bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Maternal depression: risk factors and treatment options during pregnancy
Authors: Conlon Orla , Lynch Janine 
Published: July 2008

Psychiatric illness was identified as the leading cause of indirect death in the fifth and sixth CEMACH reports; the decrease in the rate of suicide in the seventh report may indicate that previous recommendations are having a beneficial effect.
Half of the women identified in the earlier reports had a history of serious mental illness.
Depression during pregnancy is complex and difficult to treat.

Learning objectives:

To learn about the background, diagnosis and management.

Ethical issues:

How aggressive should any active approach be to reduce the risk of maternal death?
Can the use of pharmacological agents, which can cause fetal toxicity and neonatal withdrawal problems, be justified?

Please cite this article as: Conlon O, Lynch J. Maternal depression: risk factors and treatment options during pregnancy. The Obstetrician & Gynaecologist 2008;10:151–155.
Increased risk of maternal death among ethnic minority women in the UK
Authors: Ameh Charles Anawo , van den Broek Nynke 
Published: July 2008

The most recent CEMACH report indicates that the UK maternal mortality rate has not fallen in recent years.
This was attributed, in part, to increasing numbers of deaths amongst immigrant women.
It is likely that newly‐arrived refugees are affected most.

Learning objectives:

To be able to identify the factors contributing to the increased maternal mortality and morbidity.
To review the published evidence for effectiveness of interventions.
To identify appropriate research groups and organisations.

Ethical issues:

There is evidence to suggest that the care given to women from ethnic minority backgrounds, especially asylum seekers and newly‐arrived refugees, is substandard.

Please cite this article as: Ameh CA, van den Broek N. Increased risk of maternal death among ethnic minority women in the UK. The Obstetrician & Gynaecologist 2008;10:177–182.
US Health Educators’ Likelihood of Adopting Genomic Competencies Into Health Promotion
Authors: Chen Lei-Shih , Kwok Oi-Man , Goodson Patricia 
Published: July 2008

Objectives. We examined US health educators’ likelihood of adopting genomic competencies—specific skills and knowledge in public health genomics—into health promotion and the factors influencing such likelihood. Methods. We developed and tested a model to assess likelihood to adopt genomic competencies. Data from 1607 health educators nationwide were collected through a Web-based survey. The model was tested through structural equation modeling. Results. Although participants in our study were not very likely to adopt genomic competencies into their practice, the data supported the proposed model. Awareness, attitudes, and self-efficacy significantly affected health educators’ likelihood to incorporate genomic competencies. The model explained 60.3% of the variance in likelihood to incorporate genomic competencies. Participants’ perceived compatibility between public health genomics and their professional and personal roles, their perceptions of genomics as complex, and the communication channels used to learn about public health genomics significantly related to genomic knowledge and attitudes. Conclusions. Because US health educators in our sample do not appear ready for their professional role in genomics, future research and public health work-force training are needed.
Tobacco Industry Control of Menthol in Cigarettes and Targeting of Adolescents and Young Adults
Authors: Kreslake Jennifer M. , Wayne Geoffrey Ferris , Alpert Hillel R. , Koh Howard K. , Connolly Gregory N. 
Published: July 2008

Objectives. We examined whether tobacco manufacturers manipulate the menthol content of cigarettes in an effort to target adolescents and young adults.Methods. We analyzed data from tobacco industry documents describing menthol product development, results of laboratory testing of US menthol brands, market research reports, and the 2006 National Survey on Drug Use and Health.Results. The tobacco industry attracted new smokers by promoting cigarettes with lower menthol content, which were popular with adolescents and young adults, and provided cigarettes with higher menthol content to long-term smokers. Menthol cigarette sales remained stable from 2000 to 2005 in the United States, despite a 22% decline in overall packs sold.Conclusions. Tobacco companies manipulate the sensory characteristics of cigarettes, including menthol content, thereby facilitating smoking initiation and nicotine dependence. Menthol brands that have used this strategy have been the most successful in attracting youth and young adult smokers and have grown in popularity.
Milestones in the Process of Cessation Among Novice Adolescent Smokers
Authors: O'Loughlin Jennifer , Gervais André , Dugas Erika , Meshefedjian Garbis 
Published: July 2008

Objectives. We sought to document the sequence and timing of milestones in the process of smoking cessation by prospectively studied cessation milestones among novice adolescent smokers. Methods. Participants, aged 12 to 13 years in 1999 (n = 1293), completed self-report questionnaires every 3 months during the school year over 5 years. We ascertained time after first puff to attain 5 cessation milestones among 319 participants who initiated cigarette smoking during follow-up. Results. The cumulative probability of first reports of a serious desire to quit and perceived permanent cessation was 25% at 1.5 months (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.5, 2.5) after the first puff. The first serious quit attempt occurred at 2.5 months (95% CI = 2.5, 5.4), lack of confidence about quitting followed at 18.4 months (95% CI = 18.4, 26.8), and awareness of the difficulty of quitting occurred at 32.2 months (95% CI = 19.2, 38.4). Conclusions. Desire and attempts to quit began soon after smoking onset. Novice smokers progressed through several stages in their perception of the difficulty of quitting. Increased understanding of the cessation process may help in developing effective tobacco control interventions for novice smokers.
Using Seminar Blogs to Enhance Student Participation and Learning in Public Health School Classes
Authors: Goldman Rose H. , Cohen Amy P. , Sheahan Fred 
Published: July 2008

Objectives. We evaluated whether “seminar blogs” enhanced learning in a large graduate-level introductory public health school class. Methods. Sixty students were divided into 6 online blog groups. Students posted their assignments (case analyses, news commentaries), prompting comments from other students. Anonymous poll surveys of students were conducted at midpoint and at the end of the course. Results. Sixty percent reported that blog participation enriched their learning quite a bit, 34% a small amount, and 6% not at all; 54% said that the blogs provided opportunities to learn from classmates. When comparing writing on the blog to speaking in class, 60% found it easier, 30% about the same, and 10% harder. About 65% said that skills attained by participating in blogs were useful for current or future work. Major criticisms involved time issues. Conclusions. Small seminar blogs offer opportunities for increased student participation, interaction, and learning. To be most effective and appealing, assignments for postings need to allow sufficient time for commentary. This educational technology has potential to expand the classroom experience and is worthy of further development and testing.
Psychoendocrine and physical performance responses in male Tunisian rugby players during an international competitive season
Authors: Elloumi Mohamed , Ounis Omar Ben , Tabka Zouhair , Van Praagh Emmanuel , Michaux Odile , Lac Gérard 
Published: July 2008

AbstractThe aim was to investigate a follow‐up study based on hormonal, physical, and psychological parameters among rugby players who trained during a whole season interspersed with competitions on an international level. Fitness or reciprocally tiredness as well as competitive anxiety were evaluated, respectively, using the French Society for Sports Medicine (SFMS) and the sport competition anxiety test (SCAT) questionnaires. In this study, SFMS and SCAT scores increased respectively over the competitive season. The SFMS score revealed a state of relative tiredness at the end of the season, highlighted by a slight decrement in physical performances. The SCAT score changes are related to the competition context and therefore increased accordingly to the importance of the competition stake. We analyzed the corticotrope and the gonadotrope axis before (T1), and at the end of the national and international rugby season (T2). Training did not affect the resting salivary cortisol (Csal) levels, but induced a decrease in resting testosterone (Tsal) values, resulting in a dropped T/C ratio. Competition, in both periods (T1–T2), provoked a significant increase in Csal levels, but the Tsal responses depended on the match stake. Their concentrations increased when the competition generated an important stress and decreased when the psychological conditions remained relatively stable. SFMS is preferentially correlated with resting Csal levels and T/C values measured at 08:00 hr but not with Tsal. SCAT is highly correlated with competitive Csal and Tsal concentrations measured before and after the matches. Aggr. Behav. 34:623–632, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Progress and Challenge for Magnesium Alloys as Biomaterials
Authors: Zeng R. , Dietzel W. , Witte F. , Hort N. , Blawert C. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractMagnesium alloys are very biocompatiable and show promise for use in orthopaedic implant. Significant progress of research on bioabsorbable magnesium stents and orthopaedic bones has been achieved in recent years. The issues on degradation, hydrogen evolution, and corrosion fatigue and erosion corrosion of magnesium alloys and various influencing factors in simulated body fluid (SBF) are discussed. The research progress on magnesium and its alloys as biomaterials and miscellaneous approaches to enhancement in corrosion resistance is reviewed. Finally the challenges and strategy for their application as orthopaedic biomaterials are also proposed.
Multiscale statistical process control using wavelet packets
Authors: Reis Marco S. , Saraiva Pedro M. , Bakshi Bhavik R. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractAn approach is presented for conducting multiscale statistical process control (MSSPC), based on a library of basis functions provided by wavelet packets. The proposed approach explores the improved ability of wavelet packets in extracting features with arbitrary locations, and having different localizations in the time‐frequency domain, in order to improve the detection performances achieved with wavelet‐based MSSPC. A novel approach is also developed for adaptively selecting the best decomposition depth. Such an approach is described in detail and tested using artificial simulated signals, employed to compare average run length (ARL) performance against other SPC methodologies. Furthermore, its performance under real world situations is also assessed, for two industrial case studies using datasets containing process upsets, through the construction of receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. Both univariate and multivariate cases are covered. ARL results for a step perturbation show that the proposed methodology presents a steady good performance for all shift magnitudes, without significantly changing its relative scores, as happens with other current methods, whose relative performance depends on the shift magnitude being tested. For artificial disturbances, with features localized in the time/frequency domain, multiscale methods do present the best performance, and for the particular case of detecting a decrease in autocorrelation they are the only ones that can detect such a perturbation. In the examples using industrial datasets, where disturbances exhibit more complex patterns, multiscale approaches also present the best results, in particular in the range of low false alarms, where monitoring methods are aimed to operate. © 2008 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2008
Optimal operating policies for tailored linear polyethylene resins production
Authors: Pontes K. V. , Maciel R. , Embiruçu M. , Hartwich A. , Marquardt W. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractIn this work, optimal operating policies for the ethylene polymerization in solution with a Ziegler‐Natta catalyst in a series of tubular and stirred tank reactors are proposed. The polymer is specified through properties such as melt index, stress exponent and density. Usually such properties are predicted by means of a process model once the operating conditions are specified. However, the computation of appropriate operating conditions to match desired resins properties is a much more difficult and not yet industrially established task. This problem can be solved through optimization techniques, an efficient alternative to costly pilot plant or production scale tests. A formulation is proposed, where a stationary model of the flowsheet (DAE system) is cast into a multi‐stage model with the spatial flow path coordinate as the independent variable. Discontinuities occur at the stage transitions because of model switches and reactants injection. Several studies, involving different polyethylene resin specifications, are carried out to present the high potential and versatility of the suggested procedure. © 2008 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2008
A hybrid multiphase flow model
Authors: Mahgerefteh Haroun , Denton Garfield , Rykov Yuri 
Published: July 2008

AbstractThe development of a hybrid model for predicting outflow following the rupture of downward sloped pressurized hydrocarbon pipelines is described. The model addresses the failure of the Method of Characteristics (MOC)‐based numerical solution technique in predicting post depressurization outflow through coupling it with a hydraulic flow model. The resulting hybrid simulation is tested against the hypothetical full bore rupture of a 100‐m‐long, 0.158‐m‐diameter pipeline at various angles of decline in the range 0 to −90° containing different classes of hydrocarbons. These include a two‐phase mixture, flashing liquid, liquid, and a permanent gas. The results indicate that in the case of the two‐phase mixture and the permanent gas, both the MOC and the hybrid models produce very similar results with outflow being independent of the angle of decline. However, large differences in the data are obtained in the case of liquid and flashing liquid inventories with the MOC significantly under predicting outflow. © 2008 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2008
Occupational wood dust exposure and the risk of laryngeal cancer: A population based case‐control study in Germany
Authors: Ramroth Heribert , Dietz Andreas , Ahrens Wolfgang , Becher Heiko 
Published: July 2008

AbstractBackgroundTo investigate the effect of exposure to wood dust on the risk of laryngeal cancer.MethodsA population‐based case‐control study on laryngeal cancer was conducted in South‐West Germany between 1st of May 1998 to 31st of December 2000 with 257 histologically confirmed cases (236 males, 21 females), age 37 to 80 years, and 769 population controls (702 males, 67 females), 1:3 frequency matched by age and sex. Occupational exposures and other risk factors were obtained with face‐to‐face interviews using a detailed standardized questionnaire. The complete individual work history was assessed. Work conditions were obtained by job‐specific questionnaires for selected jobs known to be associated with exposure to potential carcinogens. Additionally, a specific substance check‐list was used as a method for exposure assessment.Results43 (16.7%) cases (41 males, 2 females) and 107 (13.9%) controls (105 males, 2 females) reported wood dust exposure. Numbers were almost identical for two different methods of exposure assessment; however, the agreement of these methods was around 95%. A strong effect on laryngeal cancer risk after adjustment for smoking, alcohol and education was observed for high exposure to hardwood dust (OR = 2.6, 95% CI 1.3‐‐5.2) and to softwood dust (OR = 2.2, 95% CI 1.1‐‐4.2), as assessed by substance list.ConclusionsOur findings for higher exposure to hardwood and softwood dust contribute to the evidence that wood dust, in particular from hardwood is an independent risk factor. Am. J. Ind. Med. 51:648–655, 2008. Published 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Occupational risk factors for endometrial cancer among textile workers in Shanghai, China
Authors: Wernli Karen J. , Ray Roberta M. , Gao Dao Li , Fitzgibbons E. Dawn , Camp Janice E. , Astrakianakis George , Seixas Noah , Li Wenjin , De Roos Anneclaire J. , Feng Ziding , Thomas David B. , Checkoway Harvey 
Published: July 2008

AbstractObjectiveA case‐cohort study was conducted to investigate associations between occupational exposures and endometrial cancer nested within a large cohort of textile workers in Shanghai, China.MethodsThe study included 176 incident endometrial cancer cases diagnosed from 1989 to 1998 and a randomly‐selected age‐stratified reference subcohort (n = 3,061). Study subjects' complete work histories were linked to a job‐exposure matrix developed specifically for the textile industry to assess occupational exposures. Hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals were calculated using Cox proportional hazards modeling adapted for the case‐cohort design, adjusting for age at menarche and a composite variable of gravidity and parity.ResultsAn increased risk of endometrial cancer was detected among women who had worked for ≥10 years in silk production (HR = 3.8, 95% CI 1.2–11.8) and had exposure to silk dust (HR = 1.7, 95% CI 0.9–3.4). Albeit with few exposed women (two cases and eight subcohort women), there was a 7.4‐fold increased risk associated with ≥10 years of silica dust exposure (95% CI 1.4–39.7).ConclusionsThe findings suggest that some textile industry exposures might play a role in endometrial carcinoma and should be further replicated in other occupational settings. Am. J. Ind. Med. 51:673–679, 2008. Published 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
High‐activity variants of the uMAOA polymorphism increase the risk for depression in a large primary care sample
Authors: Rivera Margarita , Gutiérrez Blanca , Molina Esther , Torres‐González Francisco , Bellón Juan A. , Moreno‐Küstner Berta , King Michael , Nazareth Irwin , Martínez‐González Luis J. , Martínez‐Espín Esther , Muñoz‐García María M. , Motrico Emma , Martínez‐Cañavate Teresa , Lorente José A. , Luna Juan D. , Cervilla Jorge A. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractStudies on the association between the functional uMAOA polymorphism and depression have yielded non‐conclusive results up till now. One thousand two hundred twenty eight consecutive Spanish primary care attendees, participating in the PREDICT study, agreed to take part in this genetic PREDICT‐Gene study. We explored the association between depression and either high‐activity uMAOA alleles or genotypes. Depression was diagnosed using the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI) to establish three different depressive outcomes (ICD‐10 Depressive Episode (DE), ICD‐10 Severe Depressive Episode (SDE) and DSM‐IV Major Depression (MD)). uMAOA genetic variation was determined by PCR amplification and subsequent electrophoresis. Crude and adjusted (gender and/or age) odds ratios, with 95% confidence intervals, were calculated for the associations between allele or genotype frequencies and all three depressive outcomes. We found associations between all three depressive phenotypes and either high‐activity alleles or high‐activity genotypes in both sexes. The associations were statistically significant for females but not for males. Testing the same associations on the entire sample (males and females) also yielded significant associations between depression and either high‐activity alleles or high‐activity genotype distribution that were independent of age and/or gender (ICD‐10 DE: OR = 1.98; 95% CI: 1.42–1.77; P = 0.00002; ICD‐10‐SDE: OR = 2.05; 95% CI: 1.38–3.05; P = 0.0002; DSM‐IV MD: OR = 1.91; 95% CI: (1.26–2.91); P = 0.0014). Our results provide fairly consistent evidence that high‐activity variants of the MAOA promoter polymorphism confer a modestly higher risk for depression. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Exceptional diversity of mouse lemurs (Microcebus spp.) in the Makira region with the description of one new species
Authors: Radespiel Ute , Olivieri Gillian , Rasolofoson David W. , Rakotondratsimba Gilbert , Rakotonirainy Odon , Rasoloharijaona Solofonirina , Randrianambinina Blanchard , Ratsimbazafy Jonah H. , Ratelolahy Felix , Randriamboavonjy Tahirihasina , Rasolofoharivelo Tovonanahary , Craul Mathias , Rakotozafy Lucien , Randrianarison Rose M. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractAlthough the number of described lemur species has increased considerably over the last 20 years, detailed biogeographic data are still lacking from many geographic regions, in particular in the eastern part of Madagascar. This study investigated mouse lemur species diversity in a previously unstudied Inter‐River‐System in the eastern Makira region. Three sites were visited and 26 individuals were sampled and characterized with 13 external morphometric measurements. Standard phylogenetic analyses were performed on the basis of sequences of three mitochondrial loci by including representatives of all other published mouse lemur species for comparison. The analyses revealed the presence of three mouse lemur species in one study site, two of which were previously undescribed. The two new species are genetically distinct and belong to the larger‐bodied mouse lemur species on the island, whereas the third species, Microcebus mittermeieri, belongs to the smaller‐bodied mouse lemur species. The study fully describes one of the new species. This study and other lemur inventories suggest that the Makira region is particularly rich in lemur species and the lack of any protected zone in this area should now attract the urgent attention of conservation stakeholders. Am. J. Primatol. 70:1033–1046, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The effects of fur rubbing on the social behavior of tufted capuchin monkeys
Authors: Paukner Annika , Suomi Stephen J. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractFur rubbing has often been attributed as a social as well as a medicinal function in capuchin monkeys, yet to date there have been no studies investigating the effects of fur rubbing on subsequent group dynamics. Here, we report for the first time how social group cohesion is affected by fur rubbing in tufted capuchin monkeys. Fifteen captive capuchins were each observed six times for 45 min, three times following the provision of materials typically used for fur rubbing (onion) and three times following control food items (apple). When compared with the apple condition, monkeys significantly increased proximity to one another in the first 15 min of the onion condition, which is when most fur rubbing took place. Moreover, monkeys were more likely to spend time in groups when fur rubbing but less likely to spend time in groups when manipulating the onion in other ways. In subsequent periods monkeys were less likely to be in proximity to one another in the onion condition compared with the apple condition. Aggression between group members was elevated whereas affiliation was decreased throughout the onion condition. In short, capuchins spent more time further apart and engaged in more aggressive acts and shorter affiliative acts following fur‐rubbing bouts. It is possible that these differences in behavior could be owing to differences in how the monkeys competed for and interacted with the items presented in each condition rather than due to fur rubbing as such. Alternatively, fur rubbing with pungent materials might interfere with olfactory cues used to regulate social interactions within a group and thereby cause increased levels of aggression. Am. J. Primatol. 70:1007–1012, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.