bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Enhancing electrooptic modulators using modulation instability
Authors: DeVore Peter T. S. , Borlaug David , Jalali Bahram 
Published: June 2013

AbstractAs electronic operating frequencies increase toward the terahertz regime, new electrooptic modulators capable of low‐voltage high‐frequency operation must be developed to provide the necessary optical interconnects. This Letter presents a new concept that exploits modulation instability to compensate for the intrinsically weak electrooptic effect, χ(2). Simulations demonstrate more than 50 times enhancement of electrooptic effect at millimeter wave frequencies leading to a substantial reduction in the required modulation voltage.magnified imageModulation instability simulation showing increased modulation depth of sidebands on an optical carrier.(© 2013 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Incorporating Lesbian and Bisexual Women into Women Veterans’ Health Priorities
Authors: Lehavot Keren , Simpson Tracy L. 
Published: June 2013

ABSTRACT
Relative to the general population, lesbian and bisexual (LB) women are overrepresented in the military and are significantly more likely to have a history of military service compared to all adult women. Due to institutional policies and stigma associated with a gay or lesbian identity, very little empirical research has been done on this group of women veterans. Available data suggest that compared to heterosexual women veterans, LB women veterans are likely to experience heightened levels of prejudice and discrimination, victimization, including greater incidence of rape, as well as adverse health and substance use disorders. They are also likely to encounter a host of unique issues when accessing health care, including fears of insensitive care and difficulty disclosing sexual orientation to Veterans Health Administration (VHA) providers. Training of staff and providers, education efforts, outreach activities, and research on this subpopulation are critical to ensure equitable and high quality service delivery.
Women Veterans’ Healthcare Delivery Preferences and Use by Military Service Era: Findings from the National Survey of Women Veterans
Authors: Washington Donna L. , Bean-Mayberry Bevanne , Hamilton Alison B. , Cordasco Kristina M. , Yano Elizabeth M. 
Published: June 2013

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND
The number of women Veterans (WVs) utilizing the Veterans Health Administration (VA) has doubled over the past decade, heightening the importance of understanding their healthcare delivery preferences and utilization patterns. Other studies have identified healthcare issues and behaviors of WVs in specific military service eras (e.g., Vietnam), but delivery preferences and utilization have not been examined within and across eras on a population basis.

OBJECTIVE
To identify healthcare delivery preferences and healthcare use of WVs by military service era to inform program design and patient-centeredness.

DESIGN AND PARTICIPANTS
Cross-sectional 2008–2009 survey of a nationally representative sample of 3,611 WVs, weighted to the population.

MAIN MEASURES
Healthcare delivery preferences measured as importance of selected healthcare features; types of healthcare services and number of visits used; use of VA or non-VA; all by military service era.

KEY RESULTS
Military service era differences were present in types of healthcare used, with World War II and Korea era WVs using more specialty care, and Vietnam era-to-present WVs using more women’s health and mental health care. Operations Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom, New Dawn (OEF/OIF/OND) WVs made more healthcare visits than WVs of earlier military eras. The greatest healthcare delivery concerns were location convenience for Vietnam and earlier WVs, and cost for Gulf War 1 and OEF/OIF/OND WVs. Co-located gynecology with general healthcare was also rated important by a sizable proportion of WVs from all military service eras.

CONCLUSIONS
Our findings point to the importance of ensuring access to specialty services closer to home for WVs, which may require technology-supported care. Younger WVs’ higher mental health care use reinforces the need for integration and coordination of primary care, reproductive health and mental health care.
An Inventory of VHA Emergency Departments’ Resources and Processes for Caring for Women
Authors: Cordasco Kristina M. , Zephyrin Laurie C. , Kessler Chad S. , Mallard Meri , Canelo Ismelda , Rubenstein Lisa V. , Yano Elizabeth M. 
Published: June 2013

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND
More women are using Veterans’ Health Administration (VHA) Emergency Departments (EDs), yet VHA ED capacities to meet the needs of women are unknown.

OBJECTIVE
We assessed VHA ED resources and processes for conditions specific to, or more common in, women Veterans.

DESIGN/SUBJECTS
Cross-sectional questionnaire of the census of VHA ED directors

MAIN MEASURES
Resources and processes in place for gynecologic, obstetric, sexual assault and mental health care, as well as patient privacy features, stratified by ED characteristics.

KEY RESULTS
All 120 VHA EDs completed the questionnaire. Approximately nine out of ten EDs reported having gynecologic examination tables within their EDs, 24/7 access to specula, and Gonorrhea/Chlamydia DNA probes. All EDs reported 24/7 access to pregnancy testing. Fewer than two-fifths of EDs reported having radiologist review of pelvic ultrasound images available 24/7; one-third reported having emergent consultations from gynecologists available 24/7. Written transfer policies specific to gynecologic and obstetric emergencies were reported as available in fewer than half of EDs. Most EDs reported having emergency contraception 24/7; however, only approximately half reported having Rho(D) Immunoglobulin available 24/7. Templated triage notes and standing orders relevant to gynecologic conditions were reported as uncommon. Consistent with VHA policy, most EDs reported obtaining care for victims of sexual assault by transferring them to another institution. Most EDs reported having some access to private medical and mental health rooms. Resources and processes were found to be more available in EDs with more encounters by women, more ED staffed beds, and that were located in more complex facilities in metropolitan areas.

CONCLUSIONS
Although most VHA EDs have resources and processes needed for delivering emergency care to women Veterans, some gaps exist. Studies in non-VA EDs are required for comparison. Creative solutions are needed to ensure that women presenting to VHA EDs receive efficient, timely, and consistently high-quality care.
Gender Differences Among Veterans Deployed in Support of the Wars in Afghanistan and Iraq
Authors: Street Amy E. , Gradus Jaimie L. , Giasson Hannah L. , Vogt Dawne , Resick Patricia A. 
Published: June 2013

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND
The changing scope of women’s roles in combat operations has led to growing interest in women’s deployment experiences and post-deployment adjustment.

OBJECTIVES
To quantify the gender-specific frequency of deployment stressors, including sexual and non-sexual harassment, lack of social support and combat exposure. To quantify gender-specific post-deployment mental health conditions and associations between deployment stressors and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), to inform the care of Veterans returning from the current conflicts.

DESIGN
National mail survey of OEF/OIF Veterans randomly sampled within gender, with women oversampled.

SETTING
The community.

PARTICIPANTS
In total, 1,207 female and 1,137 male Veterans from a roster of all Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom (OEF/OIF) Veterans. Response rate was 48.6 %.

MAIN MEASURES
Deployment stressors (including combat and harassment stress), PTSD, depression, anxiety and alcohol use, all measured via self-report.

KEY RESULTS
Women were more likely to report sexual harassment (OR = 8.7, 95% CI: 6.9, 11) but less likely to report combat (OR = 0 .62, 95 % CI: 0.50, 0.76). Women and men were equally likely to report symptoms consistent with probable PTSD (OR = 0 .87, 95 % CI: 0.70, 1.1) and symptomatic anxiety (OR  =  1.1, 9 5% CI: 0.86, 1.3). Women were more likely to report probable depression (OR = 1.3, 95 % CI: 1.1, 1.6) and less likely to report problematic alcohol use (OR  = 0 .59, 9 5% CI: 0.47, 0.72). With a five-point change in harassment stress, adjusted odds ratios for PTSD were 1.36 (95 % CI: 1.23, 1.52) for women and 1.38 (95 % CI: 1.19, 1.61) for men. The analogous associations between combat stress and PTSD were 1.31 (95 % CI: 1.24, 1.39) and 1.31 (95 % CI: 1.26, 1.36), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS
Although there are important gender differences in deployment stressors—including women’s increased risk of interpersonal stressors—and post-deployment adjustment, there are also significant similarities. The post-deployment adjustment of our nation’s growing population of female Veterans seems comparable to that of our nation’s male Veterans.
Accounting for Clinical Action Reduces Estimates of Gender Disparities in Lipid Management for Diabetic Veterans
Authors: Vimalananda Varsha G. , Miller Donald R. , Hofer Timothy P. , Holleman Robert G. , Klamerus Mandi L. , Kerr Eve A. 
Published: June 2013

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND
Women with diabetes have higher low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels than men, resulting in apparent disparities between genders on quality indicators tied to LDL thresholds.

OBJECTIVE
To investigate whether gender disparities persist when accounting for clinical action with statins or cardiovascular risk.

DESIGN
Retrospective cohort study.

PARTICIPANTS
Veterans Health Administration patients (21,780 women and 646,429 men) aged 50–75 with diabetes.

MAIN MEASURES
Threshold measure: LDL < 100 mg/dL; clinical action measure: LDL < 100 mg/dL; or LDL ≥ 100 mg/dL and the patient was prescribed a moderate or high-dose statin at the time of the test; or LDL ≥ 100 mg/dL and the patient received other appropriate clinical action within 90 days; adherence: continuous multiple interval measure of gaps in dispensed medication (CMG).

KEY RESULTS
Women were much less likely to have LDL < 100 mg/dL than were men (55 % vs. 68 %). This disparity narrowed from 13 % to 6 % for passing the clinical action measure (79 % vs. 85 %). These gender differences persisted among those with ischemic heart disease (IHD). Women had a lower odds of passing the clinical action measure (odds ratio 0.68, 95 % confidence interval 0.66–0.71). Among those with IHD, the gender gap increased with age. Differences in pass rates were explained by women’s higher LDL levels, but not by their slightly worse adherence (3 % higher CMG).

CONCLUSIONS
Women and men veterans receive more similar quality of care for lipids in diabetes than previously indicated. Less reassuringly, the remaining gender differences appear to be as common in women at high cardiovascular risk as in those at low risk. Rather than focus on simply improving LDL levels in all women with diabetes, future efforts should ensure that patients with high cardiovascular risk are appropriately treated with statins when clinically indicated, feasible, and concordant with patient preferences.
Military Sexual Trauma Among Homeless Veterans
Authors: Pavao Joanne , Turchik Jessica A. , Hyun Jenny K. , Karpenko Julie , Saweikis Meghan , McCutcheon Susan , Kane Vincent , Kimerling Rachel 
Published: June 2013

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND
Military sexual trauma (MST) is the Veteran Health Administration’s (VHA) term for sexual assault and/or sexual harassment that occurs during military service. The experience of MST is associated with a variety of mental health conditions. Preliminary research suggests that MST may be associated with homelessness among female Veterans, although to date MST has not been examined in a national study of both female and male homeless Veterans.

OBJECTIVE
To estimate the prevalence of MST, examine the association between MST and mental health conditions, and describe mental health utilization among homeless women and men.

DESIGN AND PARTICIPANTS
National, cross-sectional study of 126,598 homeless Veterans who used VHA outpatient care in fiscal year 2010.

MAIN MEASURES
All variables were obtained from VHA administrative databases, including MST screening status, ICD-9-CM codes to determine mental health diagnoses, and VHA utilization.

KEY RESULTS
Of homeless Veterans in VHA, 39.7 % of females and 3.3 % of males experienced MST. Homeless Veterans who experienced MST demonstrated a significantly higher likelihood of almost all mental health conditions examined as compared to other homeless women and men, including depression, posttraumatic stress disorder, other anxiety disorders, substance use disorders, bipolar disorders, personality disorders, suicide, and, among men only, schizophrenia and psychotic disorders. Nearly all homeless Veterans had at least one mental health visit and Veterans who experienced MST utilized significantly more mental health visits compared to Veterans who did not experience MST.

CONCLUSIONS
A substantial proportion of homeless Veterans using VHA services have experienced MST, and those who experienced MST had increased odds of mental health diagnoses. Homeless Veterans who had experienced MST had higher intensity of mental health care utilization and high rates of MST-related mental health care. This study highlights the importance of trauma-informed care among homeless Veterans and the success of VHA homeless programs in providing mental health care to homeless Veterans.
Sexual Victimization, Health Status, and VA Healthcare Utilization Among Lesbian and Bisexual OEF/OIF Veterans
Authors: Mattocks Kristin M. , Sadler Anne , Yano Elizabeth M. , Krebs Erin E. , Zephyrin Laurie , Brandt Cynthia , Kimerling Rachel , Sandfort Theo , Dichter Melissa E. , Weiss Jeffrey J. , Allison Jeroan , Haskell Sally 
Published: June 2013

ABSTRACT

Background
Many lesbian and bisexual (LB) women veterans may have been targets of victimization in the military based on their gender and presumed sexual orientation, and yet little is known regarding the health or mental health of LB veterans, nor the degree to which they feel comfortable receiving care in the VA.

Objective
The purpose of this study was to examine the prevalence of mental health and gender-specific conditions, VA healthcare satisfaction and trauma exposure among LB veterans receiving VA care compared with heterosexually-identified women veterans receiving.

Design
Prospective cohort study of Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom (OEF/OIF) women veterans at two large VA facilities.

Participants
Three hundred and sixty five women veterans that completed a baseline survey. Thirty-five veterans (9.6 %) identified as gay or lesbian (4.7 %), or bisexual (4.9 %).

Main Measures
Measures included sexual orientation, military sexual trauma, mental and gender-specific health diagnoses, and VA healthcare utilization and satisfaction.

Key Results
LB OEF/OIF veterans were significantly more likely to have experienced both military and childhood sexual trauma than heterosexual women (MST: 31 % vs. 13 %, p < .001; childhood sexual trauma: 60 % vs. 36 %, p = .01), to be hazardous drinkers (32 % vs. 16 %, p = .03) and rate their current mental health as worse than before deployment (35 % vs. 16 %, p < .001).

Conclusions
Many LB veterans have experienced sexual victimization, both within the military and as children, and struggle with substance abuse and poor mental health. Health care providers working with female Veterans should be aware of high rates of military sexual trauma and childhood abuse and refer women to appropriate VA treatment and support groups for sequelae of these experiences. Future research should focus on expanding this study to include a larger and more diverse sample of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender veterans receiving care at VA facilities across the country.
Designing drug trials for Alzheimer's disease: What we have learned from the release of the phase III antibody trials: A report from the EU/US/CTAD Task Force
Authors: Vellas Bruno , Carrillo Maria C. , Sampaio Cristina , Brashear H. Robert , Siemers Eric , Hampel Harald , Schneider Lon S. , Weiner Michael , Doody Rachelle , Khachaturian Zaven , Cedarbaum Jesse , Grundman Michael , Broich Karl , Giacobini Ezio , Dubois Bruno , Sperling Reisa , Wilcock Gordon K. , Fox Nick , Scheltens Philip , Touchon Jacques , Hendrix Suzanne , Andrieu Sandrine , Aisen Paul ,   EU/US/CTAD Task Force Members
Published: June 2013

AbstractAn international task force of investigators from academia, industry, nonprofit foundations, and regulatory agencies met in Monte Carlo, Monaco, on October 31, 2012, to review lessons learned from the recent bapineuzumab and solanezumab trials, and to incorporate insights gained from these trials into future clinical studies. Although there is broad consensus that Alzheimer's disease (AD) should be treated during its earliest stages, the concept of secondary prevention has evolved to be described more accurately as treatment of preclinical, presymptomatic, or early AD. There continues to be a strong emphasis on biomarkers and a need for new biomarkers; however, there has also been a realization, based on completed trials, that the most reliable indicator of clinical efficacy across the entire spectrum of disease from asymptomatic to AD dementia is likely a measure of cognition. The task force made many recommendations that should improve the likelihood of success in future trials, including larger phase 2 or combined phase 2/phase 3 studies, clear evidence of target engagement in the central nervous system, evidence of downstream effects on biomarkers before initiating phase 3 studies, consideration of adaptive and targeted trial designs, and use of sensitive measures of cognition as the most robust indicator of treatment benefit.
Strategic Litigation for Gender Equality in the Workplace and Legal Opportunity Structures in Four European Countries
Authors: Fuchs Gesine 
Published: June 2013

Abstract
Legal mobilization in the courts has emerged as an increasingly important social movement strategy, which complements other political strategies. This paper explores legal and institutional factors that can account for the varying levels of legal mobilization in countries with a civil law system. It examines the different legal opportunity structures (LOS) (such as judicial access and material and procedural law) and the extent to which strategic litigation has been employed by trade unions and other social actors to promote equal pay in four European countries: Switzerland, Germany, France, and Poland. While every component of LOS influences legal mobilization, legal factors and legal context alone are not sufficient to explain the observed variations. Rather, they constitute an important general framework in which other social and political factors, such as norms about gender roles, equality, and litigation, are also significant. Two issues seem to be especially relevant and have emerged as a rewarding field of analysis—the role of media coverage and organizational action frames.
Perinatal undernutrition programmes thyroid function in the adult rat offspring
Authors: Ayala-Moreno Rosario , Racotta Radu , Anguiano Brenda , Aceves Carmen , Quevedo Lucía 
Published: June 2013

Increasing evidence suggests that alterations in early nutrition programme physiological changes in adulthood. In the present study, we determined the effects of undernutrition during gestation and lactation on the programming of thyroid function in adult rat offspring. Perinatal undernutrition was achieved by a 40 % food restriction in female Wistar rats from the mating day to weaning. On postpartum day 21, the offspring of the control and food-restricted dams were weaned and given free access to a commercial diet until adulthood. The results showed that undernourished rats exhibited decreased 3,5,3′-triiodothyronine (T3) levels but had normal thyroxine (T4) and thyrotropin (TSH) levels at weaning; on day 90, these rats displayed a significant flip, exhibiting normalised T3(total and free) and total T4levels, but low free T4and persistently higher TSH levels, which were maintained even on postnatal day 140. This profile was accompanied by a scarce fat depot, a lower RMR and an exacerbated sympathetic brown adipose tissue (BAT) tone (deiodinase type 2 expression) in basal conditions. Moreover, when a functional challenge (cold exposure) was applied, the restricted group exhibited partial changes in TSH (29v.100 %) and T4(non-responsev.17 %) levels, a significant decrease in leptin levels (75v. 32 %) and the maintenance of a sympathetic BAT over-response (higher noradrenaline levels) in comparison with the control group. The findings of the present study suggest that undernutrition during the perinatal period produces permanent changes in the hypothalamus–pituitary–thyroid axis with consequent low body weight and decreased RMR and facultative thermogenesis. We hypothesise that these changes predispose individuals to exhibiting adult subclinical hypothyroidism.
Development of a Uniform Insolvency Law in SADC: Lessons from OHADA
Authors: Leno Ngaundje Doris 
Published: June 2013

AbstractThis article argues that, with the global or cross-border nature of many corporate activities, there is an increasing need for a uniform insolvency law approach to the financial distress of a corporation in the Southern African Development Community. In doing so, the article highlights lessons the community may learn from the Insolvency Act of the Organisation for the Harmonization of Business Law in Africa. Emphasis is given to that organization's success in developing a uniform insolvency act (ie one which is directly applicable in its contracting states). The article also proposes a number of recommendations.
Outbreak of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli O169 enteritis in schoolchildren associated with consumption of kimchi, Republic of Korea, 2012
Authors: CHO S. H. , KIM J. , OH K. -H. , HU J. K. , SEO J. , OH S. S. , HUR M. J. , CHOI Y. -H. , YOUN S. K. , CHUNG G. T. , CHOE Y. J. 
Published: June 2013

SUMMARYEnterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) is now recognized as a common cause of foodborne outbreaks. This study aimed to describe the first ETEC O169 outbreak identified in Korea. In this outbreak, we identified 1642 cases from seven schools. Retrospective cohort studies were performed in two schools; and case-control studies were conducted in five schools. In two schools, radish kimchi was associated with illness; and in five other schools, radish or cabbage kimchi was found to have a higher risk among food items. Adjusted relative risk of kimchi was 5·87–7·21 in schools that underwent cohort studies; and adjusted odds ratio was 4·52–12·37 in schools that underwent case-control studies. ETEC O169 was isolated from 230 affected students, and was indistinguishable from the isolates detected from the kimchi product distributed by company X, a food company that produced and distributed kimchi to all seven schools. In this outbreak, we found that the risk of a kimchi-borne outbreak of ETEC O169 infection is present in Korea. We recommend continued monitoring regarding food safety in Korea, and strengthening surveillance regarding ETEC O169 infection through implementation of active laboratory surveillance to confirm its infection.