The Silences Framework: A Method for researching sensitive themes and marginalized health perspectives (English version)

Objective: To describe the experience of applying of The Silences Framework to underpin health research investigating Tuberculosis/HIV/AIDS coinfection . Method: The Silences Framework originally developed following a study exploring the decisions and silences surrounding black Caribbean men living in England, discussing the themes 'sexual health' and 'ethnicity'. Following this study a conceptual a theory for research on sensitive issues and health care of marginalized populations was developed called 'Screaming Silences' which forms the foundation of The Silences Framework. Screaming Silences define research areas and experiences that are poorly studied, little understood or silenced. Results: The Silences Framework supports researchers in revealing "silences" in the subjects they study - as such results may reflect how beliefs, values, and experiences of some groups influence their health. This framework provides the application of four complementary stages: working the silences, hearing silences, voicing silences and working with the silences. The analysis occurs cyclically and can be repeated as long as the silences inherent in a study are not revealed. Conclusion: this article presents The Silences Framework and the application of the notion of "sounds of silence", mapping an antiessentialist theoretical framework for its use in sensitive research in health and nursing areas, being a reference for other researchers in studies involving marginalized populations. KEYWORDS: Inequalities in health. Methods. Nursing. Coinfection. Research. Tuberculosis. Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome

Condom Negotiations among Female Sex Workers in the Philippines: Environmental Influences

BackgroundSocial and structural influences of condom negotiation among female sex workers (FSWs) remain understudied. This study assesses environmental and individual factors associated with condom negotiation among FSWs at high risk for acquiring HIV in a large urban setting of Metro Manila, Philippines.MethodsFemale bar/spa workers (N = 498), aged 18 and over, underwent interview-led surveys examining their sexual health practices in the context of their risk environments. Data were collected from April 2009-January 2010 from 54 venues. Multiple logistic regressions were conducted to assess socio-behavioral factors (e.g., age, education, length of time employed as an entertainer, and alcohol/drug use) and socio-structural factors (e.g., venue-level peer/manager support, condom rule/availability, and sex trafficking) associated with condom negotiation, adjusting for individuals nested within venues.ResultsOf 142 FSWs who traded sex in the previous 6 months (included in the analysis), 24% did not typically negotiate condom use with venue patrons. Factors in the physical environment--trafficked/coerced into work (AOR = 12.92, 95% CI = 3.34-49.90), economic environment--sex without a condom to make more money (AOR = 1.52, 95% CI 1.01-2.30), policy environment--sex without a condom because none was available (AOR = 2.58, 95% CI = 1.49-4.48), and individual risk--substance use (AOR = 2.36, 95% CI = 1.28-4.35) were independently associated with FSWs' lack of condom negotiation with venue patrons.ConclusionsFactors in the physical, economic, and policy environments, over individual (excepting substance use) and social level factors, were significantly associated with these FSWs' condom negotiations in the Philippines. Drawing upon Rhodes' risk environment framework, these results highlight the need for policies that support safer sex negotiations among sex workers in the context of their risk environments. Interventions should reduce barriers to condom negotiation for FSWs trafficked/coerced into their work, substance using, and impacted by economic conditions and policies that do not support condom availability

Verwendung eines ferroelektrischen keramischen Werkstoffs für die Informationsspeicherung bei elektrostatischen Druckverfahren: Ferroelektrischer keramischer Werkstoff (A1)

A novel ferroelectric ceramic material comprises a ceramic perovskite solid soln. contg. one or more group 1 and 2 components, the group 1 components being: PbTiO3 (PT), BaTiO3 (BT), Pb(Fe1/2Nb1/2)O3 (PFN) and Pb(Zn1/3Nb2/3)O3 (PZN); and the group 2 components being: Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3 (PMN), Pb(Ni1/3Nb2/3)O3 (PNN), Pb(Fe2/3W1/3)O3 (PFW) and Pb(Mn1/2Nb1/2)O3 (PMnN). The amounts of the components of the two groups in the solid soln. are given by the mathematical equation: ((j) sigma (i = 1)) xi multiplied by Tci = TcM; where Xi = molar fraction of the 'i'th component; Tci = Curie point of the 'i'th component; and TcM = Curie point of the solid soln. (50 - 100 deg.C). USE - E.g. as a printing roller surface layer for information storage in electrostatic printing processes. ADVANTAGE - The material has high remanent polarisation combined with appearance of surface charges, easy polarisability esp. at 50 Hz (Pr is greater than 13muC / cm2 at 50 Hz), an almost rectangular hysteresis loop, a h igh insulation resistance of more than 1010 ohm cm, low variation of coupling factor and a coercive field strength of less than 200 V / mm

PZT thick films for microsystems applications

The preparation of PZT thick films on various substrates with thicknesses between 5 micron and 150 micron has been an area of active research for the last 15 years. Sintering of such films is difficult due to constrained sintering conditions, decomposition by PbO loss and possible reaction with the substrate material. The authors investigated into dense PZT thick films by combining PZT-PMN powder with a low melting point glass and the eutectic forming oxides Bi2O3 and ZnO. Densification is due to transient liquid phase jormation with additional incorporation of cations into the growing PZT grains during sintering. PZT thick films prepared by this method show excellent dielectric, ferroelectric and piezoelectric properties. They have been applied on various substrates, like Al2O3, ZrO2, low temperature co-fired ceramics (LTCC) and silicon wafers which are basis materials for microsystems technology. The influence of the substrate material on the PZT thick film properties and the role of buffer layers will be discussed. PZT thick films are of great interest as sensors and actuators for microsystems, optical and smart structure applications like for example piezoelectric pressure sensors, ultrasonic transducers, ferroelectric printing forms and deformable mirrors. Entnommen aus TEMA</a

Verfahren zur Herstellung von Dickschichten aus ferroelektrischen Keramiken

DE 19817482 A UPAB: 19991215 NOVELTY - Thick ferroelectric ceramic layers are produced by applying a pure organometallic sol-gel solution, heating, applying a ferroelectric ceramic powder dispersion in the sol-gel solution, and then sintering. DETAILED DESCRIPTION - Thick ferroelectric ceramic layers are produced using a dispersion of more than 90 wt.% ferroelectric ceramic powder, comprising PbTiO3-PbZrO3-lead complex perovskite or a mixture of lead complex perovskites optionally with PbTiO3, in an organometallic sol-gel solution. Substrates are coated by initially applying the pure sol-gel solution, heating, applying the dispersion, and then sintering the layers. USE - For producing thick ferroelectric ceramic layers on e.g. silicon, alumina, zirconia or special steel substrates, useful as actuators, sensors, capacitors, vibrators or storage elements, or for ferroelectric printing processes. ADVANTAGE - The process produces crack-free thick layers of about 100 microns thickness, which have good adhesion even on silicon substrates