bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Therapy-Resistant Depressions: Biochemical and Pharmacological Considerations
Authors: van Praag H. M. 
Published: May 2005

Two statements are presented here: 1) antidepressants increase the amount of MA at the central receptors, and 2) antidepressants are effective in some, but quite ineffective in other patients, even if they belong to the same diagnostic category. Three questions result from these statements: 1) Does a central MA deficiency occur in depressive patients? 2) If so, is this disorder present in only a proportion of the patients? 3) If so, can this explain the apparent selectivity of antidepressants in the sense that particularly MA-deficient patients benefit from this type of therapy? A tentative answer is given to these three questions. In depressive patients the cerebral MA turnover can be diminished. These disorders do not occur in all patients but seem to be confined to certain categories of depression. Diminution or non-diminution of the central MA turnover is a (not the) factor which determines whether antidepressant medication will succeed or fail. The theoretical and practical implications of these answers are discussed.
Factor Structure of the 28-Item General Health Questionnaire in a Sample of Antenatal Women
Authors: Aderibigbe Yekeen A. , Riley William , Lewin Terry , Gureje Oye 
Published: May 2005

Objective: The factor structure of responses to the twenty-eight-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28) in a sample of 277 Nigerian antenatal women was examined. Method: Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Varimax rotation were used. Results: A four factor structure interpretable as social dysfunction, somatic-anxiety, depression-anxiety, and severe depression was obtained. Conclusion: Although the factor structure in this sample is similar to that previously reported with this instrument, the factor loadings, particularly for the anxiety subscale differed. Thus, the factor structures of the GHQ may differ depending on the cultural background of the sample.
Build Quality into your Systems Effort
Authors: Fleischhauer F. W. 
Published: May 2005

People programming, the design and documentation of administrative systems for use as a management tool, has been on the rise for some time now, but not so the quality. That seems to remain at a low level. Not only do systems designers still take too much time to design, but the document that they finally do publish is barely communicative. Quality in this case is paradoxical: it is sorely needed, yet it cannot be measured. Grumman, however, solved the problem by taking the approach of building quality into the design effort, providing writing mechanics to do so. Neither the approach nor the mechanics were easy to specify. A philosophy to establish the basics and define the terms was first in order. The mechanics were developed from that philosophy. The results were more than anticipated because, in three years' use, the mechanics have not yet failed to cope with the many systems writing requirements.
Simplified Technical Training—A New Challenge for Effective Communications
Authors: Barton Theodore W. 
Published: May 2005

With the increasing technological advances in our society, we are developing a substantial gap between the demand for, and the supply of, technically trained people. If the present training philosophy persists, this gap will continue to widen as our increased knowledge allows us to advance even more rapidly. What can be done to alleviate this situation? The answer is certainly not a simple one… or is it? One of the solutions to the problem may well be simplification, in training and in documentation. The following discussion relates primarily to training and documentation (communication) in the technical fields. An extension of these basic principles, however, can be applied to many other educational areas.
Work and Health in Mexico
Authors: Laurell Asa Cristina 
Published: May 2005

It is suggested that the relationship between work and health and disease traditionally has been analyzed in a limited way in that work has been considered only as a situational factor which puts workers in contact with environmental risks. It is proposed that work is an essential category for the understanding of disease, if one tries to study disease not as an individual biological phenomenon but as a social (and biological) phenomenon that occurs to the collectivity. Furthermore, it is suggested that the relation between disease and work should be analyzed in terms of the elements of the work process, understood as a technical and social process, and the capacity of different social groups to realize their interests. Reviewing the general trends of development of the work process in Mexico, it is shown that a transformation in the causes of death among men of working age has occurred during the last 20 years and there has been an increase in the number and the rate of work accidents and occupational diseases, despite a significant under-registration factor. Finally, the labor legislation on health and safety is contrasted with its actual implementation. This problem is interpreted in the context of traditional Mexican trade unionism. It is shown that trade unions which have become democratic and have gained their independence have struggled more vigorously on occupational health and safety issues.
Firearm Suicide in the Home Setting
Authors: Danto Bruce L. 
Published: May 2005

All gunshot deaths determined to be suicide were studied in Wayne County, Michigan, over a three-month period during the summer of 1969. Only gunshot deaths in the home setting were included in the study. Data were gathered by attendance at medical examiner hearings as well as conferences with local police and the prosecuting attorney's office. The obtained sample involved 29 suicides. The suicide group consisted of persons who were predominantly white, male, and over 45 years of age. Their level of education and employment was fairly good. The suicide group had a fairly high incidence of registered hand guns when used. The suicide group had a high incidence of birth in the state, and those bom elsewhere had lived in the county for a minimum of 3 years. Limitations of the research method are discussed both in terms of the large number of “unknown” responses as well as the shortsightedness of both police and medical examiner investigations of suicide. It is suggested that public agencies should expand their investigations to provide greater insight and understanding about suicide.
Laws of Motion in the for-Profit Health Industry: A Theory and Three Examples
Authors: Stevenson Gelvin 
Published: May 2005

The dynamics generated in the for-profit health industry by the drive for accumulation combine with the life cycle of a product to produce, within a given political framework, tendencies toward certain types of industry structure. The evolution of this structure is characterized by increased concentration of economic activity in diversified multinational corporations which combine health and non-health products. Three industries representing different stages of product and market development are analyzed in this article. The pharmaceutical industry is a mature industry dominated by large diversified multinational corporations which grow mainly through expansion abroad and diversification. The medical and dental instruments and supplies industry is newer, smaller, and faster growing. Its growth potential is attracting many companies and increasing competition. The newest industry, investor-owned hospitals and hospital chains, is characterized by rapidly growing but still relatively small companies. The appendix, included to illustrate certain social, economic, and political issues, focuses on Medtronics, a highly scientific, fast-growing firm which produces electronic pacemakers.
A Description of the Developmental Procedures for New York State's Computerized Bank of Reading Objectives
Authors: O'Reilly Robert P. 
Published: May 2005

This article presents the rationale, structure, content, and procedure for the computerized bank of reading objectives being developed for New York State schools. The project was initiated to improve upon previous banking efforts, and to provide a technical resource which would contribute toward primarily localized planning, design, and evaluation of reading programs. A definition of the organizing concepts for the project, including a new generalized format for writing objectives (the generic objective); a procedure for organizing the generic form of objectives into a summative form called the criterion objective; and a structure for scaling or leveling the content in reading and associating it with objectives is contained within this article. It further describes a computerized processing technique called SCAN (System for Coding and Analysis), invented to eliminate redundancy in a developing bank of objectives. A computer program developed for the project supports a set of generalized edit and change functions among the objectives in the bank; it also enables the operation of SCAN, and provides for the accession and structuring of local banks of reading objectives for such users as teachers and reading specialists. The implications of the banking development are discussed in terms of the support lent to basic and applied research topics in reading. One focus of the discussion, for example, is the support generated by the bank contents and structure for the generation of reading test items via the use of algorithms.
Reproductive Efficiency as a Social Indicator
Authors: Muller Charlotte , Jaffe Frederick S. , Kovar Mary Grace 
Published: May 2005

An index of reproductive efficiency (RE) is proposed as a social indicator that will meet the need to consider various forms of pregnancy wastage, to compare their relative costs, and to guide reproductive health policy accordingly. This article discusses conceptual and measurement aspects of RE. Conversion of wanted to unwanted pregnancies and the reverse, interpretation of abortion in relation to other pregnancy outcomes, defining the end point for the reproductive process and criteria for the events to be included as significant outcomes are conceptual issues. Measurement problems include: whether aggregation is justified, prospective and retrospective tracking of outcomes, record limitations, duplication of adversities in a single pregnancy, and selection of optimal rates for comparison. A measurement of RE for the entire United States based on the National Natality Survey of 1964–1966 is presented, showing 74.5 percent of pregnancies resulting in healthy liveborn infants. For those years, data on abortions could not be included. Within the group of reported pregnancy losses, the importance of congenital abnormalities and low-birth-weight babies is enhanced by application of economic weights based on associated medical care costs. Changing opportunities for birth timing, prenatal and infant care, and control of family size are social means of reducing adverse outcomes associated with teenage pregnancy and high-parity births, often found together with poverty. Successive increments in RE may be progressively more expensive to achieve, and cost effectiveness comparisons will be necessary.
Child Mental Health in Latin America: Present and Future Epidemiologic Research
Authors: Duarte Cristiane , Hoven Christina , Berganza Carlos , Bordin Isabel , Bird Hector , Miranda Claudio T. 
Published: May 2005

Objective: This report reviews population studies of child and adolescent mental health carried out in Latin America over the past 15 years. Also considered is the issue of how to meet the needs of children and adolescents who may present mental health problems in Latin America, given that most of them live in poverty in economies that are underdeveloped, providing limited resources. Method: Ten studies from six different countries were identified that employed some form of randomized sampling method and used standardized instruments for assessment. The authors present a summary of the main characteristics of these studies, highlighting methodological features that may account for differences in the rates obtained. Results: Overall, a similar pattern of prevalence and risk factors for mental health problems in children and adolescents in Latin American countries emerged. Moreover, rates of disorders in these children are similar to the 15 to 20% found in other countries. These findings are similar to those observed when adult mental health problems are considered. Prevention and treatment strategies are discussed and the peculiarities of the delivery of mental health services for children and adolescents are explored. Conclusions: Future research needs to focus on understanding of resilience and formal and informal mental health delivery systems of care available in different Latin American countries. Such research has high potential for ameliorating the prevention and treatment of child and adolescent mental health problems in this region of the world.
The Ten Point Clock Test: A Quick Screen and Grading Method for Cognitive Impairment in Medical and Surgical Patients
Authors: Manos Peter J. , Wu Rae 
Published: May 2005

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the clinical utility of the ten point clock test in screening for and grading cognitive deficits in medical and surgical patients. Method: The setting was the hospital and clinics of Virginia Mason Medical Center, a tertiary referral center. Consecutive samples of hospitalized patients, and clinic outpatients—with and without a dementia—were administered the ten point clock test as well as a number of other neuropsychological tests and measures of cognitive impairment. Results: Clock scores correlated with neuropsychological test scores and with the mini-mental state examination. They were stable from rater to rater, and from day to day in stable patients. The mean clock score of elderly outpatient controls was 8.5, significantly different from the mean of 5.5 scored by patients with a dementia. A cut off score of seven identified 76 percent of outpatients with dementia and 78 percent of elderly controls. Clock scores correlated well with nurses' ratings of their inpatients' cognitive deficits (Spearman's rs = −0.61). The test was easy to administer, even to hospitalized patients. Conclusions: The ten point clock test is reliable, valid, and useful as a quick screen and grading method for cognitive deficits in medical and surgical patients.
Process Evaluation of Nebraska's Team Training Project
Authors: Scott David M. , Merkel Pamela A. , Barlow Thomas W. 
Published: May 2005

Background. A process evaluation of the Nebraska Drug Free School/ Community Residential Team Training Project is described. This training project utilizes a “system approach” in the formation and implementation of localized strategic (action) plans targeting alcohol and other drug (AOD) abuse prevention. Methods. In June of 1990, training participants completed a pre-post survey in conjunction with the four-day training. The majority of the participants (51.2%) were teachers, 19.2 percent were parents, 13.6 percent administrators, and 9.6 percent were counselors. Results. Although the overall attitudes of the participants ( N = 125) were positive initially, they became even more so by the end of the training ( N = 121). Prior to training participants felt they could have a significant impact on their local AOD abuse problem, and this attitude became more positive by the completion of training ( p < 0.05). Conclusions. The Nebraska team training process immerses team members in an active planning process allowing teams to develop a plan of action for their school and community. During this process, participants experience a positive growth in attitudes reflecting not only the training experience itself, but even more importantly their ability to meaningfully affect AOD abuse and related destructive behaviors in their homes, schools, and community.
ECT in the Treatment of Patients with Neurological and Somatic Disease
Authors: Zwil Alexander S. , Pelchat Rodney J. 
Published: May 2005

Objective: An evaluation of the safety and efficacy of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), for the treatment of patients with severe medical and neurological illness, was undertaken. Method: The English-language literature reporting the use of ECT in patients with neurological and somatic disease was reviewed. This review included reports describing ECT used for the treatment of affective disturbances and catatonia in patients with concurrent neurological or somatic disease, as well as reports dealing with the efficacy of ECT for the treatment of certain neurological conditions for which it has been reported to have some benefit independent of its psychiatric effect. Conclusions: ECT is safe and effective for the treatment of affective and catatonic disorders in patients with most neurological and medical diseases, including elderly and debilitated patients with multiple illnesses, if the specific medical risks are carefully evaluated in each case, and appropriate modifications of technique are used to reduce the risk of potential complications. Apart from its use in psychiatry, ECT has been reported to have therapeutic effects in Parkinson's disease, neuroleptic malignant syndrome, aggressive behavioral disorders following brain injury, certain forms of epilepsy, and some forms of delirium due to toxic or metabolic encephalopathies. The potential for ECT to play an active role in the clinical management of patients with these disorders, many of whom are presently refractory to maximal medical treatment, should be evaluated by systematic studies.
New Ideas in the Workplace: Learning from Interactive Television
Authors: Kwiatek Kathy Krendl 
Published: May 2005

Data collected in a study of cable television use for in-service training by teachers in elementary schools were analyzed in terms of learning about new ideas to be used in the classroom. The findings present a direct challenge to the traditional bias of strict reliance upon the individual as the unit of analysis in television research in general. Learning about and implementing new ideas did not emerge as simple linear effects of viewing. Rather, they proved to be processes strongly related to differences in viewing contexts (viewing alone or with others) and levels of feedback (interpersonal or technological interaction), as well as a function of communications structure within the organization (amount of talking and levels of agreement about good teaching within a school).
Psychological Reactions among Family Members of Patients with Implantable Defibrillators
Authors: Marx Alexandra , Bollmann Andreas , Dunbar Sandra B. , Jenkins Louise S. , Hawthorne Mary 
Published: May 2005

Objective: To describe psychological reactions among family members of patients receiving an implantable cardioverter/defibrillator (ICD) during the first 9 months after implantation. Methods: Eighty-two family members (age 56 ± 12 years, 74 percent female, 79 percent married, 88 percent Caucasian) of ICD patients completed questionnaires regarding their mood (Profile of Mood State), cognitive illness appraisals (Meaning of Illness Questionnaire) and coping strategies (Jalowiec Coping Scale) prior to ICD implantation, and as well as 1 and 9 months postoperatively. Results: Total mood disturbance score (TMD), threat appraisal, and emotion- and problem-focused coping were highest prior to ICD implantation, and decreased during the first postoperative month showing stable values thereafter. There was no change in challenge appraisal. Multiple regression analysis found that the use of psychotropic drugs (anxiolytics, sedatives; Beta = .25), emotion-focused coping (Beta = .37), and challenge appraisal (Beta = .21) at 1 month accounted for 26 percent of variance in TMD at 9 months. Conclusion: A spouse's ICD implantation is a major stressful event for family members leading to a diminished mood state prior ICD implantation. Reduction in emotion-focused coping and the use of challenge appraisal may improve mood state in family members of ICD patients during early follow-up.
Burnout in Nursing Staff: Is There a Relationship between Depression and Burnout?
Authors: Iacovides Apostolos , Fountoulakis Konstantinos N. , Moysidou Charoula , Ierodiakonou Charalambos 
Published: May 2005

Objective: There is evidence that burnout may be a clinical entity with pathological stress reaction features related to the inability in finding pleasure from work. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between burnout and depression. Methods: The study took place in the general hospital AHEPA of Thessaloniki. All members of the nursing staff (in total 368 subjects) took part. The protocol was self-reported and anonymous, in order to obtain as valid data as possible and included the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) to assess the level of burnout, the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (EPQ) to assess personality traits, and the Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale to assess depressive symptomatology. Results: The analysis revealed a weak but significant relationship between burnout and depression. Conclusions: Depression is a pervasive disorder that affects almost every aspect of the patient's life. On the contrary, burnout is, by definition, a syndrome restricted to the patient's professional environment. However, it seems that there may be two distinct types of burnout syndromes, of which the one comprising the majority of nurses has little or no common features with depression. The second type consists of individuals with a predisposition to develop burnout. The latter is characterized by more severe symptomatology, phenotypic similarity to depression and presumably common etiological mechanisms.
The Diffusion of the Computed Tomography (CT) Scanner in the United States
Authors: Banta H. David 
Published: May 2005

The rising cost of medical care in the United States is a problem generally familiar to all interested in health care policy. In recent years the contribution of technology to this rising cost has been debated. The computed tomography (CT) scanner has come to exemplify the problem of “technology run wild.” The scanner was introduced into the United States in 1973 and has diffused rapidly into virtually every area of the country. However, despite the large number of scanners, they are maldistributed by institutional setting and geographic location. A number of Federal policies have been developed to deal with medical technology. The case of the CT scanner illustrates the failure of these policies. The CT scanner was not well evaluated before it diffused into practice, and it appears that Federal reimbursement policy facilitated its spread. Federal policies designed to slow diffusion or to assure optimal placement or wise use of scanners have not had demonstrable effects. The case of the CT scanner suggests the need to alter Federal policies toward medical technologies.