bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Taxonomy of Health Networks and Systems: A Reassessment
Authors: Luke Roice D. 
Published: March 2006

Objective. To assess a widely recognized multihospital system taxonomy.Data Sources. The original taxonomy was based on American Hospital Association (AHA) Annual Survey Data for the years 1994 and 1995 and a reexamined version, on 1998 AHA data.Study Design. We assess the appropriateness of using data designed to capture local hospital/system interrelationships to develop a taxonomy of multihospital systems.Data Abstraction Methods. The original and reexamined taxonomies used dichotomous measures of service availability, physician practice ownership, and managed care offerings.Principal Findings. The data and measures used to formulate the taxonomy are not appropriate for classifying multihospital systems at the company level.Conclusions. Taxonomic studies of multihospital systems are very much needed; future taxonomic studies should make clear distinctions between systems at local versus company levels.
Drug Treatment Service Utilization and Outcomes for Hispanic and White Methamphetamine Abusers
Authors: Niv Noosha , Hser Yih‐Ing 
Published: March 2006

Objective. To examine differences in drug treatment service needs, utilization, satisfaction, and outcomes between Hispanic and white methamphetamine (meth) abusers.Data Sources. Intake assessments and follow‐up interviews of 128 Hispanic and 371 non‐Hispanic white meth abusers admitted during 2000–2001 to 43 drug treatment programs in 13 counties across California.Study Design. A prospective longitudinal study comparing ethnic differences in problem severity during pre‐ and posttreatment periods, as well as in services received during treatment.Data Collection/Extraction Methods. The Addiction Severity Index (ASI) was administered at both intake and the 9‐month follow‐up to assess clients' problem severity in a number of domains. Service utilization and satisfaction were assessed 3 months following treatment admission.Principal Findings. Hispanics were less educated and reported more employment difficulties than whites. Whites were more likely to be treated in residential programs than Hispanics despite similar severity in drug and alcohol use, legal, medical and family/social problems, and psychiatric status. Significantly more whites than Hispanics received psychiatric services, likely because more of them were treated in residential programs. Whites also reported receiving greater numbers of total services and services addressing alcohol and psychiatric problems. While no ethnic differences were found in treatment satisfaction and several other outcomes, Hispanics demonstrated better family and social outcomes than whites.Conclusions. Both Hispanic and white meth abusers improved after treatment, although benefits from treatment can be further enhanced if services underscore different facets of their psychosocial problems.
Why Do Managers Voluntarily Issue Cash Flow Forecasts?
Authors: WASLEY CHARLES E. , WU JOANNA SHUANG 
Published: March 2006

ABSTRACTWe study a relatively recent change in voluntary disclosure practices by management, namely, the issuance of cash flow forecasts. We predict and find that management issues cash flow forecasts to signal good news in cash flow, to meet investor demand for cash flow information, and to precommit to a certain composition of earnings in terms of cash flow versus accruals, thus reducing the degree of freedom in earnings management. Our results also suggest that management discloses good news in cash flow to mitigate the negative impact of bad news in earnings, to lend credibility to good news in earnings, and to signal economic viability when the firm is young. Our finding that management cash flow forecasts primarily convey good news is in contrast to the generally negative nature of management earnings guidance and suggests that different incentives drive firms' disclosure of different financial information.
Service Personnel, Technology, and Their Interaction in Influencing Customer Satisfaction*
Authors: Froehle Craig M. 
Published: March 2006

ABSTRACTManaging both the technologies and the personnel needed for providing high‐quality, multichannel customer support creates a complex and persistent operational challenge. Adding to this difficulty, it is still unclear how service personnel and these new communication technologies interact to influence the customer's perceptions of the service being provided. Motivated by both practical importance and inconsistent findings in the academic literature, this exploratory research examines the interaction of media richness, represented by three different technology contexts (telephone, e‐mail, and online chat), with six customer service representative (CSR) characteristics and their influences on customer satisfaction. Using a large‐sample customer survey data set, the article develops a multigroup structural equation model to analyze these interactions. Results suggest that CSR characteristics influence customer service satisfaction similarly across all three technology‐mediated contexts. Of the characteristics studied, service representatives contribute to customer satisfaction more when they exhibit the characteristics of thoroughness, knowledgeableness, and preparedness, regardless of the richness of the medium used. Surprisingly, while three other CSR characteristics studied (courtesy, professionalism, and attentiveness) are traditionally believed to be important in face‐to‐face encounters, they had no significant impact on customer satisfaction in the technology‐mediated contexts studied. Implications for both practitioners and researchers are drawn from the results and future research opportunities are discussed.
Reexamining the Nurse Scheduling Problem: Staffing Ratios and Nursing Shortages*
Authors: Wright P. Daniel , Bretthauer Kurt M. , Côté Murray J. 
Published: March 2006

ABSTRACTLegislators at the state and national levels are addressing renewed concerns over the adequacy of hospital nurse staffing to provide quality care and ensure patient safety. At the same time, the well‐known nursing shortage remains an ongoing problem. To address these issues, we reexamine the nurse scheduling problem and consider how recent health care legislation impacts nursing workforce management decisions. Specifically, we develop a scheduling model and perform computational experiments to evaluate how mandatory nurse‐to‐patient ratios and other policies impact schedule cost and schedule desirability (from the nurses' perspective). Our primary findings include the following: (i) nurse wage costs can be highly nonlinear with respect to changes in mandatory nurse‐to‐patient ratios of the type being considered by legislators; (ii) the number of undesirable shifts can be substantially reduced without incurring additional wage cost; (iii) more desirable scheduling policies, such as assigning fewer weekends to each nurse, have only a small impact on wage cost; and (iv) complex policy statements involving both single‐period and multiperiod service levels can sometimes be relaxed while still obtaining good schedules that satisfy the nurse‐to‐patient ratio requirements. The findings in this article suggest that new directions for future nurse scheduling models, as it is likely that nurse‐to‐patient ratios and nursing shortages will remain a challenge for health care organizations for some time.
The Impact of Manufacturers' Wholesale Prices on a Retailer's Shelf‐Space and Pricing Decisions*
Authors: Martín‐Herrán Guiomar , Taboubi Sihem , Zaccour Georges 
Published: March 2006

ABSTRACTThis article examines shelf‐space allocation and pricing decisions in the marketing channel as the results of a static game played à la Stackelberg between two manufacturers of competing brands and one retailer. The competing manufacturers act as leaders that play a simultaneous and noncooperative game. They fix their transfer prices by taking into account the shelf‐space allocation and price‐markup decisions of their common exclusive dealer. The results indicate that the wholesale prices of brands are strongly linked to their share of the shelf. The main results of our numerical simulations may be summarized as follows: first, the lower the unit cost and/or the greater the price elasticity, the greater the shelf space allocated to that brand. Second, the higher the shelf‐space elasticity, the lower are the wholesale prices and the profits of all channel members.
The Rhythm ID Going Head to Head Trial (RIGHT): Design of a Randomized Trial Comparing Competitive Rhythm Discrimination Algorithms in Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators
Authors: BERGER RONALD D. , LEREW DARIN R. , SMITH JOSEPH M. , PULLING CHRIS , GOLD MICHAEL R. 
Published: March 2006

Background: The implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) has become primary therapy for the prevention of sudden death. One of the major morbidities of ICD use remains inappropriate therapy for supraventricular arrhythmias (SVA). Detection enhancements have increased therapy specificity, but their impact on inappropriate therapy is not well studied. Moreover, ICD manufacturers have developed unique algorithms to meet this goal, with no previous clinical direct comparisons. RIGHT is a randomized, prospective study that will assess the differential efficacy of ICDs from two different manufacturers. It is the first trial to compare directly competitive ICD rhythm discrimination algorithms on a large scale. Objective: The primary objective of this study is to assess arrhythmia discrimination in Guidant versus Medtronic ICDs by comparing the time to first inappropriate therapy after the predischarge visit. Methods: The study will enroll approximately 2,000 patients in 100 centers. Patients will be randomized to Guidant or Medtronic using a permuted block design, stratified by center and by single/dual chamber device types. Patients will receive a commercially available Guidant VITALITY® 2 family ICD with Rhythm ID™ or a Medtronic ICD using the Enhanced PR Logic™ or Wavelet™ discrimination algorithms, and will be followed according to the schedule shown until a common closing date with a minimum follow‐up of 12 months. All events will be reviewed by an independent committee to determine the appropriateness of rhythm classification and therapy delivery. Conclusion: RIGHT is the first randomized, large scale, head‐to‐head comparison of ICD discrimination algorithms.
Inaccuracy of Wolff‐Parkinson‐White Accessory Pathway Localization Algorithms in Children and Patients with Congenital Heart Defects
Authors: BAR‐COHEN YANIV , KHAIRY PAUL , MORWOOD JAMES , ALEXANDER MARK E. , CECCHIN FRANK , BERUL CHARLES I. 
Published: March 2006

Introduction: ECG algorithms used to localize accessory pathways (AP) in patients with Wolff‐Parkinson‐White (WPW) syndrome have been validated in adults, but less is known of their use in children, especially in patients with congenital heart disease (CHD). We hypothesize that these algorithms have low diagnostic accuracy in children and even lower in those with CHD. Methods: Pre‐excited ECGs in 43 patients with WPW and CHD (median age 5.4 years [0.9–32 years]) were evaluated and compared to 43 consecutive WPW control patients without CHD (median age 14.5 years [1.8–18 years]). Two blinded observers predicted AP location using 2 adult and 1 pediatric WPW algorithms, and a third blinded observer served as a tiebreaker. Predicted locations were compared with ablation‐verified AP location to identify (a) exact match for AP location and (b) match for laterality (left‐sided vs right‐sided AP). Results: In control children, adult algorithms were accurate in only 56% and 60%, while the pediatric algorithm was correct in 77%. In 19 patients with Ebstein's anomaly, diagnostic accuracy was similar to controls with at times an even better ability to predict laterality. In non‐Ebstein's CHD, however, the algorithms were markedly worse (29% for the adult algorithms and 42% for the pediatric algorithms). A relatively large degree of interobserver variability was seen (kappa values from 0.30 to 0.58). Conclusions: Adult localization algorithms have poor diagnostic accuracy in young patients with and without CHD. Both adult and pediatric algorithms are particularly misleading in non‐Ebstein's CHD patients and should be interpreted with caution.
Height, weight and body mass index in early adulthood and risk of schizophrenia
Authors: Sørensen H. J. , Mortensen E. L. , Reinisch J. M. , Mednick S. A. 
Published: March 2006

Objective:  To illuminate the possible associations between height, weight, and body mass index (BMI) during early adulthood and the development of schizophrenia.Method:  This prospective study is based on an all‐male sample of 3210 individuals from the Copenhagen Perinatal Cohort, comprising individuals born between 1959 and 1961. In 1999, cases of schizophrenia were identified in the Danish Psychiatric Central Register, and the cases were compared with the cohort pool of controls with respect to height, weight, and BMI from draft records. The effect of low BMI was adjusted for parental social status when the cohort members were 1 year old, birth weight, birth length, and maternal pre‐pregnancy BMI.Results:  Forty‐five cases of schizophrenia had a lower young adult mean body weight and BMI than controls. A significant inverse relationship between BMI and risk of later schizophrenia was found. For each unit increase in BMI, the adjusted odds ratio was 0.81 (95% CI, 0.70–0.93) and the risk of schizophrenia decreased by 19%. Excluding individuals who had been admitted to an in‐patient facility before or within 5 years after appearing before the draft board, yielded virtually the same results. No significant differences between cases and controls were observed with respect to adult height.Conclusion:  Independent of several possible confounders, an inverse relationship between young adult BMI and risk of later development of schizophrenia was demonstrated in this all‐male sample.
Predictors of psychological distress in survivors of the 1999 earthquakes in Turkey: effects of relocation after the disaster
Authors: Kılıç C. , Aydın İ. , Taşkıntuna N. , Özçürümez G. , Kurt G. , Eren E. , Lale T. , Özel S. , Zileli L. 
Published: March 2006

Objective:  Relocations after disasters are known to cause added distress in survivors. This study examined the effects of migration and other factors on psychological status of survivors 4 years after the two severe earthquakes in Turkey.Method:  Five hundred and twenty‐six adult survivors of the 1999 earthquakes currently living in Ankara were given self‐report measures assessing traumatic stress, depression, earthquake experience and social support.Results:  The rates of current post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression were 25% and 11%, respectively. Although both traumatic stress and depression factors were predicted by some demographic and trauma severity variables, relocation status predicted depression but not traumatic stress.Conclusion:  The rates of psychological distress were higher than expected in a city considered to be safe in terms of earthquake risk. Relocation after the disaster may increase psychological distress by disrupting the social network.
Does antipsychotic withdrawal provoke psychosis? Review of the literature on rapid onset psychosis (supersensitivity psychosis) and withdrawal‐related relapse
Authors: Moncrieff J. 
Published: March 2006

Objective:  To examine the evidence that discontinuation of long‐term antipsychotic medication, including clozapine, may provoke a psychotic episode.Method:  Databases were searched and citations scrutinised.Results:  Evidence for a rapid onset psychosis (supersensitivity psychosis) following clozapine withdrawal was found and weaker evidence that this might occur with some other antipsychotic drugs. Some cases were reported in people without a psychiatric history. It appears that the psychosis may be a feature of drug withdrawal rather than the re‐emergence of an underlying illness, at least in some patients. Meta‐analyses of withdrawal studies have suggested that antipsychotic discontinuation may also increase the risk of relapse over and above the risk because of the underlying disorder, but not all individual studies show this effect. Mechanisms may relate to brain adaptations to long‐term drug use but data are sparse.Conclusion:  These effects require further urgent research. Interventions to reduce morbidity after drug withdrawal need to be developed.
A comparison of estimated maximal oxygen uptake in 9 and 10 year old schoolchildren in Tanzania and Norway
Authors: Aandstad A , Berntsen S , Hageberg R , Klasson-Heggebø L , Anderssen S A 
Published: March 2006

Objective:To compare estimated maximal oxygen uptake (V˙O2max) in Tanzanian and Norwegian children, by using the same bicycle protocol in both samples.Methods:Maximal oxygen uptake was estimated from an indirect maximal watt cycle ergometer test in 156 rural boys and girls in Tanzania. Similarly aged urban Norwegian boys and girls (n = 379) who underwent the same test were used for comparison. The Tanzanian children also participated in a 20 metre shuttle run test and a test of bicycle skill. The Tanzanian children were tested at altitude (∼1800 metres), while the Norwegian children were tested at sea level.Results:In the cycle ergometer test, estimated relative V˙O2maxwas similar in Tanzanian and Norwegian boys, while Tanzanian girls had 8% lower estimated V˙O2maxcompared with Norwegian girls (p<0.001). Only one third of the Tanzanian children were able to ride a conventional bicycle. Excluding subjects not able to ride a bicycle, there was no difference in estimated V˙O2maxbetween Norwegian and Tanzanian children. The Tanzanian boys and girls reached significantly higher estimated V˙O2maxin the shuttle run test compared with the cycle ergometer test (p<0.001).Conclusions:Tanzanian and Norwegian children attained similar relative V˙O2maxin the cycle ergometer test. However, the comparison was hampered by differences in altitude and the poor cycle ergometer skills in the Tanzanian children, both of which probably underestimated their V˙O2max.
Dance training intensity at 11–14 years is associated with femoral torsion in classical ballet dancers
Authors: Hamilton D , Aronsen P , Løken J H , Berg I M , Skotheim R , Hopper D , Clarke A , Briffa N K 
Published: March 2006

Objective:To examine in a cross sectional study the influence of femoral torsion (FT) and passive hip external rotation (PER) on turnout (TO). Starting age, years of classical ballet training, and current and past dance training intensity were assessed to determine their influence on FT, PER, and TO in pre-professional female dancers.Methods:Sixty four dancers (mean (SD) age 18.16 (1.80) years) were recruited from four different dance training programmes. They completed a dance history questionnaire. FT was measured using a clinical method. PER was measured with the subjects prone, and TO was measured with the subjects standing.Results:Mean TO was 136°, mean unilateral PER was 49.4°, and mean FT was 18.4°. A positive correlation was observed between PER combined (PERC) and TO (r =  0.443, p<0.001). A negative association was found between FT combined (FTC) and PERC (r =  −0.402, p  =  0.001). No association was found between starting age or years of classical ballet training and FTC, PERC, or TO. Dancers who trained for six hours a week or more during the 11–14 year age range had less FT than those who trained less (mean difference 6°, 95% confidence interval 1.4 to 10.3). Students currently training for longer had higher levels of TO (p<0.001) but comparable PERC and FTC.Conclusion:FT is significantly associated with PERC. Dancers who trained for six hours a week or more at 11–14 years of age had significantly less FT. FTC had a significant influence on PERC, but no influence on the execution of TO.
Epidemiology of injuries and illnesses in America’s Cup yacht racing
Authors: Neville V J , Molloy J , Brooks J H M , Speedy D B , Atkinson G 
Published: March 2006

Objectives:To determine the incidence and severity of injuries and illnesses incurred by a professional America’s Cup yacht racing crew during the preparation for and participation in the challenge for the 2003 America’s Cup.Methods:A prospective study design was used over 74 weeks of sailing and training. All injuries and illnesses sustained by the 35 professional male crew members requiring medical treatment were recorded, including the diagnosis, nature, location, and mechanism of injury. The volume of sailing and training were recorded, and the severity of incidents were determined by the number of days absent from both sailing and training.Results:In total, 220 injuries and 119 illnesses were recorded, with an overall incidence of 8.8 incidents/1000 sailing and training hours (injuries, 5.7; illnesses, 3.1). The upper limb was the most commonly injured body segment (40%), followed by the spine and neck (30%). The most common injuries were joint/ligament sprains (27%) and tendinopathies (20%). The incidence of injury was significantly higher in training (8.6) than sailing (2.2). The most common activity or mechanism of injury was non-specific overuse (24%), followed by impact with boat hardware (15%) and weight training (13%). “Grinders” had the highest overall injury incidence (7.7), and “bowmen” had the highest incidence of sailing injuries (3.2). Most of the illnesses were upper respiratory tract infections (40%).Conclusions:The data from this study suggest that America’s Cup crew members are at a similar risk of injury to athletes in other non-collision team sports. Prudent allocation of preventive and therapeutic resources, such as comprehensive health and medical care, well designed conditioning and nutritional programmes, and appropriate management of recovery should be adopted by America’s Cup teams in order to reduce the risk of injury and illness.
Serum concentrations of two biochemical markers of brain tissue damage S-100B and neurone specific enolase are increased in elite female soccer players after a competitive game
Authors: Stålnacke B-M , Ohlsson A , Tegner Y , Sojka P 
Published: March 2006

Background:It is a matter of debate whether or not ordinary heading of the ball in soccer causes injury to brain tissue.Objective:To analyse concentrations of the biochemical markers of brain tissue damage S-100B and neurone specific enolase (NSE) in serum of female elite soccer players in association with a competitive game.Methods:Venous blood samples were obtained from 44 female soccer players before and after a competitive game for analysis. The number of headers and trauma events (falls, collisions, etc) was assessed from videotape recordings for each player.Results:Concentrations of both brain damage markers were increased after the game (S-100B, 0.18 (0.11)v0.11 (0.05) μg/l (p  =  0.000); NSE, 10.14 (1.74)v9.05 (1.59) μg/l (p  =  0.001)). There was a significant correlation between changes in S-100B concentrations and both the number of headers (r =  0.430, p  =  0.004) and the number of other trauma events (r =  0.517, p<0.001).Conclusion:The concentrations of both S-100B and NSE were increased by game associated activities and events. The increases in S-100B concentration were significantly related to the number of headers and other trauma events, which indicates that both these factors may have contributed to these increases.