The effects of degree of acquaintance, plate size, and sharing on food intake

This study examined the effects of degree of acquaintance, plate size, and sharing on the amount of pasta individuals served themselves and subsequently consumed and whether or not they took second helpings. Fifty-seven pairs of female participants ate a meal of pasta; the members of each pair were either friends or strangers. During the meal, they served themselves either from a common serving bowl or from individual serving bowls and onto either small or large plates. The findings indicated that participants who ate with a friend served and consumed more than those who ate with a stranger, and those who shared served and consumed less than those who did not share. However, this sharing effect seemed to occur only when participants ate from small plates. Whether or not participants reported taking second helpings was influenced by all three of the independent variables.     

The impact of the family and lay others on care-seeking during life-threatening episodes of suspected coronary artery disease

To understand the impact of the family on care-seeking during a suspected episode of acute coronary artery disease (CAD) interviews were conducted with 1102 individuals hospitalized for a suspected myocardial infarction. Analyzing the care-seeking behavior of these individuals within life threatening illness behavior and situational perspectives, bivariate and multivariate analyses revealed that family members, especially a spouse, had both positive and negative influences on the duration of time between acute symptom onset and arrival at a hospital emergency room. To reduce both the morbid and mortal consequences of acute CAD it is recommended that we direct our intervention efforts toward warning the public of situational circumstances which contribute to extended self treatment and evaluation during acute episodes of CAD.     

Concepts, confusions and contradictions on the impact factor in Colombia

Latin American scientists are making tremendous efforts to conduct good-quality research worthy of being published internationally. However, Colciencias, an entity created to support this research in Colombia, introduced scienciometric evaluations which had been re-evaluated elsewhere some time ago, based on measurements of aspects such as the ill-termed "impact factor". Even more serious is that the aforementioned government office is unaware that measures are based on debated mathematical principles, placing Colombian science at imminent risk of suffering from an academic yatrogeny of irreparable consequences. Therefore, an urgent restructuring of the way in which Colombia's scientific production is to be evaluated is thus mandatory before these measures have a negative impact thereon.     

The Federal Aviation Administration's role in evaluation of pilots and others with alcoholism or drug addiction

The author explores the FAA Medical Standards, including old and new approaches toward rehabilitation; special issuance; and pilot initiatives. The current treatment model is also seen in various impaired physician programs around the U.S.     

Mixing journal, article, and author citations, and other pitfalls in the bibliographic impact factor

News of the death of biomedical journals seem premature. Revamped traditional scientific journals remain highly valued sources and vehicles of information, critical debate, and knowledge. Some analyses seem to place a disproportionate emphasis on technological and formal issues, as compared to the importance ascribed to matters of power. Not all journals must necessarily have a large circulation. There are many examples of efficient, high-quality journals with a great impact on relatively small audiences for whom the journal is thought-provoking, useful, and pleasant to read. How can we achieve a better understanding of an article s spectrum of impacts? A certain mixing of three distinct entities (journals, articles, and authors) has often pervaded judgments. Data used by the Institute for Scientific Information present weaknesses in their accuracy. The two-year limit for citations to count towards the bibliographic impact factor favors "fast-moving", "basic" biomedical disciplines and is less appropriate for public health studies. Increasing attention is given to the specific number of citations received by each individual article. It is possible to make progress towards more valid, accurate, fair, and relevant assessments.     

The impact of the Chinese medical model on Japan or, how the younger brother comes of age

There have been two major paradigmatic shifts in the history of Japanese medicine, one in the 6th century with the introduction of Chinese medicine, a second in the late 19th century when European medicine was adopted as the official medical model. The impact of the Chinese model on historical Japan, the contemporary practice of traditional medicine, and the contemporary practice of biomedicine is examined. Despite constant contact, use of Chinese medical texts, and considerable imitation of the Chinese model at certain historical periods, the Japanese have retained a unique medical system adapted to core cultural values and to their ecological niche. Public health is government controlled in Japan, but clinical medicine is largely administered by the private sector, which severely limits any simple adoption of the Chinese model. The practice of contemporary biomedicine and traditional medicine in Japan share common features and, despite numerous exchanges with China, influence from China at the level of policy is minimal, and in regard to clinical practice and research relatively small.