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Scenario planning is often used by organizations to think about future uncertainties. However, what it does in terms of changing perceptions is difficult to assess and quantify. To address this need, this article builds on previous studies documenting the effectiveness of scenario planning. Specifically, this article contributes to the data on perceptions of learning organization characteristics. This study compiles quantitative data gathered from 133 individuals working in 10 United States companies who participated in scenario planning. The Dimensions of the Learning Organization Questionnaire (DLOQ) instrument was used in a pre- and post-test research design and differences were analyzed using a t-test. Results show a positive relationship between scenario planning and improved perceptions of learning organization characteristics for six of the seven dimensions of the DLOQ. Interpretation of the results suggests that scenario planning can change participants' views of their organizations' adaptive learning characteristics. (Contains 5 tables and 1 figure.)

A sample of 118 U.S. 6th and 7th graders was used to examine early adolescents' views of whether video games negatively influence themselves, others of the same age, and younger others. Six specific games ranging in rating from E for Everyone to M for Mature were listed for the early adolescents to respond to, with questions asked about both potential influence and whether young people should be allowed to play the games. Results support a third-person perception that grew as the rating of the game became more restrictive and as the "other" group in question became younger. The presence of rules set by parents about video game use was a positive predictor of perceptions of influence on self and others.

Improving our knowledge of the number of incarcerated youth with disabilities can assist educators, other professionals, and policymakers to develop more effective services for youth. This article reports the findings of a national survey conducted to determine the number of youth identified as having disabilities in the juvenile corrections systems in the United States. The data show that, when compared to the national average, there is an overrepresentation of students identified as having disabilities, especially emotional disturbance, in those systems.

Objective: To evaluate the use of single-dose azithromycin for empirical treatment of nongonococcal urethritis.Design: Randomized, double-blind, multicenter trial comparing azithromycin vs doxycycline therapy, with a 2:1 randomization ratio. Patients were evaluated clinically and microbiologically for Chlamydia trachomatis and Ureaplasma urealyticum infection before therapy and at 2 and 5 weeks after study entry.Setting: Eleven sexually transmitted disease clinics throughout the United States.Patients: A total of 452 men aged 18 years or older with symptomatic nongonococcal urethritis of less than 14 days' duration.Intervention: Patients were treated with either 1.0 g of azithromycin as a single oral dose or 100 mg of doxycycline taken orally twice daily for 7 days.Main Outcome Measures: Clinical resolution of symptoms and signs of nongonococcal urethritis, microbiological cure of C trachomatis and U urealyticum, and occurrence of adverse experiences.Results: Of the 452 patients enrolled, 248 in the azithromycin-treated group and 123 in the doxycycline-treated group were evaluable for clinical response. The two treatment groups were comparable in terms of age, weight, ethnic distribution, sexual preference, sexual activity, and history of prior nongonococcal urethritis or gonorrhea. Sixteen percent of the azithromycin group and 24% of the doxycycline group were culture positive for C trachomatis before therapy, while 38% and 28%, respectively, were culture positive for U urealyticum. The cumulative clinical cure rate was 81% (95% confidence interval [CI], 75% to 85%) in the azithromycin-treated group and 77% (95% CI, 69% to 84%) in the doxycycline-treated group. Clinical cure rates in the two groups were also comparable when patients were stratified by presence or absence of infection with C trachomatis or U urealyticum prior to therapy. Among those infected with C trachomatis, overall microbiological cure rates were 83% (95% CI, 65% to 94%) for azithromycin-treated patients (n = 30) and 90% (95% CI, 68% to 98%) for doxycycline-treated patients (n = 21). Among those infected with U urealyticum, overall microbiological cure rates were 45% (95% CI, 34% to 57%) for azithromycin-treated patients (n = 75) and 47% (95% CI, 30% to 65%) for doxycycline-treated patients (n = 32). Adverse reactions were generally mild to moderate and occurred in 23% of the azithromycin-treated group and 29% of the doxycycline-treated group.Conclusions: For empirical treatment of the acute nongonococcal urethritis syndrome in men, a single oral dose of azithromycin was as effective as a standard 7-day course of doxycycline in achieving clinical cure. Further, clinical cure rates were comparable with either regimen, regardless of the presence or absence of Chlamydia or Ureaplasma infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Since its creation, the Transportation Security Administration, U.S Department of Homeland Security, has tested, and evaluated at least ten passenger screening technologies even though not all of them have been deployed. We evaluate the screening strategies that have been used by focusing on the performance of airport security screening checkpoint operations. A descriptive model is formulated to include design variables and performance measures of the screening process. Based on the real screening time data collected in a range of airports in the US, we develop and apply the speed of inspection operating characteristics curves in the operation simulation and validation processes. A paced system design is proposed to improve the overall performance of the airport screening operations. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The article discusses the trends on adolescent usage of androgenic-anabolic steroids (AAS). In 1990, AAS has been recognized as being physiologically effective by the American Medical Association (AMA) but other sources continue to discredit the drug's efficacy. It is said that trends concerning adolescent AAS usage can be confusing to interpret for the practicing physical educator, health educator, teacher, or coach. Also, research on AAS has also been plagued by limitations such as self-report bias and misunderstanding of the term steroid.

Soil samples were collected from 30 farms in Alabama, Louisiana and Texas during 1999–2000 to determine residues of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs). One or more of the DDT compounds (p,p′-DDT, o,p′-DDT, p,p′-DDD, p,p′-DDE, o,p′-DDE) was above the quantitation limit (0.1 ng g−1 dry weight) in every soil, and toxaphene was above the quantitation limit (3 ng g−1) in 26 soils. Chlordanes, dieldrin and hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) isomers occurred less frequently (quantitation limits 0.1 ng g−1 for dieldrin and 0.05 ng g−1 for chlordanes and HCHs). OCPs were measured in air at 40 cm above the soil at selected farms to investigate soil-air partitioning. Concentrations of OCPs in air were positively and significantly (P<0.001–0.004) correlated to soil concentrations for toxaphene, p,p′-DDT, o,p′-DDT, p,p′-DDE, dieldrin, and trans-nonachlor. The regression was weaker (P=0.022) for cis-chlordane and not significant for trans-chlordane (P=0.43) nor γ-HCH (P=0.80). Approach to soil-air equilibrium was assessed by calculating fugacities in the soil and air (fs and fa) for samples with quantifiable residues in both compartments. The fugacity fraction fs/fs+fa=0.5 at equilibrium and is <0.5 or >0.5 for net deposition and net volatilisation, respectively. Fugacity fractions varied greatly for different soil-air pairs, reflecting generally disequilibrium conditions. Mean fugacity fractions indicated near-equilibrium for some OCPs (p,p′-DDE, chlordanes, trans-nonachlor and dieldrin) and net volatilisation for others (p,p′-DDT, o,p′-DDT, toxaphene, γ-HCH). Chiral analysis showed that enantioselective degradation of (+) or (−) o,p′-DDT in soil was accompanied by enrichment or depletion of the corresponding enantiomers in the overlying air, although there appeared to be some dilution by racemic o,p′-DDT from regional air transport. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: White blood cells on endocervical Gram stain and vaginal wet mount are frequently used to predict chlamydial and gonococcal infections. Previous studies provide conflicting evidence for the clinical utility of these tests.Goal: To evaluate the clinical utility of measuring white blood cells on vaginal wet mount and endocervical Gram stain for the prediction of chlamydial infection and gonorrhea.Study Design: Women undergoing pelvic examinations at 10 county health department family planning and sexually transmitted disease clinics were tested for chlamydial infection by ligase chain reaction assay (n = 4550) and for gonorrhea by culture (n = 4402). Vaginal wet mount and endocervical Gram stains were performed in county laboratories at the time of examination.Results: The prevalences of chlamydial infection and gonorrhea were 8.8% and 3.2%, respectively. For detection of chlamydial or gonococcal infection, the likelihood ratio was 2.85 (95% CI, 2.10-3.87) for > 30 white blood cells on vaginal wet mount and 2.91 (95% CI, 2.07-4.09) for > 30 white blood cells on endocervical Gram stain. Similar results were seen for individual diagnoses either of chlamydial infection or of gonorrhea.Conclusion: Vaginal wet mount and endocervical Gram stain white blood cells are useful for the presumptive diagnosis of chlamydial infection or gonorrhea only in settings with a relatively high prevalence of infection or when other predictors can increase the likelihood of infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To compare trovafloxacin, a new quinolone antibiotic with enhanced activity against Neisseria gonorrhoeae, with ofloxacin as single-dose oral therapy for uncomplicated gonococcal urethritis or cervicitis.Patients and Methods: In this multicenter, double-blind trial, 625 patients (270 men, 355 women) with uncomplicated gonococcal urethritis or cervicitis received one 100-mg tablet of trovafloxacin or two 200-mg capsules of ofloxacin as a single dose under direct supervision.Results: Single-dose oral therapy with trovafloxacin was equivalent both bacteriologically and clinically to ofloxacin. Among evaluable patients, N gonorrhoeae was eradicated in 99% of trovafloxacin recipients and in 98% of ofloxacin recipients. Each treatment was well tolerated; vaginitis was the most frequently observed side effect (4% trovafloxacin, 7% ofloxacin).Conclusion: Based on the results presented here, trovafloxacin is a promising agent for single-dose therapy of uncomplicated gonorrhea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Syphilis management requires serological monitoring after therapy. We compared factors associated with serological response after treatment of early (ie, primary, secondary, or early latent) syphilis., Methods: We performed secondary analyses of data from a prospective, randomized syphilis trial conducted in the United States and Madagascar. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-negative participants aged ≥ 18 years with early syphilis were enrolled from 2000-2009. Serological testing was performed at baseline and at 3 and 6 months after treatment. At 6 months, serological cure was defined as a negative rapid plasma reagin (RPR) test or a ≥4-fold decreased titer, and serofast status was defined as a ≤ 2-fold decreased titer or persistent titers that did not meet criteria for treatment failure., Results: Data were available from 465 participants, of whom 369 (79%) achieved serological cure and 96 (21%) were serofast. In bivariate analysis, serological cure was associated with younger age, fewer sex partners, higher baseline RPR titers, and earlier syphilis stage (P ≤ .008). There was a less significant association with Jarisch-Herxheimer reaction after treatment (P = .08). Multivariate analysis revealed interactions between log-transformed baseline titer with syphilis stage, in which the likelihood of cure was associated with increased titers among participants with primary syphilis (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] for 1 unit change in log(2) titer, 1.83; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.25-2.70), secondary syphilis (AOR, 3.15; 95% CI, 2.14-4.65), and early latent syphilis (AOR, 1.86; 95% CI, 1.44-2.40)., Conclusions: Serological cure at 6 months after early syphilis treatment is associated with age, number of sex partners, Jarisch-Herxheimer reaction, and an interaction between syphilis stage and baseline RPR titer.

Background: There are no known racial differences in genital herpes disease pathogenesis or response to therapy. Despite high herpes simplex virus (HSV) seroprevalence in Black persons, clinical trials investigating the treatment of recurrent genital herpes (RGH) have typically enrolled a small proportion of Black patients., Methods: This multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled study evaluated the efficacy and safety of patient-initiated, 1-day famciclovir 1000 mg twice-daily in immunocompetent Black adults (USA and South Africa) with RGH. Eligible patients were randomized (2:1) to famciclovir or placebo. The primary endpoint was time to healing of non-aborted genital herpes lesions (i.e., lesions that progressed beyond papule stage). Secondary endpoints included proportion of patients with aborted genital herpes lesions, time to resolution of associated symptoms, and safety., Clinical Trial Registration: www.ClinicalTrials.gov ; trial identifier NCT00477334., Results: A total of 299 patients with RGH (66% female, median age = 37 years) received either 1-day famciclovir 1000 mg twice-daily (n = 201) or placebo (n = 98). In the modified intent-to-treat population, the estimated median time to healing of non-aborted genital herpes lesions was 5.38 days for famciclovir and 4.79 days for placebo (median of treatment differences = 0.26 days; 95% CI [-0.40, 0.98]; p = 0.416). Consistent findings were reported in the completer and per-protocol populations. No significant differences were reported for all secondary analyses. Adverse events (AEs) were consistent with the established safety profile of famciclovir: 18 (6%) patients had drug-related AEs (16 [8%] famciclovir; 2 [2%] placebo), none of which were serious or led to discontinuation or dose adjustment/interruption. There are some limitations of this research: many study sites either lacked prior experience in conducting clinical studies in patients with HSV infection or enrolled small numbers of patients, which may have compromised efficacy outcomes. Also, HIV antibody testing was not mandated at enrollment., Conclusion: This study showed similar efficacy and tolerability of 1-day treatment with famciclovir 1000 mg twice-daily compared to placebo in immunocompetent Black adults with RGH. Famciclovir has proven efficacy and safety in the overall RGH population. Further understanding of the efficacy of antiherpes therapy in Black patients with recurrent genital herpes may be warranted.

Under Medicare, providers that are part of a chain can be reimbursed for an allocable portion of allowable home office costs. Before a provider can be reimbursed for these costs, however, a home office cost statement must be submitted to the providers' fiscal intermediary. The statement provides a means of allocating certain home office costs to the provider components of a system so that providers can be reimbursed directly for these costs. The home office cost statement also offers a useful financial overview of the home office's operations in relation to the system's overall operations.

As the debate over healthcare reform continues, the controversy concerning "any willing provider" laws also continues. "Any willing provider" laws require a healthcare insurer (or managed care organization) to establish criteria that a provider must meet in order to participate as a network provider. Such laws prohibit an insurer from denying any provider willing to meet those criteria from participating as a network provider. Proponents of any willing provider laws cite the recent decision by the U.S. Supreme Court not to review a lower court ruling finding in favor of a hospital as validation of such laws.

The Classroom Environment Scale (CES), originally developed for use in traditional public school classrooms, was revised for use in special education classrooms. The scale, which assesses students' perceptions of various aspects of the classroom, was administered to students in 79 special education classrooms in 16 residential and day treatment schools serving special education students with behavior disorders and emotional disturbance. Psychometric analyses showed that only seven of the nine aspects of the classroom found in the original CES were reliably reported in special education classrooms. The revised scale was found reliable for use in special education classes in residential and day treatment settings.