bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Workforce Characteristics and Attitudes Regarding Participation in Worksite Wellness Programs
Authors: Hall Jennifer L. , Kelly Kevin M. , Burmeister Leon F. , Merchant James A. 
Published: January 2016

Purpose. To estimate workforce participation characteristics and employees' attitudes regarding participation in workplace wellness programs. Design. Data from a statewide stratified random sample were used to compare small (<50 employees) and larger (50+ employees) workplaces to estimate participation in screening programs and likelihood of participation in workplace wellness programs. Setting. A telephone survey of employed Iowans registered to vote. Subjects. Surveyed were 1171 employed Iowans registered to vote, ages 18 to 65. Measure. Among questionnaire survey modules were items from the Wellness Council of America Employee Needs and Interest Survey, the U.S. Census Bureau for employment documentation, and the World Health Organization Health and Work Performance Questionnaire for assessment of sickness absenteeism and presenteeism. Analysis. Prevalence of participation in screening and wellness programs was analyzed by employment size and levels of likeliness to participate, and multivariable analyses of employee baseline characteristics regarding participation in screening programs and likelihood of participation in wellness programs was presented as top and bottom quartiles. Results. Those employed in smaller workplaces participated less often in screening programs. Multivariable models identified male gender and those with an abnormal body mass index were associated with nonparticipation, while having a primary care physician was associated with participation. Very few items showed significant statistical difference in willingness to participate. Conclusion. Workforce characteristics and access to health care may influence participation in screening and wellness programs. Employment size is not a determining factor for willingness to participate in wellness programs.
An Overview of State Policies Supporting Worksite Health Promotion Programs
Authors: VanderVeur Jennifer , Gilchrist Siobhan , Matson-Koffman Dyann 
Published: January 2016

Purpose. Worksite health promotion (WHP) programs can reduce the occurrence of cardiovascular disease risk factors. State law can encourage employers and employer-provided insurance companies to offer comprehensive WHP programs. This research examines state law authorizing WHP programs. Design. Quantitative content analysis. Setting. Worksites or workplaces. Subjects. United States (and the District of Columbia). Intervention. State law in effect in 2013 authorizing WHP programs. Measures. Frequency and distribution of states with WHP laws. Analysis. To determine the content of the laws for analysis and coding, we identified 18 policy elements, 12 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Worksite Health ScoreCard (HSC) and 6 additional supportive WHP strategies. We used these strategies as key words to search for laws authorizing WHP programs or select WHP elements. We calculated the number and type of WHP elements for each state with WHP laws and selected two case examples from states with comprehensive WHP laws. Results. Twenty-four states authorized onsite WHP programs, 29 authorized WHP through employer-provided insurance plans, and 18 authorized both. Seven states had a comprehensive WHP strategy, addressing 8 or more of 12 HSC elements. The most common HSC elements were weight management, tobacco cessation, and physical activity. Conclusion. Most states had laws encouraging the adoption of WHP programs. Massachusetts and Maine are implementing comprehensive WHP laws but studies evaluating their health impact are needed.
Health Behaviors and Medication Adherence in Elderly Patients
Authors: Han Euna , Sohn Hyun Soon , Lee Ju-Yeun , Jang Sunme 
Published: January 2016

Purpose. To explore the relationships of selected health behaviors to medication adherence. Design. A retrospective cohort study. Setting. Data from Korean national health insurance claims between January 2010 and June 2011. Subjects. Patients aged 65 years and older with hypertension (N = 662,170), hyperlipidemia (N = 244,702), or diabetes (N = 179,285). Measures. Medication adherence as a medication possession ratio from January to June 2011 as a dependent variable. The waist circumference (cm) and the body mass index (weight in kilogram divided by height in meter squared) as a marker for obesity. Smoking, drinking, and physical activity as main independent variables. Analysis. A multivariate logistic regression. Results. Nonobese patients, as based on the waist circumference, were more likely to adhere to their medication (by 8.9% for hypertension, 6.2% for diabetes, and 3.5% for hyperlipidemia). Current smokers were less likely to adhere to their medication (by 8.7% for hypertension and 6.8% for diabetes), and moderate and heavy drinkers were also less likely to show medication adherence for diabetes (by 12.9% and 6.4%). Mild physical activity was related to a 1.1% to 1.8% increase in the likelihood of medication adherence across the three disease groups. Conclusion. Health promotion programs for self-care health behaviors of elderly patients should emphasize good medication adherence to achieve successful self-management of diseases.
Medical Net Discount Rates: Updated and Re-examined
Authors: Baumann Robert , Schap David 
Published: January 2016

Abstract1Schap, Guest and Kraynak (2013) examines time series properties of medical net discount rates (MNDRs) based on three different, short-term Treasury securities. The article finds attributes of stationarity in each of the series examined and notes greater support for total offset of interest rates and medical cost growth rates than does previously published research.The present study makes four adjustments to Schap, Guest and Kraynak (2013). First, the data set is updated by two years and four months. Second, the t-test applied in the original study and also used in earlier studies of total offset fails to account for autocorrelated error terms, so a substitute test is applied to both the original data set and the newly extended data set, with results reported. Third, Phillips-Perron testing is conducted in addition to Augmented Dickey-Fuller and Kwiatkowski-Phillips-Schmidt-Shin testing of stationarity of the various series analyzed, with results reported. Finally, Zivot-Andrews testing is applied diagnostically, to identify stationary sub-series of MNDRs, similar to an approach used successfully to identify stationary sub-series of wage net discount rates (Schap, Baumann and Guest, 2014).The data analysis suggests two options available to practicing forensic economists who endorse the use of Treasury securities of short duration in formulating MNDRs. One option is to use total offset (i.e., a zero MNDR), based on modestly favorable empirical support in the period 1981:01 to 2014:10. The alternative option would be to rely on a body of evidence amassed over a shorter time frame, from 2001:01 to 2014:10, but which has remarkably strong stationarity properties and yields MNDRs between minus 1.5 and minus 2.0% (i.e., an implicit forecast of medical cost growth exceeding the discount factor).
Laser Processing of Electrospun PCL Fiber Mats for Tissue Engineering
Authors: Zernetsch Holger , Kern Alexander , Jäschke Peter , Glasmacher Birgit 
Published: January 2016

Purpose Processing technologies for cutting and joining electrospun fiber mats are required to produce complex three-dimensional (3D) structures, like a scaffold for heart valve tissue engineering. The ability to bond very thin porous sheets, thus forming a stable 3D geometry, offers completely new design strategies such as organ-shaped scaffolds with void chambers inside. In this study, solvent, glue and laser bonding are compared with regard to their retention force and practicability. Methods For this purpose, samples were prepared by applying each bonding technique. In addition, two different ways of preparing the bonding site were investigated: a portion of mats were bonded by an L-joint and the others by a T-joint; then tensile testing was performed until tearing of the bonding occurred. Additionally, the edges of laser cut fiber mats were investigated in order to evaluate the influence of thermal effects of the laser beam and ongoing changes in pore structure. Results It was found that laser cut fiber mats were slightly deformed due to thermal effects, but still had an open, porous structure at the site of the cut. Results also show that joining of fiber mats by laser led to the best bonding result with highest retention force. Application of solvent and glue led to a nonuniform and noncontinuous bonding with lower retention forces. Conclusions A first proof of concept for a heart valve-shaped scaffold was created by laser bonding. Thus, the laser is an advantageous tool for post-processing fiber mats and produce complex 3D structures for different applications.
Endometriosis and Pain: Postsurgical Alternative Treatment in Patients Desiring Pregnancy
Authors: Zupi Errico , Lazzeri Lucia , Centini Gabriele 
Published: January 2016

Background/aims New pharmacologic agents facilitated and improved the overall management of endometriosis also in case of pregnancy desire. The present study aimed to investigate the efficacy of a food integrator on painful symptoms in endometriotic women looking for pregnancy. Methods This is a pilot study including a group of patients (n = 20) with a previous surgical diagnosis of endometriosis and painful recurring symptoms. A daily dose of two pills of a food integrator containing curcumin, quercetin, hyaluronic acid and chondroitin sulphate (Ialuril Soft gels IBSA, Italy) was self-administered for 12 weeks. Painful symptoms were evaluated by a visual analog scale (VAS) system before and after the end of treatment. Results A significant reduction in the intensity of dysmenorrhea (p<0.001), chronic pelvic pain (p<0.001), and dysuria (p<0.001) compared with the severity of these symptoms before the administration was showed. Conclusions In all patients, the efficacy of Ialuril soft gels was shown after 12 weeks of treatment for dysmenorrhea, chronic pelvic pain and dysuria, thus providing an alternative option for women seeking pregnancy. In the future, further controlled trials will be required, with a larger population and longer follow-up period, to confirm these initial encouraging results.
Different Nursing Care Methods for Prevention of Keratopathy Among Intensive Care Unit Patients
Authors: Kalhori Reza Pourmirza , Ehsani Sohrab , Daneshgar Farid , Ashtarian Hossein , Rezaei Mansour 
Published: January 2016

<p><strong>BACKGROUND:</strong> Patients with reduced consciousness level suffer from eye protection disorder and Keratopathy. This study was conducted to compare effect of three eye care techniques in prevention of keratopathy in the patients hospitalized in intensive care unit of Kermanshah. <strong> </strong></p><p><strong>METHODS: </strong>This clinical trial was conducted in 2013 with sample size of 96 persons in three random groups. Routine care included washing of eyes with normal saline and three eye care methods were conducted with poly<em> </em>ethylene cover, liposic ointment, and artificial tear drop randomly on one eye of each sample and a comparison was made with the opposite eye as the control. Eyes were controlled for 5 days in terms of keratopathy. Data collection instrument was keratopathy severity index. Data statistical analysis was performed with SPSS-16 software and chi-squared test, Fisher’s exact test, ANOVA and Kruskal<strong>–</strong>Wallis<strong> </strong>one-way analysis of variance.</p><p><strong>FINDINGS: </strong>The use of poly<em> </em>ethylene cover (0.59<strong>±</strong>0.665) was significantly more effective in prevention of keratopathy than other methods (P=0.001). There was no statistically significant difference between two care interventions of liposic ointment and artificial tear drop (P=0.844) but the results indicated the more effective liposic ointment (1.13<strong>±</strong>0.751) than the artificial tear drop (1.59<strong>±</strong>0.875) in prevention of corneal abrasion (P<strong>&gt;</strong>0.001).</p><p><strong>CONCLUSION:</strong> Results of the study suggest the use of poly<em> </em>ethylene cover as a non-aggressive and non-pharmaceutical nursing and therapeutic method for prevention of keratopathy in the patient hospitalized in intensive care unit.</p>
Exercises for Women with Persistent Pelvic and Low Back Pain after Pregnancy
Authors: Unsgaard-Tøndel Monica , Vasseljen Ottar , Woodhouse Astrid , Morkved Siv 
Published: January 2016

<p><strong>BACKGROUND:<em> </em></strong>Specific stabilizing exercises activating deep local muscles in coordination with global muscles are recommended in the treatment of pregnancy-related lumbopelvic pain. Some studies have suggested that recruitment of the deepest abdominal muscle, transversus abdominis, is crucial in the development and improvement of lumbopelvic pain.</p><p><strong>OBJECTIVE:<em> </em></strong>This exploratory study aimed to describe the development of pain, disability and transversus abdominis recruitment before, during and after an individually designed intervention including an exercise program for women with persisting lumbopelvic pain after delivery.</p><p><strong>DESIGN:<em> </em></strong>A multiple-baseline, single-subject experimental design was applied.</p><p><strong>METHODS:<em> </em></strong>Sixteen women with lumbopelvic pain after delivery were included and received tailored exercise therapy, including ultrasound-guided activation of deep muscles, strengthening and stretching exercises and advice. Pain, disability and ultrasound-recorded activation of transversus abdominis was registered weekly. Treatment and testing was performed in a primary care setting in Trondheim, Norway.</p><p><strong>RESULTS:<em> </em></strong>All sixteen included women reported reduced pain and decreased disability over the intervention period. The magnitude of transversus abdominis activation varied substantially between individuals and tests. While there was a statistically significant correlation between change in pain and change in disability, no correlation was observed between change in transversus abdominis activation and change in symptoms.</p><p><strong>LIMITATIONS:<em> </em></strong>This is an exploratory study and results cannot be generalized without replication in controlled studies.</p><p><strong>CONCLUSIONS:<em> </em></strong>Pain and disability due to persistent low back and pelvic pain after delivery were reduced after specific, individual adapted exercise including deep and superficial lumbopelvic muscles. Changes in pain and disability were not associated with changes in transversus abdominis activation. </p>
Estudo comparativo das receitas das câmaras de Vila Rica e Vila de São João del Rei, 1719-1750 (Comparative study of the revenue of the council of Vila Rica and Vila de São João del Rei, 1719-1750)
Authors: Mathias Fernanda Fioravante Kelmer 
Published: January 2016

<p>O presente artigo tem por objetivo a discussão acerca das receitas das câmaras mineiras de Vila Rica e Vila de São João del Rei entre os anos de 1719 e 1750. De modo geral, a historiografia sobre o tema, seja em Portugal, seja no Brasil, apesar de pouco sistemática, defende o senso comum de que as receitas das câmaras no período moderno eram bastante modestas. Dessa forma, para melhor compreender os números da receita camarária, especialmente no que concerne à atuação da câmara frente ao bem comum dos povos e ordenação da sociedade, busquei realizar uma análise pormenorizada e sistemática da receita anual de duas importantes câmaras mineiras na primeira metade do século XVIII, bem como inserir a discussão dentro do debate historiográfico atinente aos recursos da câmara. Para além, o artigo em questão assume uma perspectiva comparativa tanto no que concerne aos dados fornecidos pela historiografia, quanto em relação às duas câmaras em apreço.</p><p><strong><br /></strong></p><p><strong>Abstract</strong></p><p>In general, both in Portugal and in Brazil, the historiography on the subject, although unsystematic, defends the common sense that the revenue from the council in the modern period was rather modest. Thus, to better understand the revenue of the council, especially in relation to the performance of the council in the common good of the people and in the ordering of society, the article examines in detail the revenue of the two major councils of captaincy of Minas Gerais in the first half eighteenth century. The text also contextualizes the discussion within the historiographical debate on the subject. The article analyses the data provided by the historiography, and the relationship between the two councils, from a comparative perspective.</p><p><strong>Keywords</strong>: Colonial Minas; Council’s revenue; Council’s function.</p>
Age-related changes in the distributions of depressive symptom items in the general population: a cross-sectional study using the exponential distribution model
Authors: Tomitaka Shinichiro , Kawasaki Yohei , Ide Kazuki , Yamada Hiroshi , Furukawa Toshiaki A. , Ono Yutaka 
Published: January 2016

Background.Previous research has reported inconsistent evidence of the trajectory of depressive symptoms across the adult lifespan. We investigated how the distributions of each item score change with age and determined whether the trajectory of depressive symptoms varied with the scoring methods of the questionnaire.Methods.We analyzed data collected from 21,040 subjects who participated in the national survey in Japan. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D). The CES-D has 20 items, each of which is scored in four grades of “rarely,” “some,” “much,” and “most of the time.” We used the exponential distribution model which fits the distributions of 16 negative symptom items of CES-D, with the probabilities of “some,” “much,” “most,” and “rarely” expressed asP,Pr,Pr2, and 1 −P× (r2+r+ 1).Results.The distributions of the responses to 16 negative symptom items followed the common exponential model across all age groups. The mean of the estimated parameterrof 16 negative items showed a U-shape pattern, being high during 12–29 years, remaining low during 30–50 years, and then increasing again over 60 years. The trajectory of depressive symptom scores simulating the binary method was different from that of the empirical scores using the Liker method.Conclusions.Our findings show that the increase in the depressive symptoms score during older age is based on the increase of the parameterr. The differences in the scoring method may contribute to the different age-related patterns across the adult lifespan.
Long‐term P weathering and recent N deposition control contemporary plant‐soil C, N, and P
Authors: Davies J. A. C. , Tipping E. , Rowe E. C. , Boyle J. F. , Graf Pannatier E. , Martinsen V. 
Published: January 2016

AbstractModels are needed to understand how plant‐soil nutrient stores and fluxes have responded to the last two centuries of widespread anthropogenic nutrient pollution and predict future change. These models need to integrate across carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus (C, N, and P) cycles and simulate changes over suitable timescales using available driving data. It is also vital that they are constrainable against observed data to provide confidence in their outputs. To date, no models address all of these requirements. To meet this need, a new model, N14CP, is introduced, which is initially applied to Northern Hemisphere temperate and boreal ecosystems over the Holocene. N14CP is parameterized and tested using 88 northern Europe plot‐scale studies, providing the most robust test of such a model to date. The model simulates long‐term P weathering, based on the assumption of a starting pool of weatherable P (Pweath0, g m−2), which is gradually transformed into organic and sorbed pools. Nitrogen fixation (and consequently primary production) is made dependent on available P. In the absence of knowledge about the spatial variability of Pweath0, N14CP produces good average soil and plant variables but cannot simulate variations among sites. Allowing Pweath0 to vary between sites improves soil C, N, and P results greatly, suggesting that contemporary soil C, N, and P are sensitive to long‐term P weathering. Most sites were found to be N limited. Anthropogenic N deposition since 1800 was calculated to have increased plant biomass substantially, in agreement with observations and consequently increased soil carbon pools.
Facile fabrication of polyethylene/silver nanoparticle nanocomposites with silver nanoparticles traps and holds early antibacterial effect
Authors: Anh Dau Hung , Dumri Kanchana , Anh Nguyen Tuan , Punyodom Winita , Rachtanapun Pornchai 
Published: January 2016

ABSTRACTAntibacterial polyethylene (PE)/silver nanoparticle (AgNP) nanocomposites containing AgNPs at concentrations of 5 × 10−5, 5 × 10−4, and 5 × 10−3 wt % were fabricated and tested. Transmission electron microscopy revealed an even dispersion of surface AgNPs in the PE/AgNP nanocomposites. No AgNP agglomeration was observed. The tensile strength, elongation at break, and Young's modulus of these PE/AgNP nanocomposites were similar to those of neat PE. Differential scanning calorimetry demonstrated that the PE/AgNP nanocomposites and neat PE had similar melting and crystallization temperatures of 126 ± 0.5 and 109 ± 0.6°C, respectively. The heats of fusion of the PE/AgNP nanocomposites containing AgNPs at concentrations of 5 × 10−5 and 5 × 10−4 and of 5 × 10−3 wt % were lower than those of neat PE by 5 and 7%, respectively. These PE/AgNP nanocomposites were immersed in shaking liquid cultures of the potential pathogenic bacteria Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, and Salmonella typhimurium in the lag phase. The results show that the growth rates of all of the tested bacteria were restricted effectively after 1.5, 3, and 6 h of cultivation, respectively. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016, 133, 43331.
A comparative study on different rubbery modifiers: Effect on morphologies, mechanical, and thermal properties of PLA blends
Authors: Yang Jinian , Nie Shibin , Zhu Jinbo 
Published: January 2016

ABSTRACTTo improve the impact toughness of poly(lactic acid) (PLA), four kinds of rubbery modifiers, including ground tyre rubber (GTR), styrene‐butadiene‐styrene block copolymer (SBS), ethylene‐α‐octene copolymer (EOC) and glycidyl methacrylate grafted EOC (mEOC), were introduced for fabricating the PLA blends. The morphological structures, mechanical properties, thermal stability and thermal decomposition kinetics of pristine PLA and the blends were investigated. Results showed that representative droplet‐matrix structures were observed in the PLA blends, of which the PLA/SBS blend presented the smallest domains while PLA/EOC case had the largest elastomeric particle size. Accordingly, the highest impact toughness and elongation at break were achieved by PLA/SBS blend, whereas the tensile strength and elastic modulus for the blends were all lower than that of pristine PLA. Though the incorporation of rubbery modifiers barely altered the peak temperature of melting, the degrees of crystallinity for blends were declined sharply. The results of thermo gravimetric analysis indicated thermal degradation process of PLA phase was accelerated by rubbery modifiers and evidenced by the relative higher mass conversion at peak temperature. The reaction order of PLA phase for blends calculated by Carrasco method exhibited similar values when compared with control sample. However, the values of activation energy were rather lower than that of pure PLA. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016, 133, 43340.