product were taken as parameters of the hemodynamic situation.

Results

Stepwise regression analysis revealed that the oral administration of low-dose clonidine (mean dose 1.75 μg·kg-1) on the morning of surgery was the only significant predictor (p = 0.004) of the high variation in preoperative norepinephrine plasma levels. This intervention decreased norepinephrine levels by more than 40% compared to no clonidine administration, from 1.26 to 0.75 nmol·l-1. There was no evidence for dose-responsiveness of clonidine. All other potential predictors were removed from the model as insignificant (p > 0.05). The use of beta-blocker, ace-inhibitors, ejection fraction, and body mass index were significant determinants for the hemodynamic situation (heart rate, mean arterial pressure, pressure rate product) of the patient during the pre-induction period.

Conclusion

The oral administration of clonidine is the only significant predictor for the observed variation of norepinephrine levels during the preoperative period. Lack of significant dose responsiveness suggests that even a low dose of the drug can attenuate the preoperative stress response and thus is recommended in cardiovascular high risk patients.
Child-Pugh classification dependent alterations in serum leptin levels among cirrhotic patients: a case controlled study
Authors: Bolukbas Fusun F , Bolukbas Cengiz , Horoz Mehmet , Gumus Mahmut , Erdogan Mehmet , Zeyrek Fadile , Yayla Ali , Ovunc Oya
Published: September 2004

Background

As anorexia and hypermetabolism are common in cirrhosis, leptin levels may be increased in this disease. In this study, we investigated the relation between the severity of disease and serum leptin levels in post-hepatitis cirrhosis and the role of body composition, gender and viral aetiology of cirrhosis in this association.

Methods

Thirty-five cases with post-hepatitis cirrhosis and 15 healthy controls were enrolled in this study. Body composition including body mass index, body fat percentage and body fat mass were determined. Serum leptin levels were assayed.

Results

Leptin levels were significantly higher among cirrhotic patients independent of sex compared to controls (p = 0.001). Female patients in both groups have had higher leptin levels than males (in cirrhotics p = 0.029, in controls p = 0.02).

Cirrhotic patients in each of A, B and C subgroups according to the Child- Pugh classification revealed significantly different levels compared to controls (p = 0.046, p = 0.004, p = 0.0001, respectively). Male cirrhotics in Child-Pugh Class B and C subgroups had significantly higher leptin levels compared to male controls (p = 0.006, p = 0.008). On the other hand, female patients only in Child Pugh class C subgroup have had higher levels of serum leptin compared to controls (p = 0.022).

Child-Pugh classification has been found to be the sole discriminator in determination of leptin levels in cirrhotics by linear regression (beta: 0.435 p = 0.015).

Conclusion

Serum leptin levels increase in advanced liver disease independently of gender, body composition in posthepatitic cirrhosis. The increase is more abundant among patients that belong to C subgroup according to the Child- Pugh classification.
Methods of assessment of patients for Nd:YAG laser capsulotomy that correlate with final visual improvement
Authors: Aslam Tariq M , Patton Niall
Published: September 2004

Background

This paper attempts to clarify the usefulness of various simple pre-operative measures in estimating the potential for a visually successful capsulotomy.

Methods

24 patients attending for capsulotomy had pre-operative measures of glare with BAT tester, visibility of posterior pole and grading of posterior capsular pearls and fibrosis seen at slit lamp. Visual function was measured before and after standardised capsulotomy. Correlations of the various preoperative measures with eventual visual function improvements were calculated.

Results

Pearls at slit lamp and poor posterior pole visualisation were all correlated with improvements in visual acuity and contrast sensitivity after capsulotomy. Amount of fibrosis visible at slit lamp and glare assessment were not correlated with vision improvements after laser.

Conclusion

Of the various measures that are taken prior to Nd : YAG capsulotomy, some correlate with eventual visual improvement but for others no clinical utility was found. Practitioners should note these findings as they are especially of use in more questionable or high-risk cases to help determine whether referral for PCO treatment by Nd: YAG capsulotomy is likely to benefit the patient.