bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Everyday mobilisations among grandmothers in South Africa: survival, support and social change in the era of HIV/AIDS
Authors: CHAZAN MAY 
Published: August 2013

ABSTRACTIn many sub-Saharan African communities, caring for vulnerable children in the era of HIV/AIDS appears to be creating deep financial, physical and psychological strains for care-givers, the great majority of whom are ageing women or ‘grandmothers’. Yet, limited primary research has been carried out with older women in specific communities, and therefore grandmothers' collective responses, sources of support, complex lived experiences, and diverse family situations are not well understood. This paper presents the findings of research undertaken in four communities in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, between 2006 and 2010. The purpose was to understand the daily stresses, collective responses and mobilisations of older women in these communities. The research involved repeated focus groups, interviews and participant observation involving approximately 100 older women. In the analysis, attention is given to the diversities among participants, the ways in which HIV/AIDS intermingles with other stresses in their lives to drive their mobilisations, and their collective responses, even amidst highly constrained conditions. Through these lenses, the paper illuminates how older women in these communities are organising in response to the combined, devastating and diverse effects of HIV/AIDS, poverty, violence and illness. It also suggests that, counter to some stereotyping of ‘African grandmothers’ as frail or passive, these women are forming associations in order to generate incomes, resist stigma, connect with broader support networks and provide care to hundreds in their communities.
Prehospital High-dose Sublingual Nitroglycerin Rarely Causes Hypotension
Authors: Clemency Brian M. , Thompson Jeffrey J. , Tundo Gina N. , Lindstrom Heather A. 
Published: August 2013

AbstractIntroductionHigh-dose intravenous nitroglycerin is a common in-hospital treatment for respiratory distress due to congestive heart failure (CHF) with hypertension. Intravenous (IV) nitroglycerin administration is impractical in the prehospital setting. In 2011, a new regional Emergency Medical Services (EMS) protocol was introduced allowing advanced providers to treat CHF with high-dose oral nitroglycerin. The protocol calls for patients to be treated with two sublingual tabs (0.8 mg) when systolic blood pressure (SBP) was >160 mm Hg, or three sublingual tabs (1.2 mg) when SBP was >200 mm Hg, every five minutes as needed.Hypothesis/ProblemTo assess the protocol's safety, the incidence of hypotension following prehospital administration of multiple simultaneous nitroglycerin (MSN) tabs by EMS providers was studied.MethodsThis study was a retrospective cohort study of patients from a single commercial EMS agency over a 6-month period. Records from patients with at least one administration of MSN were reviewed. For each administration, the first documented vital signs pre- and post-administration were compared. Administrations were excluded if pre- or post-administration vital signs were missing.ResultsOne hundred case-patients had at least one MSN administration by an advanced provider during the study period. Twenty-five case-patients were excluded due to incomplete vital signs. Seventy-five case-patients with 95 individual MSN administrations were included for analysis. There were 65 administrations of two tabs, 29 administrations of three tabs, and one administration of four tabs. The mean change in SBP following MSN was -14.7 mm Hg (SD = 30.7; range, +59 to -132). Three administrations had documented systolic hypotension in the post-administration vital signs (97/71, 78/50 and 66/47). All three patients were over 65 years old, were administered two tabs, had documented improved respiratory status, and had repeat SBP of at least 100. The incidence of hypotension following MSN administration was 3.2%.DiscussionHigh-dose oral nitroglycerin administration is a practical alternative to IV nitroglycerin in the prehospital setting when administered by advanced providers. The prehospital protocol for high dose oral nitroglycerin was demonstrated to be safe in the cohort of patients studied. Limitations of the study include the relatively small sample size and the inability to identify hypotension that may have occurred following the cessation of data collection in the field.ConclusionHypotension was rare and self-limited in prehospital patients receiving MSN.ClemencyB, ThompsonJ, TundoG, LindstromH. Prehospital high-dose sublingual nitroglycerin rarely causes hypotension. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2013;28(5):1-4.
Hospital Disaster Preparedness as Measured by Functional Capacity: a Comparison between Iran and Sweden
Authors: Djalali Ahmadreza , Castren Maaret , Khankeh Hamidreza , Gryth Dan , Radestad Monica , Öhlen Gunnar , Kurland Lisa 
Published: August 2013

AbstractIntroductionHospitals are expected to continue to provide medical care during disasters. However, they often fail to function under these circumstances. Vulnerability to disasters has been shown to be related to the socioeconomic level of a country. This study compares hospital preparedness, as measured by functional capacity, between Iran and Sweden.MethodsHospital affiliation and size, and type of hazards, were compared between Iran and Sweden. The functional capacity was evaluated and calculated using the Hospital Safety Index (HSI) from the World Health Organization. The level and value of each element was determined, in consensus, by a group of evaluators. The sum of the elements for each sub-module led to a total sum, in turn, categorizing the functional capacity into one of three categories: A) functional; B) at risk; or C) inadequate.ResultsThe Swedish hospitals (n = 4) were all level A, while the Iranian hospitals (n = 5) were all categorized as level B, with respect to functional capacity. A lack of contingency plans and the availability of resources were weaknesses of hospital preparedness. There was no association between the level of hospital preparedness and hospital affiliation or size for either country.ConclusionThe results suggest that the level of hospital preparedness, as measured by functional capacity, is related to the socioeconomic level of the country. The challenge is therefore to enhance hospital preparedness in countries with a weaker economy, since all hospitals need to be prepared for a disaster. There is also room for improvement in more affluent countries.DjalaliA, CastrenM, KhankehH, GrythD, RadestadM, OhlenG, KurlandL. Hospital disaster preparedness as measured by functional capacity: a comparison between Iran and Sweden. Prehosp Disaster Med.2013;28(5):1-8.
Urban–rural differences in adolescent eating behaviour: a multilevel cross-sectional study of 15-year-olds in Scotland
Authors: Levin Kate A 
Published: August 2013

AbstractObjectiveImproving the diet of the Scottish population has been a government focus in recent years. Population health is known to vary between geographies; therefore alongside trends and socio-economic inequalities in eating behaviour, geographic differences should also be monitored.DesignEating behaviour data from the 2010 Scotland Health Behaviour in School-aged Children survey were modelled using multilevel linear and logistic modelling.SettingData were collected in schools across urban and rural Scotland.SubjectsSchoolchildren aged 15 years.ResultsAdolescents living in remote rural Scotland had the highest consumption frequency of vegetables (on average consumed on 6·68 d/week) and the lowest consumption frequency of sweets and crisps (on 4·27 and 3·02 d/week, respectively). However, it was not in the major four cities of Scotland (Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dundee and Aberdeen) but in the geography described by the classification ‘other urban’ areas (large towns of between 10 000 and 125 000 residents) that adolescents had the poorest diet. Deprivation and rurality were independently associated with food consumption for all but fruit consumption. Sharing a family meal, dieting behaviour, food poverty and breakfast consumption did not differ by rurality. Variance at the school level was significant for fruit and vegetable consumption frequencies and for irregular breakfast consumption, regardless of rurality.ConclusionsYoung people from rural areas have a healthier diet than those living in urban areas. The eating behaviours examined did not explain these differences. Future research should investigate why urban–rural differences exist for consumption frequencies of ‘healthy’ and ‘unhealthy’ foods.
Latitudinal patterns of diversity in the world collection of pearl millet landraces at the ICRISAT genebank
Authors: Upadhyaya H. D. , Reddy K. N. , Singh Sube , Gowda C. L. L. , Irshad Ahmed Mohd , Ramachandran Senthil 
Published: August 2013

The genebank at ICRISAT, Patancheru, India conserves a total of 19,063 pearl millet landraces from latitudes ranging from 33.00° in the Southern Hemisphere (SH) to 34.37° in the Northern Hemisphere (NH). In the present study, the NH was found to be the major region for growing pearl millet landraces (80.5%). More landraces were found at lower latitudes ( < 20°) in both hemispheres than at higher latitudes. The latitude range of 10°–15° in the NH and 15°–20° in the SH were found to be important source regions for the prevalence of pearl millet, with 39.6% and 13.1% in the world collection of landraces, respectively. Landraces from lower-latitude regions on either side of the equator varied widely for all traits. Landraces from the 5°–10°N latitude region flowered late and grew tall in the rainy and post-rainy seasons and produced more tillers. Landraces from the 10°–15°N latitude region produced few tillers and had long and thick panicles with larger seeds. Long-bristled bird-resistant landraces were considerable at latitudes of 10°–15°S and 20°–25°S. The minimum temperature at the collection sites was found to be one of the important factors for determining the patterns of the prevalence of pearl millet across the latitudes. Late-maturing, tall and high-tillering landraces from lower-latitude regions were better sources for fodder production. Early-maturing landraces producing long and thick panicles with large seeds from mid-latitude regions (15°–20°) in both hemispheres were useful for developing high-yielding cultivars. Using the latitudinal patterns of diversity in pearl millet landraces, missions may be launched to explore high-diversity, under-collected and threatened areas for the collection of materials of interest at latitudes of 15°–20°.
Anomalous switching in Nb/Ru/Sr2RuO4 topological junctions by chiral domain wall motion
Authors: Anwar M. S. , Nakamura Taketomo , Yonezawa S. , Yakabe M. , Ishiguro R. , Takayanagi H. , Maeno Y. 
Published: August 2013

AbstractA spontaneous symmetry breaking in a system often results in domain wall formation. The motion of such domain walls is utilized to realize novel devices like racetrack-memories, in which moving ferromagnetic domain walls store and carry information. Superconductors breaking time reversal symmetry can also form domains with degenerate chirality of their superconducting order parameter. Sr2RuO4 is the leading candidate of a chiral p-wave superconductor, expected to be accompanied by chiral domain structure. Here, we present that Nb/Ru/Sr2RuO4 topological superconducting-junctions, with which the phase winding of order parameter can be effectively probed by making use of real-space topology, exhibit unusual switching between higher and lower critical current states. This switching is well explained by chiral-domain-wall dynamics. The switching can be partly controlled by external parameters such as temperature, magnetic field and current. These results open up a possibility to utilize the superconducting chiral domain wall motion for future novel superconducting devices.
Micro‐scale inductorless maximum power point tracking DC–DC converter
Authors: Grasso Alfio Dario , Pennisi Salvatore 
Published: August 2013

In this study, the authors propose a simple maximum power point tracking (MPPT) DC–DC converter amenable for micro‐scale photovoltaic applications. The solution avoids the use of inductors and exploits a charge pump as a voltage boost element. To take into account the temperature dependence of the MPP voltage, a passive temperature compensation circuit is also included. To validate the idea a prototype was realised with commercial off‐the‐shelf components. A system efficiency better than 83% for output power above 90 mW is obtained. The results show the viability of the proposed approach which could be further improved through a full custom integrated‐circuit design.
Four hundred Hertz shunt active power filter for aircraft power grids
Authors: Chen Zhong , Wang Zhihui , Chen Miao 
Published: August 2013

To fulfill the high reliability of the aeronautical application, a novel three‐phase four‐wire shunt active power filter (APF) is proposed in this study. In this proposed configuration, traditional phase‐leg which is composed of two power switches is replaced by the novel leg composed of one power switch and one diode. The annoying ‘shoot‐through’ phenomenon is eliminated by using this novel configuration. Meanwhile, better efficiency and better performance brought by this novel configuration benefit the improvement of the compensation performance. Moreover, operation principle of the APF is analysed in detail; current control strategy and the voltage balance control strategy for the split‐capacitor topology are studied as well. Finally, a prototype with the compensating capacity of 3 kVA is designed. Simulation and experimental results are shown to confirm the validity and feasibility of the novel aeronautical APF.
Impact of body biasing on the retention time of gain‐cell memories
Authors: Meinerzhagen Pascal , Teman Adam , Fish Alexander , Burg Andreas 
Published: August 2013

Gain‐cell‐based embedded dynamic random‐access memory (DRAMs) are a potential high‐density alternative to mainstream static random‐access memory (SRAM). However, the limited data retention time of these dynamic bitcells results in the need for power‐consuming periodic refresh cycles. This Letter measures the impact of body biasing as a control factor to improve the retention time of a 2 kb memory block, and also examines the distribution of the retention time across the entire gain‐cell array. The concept is demonstrated through silicon measurements of a test chip manufactured in a logic‐compatible 0.18 μm CMOS process. Although there is a large retention time spread across the measured 2 kb gain‐cell array, the minimum, average and maximum retention times are all improved by up to two orders of magnitude when sweeping the body voltage over a range of 375 mV.
Primary Spinal Marginal Zone Lymphoma Relapse at a Different Spinal Level after Remission of the Primary Lesion
Authors: Hojo Yoshihiro , Ito Manabu , Abumi Kuniyoshi , Sudo Hideki , Takahata Masahiko 
Published: August 2013

Study Design Case report. Objective Most spinal lymphomas occur in the context of systematic lymphomas. Marginal zone lymphoma (MZL) is a type of B-cell lymphoma originating from the marginal zone of B-cell follicles. Mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma is a type of extranodal MZL and rarely occurs in the central nervous system. To date, there has been only one case report of primary spinal MALT lymphoma and there are no case reports of relapsed MALT lymphoma at a different location of the spine. Results A 58-year-old man complained of gait disturbance and urinary dysfunction. Magnetic resonance images showed an abnormal lesion in the epidural space at T11–L1 compressing the conus medullaris. The patient underwent laminectomy and partial resection of the tumor. Histopathologic and immunohistochemical findings were consistent with MALT lymphoma. Following postoperative radiotherapy, the epidural mass disappeared completely. Three years later, epidural MALT lymphoma at a different location in the thoracic spine (T8–T10) occurred and caused myelopathy again. Histologic diagnosis of the relapsed tumor was the same as had been seen 3 years previously. Conclusions This is the first case report of relapsed spinal MALT lymphoma at a different location of the thoracic spine. Though the prognosis of MALT lymphoma is fairly good, careful follow-up is needed to screen any relapse or transformation to a high-grade lymphoma.
Hypovitaminosis D and Cervical Disk Herniation among Adults Undergoing Spine Surgery
Authors: Stoker Geoffrey E. , Buchowski Jacob M. , Chen Christopher T. , Kim Han Jo , Park Moon Soo , Riew K. Daniel 
Published: August 2013

Study Design Single-center, retrospective study. Objective Suboptimal concentrations of vitamin D have been linked to hip and knee osteoarthritis in large, population-based cohort studies. We sought to examine the association of vitamin D levels with intervertebral disk disease. Methods From January 2010 through May 2011, 91 consecutive, eligible adult spine surgery patients who had undergone cervical magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and preoperative serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (s25D) measurement were retrospectively included. MRI was read for C2–T1 disk herniation and degeneration (grades I to V). Logistic regressions were performed. Results Compared with the 384 disks of nondeficient patients, 162 disks of vitamin D-deficient (< 20 ng/mL) patients were more frequently herniated (40% versus 27%, p = 0.004); deficiency was not predictive of individual disk grade (unadjusted odds ratio [uOR] = 0.98, p = 0.817). On regression analysis, deficiency was associated with increased number of herniations per patient (uOR = 2.17, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.22 to 3.87, p = 0.009; adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 2.12, 95% CI = 1.11 to 4.03, p = 0.023). When disks were analyzed individually, and levels (e.g., C5 to C6), additionally controlled for, deficiency correlated with greater likelihood of herniation per disk (uOR = 1.81, 95% CI = 1.22 to 2.66, p = 0.003; aOR = 2.06, 95% CI = 1.25 to 3.41, p = 0.005). Conclusion Among adults undergoing spine surgery at our institution, vitamin D deficiency was associated with cervical disk herniation. Considering the current epidemics of vitamin D insufficiency and neck pain, further investigation is warranted, as these data were retrospectively collected and subject to sampling bias.
Intensive terahertz emission from GaSe0.91S0.09 under collinear difference frequency generation
Authors: Huang Jingguo , Huang Zhiming , Tong Jingchao , Ouyang Cheng , Chu Junhao , Andreev Yury , Kokh Konstantin , Lanskii Grigory , Shaiduko Anna 
Published: August 2013

An intensive, broad tunable monochromatic Terahertz (THz) emission is generated from S-doped (2 wt. %) GaSe (solid solution GaSe0.91S0.09) crystals by collinear difference frequency generation method. The generated THz signal of 3.8 ns covers the spectral range of 0.57–3.57 THz (84.0–528.0 μm), with a maximal THz output peak power of 21.8 W at 1.62 THz. The THz power conversion efficiency is of 45% higher than that of undoped GaSe, which is mainly contributed to the improved optical properties. The terahertz source is of great potential to be exploited for the out-of-door applications due to the increased crystal hardness.
Obtaining Blood Cultures by Venipuncture versus from Central Lines Impact on Blood Culture Contamination Rates and Potential Effect on Central Line–Associated Bloodstream Infection Reporting
Authors: Boyce John M. , Nadeau Jacqueline , Dumigan Diane , Miller Debra , Dubowsky Cindy , Reilly Lenore , Hannon Carla V. 
Published: August 2013

Objective.Reduce the frequency of contaminated blood cultures that meet National Healthcare Safety Network definitions for a central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI).Design.An observational study.Setting.A 500-bed university-affiliated hospital.Methods.A new blood culture policy discouraged drawing blood samples from central lines. Phlebotomists were reeducated regarding aseptic technique when obtaining blood samples by venipuncture. The intravenous therapy team was taught how to draw blood samples by venipuncture and served as a backup when phlebotomists were unable to obtain blood samples. A 2-nurse protocol and a special supply kit for obtaining blood samples from catheters were developed. Rates of blood culture contamination were monitored by the microbiology laboratory.Results.The proportion of blood samples obtained for culture from central lines decreased from 10.9% during January–June 2010 to 0.4% during July–December 2012 (P< .001). The proportion of blood cultures that were contaminated decreased from 84 (1.6%) of 5,274 during January–June 2010 to 21 (0.5%) of 4,245 during January–June 2012 (P< .001). Based on estimated excess hospital costs of $3,000 per contaminated blood culture, the reduction in blood culture contaminants yielded an estimated annualized savings of $378,000 in 2012 when compared to 2010. In mid-2010, 3 (30%) of 10 reported CLABSIs were suspected to represent blood culture contamination compared with none of 6 CLABSIs reported from mid-November 2010 through June 2012 (P= 0.25).Conclusions.Multiple interventions resulted in a reduction in blood culture contamination rates and substantial cost savings to the hospital, and they may have reduced the number of reportable CLABSIs.
Meta-analysis of the effects of indoor nitrogen dioxide and gas cooking on asthma and wheeze in children
Authors: Lin Weiwei , Brunekreef Bert , Gehring Ulrike 
Published: August 2013

Abstract
Background Since the meta-analysis on the association between indoor nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and childhood respiratory illness in 1992, many new studies have been published. The quantitative effects of indoor NO2 on respiratory illness have not been estimated in a formal meta-analysis since then. We aimed to quantify the association of indoor NO2 and its main source (gas cooking) with childhood asthma and wheeze.
Methods We extracted the association between indoor NO2 (and gas cooking) and childhood asthma and wheeze from population studies published up to 31 March 2013. Data were analysed by inverse-variance-weighted, random-effects meta-analysis. Sensitivity analyses were conducted for different strata. Publication bias and heterogeneity between studies were investigated.
Results A total of 41 studies met the inclusion criteria. The summary odds ratio from random effects meta-analysis for asthma and gas cooking exposure was 1.32 [95% confidential interval (CI) 1.18–1.48], and for a 15-ppb increase in NO2 it was 1.09 (95% CI 0.91–1.31). Indoor NO2 was associated with current wheeze (random effects OR 1.15; 95% CI 1.06–1.25). The estimates did not vary much with age or between regions. There was no evidence of publication bias.
Conclusions This meta-analysis provides quantitative evidence that, in children, gas cooking increases the risk of asthma and indoor NO2 increases the risk of current wheeze.