bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Development and implementation of environmental protocols in river maintenance in Ireland
Authors: King James J. , Lehane Bridget M. , Wightman Glen D. , Dooley Richard , Gilligan Nathy 
Published: August 2010

AbstractScientific studies (1990–2000) on the impacts of channel maintenance on the river corridor biota and habitat of Irish arterially drained channels identified strategies that would reduce adverse impact or provide benefit. A 10‐point training programme was developed from these strategies and was rolled out to all Office of Public Work (OPW) field staff, engaged in channel maintenance, during 2003. Follow‐up site visits indicated a strong degree of implementation in respect of particular actions. It was also apparent that there was a low level of uptake of value‐added options, particularly those where strong liaison with fisheries was feasible. It was evident that some of the ‘enhanced maintenance’ diggings in the cross‐section would enhance hydromorphology elements in the channel, consistent with Water Framework Directive requirements. All 10 elements are now being pursued in a new 5‐year programme (2008–2012).
Optimizing the Use of Garlic Oil as Antimicrobial Agent on Fresh‐Cut Tomato through a Controlled Release System
Authors: Ayala‐Zavala J. Fernando , González‐Aguilar Gustavo A. 
Published: August 2010

Abstract:  Encapsulation of garlic oil (GO) in β‐cyclodextrin (β‐CD) was undertaken to generate a release system of antimicrobial volatiles and tested on microbial growth and sensory quality of fresh‐cut tomato. GO volatile profile was characterized by gas chromatography mass spectrometry and to demonstrate the disadvantages of applying free GO to fresh‐cut tomato, the effect of different free oil treatments (0, 50, 100, and 200 μg/100 g) on microbial growth and sensorial quality was tested. The effect of GO capsules (0, 0.25, 0.5, and 1 g/100 g) on microbial growth and sensory quality of tomato was also investigated. Allyl disulfide was the most abundant GO compound identified. The release of volatiles from GO: β‐CD capsules (12: 88 [w/w] ratio) was evaluated at 100% relative humidity (RH). Close to 70% of GO volatiles were released from capsules when exposed to 100% RH during 5 wk. The most effective antimicrobial concentrations of free oil (100 and 200 μg/100 g) applied to tomatoes did not present acceptable sensory quality for panelists. Tomato was affected by the highest concentration of GO capsules applied, showing the lowest microbial growth and the highest sensory quality. In this context, successful encapsulation in β‐CD could stimulate further interest in the use of GO for the control of microbial growth in fresh‐cut tomato.Practical Application:  The present study demonstrated that relative humidity in‐package of fresh‐cut tomatoes can be used as a trigger to release antimicrobial garlic oil volatiles from β‐cyclodextrin capsules, reducing microbial growth and the sensory effect of the treatment caused by the free garlic oil. In this context, successful encapsulation in β‐cyclodextrin could stimulate further interest in the use of garlic oil for the control of microbial growth in fresh‐cut tomatoes.
Increasing hematopoietic microchimerism is a reliable indicator of incipient AML relapse
Authors: HORKY O. , MAYER J. , KABLASKOVA L. , RAZGA F. , KREJCI M. , KISSOVA J. , BORSKY M. , JEZISKOVA I. , DVORAKOVA D. 
Published: August 2010

SummaryIntroduction:  The reoccurrence or increase in autologous hematopoiesis after allogeneic transplantation has been linked to incipient leukemia relapse. However, the importance of such an emergency regarding microchimerism (i.e. mixed chimerism below 1% of autologous cells) still remains controversial, as fluctuating microchimerism can be observed for a very long time after transplantation.Methods:  Using real‐time PCR (RQ‐PCR), we compare peripheral blood samples obtained from patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) before hematological relapse and those taken during complete remission (i.e. either complete cytogenetic remission or complete molecular remission where applicable). By comparison of these two groups, we describe microchimerism dynamics clearly connected with imminent AML relapse. Additionally, we compare applicability of RQ‐PCR and conventional PCR with fragment analysis.Results:  Mere reappearance of autologous hematopoiesis within patients with complete donor chimerism is alarming, and another sample with further increase confirms ongoing relapse. In case of patients with continuous microchimerism, another two consecutive samples with increasing trend are required. RQ‐PCR predicted a significantly higher number of hematological relapses (87%vs. 39%) with a median anticipation period of 33 days, 26 days earlier than conventional PCR (P = 0.0002). Moreover, the outcome of microchimerism dynamics was in complete agreement with monitoring of minimal residual disease when analyzed from the same cell compartment.Conclusion:  Within this paper, we emphasize the importance of microchimerism monitoring as a reliable indicator of incipient AML relapse, especially in patients where no other specific molecular marker is available.
SCIENTIFIC METHOD IN EPIDEMIOLOGY AND RESEARCH IN COMMUNITY HEALTH
Authors: Mathews J.D. 
Published: August 2010

AbstractAll knowledge is necessarily provisional and grows by trial and by error elimination (Popper). Scientific theories are provisional and are not dogmatic; they provide explanations and predictions which are potentially falsifiable (by observation or experiment). Many other meaningful theories (linguistic, historical, political, sociological, psychoanalytic) are not scientific, as they do not give rise to predictions which are potentially falsifiable.Scientific explanations are preferable for two reasons. Firstly, because they are testable (and not because they are necessarily correct); secondly, because they are relatively value free: given time, most rational men will come to similar conclusions on the same scientific evidence; if there is a conflict, this will usually lead to the collection of new data to decide which is the preferred explanation.Scientific method should be used to help identify and solve community health problems. The results of such scientific studies will usually suggest a need for social action and the precise action to be taken will be influenced by political, economic and social values as well as by the scientific evidence.Scientific method proceeds by defining a problem situation, and by posing one or more specific questions which, if answered, would help to resolve the problem situation. In some instances, questions can be posed and answered by observation and critical analysis of the problem situation; in the health context, a problem situation will often arise out of a conflict of opinion as to the comparative effectiveness of two “treatments” or health plans. To solve problems such as this, it will be necessary to carry out randomised controlled trials. The elements to be randomised can be patients, hospitals, wards, areas or districts, trainee health workers; the “treatments” could be medical, surgical, community health strategies health education policies, etc.If there is no scientific evidence of the comparative effectiveness of different aspects of medicine, then health care planning will become more and more dominated by the political pressures to reduce health costs. On the other hand, if we can provide scientific evidence of comparative effectiveness, then for any planning (or treatment) decision we should be able to compare the medical consequences with the economic consequences and then (on socio‐political grounds), strike a rational balance between them.
ATTITUDINAL AND NORMATIVE FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH ADOLESCENT CIGARETTE SMOKING IN AUSTRALIA AND THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: A METHODOLOGY TO ASSIST HEALTH EDUCATION PLANNING
Authors: Newman Ian M. , Martin Gary L. , Irwin Robert P. 
Published: August 2010

AbstractThis paper describes an empirically based method for defining the role of attitudes in health education planning. An explicit assumption underlying this method is that the professional health educator is an agent for behavior change who works, primarily via other health professionals, to enhance the health of the target population.To effect change, the health educator must be skilled in (a) problem definition, (b) program development or the treatment of the problem, (c) program implementation and (d) program evaluation. To illustrate this approach we present a model for measuring attitudes and social normative factors which seems useful in defining education need, illustrate its use in a cross‐culture comparison of a sample of adolescent cigarette smokers in Australia and United States of America and suggest some further steps to aid in planning and evaluating health education activities.While this paper emphasizes the role of attitude, attitudes are but one of a number of factors to be considered in health education program development. Anderson1 and Green2 suggest that attitudes and knowledge contribute to a predisposition to a particular behavior but that the ultimate behavior is also influenced by a set of factors best described as enabling the behavior and a set of factors which reinforce the behavior.
BREASTFEEDING: ATTITUDES AND BELIEFS OF AN AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY SAMPLE OF SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS
Authors: Ellis Donelda J. 
Published: August 2010

AbstractAlthough most women in Australia are breastfeeding their newborns on discharge from hospital, many discontinue before their infants are six months old 1–3 Since breastfeeding is socially learned,4 a survey of a convenience sample of 305 female and male secondary school students in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) was carried out to ascertain knowledge and attitudes about breastfeeding. Over 50 per cent thought breastfeeding was an instinct and 87 per cent believed it was the most healthful infant feeding. Most had noticed at least one infant being breastfed and 64 per cent believed themselves to have been breastfed. 80 per cent intended to breastfeed their own infants in the future. Although only 15.6 per cent felt embarrassed to see an infant breastfeeding, breastfeeding in the presence of non‐family males was unacceptable to about 80 per cent. The results have implications for political action and the inclusion of information about infant feeding into formal and informal education.
GOALS AND PRIORITIES IN PREVENTION: THE CHALLENGE OF CHRONIC DISEASE AND DISABILITY
Authors: Goldstein G. 
Published: August 2010

SummaryIt is possible that attempts to define health in a “positive” sense, that is, not merely the absence of disease, may be doomed to failure, and that the older “absence of disease” approach is more useful in health planning. Planning that aims to achieve progressive reductions in mortality and morbidity rates in all sections of the population offers a way of defining the tasks and programs needed to improve health. Disease priorities may be determined by calculation of lost years of life, lost years of productive activity, or economic costs of disease approaches. The economic costs of disease method may be the best available method because it takes account of the other methods, and because it facilitates cost‐benefit analysis.The consequences of such an approach to health include the greater implementation of effective preventive interventions, explicit rather than implicit rationing of health services, and the formulation of an adequate minimum standard of personal health care.
SOCIAL WORK EFFECTIVENESS IN TWO‐YEAR STROKE SURVIVORS: A RANDOMISED CONTROLLED TRIAL
Authors: Christie David , Weigall Dorothy 
Published: August 2010

AbstractThe survivors to two years, of a population‐based stroke incidence study, were randomly allocated to treatment or control groups in a trial of the effectiveness of a client‐centred social work service.After twelve months, no difference was discernible in the use of health or community resources by the 110 treated subjects or the 103 controls; no significant difference was present in activity‐independence scores. Of the 31 deaths that occurred, 11 were in treatment subjects and 20 in control. The mortality difference was most evident in those subjects not institutionalised at the beginning of the study; overall the difference was significant at the 7% level.It is suggested that the social work service had little effectiveness in altering health resource usage but may have been a therapeutic agent in its own right.
RECENT MORTALITY AND MORBIDITY FOR PEPTIC ULCER IN QUEENSLAND
Authors: Doessel D.P. , Gammie G.J. 
Published: August 2010

AbstractMortality rates from 1922 to 1981 have been examined for various categories of peptic ulcer and various summations of disease categories. The analysis indicates that the differences in mortality rates between Queensland and the country as a whole are not great, thus there is some indirect evidence that analyses of Queensland data may also be applicable to Australia.Mortality rates in Queensland from 1965 to 1981 were examined in detail. It was found that mortality from peptic ulcer in this period has fallen, a trend observed in other countries such as Great Britain and the United States in recent years. There are some differences, however, such as rising mortality rates for some categories of ulcer for females. It is shown that there is a sex differential in peptic ulcer mortality.Trends in hospital separations for various categories of ulcer and peptic ulcer in general were examined. In the period 1969 to 1979 the rate of perforated peptic ulcer fell, indicating a falling incidence of peptic ulcer in Queensland. Data on the total separation rate for peptic ulcer show a decline through time.There appears to have been no impact of fibre optic endoscopy on the pattern of diagnoses of the relevant gastrointestinal disorders.
PNEUMOCOCCAL VACCINE IN ABORIGINAL CHILDREN—A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL INVOLVING 60 CHILDREN
Authors: Douglas R.M. , Hansman D. , McDonald B. , Paton J. , Kirke K. 
Published: August 2010

AbstractSixty aboriginal children aged 6 months to 5 years in central Australia participated in a double‐blind, randomized controlled trial of a 14‐valent pneumococcal vaccine. The study was run in parallel with a similar trial involving 1273 Adelaide caucasian children. The aboriginal children, by comparison, had lower baseline levels of pneumococcal antibodies, a lesser antibody response to vaccination and more commonly carried potentially invasive pneumococci. Whereas the Adelaide children had derived no measurable benefit from use of the vaccine, the available data in the limited aboriginal study suggest that vaccine recipients experienced some reduction in carriage of vaccine type pneumococci and, during an 18‐month period of follow up, experienced less respiratory infections than those who had received placebo. Although the numbers were small and randomization problematic, the consistency of the clinical and bacteriological findings and the seriousness of the problem of respiratory infections in aboriginal children, justify further efforts to investigate a possible role for routine pneumococcal immunization in aboriginal children.
COMMUNICATION BETWEEN HOSPITAL AND GENERAL PRACTITIONER: A STUDY OF A RURAL NEW ZEALAND HOSPITAL BOARD
Authors: Finau Sitaleki A. 
Published: August 2010

SummaryA study of communication to general practitioners from a rural hospital in New Zealand showed a need for the transmission of more social information about patients. The general practitioners stated that the information from the hospitals contributed to their continuing education as well as patient management. This study highlights the importance of social information in hospital patient management and indicates other areas for improvement of communication between secondary and primary medical services.
ASTHMA HOSPITALISATION IN RELATION TO SULPHUR DIOXIDE ATMOSPHERIC CONTAMINATION IN THE KWINANA INDUSTRIAL AREA OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Authors: Hunt T. B. , Holman C. D. J. 
Published: August 2010

AbstractA case‐control study was conducted to examine the relationship between hospital admissions for asthma attacks in 1979–1984 and airborne sulphur dioxide (SO2) pollution in an industrial and residential area on the outskirts of Penn, Western Australia. There were 255 cases and 903 controls, each assigned levels of SO2 exposure based on their place of residence and, for subjects of school age, their place of schooling. Compared with residents exposed to a mean SO2 level of less than 8 ug/m3, the estimated rate ratios were 1.1 (95% CI 0.8‐1.5) in those exposed to 8–14 ug/m3, 0.8 (0.5‐1.3) for exposures of 15.21 ug/m3 and 0.9 (0.5‐1.9) in the highest exposed group with 22–46 ug/m3. Analysis of the frequency of peak levels in SO2 pollution yielded similar results. The study showed no evidence of an increased rate of hospital admission for asthma in residents exposed to higher levels of SO2 compared with other persons in the district.
TRENDS IN THE UPTAKE OF SMOKING IN BUSSELTON, WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Authors: Visalpattanasin Pranom , Wearne Kim L. , Armstrong Bruce K. 
Published: August 2010

AbstractTobacco smoking habits in adults in Busselton, Western Australia, including age at beginning smoking, are described from the triennial surveys conducted between 1966 and 1981. That the proportion of ex‐smokers apparently rose faster in Busselton than it did in the whole of Australia may have been due, in part, to the reporting of smoking habits to family doctors which occurred after each Busselton survey. Different patterns of smoking experience were observed in men (a rise in the proportion of never smokers) and women (a decline in the proportion of never smokers, and a fall in the average age at beginning smoking). Thus in those born most recently and represented in the surveys, the proportion of never smokers was a bout the same in women as in men. The recent convergence of prevalence of ever having smoked and age at uptake of smoking in men and women may mean that they will experience similar rates of smoking‐related disease in the future.
RISK FACTORS FOR MORTALITY IN AUSTRALIAN VIETNAM‐ERA NATIONAL SERVICEMEN: A CASE‐CONTROL STUDY
Authors: O'Toole Brian I. , Adena Michael A. , Jones Michael P. 
Published: August 2010

AbstractRisk factors for mortality from all causes in Australian former National Service conscripts of the Vietnam conflict era were determined by comparing decedents with a random sample of survivors using data available from service records. Three‐quarters of the deaths were due to external causes. A log‐linear regression model was used to evaluate variables in four classes: education and cognitive abilities, employment, conduct while in service, and physical and mental health. Risk of mortality was higher for men with lower scores on the army intelligence test. Age left school and highest class reached were not as important to survival as participation in post‐secondary education, which was associated with a lower risk of early death. Risk of death also increased with a conduct history of being Absent Without Leave or being charged for offences involving alcohol or motor vehicles. Employment instability between school and military service also was associated weakly with a higher risk of death, as was duration of hospitalisation during service. Given survival to the end of National Service, service in Vietnam per se did not figure in the regression model as an important determinant of subsequent mortality.
LEGISLATIVE AND HUMANITARIAN IMPETUS FOR DEVELOPMENT OF ALCOHOL AND OTHER DRUG POLICY AT AN AUSTRALIAN UNIVERSITY
Authors: Blaze‐Temple Debra , Howat Peter , Barney Judy , Saunders Bill , Saxon Stan 
Published: August 2010

AbstractThe rationale for comprehensive alcohol and other drug policy at a tertiary institution is presented here as a health promotion strategy for educating University policy makers. Particular emphasis is placed on a discussion of humanitarian issues, that is, the right to a healthy environment, and the potential for legal liability in an environment where alcohol is readily available and other drugs are present. There is little attention paid to drug use related legal issues in the University, but at the same time drawing the attention of policy makers to the organisation's vulnerability to lawsuits has been reported to be a motivating force for adoption of drug use policy. Universities do experience problems related to alcohol and other drug use by staff and students. Problem reduction, and better management of problems, are the major goals of policy in this area. Local initiatives, for example at the organisational level, make important contributions to the overall drug prevention efforts of the nation. Well‐developed policy and procedures and effective implementation constitute an important structural health promotion strategy. Such policy would comply with the immediate requirements of Occupational Health, Safety and Welfare legislation and provide some protection against wrongful dismissal claims and negligence lawsuits, as well as providing long‐term educative effects. Situations for which policies are needed, range widely due to the University's unique environment and complex roles.
LIFE EXPECTANCY FREE OF DISABILITY: A COMPOSITE MEASURE OF POPULATION HEALTH STATUS
Authors: Graham Patrick , Davis Peter 
Published: August 2010

AbstractAccess to disability data from a nationwide survey of New Zealanders provides the opportunity to estimate Life Expectancy Free of Disability (LEFD) for the non‐institutional adult population. This measure of population health status combines mortality and morbidity data into a single index.The analysis is restricted to the 15–64 age range and results on partial life expectancy free of disability are presented for the key socio‐demographic groups.The results conform to the international evidence and highlight the potential impact of disability as a component in a composite measure of population health status: although women live longer than men, almost all this apparent advantage in longevity is spent in some state of disablement; Maori are disadvantaged in comparison with non‐Maori both in terms of longevity and in the proportion of the life span spent disability‐free; and, social class comparisons show a decline in LEFD with declining social class that is steeper than the corresponding mortality gradient.Despite some technical difficulties and the strong requirements of the data, the LEFD measure has many potential applications in public health research and planning. In particular, it has the potential to direct research and policy towards the enhancement of the active years of life rather than just the postponement of mortality.
SOCIAL FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH THE DECISION TO RELINQUISH A BABY FOR ADOPTION
Authors: Najman Jake M. , Morrison John , Keeping J. Douglas , Andersen Margaret J. , Williams Gail M. 
Published: August 2010

AbstractLittle is known about the characteristics, social circumstances and mental health of women who give a child up for adoption. This paper reports data from a longitudinal study of 8556 women interviewed initially at their first obstetrical visit. In total, 7668 proceeded to give birth to a live singleton baby, of which 64 then relinquished the baby for adoption.Relinquishing mothers were predominantly 18 years of age or younger, in the lowest family income group, single, having an unplanned and/or unwanted baby and reported that they were not living with a partner. These women were somewhat more likely to manifest symptoms of anxiety and depression both prior, and subsequent to, the adoption, but the majority of relinquishing mothers were of ‘normal’ mental health. The decision to relinquish a baby appears to be a consequence of an unwanted pregnancy experienced by an economically deprived single mother rather than the result of emotional or psychological/psychiatric considerations. These findings document a particular dimension of the impact of poverty on health.