bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Perspectives of Canadian Researchers on Ethics Review of Neuroimaging Research
Authors: Deslauriers C. , Bell E. , Palmour N. , Pike B. , Doyon J. , Racine E.
Published: March 2010

The current and potential uses of neuroimaging in healthcare and beyond have spurred discussion about the ethical issues related to neuroimaging and neuroimaging research. This study examined the perspectives of neuroimagers on ethical issues in their research and on the ethics review process. One hundred neuroimagers from 13 Canadian neuroscience centers completed an online survey and 35 semi-structured interviews were conducted. Neuroimagers felt that most ethical and social issues identified in the literature were dealt with adequately, well, and even very well by research ethics boards (REBs), but some issues such as incidental findings and transfer of knowledge were problematic. Neuroimagers reported a range of practical problems in the ethics review process. We aimed to gather perspectives from REB on the ethics review process, but insufficient participation by REBs prevented us from reporting their perspectives. Given shortcomings identified by neuroimagers as well as longstanding issues in Canadian ethics governance, we believe that substantial challenges exist in Canadian research ethics governance that jeopardize trust, communication, and the overall soundness of research ethics governance. Neuroimagers and REBs should consider their shared responsibilities in developing guidance to handle issues such as incidental findings, risk assessment, and knowledge transfer.
Human Subjects Protections in Community-Engaged Research: A Research Ethics Framework
Authors: Ross Lainie Friedman , Loup Allan , Nelson Robert M. , Botkin Jeffrey R. , Kost Rhonda , Smith George R. , Gehlert Sarah
Published: March 2010

In the 30 years since the belmont Report, the role of the community in research has evolved and has taken on greater moral significance. Today, more and more translational research is being performed with the active engagement of individuals and communities rather than merely upon them. This engagement requires a critical examination of the range of risks that may arise when communities become partners in research. In attempting to provide such an examination, one must distinguish between established communities (groups that have their own organizational structure and leadership and exist regardless of the research) and unstructured groups (groups that may exist because of a shared trait but do not have defined leadership or internal cohesiveness). In order to participate in research as a community, unstructured groups must develop structure either by external means (by partnering with a Community-Based Organization) or by internal means (by empowering the group to organize and establish structure and leadership). When groups participate in research, one must consider risks to well-being due to process and outcomes. These risks may occur to the individual qua individual, but there are also risks that occur to the individual qua member of a group and also risks that occur to the group qua group. There are also risks to agency, both to the individual and the group. A 3-by-3 grid including 3 categories of risks (risks to well-being secondary to process, risks to well-being secondary to outcome and risks to agency) must be evaluated against the 3 distinct agents: Individuals as individual participants, individuals as members of a group (both as participants and as nonparticipants) and to communities as a whole. This new framework for exploring the risks in community-engaged research can help academic researchers and community partners ensure the mutual respect that community-engaged research requires.
Measuring Coercion to Participate in Research within a Doubly Vulnerable Population: Initial Development of the Coercion Assessment Scale
Authors: Dugosh Karen Leggett , Festinger David S. , Croft Jason R. , Marlowe Douglas B.
Published: March 2010

Despite many efforts aimed to ensure that research participation is autonomous and not coerced, there exists no reliable and valid measure of perceived coercion for the doubly vulnerable population of substance-abusing offenders. The current study describes the development and initial validation of an instrument measuring perceived coercion to participate in research among substance-abusing offenders. The results indicated that a substantial number of individuals report feeling coerced to participate in the study. In addition, the instrument has adequate levels of internal consistency, a one-dimensional factor structure, and evidence of discriminative validity. This study provides initial support for the instrument's validity and clinical utility.
Approach to the patient with secondary osteoporosis
Authors: Hofbauer Lorenz C , Hamann Christine , Ebeling Peter R
Published: March 2010

Secondary osteoporosis is characterized by low bone mass with microarchitectural alterations in bone leading to fragility fractures in the presence of an underlying disease or medication. Scenarios that are highly suspicious for secondary osteoporosis include fragility fractures in younger men or premenopausal women, very low bone mineral density (BMD) values, and fractures despite anti-osteoporotic therapy. An open-minded approach with a detailed history and physical examination combined with first-line laboratory tests are aimed at identifying clinical risk factors for fractures, osteoporosis-inducing drugs, and underlying endocrine, gastrointestinal, hematologic, or rheumatic diseases, which then need to be confirmed by specific and/or more invasive tests. BMD should be assessed with bone densitometry at the hip and spine. Lateral X-rays of the thoracic and lumbar spine should be performed to identify or exclude prevalent vertebral fractures which may be clinically silent. Management of secondary osteoporosis includes treatment of the underlying disease, modification of medications known to affect the skeleton, and specific anti-osteoporotic therapy. Calcium and vitamin D supplementation should be initiated with doses that result in normocalcemia and serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations of at least 30 ng/ml. Oral and i.v. bisphosphonates are effective and safe drugs for most forms of secondary osteoporosis. Severe osteoporosis may require the use of teriparatide.
A Cost-effectiveness Analysis of Screening Urine Dipsticks in Well-Child Care
Authors: Sekhar Deepa L. , Wang Li , Hollenbeak Christopher S. , Widome Mark D. , Paul Ian M.
Published: March 2010

OBJECTIVE:

Despite data suggesting that routine urine screening for chronic kidney disease (CKD) has low diagnostic yield and the American Academy of Pediatrics 2007 recommendation to discontinue this screening, pediatricians may not have recognized this change. Because the new recommendation marks a major alteration in the practice guidelines, we sought to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of dipstick urinalysis for detection of CKD from the primary care practitioner's perspective.

METHODS:

Decision analysis was used to model a screening dipstick urinalysis strategy relative to a no-screening strategy. Data on the incidence of hematuria and proteinuria in children were derived from published reports of large cohorts of school-aged children. Direct costs were estimated from the perspective of the primary care practitioner. The measure of effectiveness was the rate of diagnoses of CKD. Cost-effectiveness was evaluated by using an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio.

RESULTS:

Expected costs and effectiveness for the no-screening strategy were $0 because no resources were used and no cases of CKD were diagnosed. The screening strategy involved a cost per dipstick of $3.05. Accounting for both true-positive and false-positive initial screens, 14.2% of the patients required a second dipstick as per typical clinical care, bringing the expected cost of the screening strategy to $3.47 per patient. In the screening strategy, 1 case of CKD was diagnosed per 800 screened, and the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio was $2779.50 per case diagnosed.

CONCLUSIONS:

Urine dipstick is inexpensive, but it is a poor screening test for CKD and a cost-ineffective procedure for the primary care provider. These data support the change in the American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines on the use of screening dipstick urinalysis. Clinicians must consider the cost-effectiveness of preventive care procedures to make better use of available resources.
Catheter Duration and Risk of CLA-BSI in Neonates With PICCs
Authors: Sengupta Arnab , Lehmann Christoph , Diener-West Marie , Perl Trish M. , Milstone Aaron M.
Published: March 2010

OBJECTIVE:

To determine whether the risk of central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLA-BSIs) remained constant over the duration of peripherally inserted central venous catheters (PICCs) in high-risk neonates.

PATIENT AND METHODS:

We performed a retrospective cohort study of NICU patients who had a PICC inserted between January 1, 2006, and December 31, 2008. A Poisson regression model with linear spline terms to model time since PICC insertion was used to evaluate potential changes in the risk of CLA-BSI while adjusting for other variables.

RESULTS:

Six hundred eighty-three neonates were eligible for analysis. There were 21 CLA-BSIs within a follow-up period of 10 470 catheter-days. The incidence of PICC-associated CLA-BSI was 2.01 per 1 000 catheter-days (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.24–3.06). The incidence rate of CLA-BSIs increased by 14% per day during the first 18 days after PICC insertion (incidence rate ratio [IRR]: 1.14 [95% CI: 1.04–1.25]). From days 19 through 35 after PICC insertion, the trend reversed (IRR: 0.8 [95% CI: 0.66–0.96]). From days 36 through 60 after PICC insertion, the incidence rate of CLA-BSI again increased by 33% per day (IRR: 1.33 [95% CI: 1.12–1.57]). There was no statistically significant association between the risk of CLA-BSI and gestational age groups, birth weight groups, or chronological age groups.

CONCLUSIONS:

Our data suggest that catheter duration is an important risk factor for PICC-associated CLA-BSI in the NICU. A significant daily increase in the risk of CLA-BSI after 35 days may warrant PICC replacement if intravascular access is necessary beyond that period.
Development and evolution: Evolutionary approach in psychopathology and psychotherapy
Authors: Péley Bernadette
Published: March 2010

A tanulmány amellett érvel, hogy az adaptív mechanizmusoknak és diszfunkcióiknak a finom elemzése jelentősen hozzájárul a fejlődés és a betegségek jobb megértéséhez, és a betegségek osztályozásának és a terápiáknak új útját nyithatja meg. Az evolúciós megközelítés a pszichoterápiába nem új elméletet vagy terápiás megközelítést kíván bevezetni, hanem az emberi természet törvényszerűségei mentén új megértési stratégiákat javasol. A patológiás szerveződést alapvetően az adaptivitás dimenziójában gondolja el. Ez kikényszeríti a fejlődési történet és a multikauzalitás szem előtt tartását. Hosszú távon ez a tüneti kategorizáción alapuló diagnosztika újragondolását is jelenti.
Sharing behavior and emotional relations in childhood
Authors: Inántsy-Pap Judit
Published: March 2010

Vizsgálatunkban a megosztási viselkedés és a társas viszonyok kapcsolatát vizsgáltuk 5 éves gyermekek esetében. Arra a kérdésre kerestük a választ, hogy vajon különböző spontán, érzelmi alapon szerveződő diádikus kapcsolatokban tetten érhető-e a sajátos, az adott kapcsolat érzelmi beállítódásának megfelelő elosztásra és a másik elosztására vonatkozó becslési mintázat? Olyan viselkedési helyzetet alakítottunk ki, mely lehetővé teszi a gyerekek megosztási viselkedésének „mérését” a különböző érzelmi színezetű diádikus viszonyokban. Elosztási (adási) problémát provokáltunk egyedi helyzetben, és lehetőséget adtunk a kísérletben részt vevő gyereknek arra, hogy saját elosztási (odaadási) elveinek megfelelően fejezze ki a vonzalmát, illetve elutasítását a (szociometria alapján) kijelölt gyerekkel kapcsolatban. A gyerektől a társa ugyanilyen helyzetben történő elosztási viselkedésének elővételezését kértük. Kontrollként, a vizsgálati minta egy részében az eltérő érzelmi színezetű kapcsolatok mellett, semleges, „új” vagy ismeretlen gyerekhez kapcsolódó elosztást és elvárásokat is rögzítettünk. A különböző érzelmi színezetű diádikus kapcsolatok meghatározását és a társas helyzet azonosítását szociometrikus eljárással végeztük. Eredményeink szerint a gyermekek elosztási döntéseit érzelmeik alapvetően meghatározzák, a legtöbb érzelmi színezettel ellátott kapcsolati típus esetében elkülöníthetünk egy domináns, viselkedéses szinten értelmezhető elosztási mintázatot.
Does cumulative cultural evolution have Darwinian properties? Theoretical and practical considerations
Authors: Krekó Kata
Published: March 2010

A humán kultúrát egyedülállóan jellemzi a kulturális ismeretek és produktumok felhalmozása, valamint átadása a következő generációnak. Az egyre komplexebb adaptációk megőrzésére irányuló folyamatot nevezzük kumulatív kulturális evolúciónak (Richerson,Boyd, 2005;Tomasello, 1999). Milyen feltételek voltak szükségesek az emberré válás során ahhoz, hogy létrejöhessen a kumulatív kulturális evolúció? – a tanulmány erre a kérdésre keresi a választ. A mém-elmélet (Dawkins, 1986) a biológiai evolúció törvényszerűségeivel magyarázza a kultúra evolúcióját, azonban több lényegi ponton sem ad kielégítő választ. Az elmékben és artefaktumokban hordozott ismeretek nem önmagukat másoló diszkrét entitások. Replikátorok helyett kognitív értelmezési és következtetési mechanizmusok – sémák, modulok – rögzítik a kulturális tartalmakat, és így lehetővé teszik a darwini evolúciós elmélet alkalmazását (Sperber,Hirschfeld, 2006;Boyd,Richerson, 2005). A kulturális evolúció populációdinamikai elemzése szerint az utánzásnak növelnie kell az egyéni tanulók fitneszét, hogy a teljes populáció rátermettsége nőhessen (Rogers, 1989). Ez akkor lehetséges, ha az egyedek hatékonyan tudnak választani az egyéni tanulás és az utánzás között, attól függően, hogy adott környezeti feltételek mellett melyik a pontosabb és a kevésbé költséges mód. Az utánzásos tanulás hátterében álló kognitív képességekre irányulhatott adaptív nyomás, mint például a tudatelméletre (Richerson,Boyd, 2005), az interszubjektivitásra (Tomasello,Kruger,Ratner, 1993), és a humán pedagógiára (Gergely,Csibra, 2005). A matematikai modellek, a terepkutatások és a laboratóriumi vizsgálatok – mint az átadási lánc, a helycserés módszer és a zárt csoport – egyre gyarapodó eredményei hozzájárulnak a kultúra kialakulásának és törvényszerűségeinek egyre pontosabb megismeréséhez.
Severe circulatory insufficiency in a patient with neonatal hyperthyroidism
Authors: Szalóczi Beáta , Harmath Ágnes , Pete Barbara , Kovács Eszter , Rigó jr. János , Hajdú Júlia
Published: March 2010

A szerzők egy Basedow–Graves-kór miatt korábban thyreoidectomián átesett, kezeletlen anya koraszülöttjének esetét ismertetik. Gondozatlan terhességből magzati tachycardia, fenyegető intrauterin asphyxia miatt sürgős császármetszéssel született a 33. hétnek megfelelő érettségű, 1350 gramm súlyú, dysmaturus (testsúlypercentil <10), nagy nyaki strumával bíró koraszülött. Az újszülött respiratoricus elégtelenség miatt konvencionális és magas frekvenciás gépi lélegeztetésben részesült, súlyos tachycardia (>180/perc), cardialis decompensatio miatt béta-blokkoló, digoxin- és dobutaminterápiát igényelt. Kivizsgálása során cardiomegalia, pericardialis folyadékgyülem, súlyos tüdőhypoplasia, mitralis és tricuspidalis insufficientia, hepatosplenomegalia igazolódott. A pajzsmirigy-szabadhormonok szintje többszörösen meghaladta a referenciaértéket (fT4: > 6 ng/dl, fT3: > 30 pg/ml), a TSH-szint ugyanakkor 0 volt. Légzéstámogatást 7, keringéstámogatást 10 napig igényelt, propranolol- mellett K-jodid-kezelésben részesült. Tachycardiája mérséklődött, a béta-blokkoló kezelést csökkentett adagban kapta tovább, pajzsmirigyhormonszintjei fokozatosan a normális tartományba kerültek. A szerzők felhívják a figyelmet arra, hogy a Basedow–Graves-kórban szenvedő anya újszülöttjénél jelentős súlybeli, növekedésbeli elmaradás, súlyos keringési elégtelenség, thyreotoxicosis tünetei alakulhatnak ki, és hangsúlyozzák az anyai hormon-, valamint antitestszintek nyomon követésének jelentőségét.
Hepatitis C virus infection – after 20 years
Authors: Pár Alajos
Published: March 2010

A dolgozat áttekintést ad a hepatitis C-vírus-infekcióval kapcsolatos elméleti kutatások és klinikai tapasztalatok két évtizedéről, a felfedezéstől az új terápiás lehetőségekig. Tárgyalja a virológia, az epidemiológia, a patológia-patogenetika kérdéseit, a HCV okozta immunológiai és metabolikus változásokat, valamint a diagnosztika és a kezelés fejlődésének állomásait.
Phosphorus Availability in Low-Phytate Mutant Varieties of Barley: Digestibility Studies with Channel Catfish and Red Drum
Authors: Buentello J Alejandro , Gatlin Delbert M
Published: March 2010

About 70% of the phosphorus in plant feedstuffs is typically in the form of organic phytates, but molecular phytogenetic techniques allow the development of variant seed forms that are capable of storing most of it in an inorganic form. In response to concerns over excessive phosphorus discharges from uneaten or unassimilated aquaculture feeds, two independent digestibility trials were conducted to evaluate the suitability of single-gene, low-phytic-acid mutations of barley Hordeum vulgare as feedstuffs for channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus and red drum Sciaenops ocellatus. Five isonitrogenous and isocaloric diets containing five different barley variants plus one reference diet (RD) were independently evaluated with each species. The RD for catfish contained 30% menhaden Brevoortia tyranus fish meal and 30% soybean meal, whereas the red drum RD included 48% lyophilized red drum muscle meal as the sole protein source. Each experimental diet was formulated so that a barley mutant replaced 30% of the RD. The diets were fed for 3 weeks to triplicate groups of juvenile channel catfish weighing 200 ± 10 g/fish (mean ± SD) and red drum weighing 400 ± 17 g/fish. Fecal samples were collected 8–12 h postfeeding. Apparent phosphorus, crude protein, and organic matter digestibility coefficients were determined by using chromic oxide as an inert marker. For catfish, the apparent digestibility coefficients for organic matter, phosphorus, and protein ranged from 28% to 62%, 47% to 98%, and 66% to 75%, respectively, for the different barley varieties. The same coefficients for red drum ranged from 69% to 93%, 54% to 86%, and 71% to 84%, respectively. Barley variant 955 resulted in the lowest fecal phosphorus content for both species. These results indicate that a considerable reduction of phosphorus excretion by fish could be achieved solely by substituting ordinary barley (or other plant ingredients) with low-phytate mutant grains. This information may lead to reductions in the amount of unavailable phosphorus added to commercial fish diets, with concomitant reductions in discharges of waste phosphorus.
Replacement of the stays on a major cable-stayed bridge
Authors: Sandberg J. , Hendy C. R
Published: March 2010

The bridge discussed in this paper was completed in 1985 and is part of a vital sea crossing. The main cable-stayed bridge has a span of 225 m with side spans of 107·5 m. The bridge carries two three-lane carriageways. The bridge cables comprise lengths of coupled high-yield bars within a grouted steel tube. An assessment of the structure in 1996–1999, using modern design standards, identified large overstress in the shortest cables anchored close to the pylons. Other cables were also found to be overstressed, but to a lesser degree. Bearings were thus installed at the piers to relieve load from the shortest cables and the second shortest sets of cables were replaced. An acoustic monitoring system was also installed on all cables to detect any problems. Since then, two bar breaks were detected in other cables, which have been replaced. Inspection and testing showed fatigue of the couplers to be responsible for the breaks. Following the first bar break detected in December 2004, an additional assessment was completed by Atkins. This paper describes the assessment of the bridge cables, examines the consequences of cable failure and discusses the reasons why the decision to replace all the cable stays was made. It also describes the specification for the new replacement stay system and its advantages over the old system.
Research into the hydrodynamic forces and pressures acting within stepped masonry spillways
Authors: Winter Clare
Published: March 2010

Following the failures of the stepped masonry spillways at Boltby and Ulley reservoirs in 2006 and 2007 respectively, the Environment Agency commissioned a research project to clarify the measures required to ensure the security of stepped masonry spillways under flood conditions. This paper discusses the research undertaken, summarising its findings and the recommendations made.
Serum LH Correlates Highly With Intratesticular Steroid Levels in Normal Men
Authors: Roth M. Y. , Lin K. , Amory J. K. , Matsumoto A. M. , Anawalt B. D. , Snyder C. N. , Kalhorn T. F. , Bremner W. J. , Page S. T.
Published: March 2010

ABSTRACT: Sex steroids are essential for spermatogenesis; however, normal intratesticular concentrations of these hormones in man have not been extensively studied. To improve our understanding of intratesticular hormone concentrations, we performed bilateral testicular aspirations in a group of normal men, determined sex steroid concentrations within each testis, and compared these levels to serum hormone concentrations. Ten healthy human subjects aged 20–49 underwent bilateral testicular aspirations. Intratesticular hormone concentrations of testosterone, dihydrotestosterone (DHT), and estradiol were measured using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. Intratesticular testosterone concentrations ranged from 119 to 1251 ng/mL, with a mean of 635 ± 368 ng/mL. Intratesticular estradiol ranged from 0.41 to 3.9 ng/mL, with a mean of 2.4 ± 1.3 ng/mL. Intratesticular DHT ranged from 1.1 to 7.9 ng/mL, with a mean of 3.5 ± 3.2 ng/mL. Intratesticular testosterone and estradiol concentrations correlated highly with serum luteinizing hormone (LH; r = 0.87 and r = 0.70 respectively, P < .01). Intratesticular testosterone correlated highly with serum testosterone. Moreover, a significant correlation between the right and left testes was observed for testosterone (r = 0.82, P = .003), but not for estradiol or DHT. Intratesticular hormone concentrations can be safely assessed by testicular aspiration. Intratesticular testosterone and estradiol correlate highly with serum LH concentrations, and variation in serum LH accounts for most of the variation in intratesticular testosterone among men. In addition, intratesticular testosterone is highly correlated between testes in a given individual. Direct measurement of intratesticular testosterone will improve our understanding of the relationship between intratesticular sex steroids and spermatogenesis, and may have implications for the development of male hormonal contraception.
Regular embeddings of the stationary tower and Woodin's maximality theorem
Authors: Ketchersid Richard , Larson Paul B. , Zapletal Jindřich
Published: March 2010

We present Woodin's proof that if there exists a measurable Woodin cardinal δ then there is a forcing extension satisfying all sentences ϕ such that CH + ϕ holds in a forcing extension of V by a partial order in Vδ. We also use some of the techniques from this proof to show that if there exists a stationary limit of stationary limits of Woodin cardinals, then in a homogeneous forcing extension there is an elementary embedding j: V → M with critical point such that M is countably closed in the forcing extension.
Introduction to the who Commission on Social Determinants of Health Employment Conditions Network (Emconet) Study, with a Glossary on Employment Relations
Authors: Benach Joan , Muntaner Carles , Solar Orielle , Santana Vilma , Quinlan Michael
Published: March 2010

Although the conditions and power relations of employment are known to be crucial health determinants for workers and their families, the nature of these relations and their effects on health have yet to be fully researched. Several types of employment—precarious employment in developed countries; informal sectors, child labor, slavery, and bonded labor in developing countries—expose workers to risky working conditions. Hazardous work and occupation-related diseases kill approximately 1,500 workers, globally, every day. Growing scientific evidence suggests that particular employment conditions, such as job insecurity and precarious employment, create adverse health effects; yet the limited number of studies and the poor quality of their methods prevent our understanding, globally, the complexity of employer-employee power relations, working conditions, levels of social protections, and the reality of employment-related health inequalities. This article introduces a special section on employment-related health inequalities, derived from the EMCONET approach, which focuses on (1) describing major methods and sources of information; (2) presenting theoretical models at the micro and macro levels; (3) presenting a typology of labor markets and welfare states worldwide; (4) describing the main findings in employment policies, including four key points for implementing strategies; and (5) suggesting new research developments, a policy agenda, and recommendations. This introduction includes a glossary of terms in the emerging area of employment conditions and health inequalities.
A Micro-Level Model of Employment Relations and Health Inequalities
Authors: Benach Joan , Solar Orielle , Santana Vilma , Castedo Antía , Chung Haejoo , Muntaner Carles ,   EMCONET Network
Published: March 2010

Theoretical models are a way of visualizing, in context, the many factors that contribute to inequalities in health. This article presents a model showing the micro-level pathways relating employment and working conditions to health inequalities. A first important (indirect) pathway runs through the unequal distribution of harmful working conditions. Both employment and working conditions tend to be unequally distributed along the same social axes: social class, gender, ethnicity/race, immigration/migration status, territory, and so forth. Underlying mechanisms are exploitation, domination, and discrimination. Material deprivation and economic inequalities constitute a second direct pathway linking (nonstandard) employment conditions to health inequalities. In a third pathway, employment conditions may have an important effect on health inequalities via several psychosocial, behavioral, and physiopathological pathways. Although these several pathways are separated for analytical purposes, they are largely intertwined and, ideally, should be studied in an integrated way. The theoretical model presented in this article serves three main purposes: providing analytical clarity for organizing scientific data, encouraging further observation and causal testing, and identifying policy entry points.
Conclusions and Recommendations for the Study of Employment Relations and Health Inequalities
Authors: Benach Joan , Muntaner Carles , Solar Orielle , Santana Vilma , Quinlan Michael
Published: March 2010

This article synthesizes and extends the central conclusions and recommendations to be drawn from the study on the role of employment relations in reducing health inequalities presented in the special section of this issue of the Journal, and identifies future directions in research and policy derived from the broader work of the EMCONET network. The authors also argue that adopting an appropriate theoretical framework is essential to both comprehending and extending knowledge and action on employment conditions and health inequalities.
An Evaluation of the International Monetary Fund's Claims about Public Health
Authors: Stuckler David , Basu Sanjay , Gilmore Anna , Batniji Rajaie , Ooms Gorik , Marphatia Akanksha A. , Hammonds Rachel , McKee Martin
Published: March 2010

The International Monetary Fund's recent claims concerning its impact on public health are evaluated against available data. First, the IMF claims that health spending either does not change or increases with IMF-supported programs, but there is substantial evidence to the contrary. Second, the IMF claims to have relaxed strict spending requirements in response to the 2008–9 financial crisis, but there is no evidence supporting this claim, and some limited evidence from the Center for Economic Policy Research contradicting it. Third, the IMF states that wage ceilings on public health are no longer part of its explicit conditionalities to poor countries, as governments can choose how to achieve public spending targets; but in practice, ministers are left with few viable alternatives than to reduce health budgets to achieve specific IMF-mandated targets, so the result effectively preserves former policy. Fourth, the IMF's claim that it has increased aid to poor countries also seems to be contradicted by its policies of diverting aid to reserves, as well as evidence that a very small fraction of the Fund's new lending in response to the financial crisis has reached poor countries. Finally, the IMF's claim that it follows public health standards in tobacco control contrasts with its existing policies, which fail to follow the guidelines recommended by the World Bank and World Health Organization. The authors recommend that the IMF (1) become more transparent in its policies, practices, and data to allow improved independent evaluations of its impact on public health (including Health Impact Assessment) and (2) review considerable public health evidence indicating a negative association between its current policies and public health outcomes.
The effects of nitrogen nutrition and glutenin composition on the gluten quality in wheat genotypes
Authors: Djuric Veselinka , Kondic-Spika Ankica , Hristov Nikola , Popov-Raljic Jovanka
Published: March 2010

The effect of nitrogen nutrition treatments on the gluten content and some quality parameters of eight winter wheat cultivars has been studied. Six different nitrogen rates were applied (0, 60, 90, 120, 150 and 180 kg N ha-1) to wheat cultivars chosen according to the structure of their high molecular weight glutenin subunits (HMW-GS) at the Glu-D1 locus. Four genotypes with HMW-GS 2 + 12 and another four with HMW-GS 5 + 10 were used in the study. The analysis of gluten quality involved the wet gluten content and rheological properties determined by the sensory and instrumental methods (?Instron 4301?). It was determined that in all the cultivars the wet gluten content increased significantly (P < 0.05) in parallel with N rate increase. The cultivars reacted differently regarding their wet gluten rheological properties. Libellula, a cultivar with poor bread making quality (HMW-GS 2 + 12), did not react to different N rates. Sremica, a cultivar with excellent bread making quality (HMW-GS 5 + 10), reduced its gluten quality as the N rate increased. The values obtained by the instrumental method ?Instron 4301? at 90% wet gluten compression varied widely (from 0.002 to 0.041 kN). The increase of N fertilizer rate was significantly positively correlated (r2 = 0.811) with the wet gluten content and strength in the cultivars with HMW-GS 5+10.
Determination of the apparent porosity level of refractory concrete during a sintering process using an ultrasonic pulse velocity technique and image analysis
Authors: Terzic Anja , Pavlovic Ljubica
Published: March 2010

Concrete which undergoes a thermal treatment before (pre-casted concrete blocks) and during (concrete embedded in-situ) its life-service can be applied in plants operating at high temperature and as thermal insulation. Sintering is a process which occurs within a concrete structure in such conditions. Progression of sintering process can be monitored by the change of the porosity parameters determined with a nondestructive test method - ultrasonic pulse velocity and computer program for image analysis. The experiment has been performed on the samples of corundum and bauxite concrete composites. The apparent porosity of the samples thermally treated at 110, 800, 1000, 1300 and 1500 ?C was primary investigated with a standard laboratory procedure. Sintering parameters were calculated from the creep testing. The loss of strength and material degradation occurred in concrete when it was subjected to the increased temperature and a compressive load. Mechanical properties indicate and monitor changes within microstructure. The level of surface deterioration after the thermal treatment was determined using Image Pro Plus program. Mechanical strength was estimated using ultrasonic pulse velocity testing. Nondestructive ultrasonic measurement was used as a qualitative description of the porosity change in specimens which is the result of the sintering process. The ultrasonic pulse velocity technique and image analysis proved to be reliable methods for monitoring of micro-structural change during the thermal treatment and service life of refractory concrete.
The synthesis and characterization of some new diazoamino derivatives
Authors: Mocanu Mihaela
Published: March 2010

The sulfonamidic moiety is much encountered in structures of bioactive compounds. In the present paper the studies on the sulfonamidated aryloxyalkylcarboxylic acids are extended by their attaching on certain substrata able to confer some special biological properties to the final products, such as anti-tumor and antioxidant actions useful in treating inflammatory processes, ulcer, convulsions and diabetes, as well as a herbicidal action. The stepwise syntheses of the sulfonamidated aryloxyalkylcarboxylic acid derivatives and their characterization by elemental analysis data and IR, 1H-NMR and UV-Vis spectral measurements are described. The newly obtained compounds could show potential pharmaceutical and herbicide properties.
Sensitive and selective spectrophotometric determination of pantoprazole sodium in pharmaceuticals using permanganate
Authors: Devi Zenita , Basavaiah K. , Vinay K.B.
Published: March 2010

A simple visible spectrophotometric method is described for the determination of pantoprazole sodium sesquihydrate (PSS). The method is based on the formation of a brown colored product on treating PSS with permanganate in neutral medium, the absorbance being measured at 350 nm. The experimental conditions for the assay were optimized. The absorbance is found to increase linearly with the concentration of PSS and the calibration graph is linear in the range of 2.5-40.0 ?g ml-1 with a linear regression coefficient of 0.998. The calculated molar absorptivity value is 1.27?104 l mol-1 cm-1 and the corresponding Sandel sensitivity is 0.0341 ?g cm-2. The limits of detection (LOD) and quantification (LOQ) are calculated to be 0.49 and 1.47 ?g ml-1, respectively. Intra-day and inter-day accuracy expressed as relative error were better than 2.0% and the corresponding precision (RSD) was less than 2.5 %. The developed and validated method was applied to the determination of the active ingredient in a tablet dosage form and the results obtained agreed well with those of the reference method. The accuracy and reliability of the method were ascertained by performing recovery experiments via standard-addition procedure.
Study on the effect of fractional composition and ash particle diameter on ash collection efficiency at the electrostatic precipitator
Authors: Djuric Slavko , Stanojevic Petko , Djakovic Damir , Jovovic Aleksandar
Published: March 2010

The goal of experimental investigations shown in this paper is to estimate operating efficiency degree of the electrostatic precipitator on a real industrial plant (at thermal power plant ?Gacko? with electric power of 310MW, Bosnia & Herzegovina) and to use obtained results as a base of periodical engineering or continual measurement and to compare them with the investigations of other investigators. Investigation of the electrostatic precipitator performance was done according to . BASISO9096:2003 In this paper the electrostatic precipitator efficiency during ash particle removal with wide range of particle sizes from 1 to 250mm .93%is evaluated. Exploitational experience points that electrostatic precipitators are efficient for the coals of different quality (coal particles diameters bigger than 1) and that they could be optimized during the exploitation itself and for some following processes (e.g. flue gas desulphurization). Within the measurement plane, measurements were made on points per section. It has been noticed that ash removal degrees obtained experimentally (3 investigations) have approximately equal value (95 to 97.78). The best concordance with the results of experimental investigation shows the Deutsch equation, while theoretical models of Zhibin-Guoquan and Nobrega-Falaguasta-Coury do not correspondent well with the results of experimental investigations. For the ash particles with the diameters less than 17.5 there is no good correlation between investigated theoretical models. The highest deviation of the model for ash particles with diameters less than is notable in the case of usage of the Deutsch equation. ?m17.5?m20%?m.
A study of the catalytic role of a gold electrode in the electrochemical activation of four macrolide antibiotics in sodium bicarbonate solution
Authors: Avramov-Ivic Milka , Petrovic Slobodan , Zivkovic Predrag , Mijin Dusan , Drljevic Katica
Published: March 2010

Using the cyclic voltammetry, it has been shown that hydrogen evolution at a gold electrode is necessary in the electrochemical activation of azithromycin dihydrate and erythromycin A. After four hours of the potential holding at -1.2 V vs. SCE, the pH of the electrolyte has been changed from 8.40 to 8.96; from 8.40 to 8.77 in the presence of erythromycin A, and from 8.40 to 9.18 in the presence of azithromycin, indicating the reaction of the hydrogen species with antibiotics. This effect has been confirmed by using the phenolphthalein indicator and by analysing colours of the solutions by UV-Vis, as well as by FTIR spectroscopy. Under the identical experimental conditions at the gold electrode, in contrast to azithromycin dihydrate and erythromycin A, roxithromycin and midecamycin electroactivity promotion has been obtained during the first forward sweep starting from the area of a double layer region.
Photocatalytic and superhydrophilic phenomena of TiO2 coated clay roofing tiles
Authors: Ranogajec Jonjaua , Radeka Miroslava , Backalic Zoran , Skapin Andreja , Zoric Dmitar
Published: March 2010

The coating procedure of clay roofing tiles was obtained using a simple spraying technique of a laboratory made TiO2 suspension. This was followed by a thermal treatment at 120/150?C (?= 30 min). The defined mass % of TiO2, grain size value of TiO2 and its crystal form were the main characteristics of the designed suspensions. The tile samples were studied in their progressive ageing with exposure to visible light and water rinsing procedure. The photocatalytic activity of the coatings was determined after visible irradiation (sun and artificial light) of the defined intensity (I = 80 W/m2) through the measurements of the absorption values of the rhodamine B, while the results of the superhydrophilic property were obtained based on the measurements of the water contact angle. Considering the energy consumption, it was shown that the tile products based on the new designed suspension could be produced in already existing industrial dryers using the existing waste heat in the industrial line.
Hydrops Fetalis in the Stillborn: A Series from the Central Region of Thailand
Authors: Taweevisit Mana , Thorner Paul Scott
Published: March 2010

The purpose of this study was to analyze the cause of hydrops fetalis (HF) among fetal deaths in the central region of Thailand. Autopsy reports diagnosed as HF from 1999 to 2008 at King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital were retrieved, and the pathologic findings, clinical information, fetal ultrasonographic studies, and laboratory investigations were reviewed. There were 78 stillborn autopsies during this 10-year period; the mean gestational age was 28 weeks. The causes of fetal hydrops were identified in 88.5%; no cases of immune hydrops were detected. Anemia was the predominant cause of HF ( n = 33; 42.2%): related to homozygous α-thalassemia ( n = 17; 21.8%), twin-twin transfusion syndrome ( n = 8; 10.2%), hemoglobin H ( n = 3; 3.8%), lung hemorrhage ( n = 1; 1.3%), adrenal hemorrhage ( n = 1; 1.3%), and 3 cases of unspecified etiology (3.8%). Other causes of high-output failure included mass lesions resulting in vascular shunting ( n = 2; 2.6%) and 1 case each (1.3% each) of maternal diabetes mellitus, intestinal lymphangiectasia, and Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome. Causes resulting in low-output cardiac failure were congenital heart disease ( n = 16; 20.5%) and thoracic space-occupying lesions ( n = 7; 9%). The remaining causes included fetal infection ( n = 5; 6.4%), congenital abnormalities suggestive of a chromosomal or genetic basis (n = 2; 2.6%), and 1 case (1.3%) of placental vascular thrombosis. Nine cases (11.5%) had no identifiable cause. Thus, the most common cause of HF in this series was homozygous α-thalassemia, reflecting the geographic location of this series.
Synthesis, spectroscopic characterization, crystal structure and antifungal activity of thiourea derivatives containing a thiazole moiety
Authors: Saeed Sohail , Rashid Naghmana , Jones Peter , Hussain Rizwan , Bhatti Moazzam
Published: March 2010

Four novel thiourea derivatives containing a thiazole moiety were synthesized and characterized by IR, 1H and 13C NMR, mass spectrometry and elemental analysis. The crystal structure of 1a was determined from single crystal X-ray diffraction data. It crystallizes in monoclinic space group P21/n with unit cell dimensions a = 11.7752(6) Å, b= 3.8677(2) Å, c= 27.4126(13) Å and β = 92.734(5) Å. There is a strong intramolecular hydrogen bond of the type N-H⋯O, with H⋯O distance of 2.5869(19) Å. The mass fragmentation pattern has also been discussed. The antifungal activity of the synthesized compounds was studied by broth micro-dilution method and poisoned food technique. The compounds 1b and 1c possessed a broad spectrum of antifungal activity.
A new zinc complex of 1-propyl-1H-benzo[d] imidazole: synthesis, characterization and electrocatalysis
Authors: Zhuang Rui , Jian Fang , Wang KeFei
Published: March 2010

The present work reports the synthesis, characterization and performance of a new zinc(II) complex of [Zn(C3H7-bim)2Br2] (bim = benzimidazole) as electrocatalyst for trichloroacetic acid and bromate reduction. Its structure was characterized by X-ray crystallography, IR spectroscopy and elemental analysis. The zinc atom adopts a distorted tetrahedral geometry by coordinating to two bromine atoms and two nitrogen atoms from two 1-propyl-1H-benzo[d]imidazole ligands. The electrochemical behavior and electrocatalysis of the zinc complex bulk-modified carbon paste electrode (Zn-CPE) have been studied by cyclic voltammetry. The Zn-CPE shows good electrocatalytic activities toward the reduction of trichloroacetic acid and bromate. The detection limit and the sensitivity are 0.05 μM, 67.43 μA μM−1 for trichloroacetic acid detection, and 0.02 μM, 69.94 μA μM−1 for bromate detection, respectively. This modified electrode shows good reproducibility, high stability, low detection limit, technical simplicity and possibility of rapid preparation, which is important for practical applications.
Synthesis and characterization of new copper(II) complex compounds with chlorhexidine. Part I
Authors: Călinescu Mirela , Negreanu-Pîrjol Ticuţa , Georgescu Rodica , Călinescu Octavian
Published: March 2010

Three new copper(II) complex compounds with chlorhexidine diacetate as a ligand have been prepared and characterized by elemental and thermogravimetrical analyses, molar conductances, magnetic susceptibility measurements, infrared, electronic and EPR spectra. The complexes correspond to the formulas: [Cu2(CHX)Cl4]·2C2H5OH, [Cu2(CHX)Br4]·2C2H5OH and [Cu2(CHX)(CH3COO)2] (CH3COO)2·2C2H5OH, where CHX = chlorhexidine, their composition and stereochemistry depending on the reaction conditions and the metal salt used. Chlorhexidine acts as neutral tetradentate NNNN donor, coordinating through the four imine nitrogen atoms. Investigations on antimicrobial activity in vitro show that all the complexes are active against the tested microorganisms, the complex with chloride being more active against Gram negative bacteria than chlorhexidine diacetate..
Formulation and evaluation of controlled release antibiotic biodegradable implants for post operative site delivery
Authors: Mathur Vijay , Mudnaik Rajesh , Barde Laxmikant , Roy Arghya , Shivhare Umesh , Bhusari Kishore
Published: March 2010

Formulation and evaluation of controlled release antibiotic biodegradable implants for post operative site delivery

Biodegradable implants of ciprofloxacin hydrochloride for post operative site delivery were prepared using glyceryl monostearate and different concentrations of polyethylene glycol (PEG 6000), glycerol and Tween 80 as erosion enhancers by compression and molding technique. Formulations were subjected toin vitrodrug release by the USP dissolution method, while promising formulations were subjected toin vitrodrug release by the agar gel method and also to stability studies. It was observed that glyceryl monostearate formed hydrophobic matrix and delayed the drug delivery. Antibiotic release profile was controlled by using different combinations of erosion enhancers. The formulation prepared by the compression method showed more delayed release compared to formulations prepared by the molding method.
A Review of Predaceous Mites of the Genus Typhloctonus Muma (Parasitiformes, Phytoseiidae) in Ukraine with the Description of Unknown Male of T. Tuberculatus
Authors: Kolodochka L.
Published: March 2010

A Review of Predaceous Mites of the GenusTyphloctonusMuma (Parasitiformes, Phytoseiidae) in Ukraine with the Description of Unknown Male ofT. Tuberculatus

Predaceous mites of the genusTyphloctonusMuma, 1961 from different plants in Ukraine are reviewed. Four species of the genusTyphloctonusare occurring in Ukraine:T. tiliarum(Oudemans, 1930),T. aceri(Collier, 1957),T. runiacusKolodochka, 1980 andT. tuberculatus(Wainstein, 1958) described, illustrated, measured and keyed (on females). These species differ not only by the features earlier indicated but by some additional characters revealed in this study. Type material ofTyphlodromus tuberculatusWainstein, 1958 have been revised and lectotype designated. Unknown male ofT. tuberculatusis described, measured and illustrated. Study of the holotypeSeiulus (Typhloctonus) arutunjaniKuznetsov, 1984 shows it to be a junior synonym of theTyphloctonus tuberculatus(Wainstein, 1958).
Descripton of Mordellistena Parvuliformis Larva (Coleoptera, Mordellidae)
Authors: Odnosum V. , Litvin O.
Published: March 2010

Descripton of Mordellistena Parvuliformis Larva (Coleoptera, Mordellidae)

A senior instar larva of Mordellistena parvuliformis Stschegoleva-Barovskaja, 1930 beetle is described.