bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
How care‐work employment shapes earnings in cross‐national perspective
Authors: BUDIG Michelle J. , MISRA Joya 
Published: March 2011

Abstract.This article investigates the wage effects of employment in care work – conceptualized as work providing face‐to‐face client services that strengthen the health, skills or safety of recipients – in 12 countries representing a range of economic and policy contexts. While previous research has found an earnings penalty for care work, this article finds remarkable cross‐national variation in that effect. The authors find that worker characteristics and job characteristics shape the effect of care employment on earnings. They also consider how country‐level factors – earnings inequality, size of public sector, and trade union strength – impact upon cross‐national variation in the effect of care employment on earnings.
Care workers in Argentina: At the crossroads of labour market institutions and care services
Authors: ESQUIVEL Valeria 
Published: March 2011

Abstract.In Argentina, one third of all employed women, but only 3 per cent of all employed men, are care workers. Their relative pay and working conditions depend not only on applicable labour market regulations (and enforcement) but also, crucially, on the organization of care service provision, including the degree of public‐sector engagement in the provision of particular services, the different care providers, and the locus of care provision (institutional vs. other contexts, e.g. households). Comparing two childcare‐related occupations (early‐education teaching and domestic service), the author argues that those two – possibly mutually reinforcing – dimensions intersect to explain differences between care workers' labour market positions.
Persistent CMV infection correlates with disease activity and dominates the phenotype of peripheral CD8+ T cells in psoriasis
Authors: Weitz Mario , Kiessling Corinna , Friedrich Markus , Prösch Susanna , Höflich Conny , Kern Florian , Volk Hans‐Dieter , Sterry Wolfram , Asadullah Khusru , Döcke Wolf‐Dietrich 
Published: March 2011

Abstract:Background:  Previously, we have reported a frequent association of active plaque psoriasis with inflammation‐mediated cytomegalovirus (CMV) reactivation.Objectives:  This study aimed at characterizing the impact of CMV infection on psoriasis disease activity and peripheral cellular adaptive immune response.Patients/Methods:  Twenty nine patients with active plaque psoriasis and 29 healthy controls were analysed for CMV‐serostatus, CMV‐antigenaemia, frequencies of peripheral CMV‐specific T cells and the immunophenotype of peripheral CD8+ T cells.Results:  (i) Psoriasis severity was higher in CMV‐seropositive patients and positively correlated to the severity of CMV‐antigenaemia. (ii) In comparison to CMV‐seropositive healthy controls, CMV‐seropositive psoriasis patients showed a reduced frequency of circulating CMV‐specific T cells that increased under effective antipsoriatic therapy. (iii) The immunophenotype of peripheral CD8+ T cells was dominated by CMV‐seroprevalence. (iv) Selective analysis of CMV‐seronegative psoriasis patients revealed a strong expansion of a – probably early activated – CD8+ T‐cell population with the yet undescribed differentiation phenotype ‘CD45RA‐dim/CD11a‐dim’. Under effective antipsoriatic therapy this population decreased in parallel to an increase of effector differentiated CD8+ T cells.Conclusions:  Taken together with our previous results of inflammation‐mediated CMV reactivation in psoriasis, our data support the concept of an interactive relationship between psoriasis and CMV infection which may be mediated by peripheral CD8+ T cells.
Relationship between Personality and Impacts of Implant Treatment on Daily Living
Authors: Al‐Omiri Mahmoud K. , Abu Hantash Raed O. , Abu Yunis Mohammad , Lynch Edward 
Published: March 2011

ABSTRACTPurpose: The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between satisfaction with implant‐supported fixed rehabilitations (ISFPR), their impacts on daily living, and personality profiles.Materials and Methods: Fifty patients (15 men and 35 women; mean age 44.3 ± 9 years), with fitted ISFPR, and 50 partially dentate controls matched with age and gender participated in this study. A Dental Impact on Daily Living questionnaire was used to assess dental satisfaction and impacts of ISFPR on daily living. NEO Five Factor inventory was used to assess participants' personality profiles. Pearson correlation, analysis of variance, and linear regression tests were used for statistical analysis of the data.Results: Patients with ISFPR were more satisfied with their dentition than controls (p < .05). Patients and controls demonstrated different relationships between personality, impacts on daily living, and satisfaction. Neuroticism, extraversion, and conscientiousness had significant relationships with satisfaction and impacts on daily living in both groups (p < .05). Openness and agreeableness had significant relationships with satisfaction and impacts on daily living in patients' group (p < .05).Conclusion: ISFPR had positive impacts on participants' daily living and dental satisfaction. Personality traits (neuroticism, extraversion, openness, agreeableness, and consciousness) impact on daily living and satisfaction with ISFPR, and might predict satisfaction with ISFPR and their impacts on daily living.
Situational analysis of infant and young child nutrition policies and programmatic activities in Niger
Authors: Wuehler Sara E. , Biga Hassoumi Abdoulazize 
Published: March 2011

AbstractDue to limited progress towards reducing mortality and malnutrition among children <5 years of age, an alliance of international agencies joined to ‘Reposition children's right to adequate nutrition in the Sahel,’ starting with a situational analysis of current activities related to infant and young child nutrition (IYCN). The main objectives of this analysis are to compile, analyse, and interpret available information on infant and child feeding and the nutrition situation of children <2 years of age in Niger, as one of the six targeted countries. Between August and November 2008, key informants responsible for conducting IYCN‐related activities in Niger were interviewed, and 90 documents were examined on: optimal breastfeeding and complementary feeding practices, prevention of micronutrient deficiencies, prevention of mother‐to‐child transmission of HIV, management of acute malnutrition, food security, and hygienic practices. The results reported are limited by the availability of documents for review. Mortality rates are on track to reaching the Millennium Development Goal to reduce mortality among young children by two‐thirds by 2015, but there has been no change in undernutrition, and total mortality rates are still high among young children. Nearly all of the key IYCN topics were addressed, specifically or generally, in national policy documents, training materials, and programmes. A national nutrition council meets regularly to coordinate programme activities nationally. Many of the IYCN‐related programmes are intended for national coverage, but few reach this coverage. Monitoring and impact evaluations were conducted on some programmes, but few of these reported on whether the specific IYCN components of the programme were implemented as designed or compared outcomes with non‐intervention sites. Human resources have been identified as inadequate to fully carry out nutrition programmes in Niger. Due to these limitations, we could not confirm whether the lack of progress in reducing malnutrition was due to ineffective or inadequately implemented programmes, though both of these were likely contributors. The policy framework is well established for the promotion of optimal IYCN practices, but greater resources and capacity building are needed to: (i) increase human capacities to carry out nutrition programmes; (ii) expand and track the implementation of evidence‐based programmes nationally; (iii) improve and carry out monitoring and evaluation that identify effective and ineffective programmes; and (iv) apply these findings in developing, expanding, and improving effective programmes.
EFFECT OF SSB (SUPERHEATED STEAM BLANCHING) TIME AND DRYING TEMPERATURE ON HOT AIR IMPINGEMENT DRYING KINETICS AND QUALITY ATTRIBUTES OF YAM SLICES
Authors: XIAO H.‐W. , YAO X.‐D. , LIN H. , YANG W.‐X. , MENG J.‐S. , GAO Z.‐J. 
Published: March 2011

ABSTRACTThe effects of SSB (superheated steam blanching) time (0, 3, 6, 9 and 12 min) and drying temperature (50, 60, 70 and 80C) on drying kinetics and quality of yam slices under air impingement drying were investigated in this paper. Results indicated that the positive effect of SSB on drying rate might be overshowed by the negative effect of starch gelatinization and appropriate SSB could accelerate drying rate, whereas the effect of excessive SSB is reversed. The moisture effective diffusivity ranged from 1.1540 × 10−9to 2.8431 ×  10−9 m2/s, calculated using Fick's second law of diffusion. The activation energy determined from the slope of the Arrhenius plot, ln(Deff) versus 1/(T + 273.15), was 20.925 kJ/mol. Moderate increase in SSB time or decrease in drying temperature can improve the whiteness index of dried yam slices, whereas increase in SSB time and drying temperature can decrease the rehydration ratio of dried yam slices.PRACTICAL APPLICATIONSYam is a nutritional, economical and healthy plant, which has been widely used in traditional Chinese medicine. Fresh yams having relatively high‐moisture contents are very sensitive to microbial spoilage. Drying is one of the most common methods used for yam preservation. In China, the natural sun‐drying method is commonly used for drying yam. However, it requires a long drying time and the final product may be contaminated by dust and insects, especially toxic substances. Blanching is an essential step before the processing of vegetables and fruits, as it can accelerate the drying rate and prevent quality deterioration. Air impingement drying is an efficient drying technology, which has been successfully used in paper and textile industries. Understanding the effect of superheated steam blanching time and drying temperature on hot air impingement drying kinetics and quality of yam slices is helpful for improving the drying process efficiency and quality of dried yam slices.
Blood Pressure Monitoring in the Assessment of Old Patients with Acute Stroke
Authors: Weiss Avraham , Beloosesky Yichayaou , Majadla Riad , Grossman Ehud 
Published: March 2011

Background Most patients have elevated blood pressure in the early phase of acute stroke that it often returns to normal within approximately seven-days. Most available data on the pattern of blood pressure in acute stroke are based on manual blood pressure measurements. Aims The aims of the present study were to assess with 24 h blood pressure monitoring the pattern of blood pressure in acute stroke, and the change in blood pressure during the first week of event in very old patients. Methods We studied 99 patients with acute stroke (58 males), mean age 83 ± 6 years (range 70–97). Casual blood pressure and 24 h blood pressure monitoring were recorded within 24 h of admission, and then after six- to seven-days. Results Casual blood pressure before beginning the 24 h blood pressure monitoring was 154 ± 23/80 ± 15 mmHg and the average 24 h blood pressure was 147 ± 20/74 ± 11 mmHg. One-week after stroke, casual blood pressure decreased by 15/7 mmHg, whereas 24 h blood pressure decreased by only 7/2 mmHg ( P<0·01). Blood pressure decreased remarkably only in those with admission elevated systolic blood pressure. The change in 24 h systolic blood pressure after one-week correlated to the 24 h admission systolic blood pressure ( R=0·47; P<0·01). Conclusions Casual blood pressure may overestimate blood pressure in stroke patients. Very old patients with stroke exhibit a mild increase in blood pressure during the acute phase, and blood pressure decreases spontaneously only in those with elevated blood pressure levels. Use of 24 h blood pressure monitoring may be helpful in elderly patients with acute stroke.
Total mercury in stranded marine mammals from the Oregon and southern Washington coasts
Authors: Wintle Nathan J. P. , Duffield Deborah A. , Barros (Deceased) Nélio B. , Jones Ronald D. , Rice James M. 
Published: March 2011

AbstractMuscle samples from 105 marine mammals stranded along the Oregon and Washington coasts (2002–2009) were tested for levels of total mercury (THg) by Cold Vapor Atomic Fluorescence Spectrometry. The THg present is in the form of the highly toxic methylmercury. After normalizing tissue to 75% water weight, Steller sea lions and northern elephant seals exhibited the highest mean concentrations of THg followed by harbor seals, harbor porpoises, and California sea lions, 0.34 ± 0.278, 0.34 ± 0.485, 0.21 ± 0.216, 0.17 ± 0.169, and 0.15 ± 0.126 mg/kg normalized wet weight (ww), respectively. The mean normalized values demonstrate limited muscle methylmercury accumulation in these species in the Pacific Northwest. However, actual ww concentrations in some of the stranded carcasses may pose a risk to scavengers. Normalizing muscle mercury concentrations eliminated the variability from desiccation, and allowed for a clearer indication of the amount of mercury the animal accumulated before stranding.
Excited‐State Double Proton Transfer of 7‐Azaindole Dimers in a Low‐Temperature Organic Glass
Authors: Lim Hyeongtaek , Park Sun‐Young , Jang Du‐Jeon 
Published: March 2011

AbstractThe excited‐state double proton transfer of model DNA base pairs, 7‐azaindole (7AI) dimers, is explored in a low‐temperature organic glass of n‐dodecane using picosecond time‐resolved fluorescence spectroscopy. Reaction mechanisms are found to depend on the conformations of 7AI dimers at the moment of excitation; whereas planar conformers tautomerize rapidly (<10 ps), twisted conformers undergo double proton transfer to form tautomeric dimers on the time scale of 250 ps at 8 K. The proton transfer is found to consist of two orthogonal steps: precursor‐configurational optimization and intrinsic proton transfer via tunneling. The rate is almost isotope independent at cryogenic temperatures because configurational optimization is the rate‐determining step of the overall proton transfer. This optimization is assisted by lattice vibrations below 150 K or by librational motions above 150 K.
Thermogravimetric Analysis of Photodegraded Acrylic Coated Lime Wood
Authors: Popescu Carmen‐Mihaela , Tibirna Carmen Mihaela , Vasile Cornelia 
Published: March 2011

AbstractA series of experiments were carried out to investigate the photodegradation of lime wood (Tilia cordata Mill.) coated with acrylic copolymer during artificial UV/Vis light irradiation for 600 h. Photodegradation of the Paraloid B72 films and Paraloid B72 treated lime wood samples was evaluated by thermogravimetry throughout the irradiation period of 100 h. The results obtained indicate a shifting of the DTG maxima to lower temperatures, which may be related to a decrease in the stability of the copolymer and wood during photodegradation. The decrease of weight loss with increasing time of exposure was observed, while the global kinetic parameters for the main peak increases when increasing exposure time of wood to the UV light. Even when the surface of the wood was covered with a thin layer of acrylic resin, some photodegradation reactions of the wood surface occurred. The modifications in the wood structure may be influenced by the newly formed structures from acrylic resin photodegradation.
Processes Versus Representations: Cognitive Control as Emergent, Yet Componential
Authors: Davelaar Eddy J. 
Published: March 2011

AbstractIn this commentary, I focus on the difference between processes and representations and how this distinction relates to the question of what is controlled. Despite some views that task switching is a prototypical control process, the analysis concludes that task switching depends on the task goal representation and that control processes are there to prevent goal representations from disintegrating. Over time, these processes become obsolete, leaving behind a representation that automatically controls task performance. The distinction between processes and representations relates to practice effects and automaticity and sheds light on what is meant by the phrase “automatic control.”
The Vi Conjugate Typhoid Vaccine Is Safe, Elicits Protective Levels of IgG Anti-Vi, and Is Compatible with Routine Infant Vaccines
Authors: Thiem Vu Dinh , Lin Feng-Ying C. , Canh Do Gia , Son Nguyen Hong , Anh Dang Duc , Mao Nguyen Duc , Chu Chiayung , Hunt Steven W. , Robbins John B. , Schneerson Rachel , Szu Shousun C. 
Published: March 2011

ABSTRACTTyphoid fever remains a serious problem in developing countries. Current vaccines are licensed for individuals who are 5 years old or older. A conjugate of the capsular polysaccharide (CP) ofSalmonella entericaserovar Typhi (Vi) bound to recombinant exoprotein A ofPseudomonas aeruginosa(Vi-rEPA) enhanced Vi immunogenicity and protected 2- to 5-year-olds in Vietnam. In this study, Vi-rEPA was evaluated for use in infants. A total of 301 full-term Vietnamese infants received Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) vaccines alone or with Vi-rEPA orHaemophilus influenzaetype b-tetanus toxoid conjugate (Hib-TT) at 2, 4, and 6 months and Vi-rEPA or Hib-TT alone at 12 months. Infants were visited 6, 24, and 48 h after each injection to monitor adverse reactions. Maternal, cord, and infant sera were assayed for IgG anti-Vi and for IgG antibodies to Hib CP and the diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis toxins at 7, 12, and 13 months. No vaccine-related serious adverse reactions occurred. In the Vi-rEPA group, the IgG anti-Vi geometric mean (GM) increased from the cord level of 0.66 to 17.4 enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay units (EU) at 7 months, declined to 4.76 EU at 12 months, and increased to 50.1 EU 1 month after the 4th dose (95% of infants had levels of ≥3.5 EU, the estimated protective level). Controls had no increase of the IgG anti-Vi GM. Infants with cord anti-Vi levels of <3.5 EU responded with significantly higher IgG anti-Vi levels than those with levels of ≥3.5 EU. Anti-diphtheria, -tetanus, and -pertussis toxin levels were similar in all groups. Vi-rEPA was safe, induced protective anti-Vi levels, and was compatible with EPI vaccines, and it can be used in infants. High cord IgG anti-Vi levels partially suppressed infant responses to Vi-rEPA.
A Peptide-BasedPlasmodium falciparumCircumsporozoite Assay To Test for Serum Antibody Responses to Pre-Erythrocyte Malaria Vaccines
Authors: Kostense Stefan , Mommaas Bregje , Hendriks Jenny , Verhoeven Mariëlle , ter Haak Mariska , Tirion Felicia , Wiesken Edison , Pau Maria Grazia , Radošević Katarina , Goudsmit Jaap 
Published: March 2011

ABSTRACTVarious pre-erythrocyte malaria vaccines are currently in clinical development, and among these is the adenovirus serotype 35-based circumsporozoite (CS) vaccine produced on PER.C6 cells. Although the immunological correlate of protection against malaria remains to be established, the CS antibody titer is a good marker for evaluation of candidate vaccines. Here we describe the validation of an anti-Plasmodium falciparumcircumsporozoite antibody enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) based on the binding of antibodies to a peptide antigen mimicking the CS repeat region. The interassay variability was determined to be below a coefficient of variation (CV) of 15%, and sensitivity was sufficient to detect low antibody titers in subjects from endemic regions. Antibody titers were in agreement with total antibody responses to the whole CS protein. Due to its simplicity and high performance, the ELISA is an easy and rapid method for assessment of pre-erythrocyte malaria vaccines based on CS.
Identification and Characterization of a Novel, 37-Kilodalton Leishmania donovani Antigen for Diagnosis of Indian Visceral Leishmaniasis
Authors: Kumar Subodh , Kumar Dinesh , Chakravarty Jaya , Sundar Shyam 
Published: March 2011

ABSTRACTThe biggest challenge in the serological diagnosis of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is to find a biomarker with a high specificity. This study was undertaken to identify novelLeishmania donovaniantigens to solve the existing problem. The solubleL. donovanipromastigote antigen was separated by SDS-PAGE, and a Western blot was probed with pooled sera of five subjects with confirmed VL before (n= 9 pools) and after (n= 9 pools) treatment and at the 6-month follow-up visit (n= 9 pools), healthy controls not from an area of endemicity (n= 9 pools), and healthy controls from an area of endemicity. The antibody response to the identified partially purified antigen was ascertained by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) with 70 sera from patients with parasitologically confirmed VL, 48 sera from healthy controls from an area where the disease is not endemic, 60 sera from healthy controls from an area of endemicity, and 42 sera from patients in different disease groups. The eluted protein was subjected to two-dimensional (2D) gel electrophoresis, Western blotted, and probed with sera from patients with confirmed VL and from healthy controls not from an area of endemicity. The antigenic protein was further characterized by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization–time of flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry. The identified protein (BHUP2) corresponds to a cytochromec-like synthesis protein of 37 kDa. ELISA results were 94% sensitive, whereas specificities with sera from healthy controls from an area of endemicity, healthy controls not from an area of endemicity, and disease controls were 98%, 100%, and 97%, respectively. The antigen identified via a proteomics-based approach has a strong potential for further development as a diagnostic tool for VL.
Molecular Characterization of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Isolates in Korea
Authors: Kim Eu Suk , Lee Hye Jin , Chung Gyung-Tae , Lee Yeong-Seon , Shin Dong-Hyeon , Jung Sook-In , Song Kyoung-Ho , Park Wan-Beom , Kim Nam Joong , Park Kyoung Un , Kim Eui-Chong , Oh Myoung-don , Kim Hong Bin 
Published: March 2011

ABSTRACT

We used several molecular typing methods to analyze 196 methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus
(MRSA) and 139 methicillin-susceptible
S. aureus
(MSSA) isolates collected between 1996 and 2005. The sequence type 72 MRSA has increased in frequency in the community in the Republic of Korea and in hospitals in recent years.
Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus in Northeastern Scotland in 2003 to 2007: Evolving Strain Distribution and Resistance Patterns
Authors: Hunt A. C. , Edwards B. , Girvan E. K. , Cosgrove B. , Edwards G. F. S. , Gould I. M. 
Published: March 2011

ABSTRACT

This study explored strain distribution and resistance patterns of methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus
(MRSA) over a 5-year period in northeastern Scotland. We noted a shift in the relative rates of epidemic strains and an increase in community-associated strains. Use of oral antibiotics to eradicate throat carriage may have contributed to trimethoprim resistance, which was observed to increase 10-fold.