Home Preparation Research Articles

Home Birth in North America: Attitudes and Practice of US Certified Nurse‐Midwives and Canadian Registered Midwives

Scope of practice, competencies, and philosophy of maternity practice are similar among midwives in the United States and Canada. However, there are marked differences in intrapartum practice sites between registered midwives (RMs) and certified nurse-midwives (CNMs). This study linked data from 2 national surveys: 1) a 2007 survey of CNM members of the American College of Nurse-Midwives (n = 1893); and 2) the Canadian Birth Place Study of maternity providers, including RM members of the Canadian Association of Midwives (n = 451) to compare the demographics, practice experience, and attitudes to home birth between these 2 types of North American midwives. A Provider Attitudes To Planned Home Birth scale-international (PAPHB-i) was developed for this analysis. Descriptive and bivariate analyses are presented. Educational exposure to planned home birth varied greatly when comparing CNMs and RMs, as did practice patterns regarding continuity of care, primary and gynecologic care, and involvement with research and teaching. Registered midwives were almost 4 times more likely than CNMs to have practiced in the home (99.1% vs 26.0%). Certified nurse-midwives scored significantly lower than RMs on the PAPHB-i scale (36.5 vs 41.0), indicating less favorable attitudes toward home birth overall. Certified nurse-midwives were less confident than RMs in their management skills for home birth practice. Age, exposure to planned home birth during midwifery education, and practice experience in the home setting emerged as significant covariates of attitudes toward home birth. Significantly more RMs and CNMs with home birth experience expressed concerns about disapproval of hospital-based peers, but they were significantly less likely to agree that midwives face other systemic barriers than CNMs with no home birth experience. Differences in favorability toward and confidence with practice during planned home births among CNMs and RMs were predicted associated with differences in educational and practice exposure to planned home birth. We recommend that clinical experiences and theoretical content about planned home birth and preparation for multidisciplinary collaboration across settings be integrated as essential and required components of all health professional education programs.

Photocatalytic CO2 Reduction in Gas-Solid Regime in the Presence of Bare, SiO2 Supported or Cu-Loaded TiO2 Samples

Both commercial and home prepared (HP) TiO2 samples have been tested for the photocatalytic reduction of CO2. (HP) TiO2 powders were prepared by using TiCl4 or Ti(OC4H9)4 as the precursors to obtain HP1 and HP2 samples, respectively. Also HP Cu-loaded and SiO2 supported TiO2 powders were prepared. The HP samples were more active than the commercial ones for the photoreduction of CO2 with and without water vapour. HP1 produced mainly formaldehyde, HP2 principally methane. Acetaldehyde was found to be the primary product obtained when HP1 was supported on SiO2. The addition of Cu increased the photocatalytic reactivity either of bulk and SiO2-supported HP1. In particular, 1 wt % of Cu improved the formaldehyde yield obtained with the bare HP1 by one order of magnitude. Differently, the presence of Cu or SiO2 in the HP2 samples markedly reduced the production of methane.

Physician Willingness to Respond to Disasters: What Can We Learn?

Physician Willingness to Respond to Disasters: What Can We Learn?

The Development of Independent Life Skills of the Children and Teenagers from Foster Home: Achievements, Challenges, Solutions

Contemporary society is concerned about successful functioning of its members and their effective participation in social interrelations therefore the adaptation of children living in foster homes is perceived as a relevant social issue. In the context of developing democratic ideas increasing attention is being paid towards the problem of adaptive behavior and its development in children without parental care. It is influenced by important social, political, value and legal changes having occurred in the last several decades in Lithuania in a context of which the attitude towards children without parental care, their social status, foster care and development is also changing. While adopting more laws and resolutions on the issues of child’s foster care, development and healthcare there appear more possibilities to solve a lot of relevant questions in child foster care and training institutions. In the context of democracy increasing attention is paid towards social integration of children living in foster institutions, their involvement and participation into social life. The goals and objectives of Lithuanian educational system reflect the intention to prepare a person for life, who is able to analyze reality individually or with other people, also adequately deal with the problems, plan the future and successfully adapt to the constantly changing, dynamic society. These objectives allow to discover a variety of aspects of the organization of educational activities in foster homes. The problematic issue arises while preparing foster home pupils for independent living: Are the educational system and conditions at foster homes sufficient and adequate in process of preparation for independent life?
 The article actualizes the educational significance of preparing teenagers for independent life. Interviews with foster home staff evaluate the current situation of foster homes, disclose the education system, work achievements (strengths), discuss the developmental problems and identify deficiencies of preparation for independent living in foster homes.
 The aim – to assess the preparation of foster home pupils for independent living within the context of foster homes, revealing the positive and improvable aspects of the foster home educator’s point of view. Analyzing the features of foster home preparation for independent living in care institutions, the study involved 17 foster home staff, based on their opinion about their personal work experiences and points of view. In order to understand home educational activities, to review the pupils’ preparation for independent living opportunities, educational reality, to find out and identify problems, provide opportunities for improving the situation, the interview method was used. Instant analysis revealed that home care workers initiated a variety of activities: encourage children to solve problems, analyze situations and make decisions. It is also practiced by demonstration of adult example, analyzing the situation and promoting the search for solutions.
 Workshops are organized, situations and educational environment is created in which the pupils are encouraged to act independently, provide practical training skills that enable learners to try themselves in different activities (household work, cooking, etc.). However, according to the assessment of the current situation in foster homes, it is clear that there are not optimal functions performed by the formation of practical skills and preparing for independent living of children without parental care. Interviews revealed that foster homes lack „real practices“ when most children are able to buy food, count the money, pay for services, cook, and independence is developed mostly by the potential circumstances.
 Comments on the survey suggest that the lack of practical activities, funding and real-world examples in foster homes prevent realization of the set goals, implement ideas for youngsters to prepare for independent living, to acquire domestic skills and do not create conditions for independent personal development (learning). Discussing the opportunities for improvement of foster home preparation for independent living, almost unanimously expressed material financial base and the improvement of household demand. Foster home staff believes that the conditions under which pupils can cook themselves face with the real everyday life, keep their own budgets, learn, acquire new knowledge or skills may be one of the most successful assumptions for training (learning) to live independently when they came out foster homes.

Gender, Place, and Social Contacts: Understanding Awareness of Vulnerability to Terrorism

Creating resiliency, accomplished in part by individuals preparing for disaster, is the primary strategy outside of law enforcement for responding to the threat of urban terrorism. Individuals prepare when they perceive a need to do so, yet little is known about what shapes a person's awareness of vulnerability to terrorism. Because evidence indicates that social contacts act as conduits of information and affect perception of risk to natural hazards, it is possible that such contacts also affect terrorism vulnerability awareness. Because social contacts are also known to be systematically segmented by gender and location, we hypothesized that conversations about terrorism vary by gender and place, specifically the home and work place. Drawing on data from 93 interviews with householders in Boston, the study demonstrates that: (1) family networks generated discussions of home preparedness, whereas workplace networks engaged a wider variety of topics; (2) women discussed terrorism more frequently and in greater depth than did men; and (3) women heard more preparedness messages for the home than did men, whereas men undertook preparedness activities external to the home. The findings bridge geography and terrorism studies by theorizing emplaced and subjective human experiences that prompt conversations about terrorism. These conversations, in turn, help urban emergency managers and risk-hazards geographers promote rational dialogue and action vis-à-vis terrorism. Hazards researchers have shown that the more people discuss terrorism, the less they seek extreme and unwarranted responses.

Photocatalytic Selective Oxidation of 5-(Hydroxymethyl)-2-furaldehyde to 2,5-Furandicarbaldehyde in Water by Using Anatase, Rutile, and Brookite TiO2 Nanoparticles

5-(Hydroxymethyl)-2-furaldehyde (HMF) was selectively oxidized to 2,5-furandicarbaldehyde (FDC) in aqueous medium by using home-prepared (HP) anatase, rutile, and brookite TiO2 nanoparticles. HP samples were prepared via a sol–gel method by using TiCl4 as the TiO2 precursor. Commercial TiO2 catalysts were also used for comparison. All samples were characterized by BET specific surface area, XRD, TGA, and SEM, and the reactivity results showed that HP catalysts are predominantly amorphous and give rise to selectivities toward FDC more than twice that of commercial and well-crystallized catalysts.

Conditions associated with Clostridium sporogenes growth as a surrogate for Clostridium botulinum in nonthermally processed canned butter

The objective of this study was to better understand the effect of butter composition and emulsion structure on growth and survival of Clostridium sporogenes, used as a surrogate for C. botulinum in canned butter. The lack of a thermal process step in commercially available canned butter raises questions of potential safety, because it is hermetically sealed and generally exhibits anaerobic growth conditions, which are optimal for Clostridium botulinum growth. Without thermal processing, low-acid canned foods must have inhibitory factors present to prevent C. botulinum growth. Some potential intrinsic inhibitory factors, or hurdles, within butter include: reduced water activity, acidity in cultured products, elevated salt content, and the micro-droplet nature of the aqueous phase in the butter emulsion. It was hypothesized that a normal, intact butter emulsion would have sufficient hurdles to prevent C. botulinum growth, whereas a broken butter emulsion would result in a coalesced aqueous phase that would allow for C. botulinum growth. Batch-churned butter was inoculated with C. sporogenes; butter samples with varying salt contents (0, 0.8, 1.6, and 2.4% wt/wt NaCl) were prepared and stored in coated steel cans for varying times (1 or 2 wk) and temperatures (22 or 41°C) to determine temperature and emulsion structure effects on C. sporogenes growth. Samples stored at 41°C showed a significant increase in C. sporogenes growth compared with those stored at 22°C. Furthermore, NaCl addition was found to have a significant effect on C. sporogenes growth, with 0.8% NaCl promoting more growth than 0%, but with decreases in growth observed at 1.6 and 2.4%. Uninoculated control plates were also found to have bacterial growth; this growth was attributed to other anaerobic bacteria present within the cream. It was concluded that removal of the hurdle created by the micro-droplet size of the emulsion aqueous phase could result in C. botulinum growth even at elevated salt levels and, therefore, home preparation of canned butter is not advisable. It is also possible that commercially canned butter, if heat abused, could potentially allow for C. botulinum growth and, therefore, consumption is not recommended.

Factors that may explain differences between home and clinic meal preparation task assessments in frail older adults

Meal preparation assessments conducted in clinical environments (such as rehabilitation settings) might not reflect frail patients' performance at home. In addition, factors that may explain differences in performance between settings remain unknown. The aim of this study was to compare home and clinic performance on meal preparation tasks in frail elders and to examine which factors may account for differences between settings. Thirty-three frail elders were assessed with the Performance Assessment of Self-Care Skills (heating soup, cutting fruit) in the home and clinic. A counterbalanced design was used. Factors related to the person (demographic, physical, cognitive, and psychological characteristics) and the environment were also collected. Participants overall showed significantly higher scores at home on heating a soup (F=4.125; P=0.015) and cutting a fruit (F=3.263; P=0.035). Better performance at home was associated with some demographic (lower education), cognitive (poorer executive functions), and environmental (higher similarity between settings) factors. Our findings may help health professionals clarify the profile of frail patients who should be assessed at home before discharge from rehabilitation and which features of the environment to consider when performing assessments in clinic settings.

Home management of febrile conditions in children

This study examined the home management of febrile conditions in 131 children by caregivers who attended Children Emergency (CHER) clinics of selected health facilities in Anambra South-East Nigeria. A cross-sectional survey design was employed for the study and all caregivers gave their informed consent before the study. The children were aged between 1 day and 5 years old, and had fever as one of the presenting symptoms. A self-developed questionnaire and observation guide were used for data collection and descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyse the data. Results of the study revealed that 123 (93.9%) of the caregivers first treated their febrile children at home before reporting to the health facility. The immediate actions taken by 99 of the 131 respondents (75.5%) were: the removal of clothing and exposing the child to air, and administering syrup paracetamol and antibiotics, respectively. The most common home remedies used by caregivers were herbal preparations. However, the proportion of caregivers that used home preparations (name—unknown) as home remedies (n=84; 75.7%) was not statistically significant (Zcal1.85<Ztab1.96; P=0.06). A significant proportion (Zcal7.522>Ztab1.96; P=0.02) of caregivers (120, 91.6%) specified ‘first aid’ as their reason for treatment at home. The proportion of cases that survived when brought to the health facility for management was also statistically significant (Zcal7.279>Ztab1.96; P=0.03). Thus, the study suggests that treatment practices at home by caregivers constitute major determinants of the outcome of management of febrile conditions at health facility.

Effects of home preparation on organophosphorus pesticide residues in raw cucumber

Abstract The effects of washing with tap water and different detergent solutions, storage at different temperatures and ultrasonic cleaning on organophosphorus pesticide (trichlorfon, dimethoate, dichlorvos, fenitrothion, and chlorpyrifos) residue levels in raw cucumber was investigated. Analysis was carried out by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. Washing with detergent solutions proved more effective than tap water. The organophosphorus pesticides reduced from 31.1% to 98.8% after washing with detergent solutions for 20 min. Among detergent solutions, 5% sodium carbonate solution caused the greatest loss in trichlorfon and dimethoate, and 5% sodium bicarbonate solution caused the greatest loss in dichlorvos, fenitrothion and chlorpyrifos. Storage at 4 °C for 48 h caused pesticides reduction by 60.9–90.2%. Ultrasonic cleaning for 20 min lowered pesticides by 49.8–84.4%. The data indicated that home preparation is effective for the reduction of organophosphorus pesticide residues in raw cucumber and it is useful for reducing the dietary exposure.

Teaching German Grammar in a University Seminar

Prerequisite is that students have a grammar book of German at their disposal during their home preparation. At seminar lessons they work with worksheets. Every sheet represents a content whole. At the same time it is a basis for linguistic analysis and source material for exercises. The aim of teaching is to deepen student́s knowledge of grammar so that they would be able to formulate their economic needs in writing in a relatively acceptable level of accuracy. Some ways of teaching process are only mentioned, some are described in detail. The teaching focuses on linguistic phenomena specific for German and even in these cases the teaching process and its claims are described in detail and in variant approaches. The checking of studentś activity is also mentioned. The paper is closed by several remarks on evaluating acquired knowledge of grammar phenomena.

Associations between maternal employment and time spent in nutrition-related behaviours among German children and mothers

To examine associations between maternal employment and time spent engaging in nutrition-related behaviours among mothers and children using a nationally representative sample of households in West and East Germany. A cross-sectional analysis was performed using time-use data for a sample of mother-child dyads. Associations between maternal employment and time spent in nutrition-related activities such as eating at home, eating away from home and food preparation were estimated using a double-hurdle model. German Time Budget Survey 2001/02. The overall sample included 1071 households with a child between 10 and 17 years of age. The time-use data were collected for a 3 d period of observation (two weekdays and one weekend day). Maternal employment was associated with the time children spent on nutrition-related behaviours. In households with employed mothers, children spent more time eating alone at home and less time eating meals with their mothers. Moreover, employed mothers spent less time on meal preparation compared with non-employed mothers. There were regional differences in time spent on nutrition-related behaviours, such that East German children were more likely to eat at home alone than West German children. Maternal employment was associated with less time spent eating with children and preparing food, which may be related to the increasing childhood obesity rates in Germany. Future national surveys that collect both time-use data and health outcomes could yield further insight into mechanisms by which maternal time use might be associated with health outcomes among children.

The impact of home-prepared diets and home oral hygiene on oral health in cats and dogs

Many factors influence the oral health status of cats and dogs. The present study aimed to elucidate the influence of feeding home-prepared (HP) food v. commercial pet food on oral health parameters in these animals and to investigate the effect of home oral hygiene on oral health. The study surveyed 17,184 dogs and 6371 cats visiting over 700 Polish veterinary surgeries in 2006-7 during a Pet Smile activity organised by the Polish Small Animal Veterinary Association. All animals underwent conscious examinations to assess dental deposits, size of mandibular lymph nodes and gingival health. An oral health index (OHI) ranging from 0 to 8 was calculated for each animal by combining examination scores, where 0 indicates good oral health and 8 indicates poorest oral health. Information was collected on age, diet and home oral hygiene regimens. There was a significant effect of diet on the OHI (P < 0.001) whereby feeding the HP diet increased the probability of an oral health problem in both cats and dogs. There was a significant beneficial effect of feeding only commercial pet food compared with the HP diet when at least part of the diet was composed of dry pet food. Daily tooth brushing or the offering of daily dental treats were both effective in significantly reducing the OHI in both cats and dogs compared with those receiving sporadic or no home oral hygiene. Feeding only a dry diet was beneficial for oral health in cats and dogs. Tooth brushing and the offering of dental treats were very effective in maintaining oral health, provided they were practised daily.

Acrylamide formation in fried potato products – Present and future, a critical review on mitigation strategies

Acrylamide is proven to be carcinogenic in rodents and a ‘probable’ human carcinogen, with increasing evidence of positive associations with human cancers. Thus, authorities and industry urge to find solutions for acrylamide formation, while no legal limits have yet been established for this contaminant in foods. Most of the acrylamide dietary exposure results from potato products, coffee, bakery products and chocolate. Acrylamide is formed in potato products during industrial processing, retail, catering and home preparation. This review summarizes the research to date on acrylamide levels, mechanisms of formation, assessment of acrylamide intake and health risk, and possible mitigation strategies from farm to fork in fried potato products. Furthermore, relevant issues regarding the implementation of mitigation strategies on an industrial scale are discussed and evolution of risk management summarized. In conclusion, ‘lab scale studies’ in acrylamide mitigation research should be interpreted with utmost care. This leads to the pertinent question “What is the next step to reduce acrylamide exposure while maintaining the expected product quality for the consumer?”

Effect of CO2 dissolution on the shelf life of ready-to-eat Octopus vulgaris

Due to the increasing commercial importance of octopus (Octopus vulgaris) and the growing demand for convenient and ready-to-eat products, soluble gas solubilisation (SGS), a relatively recent methodology of active packaging proposed to extend the shelf life of packaged fish, was tested. The effect on cooked octopus of CO2 dissolution applied in a 2 bar saturated atmosphere for 30 min was followed by sensory, microbiological and physical/chemical quality parameters of vacuum packed products during chilled (3 °C ± 0.5 °C) and abuse temperature (24 °C ± 0.5 °C) storage for 28 days and 48 h, respectively. The SGS pre-treatment of cooked octopus with CO2 had a positive effect on the delay of the microbial growth during chilled storage. On the other hand, during the acceptability period TMA-N and TVB-N showed similar changes during storage period and were not affected by the CO2 treatment. Oxidation of cooked octopus did not appear to be a significant problem during chilled storage. Sensory shelf life was estimated as 10 days and 12 h in chilled and abuse temperature storage, respectively and no significant extension was visible as a function of SGS treatment. Though not enough per se to increase the shelf life of cooked octopus, the use of SGS by the food industry as a hurdle technology component with bacteriostatic effect is a valuable tool to allow an effective extension of the period of use-by date. Common octopus (Octopus vulgaris) is a highly appreciated marine species which requires at home a cooking step that entails some expertise, in order to attain the correct sensory quality, namely suitable tenderness. Supply of ready-to-eat products that offer healthy, tasty and fast meal solutions and that solves the problem of home preparation of octopus is of particular industrial relevance and stresses the need for new ways of marketing this species, other than in the fresh state. The current study aimed to develop a new seafood product that can be introduced in the market as fresh cooked octopus in a convenient package under vacuum, either as a ready-made meal or as a ready-to-be used product, to be further processed in more elaborated food preparations. To our knowledge no such product exists in the market and this is the first study dedicated to the evaluation of the shelf life of such a product and to a new active packaging technology that can extend the use-by date. Though not enough per se to increase the shelf life of cooked octopus, it is demonstrated that utilisation of CO2 by the food industry, as a hurdle technology component with bacteriostatic effect under the conditions proposed, is a valuable tool to allow an effective extension of the period of use-by date.

The food axis: cooking, eating, and the architecture of American houses

Blending architectural and social history with the necessity and the passion for food, this engaging new book attempts to understand the development of the American house by viewing it through one very specific lens: the food axis. Taking in far more than the kitchen, author Elizabeth Collins Cromley explores all areas of food management within the home preparation, cooking, consumption, and disposal. Her food axis implies a network of related spaces above and below ground, both attached to the house and separate from it. Studying the use and interaction of these spaces, and the ways in which their components change (often radically) over time, the author shows how these elements have helped shape the multiple forms of residential architecture in the United States, from the first settlement period to the present.Beginning with the earliest and relatively simple houses, Cromley traces changes in food spaces through the years, noting a steady escalation in the number of food-related rooms. Along the way, she considers multiple circumstances that shed light on this evolution, including the role of gender in determining food-space design, the relation of food spaces to nature, and the telling ways in which people and food circulate through kitchens and dining rooms. Because Cromley is interested not only in how designed spaces look but how they are used, she cites a wealth of primary sources autobiographies, travel journals, household diaries, letters, inventories in her exploration of the habits surrounding all aspects of food in the home.In addition to designers, preservationists, and architectural historians, this book will interest curious cooks as well as home-dwellers who want to better understand the spaces they inhabit.

Influence of ethnocentrism and neo-phobia on ethnic food consumption in Spain

Over the last decade, a strong upsurge in Spanish immigration has fostered a thriving ethnic food market. To examine indigenous consumer predilections toward ethnic foods, a carefully designed choice experiment is employed, with particular focus on ethnocentricity and food neo-phobia traits on potential purchase decisions. Employing a two level nested logit model, consumers choose to accept/reject ethnic foods, with a positive response met by a further series of different ethnic cuisine and consumption scenario alternatives. Bivariate tests reveal that higher ethnocentric and neo-phobic segments possess common socio-demographic characteristics, whilst neo-phobia plays a significantly stronger role in determining the probability of rejection. Further tests reveal culturally similar Mexican food as the preferred ethnic food across all consumption scenarios. Moreover, the ‘restaurant’ is the favoured format of consumption, whilst there is evidence of a strong association between specific ethnic food types and consumption formats. The implications of our research suggest that in the short to medium turn, price is a strong strategic variable, whilst marketing strategies must successfully isolate and exploit specific ‘ethnic food/consumption scenario’ mixes. Finally, stronger messages emphasizing quality and convenience factors are seen as key to bolstering the underrepresented ‘home preparation’ ethnic food market in Spain.

Listening texts in the teaching of German language

Blended learning in the field of foreign languages brings an extra offer. It incorporates also original texts and their simple actualization in the learning process, it uses audio and video records done by native speakers. We draw the listening texts and video records from German language web sites. In this way we get the students the forms of native speakers’ speech and we replace the communication with native speakers by these texts. We often use the listening texts in on-line courses in students’ home preparation. They have possibility (and sometimes duty) to acquaint with the texts in advance, later we use the texts in contact exercises. For the first lesson we usually choose a text dealing with the importance of German language and how it is spread in the world. The source of our materials is the broadcast station Deutsche Welle. We use the texts read by native speakers or by the announcers of this station. We do not modify the texts of broadcasts and we do not alter the speeds of them.

Errors in emergency feeds in inherited metabolic disorders: a randomised controlled trial of three preparation methods

ObjectiveGlucose polymer-based emergency feeds (EF), used during illness to prevent metabolic decompensation and encephalopathy in inherited metabolic disorders, should be produced accurately and safely.DesignIn a randomised, prospective, controlled study, the...

Acid-Base Buffering Properties of Five Legumes and Selected Food &lt;i&gt;in vitro&lt;/i&gt;

Problem statement: in vitro acid-Buffering Capacity (BC) values of 5% (dry matter) aqueous homogenized suspension of five legumes (broad bean, lentils, chickpea, kidney bean and lupine) and of selected antacid home preparations (cow's milk, almond, peanut, licorice, carob and lettuce stem) were investigated within and among samples from their respective initial pH until pH was decreased to 1.5. BC was the highest for cow's milk, carob, licorice and lettuce stem (BC values 1.65-1.97), intermediate for almond and peanut (BC values, 1.37-1.64) and the lowest for selected legumes (0.84-1.36). Approach: The purpose of this study was to measure in vitro the buffering capacity potential of legumes and other foods commonly used in Jordan as heartburn remedies to determine the ability of these products to de-acidify, neutralize acid, or increase pH levels of an acid and a base solution. Results: BC of the studied legumes showed positive and strong correlations, with protein, aspartic and glutamic amino acids contents (R = 0.95, 0.94, 0.89, respectively) and relatively weak correlation with phosphorus content (R = 0.38). Conclusion/Recommendations: The differences in BC within and among studied samples were largely due to the differences in their chemical compositions. Protein, fiber, ash, organic acids and aspartic and glutamic acids contents and alkalinity of ashes showed significant BC, while high fat content in almond and peanut failed to show considerable BC.