bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Knowledge Attitudes and Practices of Shisha Smoking Among Medical Practitioners in Karachi, Pakistan
Authors: Kumar Ashok , Ghazal Shaista , Malik Maria , Rizvi Nadeem , Ismail Shafaq 
Published: October 2013

Background: It is well established that tobacco use in the form of shisha has adverse effects similar to cigarette smoking. Medical-practitioners can play an important role in spreading awareness regarding health hazards associated with shisha smoking. Misconception about shisha is an important factor responsible for its increasing use, the need to evaluate medical practitioner's knowledge about shisha is an important step in controlling the growing epidemic.Objectives:To investigate the knowledge, attitudes and practices of shisha smoking among different designations of medical practitioners in Karachi.Methodology:A self-administered questionnaire was distributed to interns, postgraduate-trainees, medical-officers and consultants in various teaching hospitals of Karachi, Pakistan.Results:A total of 343 medical practitioners participated in the study including 38.2% interns, 43.1% postgraduate trainees, 12% medical-officers and 6.7% consultants. Of the total study population 29.5% of the medical practitioners admitted using shisha at some point in their life. Significant results were obtained when knowledge of medical practioners regarding shisha containing tobacco and its harmful effects on health were judged with p-values of 0.001 and <0.003 respectively. Knowledge regarding hazards of passive shisha exposure was found to be varying with 25.2% interns, 40.5% postgraduates, 34.1% medical-officers and 69.6% consultants being aware of association of neonatal deaths with passive shisha exposure (p-value <0.001) while 51.9% house physicians, 64.2% postgraduates, 53.7% medical officers and 87% consultants believed that shisha exposure during pregnancy can lead to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (p value 0.001).Conclusions:There is a lack of knowledge among medical practitioners, especially house physicians, regarding contents used in shisha and its hazards.
Identification of Beta-Tungsten in a Heavily Blackened, Burned Out, Vehicle Headlamp by X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Authors: Zeichner Arie 
Published: October 2013

AbstractA headlamp of a vehicle involved in an accident was examined in order to assess whether or not it was lit during the collision. In the examination it was found that the headlamp bulb was heavily blackened in an unusual way and its two filaments burnt out. Applying X-ray powder diffraction by diffractometer, the black deposit present in the bulb was identified to consist of a mixture ofβ-tungsten and the ordinaryα-tungsten.
High Quality X-Ray Diffraction Data Using an Adjustable Divergence Slit and Thin Samples
Authors: Kimmel G. 
Published: October 2013

AbstractIn the Bragg-Brentano X-ray powder diffractometer geometry the Automatic Divergence Slit (ADS) provides a fixed area of illumination on a flat specimen. For this case, the “constant volume” diffraction, appropriate for a Constant Divergence Slit (CDS) diffractometer, is not applicable and intensities must be corrected by a sinθ factor before comparison to CDS data.It is shown that for thin layers the diffraction pattern may be treated as a “constant volume” diffraction case when the ADS is used. Moreover, the derivation of the unit cell dimensions using a common least-square procedure can result in excellent lattice parameters without using internal standards, because the transparency aberrations are minimized.ADS data were obtained for a variety of reference materials including several NBS SRM powders. It was found that thin samples made of powder mixed with vaseline gave “constant volume” diffraction, less angular aberration, and yet had line intensities only somewhat less than bulk samples.Three main benefits arise using a combination of thin layers and ADS: (a) The amount of material needed for routine chracterization is small, (b) The relative experimental intensities are approximately the same as those obtained from bulk specimens using a CDS. (c) The measured (Bragg) scattering angles are more accurate compared with those measured from bulk specimens.
X-Ray Diffraction Data for Lu(OH)3
Authors: Mullica D. F. , Sappenfield E. L. 
Published: October 2013

AbstractIndexed powder diffraction data for Lu(OH)3 are reported. The compound is cubic, Im3(No. 204), with a = 8.2221(3)Å, V = 555.84Å3, Z = 8, Dm = 5.36(4)Mg m−3 (Dx = 5.40Mg m−3). The refined cell parameter was determined by employing a Siemens Debye-Scherrer camera (Cu radiation, Ni filter). The indexed data were evaluated according to the quantitative figures of merit FN and M20 (F29 = 20(0.028,51) and M20 = 43.5). A thermal gravimetric analysis is presented. The JCPD S Diffraction File No. for Lu(OH)3 is 38–1500.
Standard X-Ray Diffraction Powder Patterns from The JCPDS Research Associateship
Authors: McMurdie Howard F. , Morris Marlene C. , Evans Eloise H. , Paretzkin Boris , Wong-Ng Winnie , Zhang Yuming , Hubbard Camden R. 
Published: October 2013

The following new or updated patterns are submitted by the JCPDS Research Associateship at the National Bureau of Standards. The patterns are a continuation of the series of standard X-ray diffraction powder patterns published previously in the NBS Circular 539, the NBS Monograph 25, and in this journal. The methods of producing these reference patterns are described in this journal, Vol. 1, No. 1, p. 40 (1986).The data for each phase apply to the specific sample described. A sample was mixed with one or two internal standards: silicon (SRM640a), silver, tungsten, or fluorophlogopite (SRM675). Expected 2-theta values for these standards are specified in the methods described (ibid.). Data, from which the reported 2-theta values were determined, were measured with a computer controlled diffractometer. Computer programs were used to locate peak positions and calibrate the patterns as well as to perform variable indexing and least squares cell refinement. A check on the overall internal consistency of the data was also provided by a computer program.
Performance Indicators as Quality Control for Testing and Evaluating Hospital Management Groups: A Pilot Study
Authors: Rüter Anders , Nilsson Heléne , Vilkström Tore 
Published: October 2013

AbstractIntroduction:An important issue in disaster medicine is the establishment of standards that can be used as a template for evaluation. With the establishment of standards, the ability to compare results will improve, both within and between different organizations involved in disaster management.Objective:Performance indicators were developed for testing in simulations exercises with the purpose of evaluating the skills of hospital management groups. The objective of this study is to demonstrate how these indicators can be used to create numerically expressed results that can be compared.Methods:Three different management groups were tested in standardized simulation exercises. The testing took place according to the organization's own disaster plan and within their own facilities. Trained observers used a predesigned protocol of performance indicators as a template for the evaluation.Results:The management group that scored lowest in management skills also scored lowest in staff skills.Conclusion:The use of performance indicators for evaluating the management skills of hospital groups can provide comparable results in testing situations and could provide a new tool for quality improvement of evaluations of real incidents and disasters.
Pandemic Influenza Triage in the Clinical Setting
Authors: Rottman Steven J. , Shoaf Kimberley I. , Schlesinger Jennifer , Selski Eva Klein , Perman Joey , Lamb Kerry , Cheng Janet 
Published: October 2013

AbstractIntroduction:There has been much federal and local health planning for an influenza pandemic in the United States, but little is known about the ability of the clinical community to deal quickly and effectively with a potentially overwhelming surge of pandemic influenza patients.Problem:The attitudes and expectations of emergency physicians, emergency nurses, hospital nursing supervisors, hospital administrators, and infection control personnel concerning clinical care in a pandemic were assessed.Methods:Key informant structured interviews of 46 respondents from 34 randomly selected emergency receiving hospitals in Los Angeles County were conducted using an Institutional Review Board-approved protocol. The interview asked about supplies/resources, triage, quality of care, and decision-making. At the conclusion of each interview, the informant was asked to provide the contact information for at least two others within their respective professional group. Interviews were transcribed and coded for key themes using qualitative analytical software.Results:There was little salience that an influx of variably ill patients with influenza would force stratified healthcare decision-making. There also was a general lack of preparation to address the ethics and practices of triaging patients in the clinical setting of a pandemic.Conclusions:Guidelines must be developed in concert with public health, medical society, and legislative authorities to help clinicians define, adopt, and communicate to the public those practice standards that will be followed in a mass population, infectious disease emergency.
Psychological Effects of Patient Surge in Large-Scale Emergencies: A Quality Improvement Tool for Hospital and Clinic Capacity Planning and Response
Authors: Meredith Lisa S. , Zazzali James L. , Shields Sandra , Eisenman David P. , Alsabagh Halla 
Published: October 2013

AbstractAlthough information is available to guide hospitals and clinics on the medical aspects of disaster surge, there is little guidance on how to manage the expected surge of persons needing psychological assessment and response after a catastrophic event. This neglected area of disaster medicine is addressed by presenting a novel and practical quality improvement tool for hospitals and clinics to use in planning for and responding to the psychological consequences of catastrophic events that create a surge of psychological casualties presenting for health care. Industrial quality improvement processes, already widely adopted in the healthcare sector, translate well when applied to disaster medicine and public health preparedness. This paper describes the development of the tool, presents data on facility preparedness from 31 hospitals and clinics in Los Angeles County, and discusses how the tool can be used as a benchmark for targeting improvement. The tool can serve to increase facility awareness of which components of disaster preparedness and response must be addressed through hospitals' and clinics' existing quality improvement programs. It also can provide information for periodic assessment and evaluation of progress over time.
Physical Health of Members of the Public Who Experienced Terrorist Bombings in London on 07 July 2005
Authors: Catchpole Michael A. , Morgan Oliver 
Published: October 2013

AbstractIntroduction:On 07 July 2005, four bombs were detonated in London, killing 52 members of the public. Approximately 700 individuals received treatment either at the scene or at nearby hospitals.Hypothesis/Problem:Significant concerns about the potential long-term psychological and physical health effects of exposure to the explosions were raised immediately after the bombings. To address these concerns, a public health register was established for the purpose of following-up with individuals exposed to the explosions.Methods:Invitations to enroll in the register were sent to individuals exposed to the explosions. A range of health, emergency, and humanitarian service records relating to the response to the explosions were used to identify eligible individuals. Follow-up was undertaken through self-administered questionnaires. The number of patients exposed to fumes, smoke, dust, and who experienced blood splashes, individuals who reported injuries, and the type and duration of health symptoms were calculated. Odds ratios of health symptoms by exposure for greater or less than 30 minutes were calculated.Results:A total of 784 eligible individuals were identified, of whom, 258 (33%) agreed to participate in the register, and 173 (22%) returned completed questionnaires between 8 to 23 months after the explosions. The majority of individuals reported exposure to fumes, smoke, or dust, while more than two-fifths also reported exposure to blood. In addition to cuts and puncture wounds, the most frequent injury was ear damage. Most individuals experienced health symptoms for less than four weeks, with the exception of hearing problems, which lasted longer. Four-fifths of individuals felt that they had suffered emotional distress and half of them were receiving counseling.Conclusions:The results indicated that the main long-term health effects, apart from those associated with traumatic amputations, were hearing loss and psychological disorders. While these findings provide a degree of reassurance of the absence of long-term effects, the low response rate limits the extent to which this can be extrapolated to all those exposed to the bombings. Given the importance of immediate assessment of the range and type of exposure and injury in incidents such as the London bombings, and the difficulties in contacting individuals after the immediate response phase, there is need to develop better systems for identifying and enrolling exposed individuals into post-incident health monitoring.
Where There Are No Emergency Medical Services—Prehospital Care for the Injured in Mumbai, India
Authors: Roy Nobhojit , Murlidhar V. , Chowdhury Ritam , Patil Sandeep B. , Supe Priyanka A. , Vaishnav Poonam D. , Vatkar Arvind 
Published: October 2013

AbstractIntroduction:In a populous city like Mumbai, which lacks an organized pre-hospital emergency medical services (EMS) system, there exists an informal network through which victims arrive at the trauma center. This baseline study describes the prehospital care and transportation that currently is available in Mumbai.Methods:A prospective trauma database was created by interviewing 170 randomly selected patients from a total of 454 admitted over a two-month period (July–August 2005) at a Level-I, urban, trauma center.Results:The injured victim in Mumbai usually is rescued by a good Samaritan passer-by (43.5%) and contrary to popular belief, helped by the police (89.7%). Almost immediately after rescue, the victim begins transport to the hospital. No one waits for the EMS ambulance to arrive, as there is none. A taxi cab is the most popular substitute for the ambulance (39.3%). The trauma patient in India usually is a young man in his late-twenties, from a lower socioeconomic class. He mostly finds himself in a government hospital, as private hospitals are reluctant to provide trauma care to the seriously injured. The injured who do receive prehospital care receive inadequate and inappropriate care due to the high cost of consumables in resuscitation, and in part due to the providers' lack of training in emergency care. Those who were more likely to receive prehospital care suffered from road traffic injuries (odds ratio (OR) = 2.3) and those transported by government ambulances (OR = 10.83), as compared to railway accident victims (OR = 0 .41) and those who came by taxi (OR = 0.54).Conclusions:Currently, as a result of not having an EMS system, prehospital care is a citizen responsibility using societal networks. It is easy to eliminate this system and shift the responsibility to the state. The moot point is whether the state-funded EMS system will be robust enough in a resource-poor setting in which public hospitals are poorly funded. Considering the high funding cost of EMS systems in developed countries and the insufficient evidence that prehospital field interventions by the EMS actually have improved outcomes, Mumbai must proceed with caution when implementing advanced EMS systems into its congested urban traffic. Similar cities, such as Mexico City and Jakarta, have had limited success with implementing EMS systems. Perhaps reinforcing the existing network of informal providers of taxi drivers and police and with training, funding quick transport with taxes on roads and automobile fuels and regulating the private ambulance providers, could be more cost-effective in a culture in which sharing and helping others is not just desirable, but is necessary for overall economic survival.
Describing a Problem: Rear Seatback Failure and Unsecured Cargo
Authors: Mandell Samuel P. , Kaufman Robert , Mack Christopher D. , Bulger Eileen M. 
Published: October 2013

AbstractIntroduction:Currently, there is little in the literature regarding the ability of rear seatbacks to act as a protective barrier from cargo in frontal crashes. However, it has been shown that unrestrained rear passengers pose a danger to front seat occupants. The association of rear seatback failures and intrusions with mortality and serious injury were examined.Methods:The Seattle CIREN database for restrained, rear-seat passengers in front-end crashes with seatback failure or intrusion was searched. Injury patterns and crash characteristics, including the role of unrestrained cargo were examined. Next, the National Automotive Sampling System- Crashworthiness Data System (NASS-CDS) database was queried for restrained rear-seat passengers in front-end crashes with recorded seat failure or intrusion. Mortality, maximum Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) score and mean Injury Severity Scale (ISS) scores were compared with passengers who had no failure or intrusion. Linear regression was used to identify the differences between the groups. Logistic regression was used to estimate the mortality risk associated with seat failure.Results:There were four CIREN cases that met the criteria. In each case, the occupant suffered significant injury or death. All four of the seat failures were the result of unrestrained cargo striking the seatback. The CDS data revealed a statistically significantly increased mortality (OR = 18.9, 95% CI = 14.0–25.7) associated with seat failure. Both the maximum AIS and mean of the ISS scores were higher in the failure/intrusion group (p <0.0001).Conclusions:Rear seatback failure/intrusion is associated with increased mortality and injury. Case reports suggest unrestrained cargo plays a significant role in these injuries.
Increased Incidence of Domestic Animal Bites following a Disaster Due to Natural Hazards
Authors: Scott Warner G. 
Published: October 2013

Introduction::During deployment following Hurricane Ike in September 2008, bites from domestic animals were among the top three trauma complaints seen at the National Disaster Medical System (NDMS) Disaster Medical Assistance Team (DMAT) base of operations.Problem::Unlike previous reports of frightened, misplaced dogs and cats biting strangers and rescue workers, there was an increase in bites associated with presumed non-rabid pets who were known to the bite victim.Methods:This was an observational sampling of all patients presenting for medical care during deployment to the AL-3 DMAT base of operations in Webster, Texas, following Hurricane Ike. Findings were compared with unofficial local norms and observations from the literature.Results:Of the people with animal bites presenting to the field hospital, dog bites accounted for 55%, cat bites, 40%, and snake bites, 5%. Most of the wounds required suturing and were not simple punctures. Most bites (70%) involved the hand(s). Some patients presented > 24 hours after the bite, and already had developed cellulitis. One patient required transfer and inpatient admission for intravenous antibiotics and debridement of a hand injury with spread into the metacarpophalangeal space.Conclusions:Most of the bites were severe and occurred within the first 72 hours after the hurricane, and waned steadily over the following weeks to baseline levels. No animal bites caused by misplaced dogs and cats biting strangers were seen. There was an increase in bites associated with domesticated pets known to the bite victim. The current NDMS cache is stocked adequately to care for most wounds caused by animal bites. However post-exposure rabies treatment is not part of the routine medications offered. For future disaster preparedness training, pet owners should be aware of the increased potential for dog and cat bites.
Development of a nutritionally balanced pizza as a functional meal designed to meet published dietary guidelines
Authors: Combet Emilie , Jarlot Amandine , Aidoo Kofi E , Lean Michael EJ 
Published: October 2013

AbstractObjectiveTo develop a worked example of product reformulation of a very popular ‘junk food’ to meet nutritional guidelines for public health in a ready meal.DesignIndicative survey of popular Margherita pizzas, followed by product reformulation, applying dietary guidelines to generate a single-item pizza meal containing 30 % daily amounts of energy and all nutrients. An iterative process was used; first to optimize nutrient balance by adjusting the proportions of bread base, tomato-based sauce and mozzarella topping, then adding ingredients to provide specific nutrients and consumer tasting.SettingUrban areas of contrasting socio-economic status.SubjectsUntrained unselected adults (n49) and children (n63), assessing pizza at tasting stations.ResultsMost commercial pizzas provide insufficient information to assess all nutrients and traditional Margherita pizza ingredients provide insufficient Fe, Zn, iodine, and vitamins C and B12. Energy content of the portions currently sold as standard range from 837 to 2351 kJ (200 to 562 kcal), and most exceed 30 % Guideline Daily Amounts for saturated fat and Na when a 2510 kJ (600 kcal) notional meal is considered. The ‘nutritionally balanced pizza’ provides the required energy for a single-item meal (2510 kJ/600 kcal), with all nutrients within recommended ranges: Na (473 mg, ∼45 % below recommended level), saturated fat (<11 % energy) and dietary fibre (13·7 g). Most adults (77 %) and children (81 %) rated it ‘as good as’ or ‘better than’ their usual choice.ConclusionsNutritional guidelines to reduce chronic diseases can be applied to reformulate ‘junk food’ ready meals, to improve public health through a health-by-stealth approach without requiring change in eating habits.
Weight gain in the first two years of life, asthma and atopy: the SCAALA cohort study
Authors: Matos Sheila MA , Jesus Sandra R , Saldiva Silvia RDM , Prado Matildes S , D'Innocenzo Silvana , Assis Ana MO , Rodrigues Laura C , Alcantara-Neves Neuza M , Cruz Álvaro A , Simões Silvia de Magalhães , Fiaccone Rosemeire L , Barreto Maurício L 
Published: October 2013

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate the association between weight gain in the first two years of life and the occurrence of wheezing, asthma, serum IgE, skin reactivity and pulmonary function.DesignCohort study.SettingThe metropolitan region of Salvador, Bahia, Brazil.SubjectsThe association was studied between 1997 and 2005 in 669 children up to 11 years of age. Data were collected on asthma and risk factors, both current factors and those present in the first years of life. Weight gain was considered fast when the Z-score was >0·67. Poisson regression was used in the multivariate statistical analysis.ResultsWheezing was reported in 25·6 % of the children. Weight gain was considered fast (Z-score >0·67) in 29·6 % of the children and slow (Z-score <−0·67) in 13·9 %. Children in the slow weight gain group had 36 % fewer symptoms of asthma (prevalence ratio = 0·65; 95 % CI 0·42, 0·99).ConclusionsSlower weight gain in the early years of life may constitute a protective factor against symptoms of asthma. The relevance of this finding for public health is not yet certain, since it is known that children with slow and fast weight gain may be more likely to develop adverse health consequences related to both these situations.