bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Regionalization of health services in Newfoundland and Labrador: perceptions of the planning, implementation and consequences of regional governance
Authors: Neville Doreen , Barrowman Gwynedd , Fitzgerald Brenda , Tomblin Stephen 
Published: October 2005

Objectives To describe the context and key drivers for regionalization of one provincial health care system in Canada; to document the original expectations of regionalization on governance and the extent to which these expectations were met; to identify the perceived successes and weaknesses of the process; and to examine the key issues and concerns that warrant further consideration and action in the future. Methods Forty-five CEO/senior administrator or senior health department officials in the period 1993-2001 were invited to participate, of whom 35 were interviewed (67% of senior health officials and 85% of CEOs/ senior administrators). Results For the most part, key informants felt that expectations of reform with respect to reduction in the number of boards and integration of services under each board's mandate did occur. However, ongoing financial restraint, failure to include the full range of health services under the regional board mandate (including physician and pharmaceutical services), uncertainty regarding the level of authority the regional boards had for decision-making, and unclear accountability mechanisms between the regional boards and the provincial Ministry of Health limited the extent to which broader expectations related to development of a population health focus, and improved continuity of care for individuals and families was achieved. Conclusions Implications for policy-makers were identified in four main areas: alignment between health policy goals and the governance structure; clarification of authority and accountability relationships; clarification of roles and responsibilities among all key actors; and strengthening of mechanisms that support accountability.
Book Reviews
Authors: Lev Benjamin 
Published: October 2005

The range of books reviewed is wide, covering theory and applications in operations research, statistics, management science, econometrics, mathematics, computers, and information systems (no software is reviewed). In addition, we include books in other fields that emphasize technical applications. Publishers who wish to have their books reviewed should send them to Professor Benjamin Lev. We list the books received; not all books received can be reviewed because space is limited. Those who would like to review books are urged to send me their names, addresses, and specific areas of expertise. We commission all reviews and do not accept unsolicited book reviews. Readers are encouraged to suggest books that might be reviewed or to ask publishers to send me copies of such books.The authors or editors of the books reviewed in this issue are Navneet Bhushan, Kanwal Rai, Harold R. Booher, H. A. Eiselt, C.-L. Sandblom, Jatinder N. D. Gupta, Sushil K. Sharma, Joao Jose, and Pinto Ferreira.
Murder in the Criminal Law of Iran and Islam
Authors: Ghodsi Ebrahim 
Published: October 2005

Wilful murder, the deliberate killing of another human being, is considered a crime in the criminal law of Iran and Islam, and the consequential penalty invoked is retaliation. The offence, as in English law, requires proof of both actus reus (external element) and mens rea (fault element). The statutory offence may be found in Articles 14 and 204–268 of the 1991 version of the Islamic Penal Code and in Articles 612–615 of 1996 Code. In Islam there are many verses and precedents (of the Prophet and the Shiite Imams) condemning the crime of murder as illegal and retaliation as the appropriate punishment for this crime provided the legal elements are established. The requisite elements of the offence have been subjected to varied review in Iran and Islam. The focus of this article is to study the key ingredients in more depth. Retaliation as a punishment has three key aspects: it is personal; it should be equal with the crime; and to be performed according to the will and option of the avengers of blood.
Association of Inosine Triphosphatase 94C&gt;A and Thiopurine S-Methyltransferase Deficiency with Adverse Events and Study Drop-Outs under Azathioprine Therapy in a Prospective Crohn Disease Study
Authors: von Ahsen Nicolas , Armstrong Victor W , Behrens Christoph , von Tirpitz Christian , Stallmach Andreas , Herfarth Hans , Stein Jürgen , Bias Peter , Adler Guido , Shipkova Maria , Oellerich Michael , Kruis Wolfgang , Reinshagen Max 
Published: October 2005

Abstract
Background: Azathioprine (aza) therapy is beneficial in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease, but 10%–30% of patients cannot tolerate aza therapy because of adverse drug reactions. Thiopurine S-methyltransferase (TPMT) deficiency predisposes to myelotoxicity, but its association with other side effects is less clear. Inosine triphosphatase (ITPA) mutations are other pharmacogenetic polymorphisms possibly involved in thiopurine metabolism and tolerance.
Methods: We analyzed data from a 6-month prospective study including 71 patients with Crohn disease undergoing first-time aza treatment with respect to aza intolerance. Patients were genotyped for common TPMT and ITPA mutations and had pretherapy TPMT activity measured.
Results: Early drop-out (within 2 weeks) from aza therapy was associated with ITPA 94C&gt;A [P = 0.020; odds ratio (OR), 4.6; 95% confidence interval (95% CI), 1.2–17.4] and low TPMT activity [&lt;10 nmol/(mL erythrocytes · h); P = 0.007; OR = 5.5; 95% CI, 1.6–19.2]. A high-risk group defined by ITPA 94C&gt;A or TPMT &lt;10 nmol/(mL erythrocytes · h) showed significant association with early drop-out (P = 0.001; OR = 11.3; 95% CI, 2.5–50.0) and all drop-outs (P = 0.002; OR = 4.8; 95% CI, 1.8–13.3). For only drop-outs attributable to aza-related side effects (n = 16), there was a significant association with ITPA 94C&gt;A (P = 0.002; OR = 7.8; 95% CI, 2.1–29.1). Time-to-event analysis over the 24-week study period revealed a significant association (P = 0.031) between the time to drop-out and ITPA 94C&gt;A mutant allele carrier status.
Conclusions: Patients with ITPA 94C&gt;A mutations or low TPMT activity constitute a pharmacogenetic high-risk group for drop-out from aza therapy. ITPA 94C&gt;A appears to be a promising marker indicating predisposition to aza intolerance.
Parental Monitoring: A Process Model of Parent-Adolescent Interaction
Authors: Hayes Louise , Hudson Alan , Matthews Jan 
Published: October 2005

AbstractEmpirical evidence supports parental monitoring as a moderator of adolescent problem behaviours. A methodological review shows that monitoring has been measured using self-report questions based on parental knowledge of adolescent free-time use; however, inconsistencies in the definition of monitoring have created confusion. A process model of parental monitoring is proposed. This proposed model conceptualises monitoring interactions in a temporal sequence. It proposes that parental monitoring occurs in two distinct stages: before the adolescent goes out and when they return home. Parental and adolescent responses to monitoring interactions impact on future monitoring episodes. The proposed model demonstrates that a functional understanding of parent and adolescent monitoring behaviours is essential to clinical prevention and intervention.
A Universal Prevention Trial of Anxiety Symptomology during Childhood: Results at 1-Year Follow-up
Authors: Lowry-Webster Hayley M. , Barrett Paula M. , Lock Sally 
Published: October 2005

AbstractIn 2001 we evaluated a universal prevention trial of anxiety during childhood, and also examined the effects of the program on levels of depression. Participants were 594 children aged 10—13 years from seven schools in Brisbane, Australia, who were randomly assigned to an intervention or control group on a school-by-school basis. The intervention was based on the group CBT program FRIENDS (Barrett, Lowry-Webster & Holmes, 1999a, 1999b, 1999c). Results were examined universally (for all children) and for children who scored above the clinical cut-off for anxiety at pre-test. At 12-month follow-up, intervention gains were maintained, as measured by self-reports and diagnostic interviews. Eighty-five per cent of children in the intervention group who were scoring above the clinical cut-off for anxiety and depression were diagnosis free in the intervention condition, compared to only 31.2% of children in the control group. Implications of these findings are examined, alongside limitations and directions for future research.
The Function of Sexual Fantasies for Sexual Offenders: A Preliminary Model
Authors: Gee Dion , Ward Tony , Eccleston Lynne 
Published: October 2005

AbstractAlthough the content of sexual fantasy has been extensively researched, very little contemporary research has investigated the function of sexual fantasy within the context of offending. In this study, a qualitative analysis was used to develop a descriptive model of the phenomena of sexual fantasy during the offence process. Twenty-four adult males convicted of sexual offences provided detailed retrospective descriptions of their thoughts, emotions and behaviours before, during and after their offences. A data-driven approach to model development (grounded theory) was undertaken to analyse the interview transcripts. A preliminary model was developed to elucidate the function of sexual fantasy in the process of sexual offending, as well as the physiological and psychological variables associated with it. The sexual fantasy function model (SFFM) comprises four categories that describe the various functions of sexual fantasy in the offence process. These categories are affect regulation, sexual arousal, coping, and modelling. The strengths of the SFFM are discussed and its clinical implications are reviewed. Finally, the limitations of the study are presented, and future research directions discussed.
Efficacy of Treatments for Depression in Children and Adolescents
Authors: Carr Victoria A.J. , Boyd Candice P. 
Published: October 2005

AbstractDepression is a highly complex mental disorder that for many years was believed to be absent in children and adolescents. It is now accepted that depression not only exists in this age group, but also is a major mental health problem (Weller & Weller, 2000a). Research suggests that the prevalence of depression in Australian children and adolescents is around 14% (Boyd, Kostanski, Gullone, Ollendick, & Shek, 2000). As depression appears to be highly prevalent, it is essential that efficacious treatments are identified, and that effective treatment strategies are established that best alleviate depressive symptoms in children and adolescents. In light of this need, this article details the criteria used to identify depression in children and adolescents, and examines the available evidence for the use of pharmacological and psychotherapeutic approaches in the treatment of depression in children and adolescents.
Development and Psychometric Evaluation of the Positive Affect Schedule for Youth (PAS-Y)
Authors: Bagot Kathleen L. , Gullone Eleonora 
Published: October 2005

AbstractA focus on “positive psychology” in nonclinical populations provides an opportunity to improve psychological wellbeing for both community and clinical samples. Identification and assessment of stimuli associated with positive affect may be of particular value for promoting wellbeing. This was the purpose of the current study. Based on self-reports of 157 children (8 to 11 years), a Positive Affect Schedule for Youth (PAS-Y) was developed. This measure was subsequently psychometrically evaluated with a sample of 320 children. Demonstrating construct validity, the PAS-Y was found to factor into two scales comprising a Natural stimuli factor and a Non-natural stimuli factor. Convergent validity and divergent validity were demonstrated through significant associations with positive affect and no associations with negative affect, respectively. Internal consistency and split-half reliability analyses demonstrated good reliability for the PAS-Y. It was concluded that the PAS-Y provides a valid and reliable measure for the assessment of positive affect experiences in youth.
Anxiety and the Processing of Threat in Children: Further Examination of the Cognitive Inhibition Hypothesis
Authors: Morren Mattijn , Kindt Merel , van den Hout Marcel , van Kasteren Hanneke 
Published: October 2005

AbstractThe present study examined the cognitive inhibition hypothesis (Kindt, Bierman, & Brosschot, 1997) which asserts that young children lack the ability to inhibit the processing of threat, but develop this with age. To examine this issue, high spider fearful children (N = 170) and low spider fearful children (N = 215) aged 7—11 years were tested by means of an emotional Stroop task. It was hypothesised that a processing bias for spider-related stimuli would be present in all 8- and 9-year-old children. That is, it was expected that responses to spider words would be slower compared to responses to control words. Furthermore, it was hypothesised that this processing bias would decrease with age in low fearful children, whereas it would persist in high fearful children. No support was found for these hypotheses. Instead of the predicted processing bias, data showed the reverse pattern; that is, children responded faster to spider words compared to control words. It is proposed that the reverse bias results from avoidance. More precisely, children may evade the processing of spider stimuli through fast responding.
Processing Bias in Children with Separation Anxiety Disorder, Social Phobia and Generalised Anxiety Disorder
Authors: Kindt Merel , Bögels Susan , Morren Mattijn 
Published: October 2005

AbstractThe present study examined processing bias in children suffering from anxiety disorders. Processing bias was assessed using of the emotional Stroop task in clinically referred children with separation anxiety disorder (SAD), social phobia (SP), and/or generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) and normal controls. The aims of the present study were twofold: (a) to test whether clinically anxious children show a bias towards threat stimuli, and (b) to examine whether this bias is domain-specific. No evidence was obtained for either an anxiety-related bias towards threat, or a domain-specificity effect. Clearly, these findings diverge markedly from adult studies and stress the importance of further research on anxiety-related information processing in children.
“Danger is Lurking Everywhere, Even in Parts of a Jigsaw Puzzle”: Anxiety-related Threat Perception Abnormalities in Children: Their Assessment with Projective Material
Authors: Muris Peter , van Doorn Muriel 
Published: October 2005

AbstractThe present study examined the relationship between anxiety and depression, on the one hand, and reduced evidence for danger (RED) bias and other threat perception abnormalities, on the other hand. A nonclinical sample of school children (N = 138) completed a brief measure of childhood anxiety and depression symptoms and were then exposed to a series of pictures taken from projective tests. Results showed that (a) anxiety was accompanied by RED bias and other threat perception abnormalities, (b) depression was less convincingly associated with such cognitive distortions, and (c) anxiety-related threat perception abnormalities were not merely the result of a stronger tendency to give affirmative responses. The role of threat perception abnormalities in the pathogenesis of childhood anxiety as well as the clinical implications of these cognitive phenomena are briefly discussed.
The “Anti-monster Letter” as a Simple Therapeutic Tool for Reducing Night-time Fears in Young Children
Authors: Muris Peter , Verweij Cindy , Meesters Cor 
Published: October 2005

AbstractThe current study examined the effects of the “anti-monster letter” as a simple tool for reducing night-time fears in young children. One hundred and forty-two children aged 4 to 6 years were randomly assigned to either an experimental condition in which children and parents were provided with an “anti-monster letter” or a control condition in which no intervention was carried out. Results indicated that the “anti-monster letter” yielded positive effects. That is, child report data showed that night-time fears substantially decreased in the intervention condition as compared with the control condition. In parents, such positive effects could not be substantiated by standardised assessments, although some parents indicated that they considered the intervention as helpful.
The Social Validity of Interventions for Promoting Preschool Children's Peer Interactions
Authors: Hamilton David , Zoitas Aphrodite 
Published: October 2005

AbstractThis analogue study investigated the social validity of classroom interventions designed to promote peer interactions in young children. The influences of child characteristics and diagnostic labels on social validity ratings were examined, as were the relationships among three components of social validity. Forty-two preschool teachers completed a 15-item social validity scale that yielded scores pertaining to intervention goals, procedures and effects. Participants rated three types of intervention, which varied according to individuals targeted and intensity of programming procedures, with reference to one of three case descriptions of children with social interaction problems. Half the participants were provided with the child's diagnostic label. Results indicated that social validity is affected by interactions between intervention methods and child characteristics. The inclusion of diagnostic labels in the case descriptions had no effect on social validity ratings. Strong positive relationships were found among the components of social validity. Implications for the use of empirically validated interventions in inclusive preschools are discussed.
Effects of Thought Suppression on Subliminally and Supraliminally Presented Food-related Stimuli
Authors: Dejonckheere Peter J.N. , Braet Caroline , Soetens Barbara 
Published: October 2005

AbstractThis study investigates whether hyperaccessibility occurs for supraliminally or subliminally presented sweets-related stimuli after prior suppression of thoughts about sweets. Thirty-three students (all female; 18—25 years old) participated in the experiment. In the first phase, half of the experimental group was instructed to suppress all sweets-related thoughts. The other participants were given control instructions. In the second phase, as part of a modified Stroop task, participants were asked to state the colour of a stimulus as quickly as possible. This stimulus could be presented either subliminally or supraliminally. In both conditions, neutral control words as well as sweets words were used. It was found that the participants in the suppression group, compared to those in the control group, showed attentional bias for the sweet-related suppressed thoughts, but that this effect was determined by the reaction times of subliminally presented sweets words. No differences were found for the control words. In addition, the study explored whether there was a relationship between thought suppression and dietary restraint attitudes. The link to dietary behaviour, however, remains unclear.
Jealousy in Couple Relationships
Authors: de Silva Padmal 
Published: October 2005

AbstractThis article discusses the problem of jealousy in couple relationships. The clinical presentations are summarised, and the question of what is morbid jealousy is addressed. Issues in the assessment of jealousy in couples are discussed, with suggestions for the areas to be covered. A framework for the formulation of the problem is proposed. Finally, the clinical treatment of morbid jealousy is reviewed. A treatment approach is described, which includes relationship enhancement work and a range of specific techniques.
Comorbid Externalising Disorders and Child Anxiety Treatment Outcomes
Authors: Flannery-Schroeder Ellen , Suveg Cynthia , Safford Scott , Kendall Philip C. , Webb Alicia 
Published: October 2005

AbstractExamined the effects of comorbid externalising disorders (i.e., attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder [ADHD], oppositional defiant disorder [ODD], conduct disorder [CD]) on the long-term outcome (7.4 years) of individuals treated for anxiety disorders as youth. Ninety-four anxiety-disordered children (aged 8-13) were provided with a 16-session manual-based cognitive behavioural treatment (CBT). Assessments were completed at pretreatment, posttreatment, 1-year posttreatment (see Kendall, et al., 1997) and for 88 of the original 94 subjects at 7.4-years posttreatment (see Kendall, Safford, Flannery-Schroeder, & Webb, in press). At pretreatment, all participants received principal anxiety diagnoses (generalised anxiety disorder, separation anxiety disorder, social phobia). Nineteen had comorbid externalising disorders (11 ADHD, 7 ODD and 1 CD). These 19 subjects were matched on age (within an average of 3 months), gender and race with 19 previously treated youths who were not comorbid with an externalising disorder. Examining parent- and child-reports, respectively, comparable rates of comorbid versus non-comorbid cases were free of their principal anxiety disorder at the 7.4-year follow-up on all dependent measures. Parents of anxiety-disordered children with a comorbid externalising disorder reported higher levels of child externalising behaviour than did parents of anxiety-disordered children without comorbidity. Comorbid children reported greater self-efficacy in coping with anxiety-provoking situations than did non-comorbid children. Thus, it appears that overall anxiety-disordered children with and without comorbid externalising disorders showed comparable improvements following CBT.
Danger Ideation Reduction Therapy (DIRT) for Intractable, Adolescent Compulsive Washing: A Case Study
Authors: O'Brien Margot , Jones Mairwen K. , Menzies Ross G. 
Published: October 2005

AbstractThis paper describes the first trial of danger ideation reduction therapy (DIRT) in an adolescent patient with severe, treatment resistant obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). This case study also represents the first published data on DIRT for any individual outside the Anxiety Disorders Clinic at the University of Sydney, where the treatment package was originally developed. KP was a 16-year-old girl with a 4-year history of obsessive-compulsive disorder. She was primarily concerned with contamination and presented with associated washing and avoidance behaviour. KP met Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV; American Psychiatric Association [APA], 1994) criteria for OCD, oppositional defiant disorder and major depressive disorder. She had also had previous diagnoses of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and motor tics. KP had received considerable treatment for OCD prior to the current trial, including 12 months of outpatient treatment at the local community health centre, a 4-week inpatient admission to a private hospital in Sydney and a 16 week inpatient admission to Rivendell Adolescent Unit in Sydney. All previous treatments involved a combination of pharmacotherapy (clomipramine [up to 125mg[, sertraline [up to the 200mg], fluvoxamine [up to 200 mg], risperidone [up to 2.5 mg] and chlorpromazine [25-50 mg prn]), and attempts to administer exposure-based treatment. KP had failed to benefit from all previous treatment attempts. However, following 16 sessions of DIRT, KP experienced substantial improvement, approximating symptom-free status on all measures. Importantly, these improvements were maintained at 12-month follow-up. The DIRT package was also effective in reducing depression and anxiety scores on self-report measures over the follow-up period. There were no substantial differences between posttreatment and 12-month follow-up scores on any of the measures given.