bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Ensuring the Quality of HIV Rapid Testing in Resource-Poor Countries Using a Systematic Approach to Training
Authors: Yao Katy , Wafula Winnie , Bile Ebi Celestin , Cheignsong Rachanee , Howard Stacy , Demby Austin , Nkengasong John 
Published: September 2010

Abstract
HIV rapid testing is a key tool in the fight against the HIV/AIDS epidemic; it enables the rapid expansion of prevention and treatment programs in resource-limited countries. Meeting the goals of these programs means that millions of people will need testing annually. Accuracy and reliability of these tests are critical to the success of these programs. Given the enormous number of rapid tests that are performed each year, even a low error rate of 0.5% applied to 100 million people will result in 500,000 erroneous results. Ensuring the quality of HIV rapid testing presents unique challenges in that testing is often performed in various settings by personnel without formal laboratory training. This article describes the development and implementation of a generic HIV rapid test training package using a systems approach in an effort to standardize training and ensure the quality of rapid tests. It also highlights achievements from Uganda, Haiti, and Botswana.
A Quality Management Systems Approach for CD4 Testing in Resource-Poor Settings
Authors: Westerman Larry E. , Kohatsu Luciana , Ortiz Astrid , McClain Bernice , Kaplan Jonathan , Spira Thomas , Marston Barbara , Jani Ilesh V. , Nkengasong John , Parsons Linda M. 
Published: September 2010

Abstract
Quality assurance (QA) is a systematic process to monitor and improve clinical laboratory practices. The fundamental components of a laboratory QA program include providing a functional and safe laboratory environment, trained and competent personnel, maintained equipment, adequate supplies and reagents, testing of appropriate specimens, internal monitoring of quality, accurate reporting, and external quality assessments. These components are necessary to provide accurate and precise CD4 T-cell counts, an essential test to evaluate start of and monitor effectiveness of antiretroviral therapy for HIV-infected patients. In recent years, CD4 testing has expanded dramatically in resource-limited settings. Information on a CD4 QA program as described in this article will provide guidelines not only for clinical laboratory staff but also for managers of programs responsible for supporting CD4 testing. All agencies involved in implementing CD4 testing must understand the needs of the laboratory and provide advocacy, guidance, and financial support to established CD4 testing sites and programs. This article describes and explains the procedures that must be put in place to provide reliable CD4 determinations in a variety of settings.
Is the Association of “Cup-like” Nuclei With Mutation of the NPM1 Gene in Acute Myeloid Leukemia Clinically Useful?
Authors: Bennett John M. , Pryor Jennifer , Laughlin Todd S. , Rothberg Paul G. , Burack W. Richard 
Published: September 2010

Abstract
Cup-like nuclear invaginations (NIs) in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) blasts have been associated with NPM1 mutations. Precision for enumeration of NI blasts has not been previously studied. Furthermore, the sensitivity and specificity for the morphologic prediction of NPM1 mutations have been variously reported. By using 66 AML specimens (17 with NPM1 mutations and 49 without), we found that interobserver reproducibility for enumeration of NI blasts was high (r = 0.98) and that identification of this feature was teachable (r = 0.96). No NPM1 mutation–negative case had greater than 7% NI blasts. The fraction of NI blasts was highly variable among 17 NPM1 mutation–positive cases, ranging from 0% to greater than 40%. These data indicate that an NI blast fraction of more than 10% is highly specific for NPM1 mutation–positive cases but with a sensitivity of about 30%. Therefore, although NI blasts can be reliably identified in routine smears and although they are a specific marker of NPM1 mutation–positive cases, the majority of NPM1 mutation–positive cases lack this distinctive finding.
A validated and rapid high-performance liquid chromatography method for the quantification of conversion of radio-labelled sex steroids
Authors: Sivik Tove , Vikingsson Svante , Gréen Henrik , Jansson Agneta 
Published: September 2010

Abstract
The 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase enzymes modify the availability of potent sex steroids and have thus attracted interest in the study of several steroid-dependent pathologies including breast, endometrial and prostate cancers. An increased awareness of the importance of steroidogenic enzymes has brought forth a demand for efficient assays to study the effects of individual enzymes on steroid levels. Methods used for assessing steroid conversion are often laborious and frequently involve hazardous sample preparation steps. We developed and validated an optimised simple method for sample preparation of sex steroids using protein precipitation by the addition of zinc sulphate/sodium hydroxide. The interconversion of radio-labelled oestrogens and androgens was quantified using high-performance liquid chromatography separation of oestrone, oestradiol, androstenedione and testosterone followed by online radiometric flow scintillation analysis. The method, which can be applied for assessing, e.g., the efficacy of inhibitors of steroidogenic enzymes, was successfully used for evaluating oestrogenic interconversion in breast cancer cell lines MCF7 and T-47D.
Impact of Irradiation Damage Recovery During Transportation on the Subsequent Room Temperature Tensile Behavior of Irradiated Zirconium Alloys
Authors: Bourdiliau B. , Onimus F. , Cappelaere C. , Pivetaud V. , Bouffioux P. , Chabretou V. , Miquet A. 
Published: September 2010

Abstract
Zirconium alloys are commonly used in pressurized water reactor as fuel rod cladding tubes. After irradiation and cooling in pool, the spent nuclear fuel assemblies are either transported for wet storage to a devoted site or loaded in suitable casks for dry storage on a nuclear power plant site. During dry transportation or at the beginning of dry storage, at temperatures around 400°C, the cladding experiences a creep deformation under the hoop stress induced by the internal pressure of the fuel rod. During creep, a recovery of the radiation damage can occur that can affect the subsequent mechanical properties. The mechanical behavior of the cladding has been investigated in laboratory on two neutron irradiated cladding materials: fully recrystallized Zr-1 % Nb and stress-relieved Zircaloy-4. Creep tests under internal pressure were conducted at 400 and 420°C. After depressurization and cooling, ring tensile tests were carried out at room temperature. In addition, transmission electron microscopy observations have been performed after testing. The post-creep mechanical response exhibited a decrease of the strength compared to the as-irradiated material. This decrease is associated with a significant recovery of the ductility, which becomes close to the ductility of the unirradiated material. The transmission electron microscopy examinations, conducted on recrystallized Zr-1 % Nb ring samples, revealed that the radiation defects have been annealed. It was also observed that as for the unirradiated material, the deformation occurred homogeneously throughout the grains. No dislocation channeling was observed contrary to the as-irradiated material. These observations explain the recovery of the strength and of the ductility after post-irradiation creep that may also occur during dry transportation or at the beginning of dry storage.
A New, Ultrafast Technique for Mapping Dislocation Density in Large-area, Single-crystal and Multicrystalline Si Wafers
Authors: Sopori Bhushan , Rupnowski Przemyslaw , Budhraja Vinay , Albert Matthew , Khattak Chandra , Seacrist Mike 
Published: September 2010

AbstractWe describe a new technique for rapidly measuring average dislocation density and for mapping dislocation distribution of crystalline and multicrystalline silicon wafers. The wafer is etched in Sopori etch and the light scattered by dislocation etch pits is used to statistically count the pits. We also describe a unique arrangement for wafer illumination and measurement of scattered light that allows each dislocation map to be generated very rapidly—typically in less than 20 ms. The measurement system is now commercially available and has capabilities for measuring many other physical parameters of wafers and solar cells
SOLID-STATE SYNTHESIS AND SOME PROPERTIES OF MAGNESIUM-DOPED COPPER ALUMINUM OXIDES
Authors: Liu Chang , Ren Fei , Wang Hsin , Case Eldon D. , Morelli Donald T 
Published: September 2010

AbstractCopper aluminum oxide (CuAlO2) with delafossite structure is a promising candidate for high temperature thermoelectric applications because of its modest band gap, high stability and low cost. We investigate magnesium doping on the aluminum site as a means of producing higher electrical conductivity and optimized Seebeck coefficient. Powder samples were synthesized using solid-state reaction and bulk samples were prepared using both cold-pressing and hot-pressing techniques. Composition analysis, microstructural examination and transport property measurements were performed, and the results suggest that while hot-pressing can achieve high density samples, secondary phases tend to form and lower the performance of the materials.
Advanced Computational Design of Intermediate-Band Photovoltaic Material V-substituted MgIn2S4
Authors: Aguilera Irene , Palacios Pablo , Sànchez Kefren , Wahnòn Perla 
Published: September 2010

AbstractAn intermediate-band material based on thiospinel semiconductor MgIn2S4is presented. This material is proposed as high efficiency photovoltaic material for intermediate-band solar cells. We analyze V substitution for In in the parent compound MgIn2S4and the formation of the V d-states intermediate band. For the proper characterization of the width and position of this band inside the band gap, the standardone-shotGW method within the plasmon-pole approximation is applied. The electronic properties thus obtained are discussed and compared to those studied with Density Functional Theory (DFT), and the advantages and the limitations of the two methods are discussed. In addition, DFT electronic-charge density analysis is shown.
Controlled Fabrication of Nanostructure Material Based Chemical Sensors
Authors: Evans Laura J , Hunter Gary W. , Xu Jennifer C. , Berger Gordon M. , Vander Wal Randall L. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractThe use of nanotechnology based materials for chemical sensing has been of great interest since nanocrystalline materials have been shown to offer improved sensor sensitivity, stability, and response time. Several groups are successfully integrating nanostructures such as nanowires into operational sensors. The typical procedure may include random placement (e.g., dispersion, with fine-line patterning techniques used to create functional sensors) or time consuming precise fabrication (e.g., mechanical placement using an atomic force microscope or laser tweezer techniques). Dielectrophoresis has also been utilized, however it can be challenging to achieve good electrical contact of the nanostructures to the underlying electrodes. In this paper we report on a sensor platform that incorporates nanorods in a controlled, efficient, and effective manner. Semiconducting SnO2 nanorods are used as the sensing element for detection of hydrogen (H2) and propylene (C3H6) up to 600oC. Using a novel approach of combining dielectrophoresis with standard microfabrication processing techniques, we have achieved reproducible, time-efficient fabrication of gas sensors with reliable contacts to the SnO2 nanorods used for the detection of gases. The sensor layout is designed to assist in the alignment of the nanorods by selectively enhancing the electric field strength and allowing for the quick production of sensor arrays. The SnO2 nanorods are produced using a thermal evaporation-condensation approach. After growth, nanorods are separated from the resulting material using gravimetric separation. The rods vary in length from 3μm to greater than 10μm, with diameters ranging from 50 to 300nm. Dielectrophoresis is used to align multiple nanorods between electrodes. A second layer of metal is incorporated using standard microfabrication methods immediately after alignment to bury the ends of the rods making contact with the underlying electrodes within another layer of metal. Electrical contact was verified during testing by the response to H2 and C3H6 gases at a range of temperatures. Testing was performed on a stage with temperature control and probes were used for electrical contact. Gas flows into the testing chamber at a flow rate of 4000sccm. Sensor response of normalized current shift, |Igas-Iair|/Iair, was measured at a constant voltage bias. Sensors showed response to both H2 and C3H6. Detection of H2 was achieved at 100oC and response levels improved approximately 12000-fold at 600oC. Detection of C3H6 started at 100oC and improved approximately 10000-fold at 600oC. Detection of at least 200ppm for both gases was achieved at 600oC. Using this novel microfabrication approach, semiconducting SnO2 nanorods integrated into a microsensor platform have been demonstrated and sensing response showed dramatic increases at higher temperatures.
The Path Towards Woven Thin-film Transistors
Authors: Cherenack Kunigunde , Tröster Gerhard 
Published: September 2010

AbstractElectronic textiles (or e-textiles) have a wide range of potential applications in wearable computing and large-area applications, including medical monitoring, assistance to the disabled, and distributed sensor networks. We aim to integrate thin-film electronics directly into clothing during the weaving process. First, thin-film devices are fabricated on plastic substrates. Individual devices are separated by cutting the substrate into stripes which can then be woven into a textile. Devices on stripes need to survive high applied bending strains during weaving. As a first building block, we used atomic layer deposition (ALD) at a maximum temperature of 150oC to fabricate bottom-gate zinc-oxide thin-film transistors (TFTs) with a 25nm-thick Al2O3 gate dielectric, and a 15nm-thick ZnO semiconducting layer on 50μm-thick Kapton E substrates. These TFTs had average mobilities of 12cm2/Vs, threshold voltages around 1V and subthreshold slopes around 250mV/decade. However, after applying a tensile bending diameter of 1cm to the TFTs, ~80% of TFTs fail due to cracking of the brittle device layers. We studied causes of failure and investigated patterning holes in the brittle layers to prevent crack propagation though the channel. This reduced TFT failure to ~45% under the same applied bending conditions. In this paper, we will discuss failure mechanisms in our standard TFT structure when high tensile bending strains are applied and how the device structure was adjusted to decrease TFT failure.
Synthesis and Characterization Ag/CeO2 Nanocomposites
Authors: Glisenti Antonella , Frasson Andrea , Galenda Alessandro , Ferroni Matteo , Concina Isabella , Natile Marta Maria 
Published: September 2010

AbstractTwo Ag/CeO2 nanocomposite samples were prepared by deposition-precipitation (Ag/Ce nominal atomic ratio = 0.03 and 0.12). XPS data suggest the possible presence of traces of Ce(III). Beside Ag (0), oxidized silver species are also revealed in the Ag/CeO2 sample with lower metal content. The deposition of metal increases surface hydroxylation and carbonatation. Methanol interacts molecularly and dissociatively with the samples; oxidation products are observed from low temperature and depend on Ag content. Both the samples reveal a high activity in methanol complete oxidation; traces of partial oxidation products are observed in the sample with lower Ag content.
Investigation of Local Dynamics on the Sub-micron Scale in Organic Blends Using an Ultrafast Confocal Microscope
Authors: Grancini Giulia , Polli Dario , Clark Jenny , Virgili Tersilla , Cerullo Giulio , Lanzani Guglielmo 
Published: September 2010

AbstractWe introduce a novel instrument combining femtosecond pump-probe spectroscopy and confocal microscopy for spatio-temporal imaging of excited-state dynamics of phase-separated polymer blends. Phenomena occurring at interfaces between different materials are crucial for optimizing the device performances, but are poorly understood due to the variety of possible electronic states and processes involved and to their complicated dynamics. Our instrument (with 200-fs temporal resolution and 300-nm spatial resolution) provides new insights into the properties of polymer blends, revealing spatially variable photo-relaxation paths and dynamics and highlighting a peculiar behaviour at the interface between the phase-separated domains.
Capillary And Magnetic Forces For Microscale Self-Assembled Systems
Authors: Morris Christopher J. , Laflin Kate E. , Isaacson Brian , Grapes Michael , Gracias David 
Published: September 2010

AbstractSelf-assembly is a promising technique to overcome fundamental limitations with integrating, packaging, and generally handling individual electronic-related components with characteristic lengths significantly smaller than 1 mm. Here we briefly summarize the use of capillary and magnetic forces to realize two example microscale systems. In the first example, we use capillary forces from a low melting point solder alloy to integrate 500 μm square, 100 μm thick silicon chips with thermally and chemically sensitive metal-polymer hinge actuators, for potential medical applications. The second example demonstrates a path towards self-assembling 3-D silicon circuits formed out of 280 μm sized building blocks, utilizing both capillary forces from a low melting point solder alloy and magnetic forces from integrated, permanent magnets. In the latter example, the utilization of magnetic forces combined with capillary forces improved the assembly yield to 7.8% over 0.1% achieved previously with capillary forces alone.
La protection défaillante de la santé des travailleurs autonomes et des sous-traitants en droit québécois de la santé au travail
Authors: Lippel Katherine 
Published: September 2010

Cet article examine d’un point de vue juridique, et à partir de l’analyse de cas, la protection sociale offerte, en droit québécois, aux travailleurs autonomes et aux sous-traitants autonomes ou salariés, en matière de santé au travail. L’analyse permet de constater que les véritables travailleurs autonomes sont soustraits à toute protection offerte par la Loi sur la santé et la sécurité du travail
et sont en grande partie exclus des mécanismes de protection du revenu en cas de maladie incapacitante. Les faux autonomes et les salariés de sous-traitants bénéficient, en principe, des lois régissant la prévention et l’indemnisation, mais l’analyse de cas permet de constater que l’application de ces lois est problématique dans leur cas et que les mécanismes visant la protection de la santé sont difficilement applicables dans certains cas de sous-traitance. L’article conclut en présentant certaines recommandations visant à mieux garantir, en conformité avec la
Charte des droits et libertés de la personne,
la protection de la santé de toutes les personnes qui travaillent au Québec. Ces recommandations comprennent l’instauration d’une stratégie collective de mutualisation des risques qui permettrait une protection des travailleurs autonomes contre les pertes de revenus en cas de maladie, la reconnaissance du droit à l’indemnisation pour tout salarié, y compris les travailleurs «domestiques» et les salariés sans permis de travail, et l’instauration d’une responsabilité solidaire des donneurs d’ouvrage et des sous-traitants quant à la protection des droits des salariés en matière de prévention et d’indemnisation.
La construction sociale des inégalités de santé – L’exemple des cancers professionnels
Authors: Thébaud-Mony Annie 
Published: September 2010

Morbidity and mortality indicators in France attest to a strong expansion in the cancer epidemic which compels an examination of both the search for the causes and the production of inequalities in cancer. The risk of dying from cancer before age 65 is four times higher for a blue-collar worker than for a white-collar worker. However, occupational cancers recognized in 2002 by the Caisse nationale d’assurance maladie des travailleurs salariés
(national employee health insurance fund) represent less than 1 percent of the annual number of new cancer cases. This article examines the production of knowledge related to inequalities in cancer, the importance attached to occupational risks, and presents a multidisciplinary approach of action-research in public health to identify the inequalities in the recognition of cancers as an occupational disease. Based on knowledge established on the causes of cancer and the social inequalities in cancer, Part One will examine the knowledge produced to date and its limitations. Part Two will present the research question, the methodological tools and the initial results of the action-research process related to the surveillance of occupational cancers implemented since 2002 in Seine-Saint-Denis, by highlighting the contribution of each discipline to data production. In line with the international literature on the relations between social precarization, work and health, these results highlight the precarization of rights to compensation in cases of occupational cancer and raise questions about the backlash of inequality based on the visibility and the very knowledge of workrelated cancers.
Le programme québécois « Naître égaux – Grandir en santé » Étude des effets sur la santé des mères et des nouveau-nés
Authors: Brodeur Jean-Marc 
Published: September 2010

Le programme Naître égaux - Grandir en santé
est un programme qui s’adresse à des femmes enceintes ayant moins de onze années de scolarité et dont le revenu familial est en deçà du seuil de pauvreté. De janvier 1994 à novembre 1998, 1 340 femmes enceintes défavorisées ont été réparties au hasard entre, d’une part, un groupe expérimental recevant, à partir de la 20e semaine de grossesse, des suppléments alimentaires (oeufs, lait, jus d’orange) et un suivi personnalisé et, d’autre part, un groupe contrôle recevant des suppléments alimentaires seulement. Dans l’ensemble, les résultats ne permettent pas de constater de différence significative entre le groupe expérimental et le groupe contrôle tant en ce qui a trait à l’insuffisance de poids à la naissance, au retard de croissance intrautérine ou à la prématurité. Par contre, le programme a eu un effet positif et significatif sur le niveau moyen des symptômes dépressifs postnatals des nouvelles mères. On a aussi noté une forte tendance à faire moins d’anémie postnatale chez les femmes qui ont bénéficié du programme ainsi qu’une fréquence plus élevée d’allaitement maternel après l’accouchement parmi les mères d’origine canadienne. Finalement, sur le plan du soutien social, les femmes du groupe expérimental ont reçu plus d’aide matérielle et elles ont eu plus de possibilités de se confier. Les résultats de ce programme interpellent directement le réseau de la santé et des services sociaux pour qu’il fasse de la réduction des inégalités un véritable enjeu de santé publique. Il faut, hors de tout doute, agir d’abord en amont, avant que les femmes défavorisées ne deviennent enceintes.