AIDS antibody testing: Will it stop the AIDS epidemic? Will it help people infected with HIV?

The focus of much of the current AIDS prevention activity at the federal and state levels has been on using AIDS antibody testing as the primary means of modifying high risk behavior. This focus is inappropriate. Testing can have clear beneficial effects, but it also has negative effects. Prevention campaigns instead should emphasize behavior change—and then determine whether antibody testing has a particular role as a part of that effort. We outline the empirical data on ramifications of AIDS antibody testing, make suggestions for further research questions, and call for public policy that can promote the potential public health benefits of testing without sacrificing civil rights or emotional well-being. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Awards for Distinguished Professional Contributions: Stephen E. Goldston.

Recognizing the diversity of roles and activities in which many professional psychologists are engaged, Professional Awards have been presented to individual members of the American Psychological Association whose distinguished contributions have served to advance psychology as a profession in the areas of knowledge, public service, and professional practice. For 1984, Stephen E. Goldston was honored for Distinguished Professional Contributions to Public Service. Goldston was cited as the prime architect of the federal mental health prevention effort. Through his pioneering foresight, tireless advocacy, and effective leadership, primary prevention has become a major national priority and an integral part of mental health practice, research, and training. In addition to the citation, a biography and bibliography of Goldston's works are presented. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

一种重型皮带卸料小车阻车新装置

本文分析了德兴铜矿大山选矿厂引进的皮带重型卸料小车,在驱动系统发生故障、控制系统失灵时,原阻车装置作用失效,小车脱轨、损坏的原因,提出了在小车头部机架上安装一种新的阻车装置方案并实施,解决了重型卸料小车脱轨、撞坏的问题,确保小车安全可靠运行。     

Drug testing as part of the war on drugs

Drug testing programs in the United States may broadly be classified as mandatory (such as under DOT or Nuclear Regulatory Commission regulation) or nonmandatory. In the first group, a regulated employer is required by federal regulations to test. In the second, the employer chooses to test for reasons other than the federal requirements. It always was intended that the federal program would be the model for testing by private employers, and that mandatory testing would be extended to private employers who are regulated by various agencies of the federal government. This has happened. In addition, private employers who are not required to test under federal authority have instituted employee drug testing programs closely modeled on the federal program. Whether mandated or not, a well-designed and implemented drug testing program is a valuable tool in the effort to fight drugs in the workplace.     

Relapse prevention planning principles for criminal law practice.

Recent research in rehabilitation indicates the relative success of cognitive–behavioral models geared to relapse prevention planning. Thus far, most of the successful programs involve persons who are already in prison or on probation. The basic approach to relapse prevention planning is to encourage the offender to analyze the chain of events and behaviors that lead to law-violating behavior and to come up with a plan both to avoid high-risk situations and to deal satisfactorily with such situations if they occur. The author proposes that criminal defense lawyers should become familiar with techniques of relapse prevention planning and use such techniques to work with a client and to propose a probationary plan with relevant, responsive, and workable conditions of probation. This enhances the chance for a probationary disposition, and the very process of attorney–client interaction may begin the rehabilitative process. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

The federal role in disease prevention and health promotion.

Comments on articles by J. A. Heffernan and G. W. Albee, J. M. McGinnis, W. S. Cohen, and C. Lenfant and M. Schweizer (see PA, Vol 73:1705, 2593 and 1698, respectively) that summarize representative federal efforts to stimulate academia, the private sector, and the community to become more responsive to problems and opportunities in disease prevention and health promotion. The critical elements are in place for a concerted effort to develop and implement disease prevention/health promotion efforts on a nationwide basis, and the implications of successful outcomes of such activities suggests as ever-increasing demand for health behavior scientists and clinicians. (9 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Regulation-Centric, Logic-Based Compliance Assistance Framework

This paper describes the development of a logic based regulation compliance assistance system that builds upon an extensible markup language (XML) framework. First, a document repository containing federal regulations and supplemental documents, and an XML framework for representing regulations and associated metadata are briefly discussed. The prototype effort for the regulation assistance system focuses on federal environmental regulations and related documents. The compliance assistance system is illustrated in the domain of used oil management. The overall objective is to develop a formal infrastructure for regulatory information management and compliance assistance.     

Primary prevention: Historical perspectives and a blueprint for action.

Provides a history of primary prevention program development at the National Institute of Mental Health, achievements to date, and the unmet needs and future directions that must be addressed to advance the field of prevention. Specific proposals for action are identified as a blueprint for further program development at the nation, state, and local levels. Specialized perspectives of public service within a federal agency, as well as the opportunities to participate in shaping public policy that such national programs provide, are discussed. (18 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Current problems of lead poisoning]

In collaboration with private associations and public services, we screened a targeted population for serum lead levels and observed lead poisoning (serum Pb > 100 micrograms/l) in 6 out 44 children living in precarious conditions in Poitiers, France. This observation underscores some of the major problems encountered in the battle against lead poisoning in western countries. First, the social, economical or legal situation of the population at risk often results in exclusion from the normal health care network. If after a coordinated effort based on mutual trust, children exposed to lead poisoning can be identified, the second problem is to identify the source of intoxication. Scaling paint in the current housing may be incriminated, but how can the true source be identified when the populations concerned change residence often and may be unwilling to disclose their previous residence due to fear of reprisals for themselves or the new occupants? And if the source is identified, the cost of rehabilitation or the illegal situation of the family may raise further problems requiring adapted solutions. The prevention of lead poisoning calls for a targeted screening program, combined efforts of public authorities and health care workers, and close cooperation with private associations. All intoxicated children should be removed from the source of exposure and their families protected from the risk of sanctions. Only an active and practical public health policy can provide the solution to this continuing public health problem.     

Internet: the basics

This three-part series on health legislation describes the policy shift toward regulating the private healthcare system to ensure adequate consumer protection and access to health insurance. Still burning from the failed 1993-1994 healthcare reform effort, Congress and the White House are looking only for incremental policies necessary to reduce the federal deficit and protect the public while the private healthcare system continues to undergo major transformation. In previous articles, the author discussed Medicare, Medicaid, and other federal program revisions and consumer protection legislation aimed at unacceptable managed cure practices. This last article discusses incremental health insurance proposals aimed toward segments of the uninsured.     

Managed healthcare consumer protection initiatives

This three part series on health legislation describes the policy shift toward regulating the private healthcare system to ensure adequate consumer protection and access to health insurance. Still burning from the failed 1993-1994 healthcare reform effort, Congress and the White House are looking only for incremental policies necessary to reduce the federal deficit and protect the public white the private healthcare system continues to undergo major transformation. In this series, the author discusses Medicare, Medicaid, and other federal program revisions: consumer protection legislation aimed at unacceptable managed care practices: and incremental health insurance proposals aimed toward segments of the uninsured.     

Ethics of the distribution of health care

While the concept of a "right to health care" has been evolving in the United States, this should be distinguished from "the right to health," guaranteed in the constitutions of many socialist countries. In an effort to promote "quality of life" for their citizens, governments can, and do provide health care, but this does not always lead to health. In so doing, governments open access to care for those previously underserved--or unserved. For the United States at this time the goal becomes one of assuring equity, which will likely be achieved by locally based private and/or governmental entities, federated for greater efficiency and regulated by federal and state governments. Such programs will be staffed by a new breed of physician, the medical student of today.     

Building on Brownfields: Predicted Effects of New Liability Protections for Prospective Purchasers and an Exploration of Other Redevelopment Incentives

On January 11, 2002, H.R. 2869, the Small Business Liability Relief and Brownfields Revitalization Act (the Act or Revitalization Act) was signed into law. This Act, which amends portions of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA) seeks to promote the redevelopment of brownfield sites through federal funding and certain federal liability relief. Brownfields are parcels of real property that were once used for industrial or commercial use, the redevelopment of which is now complicated by hazardous waste contamination and constrained by associated uncertainty and liability. With a focus on the liability relief that the Act provides to prospective purchasers of brownfields, this paper explores remaining liabilities under state and federal laws and, in doing so, determines that remaining broad liability and a lack of finality will limit the success of the prospective purchaser’s liability limitations under the Act in furthering the redevelopment of brownfields. Three critical components for a successful brownfields revitalization effort are highlighted, and a three-part solution is proposed.     

Science and the allocation of resources.

Until World War II, there was no general theory on the relations between government and science that could be considered a national science policy. Federal policy was largely instrumental and mission-oriented, allocating resources for rather closely defined technological or social purposes. In the mid-1960s, there arose a disposition to examine the federal research and development effort as a single coherent activity, resulting in increased demands for the planning of science. This resulted in the creation of new federal agencies concerned with techniques or areas of science and technologies rather than social goals or missions. Both the mission- and the science-oriented approach have advantages and disadvantages, but the tension between the 2 serves as a creative force in society. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The future of pediatric psychopharmacology

The future of pediatric psychopharmacology will be a collaborative effort among the public, the federal government, the pharmaceutical industry, and clinical scientists. Clinical scientists and the NIH have initiated the process. The federal regulatory guidelines are in place but may need to be amended further to truly facilitate needed research. The pharmaceutical industry is making efforts to study medications in childhood psychiatric disorders. More new drugs are being tested in humans. Many of the new agents offer the promise of more clinical benefit with milder side effects. The future is indeed promising.     

Design and Construction Challenges of a Federal Laboratory Building: A Case Study

This paper presents a case study regarding design and construction challenges of a federal laboratory building. The case study illustrates the successful collaboration of two federal agencies, General Services Administration (GSA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Creative methods were used to resolve complex design, construction, and budgetary issues. This paper describes lessons learned from a specific laboratory project on issues such as: A master plan and its role in locating secure laboratory buildings, site planning issues, contracting mechanisms, building security, energy, project development, design and construction excellence, and funding. Although CDC and GSA approved the release of this paper, the authors offer a disclaimer that the opinions and conclusions drawn in the papers are those of the authors, and are not necessarily shared by the CDC and GSA.     

Valuing a practice for a partnership

The hot topic from Capitol Hill in Washington to Capitol Hill in Jefferson City is health care reform. President Clinton started the ball rolling during the campaign in 1992 by including health care reform in his platform. He continued the effort after his election by appointing his wife, Hillary, to chair a task force to present an outline for federal legislation. Since the package was presented to Congress, there has been much discussion, lobbying, and rumoring about the implications of health care reform and what it could mean to all of us as dentists. On the home front, Governor Carnahan has introduced legislation in Missouri to reform the health care system. This effort is known as the Missouri Health Assurance Plan (H.B. 1622). Missouri Dental Association members are vitally concerned about the impact of health care reform on their practice, their taxes, their relationship with their patients and employees, and on their ability to seek out health care services since each member is also a consumer of health care. This article represents answers to some of the questions being asked by MDA members in order that they might be more aware of the activities by the MDA, the ADA, and other levels of organized dentistry relating to health care reform.     

Dr. Jon Gerrard's attention switches from federal cabinet to evidence-based child care

Dr. Jon Gerrard, a Winnipeg pediatrician who went from the heights of political success with a post in the federal cabinet to a narrow defeat in the 1997 federal election, is now devoting his attention to improving health care for children. He thinks the internet can play a lead role in these improvements.     

Reactive oxygen species and antioxidants in signal transduction and gene expression

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are produced by cellular metabolic reactions, and have been implicated in the pathogenesis of several diseases, including atherosclerosis, cancer, and Alzheimer's disease. Interestingly, clinical and epidemiologic studies have, in some cases, indicated that antioxidant nutrients may be effective in disease prevention. However, the efficacy of specific antioxidants in disease prevention is often both controversial and inconclusive. In an effort to elucidate the role of ROS and antioxidants in disease development and prevention, the chemistries of ROS and antioxidants have been examined extensively. Recently, molecular and cellular approaches have demonstrated that ROS and antioxidants can directly affect the cellular signaling apparatus and, consequently, the control of gene expression. This new research provides the link between ROS and antioxidant chemistries and the mechanisms of disease processes and prevention. This review illustrates how ROS function as potential intracellular and extracellular signaling molecules and how antioxidants can affect this process.     

Thoughts on the prevention of urologic liability claims

We have approached the problems of increasing urological liability claims with a superficial study of their causes and some suggested solutions. We believe that this approach is important because it is one that the urological community can take immediately rather than waiting for changes in state and federal laws that may be of benefit in decreasing the impact of these suits. It seems to be the common disease and the simple operation that lead to the lodging of a claim.