bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The epidemiology of sick leave in an urban population in Malmö, Sweden
Authors: Isacsson Agneta , Hanson Bertil S. , Janzon Lars , Kugelberg Gunnel 
Published: February 2009

The epidemiology of sick leave in an urban population in Malmö, Sweden. 1Isacsson, A., 1Hanson, B. S., 1Janzon, L. and 2Kugelberg, G. (1Department of Community Health Sciences, Lund University, and 2Social Insurance Board, Malmö, Sweden The epidemiology of sick leave was studied in the city of Malmö, Sweden, (230000 inhabitants). Every current and completed sick-leave episode during the year of 1985 was collected for 124411 persons aged 16 to 65, who were registered with the National Health insurance scheme in 1985. Absence rate, absence incidence, absence prevalence and absence duration were analyzed in relation to age, sex, marital status, nationality, income and place of residence. Absence rate (mean value) in the total population was 25.5 days with a median of three days. The absence rate increased by age. High absence rates were seen for females, single people and some immigrant groups. This was even true for residential areas characterized by a higher proportion of single-person households and households on social welfare, of unemployed and people with a low income and a foreign background. The absence rate gives limited information as to the epidemiology of sick leave. Through adding absence incidence, absence prevalence and absence duration it was possible to get a more comprehensive picture of the phenonemon. Sex-differences in absence rate for instance were mainly explained by differences in absence incidence and prevalence, while differences in absence rate regarding nationality were explained by differences in absence duration. This is an important step towards a better understanding of the factors behind sick leave.
Elderly Women in the Nordic Countries; Level of Living and Situation in Life
Authors: Helset Anne 
Published: February 2009

A joint Nordic research project aiming to obtain more knowledge about the situation of elderly women, has been funded by the Nordic Council of Ministers and the authorities in each participating country (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden). In essence and practice, the project is testing to what extent gender is a fruitful element in gerontological research, and whether high age as a topic can contribute to a better understanding of women's situation. In other words, the project integrates two academic traditions; feminist research and gerontological research, thus creating feminist gerontology as a field of study. Analysing the data of Nordic level of living surveys, the research group studies the variations in “Norden” in the situation regarding of elderly women the following topics: family pattern, resources of social contact and care, morbidity and infirmity, education, work, material and economic resources and fear of violence. The study also includes a description of the demographic development in “Norden”.
Delayed discharge of elderly hospital patients — A study of bed-blockers in a health care district in Sweden
Authors: Styrborn Karin , Thorslund Mats 
Published: February 2009

With an ageing population an increased pressure on health care resources will be seen in most countries. Patients with delayed discharge from short-term hospitals, sometimes called “bed-blockers”, are of special interest in Sweden, especially as liability for payments for these patients has been placed on the municipal authorities by a new reform in 1992. A retrospective study was made of 428 bed-blockers above the age of 64 years from one health district in Uppsala during the two-year period 1987–1988. The median age was 81.6 years, and the majority were women. The patients had a median number of diagnoses of 4.1. Additional medical events/symptoms were noted in half of the patients after they had been classified as medically ready for discharge. Even though they were classified “medically ready” for discharge, they still needed care. One-third needed further rehabilitation and another 1/3 further medical attention. Only 1/10 were independent in daily activities of living. At the final discharge 1/3 actually returned home and 16% died on the acute ward. The results clearly demonstrate that these patients often still had further medical needs after the application for transfer. One crucial question, that needs discussion, is the vague definition of a “bed-blocker”. Related questions are when and where should these patients be transferred, as well as the relevance of the term “bed-blocker” from ethical perspectives.
The Johanneberg study — a sociomedical survey in an urban elderly population
Authors: Augustsson Olga , Eriksson Bo G. , Rosenhall Ulf , Rothenberg Elisabet , Wärne Bertil , Steen Bertil 
Published: February 2009

This study is the Swedish part of a world-wide transcultural and interdisciplinary study in elderly populations which addresses food habits, health and life-style. The aim of this paper is to present the general design including an analysis of non-response, and to identify risk-groups for intervention programmes. The study comprised 217 noninstitutionalized males ( n = 73) and females ( n = 144), aged 70 and over (mean age 78 years) in a small urban area. Home visits and clinical examinations with standard methods were used. The participation rate was 76%. Significant differences between non-respondents and respondents could be seen, which may be important when planning health promotion. On the basis of experiences during the examinations, a risk-group was identified for prospective and intervention study purposes, based on a multiple variable model and a clinical model.
Background Factors Predicting Non-Response in a Health Survey of Northern Finnish Young Men
Authors: Pietilä Anna-Maija , Rantakallio Paula , Läärä Esa 
Published: February 2009

The study addresses the characteristics potentially predictive of non-response to a health survey among 2500 24-year-old males, on whom a notable amount of other data was available. The overall non-response rate was 40%, part of which was due to the unreachability of some subjects: 4% of the questionnaires were returned because of unknown addresses. Some ( n = 39) of the respondents had concealed the identification number in the questionnaire, which made it impossible to link these data to those collected before in their cases. We were therefore able to use effectively the data on 1450 (58%) responding subjects in this paper. Failure to respond was more common among the subjects who had lived in towns in their youth, had not grown up in a complete family, whose socioeconomic status of the family was unknown, and whose mother was young and had a low educational level. Poorer-than-average school performance at elementary school was also predictive of a high non-response rate. Non-response was heavily associated with previous non-response to a health inquiry. Some aspects of health and behaviour in adolescense, such as smoking at the age of 14, were related to non-response to this survey, too. The non-response was higher than average among those subjects who had suffered from mental disorders (serious mental disorders, less serious mental disorders such as neurotic disorders, adjustment reactions, and psychosomatic disorders and mental retardation). The young men who were employed, were students or were doing military service at the age 24 responded better than those who were unemployed or at disability pension.
Early discharge planning for elderly patients in acute hospitals — an intervention study
Authors: Styrborn Karin 
Published: February 2009

In an intervention study geriatrically orientated discharge planning was tested at an acute hospital in Uppsala, Sweden. The planning was initiated at an early stage in the care of patients above the age of 75. The geriatric approach implies that the elderly patient's medical, functional and psycho-social needs are taken into consideration. A team consisting of a geriatrician and a qualified district nurse was responsible for the discharge planning in consultation with the patients and their relatives. One health care district formed the intervention group, while two comparable districts became two control groups. The intervention proved to be effective, giving better utilization of acute hospital beds through reduced numbers of bed-blocking patients, shorter waiting times for bed-blockers and reduced expenditure for district health authorities who were financially liable for that group. This was true even when the cost of the intervention was included. The results show how vital it is that discharge planning initiated at an early stage becomes standard practice in the acute care of the elderly. Collaboration with the district nurse is necessary for continuity, exchange of information, optimal assessment of care requirements and planning for discharge and follow-up after return to the home. Geriatric consultation at an early stage in the care episode, with assessment of geriatric-medical factors and rehabilitation requirements can contribute to more efficient care and discharge planning, especially for patients “at risk” at the discharge. In times when economic incentives are gaining increasing significance, a balance must be struck between an efficient use of resources, by choosing the right type of care at the right time, and the needs of the patients, with their right to autonomy and a say in their own care.
Marital Status as a Risk Factor for Fetal and Infant Mortality
Authors: Arntzen Annett , Moum Torbjorn , Magnus Per , Bakketeig Leiv S. 
Published: February 2009

In order to study pregnancy outcome for married versus unmarried mothers when controlling statistically for maternal age, educational level, socioeconomic status and income, a total of 93,800 firstborn singleton births in 1978-1982 were examined. The unmarried mothers were younger, less well educated and had a lower socioeconomic status than the married mothers. The stillbirth, neonatal, and postneo-natal mortality rates were higher among offspring of unmarried mothers. After taking sociodemographic factors into account, marital status was found to be associated with postneonatal mortality. The adjusted odds ratio for postneo-natal mortality was 1.5. Our results indicate the importance of marital status as a demographic risk factor even in a welfare society. There is a need to identify specific risk behaviours associated with the life styles of unmarried mothers. Hopefully our findings will provide information that can be used for future programmes of prevention, especially for the mother and her child during the first year of life.
Multivariate analyses of mortality from coronary heart disease due to biological and behavioural factors
Authors: Qvist Jan , Johansson Sven-Erik , Johansson Leena Maria 
Published: February 2009

Due to affluence and a sedentary life style a great deal of people in the western countries are affected by coronary heart disease (CHD). The relation between CHD and certain risk factors pertaining to life style is evaluated in this study. A primary purpose is to study certain crucial risk factors for women. The main variables are age, smoking, overweight (measured by BMI), blood pressure and exercise. This prospective study is based on self-reported data from the nation-wide Swedish Level of Living Survey and on data from the national Cause of Death Register. The data were analysed separately by sex using a proportional hazards model. The sample was divided into two strata: those with heart disease and/or diabetes initially, and all the rest. A sample of 2546 men and 2760 women between 45 and 74 years of age was followed from 1980 to the end of 1990. During this period 189 men and 75 women died of coronary heart disease (CHD). It was found that high blood pressure raised the relative risk (RR) of death from CHD by almost 60% in both men and women. Male smokers (< 14 cigarettes a day) had about 60% (significant) and female smokers (< 10 cigarettes a day) 150% (significant) excessive mortality from CHD. Different levels of overweight among women were strongly related to excess mortality from CHD, ranging between 100 and 300%. Among men there was no such relation. Lack of physical activity showed only a weak (non-significant) increased risk of death due to CHD. Diabetes was also found to be an important risk factor for mortality from CHD, especially among women, being seven times as high as among non diabetics. A test of sex differences revealed that there were two significant interactions, namely between sex and overweight, and between sex and age. Background variables in relation to mortality from all cardiovascular diseases (CVD) were also studied. There were of course many similarities between the effects of the background variables in both the disease groups, but there were interesting differences too, e.g. overweight turned out to be a significant risk factor also for men and physical inactivity for women.
Health habits and risk behavior among youth in three communities with different public health approach
Authors: Berg-Kelly Kristina , Alvén Bengt , Erdes Laslo , Erneholm Torbjörn , Johannisson Ingemar , Mattsson-Elofson Eva 
Published: February 2009

Background: There is a consensus today that comprehensive public health activities including many actors are needed for impact on health compromising behaviors. However, few studies are available to document long term effects regarding youth. We identified three rural, demographically comparable communities dominated by nuclear middle class families. One of these communities demonstrated comprehensive public health activities directed towards adolescents' needs and life-styles for a duration of at least 15 years, while the other two had an outspoken ideology of relying only on national health promotion. Methods: Local health planners and pediatricians performed in-depth interviews with key people and checked relevant reports to trace the local public health history and to assess conventional and unconventional activities regarding health promotion for adolescents in the three communities. The outcome of at least 15 years of different policy regarding health promotion was studied in 1991 through self-reports of 915 subjects, 13–16 years old, with a questionnaire distributed through schools with questions on health, health habits and health compromising behaviors. The study itself turned out to be an important intervention. The two “inactive” communities changed their policy and methods. For this reason a second survey was done in 1993 with 593 subjects 13–16 years in the “active” and in one of the “inactive” communities. Results: The adolescents in the “active” community with a long duration of energetic and comprehensive public health activities consistently demonstrated better mental health, health habits and less risk behavior in contrast to the state in the two “inactive” communities. Two years of active work in the “inactive” communities marginally improved health there. Conclusion: This study suggests that consistent and comprehensive public health activities might have reduced risk taking behavior and improved health and health habits during mid-adolescence.
OpenADAM: an open source genome-wide association data management system for Affymetrix SNP arrays
Authors: Yeung J MY , Sham P C , Chan A SW , Cherny S S 
Published: February 2009

Abstract

Background
Large scale genome-wide association studies have become popular since the introduction of high throughput genotyping platforms. Efficient management of the vast array of data generated poses many challenges.

Description
We have developed an open source web-based data management system for the large amount of genotype data generated from the Affymetrix GeneChip® Mapping Array and Affymetrix Genome-Wide Human SNP Array platforms. The database supports genotype calling using DM, BRLMM, BRLMM-P or Birdseed algorithms provided by the Affymetrix Power Tools. The genotype and corresponding pedigree data are stored in a relational database for efficient downstream data manipulation and analysis, such as calculation of allele and genotype frequencies, sample identity checking, and export of genotype data in various file formats for analysis using commonly-available software. A novel method for genotyping error estimation is implemented using linkage disequilibrium information from the HapMap project. All functionalities are accessible via a web-based user interface.

Conclusion
OpenADAM provides an open source database system for management of Affymetrix genome-wide association SNP data.
Evaluation of the BD Vacutainer® PST™ II Blood Collection Tube for special chemistry analytes
Authors: Chance Jeffrey , Berube Julie , Vandersmissen Marita , Blanckaert Norbert 
Published: February 2009

Abstract: The performance of the BD Vacutainer: Tubes were drawn by routine venipuncture from 42 subjects according to a randomized draw order. Tubes were processed and centrifuged according to recommended handling procedures. Serum and plasma from the comparison tubes were aliquoted to secondary containers prior to analysis. Specimens were then tested for selected special chemistry analytes at two time intervals (initial time and after 24 h storage). Analytes tested included thyroid stimulating hormone, free thyroxine, total thyroxine, follicle stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, ferritin, cortisol, vitamin B12, folate, and testosterone. The data were collected and analyzed by analysis of variance and mean bias comparisons.: The performance of the BD Vacutainer: The BD VacutainerClin Chem Lab Med 2009;47:358–61.
Serum free light chain immunoassay as an adjunct to serum protein electrophoresis and immunofixation electrophoresis in the detection of multiple myeloma and other B-cell malignancies
Authors: Harding Stephen J. , Mead Graham P. , Bradwell Arthur R. , Berard Annie M. 
Published: February 2009

Abstract: Protein and immunofixation electrophoresis of serum and urine are established as diagnostic aids for identifying monoclonal gammopathies. However, many patient sera sent to laboratories are not accompanied by urine samples and recent reports suggest the use of serum free light chain (sFLC) analysis in combination with serum protein electrophoresis (SPE) and immunofixation electrophoresis (IFE) could eliminate the need for urinalysis. The aim of the study was to assess the utility of sFLC measurement in addition to serum protein electrophoresis in the identification of patients with B-cell malignancies.: A total of 952 serum samples were analysed by serum protein electrophoresis and those with abnormal bands were analysed by immunofixation. sFLCs were measured in a retrospective manner by automated assay.: In our study of 952 patient sera, it was found that FLC analysis identified 23 additional cases of B-cell malignancies which were missed by SPE.: The additional malignancies identified by sFLC analysis add support for its inclusion in the routine screening protocol for B-cell malignancies.Clin Chem Lab Med 2009;47:302–4.
HbA1c determination – A new diagnostic criterion?1
Authors: Steveling Antje , Völzke Henry , Nauck Matthias , Wallaschofski Henri 
Published: February 2009

Abstract
According to the current guidelines, in Germany type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is diagnosed by the criteria of the American Diabetes Association (ADA). Using HbA1c as a screening parameter of T2DM has not been accepted by the ADA until now because of insufficient standardisation and low sensitivity. Nevertheless, since recently published investigations could prove high sensitivity and specificity, HbA1c will gain more attention as a screening parameter. We discuss the meaning of HbA1c as a screening parameter for T2DM and as a predictor of disease progress.
Optimierung der Stellgrößenfolge eines DC-DC-WandlersOptimization of Control Sequences for DC-DC-Converters
Authors: Kröger Claus 
Published: February 2009

Zusammenfassung
DC-DC-Wandler werden in der Leistungselektronik eingesetzt, um mit einem hohen Wirkungsgrad unterschiedliche Spannungsniveaus elektrischer Quellen und Verbraucher anzupassen. Diese leistungselektronischen Stellglieder arbeiten zur Minimierung von Verlusten deshalb stets mit schaltenden Leistungshalbleitern. Aus diesem schaltenden Prinzip des Wandlers resultiert eine Stellgrößenbegrenzung, welche die Regeldynamik für die Ausgangsspannung stark einschränkt. In diesem Beitrag wird eine Optimierung der Stellgrößenfolge für eine hochdynamische Regelung eines DC-DC-Wandlers auf dem Regelungsansatz einer endlichen Einstellzeit entwickelt, so dass die prinzipbedingte Stellgrößenschranke eingehalten wird.
Was geschrieben ist, ist geschrieben – Legacy CICS-Anwendungen im neuen GewandWhat is written, is written – Modern Legacy CICS-Applications
Authors: Stefan Fred , Herrmann Paul , Spruth Wilhelm G. 
Published: February 2009

Zusammenfassung
Integrationsprojekte sind ein wichtiger Bestandteil einer anpassungsfähigen Informationstechnologie und für einen flexiblen Geschäftsbetrieb unumgänglich. Gerade im Großrechnerbereich besteht ein wachsender Bedarf an Modernisierungsmöglichkeiten für Altanwendungen. Dieser Artikel beleuchtet einen von IBM verfolgten Ansatz zur Modernisierung von Legacy-Anwendungen und diskutiert die nötigen Schritte, um Altanwendungen auf den neusten Stand zu bringen. Das Service Flow Feature (SFF) bietet einen interessanten Ansatz zur Modernisierung von Legacy CICS-Anwendungen (CICS: Customer Information Control System), weil bereits laufende Anwendungen weiterverwendet und in vorhandene Architekturen integriert werden können. Zudem werden bessere Modernisierungsmöglichkeiten bereitgestellt als lediglich die Anpassung der Oberfläche. Hinzu kommt, dass mehrere CICS-Anwendungen aggregiert werden können und die damit erzeugten Geschäftsprozesse über offene Schnittstellen erreichbar sind. Gleichzeitig findet eine Entkopplung der Präsentationslogik von der Anwendungslogik statt. Letzteres bietet dem Entwickler die Möglichkeit, modernere Methoden der Präsentationslogik wie z.B. mittels JSP zu implementieren. Über den Einsatz des CICS SFF in der Entwicklungsumgebung RDz besteht für Firmen kurz- bis mittelfristig die Chance, ihr Reservoire an Legacy CICS-Anwendungen mit relativ wenig Aufwand den modernen IT-Anforderungen anzupassen.
Algorithmische und komplexitätstheoretische Aspekte kombinatorischer PreisoptimierungComputational Aspects of Combinatorial Pricing Problems
Authors: Briest Patrick 
Published: February 2009

Zusammenfassung
Kombinatorische Preisoptimierung umfasst eine Vielzahl natürlicher Optimierungsprobleme, die sowohl bei der Berechnung erlösmaximierender Produktpreise auf Basis von Umfragedaten, als auch im Entwurf profitmaximierender Auktionsmechanismen in spieltheoretischen Szenarien eine wesentliche Rolle spielen. Die hier beschriebene Arbeit befasst sich mit algorithmischen und komplexitätstheoretischen Aspekten solcher Probleme und hat ihren Schwerpunkt, angesichts der Tatsache, dass die meisten der betrachteten Probleme NP-schwierig sind, im Bereich der Approximationsalgorithmen und Nichtapproximierbarkeit.