bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Computer Support of a Competency-Determined Curriculum
Authors: Church Timothy , Prietula Michael , Schroeder Roger , Naumann Dave 
Published: May 2005

A previous paper described in detail the development of a competency-determined pharmacy curriculum at the University of Minnesota [1]. A second major project was initiated for the development of a patient-oriented, holistic pharmaceutical curriculum. This paper describes the management information system being developed to support the information and data management needs for both of these projects. The development process being used is evolutionary in motive, allowing the system to support the old curriculum as it is phased out, replaced by the new curriculum. In this way, the complexity of the management system increases as the curriculum requires, affording both time to test and debug new procedures and the ability to correct mistakes as work progresses.
Death at a Distance: A Study of Family Survivors
Authors: Owen Greg , Fulton Robert , Markusen Eric 
Published: May 2005

This paper reports the findings of a social-psychological investigation of bereavement conducted in the metropolitan area of Minneapolis and St. Paul over a period of twelve months. Information was solicited using both questionnaires and home interviews from 558 bereaved persons, including spouses (434), parents (85), and adult children (39) responding to the death of an elderly parent. Strong emotional ties were evidenced in each of the three subsamples and a wide variety of physical and emotional reactions were demonstrated by all three groups following the death. One of the most important findings of the study is that the type of relationship severed by the death is an important determinant of the nature of the grief experienced by survivors. For example, within the adult child sample, the data suggest that the death of elderly parents is less disruptive, less emotionally debilitating and generally less significant for surviving adult children in terms of the continuity and stability of established behavioral patterns than for the other two groups. The adult child group also displayed less illness during bereavement than either the surviving parents or surviving spouses and were less likely to utilize traditional funerary rituals. It is hypothesized that these observed differences reflect significant changes in the larger society, including 1) the nature and function of the nuclear family and its members, 2) institutionalization of the dying and professionalization of their care, and 3) cultural conceptions of the meaning of life and death. Discussion focuses on the theoretical implications of the findings as they relate to the impact of death, grief and bereavement on the contemporary family, as well as to specific issues relevant to practicing clinicians in their attempts to aid families coping with separation and loss.
Medical Education and Instructional Design
Authors: Boutwell Richard C. 
Published: May 2005

The rising costs of medical care and the training of medical professionals has brought about circumstances which threatens the acceptable quality of medical care in the United States. Fewer medical schools and a drop in the rate of enrolled medical students are but two indicators reflecting the issue between cost versus quality of medical training. One of the medical communities responses to this crisis has been the introduction of educational technology and instructional design processes in the training of medical professionals. This paper discusses the background of the problem and offers an instructional design model which has applied success.
Tactics of the Interview
Authors: Sachs Harley L. 
Published: May 2005

The importance of technique in the interview is stressed by the author. He starts out by describing some of the classical kinds of interviews, then goes on to discuss qualities that characterize a good interview: demonstrating enthusiasm, deciding the angle, conserving time, and drawing on insight and experience. Also discussed are possible problems involving tact, note taking, photographs, and confirmation and approval.
Color Elements in National Schools of Painting: A Statistical Investigation
Authors: Gribkov Vitaly S. , Petrov Vladimir M. 
Published: May 2005

A deductive model to explain the functioning of art brings forward regularities concerning the color elements which are used in paintings. To provide optimal perception both of individual paintings and of systems of paintings it is necessary to organize them in such a way that: each given painting consists of four spectral color elements and one or two non-spectral ones (black and/or white); each national school of painting should be based on its “color-and-light standard” which is nothing but white color representing sunlight, and the properties of this “standard” should respond to the parameters of the sunlight typical for the region of a given culture; quite a definite “color triad” is inherent to each national school, dominating the majority of its paintings. These regularities were verified using 822 paintings representing French, Italian, Spanish, and Russian national schools. The results obtained may be used not only for model purposes but also for various studies in history of art.
Self-Induced Hypoglycemia: A Review of Psychiatric Aspects and Report of Three Cases
Authors: Moore Gordon L. , McBurney P. Louis , Service F. John 
Published: May 2005

Unauthorized self-administration of hypoglycemic agents produces a unique clinical situation. Because the symptoms and laboratory findings are consistent with a functioning adenoma of the pancreas, there is a significant hazard of unnecessary surgery. By appropriate laboratory tests, however, the alert physician may be able to justify suspicion that the disorder is self-induced. Accurate diagnosis may be further facilitated by recognizing certain similarities in these patients. Review of published reports and study of three cases newly presented have revealed these characteristics with enough consistency for proposal of a psychiatric syndrome. In hypoglycemia, factitial causation is suggested by the combination of female sex, single status, medical knowledge derived from experience as a diabetic or from vocational or family contacts, and features of the hysterical personality.
The Browser War: An Ethical Analysis of the Struggle between Microsoft and the U.S. Department of Justice
Authors: Meier Dennis 
Published: May 2005

The ongoing antitrust battle between the U.S. Department of Justice and Microsoft Corporation presents technical communicators with two ethical questions: 1) Is it right, good, or fair for Microsoft to give away its Internet Explorer browser? 2) If Microsoft gains monopoly control over the PC browser market, will this be good for us? In this article, I exam these questions using traditional rights-based ethical theory (Kant), utilitarianism, and John Rawls' principles of justice, concluding that it is neither good nor fair for a company having a near-monopoly over a market to sell products below fair market value, nor is it good that one company stands to gain monopoly control over the PC browser market. When the discussion turned to Netscape, one Intel executive, who asked not to be identified, recalled Martiz [Paul Martiz, Microsoft Group Vice President, Platforms & Application] saying: “We are going to cut off their air supply. Everything they're selling, we're going to give away for free” [1]. “We're giving away a pretty good browser as part of the operating system. How long can they survive selling it?”—Statement by Steve Ballmer, Microsoft President and CEO [2]. “Our business model works even if all Internet software is free,” says Mr. Gates. “We are still selling operating systems.” Netscape, in contrast, is dependent upon its Internet software for profits, he points out.—Statements by Bill Gates, Microsoft Chairman [3]. Only a monopolist could study a competitor and destroy its business by giving away products—Statement by Scott McNealy, Sun Microsystems Chairman [4].
Psychological Problems in Christian and Moslem Primary Care Patients in Greece
Authors: Androutsopoulou C. , Livaditis M. , Xenitidis K. I. , Trypsianis G. , Samakouri M. , Pastelmatzi A. , Tzavaras N. 
Published: May 2005

Objective: Psychiatric problems are often expressed through, or coexist with, somatic symptoms. Cultural factors may influence this association. This study aims to 1) estimate the prevalence of mental health problems in a sample of primary care attendees in a rural area of Greece, and 2) investigate the differences in psychiatric symptomatology among patients from different religious/cultural backgrounds. Method: Over a three-month period, 300 consecutive adult patients (Christians and Moslems) at the rural Primary Care Health Centre of Iasmos in Thrace, Greece, were assessed with the 28-item General Health Questionnaire. Results: The probable prevalence of mental health problems was estimated at 32 percent. Only for a small minority of the patients (3.3 percent) psychological problems were the presenting complaint. Moslems scored significantly higher than Christians in the somatic complaints subscale ( p < 0.001). Conclusions: Mental health problems are common in primary care although they rarely constitute a reason for consultation. Sociocultural background may affect the presentation of psychological distress. Primary health care staff have a significant role in identifying hidden psychiatric morbidity.
Ptsd, Depression, and Health Status in Lebanese Civilians Exposed to a Church Explosion
Authors: Farhood Laila F. , Noureddine Samar N. 
Published: May 2005

Objective: This study examined the effect of stressors on PTSD, depression, and health status in a sample of Lebanese civilians exposed to a church explosion and their comparison groups (33 victims, 30 family members, and 30 neighbors) one year after the event. Method: This descriptive study used interviews that were conducted with the participants in their homes. The main outcome measures were the Clinician Administered PTSD Scale Version I, Beck Depression Inventory, and change in health service utilization in the past year. Multivariate analysis was done using logistic regression to predict the study outcomes. Results: PTSD was present in 17.2% of the total sample, depression in 41.9% and the mean increase in doctors' visits was 2.05 ± 2.97. In the victims' group, 39% met PTSD diagnostic criteria, 51% were depressed, and 45% reported deterioration in their health status. These rates were significantly higher than those in the comparison groups. Also, females were 2.62 times more at risk than males for depression. Victims were 7.35 times and those with financial problems 2.67 times more at risk of having increased doctor's visits than their family or neighbor comparison groups. Conclusion: The results suggest that PTSD, depression, and health status deterioration in trauma victims may persist over time. Resources such as social support can help attenuate the symptoms of those at a higher risk.
Hospital Stressors Experienced by Elderly Medical Inpatients: Developing a Hospital Stress Index
Authors: Koenig Harold G. , George Linda K. , Stangl Dalene , Tweed Dan L. 
Published: May 2005

Objective: To develop a long and short version of an index to measure experiences during hospitalization perceived by elderly patients as stressful. Samples and Methods: Consecutive patients aged sixty or over admitted to a university teaching hospital were assessed for hospital-related stressors during two separate studies. In the first study, seventy-six patients were asked an open-ended question exploring what they found most stressful about being in the hospital. Responses were grouped into major categories, and questions were developed to address concerns in each category; the resulting forty items were called the Hospital Stress Index (HSI). The HSI was then administered to a separate group of ninety-two patients; data were also collected on functional disability (impaired ADLs), dysfunctional attitudes (DAS), and depressive symptoms (CES-D). Results: Spontaneously reported hospital stressors were grouped into seven categories: 1) adverse effects of diagnostic or therapeutic procedures/treatments, 2) forced life-style changes, 3) relationships with staff, 4) individual psychiatric issues, 5) understanding diagnosis/prognosis, 6) family issues, and 7) the physical environment. The largest category of stressors concerned relationships with doctors and nurses. High HSI scores were significantly more common among Whites than Blacks and among patients with high CES-D, high DAS, or impaired ADLs scores. A number of potentially modifiable hospital-related stressors and individual patient issues were identified. Finally, an abbreviated fifteen-item HSI was developed to maximize patient discriminability, highlight individual differences, and enhance the detection of modifiable stressors. Conclusions: Hospital-reported stressors may contribute to the emotional distress that elderly inpatients experience. We have developed an index to identify such stressors.
The Family Doctor and the Suicidal Family
Authors: Richman Joseph , Rosenbaum Milton 
Published: May 2005

Suicide is a broad social problem, the full scope of which extends beyond the medical profession. The physician is, nevertheless, one of the most important figures in the field of suicide prevention. Particularly because of the growth of community psychiatry and other changes in psychiatric practice, it is more urgent than ever that the physician be alert to the problem of suicide and other derivatives of emotional and interpersonal disturbances. The presence of a great potential for saving lives and preventing suicide entails an equally great responsibility. This responsibility has not been fully met by the medical profession and especially not by the medical educators. We therefore strongly recommend that the study of the theory and prevention of suicide be made an integral part of the medical school curriculum. In the light of the importance of the family in suicide we further recommend that family interviewing and counseling be incorporated into both medical school education and post-graduate training. Such a program would include not only a knowledge of how to interview and evaluate a family, but also how to recognize when a referral to a family therapy specialist is required.
Perceptions of Life and Death among Suicidal Gay Adolescents
Authors: Ben-Ari Adital Tirosh , Gil Sharon 
Published: May 2005

Suicide rates among homosexuals are higher than those among hetero-sexuals. This article suggests that gay youth who attempt suicide represent a special case in which the meanings associated with life and death are worth exploration. In light of the phenomenological paradigm, we are interested in how sixteen gay men who attempted suicide perceived life and death before the actual suicide attempt and how these perceptions are linked to the attempt. Orbach's model specifies four categories of attitudes toward life and death: attraction and aversion to life and attraction and aversion to death. Only three categories of Orbach's model emerged from the interview data. “Attraction to life” was missing and the analysis attempts to account for this gap. Life and death are interdependent; they exist simultaneously, not consecutively; death whirs continuously beneath the membrane of life and exerts a vast influence upon experience and conduct (Yalom, 1980, p. 29).
The Use and Health Consequences of Shift Work
Authors: Baker Dean 
Published: May 2005

The amount of shift work has increased dramatically in all industrialized nations during the past 30 years. In the United States, more than one-quarter of workers do shift work. The proportion of shift workers is highest in service and large-scale, capital-intensive industries. Shift work has spread subsequent to the rise of industrialization and the development of large corporations. It is used primarily to maximize the profits of the owners of these industries. On the other hand, it has substantial social and economic costs in terms of the ill health of shift workers. They suffer significantly more sleeping disturbances, nervous troubles, and disturbances of the alimentary tract. They also report disruptions in their family and social lives. The adverse consequences of shift work could be decreased by designing physiologically and socially appropriate shift schedules and by providing necessary additional services for shift workers. Unfortunately, these changes will be inadequate unless they are accompanied by efforts on the national level to restrict the use of shift work. Workers must push for laws restricting shift work to industries where it is technically necessary. Since shift work is really only one manifestation of the increasingly complex social and technical organization of work forced on workers in the drive to maximize profits, they must ultimately act together to gain control over their working conditions.
How Well Informed are Australian General Practitioners about Adolescent Suicide? Implications for Primary Prevention
Authors: Smith David I. , Scoullar Kylie M. 
Published: May 2005

Objective: To investigate the extent of knowledge of Australian general practitioners (GPs) in terms of critical information about adolescent suicide. Method: GPs knowledge about adolescent suicide was assessed using the 39-item Adolescent Suicide Behaviour Questionnaire (ASBQ), distributed to all GPs listed on the Medical Practitioners Board register of the Australian state of Victoria. Forty-three percent of GPs ( n = 1694) completed and returned the survey. Results: GPs scored, on average, 71 percent of the questionnaire items correct. The mean level of incorrect and uncertain responses was 14 percent and 15 percent, respectively. However, there were wide differences in the number of correct scores between individual GPs, with some respondents scoring as few as four items correct and others as many as 38 items correct. Analysis of knowledge rates within ABSQ content domains showed that GPs were generally well informed about adolescent suicide in relation to precipitating factors, and less well informed about the remaining content domains. Conclusions: Australian GPs are, in general, moderately well informed, and are in a unique position to identify those at risk and to provide appropriate intervention (or referral). However, there is considerable variability in the accuracy of beliefs about adolescent suicide, with some GPs demonstrating excellent knowledge levels but others holding little accurate information. The extent of this variability in knowledge is a cause for concern. Findings highlight the need for ongoing education of GPs as an essential component of prevention strategies for youth suicide.
Asbestos and Health in the Third World: The Case of Brazil
Authors: Berman Daniel M. 
Published: May 2005

Almost all of the asbestos used in Brazil is mined by an enterprise wholly owned by two European multinational companies, which also produce and market over two-thirds (by weight of asbestos) of the products made from asbestos. About 80 percent of the asbestos used in Brazil is finally consumed in the form of asbestos cement: for roof tiles and roofing panels, wall-board, and domestic and industrial water tanks. A survey of consumer literature and advertising printed by Eternit, S.A., and Brasilit, S.A., disclosed no mention of a potential danger from exposure to asbestos dust, and no recommendations for cutting down exposure to that dust. The situation at smaller, Brazilian-owned firms is reputed to be disastrous from the standpoint of workers' exposure to asbestos dust at the point of production. At a large asbestos-cement manufacturing plant owned by Eternit, however, exposure to asbestos dust (according to company records) seemed to be kept under 2.0 fibers per cc., the present standard for the United States.
The Effect of Word Processing on the Quality of Writing and Self-Esteem of Secondary School English-As-Second-Language Students: Writing without Censure
Authors: Silver Nettie W. , Repa J. Theodore 
Published: May 2005

Current research on the academic and social status of ESL students focuses upon the three major changes that have occurred in large urban centers throughout the United States: the increased population of limited-English-proficient youngsters, the increased dropout rate among these students despite a decrease among the native-speaking population, and the installation of microcomputers in all city secondary schools. The effect of using word processing on the self-esteem and quality of writing of sixty-six beginning ESL students in an urban secondary school was the focus of this research. A quasi-experimental study using a pretest/posttest design was conducted for a period of one cycle of thirteen weeks. It was hypothesized that the use of word processing would improve the quality of writing and self-esteem. The findings established that there was a statistically significant difference in the quality of writing between the experimental group, which used word processing, and the control group, which used traditional pen and paper procedures. The expectation of improvement of self-esteem was not supported.
Attendance at Religious Services, Interleukin-6, and other Biological Parameters of Immune Function in Older Adults
Authors: Koenig Harold G. , Cohen Harvey Jay , George Linda K. , Hays Judith C. , Larson David B. , Blazer Dan G. 
Published: May 2005

Objective: First, to examine and explain the relationship between religious service attendance and plasma Interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels, and second, to examine the relationship between religious attendance and other immune-system regulators and inflammatory substances. Methods: During the third in-person interview (1992) of the Establishment of Populations for Epidemiologic Studies of the Elderly (EPESE) project, Duke site, 1718 subjects age sixty-five or over had blood drawn for analysis of immune regulators and inflammatory factors, including IL-6 measurements. IL-6 was examined both as a continuous variable and at a cutoff of 5 pg/ml. Information on attendance at religious services was available from the 1992 interview and two prior interviews (1986 and 1989). Results: Religious attendance was inversely related to high IL-6 levels (> 5 pg/ml), but not to IL-6 measured as a continuous variable. Bivariate analyses revealed that high religious attendance in 1989 predicted a lower proportion of subjects with high IL-6 in 1992 (beta −.10, p = .01). High religious attendance in 1992 also predicted a lower proportion of subjects with high IL-6 levels in 1992 (beta −.14, p = .0005). When age, sex, race, education, chronic illnesses, and physical functioning were controlled, 1989 religious attendance weakened as a predictor of high IL-6 (beta −.07, p = .10), but 1992 religious attendance retained its effect (beta = −.10, p = .02). When religious attenders were compared to non- attenders, they were only about one-half as likely to have IL-6 levels greater than 5 ng/ml (OR 0.58, 95% CI 0.40–0.84, p < .005). Religious attendance was also related to lower levels of the immune-inflammatory markers alpha-2 globulin, fibrin d-dimers, polymorphonuclear leukocytes, and lymphocytes. While controlling for covariates weakened most of these relationships, adjusting analyses for depression and negative life events had little effect. Conclusions: There is a weak relationship between religious attendance and high IL-6 levels that could not be explained by other covariates, depression, or negative life events. This finding provides some support for the hypothesis that older adults who frequently attend religious services have healthier immune systems, although mechanism of effect remains unknown.