A bibliometric analysis of research productivity in Parasitology by different world regions during a 9-year period (1995–2003)

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to estimate the research productivity of different world regions in the field of Parasitology. METHODS: Using the PubMed database we retrieved articles from journals included in the "Parasitology" category of the "Journal Citation Reports" database of the Institute for Scientific Information for the period 1995–2003. Research productivity was evaluated based on a methodology we developed and used in other bibliometric studies by analysing: (1) the total number of publications, (2) the mean impact factor of all papers, and (3) the product of the above two parameters, (4) the research productivity in relation to gross domestic product of each region, and (5) the research productivity in relation to gross national income per capita and population of each region. RESULTS: Data on the country of origin of the research was available for 18,110 out of 18,377 articles (98.6% of all articles from the included journals). Western Europe exceeds all world regions in research production for the period studied (34.8% of total articles), with USA ranking second (19.9%), and Latin America & the Caribbean ranking third (17.2%). The mean impact factor in articles published in Parasitology journals was highest for the USA (1.88). Oceania ranked first in research productivity when adjustments for both the gross national income per capita (GNIPC) and population were made. Eastern Europe almost tripled the production of articles from only 1.9% of total production in 1995 to 4.3% in 2003. Similarly, Latin America and the Caribbean and Asia doubled their production. However, the absolute and relative production by some developing areas, including Africa, is still very low, despite the fact that parasitic diseases are major public health problems in these areas. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that more help should be provided by the developed nations to developing areas for improvement of the infrastructure of research

Ge Interface Engineering with Ozone-oxidation for Low Interface State Density

Passivation of Ge has been a critical issue for Ge MOS applications in future technology nodes. In this letter, we introduce ozone-oxidation to engineer Ge/insulator interface. Interface states (D{sub it}) values across the bandgap and close to conduction bandedge were extracted using conductance technique at low temperatures. D{sub it} dependency on growth conditions was studied. Minimum D{sub it} of 3 x 10{sup 11} cm{sup -2} V{sup -1} was demonstrated. Physical quality of the interface was investigated through Ge 3d spectra measurements. We found that the interface and D{sub it} is strongly affected by the distribution of oxidation states and quality of the suboxide

ФОРМИРОВАНИЕ ТОНКИХ ПЛЕНОК ОКСИДА ЦИНКА КОМБИНИРОВАННЫМ МЕТОДОМ ГИДРОТЕРМАЛЬНОГО И ПОСЛОЙНОГО АТОМНОГО ОСАЖДЕНИЯ

Properties and deposition of continuous thin zinc oxide films by chemical on the monocrystalline silicon substrates with zinc oxide seed layer formed by atomic layer deposition are studied. Obtained hybrid zinc oxide structures consist of vertically oriented crystallites packed in uniform continuous film. Optical and electrical properties of the films are measured. It is shown, that deposited zinc oxide films demonstrate photoluminescence in the visible range of electromagnetic spectra with maximum at 600-700 nm. Luminescence band in the near UV region at 380 nm, associated with band-to-band radiative recombination, is also measured. The resistivity of the obtained zinc oxide films is about 0.7 Ohm·cm.Исследованы свойства и показана возможность получения тонких сплошных пленок оксида цинка химическим гидротермальным методом на поверхности подложек монокристаллического кремния с затравочным слоем оксида цинка, сформированным методом послойного атомного осаждения. Полученные гибридные структуры из оксида цинка состоят из вертикально ориентированных кристаллитов оксида цинка, образующих компактную сплошную пленку. Проведены измерения оптических и электрических свойств полученных пленок. Показано, что пленки оксида цинка демонстрируют фотолюминесценцию в видимом диапазоне электромагнитного спектра с максимумом на длине волны 600-700 нм, связанную с наличием структурных дефектов, и в ближнем УФ-диапазоне с максимумом около 380 нм, связанную с излучательной межзонной рекомбинацией. Удельное сопротивление полученных пленок составляет 0,7 Ом·см

Health inequities: lower socio-economic conditions and higher incidences of intestinal parasites

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Intestinal parasitic infections affect child health and development and slow down growth, while reducing adults' productivity and work capacity. The aim of the present study was to determine and compare the incidences of intestinal parasitic infections and the socio-economic status of two near primary school children in Manisa, a western city of Turkey.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A total of 352 children were involved a questionnaire study from a private school (Ülkem Primary School – ÜPS, 116 children) and a community-based school (Şehzadeler Primary School – ŞPS, 236 children). Of these, stool samples could be obtained from a total of 294 students; 97 (83.6%) from ÜPS, and 197 (83.5%) from ŞPS. The wet mount preparations of the stool samples were examined; samples were also fixed in polyvinyl alcohol and examined with modified formalin ethyl acetate sedimentation and trichrome staining techniques. Data were analyzed using SPSS for Windows version 10.0. The chi-squared test was used for the analytic assessment.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The percentages of the students found to be infected with intestinal parasites, were 78 (39.6%) and 13 (13.4%) in ŞPS and ÜPS, respectively. Totally 91 (31.0%) of the students from both schools were found to be infected with at least one intestinal parasite. <it>Giardia lamblia </it>was found to be the most common pathogenic intestinal parasite and <it>Blastocystis hominis </it>was prevalent independently from the hygienic conditions. The factors which significantly (<it>p </it>< 0.05) increase the incidence of intestinal parasites were uneducated and unemployed mother, lower social status of father, living in crowded houses with insufficient indoor spaces, using the tap water as drinking water, and living at shanty areas.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Intestinal parasitic infections in school children were found to be a public health problem that increased due to lower socio-economic conditions. We conclude that organization of education seminars including the topics such as prevention of the infectious diseases, improving general hygienic conditions, and application of supportive programs for the parents may be suggested not only to reduce intestinal parasitic infections, but also to elevate the socio-cultural levels.</p

Definitions and incidence of cardiac syndrome X: review and analysis of clinical data

There is no consensus regarding the definition of cardiac syndrome X (CSX). We systematically reviewed recent literature using a standardized search strategy. We included 57 articles. A total of 47 studies mentioned a male/female distribution. A meta-analysis yielded a pooled proportion of females of 0.56 (n = 1,934 patients, with 95% confidence interval: 0.54–0.59). As much as 9 inclusion criteria and 43 exclusion criteria were found in the 57 articles. Applying these criteria to a population with normal coronary angiograms and treated in 1 year at a general hospital, the attributable CSX incidence varied between 3 and 11%. The many inclusion and exclusion criteria result in a wide range of definitions of CSX and these have large effects on the incidence. This shows the need for a generally accepted definition of CSX

of Medicine Freshers

Objective: Smoking is the leading preventable cause of death in the world. The prevalence of smoking among medical students in Turkey ranged from 11.8% to 44.2%. The aim of this study was to determine the factors associated with smoking among Adnan Menderes University Faculty of Medicine freshers.Materials and Methods: This study was a cross sectional study. A 22-item questionnaire was used to collect data. Descriptive data are shown in percent. Median, minimum and maximum values are given. Chi-square test was used in the analytical assessment. Type 1 error level is taken as alpha= 0.05.Results: The number of students participating in the study was 188. 55.9% of the students were female. The median age of the students was 19 years (17-22). 24.8% of students (n= 46) reported cigarette use at some points in their lives. 10.8% of students were regular smokers, 7.6% reported smoking occasionally, and 6.4% stated that they had quit smoking. 18.7% of 16 subjects who reported interest in quitting were not aware of the cessation methods. 78.3% of students reported not being affected by the images and slogans on cigarette packages. 46.% of the students stated that being in a circle of smoking friends increased cigarette consumption. Nonetheless, the circle of friends was the most important group with 75% of among whom supporting to quit smoking.Conclusion: Currently, one out of every five medical students is a smoker. This rate is expected to be higher in upper-class students. Efforts to prevent smoking and promote and support smoking among medical students are of great importance. Further studies including regular and occasional smokers and those who consider quitting are needed