bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Five years of mass trapping of Ephestia kuehniella Zeller: a component of IPM in a flour mill
Authors: Trematerra P. , Gentile P. 
Published: October 2009

AbstractResults obtained by mass trapping using the synthetic pheromone (Z,E)‐9,12‐tetradecadienyl acetate (TDA) are reported. The trapping was carried out over a period of 5 years to control infestation by Mediterranean flour moth, Ephestia kuehniella Zeller, and protect a flour mill. From March 2004 till November 2008, 42 funnel traps, each baited with 2 mg of TDA, were placed in the mill. Eight additional traps were located at the exterior of the facility, especially in the wheat silo area and near the loading equipment. Over 5 years, the pheromone traps attracted a total of 54 170 male Mediterranean flour moths. The constant presence of the traps caused a marked decrease in the E. kuehniella population from 2004 to 2008. The results of the surveys show that the population density of the moth can be notably reduced and then maintained at a low level in flour mills by means of mass trapping techniques accompanied by localized insecticide treatments and careful cleaning of the various departments and of the interior of all equipment. As it is not possible at present to establish the economic injury level of insect infestation in flour mills, there is a need for investigations into how the effectiveness of IPM programs can be evaluated in more detail.
SCHOLARLY PAPER
Authors: Davidhizar Ruth , Newman Giger Joyce , Poole Victoria 
Published: October 2009

Davidhizar R, Newman Giger J, Poole V. International Journal of Nursing Practice 1997; 3: 10–14 The interview that wins the job Obtaining a nursing position is often the first challenge for the graduate nurse. Understanding the interview process and making a plan that will ensure the graduate is placed in the best possible light is important for success in the interview process. This paper discusses getting ready for the interview, setting up the interview, dressing for the interview, the actual interview and following up the interview. Adherence to these guidelines can facilitate the graduate’s success in obtaining the desired position.
Sex differences in epidemiological, clinical and pathological characteristics of colorectal cancer
Authors: Koo Jenn Hian , Leong Rupert WL 
Published: October 2009

AbstractSex significantly influences the clinical and pathological characteristics of colorectal cancer (CRC). These include differences in incidence and mortality rates, clinical presentations including age, emergency surgery for complications from CRC, screening participation rates, site, stage and treatment utilization, histopathology and survival. Environmental, behavioral and biological factors contribute to the differential risk. Recent advances in the molecular biology of CRC, specifically in microsatellite status, estrogen hormone and estrogen receptor β, have led to greater understanding of the effect of estrogen in colorectal carcinogenesis. Estrogen may preferentially protect against microsatellite unstable cancers through its effect on selected molecular targets; however, the exact pathways have not been elucidated. Recognition of important sex disparities in these areas may lead to the implementation of specific measures to diminish these differences and facilitate equitable distribution of health resources. Identifying specific molecular targets on CRC that interact with estrogen may stimulate research to improve the overall outcomes of all patients with CRC.
Narrow‐band imaging endoscopy with magnification is useful for detecting metachronous superficial pharyngeal cancer in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Nonaka Satoru , Saito Yutaka , Oda Ichiro , Kozu Takahiro , Saito Daizo 
Published: October 2009

AbstractBackground and Aims:  Head and neck cancers, especially pharyngeal cancers, as well as esophageal cancers frequently coexist either synchronously or metachronously, but most cases of pharyngeal cancer are detected at an advanced stage resulting in poor prognosis. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of using narrow‐band imaging (NBI) endoscopy with magnification for early detection of pharyngeal cancer on patients following their treatment for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC).Methods:  This case series was conducted at the National Cancer Center Hospital in Tokyo between April and October 2005 and included 424 consecutive patients for surveillance endoscopy who had previously undergone chemoradiotherapy (CRT) and/or surgery for esophageal SCC. Observation of the pharyngeal region was randomly conducted on 91 patients using NBI endoscopy with magnification (NBI group) and 333 patients using conventional white light endoscopy (control group).Results:  The detection rate for pharyngeal cancer was significantly higher using NBI endoscopy with magnification (10.9%; 10/91) compared with conventional endoscopy (1.2%; 4/333) (P < 0.0001). In particular, the detection rate in CRT patients was significantly higher in the NBI group (12.9%; 7/54) than the control group (0.5%; 1/191) (P < 0.0001). In addition, diagnostic sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value and negative predictive value for the NBI group were 100% (10/10), 97.5% (79/81), 97.8% (89/91), 83.3% (10/12) and 100% (79/79), respectively.Conclusion:  NBI endoscopy with magnification is a promising technique for detecting superficial pharyngeal cancer at an early stage in patients previously treated for esophageal SCC.
Fecal lactoferrin, myeloperoxidase and serum C‐reactive are effective biomarkers in the assessment of disease activity and severity in patients with idiopathic ulcerative colitis
Authors: Masoodi Ibrahim , Kochhar Rakesh , Dutta Usha , Vaishnavi Chetana , Prasad Kaushal K , Vaiphei Kim , Kaur Sukhminder , Singh Kartar 
Published: October 2009

AbstractBackground and Aim:  Disease activity and severity of ulcerative colitis (UC) is assessed using colonoscopy, which is invasive, costly and has poor patient acceptability. The role of non‐invasive biomarkers of intestinal inflammation in the evaluation of patients with UC is not known. The aim of the study was to examine the role of serum C‐reactive protein (SCRP), fecal myeloperoxidase (FMPO) and fecal lactoferrin (FLF) in assessing disease severity, activity and response to therapy.Methods:  Consecutive patients with idiopathic UC (IUC) attending our hospital from July 2005 to September 2006 were studied. All underwent clinical, endoscopic and histological assessment for disease activity, extent, severity and estimation of SCRP, FMPO and FLF levels at baseline and follow up (FU). An equal number of healthy age‐matched controls were studied for biomarker levels.Results:  A total of 37 patients (mean age 37 ± 12 years) were studied. All three biomarkers were elevated more often in the cases than in the controls (all P = 0.000). Cases with severe IUC had higher CRP, MPO and FLF titers than those without severe IUC. At FU, a significant fall in biomarker levels paralleled the reduction in Mayo's scores. All three biomarkers showed a high degree of correlation with each other. The areas under the curve for FLF, MPO and CRP were 1.00, 0.867 and 0.622, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of markers were: FLF (94%, 100%), FMPO (89%, 51%) and SCRP (24%, 100%).Conclusion:  Biomarkers are useful in assessing disease activity, severity and response to therapy in patients with UC. They showed a high degree of correlation with each other.
Birth outcomes and risk factors in adolescent pregnancies: Results of a Taiwanese national survey
Authors: Kuo Ching‐Pyng , Lee Shu‐Hsin , Wu Wei‐Ya , Liao Wen‐Chun , Lin Shio‐Jean , Lee Meng‐Chih 
Published: October 2009

AbstractBackground:  This study explores birth outcomes and determinants in adolescent pregnancies, using subjects drawn from the Taiwan Birth Cohort Study (TBCS) from 2005.Methods:  Through completed interviews and surveys with mothers or other family members, differences in birth outcomes and personal, pregnancy and social profiles of mothers were analyzed.Results:  A total of 533 adolescent mothers (<20 years old) and 9347 adult mothers (20–34 years old) were included in our study. There was a significantly higher incidence of low birthweight (LBW) (<2500 g, 10.2% vs 5.6%) and premature birth (<37 weeks, 14.8% vs 8.6%) in the adolescent group. When adjusted for covariates in the multiple‐variable model, youth remained a risk factor for LBW (OR = 1.50, 95%CI 1.09, 2.07) and premature delivery (OR = 1.42, 95%CI 1.07, 1.89). Age, prenatal care and weight gain during pregnancy are important predictors of LBW and premature birth.Conclusion:  Adolescent pregnancy carries a high‐risk of LBW and premature birth. Inadequate prenatal care and weight gain during pregnancy are contributing factors that could be improved through strategies of health education, family support and case management.
Symptomatic omphalomesenteric duct remnants in children
Authors: Durakbasa Cigdem Ulukaya , Okur Hamit , Mutus Huseyin Murat , Bas Ahmet , Ozen Mehmet Ali , Sehiralti Varol , Tosyali Ahmet Nadir , Zemheri Itir Ebru 
Published: October 2009

AbstractBackground:  The present study gathers a single institutional experience of symptomatic omphalomesenteric duct (OMD) remnants in children with an emphasis on the age and modes of presentation, the surgical intervention and the histopathological findings.Methods:  The data on children who underwent surgical treatment for symptomatic OMD remnants during a 17‐year period were reviewed retrospectively, excluding incidental diverticulectomies.Results:  A total of 59 children with a median age of 36 months underwent operations for symptomatic OMD remnants. There were 48 boys and 11 girls. The presenting signs were gastrointestinal tract (GIT) obstruction in 21 (36%) patients, acute abdomen in 18 (31%), umbilical abnormalities in 17 (29%), and rectal bleeding in three (5%). Patients presenting with umbilical anomalies were significantly younger than others. At surgery, a wedge resection of the remnant was carried out in 32 cases and an ileal resection was carried out in 27. Children presenting with GIT obstruction underwent segmentary ileal resection more often than other groups. Histopathology revealed inflammation in 26 (44%) specimens, ectopic tissue in 18 (31%) and necrosis in four (7%). Ectopic gastric mucosa was detected in 15 specimens, pancreatic tissue in two and both gastric and pancreatic tissue in one.Conclusions:  Symptomatic OMD remnants in children most commonly presented with GIT obstruction, acute abdomen and umbilical anomalies. Rectal bleeding was not a predominant finding in the present series. Surgery is curative and can safely be done either by way of wedge resection or ileal segmentary resection. Ectopic tissue is detected in approximately one third of symptomatic remnants.
Spirituality: A key factor in coping among Iranians chronically affected by mustard gas in the disaster of war
Authors: Ebadi Abbas , Ahmadi Fazlollah , Ghanei Mostafa , Kazemnejad Anoshirvan 
Published: October 2009

AbstractThe present study aimed to explore the approach used by Iranians chronically affected by mustard gas in the disaster of war to cope with their chronic illness complications. A qualitative approach was adopted using content analysis of unstructured interviews carried out with 20 patients in a medical center in Tehran and an outpatient clinic in the North West of Iran. Two main themes that emerged from the study were “religious sentiment” and “patriotism”. The subthemes that emerged were “divine will”, “illness as a means of absolving sin”, “saying prayers in the anticipation of divine rewards”, “defending the motherland” and “self‐sacrifice as a source of pride”. To sum up, spirituality was recognized as a key factor among the participants in accepting and coping with their chronic illness complications.
Pilot training program for developing disaster nursing competencies among undergraduate students in China
Authors: Pang Samantha M. C. , Chan Sunshine S. S. , Cheng Yichuan 
Published: October 2009

AbstractAs nurses constitute the largest group of health‐care providers, their readiness to respond to disasters and to participate in preparedness and disaster recovery activities will be significant for making a community more resilient against disaster. Concern is raised regarding how to build the capacity of all nurses with a knowledge base and a minimum set of skills in responding to various disasters. Drawing on the ICN Framework of Disaster Nursing Competencies and Global Standards for the Initial Education of Professional Nurses and Midwives, a training program entitled “Introduction to Disaster Nursing” was developed. Four teaching methods including action learning, problem‐based learning, skill training, and lecture were used to orchestrate a series of planned activities for helping students develop the required disaster nursing competencies in a 2‐week intensive training program held in Sichuan China in July 2009. The pre‐ and post‐tests which were given to assess the students' perceived level of competencies demonstrated a significant gain in relevant knowledge and skills constituting the required competencies upon completion of the program. In the program evaluation, most students indicated their willingness and capability in disaster relief work under supervision, and they were keen to advance their competencies in the field of disaster nursing.
Prediction of residual fatigue life under interspersed mixed‐mode (I and II) overloads by Artificial Neural Network
Authors: MOHANTY J. R. , PARHI D. R. K. , RAY P. K. , VERMA B. B. 
Published: October 2009

ABSTRACTMixed‐mode (I and II) overloads are often encountered in an engineering structure due to either alteration of the loading direction or the presence of randomly oriented defects. Prediction of fatigue life in these cases is more complex than that of mode‐I overloads. The objective of this study is to explore the use of an artificial neural network (ANN) model for the prediction of fatigue crack growth rate under interspersed mixed‐mode (I and II) overload. The crack growth rates as predicted by the ANN method on two aluminium alloys, 7020 T7 and 2024 T3 have been compared with the experimental data and an Exponential Model. It is observed that the predicted results are in good agreement and facilitate determination of residual fatigue life.
Drainage of a pelvic collection with the Heald Silastic Anal Stent
Authors: Kamocka A. , Skipper D. 
Published: October 2009

AbstractThe Heald Silastic Anal Stent (HSAS) was designed to protect a newly constructed low colorectal anastomosis by keeping the anus open for up to 10 days postoperatively, and has also been used in combination with percutaneous drainage to treat a leak from a low rectal anastomosis. We describe a technique in two patients where the HSAS alone allowed adequate drainage of a leaking low colorectal anastomosis.
Ophthalmological, cognitive, electrophysiological and MRI assessment of visual processing in preterm children without major neuromotor impairment
Authors: O’Reilly Michelle , Vollmer Brigitte , Vargha‐Khadem Faraneh , Neville Brian , Connelly Alan , Wyatt John , Timms Chris , De Haan Michelle 
Published: October 2009

AbstractMany studies report chronic deficits in visual processing in children born preterm. We investigated whether functional abnormalities in visual processing exist in children born preterm but without major neuromotor impairment (i.e. cerebral palsy). Twelve such children (< 33 weeks gestation or birthweight < 1000 g) without major neuromotor impairment and 12 born full‐term controls were assessed at 8–12 years of age by means of ophthalmological assessment (visual acuity, colour vision, stereopsis, stereoacuity, visual fields, ocular motility, motor fusion), cognitive tests of visual‐motor, visual‐perceptual and visual‐spatial skills and pattern‐reversal visual evoked potentials (PR‐VEPs). All participants also underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain and neuromotor assessments. No significant differences were found between the groups on the ophthalmological, visual cognitive, neurological, neuromotor or MRI measures. The P100 component of the PR‐VEP showed a significantly shorter latency in the preterm compared with the full‐term participants. Whilst this P100 finding suggests that subtle abnormalities may exist at the neurophysiological level, we conclude that visual dysfunction is not systematically associated with preterm birth in the context of normal neurological status.
Screening for body‐weight disorders in Nigerian children using contrasting definitions
Authors: Goon D. T. , Toriola A. L. , Shaw B. S. 
Published: October 2009

SummarySeveral indices for body‐weight disorders exist in scientific literature, but it is inconclusive whether or not they can yield comparable results when applied to Nigerian children. The prevalence of weight disorders in Nigerian children was examined using the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) body mass index (BMI) for age charts and the International Obesity Task Force's (IOTF) age‐ and sex‐specific BMI cut‐off points. Participants were 2015 pupils (979 boys and 1036 girls) aged 9–12 years, attending 19 public primary schools in Makurdi, Nigeria. Stature and body mass were measured using standard techniques. Results were analysed using student t‐test and Chi‐squared statistics, with the probability level set at ≤0.05. CDC's BMI charts categorized 2.1%, 1.6% (boys) and 3.2%, 2.8% (girls) as overweight and obese respectively. Corresponding data for the IOTF's BMI charts were 1.7%, 0.9% (boys) and 2.6%, 2.0% (girls). CDC cut‐off points indicated higher prevalence of overweight and obesity, thus suggesting the need for a single definition for evaluating measurements of body mass‐for‐stature in the children. However, more disconcerting is the fact that CDC charts showed a high prevalence of underweight for the boys (87.1%) and girls (79.7%). Prevalent underweight conditions in our sample need urgent intervention. The IOTF method is limited in its utility to identify children who are underweight and may be at risk of growth faltering.
Debt Maturity: Is Long‐Term Debt Optimal?
Authors: Alfaro Laura , Kanczuk Fabio 
Published: October 2009

AbstractWe model and calibrate the arguments in favor and against short‐term and long‐term debt. These arguments broadly include: maturity premium, sustainability, and service smoothing. We use a dynamic‐equilibrium model with tax distortions and government outlays uncertainty, and model maturity as the fraction of debt that needs to be rolled over every period. In the model, the benefits of defaulting are tempered by higher future interest rates. We then calibrate our artificial economy and solve for the optimal debt maturity for Brazil as an example of a developing country and the US as an example of a mature economy. We obtain that the calibrated costs from defaulting on long‐term debt more than offset costs associated with short‐term debt. Therefore, short‐term debt implies higher welfare levels.
The Other Le Grand? Evaluating the ‘Other Invisible Hand’ in Welfare Services in England
Authors: Greener Ian , Powell Martin 
Published: October 2009

AbstractCompetition and choice have become central means of improving public services in England. The former adviser to the Blair government Julian Le Grand has suggested that increased choice and competition should be the cornerstone of policy that aims to deliver more responsive and fairer results for the public. This article explores Le Grand's claims, deploying the conditions earlier suggested by him to examine the conditions which ‘quasi‐markets will have to meet if they are to succeed as instruments of social policy’. Claims about the efficacy of choice and competition policies in 2007 are assessed against the earlier conditions of market structure, information, transaction costs, uncertainty, motivation and cream‐skimming, to examine the extent to which the reforms Le Grand has most recently proposed meet the conditions he earlier suggested would be necessary for markets to work in the public sector.
Choosing Welfare or Losing Social Citizenship? Citizens' Free Choice in Recent Italian Welfare State Reforms
Authors: Graziano Paolo R. 
Published: October 2009

AbstractIn the past fifteen years, the Italian welfare state has gone through various important reforms. Almost all social policy fields have been significantly challenged by the presence of both national and European constraints, and in different policy fields some fundamental principles of the welfare state have been questioned and changed. The purpose of this article is to present an analysis of the most recent arguments used for welfare state reforms in Italy, focusing in particular on one key question: have the reforms been formulated and implemented in order to increase the freedom of choice of Italian citizens with respect to social protection? After a brief introduction and conceptual clarification, each section of the article will focus on one social policy field (employment, pensions, health care) and discuss the origins and consequences of the reforms with respect to the freedom of choice of citizens. The main argument is that very limited attention has been paid in the national political discourse and reform design to the freedom of choice for citizens in welfare state policies, since other goals (such as cost containment) were much more crucial. The article will end with an overall assessment of the evolution of freedom of choice in the Italian welfare state setting.
The ‘Consumer Principle’ in the Care of Elderly People: Free Choice and Actual Choice in the German Welfare State
Authors: Eichler Melanie , Pfau‐Effinger Birgit 
Published: October 2009

AbstractIn the mid‐1990s, together with new long‐term care legislation, the German welfare state introduced care markets and consumer choice between family care and different types of formal care. However, instead of using the new option to choose publicly funded care by long‐term care agencies, the majority of elderly people in need of care continued to decide in favour of care exclusively provided by family members. The article examines how the persistence of family care in spite of the new options of consumer choice can be explained, using data from representative surveys on the care of elderly people in Germany and the results of guided interviews by the authors with family members involved in care. The findings indicate that there are two main reasons. The first is that elderly people and their families orient their behaviour towards traditional care values in which the first priority is given to mutual support between spouses and generations. The second reason is that elderly people on the one hand and care agencies on the other have substantially different definitions of a good quality of care.
Freedom of Choice through the Promotion of Gender Equality
Authors: Saxonberg Steven 
Published: October 2009

AbstractThis article argues that policies that promote gender equality actually also increase freedom of choice. Thus, despite the neo‐liberal criticism that welfare policies limit choices and privatization and market solutions increase freedom of choice, this article concludes that market‐liberal welfare regimes offer less choice than the Nordic type of social‐democratic welfare regimes, which have openly striven to promote gender equality. They do so by making it easier for mothers to choose to work (by making day care available and making it easier for fathers to stay at home with children) and by giving fathers the ability to choose to spend more time with children. However, within the realm of such policies, it is still possible to offer more or less freedom of choice, for example, by making parental leaves either extremely flexible or rigid in how they are utilized. Interestingly, it turns out that, in the real world, policies that promote gender equality even offer greater freedom of choice for the group of women considered to be ‘family oriented’ as well as for lesbian and homosexual couples.