bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Relationships Between Perceived STD‐Related Stigma, STD‐Related Shame and STD Screening Among a Household Sample of Adolescents
Authors: Cunningham Shayna D. , Kerrigan Deanna L. , Jennings Jacky M. , Ellen Jonathan M.
Published: December 2009

CONTEXT: Important barriers to STD testing may include individuals' perceptions of STD‐related stigma (negative societal attitudes toward STD infection) and expectations of STD‐related shame (negative personal feelings) that would result from a positive STD test. Obtaining a clear understanding of the relationship between STD‐related stigma, STD‐related shame and STD testing may help inform programs and policies aimed at reducing STD transmission.

METHODS: Measures derived from previously published scales were used to assess perceived STD‐related stigma, anticipated STD‐related shame and receipt of an STD test in the past year in an urban, household sample of 594 exually active 15–24‐year‐olds interviewed in 2004–2007. Logistic regression was used to examine associations between recent STD testing and perceived stigma, shame and other participant characteristics.

RESULTS: Thirty‐seven percent of males and 70% of females reporting having had an STD test in the past year; the largest proportions of tests (42% among males and 59% among females) had occurred in the context of a routine health care visit, not because adolescents had had disease symptoms or were concerned about exposure to infection. For both males and females, the level of STD‐related stigma was negatively associated with the odds of having been tested (odds ratio, 0.5 for each). STD‐related shame was not related to STD testing.

CONCLUSIONS: Adolescents who view STDs as stigmatizing have a reduced likelihood of being screened, but it is unclear whether this relationship refl ects their care seeking or providers' practice of off ering STD screening at a routine health visit.
Prospective Assessment of Pregnancy Intentions Using a Single‐ Versus a Multi‐Item Measure
Authors: Kavanaugh Megan L. , Schwarz Eleanor Bimla
Published: December 2009

CONTEXT: Traditional measures of pregnancy intentions that are dichotomous and retrospective do not fully capture the complexity surrounding women's plans to become pregnant.

METHODS: During January–June 2008, 249 women aged 15–44 awaiting pregnancy test results at family planning clinics in Pittsburgh completed a survey containing both single‐ and multi‐item measures of pregnancy intentions. Chi‐square analyses were used to assess differences between subgroups of women.

RESULTS: Few women were trying to become or planning for pregnancy (11% on the single‐item measure; 20% on the multi‐item measure), while approximately one‐third of the sample were not trying to become or planning for pregnancy (31% on the single‐item and 36% on the multi‐item measure). The single‐item measure categorized more women as ambivalent about pregnancy (58%) than did the multi‐item measure (44%). Of women categorized as ambivalent by the single‐item measure, 62% were also categorized as ambivalent by the multi‐item measure. Overall, 68% of responses to the two measures were concordant. With both measures, women who were not planning or trying for pregnancy were more likely than those who were planning for pregnancy or who were ambivalent to indicate that they planned to have an abortion if their test was positive (27–29% vs. 0–2%).

CONCLUSIONS: Prospective assessment of pregnancy intention with either a single‐ or a multi‐item measure may allow for a more nuanced assessment of pregnancy intention than current measures. The multi‐item measure may reduce the number of women categorized as ambivalent and aid the development of targeted contraceptive and preconception counseling interventions.
Determination of anionic groups in wood by time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry and laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry
Authors: Tokareva Elena N. , Pranovich Andrey V. , Ek Paul , Holmbom Bjarne
Published: December 2009

A novel method for labelling of anionic groups on wood surfaces was developed and applied to spruce and aspen wood sections in the native state, and after acid washing and alkaline treatment. The metal ions Mg2+, Cu2+, Sr2+, and Zn2+ were used as markers and their patterns of attachment to anionic groups were assessed by time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS). Sr2+ was found to be a very suitable marker for labelling of anionic groups. In addition to ToF-SIMS, laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) was used for semi-quantitative analysis of labelled anionic groups in wood samples. ToF-SIMS imaging of Sr2+-labelled anionic groups revealed abundant anionic groups in bordered pit tori and ray parenchyma cell walls in spruce wood. LA-ICP-MS revealed that the relative concentration of Sr2+ in tori of bordered pits was approximately eight-fold higher than in fibre cell walls. After alkaline treatment the concentration of anionic groups in the fibre cell wall was approximately three-fold higher than in the original acid-washed spruce. In aspen wood, anionic groups were located mainly in pits between vessels and contact ray parenchyma cells, in ray cell walls and in certain fibre wall layers.
Analysis of products from the oxidation of technical lignins by oxygen and H3PMo12O40 in water and aqueous methanol by size-exclusion chromatography
Authors: Voitl Tobias , Nagel Marina V. , von Rohr Philipp Rudolf
Published: December 2009

One kraft lignin and two lignosulfonates were oxidized in aqueous acidic solutions containing a polyoxometalate (POM). The degradations were carried out in H2O or MeOH/H2O mixtures in the presence of oxygen. The treatment with aqueous H3PMo12O40 led to the dissolution of the studied lignins in the acidic medium (pH 1–2) and to the formation of up to 6.5 wt% vanillin and 6.2 wt% methyl vanillate based on the weight of dry lignin. The lignin oxidation products were analyzed by size-exclusion chromatography (SEC). For this purpose, a SEC method was developed, which allows the analysis of kraft lignin, lignosulfonates, and reaction products thereof without the need to remove the homogeneous catalyst. This method allows the direct observation of depolymerization and repolymerization reactions and hence the provision of a tool for studying the underlying chemistry. It has been demonstrated that the depolymerization of kraft lignin in water is accompanied by counterproductive condensation reactions. These repolymerization reactions were effectively prevented by addition of methanol, which couples competitively with lignin intermediates.
Hydrolysis of cellulose and wood powder treated with DMDHEU by a hydrolase enzyme complex, Fenton's reagent, and in a liquid culture of Trametes versicolor
Authors: Verma Pradeep , Mai Carsten
Published: December 2009

Cellulose was treated with various concentrations of 1,3-dimethylol-4,5-dihydroxyethylene urea (DMDHEU) to obtain different DMDHEU contents in the cellulose preparation. The release of sugars due to hydrolysis by a cellulase enzyme complex clearly decreased with increasing DMDHEU content. When the cellulose preparation with the highest DMDHEU content was subjected to pretreatment with Fenton's reagent (Fe2+, H2O2), the sugar release increased 4.5-fold. Incubation of modified cellulose with only H2O2did not increase sugar release by cellulase. Compared to cellulose, the sugar release from milled wood powder induced by cellulase was very low but still decreased due to treatment with DMDHEU. Sole incubation of wood powder with Fenton's reagent did barely cause more sugar release compared to the storage of wood powder in buffer, but when the pretreated wood was incubated with cellulase the sugar release was higher than without pretreatment. Release of sugar from untreated cellulose in liquid cultures of the white-rot fungusTrametes versicolorwas detected after 7 days and increased linearly with incubation time. Sugar release from DMDHEU-treated cellulose was much lower and was not detectable before 21 days of incubation. Total protein content in the cultures was low, but was slightly higher in the cultures of untreated cellulose. Laccase activity was not different in the presence of untreated and DMDHEU-treated cellulose after 7 and 14 days, but increased with increasing DMDHEU content after 21 and 28 days.
Effects of sample preparation on NIR spectroscopic estimation of chemical properties of Eucalyptus urophylla S.T. Blake wood
Authors: Gherardi Hein Paulo Ricardo , Lima José Tarcísio , Chaix Gilles
Published: December 2009

Many studies have successfully applied near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy to estimate important wood traits. Some of them have reported the effects of wood surfaces on NIR spectra information and their influence on the performance of the predictive model. However, limited information is available concerning the effect of sample preparation on the model performance to estimate chemical properties inEucalyptuswood. Hence, the aim of this study was to investigate the influence of the milling procedure, particle size, and quality of the solid wood surface on the performance of the partial least squares regression to predict chemical properties ofEucalyptus urophyllawood by NIR spectroscopy. Adequate models were built to predict klason lignin content, acid-soluble lignin content, and syringyl-to-guaiacyl ratio inEucalyptus urophyllawood. Sample preparation strongly influences the ratio of performance to deviation (RPD) of these predictive models. The effect of the sample presentation (solid or milled wood) was stronger than the effect of the particle size difference between thin and thick powder. The best calibrations were developed using NIR spectra measured on wood powder (RDP values from 1.99 to 2.97), but satisfactory calibrations were developed from NIR spectra measured on solid samples (RPD values from 1.68 to 2.16).
Effects of timing and intensity of thinning on wood structure and chemistry in Norway spruce
Authors: Jyske Tuula , Kaakinen Seija , Nilsson Urban , Saranpää Pekka , Vapaavuori Elina
Published: December 2009

The effects of thinning intensity on wood structure and chemistry of Norway spruce [Picea abies(L.) Karst.] have been studied in a long-term thinning experiment established in the 1960s in south-western Sweden. The experiment comprised datasets of unthinned control trees and trees of four thinning treatments, in which thinning operations of different intensities were carried out. These thinning operations were applied either once, three, or five times over the course of the stand rotation. Thinning intensities varied from 0% to 60% based on the stand basal area (BA) before thinning: (A) 5×20% (i.e., 20% of the BA removed five times); (B) 3×40% (i.e., 40% of the BA removed three times); (C) 1×60% (i.e., 60% of the BA removed once); and (D) 5×40% (i.e., 40% of the BA removed five times). Altogether 60 trees that were 67 years old were sampled 38 years after the treatment onset. Radial growth rate, wood density, tracheid properties, and the chemical composition of wood were studied in detail. All four thinning treatments increased growth rate and decreased wood density; however, treatment D showed the greatest change. Single, heavy thinning in treatment C resulted in unfavourable intra-stem variation in ring width and wood density. No significant differences in tracheid properties and wood chemistry were found between the treatments. We conclude that only a remarkable increase in growth rate would induce detrimental changes in tracheid properties and wood chemistry in the context of thinning.
A Transparent Water-Based Polymer for Simulating Multiphase Flow
Authors: Lo Hung-Chieh (Jay) , Tabe Kazunori , Iskander Magued , Yoon Sung-Ho
Published: December 2009

This study proposes a new water-based transparent material called Aquabeads for modeling flow in natural soils. Three types of this material were used to model miscible and multiphase flow transport process in layered soil systems. An optical system was set up to trace flow movements in a two-dimensional (2D) physical model of a soil profile, analyzed using digital image processing to define images of 2D concentration profiles in the model. Model surfactant flushing tests were conducted using a layered soil system and two contaminants, mineral oil and motor oil, in order to illustrate the feasibility of using this water-based polymer to visualize geoenvironmental contamination problems. A surfactant solution made of Triton X-100 mixed with sec-butanol alcohol and xanthan gum was used to achieve a recovery ratio of 88.5 % of motor oil and 95.8 % of mineral oil. Because a transparent soil is used, the optical systems allows for visualizing surfactant flushing. Addition of xanthan gum to increase viscosity prevents mineral oil’s downward migration, thus significantly enhancing the oil recovery. The increase in viscosity of the surfactant prevents motor oil from bypassing the plume, thus enhancing recovery by up to 20 times. The study demonstrates that Aquabeads are suitable for modeling multiphase flow, particularly in educational settings.
A Simple Green Method for Biodiesel Iodine Number Determination
Authors: Aricetti Juliana Aparecida , Maciel Antonio José da Silva , Lopes Osvaldo Cândido , Tubino Matthieu
Published: December 2009

A simple and green method for the determination of the iodine number in biodiesel is proposed based on the Friedmann procedure for oils and fats adapted for biodiesel. The reagent solutions used are prepared in water with the exception of the standard iodine and the biodiesel solutions that are dissolved in ethanol 96 %. The method was compared with the procedure recommended by the norm EN 14111, which is essentially the Wijs method. Biodiesel derived from several oils and fats were analyzed using the two methods. A statistical comparison between them shows that both offer equivalent results and precision.
Capability Testing Based on Subsamples: A Case on Photolithography Process Control in Wafer Fabrication
Authors: Liao Mou-Yuan , Kang He-Yau , Lee Amy H. I. , Wu Chien-Wei
Published: December 2009

Photolithography is considered as the bottleneck in semiconductor manufacturing, and a good control of critical dimension, alignment accuracy, and photoresist thickness is essential for maintaining a high quality level of wafers. In this study, a photolithography process in a semiconductor factory is investigated, and the process performance of critical dimension, alignment accuracy, and photoresist thickness measurement is tested based on the process capability index CPMK. Critical values required for hypothesis testing are obtained based on subsamples. This investigation is useful to practitioners in making reliable decision in capability determination. By applying our research results to analyze the process performance with the three critical parameters, a production department can trace and improve the photolithography process.
Method for Measuring Thermal Conductivity of Small Highly Insulating Specimens
Authors: Miller Robert A. , Kuczmarski Maria A.
Published: December 2009

A hot plate method for the measurement of thermal conductivity is described, which is unique in that it combines all the following capabilities: (1) Measurements of very small specimens, (2) measurements of specimens with thermal conductivity on the same order of that as air, and (3) the ability to use air as a reference material. As with other approaches, care is taken to ensure that the heat flow through the test specimen is essentially one-dimensional. However, unlike other approaches, no attempt is made to use heated guards to minimize the flow of heat from the hot plate to the surroundings. Results indicate that since large correction factors must be applied to account for guard imperfections when specimen dimensions are small, simply measuring and correcting for heat from the heater disk that does not flow into the specimen may be preferable. Extensive computational heat transfer modeling and experimental measurements taken in a prototype apparatus show that this approach is feasible. Suggestions are made for further improvements based on analyses of the generated data.
A diminished thermal conductivity of Si/SiGe multilayers established through heating current frequency variation
Authors: Dooraghi Alex , Bandaru Prabhakar , Krommenhoek Dan , Elsner Norbert
Published: December 2009

We report on the measurement of the thermal conductivity of Si/Si0.8Ge0.2 multilayers on Si substrates through a variation of the 3? method. We exploit the frequency dependent variation of the thermal wave, through invoking the thermal penetration depth (TPD), which is inversely proportional to the frequency. Consequently, spectral measurements covering decades of frequency were used to finely probe the substrate and the overlying Si and Si0.8Ge0.2 thin film layers. Both in-phase and out-of phase measurements yielded comparable values of the thermal conductivity in the range of 3-5 W/mK, much lower than the reported bulk values. Our results provide proof of the potential of multilayered media to be used for reduced thermal conductance applications such as thermoelectrics, heat insulation etc.
Reduced-Order Models for Reservoir Simulation
Authors: Cardoso M. A.
Published: December 2009

The determination of optimal well settings is very demanding computationally, as the simulation model must be run many times during the course of the optimization. For this reason, reduced-order modeling procedures, which are a family of techniques that enable highly efficient simulations, may be very useful for optimization problems. In this paper we describe a recently developed reduced-order modeling technique which has been used in other application areas, the trajectory piecewise linear (TPWL) procedure, and incorporate it in production optimization computations. The TPWL methodology represents solutions encountered during the optimization runs in terms of Taylor series expansions around previously simulated states. This requires a small number of preprocessing (training) simulations using the full (high-fidelity) model, during which pressure and saturation states and Jacobian matrices are saved. These states and matrices are then projected into a low-dimensional space using proper orthogonal decomposition. Simulations in this reduced space can be performed very efficiently; in this work we observe runtime speedups of a factor of 1000. Overall speedups are, however, less due to the preprocessing overhead.

We assess the TPWL representation for simulations of waterflood in a heterogeneous 3D model containing 36,000 grid blocks and six wells. The high degree of accuracy of the TPWL model is first demonstrated for several testing simulations in which producer and injector well settings differ from those used in the training runs. The TPWL representations are then used in a computationally demanding multiobjective optimization problem, for which the Pareto front is determined. Limited high-fidelity simulations demonstrate the accuracy and applicability of TPWL for this optimization. Our overall conclusion is that the TPWL representation may be quite useful in production optimization problems.
Using Social Cognitive Theory to Predict Obesity Prevention Behaviors among Preadolescents in India
Authors: Sharma Manoj , Mehan Meenakshi Bakshi , Surabhi Somila
Published: December 2009

Commonly suggested public health strategies to combat adolescent obesity are encouraging daily physical activity, limiting television viewing, replacing sweetened beverage consumption with water, and increasing fruit and vegetable intake. This study examined the extent to which selected social cognitive theory constructs can predict these four behaviors among preadolescents in India. A 55-item valid and reliable scale was administered to 324 fifth graders. The significant predictor of physical activity was number of times taught at school ( p < 0.008). None of the Social Cognitive theory variables were found to be significant predictors for numbers of hours of watching TV or drinking water instead of sweetened beverages. In the case of fruit and vegetable consumption, the significant predictor was self-efficacy to eat five or more servings of fruits and vegetables ( p < 0.0001). The study discusses ways Social Cognitive theory can be bolstered to influence adolescent obesity behaviors in India.
Effectiveness of a Structured Diabetes Education Program on Some Non-Glycemic Endpoints in Nigerians with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Kolawole B. A. , Adegbenro C. , Adegoke S. , Adeola O. G. , Akintan T. B. , Ojoawo I. O.
Published: December 2009

This study evaluated the effectiveness of a structured group education program on non-glycemic endpoints of diabetes knowledge, compliance with treatment and medical advice, use of monitoring devices, and treatment satisfaction. A cross-sectional comparative design was employed. Study participants were members of the local Diabetes Association (DAN) who had participated in a structured group education program and comparison subjects were outpatients with type 2 diabetes mellitus who had not registered as members of DAN and do not attend DAN activities. Self- and interviewer-administered structured questionnaires were used to determine study endpoints. The responses of study participants were analyzed and then compared. Seventy-five patients were studied in each group comprising 78 males and 72 females. DAN members had good knowledge of their disease, complied satisfactorily with their medications and physician's advice, knew and used at least one monitoring device and had better knowledge of hypoglycemia than control subjects. Treatment Satisfaction scores were also higher among DAN members. Diabetes associations and clubs provide a practical and acceptable means of disseminating diabetes related information and should be strengthened.
Limiting Compatibility in Two-sided Markets
Authors: Miao Chun-Hui
Published: December 2009

In two-sided markets where the platform is composed of a set of components, a monopolist may have an incentive to foreclose competition in the complementary market. By introducing incompatibility, the monopolist can exclude its complementors, thereby capturing surplus from both sides of customers. This type of behavior lowers social welfare. Private contracts such as a payment for compatibility can help restore efficiency, but its effectiveness depends on the form of the contract. The model's relevance to Microsoft's controversial practice of extending industry standards with proprietary capabilities is discussed.
Physical Properties of Rough Rice
Authors: Farahmandfar Reza , Farahmandfar Esfandiyar , Ramezani Amir
Published: December 2009

Knowledge of the physical and mechanical properties of the rice grain is being used in the handling, planting, harvesting, threshing, cleaning, size grading, up grading, treating and packaging. Several physical properties of three rough rice cultivars (Poya, Khazar and Haraz) were determined and compared in terms of length, width, thickness, aspect ratio, arithmetic diameter, geometric diameter, equivalent diameter, sphericity, mass, volume, surface area, bulk density, true density and porosity. A linear model for describing the mass of rough rice grain for each cultivar was also investigated.
Eye-tracking study of inanimate objects
Authors: Kovic Vanja , Plunkett Kim , Westermann Gert
Published: December 2009

Unlike the animate objects, where participants were consistent in their looking patterns, for inanimates it was difficult to identify both consistent areas of fixations and a consistent order of fixations. Furthermore, in comparison to animate objects, in animates received significantly shorter total looking time, shorter longest looks and a smaller number of overall fixations. However, as with animates, looking patterns did not systematically differ between the naming and non-naming conditions. These results suggested that animacy, but not labelling, impacts on looking behavior in this paradigm. In the light of feature-based accounts of semantic memory organization, one could interpret these findings as suggesting that processing of the animate objects is based on the saliency/diagnosticity of their visual features (which is then reflected through participants eye-movements towards those features), whereas processing of the inanimate objects is based more on functional features (which cannot be easily captured by looking behavior in such a paradigm).
Significance of family and peer support for metabolic control of type 1 diabetes in adolescents
Authors: Djurovic Dusanka , Katanic Dragan , Vlaski Jovan
Published: December 2009

The aim of the paper was to explore the significance of family and peer support for metabolic control of Type 1 diabetes in adolescents. Metabolic control refers to maintenance of acceptable blood glucose level thus diminishing risk for chronic complications. It involves regular insulin shots, measuring blood glucose and keeping diary, as the daily based self-control. Regular visits to endocrinologist and screening for chronic complications are compulsory. The sample comprised 79 adolescents age 10-17 years with diagnose of Type 1 diabetes and properly treated at the institute. The sample was divided in two groups - with good (N=40) and poor (N=39) metabolic control. A criterium for good metabolic control was glycosilated hemoglobin less than 7,6%. Social support was measured by Social Support Scale consisting of two parts - the first for estimation of registered family support (based upon modified Perceived Social Support Family Scale) and the second for estimation of registered friends' support (modified Perceived Social Support Friend Scale). Adolescents with good metabolic control referred statistically more significant social support in the family, unlike the group with poor metabolic control. Considering peer social support, there was no statistically significant difference. Positive family history for diabetes also appeared to be directly linked to good metabolic control.
Muscle strength measurement of pelvic floor in women by vaginal dynamometer
Authors: Parezanovic-Ilic Katarina , Jevtic Milorad , Jeremic Branislav , Arsenijevic Slobodan
Published: December 2009

Introduction The pelvic floor is made of a mutually connected system that consists of muscles, connecting tissue and nerve components. Damage to any of these elements creates dysfunction which is exerted through stress, urinary incontinence, prolapse of genital organs and faecal incontinence. Objective The primary aim of this study was to present the possibility of objective assessment of pelvic floor muscle force in healthy and sick women using a newly designed instrument, the vaginal dynamometer, as well as to establish the correlation between the values of pelvic floor muscle force obtained by the vaginal dynamometer and digital palpation method. Methods The study included 90 female patients, age 20-58 years. One group of respondents was made of healthy women (who gave birth, and those who have not given birth), while the other one consisted of sick women (who suffered from incontinence or prolapse of genital organs, operated on or not). The pelvic floor muscle strength of every woman was measured with a newly-constructed device for measuring and monitoring of the pelvic floor muscle force in women, the vaginal dynamometer. Then it was compared with the valid clinical digital palpation (palpation with two fingers) based on the scale for measuring muscle contractions with the digital palpation - the digital pelvic assessment rating scale. The vaginal dynamometer consists of a redesigned speculum which is inserted into the vagina and a sensor for measuring the force. Results Statistically significant linear correlation was found in the values of the measured muscle force with the vaginal dynamometer and ratings produced by digital palpation (r=0.92; p<0.001). Mean value of the muscle force of the healthy women measured by the vaginal dynamometer was 1.44?0.38 daN and that value of the sick women was 0.78?0.31 daN (t=8.89 for df=88; p<0.001). Mean value of the ratings produced by digital palpation in healthy women was 4.10 (95% of trust limits 3.83- 4.37), while the value in sick women was 2.41 (95% of trust limits 2.10-4.16) (Z=-6.38; p<0.001). Conclusion The vaginal dynamometer has been presented as an attempt to overcome the limitations of the previously presented techniques for muscle force measurement. The application of the vaginal dynamometer in clinical practice makes objective and numerical assessment of pelvic floor muscle force possible, independent of the subjective assessment of the examiner. The usage of this instrument enables not only the diagnostics of women's pelvic floor muscle problem, but also the objective monitoring of rehabilitation gynecological medicine results.
Preschool as an Arena of Gender Policies: The Examples of Sweden and Scotland
Authors: Edström Charlotta
Published: December 2009

As many countries of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development have developed more universal provision for early childhood education during the last decades, preschool increasingly has become a central policy arena. Gender politics, especially with an aim to promote female labour market participation, but also policies addressing children and preschool staff, constitute one vital aspect. This article analyses staff responsibilities for promoting gender equality in preschool in Sweden and Scotland. These countries represent different welfare regimes, but also display common features, both influenced by tradition and recent transnational policies and discourses. Based on national policy documents from 1970 to the early 2000s, this study shows that gender equality has continuously been brought up in the Swedish context since the 1970s, but entered the Scottish context at a later stage. Since the late 1990s, such questions have been addressed in both countries. In both cases, teachers are constructed as role models who should promote certain gender values and provide children with opportunities. The Swedish curriculum places more emphasis on similarities between girls and boys, while the Scottish counterpart tends to emphasize difference more, paying attention to boys and the need for male role models. Scottish gender policies are influenced by the travelling discourse of ‘the boys' underachievement crisis’, whereas Swedish gender policies in preschool demonstrate little of this.
New Demands and Policies on Higher Education in the Mercosur: A Comparative Study on Challenges, Resources, and Trends
Authors: Larrechea Enrique Martinez , Castro Adriana Chiancone
Published: December 2009

This article attempts to analyze the main tendencies of the higher education systems and policies within the Mercosur, a regional bloc composed by Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay. The article discusses some global trends and describes the process of educational integration in the Mercosur as well as the higher education systems of each of these countries. In the Mercosur, as in many other parts of the world, there has been a shift from elite to mass higher education systems. At the same time, these higher education systems have become more complex in terms of their institutional differentiation, legal frameworks and structures. In line with this, these systems have developed new approaches regarding regionalization, internationalization, post-graduation and new technologies. Their main challenges, however, come from the need to establish new and stronger links to knowledge production and knowledge management. In this sense, the article concludes by pointing out a complex pattern of challenges and tasks that need to be addressed by Mercosurian higher education systems in order to support broader efforts made in other levels of the integration process (infrastructure, energy, trade and institutions).
Higher Education Quality Assurance Processes in Latin America: A Comparative Perspective
Authors: Lamarra Norberto Fernández
Published: December 2009

The article first considers a characterization of higher education in Latin America, the principal problems and the scenarios that have led to the inclusion of quality assessment and accreditation processes in higher education as a priority in the regional agenda. The following aspects are then developed from a comparative perspective: the main current conceptions in the region concerning quality and its assurance; current regulation of evaluation and accreditation, with a detailed description; the quality assurance organizations and a comparative approach to their institutional functions and characteristics; and the main methodological approaches to quality assessment and accreditation. For each of these topics the article gives a resumé of the regional situation with, if necessary, a description of the most representative national situations. Finally, the main trends and achievements are analyzed, along with the challenges to regional quality assurance, with a special focus on the Latin American experience.
Congenital Intra-Abdominal Bilateral Juvenile Granulosa Cell Tumors of the Testis Associated with Constitutional Loss of Material from Chromosome 4
Authors: Yu David C. , Pathak Bhavana , Vargas Sara O. , Javid Patrick J. , Hisama Fuki M. , Wilson Jay M. , Linden Bradley C.
Published: December 2009

Juvenile granulosa cell tumor (JGCT) is an uncommon gonadal stromal tumor that occurs rarely in the testis. We report a newborn boy with bilateral intra-abdominal JGCT presenting with abdominal distention and respiratory distress at birth. He was taken to the operating room emergently, and 2 large masses connected by gubernacula to the inguinal canals were resected. Associated abnormalities included a constitutional chromosome 4 abnormality, polymicrogyria, and renal cysts. This report describes a rare presentation of JGCT with abdominal compression and expands the literature to include bilateral testicular involvement. Additionally, it is the 1st report of JGCT associated with a chromosome 4 abnormality, highlighting a genetic region that may be important in JGCT development.
Photovoltaic cells based on nickel phthalocyanine and zinc oxide formed by atomic layer deposition
Authors: Stakhira Pavlo , Pakhomov Georgij , Cherpak Vlad , Volynyuk Dmitro , Luka Grzegorz , Godlewski Marek , Guziewicz Elżbieta , Hotra Zenon
Published: December 2009

The introduction of an ultrathin zinc oxide (ZnO) layer formed by the atomic layer deposition (ALD) technique was found to improve the operation parameters of nickel phthalocyanine (NiPc) based photovoltaic cells with a transparent bottom electrode, indium tin oxide (ITO). This improvement is attributed to several reasons, such as I) increase of photovoltaic yield in ITO/p-NiPc/n-ZnO/Al cells incorporating a hybrid heterojunction as compared to single-layer ITO/NiPc/Al cells, II) enhancement of the overall spectral response in the double-layer cells and III) extension of long-term operational stability.
Thermal properties and wavelength analysis of telecom oriented photonic-crystal VCSELs
Authors: Czyszanowski T.
Published: December 2009

Results of the self-consistent comprehensive analysis of a room-temperature operation of InP-based 1300-nm AlInGaAs photonic-crystal (PhC) VCSELs are presented. In particular, an influence of PhC parameters on thermal effects within VCSEL volume and its emission wavelength are analysed. The PhC has been found to introduce a number of opposite effects including a possible light leakage through PhC holes. From one side, PhC holes make more difficult heat-flux extraction from VCSEL volume leading to higher temperature increases within it. But, from the other side, a properly manufactured PhC creates an efficient radial confinement mechanism for VCSEL radiation field. It enhances an interaction between the field and the active-region carriers leading to a decrease in both the VCSEL lasing threshold and temperature increases. Seemingly both effects may similarly affect VCSEL operation, but our analysis revealed, that thermal properties of the PhC VCSEL are mainly dependent on an efficient confinement of its radiation field within the active region impeding a mode leakage through PhC holes, whereas an importance of deterioration of heat-flux extraction from VCSEL volume is much less essential. The wavelength shift induced by a change of PhC parameters has been found not to exceed 4×10−3 µm.
Holographic imaging with a nanometer resolution using compact table-top EUV laser
Authors: Wachulak P. , Marconi M. , Bartels R. , Menoni C. , Rocca J.
Published: December 2009

Holographic 2D/3D imaging with nanometer resolution using short wavelength extreme ultraviolet (EUV) light is presented in this paper. Gabor’s holograms were recorded with a highly coherent table top EUV laser with different numerical apertures demonstrating ultimately a spatial resolution of 46+/−2 nm, comparable with the illumination wavelength, in 2D holographic imaging. Three dimensional images were obtained from a single high numerical aperture hologram recorded in a high resolution photoresist and numerically reconstructed at different image planes, allowing numerical optical sectioning with a lateral resolution ∼170 nm and depth resolution of 2.4 µm. The holograms were recorded in a high resolution photoresist and digitized with an atomic force microscope. To assess the spatial resolution of the numerical reconstructions of the holograms a correlation method was used. The algorithm allows for simultaneous estimation of the resolution and the feature size of the image under analysis.
Pre‐pregnancy physical activity and preeclampsia risk: a prospective population‐based cohort study
Authors: TYLDUM EVA VESLEMØY , ROMUNDSTAD PÅL RICHARD , SLØRDAHL STIG ARILD
Published: December 2009

Objective. To test the hypothesis that women physically active prior to pregnancy are at reduced risk of preeclampsia. Design. Population‐based prospective cohort study. Setting. Linkage between the HUNT‐1 Study (health study) and the Medical Birth Registry of Norway. Population. Women with singleton live births after participation in the HUNT‐1 Study were included, if the newborn's gestational age was more than 22 weeks or birthweight above 500 g. Women pregnant during participation in the health study were excluded. Methods. The physical activity level was measured by a questionnaire. Information on the women's coming birth was provided by the Medical Birth Registry of Norway. Odds ratios of preeclampsia were calculated and adjusted for maternal age, parity, smoking and body mass index. Main outcome measure. Preeclampsia. Results. Of 3,656 women included, 167 (4.6%) developed preeclampsia. Overall, we found no link between pre‐pregnancy physical activity and preeclampsia. Only among the women physically active for 120 min/week or more, a tendency for reduced risk was found (adjusted odds ratio 0.6:95% CI 0.3–1.2). Conclusion. Women physically active prior to pregnancy were not at reduced risk of developing preeclampsia.
Weight control program for obese pregnant women
Authors: LINDHOLM ELISABETH STORCK , NORMAN MARGARETA , KILANDER CHARLOTTE PALME , ALTMAN DANIEL
Published: December 2009

We evaluated an intervention program to control pregnancy weight gain among obese women with body mass index > 30 by a dietary and physical activity program. Maternal weight gain and pregnancy outcome were evaluated. Of 27 obese women, 25 (92%) completed the study. Mean age at entry to the program was 31.7 years (±3.2 SD). Fourteen women kept their pregnancy weight gain to ≤6 kg (study weight goal). Three women had mild hypertension (12%), but there were no cases of gestational diabetes. Three were delivered by emergency cesarean sections and 22 had uncomplicated vaginal deliveries (88%). All women delivered normally sized babies with normal Apgar scores. An early intervention program may be successful in helping obese women control weight gain during pregnancy without adverse perinatal outcomes.
Malignant ovarian germ cell tumors: clinico‐pathological presentation and survival outcomes
Authors: TANGJITGAMOL SIRIWAN , HANPRASERTPONG JITTI , MANUSIRIVITHAYA SUMONMAL , WOOTIPOOM VIRACH , THAVARAMARA THAOVALAI , BUHACHAT RAKCHAI
Published: December 2009

Objective. To evaluate clinico‐pathological features, treatment, survival, and prognostic factors of patients with malignant ovarian germ cell tumors. Design. Descriptive study. Setting. Bangkok Metropolitan Administration Medical College and Vajira Hospital and Prince of Songkla University. Population. Malignant ovarian germ cell tumor patients treated between January 1996 and December 2007. Methods. Clinico‐pathological data were collected. Patients with malignant tumors arising from benign cystic teratoma were excluded. Survival and potential prognostic factors were analyzed. Main outcome measures. Clinico‐pathological features, survival. Results. One hundred and thirty patients were identified. The median age was 21 years (range, 4–44 years). The most common complaint was pelvic or abdominal mass (63%). Primary surgery was performed by a gynecologic oncologist in only 39.2% of cases. More than half (64.2%) had early stage disease (stages I–II) and the majority had conservative surgery (73.1%). The most common histopathology was dysgerminoma. Of 124 patients with available follow‐up data, 22 did not receive adjuvant treatment; 1 had whole abdominal radiation; and 101 had chemotherapy. Of 89 patients who were evaluable for responses, 4 patients had progressive disease while 85 had complete response. The five‐year progression‐free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were 82.4% [95% confidence interval (CI), 75.4–89.5%)] and 92.4% (95% CI, 87.6–97.2%), respectively. Only preoperative tumor marker elevation was a significant poor prognostic factor for PFS. Conclusions. Malignant ovarian germ cell tumors have a good prognosis with conservative surgical treatment. Chemotherapy is important. Elevated preoperative serum tumor markers are a poor prognostic factor for PFS.
Exposure of pregnant women to indoor air pollution: a study from nine low and middle income countries
Authors: KADIR MUHAMMAD MASOOD , MCCLURE ELIZABETH M. , GOUDAR SHIVAPRASAD S. , GARCES ANA L. , MOORE JANET , ONYAMBOKO MARIE , KASEBA CHRISTINE , ALTHABE FERNANDO , CASTILLA EDUARDO E. , FREIRE SALVIO , PARIDA SAILAJANANDAN , SALEEM SARAH , WRIGHT LINDA L. , GOLDENBERG ROBERT L. ,   The Global Network Tobacco Study Group*
Published: December 2009

Objective. We studied exposure to solid fuel and second‐hand tobacco smoke among pregnant women in south Asia, Africa and Latin America. Design. Prospective cross‐sectional survey. Setting. Antenatal clinics in Argentina, Brazil, Ecuador, Guatemala, Uruguay, Democratic Republic of Congo, Zambia, India and Pakistan. Sample. A total of 7,961 pregnant women in ten sites in nine countries were interviewed between October 2004 and September 2005. Methods. A standardized questionnaire on exposure to indoor air pollution (IAP) and second‐hand smoke was administered to pregnant women during antenatal care. Main outcome measures. Exposure to IAP and second‐hand tobacco smoke. Results. South Asian pregnant women commonly reported use of wood (49.1–89.7%), crop residue and animal dung as cooking and heating fuel. African pregnant women reported higher use of charcoal (85.4–93.5%). Latin American pregnant women had greater use of petroleum gas. Among south Asian women, solid fuel use and cooking on an open flame inside the home were common. There was a significant association between solid fuel use and allowing smoking within the home at the Asian sites and in Zambia (p < 0.05). Conclusions. Pregnant women from low/middle income countries were commonly exposed to IAP secondary to use of solid fuels. Among these populations, exposure to second‐hand tobacco smoke was also common. This combination of exposures likely increases the risk of poor pregnancy outcomes among the most vulnerable women. Our study highlights the importance of further research on the combined impact of IAP and second‐hand tobacco smoke exposures on adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes.
A Dysplastic Girl with an Inherited Partial C Trisomy
Authors: Haeffler Gösta , Hall Bertil
Published: December 2009

A dysplastic girl with a partial C trisomy is described. Signs met with in other chromosome syndromes are also discussed. The partial C trisomy is caused by a familial C/C translocation. The mother of the proposita had five spontaneous abortions.
Stage and Prognosis of Ovarian Cystadenocarcinomas
Authors: Nieminen Usko , Purola Esko
Published: December 2009

Abstract. A series of 289 patients with primary ovarian cystadenocarcinomas is presented. Of the tumours, 183 were of the serous and 106 of the pseudomucinous type. The total number includes 41 borderline serous and 18 borderline pseudomucinous cystadenocarcinomas. In this series the survival rates were the same in pseudomucinous and serous cystadenocarcinomas. From the standpoint of survival rates there seemed to be no difference between bilateral and unilateral cases of stage I. No statistically significant difference was observed either, with regard to the survival rates in cases of adherent and nonadherent tumours of stage I, although there seemed to be a tendency towards more favourable results for the non‐adherent carcinomas. On evaluating the results from the standpoint of treatment, irradiation seemed to be of no use in cases in which the tumour was limited to the ovaries. The benefit of radiotherapy is questionable also in those cases where it is sure that the entire tumour has been successfully removed. On the other hand, in cases of widespread carcinoma the value of radiotherapy seems to be indisputable.
Coagulation and Fibrinolysis in Rhesus‐Immunized Mothers and Their Erythroblastotic Newborn Infants
Authors: Nielsen Niels Chr.
Published: December 2009

Abstract. A study of the parameters of coagulation and fibrinolysis in Rhesus D immunized mothers and their erythroblastotic infants gave the following results, on comparison with normal women delivered at term and their newborn infants and with prematurely delivered women and their newborn infants:

A. Mothers: No influence of the Rhesus immunization upon the parameters of coagulation or fibrinolysis.

B. Newborn infants: With increasing severity of erythroblastosis a decreasing platelet count and at the same time an increasing content of clot‐promoting components in the plasma. In addition, a reduced content of PP and factor V, but unchanged fibrinogen.

Fibrinolytic activity was also reduced in erythroblastotic newborn infants.

The causes of these changes are discussed.