bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Poverty and household food security of black South African farm workers: the legacy of social inequalities
Authors: Kruger A , Lemke S , Phometsi Mars , van't Riet H , Pienaar AE , Kotze G 
Published: February 2007

AbstractObjectiveTo assess socio-economic indicators, nutritional status and living conditions of farm workers and their families, with the purpose to develop research and intervention programmes aimed at enhancing nutritional status and quality of life.Design and settingThree farm schools in two districts of the North-West Province and farming communities were selected. Anthropometrical measurements, structured face-to-face questionnaires and focus group discussions were carried out in 2002 and 2003 by a multidisciplinary research team.ResultsAccess to electricity, water and sanitation, as well as monthly food rations or subsidies, vary and depend on farm owners. The majority of adults have education below or up to grade four, farm schools provide only up to grade seven. Distance to farm schools and intra-household issues hamper children's attendance and performance at school. Household food security is compromised due to a lack of financial resources, infrastructure and also household resource allocation. This impacts negatively especially on children, with half of them being underweight, stunted or wasted. Employment is usually linked to men, while most women have access to casual jobs only. Insecurity of residence and the perceived disempowered position towards farm owners add to feelings of hopelessness and stress.Conclusions and recommendationsThis study highlights destitute living conditions of farm worker families. Apart from structural and financial constraints, paternalistic structures of the past might also hamper development. Based on these findings, follow-up research projects and in-depth investigations into underlying social issues with regard to nutrition insecurity and livelihoods of farm workers were initiated.
Comparison of the World Health Organization (WHO) Child Growth Standards and the National Center for Health Statistics/WHO international growth reference: implications for child health programmes
Authors: de Onis Mercedes , Onyango Adelheid W , Borghi Elaine , Garza Cutberto , Yang Hong ,   WHO Multicentre Growth Reference Study Group
Published: February 2007

AbstractObjectivesTo compare growth patterns and estimates of malnutrition based on the World Health Organization (WHO) Child Growth Standards (‘the WHO standards’) and the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS)/WHO international growth reference (‘the NCHS reference’), and discuss implications for child health programmes.DesignSecondary analysis of longitudinal data to compare growth patterns (birth to 12 months) and data from two cross-sectional surveys to compare estimates of malnutrition among under-fives.SettingsBangladesh, Dominican Republic and a pooled sample of infants from North America and Northern Europe.SubjectsRespectively 4787, 10 381 and 226 infants and children.ResultsHealthy breast-fed infants tracked along the WHO standard's weight-for-age meanZ-score while appearing to falter on the NCHS reference from 2 months onwards. Underweight rates increased during the first six months and thereafter decreased when based on the WHO standards. For all age groups stunting rates were higher according to the WHO standards. Wasting and severe wasting were substantially higher during the first half of infancy. Thereafter, the prevalence of severe wasting continued to be 1.5 to 2.5 times that of the NCHS reference. The increase in overweight rates based on the WHO standards varied by age group, with an overall relative increase of 34%.ConclusionsThe WHO standards provide a better tool to monitor the rapid and changing rate of growth in early infancy. Their adoption will have important implications for child health with respect to the assessment of lactation performance and the adequacy of infant feeding. Population estimates of malnutrition will vary by age, growth indicator and the nutritional status of index populations.
Impact of enhanced geothermal systems on US energy supply in the twenty-first century
Authors: Tester Jefferson W , Anderson Brian J , Batchelor Anthony S , Blackwell David D , DiPippo Ronald , Drake Elisabeth M , Garnish John , Livesay Bill , Moore Michal C , Nichols Kenneth , Petty Susan , Nafi Toksoz M , Veatch Ralph W , Baria Roy , Augustine Chad , Murphy Enda , Negraru Petru , Richards Maria 
Published: February 2007

Recent national focus on the value of increasing US supplies of indigenous renewable energy underscores the need for re-evaluating all alternatives, particularly those that are large and well distributed nationally. A panel was assembled in September 2005 to evaluate the technical and economic feasibility of geothermal becoming a major supplier of primary energy for US base-load generation capacity by 2050. Primary energy produced from both conventional hydrothermal and enhanced (or engineered) geothermal systems (EGS) was considered on a national scale. This paper summarizes the work of the panel which appears in complete form in a 2006 MIT report, ‘The future of geothermal energy’ parts 1 and 2.
In the analysis, a comprehensive national assessment of US geothermal resources, evaluation of drilling and reservoir technologies and economic modelling was carried out. The methodologies employed to estimate geologic heat flow for a range of geothermal resources were utilized to provide detailed quantitative projections of the EGS resource base for the USA. Thirty years of field testing worldwide was evaluated to identify the remaining technology needs with respect to drilling and completing wells, stimulating EGS reservoirs and converting geothermal heat to electricity in surface power and energy recovery systems. Economic modelling was used to develop long-term projections of EGS in the USA for supplying electricity and thermal energy. Sensitivities to capital costs for drilling, stimulation and power plant construction, and financial factors, learning curve estimates, and uncertainties and risks were considered.
Examination of the association between syringe exchange program (SEP) dispensation policy and SEP client‐level syringe coverage among injection drug users
Authors: Bluthenthal Ricky N. , Ridgeway Greg , Schell Terry , Anderson Rachel , Flynn Neil M. , Kral Alex H. 
Published: February 2007

ABSTRACTAim  To determine whether syringe exchange programs' (SEPs) dispensation policy is associated with syringe coverage among SEP clients.Design  Cross‐sectional samples of SEPs and their clients.Setting  SEPs in California, USA.Participants  Twenty‐four SEPs and their injection drug using (IDU) clients (n = 1576).Measurements  Clients were classified as having adequate syringe coverage if they received at least as many syringes from the SEP as their self‐reported injections in the last 30 days. SEPs were classified based on their syringe dispensation policy. Dispensation schemes ranging from least restrictive to most are: unlimited needs‐based distribution; unlimited one‐for‐one exchange plus a few additional syringes; per visit limited one‐for‐one plus a few additional syringes; unlimited one‐for‐one exchange; and per visit limited one‐for‐one exchange.Findings  Adequate syringe coverage among SEP clients by dispensation policy is as follows: unlimited needs‐based distribution = 61%; unlimited one‐for‐one plus = 50%; limited one‐for‐one plus = 41%; unlimited one‐for‐one = 42%; and limited one‐for‐one = 26%. In multivariate analysis, adequate syringe coverage was significantly higher for all dispensation policies compared to per visit limited one‐for‐one exchange. Using propensity scoring methods, we compared syringe coverage by dispensation policies while controlling for client‐level differences. Providing additional syringes above one‐for‐one exchange (50% versus 38%, P = 0.009) and unlimited exchange (42% versus 27%, P = 0.05) generally resulted in more clients having adequate syringe coverage compared to one‐for‐one exchange and per visit limits.Conclusion  Providing less restrictive syringe dispensation is associated with increased prevalence of adequate syringe coverage among clients. SEPs should adopt syringe dispensation policies that provide IDUs sufficient syringes to attain adequate syringe coverage.
Effect of structure of a tropical pasture on ingestive behaviour, digestibility of diet and daily intake by grazing cattle
Authors: Boval M. , Fanchone A. , Archimède H. , Gibb M. J. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractThe effect of the structure of a tropical pasture, based on Dichanthium spp., on the ingestive behaviour, in vivo digestibility of the diet and herbage intake by eight Creole tethered heifers was studied. Two levels of nitrogen fertilizer (0 and 50 kg ha−1) were applied to plots after each grazing cycle and there were 28 d between each of the three grazing cycles. Four heifers grazed individual subplots daily on each plot for 14 d in each of the successive grazing cycles. Simultaneous measurements of bite depth, bite mass, biting rate, short‐term intake rate and daily grazing time were made in two 4‐d periods at the end of each 14‐d period. The in vivo organic matter digestibility (OMD) and daily herbage organic matter intake (OMI, expressed on a kg LW0·75 basis) were also measured at the same times. Relationships among pasture characteristics and ingestive behaviour were similar to those reported in other short‐term studies: pasture height was highly correlated with bite depth, bite mass and biting rate (r = 0·91, r =0·79 and r = −0·68, respectively, P < 0·001). Pasture variables had lower correlations with grazing time and short‐term intake rate than with bite depth, bite mass and biting rate. Pasture structure was more highly correlated with OMD than OMI: leaf mass and length and also the extended tiller length were highly correlated with OMD (r = 0·77, r = 0·76 and r = 0·72, respectively, P < 0·001) whereas the crude protein concentration of the herbage was correlated with OMI and digestible OMI (r = 0·50 and r = 0·69, respectively, P < 0·001). Ingestive behaviour variables, as well as OMD, were correlated more with pasture characteristics than was OMI.
Inter‐ and intra‐population genetic variation for leaf:stem ratio in landraces and varieties of lucerne
Authors: Annicchiarico P. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractA comparison was made of landrace vs. variety inter‐ and intra‐population genetic variation for leaf:stem ratio in lucerne and investigated its relationship with forage yield and other characters. Very early‐flowering genotypes were excluded from the assessment to limit the impact of maturity stage on the variation in leaf:stem ratio. The evaluation was performed on a summer harvest of 390 genotypes belonging to ten landraces from northern Italy and to six well‐performing varieties, and on nineteen clones of a single genotype which were used to estimate the environmental variance. Landrace and variety groups did not differ in mean leaf:stem ratio. Variation for this trait was significant among varieties (P < 0·05) but not among landraces. Within‐population variation was significant for both germplasm groups (P < 0·01), being somewhat larger in landraces. The estimated within‐population variance component largely exceeded the among‐population variance component within varieties. Higher leaf:stem ratios were mainly associated with shorter and thinner main stems in genotypes and populations, and showed a modest inverse correlation with forage yield. The results highlight the importance of landrace germplasm and the paramount importance of selection within populations to identify parent material with a high leaf:stem ratio.
Morphological characteristics and nutritive value of some grass species in an arid ecosystem
Authors: Saini M. L. , Jain P. , Joshi U. N. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractAn experiment was conducted on four genotypes of Cenchrus ciliaris, two genotypes of C. setigerus and one genotype each of Panicum maximum, P. antidotale and Lasirus sindicus grasses at CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Haryana, India in 2003 and 2004. Two cuts were taken in the months of September and November in each year. Measurements were made of seven morphological characteristics and the nutritive value of the grasses. The total green fodder yield was highest in C. ciliaris cv. IGFRI in 2003 and in C. ciliaris cv. CAZRI 75 in 2004. Total dry matter (DM) yield was highest in P. maximum cv. IGFRI and C. ciliaris cv. CAZRI 75 in 2003 and 2004, respectively. Crude protein and digestible DM yields were highest in C. ciliaris cv. CAZRI 75. It was concluded that C. ciliaris cv. CAZRI 75 can be recommended as the one with the most potential among the studied grasses for use in the arid regions of south‐west Haryana, India.
EXECUTION BY LETHAL INJECTION, EUTHANASIA, ORGAN‐DONATION AND THE PROPER GOALS OF MEDICINE
Authors: VARELIUS JUKKA 
Published: February 2007

ABSTRACTIn a recent issue of this journal, David Silver and Gerald Dworkin discuss the physicians' role in execution by lethal injection. Dworkin concludes that discussion by stating that, at that point, he is unable to think of an acceptable set of moral principles to support the view that it is illegitimate for physicians to participate in execution by lethal injection that would not rule out certain other plausible moral judgements, namely that euthanasia is under certain conditions legitimate and that organ‐donation surgery is sometimes permissible. This article draws attention to some problems in the views of Silver and Dworkin and suggests moral principles which support the three moral views just mentioned.
Expression of apoptosis regulatory proteins p53 and Bcl‐2 in skin of patients with chronic renal failure on maintenance haemodialysis
Authors: El‐Domyati MM , Ahmad HM , Nagy I , Zahran A 
Published: February 2007

AbstractBackground  Chronic renal failure results in multi‐organ system derangement including cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, neurological, endocrinal, blood and dermatological abnormalities. Maintenance of skin homeostasis requires a delicate balance between proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis. p53 and Bcl‐2 proteins play a central role in the regulation of apoptosis.Objective  Evaluation of the expression of apoptosis regulatory proteins p53 and Bcl‐2 in apparently normal skin of patients, with chronic renal failure on maintenance haemodialysis, with respect to their role in the apoptotic process.Methods  Biopsy specimens were obtained from 10 patients with chronic renal failure on maintenance haemodialysis, as well as seven age‐matched control subjects. Computer‐assisted image analysis was employed to measure epidermal thickness in H&E‐stained sections. Immunoperoxidase technique was also used to demonstrate p53 and Bcl‐2 proteins and the TUNEL technique for detection of apoptotic cells in these specimens.Results  The mean epidermal thickness was significantly higher (P < 0.0001) in patients than controls. Meanwhile, no apoptotic cells were detected in the epidermis of patients. On the other hand, a statistically significant difference was observed in both p53 (P = 0.0001) and Bcl‐2 expression (P = 0.0003) when comparing patients and controls. Expression of p53 (2.74 ± 0.84) and Bcl‐2 (3.45 ± 1.35) proteins was higher in skin samples obtained from patients with chronic renal failure and on maintenance haemodialysis than those from control cases (0.5 ± 0.96 and 0.8 ± 0.6, respectively). Moreover, Bcl‐2 expression in patients was observed in basal as well as squamous cell layers of skin, whereas in control subjects it was confined to the basal cell layer only.Conclusion  These findings suggest that an alteration in the proliferation/apoptosis balance may be present in the skin of such patients.
Preliminary Results with Percutaneous Transcatheter Microwave Ablation of Typical Atrial Flutter
Authors: CHAN JOSEPH YAT‐SUN , WING‐HONG FUNG JEFFERY , YU CHEUK‐MAN , FELD GREGORY K. 
Published: February 2007

Background: Linear microwave ablation has been shown to be effective for treatment of atrial fibrillation during open‐heart surgery by producing transmural lesions in the atrium to isolate the pulmonary veins. However, the safety and efficacy of percutaneous, transcatheter, linear microwave ablation for atrial arrhythmias, while demonstrated in animal models, is unknown in humans. Therefore, we studied the safety and efficacy of linear microwave ablation of the cavotricuspid isthmus (CTI) in humans with typical atrial flutter, utilizing a 2‐cm long microwave antenna mounted on a steerable 9‐French catheter. Methods and Results: In seven consecutive patients, multielectrode catheters were positioned at the His bundle (quadripolar) and around the TV annulus (duo‐decapolar) for pacing and recording atrial activation sequence before and after ablation. The microwave antenna was withdrawn gradually from tricuspid annulus towards inferior vena cava to ablate the CTI. Intracardiac ultrasound was used to ensure adequate endocardial contact of the microwave ablation catheter with the CTI. Microwave energy was applied at a power of 18 to 21 W at each ablation point for 120 seconds. Ablation was repeated until bidirectional CTI block was confirmed by demonstrating a descending activation wavefront in the contralateral atrial wall during pacing from the coronary sinus ostium or low lateral right atrium, respectively. Bidirectional isthmus block was achieved in all patients, after a mean number of 27.4 ± 14.7 energy applications per patients. There were no acute procedural complications. Conclusions: Percutaneous, transcatheter microwave ablation of CTI dependent atrial flutter was demonstrated to be safe and effective in this preliminary feasibility study.
Clinical Implications of Reconnection Between the Left Atrium and Isolated Pulmonary Veins Provoked by Adenosine Triphosphate after Extensive Encircling Pulmonary Vein Isolation
Authors: HACHIYA HITOSHI , HIRAO KENZO , TAKAHASHI ATSUSHI , NAGATA YASUTOSHI , SUZUKI KENJI , MAEDA SHINGO , SASAKI TAKESHI , KAWABATA MIHOKO , ISOBE MITSUAKI , IESAKA YOSHITO 
Published: February 2007

Introduction: Dormant pulmonary vein (PV) conduction can be provoked by adenosine triphosphate (ATP) after extensive encircling pulmonary vein isolation (EEPVI). However, the clinical implication of reconnection between the left atrium (LA) and isolated PVs provoked by ATP (ATP‐reconnection) remains unknown. Methods and Results: We studied the clinical consequences of ATP‐reconnection during intravenous isoproterenol infusion (ISP‐infusion). EEPVI severs conduction between the LA and ipsilateral PVs at their junction. Radiofrequency energy is applied at a distance from the PV ostia guided by double Lasso catheters placed within the ipsilateral superior and inferior PVs. This study comprised 82 patients (67 men, 56 ± 9 years old) with atrial fibrillation (AF) who underwent injection of ATP during ISP infusion after successful EEPVI (ATP(+) group). We compared clinical characteristics of 170 patients who underwent earlier EEPVI prior to our use of ATP injection after successful EEPVI (ATP(N/D) group) with those of ATP(+) group patients who underwent one session of EEPVI. ATP‐reconnection occurred in 34 (41%) of 82 ATP(+) group patients. Additional radiofrequency applications were performed to eliminate ATP‐reconnection in all ipsilateral PVs. Continuous ATP‐reconnection of more than 20 seconds duration occurred in six (7.3%) of 82 patients. A total of 102 (60%) of 170 patients in the ATP(N/D) group had no recurrence of AF, whereas 60 (73%) of 82 ATP(+) group patients who underwent only one EEPVI session have had no recurrence of AF in a 6.1 ± 3.3‐month follow‐up period (P = 0.04). Conclusion: Radiofrequency application for provoked ATP‐reconnection may reduce clinical AF recurrence.
Focal Atrial Tachycardias Arising from the Right Atrial Appendage: Electrocardiographic and Electrophysiologic Characteristics and Radiofrequency Ablation
Authors: ROBERTS‐THOMSON KURT C. , KISTLER PETER M. , HAQQANI HARIS M. , McGAVIGAN ANDREW D. , HILLOCK RICHARD J. , STEVENSON IRENE H. , MORTON JOSEPH B. , VOHRA JITENDRA K. , SPARKS PAUL B. , KALMAN JONATHAN M. 
Published: February 2007

Objective: To characterize the electrocardiographic and electrophysiological features and frequency of focal atrial tachycardia (AT) originating from the right atrial appendage (RAA). Background: The RAA has been described as a site of origin of AT, but detailed characterization of these tachycardias is limited. Methods: Ten patients (3.8%) of 261 undergoing radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for focal AT are reported. Endocardial activation maps (EAM) were recorded from catheters at the CS (10 pole), tricuspid annulus (20 pole Halo catheter), and His positions. P waves were classified as negative, positive, isoelectric, or biphasic. Results: The mean age was 39 ± 20 years, nine males, with symptoms for 4.1 ± 5.1 years. Tachycardia was incessant in seven patients, spontaneous in one patient, and induced by programmed extrastimuli in two patients. These foci had a characteristic P wave morphology. The P wave was negative in lead V1 in all patients, becoming progressively positive across the precordial leads. The P waves in the inferior leads were low amplitude positive in the majority of patients. Earliest EAM activity occurred on the Halo catheter in all patients. Mean activation time at the successful RFA site =−38 ± 15 msec. Irrigated catheters were used in six patients, due to difficulty achieving adequate power. RFA was acutely successful in all patients. Long‐term success was achieved in all patients over a mean follow up of 8 ± 7 months. Conclusions: The RAA is an uncommon site of origin for focal AT (3.8%). It can be suspected as a potential anatomic site of AT origin from the characteristic P wave and activation timing. Irrigated ablation catheters are often required for successful ablation. Long‐term success was achieved with focal ablation in all patients.
On the ocular refractive components: the Reykjavik Eye Study
Authors: Olsen Thomas , Arnarsson Arsaell , Sasaki Hiroshi , Sasaki Kazuyuki , Jonasson Fridbert 
Published: February 2007

Abstract.Purpose:  To study the correlation between ocular refraction and the refractive components (corneal power, lens power and axial length) in a population‐based sample of normal subjects.Methods:  We analysed the refractive and biometric findings for 723 right eyes (325 males and 398 females) comprising a population‐based random sample of citizens 55 years and older participating in the Reykjavik Eye Study. Measurements of refraction, corneal curvature (by keratometry), anterior chamber depth, lens thickness and axial length (all by ultrasound biometry) were used to calculate crystalline lens power. The correlation and regression between refraction and ocular refractive components (corneal power, anterior chamber depth, lens power and axial length) were studied by distributional statistical methods.Results:  Refraction (spherical equivalent) showed a significant negative correlation with axial length (r = –0.59, P < 0.0001), lens power (r = –0.26, P < 0.0001) and corneal power (r = –0.16, P < 0.0001). There were significant negative correlations between axial length and corneal power (r = –0.44, P < 0.0001) and between axial length and lens power (r = –0.44, P < 0.0001). Based on multiple linear regression analysis, refraction could be correlated with corneal power, lens power and axial length in combination with a correlation coefficient of 0.98 (P < 0.0001).Conclusion:  This study confirms that ocular refraction is statistically significantly correlated with not only axial length but also lens power and (to a lesser extent) corneal power. The variation and correlations of crystalline lens power were considerable – possibly indicating this component's modulatory effect on ocular refraction during growth. We conclude the refractive error of the eye to be a multifactorial condition involving a complex interplay between the cornea, the lens and the length of the eye.