bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Low Back Pain and Associated Presenteeism among Hospital Nursing Staff
Authors: d’Errico Angelo , Viotti Sara , Baratti Alberto , Mottura Bianca , Barocelli Anna Pia , Tagna Marina , Sgambelluri Barbara , Battaglino Paolo , Converso Daniela 
Published: June 2013

Low Back Pain and Associated Presenteeism among Hospital Nursing Staff: Angelo d’ERRICO, et al. Department of Epidemiology, Local Health Unit TO3, Italy—ObjectivesIn spite of the high prevalence of low back pain (LBP) and presenteeism previously observed among nurses, no study has assessed the risk of presenteeism specifically due to LBP in nursing staff. Therefore, aim of the present study was to assess prevalence and risk factors of presenteeism due to LBP among hospital nursing personnel.Methods174 female nurses underwent a clinical interview and filled in a questionnaire on sociodemographics, LBP symptoms and associated sickness absence, mental symptoms, burnout and on exposure to workplace organizational, psychosocial and ergonomic factors; 111 subjects affected by LBP were included in the analysis. The effect of sociodemographic and workplace characteristics on presenteeism was examined through multivariate Poisson robust regression models.ResultsPrevalence of presenteeism due to LBP was 58%, with wide differences between registered nurses and nursing aides (p=0.001). Only a few workplace factors were significantly associated with presenteeism, including frequent stooping, which decreased the risk of presenteeism, and good working climate and procedural justice, which increased it.ConclusionsPresenteeism due to LBP was very high among registered nurses and was influenced only by workplace, but not by sociodemographic characteristics. Presenteeism due to LBP among registered nurses should be closely monitored, and effort should be made to reduce it to prevent future work disability associated with LBP.
Occupational Exposure and Thoracic Malignancies, Is There a Relationship ?
Authors: Baser Sevin , Duzce Ozlem , Evyapan Fatma , Akdag Beyza , Ozkurt Sibel , Kiter Goksel 
Published: June 2013

Occupational Exposure and Thoracic Malignancies, Is There a Relationship ?: Sevin BASER, et al. Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Pamukkale University Medical Faculty, Turkey—The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of occupational exposure in the occurrence of lung cancer.MethodThree‐hundred lung cancer cases diagnosed between September 1, 1999, and September 31, 2007, and 300 healthy controls were enrolled in this casecontrol study. Life‐long occupational history, gender, age, exposure to asbestos, comorbidities, and smoking status were collected.ResultsThe mean age of the 300 lung cancer cases was 60.3 ± 9.9 year (91.7% male and 8.3% female), and the mean age of healthy control group was 60.4 ± 10.5 year (95.0% male and 5.0% female). The most frequent histological types were squamous (172, 57.3%), adeno (69, 23.1%), and small cell (37, 12.3%). There was an increased risk of lung cancer occurrence among agriculture workers (OR=1.89, 95% Cl=1.17−2.98) (p=0.009). Inorganic dust exposure (OR=1.81, 95% Cl=1.0−3.25) (p=0.049) and organic dust exposure (OR=1.89, 95% Cl=1.0−3.59) (p=0.05) were found to be related with high frequency of having lung cancer.ConclusionWorkers who had occupational exposure to organic and inorganic dust, especially in the agricultural field, had higher risk of lung cancer occurrence when compared with office workers.
Characterization of Hybrid Dual Emitting Layers in Blue Organic Light-Emitting Diodes by Controlling the Fluorescent Doping Concentration
Authors: Lee Bo Mi , Kim Nam Ho , Yoon Ju-An , Kim Woo Young , Mascher Peter 
Published: June 2013

ABSTRACTIn this study, we demonstrate blue organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) with a dual emitting layer (EML) configuration consisting of fluorescent and phosphorescent emitting materials. We investigated the influence of dopants on the electrical and optical characteristics of devices when controlling the fluorescent dopant concentration. The current density and luminance of device B doped with 12wt% BCzVBi was 141.6 mA/cm2 and 6582 cd/m2 at 10V, respectively. In addition, a maximum luminous efficiency of 8.11 cd/A, was achieved from device B. The corresponding Commission Internationale de l’E´ clairage (CIExy) coordinates of device D doped with 5wt% BCzVBi were (0.143, 0.255) at 6V.
Amorphous silicon based betavoltaic devices
Authors: Wyrsch N. , Riesen Y. , Franco A. , Dunand S. , Kind H. , Schneider S. , Ballif C. 
Published: June 2013

ABSTRACTHydrogenated amorphous silicon betavoltaic devices are studied both by simulation and experimentally. Devices exhibiting a power density of 0.1 μW/cm2 upon Tritium exposure were fabricated. However, a significant degradation of the performance is taking place, especially during the first hours of the exposure. The degradation behavior differs from sample to sample as well as from published results in the literature. Comparisons with degradation from beta particles suggest an effect of tritium rather than a creation of defects by beta particles.
Defect Densities and Carrier Lifetimes in Oxygen doped Nanocrystalline Si
Authors: Kajjam Shantan , Konduri Siva , Noack Max , Shamshimov G. , Ussembayev N. , Dalal Vikram 
Published: June 2013

ABSTRACTWe report on the measurement of defect densities and minority carrier lifetimes in nanocrystalline Si samples contaminated with controlled amounts of oxygen. Two different measurement techniques, a capacitance-frequency (CF) and high temperature capacitance-voltage techniques were used. CF measurement is found to yield noisy defect profiles that could lead to inconclusive results. In this paper, we show an innovative technique to remove the noise and obtain clean data using wavelet transforms. This helps us discover that oxygen is creating both shallow and deep/midgap defect states in lieu with crystalline silicon. Minority carrier lifetime measured using reverse recovery techniques shows excellent inverse correlation between deep defects and minority carrier lifetimes through which hole capture cross section can be evaluated.
Does Women’s Contribution to Co-Constructed Handheld Maternity Records Support Patient-Centered Care?
Authors: Humphrey Tracy , Tucker Janet S. , de Labrusse Claire 
Published: June 2013

BACKGROUND: The Scottish Women’s Handheld Maternity Record (SWHMR) contains an innovative element of co-construction by inviting women to write in their notes. It aims to support communication and patient-centered care (PCC). The study aims were (a) to describe women’s contribution to the SWHMR, (b) compare the characteristics of women who do/do not contribute, and (c) assess the influence of women’s contributions on their care.METHODS: An exploratory study using mixed methods approach extracted data from a series of 300 casenotes. Women’s contributions were analyzed by sociodemographic and clinical characteristics using descriptive statistics. Content analysis was used to identify themes within women’s written text.RESULTS: Women were more likely to contribute to sections about personal details, health-life style than birth preferences/management. Primiparous, women residing in urban areas or receiving midwife-led care were more likely to contribute. Only half of the women who expressed their preferences for birth were judged to have been met. Most of women’s contributions mapped to PCC’s domains and other emerging themes were identified.CONCLUSIONS: Women’s contribution to the SWHMR varied widely and substantial groups of women may be disadvantaged. Co-constructed handheld records need further evaluation to ensure that they do support communication and PCC.
Continuous Support During Childbirth by Maternity Care Assistants: An Exploration of Opinions in the Netherlands
Authors: Baas Carien , Wiegers Therese , de Cock Paul , Koelewijn Joke , Hutton Eileen 
Published: June 2013

BACKGROUND:The Netherlands maintain a high rate of home births relative to other well-resourced countries. Maternity care assistants (MCAs) play an important role, as part of the maternity care team, assisting the midwife during birth and providing postpartum care to women and babies in their homes. A Cochrane review recently described the advantages of continuous support during childbirth. We were interested in the opinions of MCAs about them having an expanded role to include continuous emotional support during childbirth as well as medical tasks such as checking the condition of the fetus and maternal labor progress through internal examination.METHODS:To explore the opinions of MCAs, four semistructured group discussions took place and 190 questionnaires were sent out to MCAs nationally.RESULTS:In both the group discussions and questionnaires, MCAs displayed positive attitudes toward providing continuous support during childbirth. In general, MCAs were not keen on adding medical tasks. The importance of a clear distribution of responsibilities between midwives and MCAs was reported. Most (60.0%) thought midwives would appreciate MCAs providing continuous support. Furthermore, 40.5% disagreed with dividing the profession into childbirth care and postpartum care teams. Two-thirds mentioned the need for extra training in childbirth assistance.CONCLUSION:In general, MCAs were positive about providing continuous support during childbirth. Most MCAs think that it is unwise to give MCAs additional medical responsibilities. The opinions differ concerning issues of practical organization. MCAs generally thought extra schooling was important to be and feel competent to assist childbirth.
BAFF- and APRIL-Dependent Maintenance of Antibody Titers after Immunization with T-Dependent Antigen and CD1d-Binding Ligand
Authors: Shah Hemangi B. , Joshi Sunil K. , Rampuria Pragya , Devera T. Scott , Lang Gillian A. , Stohl William , Lang Mark L. 
Published: June 2013

AbstractCD1d-restricted invariant NKT (iNKT) cells boost humoral immunity to T-dependent Ags that are coadministered with the CD1d-binding glycolipid Ag α-galactosylceramide (α-GC). Observations that mice lacking iNKT cells have decaying Ab responses following vaccination have led to the hypothesis that iNKT cells express plasma cell (PC) survival factors that sustain specific Ab titers. Bone marrow chimeric mice in which the entire hematopoietic compartment or iNKT cells selectively lacked BAFF, a proliferation-inducing ligand (APRIL), or both BAFF and APRIL were created and immunized with nitrophenol hapten-conjugated keyhole limpet hemocyanin adsorbed to Imject aluminum hydroxide–containing adjuvant or mixed with α-GC. In comparison with BAFF- or APRIL-sufficient bone marrow chimeras, absence of hematopoietic compartment- and iNKT-derived BAFF and APRIL was associated with rapidly decaying Ab titers and reduced PC numbers. The iNKT cell–derived BAFF or APRIL assumed a greater role in PC survival when α-GC was used as the adjuvant for immunization. These results show that iNKT cell–derived BAFF and APRIL each contribute to survival of PCs induced by immunization. This study sheds new light on the mechanisms through which iNKT cells impact humoral immunity and may inform design of vaccines that incorporate glycolipid adjuvants.
Behavioral and physiological responses to subgroup size and number of people in howler monkeys inhabiting a forest fragment used for nature‐based tourism
Authors: Aguilar‐Melo Adriana R. , Andresen Ellen , Cristóbal‐Azkarate Jurgi , Arroyo‐Rodríguez Victor , Chavira Roberto , Schondube Jorge , Serio‐Silva Juan Carlos , Cuarón Alfredo D. 
Published: June 2013

AbstractAnimals' responses to potentially threatening factors can provide important information for their conservation. Group size and human presence are potentially threatening factors to primates inhabiting small reserves used for recreation. We tested these hypotheses by evaluating behavioral and physiological responses in two groups of mantled howler monkeys (Alouatta palliata mexicana) at the “Centro Ecológico y Recreativo El Zapotal”, a recreational forest reserve and zoo located in the Mexican state of Chiapas. Both groups presented fission‐fusion dynamics, splitting into foraging subgroups which varied in size among, but not within days. Neither subgroup size nor number of people had an effect on fecal cortisol. Out of 16 behavioral response variables tested, the studied factors had effects on six: four were affected by subgroup size and two were affected by number of people. With increasing subgroup size, monkeys increased daily path lengths, rested less, increased foraging effort, and used more plant individuals for feeding. As the number of people increased, monkeys spent more time in lower‐quality habitat, and less time engaged in social interactions. Although fecal cortisol levels were not affected by the factors studied, one of the monkey groups had almost twice the level of cortisol compared to the other group. The group with higher cortisol levels also spent significantly more time in the lower‐quality habitat, compared to the other group. Our results suggest that particular behavioral adjustments might allow howler monkeys at El Zapotal to avoid physiological stress due to subgroup size and number of people. However, the fact that one of the monkey groups is showing increased cortisol levels may be interpreted as a warning sign, indicating that an adjustment threshold is being reached, at least for part of the howler monkey population in this forest fragment. Am. J. Primatol. 75:1108–1116, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Bacteria in the nose of young adults during wellness and rhinovirus colds: detection by culture and microarray methods in 100 nasal lavage specimens
Authors: Allen E. Kaitlynn , Pitkäranta Anne , Mäki Minna , Hendley J. Owen , Laakso Sanna , Salei Michèle M. , Winther Birgit 
Published: June 2013

BackgroundPatients with viral respiratory infections/viral rhinitis/common colds are often treated with antibiotic; however, there is little information on whether or how bacterial microbiota in the nose and nasopharynx might influence the course of viral illnesses.MethodsTo initiate investigation of possible interaction between viral respiratory illness and microbiota of the nose/nasopharynx, we used microarray technology to examine 100 nasal lavage fluid (NLF) samples for bacterial species and recorded the bacterial titer of culturable bacteria. Rhinovirus illnesses were induced by self‐inoculation using the “finger to nose or eye natural transmission route” in 10 otherwise healthy young adults. NLF samples were collected during wellness and at specific time points following experimental rhinovirus inoculation.ResultsThe rhinovirus infection rate was 70%. There were no consistent changes in the prevalence of different bacterial species determined by microarray and bacterial titer by culture methods during rhinovirus infection. The bacterial profile in NLF samples showed high variability between volunteers but low variability in multiple NLFs obtained before and following infection from the same volunteer. Streptococcus epidermidis/coagulase‐negative staphylococcus (CNS) were identified in all 10 subjects. One or more bacterial sinus/otitis pathogens were identified by microarray in 6 of the 10 volunteers. The microarray identified a few bacteria not included in traditional bacterial cultures.ConclusionOur pilot study showed that each of the 10 volunteers had a unique bacterial profile in the nose by microarray analysis and that bacterial load did not change during experimental rhinovirus colds. Larger scale studies are warranted.
Intranasal sodium hyaluronate on the nasal cytology of patients with allergic and nonallergic rhinitis
Authors: Gelardi Matteo , Iannuzzi Lucia , Quaranta Nicola 
Published: June 2013

BackgroundRhinitis is an extremely common medical problem characterized by nasal congestion, clear rhinorrhea, sneezing, and itching. Hyaluronate is an endogenous compound that has an important role in mucociliary clearance by the epithelial surface of the nasal passages and in mucosal surface healing and repair. The objective of this work was to determine the effects of intranasal administration of sodium hyaluronate on nasal cytology in patients with allergic and nonallergic rhinitis.MethodsIn a single‐center, randomized, blinded trial, 78 patients received intranasal mometasone and oral desloratadine plus either intranasal sodium hyaluronate or saline for 1 month. Nasal cytology was performed and the change from baseline in the numbers of neutrophils, eosinophils, mast cells, lymphocytes, and infective species was determined. Other outcomes included changes in symptoms and the endoscopic appearance of the nasal mucosa, and tolerability.ResultsPatients receiving sodium hyaluronate experienced a significant decrease in the median neutrophil count seen on nasal cytology compared with controls (p = 0.001). Sodium hyaluronate was associated with significant improvements in sneezing, rhinorrhea, and nasal congestion, and on exudate seen on endoscopy at 1 month compared with baseline. Intranasal sodium hyaluronate received better tolerability scores than saline over the 1‐month treatment period.ConclusionThe addition of sodium hyaluronate to intranasal corticosteroid and systemic antihistamine reduced the neutrophil count seen on nasal cytology in patients with allergic and nonallergic rhinitis and improved several clinical and endoscopic parameters while being well tolerated. These data provide encouraging evidence of the efficacy of sodium hyaluronate in the treatment of this common disease.
Synthesis and antimicrobial properties of a guanidine‐based oligomer grafted with a reactive cationic surfactant through Michael addition
Authors: Wang Bin , Liu Bailing , Peng Gang , Meng Xu , Jiang Zhengwu , Chen Hualin 
Published: June 2013

ABSTRACTA guanidine‐based oligomer grafted with a reactive cationic surfactant was designed and synthesized through Michael addition in an attempt to combine its antibacterial and emulsification properties. This was also an excellent and efficient strategy for preparing more kinds of guanidine derivatives. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, 1H‐NMR, and 13C‐NMR showed that the guanidine‐based oligomer grafted with reactive cationic surfactant was synthesized successfully. The antimicrobial activity and antimicrobial mechanism were investigated with several approaches. The antimicrobial activity results indicated that the introduction of a cationic surfactant into the guanidine‐based oligomer effectively raised the antimicrobial activity and showed a synergistic effect. The UV absorption at 260 nm was used to detect the dynamic antimicrobial process of the modified guanidine oligomer. Further, the results of scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy implied that the antimicrobial mechanism of the modified guanidine oligomer changed the permeability of the cell membrane of the bacteria and caused the leakage of intracellular components of the Escherichia coli cells. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 130: 3489–3497, 2013
Soluble polyarylates containing phosphorus in main chains with thermal stability
Authors: Tian Chenxu , Liu Pengqing , Ye Guangdou , Xu Jianjun 
Published: June 2013

ABSTRACTA series of polyarylates containing phosphorus (pho‐PARs) were synthesized from bisphenol A with different molar ratios of bis‐(4‐carboxyphenyl) phenyl phosphine oxide (BCPPO) to terephthalic acid (TPA). When the contents of BCPPO are in the range of 0.4–1.0, the pho‐PARs are readily soluble in a wide range of organic solvents and have the glass transition temperatures of 243.0–260.4°C. The initial degradation temperatures of these pho‐PARs are all above 450°C and their char yields at 800°C under nitrogen atmosphere are in the range of 28.7–33.0%, suggesting they have excellent thermal stability. The results of TG‐FTIR and FT‐IR show the introduction of BCPPO change the decomposition model of the pho‐PARs. The limiting oxygen indexes are at a range of 30.7–34.5%, which suggests that the pho‐PARs are a kind of excellent inherent flame retardant materials. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 130: 3521–3529, 2013
Predicting aortic complications after endovascular aneurysm repair
Authors: Karthikesalingam A , Holt P J , Vidal-Diez A , Choke E C , Patterson B O , Thompson L J , Ghatwary T , Bown M J , Sayers R D , Thompson M M 
Published: June 2013

Abstract

Background
Lifelong surveillance is standard after endovascular repair of abdominal aortic aneurysm (EVAR), but remains costly, heterogeneous and poorly calibrated. This study aimed to develop and validate a scoring system for aortic complications after EVAR, informing rationalized surveillance.

Methods
Patients undergoing EVAR at two centres were studied from 2004 to 2010. Preoperative morphology was quantified using three-dimensional computed tomography according to a validated protocol, by investigators blinded to outcomes. Proportional hazards modelling was used to identify factors predicting aortic complications at the first centre, and thereby derive a risk score. Sidak tests between risk quartiles dichotomized patients to low- or high-risk groups. Aortic complications were reported by Kaplan–Meier analysis and risk groups were compared by log rank test. External validation was by comparison of aortic complications between risk groups at the second centre.

Results
Some 761 patients, with a median age of 75 (interquartile range 70–80) years, underwent EVAR. Median follow-up was 36 (range 11–94) months. Physiological variables were not associated with aortic complications. A morphological risk score incorporating maximum aneurysm diameter (P &lt; 0·001) and largest common iliac diameter (measured 10 mm from the internal iliac origin; P = 0·004) allocated 75 per cent of patients to a low-risk group, with excellent discrimination between 5-year rates of aortic complication in low- and high-risk groups at both centres (centre 1: 12 versus 31 per cent, P &lt; 0·001; centre 2: 12 versus 45 per cent, P = 0·002).

Conclusion
The risk score uses commonly available morphological data to stratify the rate of complications after EVAR. The proposals for rationalized surveillance could provide clinical and economic benefits.
Understanding the Causal Pathways to Child Maltreatment: Implications for Health and Social Care Policy and Practice
Authors: Munro Eileen , Taylor Julie S. , Bradbury‐Jones Caroline 
Published: June 2013

This article examines current understandings regarding the causes of child maltreatment and its prediction and prevention. The answers to why some people hurt children, when others in similar circumstances do not, remain obstinately elusive. We look to philosophy to help understand the complexity of causal pathways of maltreatment. We draw on the seminal work of Mackie () on probabilistic causation and his notion of the ‘INUS condition’ (INUS is the acronym for insufficient but non‐redundant part of a condition that is itself unnecessary but sufficient for the result). This theory holds particular relevance for exploring complex social phenomena. Taking child abuse as an issue, we show how the concept of the INUS condition offers a new way of thinking about causal factors when they are neither necessary nor sufficient. It can be applied to clarify the complex nexus of potential risk factors that may – or may not – ‘cause’ adult perpetration of abuse. It also provides a framework for integrating the research on resilience factors with that on risk. Finally, we discuss the lessons for research, policy and practice that arise from this way of conceptualising the underlying causality of child maltreatment. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.‘The concept of the INUS condition offers a new way of thinking about causal factors’Key Practitioner Messages:There have been major efforts to create models of risk and prediction in child protection but it remains an imprecise science.Risk factors appear to be neither necessary nor sufficient conditions for maltreatment to occur.In this article, we adopt a philosophical position to help make sense of the complex causation of maltreatment.We show the implications of these new perspectives for health and social care policy and practice.