bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Narrowing sex differences in life expectancy: regional variations, 1971-1991
Authors: Trovato Frank , Lalu N. M.
Published: July 2017

A number of industrialized nations have recently experienced some degrees of constriction in their long-standing sex differentials in life expectancy at birth. In this study we examine this phenomenon in the context of Canada’s regions between 1971 and 1991: Atlantic (Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island); Quebec, Ontario, and the West (Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia, Yukon and Northwest Territories). Decomposition analysis based on multiple decrement life tables is applied to address three questions: (1) Are there regional differentials in the degree of narrowing in the sex gap in life expectancy? (2) What is the relative contribution of major causes of death to observed sex differences in average length of life within and across regions? (3) How do the contributions of cause-of-death components vary across regions to either widen or narrow the sex gap in survival? It is shown that the magnitude of the sex gap is not uniform across the regions, though the differences are not large. The most important contributors to a narrowing of the sex gap in life expectancy are heart disease and external types of mortality (i.e., accidents, violence, and suicide), followed by lung cancer and other types of chronic conditions. In substantive terms these results indicate that over time men have been making sufficient gains in these causes of death as to narrow some of the gender gap in overall survival. Regions show similarity in these effects.
Gender Roles, Gender (In)equality and Fertility: An Empirical Test of Five Gender Equity Indices
Authors: Mills Melinda
Published: July 2017

The division of gender roles in the household and societal level gender
(in)equality have been situated as one of the most powerful factors
underlying fertility behaviour. Despite continued theoretical attention to
this issue by demographers, empirical research integrating gender roles
and equity in relation to fertility remains surprisingly sparse. This paper
first provides a brief review of previous research that has examined gender roles and fertility followed by a comparison of six prominent gender equality indices: Gender-related Development Index (GDI), Gender Empowerment Measure (GEM), Gender Gap Index (GGI), Gender Equality Index (GEI), the European Union Gender Equality Index (EU-GEI) and the Social Institutions and Gender Index (SIGI). The paper then tests how five of these indices impact fertility intentions and behaviour using a series of multilevel (random-coefficient) logistic regression models, applying the European Social Survey (2004/5). The GDI, with its emphasis on human development, adjusted for gender, has the strongest and significant effect on fertility intentions. The EU-GEI, which focuses on the universal caregiver model, uncovers that more
equity significantly lowers fertility intentions, but only for women. The
remaining indicators show no significant impact. The paper concludes with a reflection and suggestions for future research.
Earnings implications of person years lost life expectancy among Canada's aboriginal peoples
Authors: Maxim Paul S. , White Jerry P. , Gyimah Stephen Obeng , Beavon Daniel
Published: July 2017

Overall, Canada has one of the world’s highest national life expectancies. This
benefit is not shared by Canada’s aboriginal population, however, which has a
life expectancy approximately seven years less than the general population. The Aboriginal population also differs in that it has a higher fertility rate and higher mortality rates among infants and young adults. One of the consequences of the mortality differential is that the number of person years of lost life (PYLL) expectancy is large for the Aboriginal community in comparison to the general population. While several studies have focused on the causes of differential mortality, this study examines some of the socio-economic consequences of differences in PYLL. Examining wage labor income, for example, we determine that the PYLL differential translates into an expected wage and salary loss of approximately $1.56 billion.
Effects of marital breakdown on women’s living conditions in Burkina Faso
Authors: Thiombiano Bilampoa Gnoumou , Schoumaker Bruno
Published: July 2017

This study examines the effect of divorce and widowhood on women’s living conditions using the data from a biographical retrospective survey. An analysis using linear regression with random intercepts showed that divorce or death of a spouse has a negative impact on women’s standard of living, an effect that remains significant even in the presence of other factors and which persists over time. Young women in recent decades, rural women, and those belonging to certain ethnic groups seem to be more disadvantaged than others.
Creating a sense of ‘CLOSURE’: Providing confidence intervals on some recent estimates of indigenous populations
Authors: Hunter Boyd H. , Dungey Mardi H.
Published: July 2017

The error of closure is the population growth that cannot be accounted for
by either natural increase or quantifiable non-demographic factors, and is
an issue that is particularly pronounced for indigenous peoples. This paper
estimates Australia’s indigenous population using the dual system
estimation method, and compares these to those produced using the
standard undercount method. The main conclusion is that dual system
estimates of the indigenous population appear to be reasonably accurate at
the national level, which provide an appreciation of the reliability of
existing estimates. Notwithstanding, policy makers need to take into
account that population statistics are merely estimates.
Survival advantage of siblings and spouses of centenarians in 20th-century Quebec
Authors: Jarry Valérie , Gagnon Alain , Bourbeau Robert
Published: July 2017

Longevity runs in families, either through genetic or environmental influences. Using Quebec civil registration and historical Canadiancensuses, we compared the longevity of siblings and spouses of 806 centenarians to a group of controls, all born in Quebec at the turnof the 20th century. Our results show that siblings of centenarians, who share half of their genes and a common childhood environment,lived 3–4 years longer than their birth cohort. However, husbands and wives of centenarians lived 4 and 2.5 years longer than theircounterparts of the same sex, respectively, suggesting that longevity is also modulated by shared environment in adulthood.
Socio-demographic aspects of globalization: Canadian perspectives on migration
Authors: Richmond Anthony H.
Published: July 2017

Trends in Canadian immigration and emigration in the last decade are examined, distinguishing ‘temporary’ and ‘permanent’ movements, economic migrants and refugees. Comparisons are made with those of other OECD countries. Global migration patterns have changed as a result of post-industrial technologies. Although money, goods and services may move relatively freely, people do not. Processes of inclusion and exclusion occur within and between countries and regions. A typology of migrant incorporation is presented. Questions of human security and border controls are considered. Recommendations are made concerning the protection of migrant human rights.
An assessment of heterogeneity in first home-returning trends of young Canadians
Authors: Billette Jean-Michel , Le Bourdais Céline , Laplante Benoît
Published: July 2017

This study uses data taken from the 2001 General Social Survey on family history (GSS, Cycle 15) to examine home-returning among Canadian men and women born in 1942–76. In addition to conducting a detailed analysis of the numerous factors at play in determining the likelihood of home-returning, we
pay specific attention to the timing of the transition and provide an estimation of the overall influence of unobserved characteristics that contribute to generate home-returners. Results suggest that early, intermediate, and late home-returners have different socio-demographic profiles and that unobserved characteristics play a significant part in the determination of home-returning.
Abridged Life Tables for Registered Indians in Canada, 1976-1980 to 1996-2000
Authors: Verma Ravi V. P. , Michalowski Margaret , Gauvin R. Pierre
Published: July 2017

This paper presents the analyses of the new estimates of abridged life tables
comprising life expectancy at birth, and their estimates of variance and
confidence limits by males and females for Registered Indians in Canada and
two broad regions (East: Atlantic, Quebec, Ontario, and Manitoba; and West:
Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia, Yukon and Northwest Territories) for
the periods, 1976-80, 1981-1985, 1986-1990, 1991-1995 and 1996-2000. The
life tables were constructed using the Chiang Method based on the adjusted data on deaths and population by age and sex from the Indian Registry, maintained by the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, Government of Canada. The data on the register are subjected to late reported and non reported vital events. At the Canada level, life expectancy at birth for Registered Indian males was 59.9 years in 1976-1980, rising to 68.3 years in 1996-2000. For females, the life expectancy at birth was relatively higher, 66.6 years in 1976-80, and 74.5 years in 1996-2000. The recent life expectancies at birth for Registered Indians are comparable to those observed for the total Canadian male and female populations during the period 1960-1962 at 68.4 and 74.3 years. In 1999, life expectancy at birth for the total Canadian population was reported to be 76.3 years for males and 81.7 years for females. The life expectancy at birth for the Registered Indians in the Eastern region was higher than for those in the Western region. The pattern of regional variation in life expectancy at birth for this population seems to be the reverse of the regional variation for the total Canadian population.
China’s Below Replacement Fertility: A Further Exploration
Authors: Zhao Zhongwei , Guo Zhigang
Published: July 2017

China has experienced an unprecedented fertility decline since the early
1970s. Available data show that the total fertility rate has fallen from
about 6 children per woman to approximately 1.5 children in the past
four decades. This change has not only greatly altered China’s demographic map, but also incited considerable discussion on the quality of China’s recent fertility data and the impact of China’s traditional culture on people’s fertility behaviour in the past and present. This paper further examines China’s recent fertility changes with a particular attention being directed to the following questions: China’s below and far below replacement fertility since the early 1990s; the reliability of China’s recent fertility data; and some historical and cultural factors that contribute to China’s rapid fertility decline.
Fertility Intentions in Canada: Change or No Change?
Authors: Edmonston Barry , Lee Sharon M. , Wu Zheng
Published: July 2017

This paper describes trends in fertility intentions in Canada based on an analysis of data from four national household surveys -- General Social Surveys in 1990, 1995, 2001, and 2006. The study finds that the fertility intentions of Canadian women have been relatively stable for the past 16 years, moving within a narrow range of 2.11 to 2.29 children. Modest decreases due to changes in population composition – and not changes in the relationship between various explanatory variables and intended fertility – have largely been responsible for the modest overall decrease of 0.08 children in intended fertility between 1990 and 2006.
The Evolution of Beliefs and Opinions on Matters related to Marriage and Sexual Behaviour among French-speaking Catholic Quebecers and English-speaking Protestant Ontarians
Authors: Laplante Benoît , Miller Caia , Malherbe Paskall
Published: July 2017

The authors argue that the important changes in behaviour related to family and sexual life that were seen in Quebec during the second half of the 20th century are a consequence of a major transformation of the foundation of the normative system shared by the members of Quebec’s main socio-religious group, Frenchspeaking Catholics. Using data from Gallup polls, the authors compare the evolution of the opinions of French-speaking Quebec Catholics and Englishspeaking Ontario Protestants on matters related to sexual and family behaviour from the 1950s to the beginning of the 2000s. The general result is that the evolution of the differences between the two groups is compatible with the hypothesis.
Internal migration of Canadian immigrants, 1993–2004: Evidence from the Survey of Labour and Income Dynamics
Authors: King Karen M. , Newbold K. Bruce
Published: July 2017

Combining the 1993, 1996, and 1999 six-year panels of the Survey of Labour and Income Dynamics Master Files, the purpose of the paper is twofold. First, it examines the migration and distribution patterns of the foreign-born across Census Metropolitan Areas (CMAs). Second, it examines how internal
migration modeling results may differ when pre- and post-migration measures are used. Results suggest that internal migration of the foreign-born generally does not increase their dispersion across Canada, with the foreign-born primarily choosing one of the three immigrant gateway cities of Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver, or moving to other relatively large CMAs.
Violence, Statistics, and the Politics of Accounting for the Dead
Authors: Sanschagrin Johanne
Published: July 2017

Book Review
New Estimates of Aboriginal Fertility, 1966-1971 to 1996-2001
Authors: Ram Bali
Published: July 2017

Using census data on children in families, this paper estimates various fertility
measures for the total aboriginal population and four specific groups, North
American Indians, Registered Indians, Metis, and Inuit. The “own-children”
procedure is used for deriving the number of births by the age of the mother
during specific years preceding the census. The major focus of the paper is on
the trends of total fertility rate and the convergence of age patterns between
various subgroups over the past 30 years. Strengths and limitations of the
method are also discussed.
Geographic structure of migrant labor market in China: A case study of four city-regions in Fujian
Authors: Yu Li , Xu Wei , Zhu Yu , Lin Liyue
Published: July 2017

This study attempts to examine how local migrant labour markets behave differently in regions with varying development levels and local economic characteristics, based on a 2009 migrant survey conducted in four case cities in Fujian province, China. The study reveals that earnings characteristics and the role of earnings determents vary greatly across geographic regions. Specifically, in the economically more developed region, the return to human capital is higher, the effect of primitive social networks is lower, and the effect of institutional and cultural barriers is weaker.
Immigrants’ initial firm allocation and earnings growth
Authors: Ci Wen , Hou Feng
Published: July 2017

While employers are playing an increasingly important role in immigration selection in Canada, little is known about how firm-level characteristics affect the economic integration of immigrants. Using a Canadian employer–employee matched dataset, this paper considers whether immigrants initially employed in low-paying firms in Canada experienced inferior earnings growth than those initially employed in high-paying firms. The results show that the large earnings differential observed between immigrants initially employed in low- and high-paying firms diminished only slightly over the subsequent 14 years, even when differences in demographic and general human capital characteristics are taken into account.Alors que les employeurs jouent un rôle de plus en plus important dans la sélection des immigrants qui s’établissent au Canada, on en sait peu sur la façon dont les caractéristiques au niveau de l’entreprise influencent l’intégration économique de ces derniers. Au moyen d’un ensemble de données appariées sur les employeurs et les employés, le présent document vise à déterminer si la croissance des gains des immigrants employés initialement au Canada par des entreprises à bas salaires est plus faible que celle des gains des immigrants employés au départ par des entreprises à hauts salaires. Les résultats montrent que l’écart important observé entre les gains des immigrants employés au départ par des entreprises à bas salaires et de ceux employés par des entreprises à hauts salaires ne diminuait que légèrement au cours des 14 années suivantes, même après avoir tenu compte des différences de caractéristiques démographiques et de caractéristiques générales du capital humain.
Why are some Children Left Out? Factors Barring Canadian Children from Participating in Extracurricular Activities
Authors: Xu Li , Gauthier Anne H. , Strohschein Lisa
Published: July 2017

Using three waves of data from the Canadian National Longitudinal Survey of Children and Youth, this study examines the impact of child, family and community level characteristics on children’s participation in extracurricular activities between the ages of 4 and 9 (n=2,289). Results show a large positive effect of family income on children’s participation in structured activities. Living in a poor neighbourhood constitutes an extra disadvantage for children's participation in organized sport activities. Our study also identifies a positive association between parent’s education and children’s participation in most activities, and a negative association between family size and some structured activities. Furthermore, children of immigrants, as well as children of visible minority and aboriginal children were found to be disadvantaged in their participation in some activities.
The Effect of Contraceptive Practice on Fertility in Ghana: A Decade of Experience
Authors: Boadu Kwame
Published: July 2017

This study examines some factors that influence fertility behaviour in Ghana, with particular emphasis on the influence of contraception as an intermediate
variable. The decade examined covers the period 1988 to 1998 and the factors
analyzed are age, residence, education, religion and ethnicity. Employing
multivariate regression analysis and path models, the study observes that among all the factors, age is the only variable that6 has a moderate effect on fertility. Also of significant interest is that the positive influence of contraceptive use on fertility in 1988 is reversed in 1998. The study notes that given the non—significant effects obtained save the moderate effect of age, it is not possible to draw a definitive conclusion regarding the impact that any of these factors might have contributed to the observed reduction in fertility during the period. In light of this, the study recommends that more effort would be required if fertility is to be reduced substantially. Nonetheless, the reversal in the effect of contraceptive use between the two periods is seen as encouraging.
Іmpact of migration on net reproduction rate, and an assessment of the speed of population growth in the presence of migration, in the districts of Кerala and Аssam (India)
Authors: Sarma Rajan , Choudhury Labananda
Published: July 2017

In India, due to the lack of age-specific death and birth data, direct calculation of Net Reproduction Rate is not possible, particularly at the district level. Also, conventional Net Reproduction Rate and intrinsic growth rate measures are not suitable for populations affected by migration. The present study attempts to recapture the scenario of migration in the districts of two diverged states of India—Kerala and Assam—by estimating the Net Reproduction Rates before and after allowance for migration. The study also attempts to assess the speed of population growth of these districts from the intrinsic growth rates in the presence of migration.
Using the probabilistic fertility table to test the statistical significance of fertility trends
Authors: Li Nan
Published: July 2017

At below replacement level, fertility changes are subtle and complex; distinguishing statistically significant trends from random shifts is becoming a relevant issue. The probabilistic fertility table describes the uncertainty of the childbearing process, and provides a significance test for the annual changes of various fertility measures, which is essential for distinguishing a statistically significant change from a random fluctuation. This paper provides an analytical model for the total fertility of the probabilistic fertility table, and extends the significance test to period trends that include multiple annual changes. The extended significance test indicates that complex annual changes could accumulate to become a significant trend. Applying the analytical model and extended test to the total fertility of Canada, it indicates that the 2002–11 increase trend is statistically significant and, therefore, supports project future increases of total fertility.En-dessous du seuil de remplacement des générations, les changements à la fertilité sont subtils et complexes. Aussi, il est devenu pertinent de pouvoir distinguer les tendances significatives au plan statistique des écarts aléatoires. Le tableau probabiliste de fertilité décrit l’incertitude liée au processus de reproduction et fournit un critère de signification des changements annuels dans les diverses mesures de fertilité, élément essentiel pour distinguer un changement important au plan statistique des fluctuations aléatoires. Cet article fournit un modèle analytique pour l’ensemble du tableau probabiliste de fertilité et élargit la portée de cette mesure aux tendances dans le temps incluant les multiples changements annuels. Ce critère élargi indique que les changements complexes annuels peuvent représenter une tendance significative. En appliquant le modèle analytique et le critère au tableau de fertilité du Canada, on constate que la tendance à la hausse de 2002–11 est importante au plan statistique et, par conséquent, augure des hausses futures dans la fertilité totale.
At the crossroads: Geography, gender and occupational sector in employment-related geographical mobility
Authors: Haan Michael , Walsh Deatra , Neis Barbara
Published: July 2017

In Canada, patterns of employment-related geographical mobility (E-RGM) are becoming more complex and nuanced, with implications for employers, workers, and their families. This article introduces the concept of E-RGM, and argues that because mobility is a pervasive aspect of working lives in Canada, it deserves more systematic and extensive research. To date, most studies of labour mobility have focused on permanent relocation or short-distance daily commuting. We argue for more research that disaggregates the socio-economic characteristics of those engaged in E-RGM and untangles its complexity. Using the 2006 Canadian confidential master file to create a statistical portrait of E-RGM reveals considerable variation among the Canadian working population, particularly those engaging in more extensive work journeys.
Toward a Small Family Ethic: How Overpopulation and Climate Change Are Affecting the Morality of Procreation
Authors: Sanschagrin Johanne
Published: July 2017

Book Review
Episodes of non-employment among immigrants from developing countries in Canada
Authors: Aboubacar Said Ahmed , Zhu Nong
Published: July 2017

Using data from the Survey of Labour and Income Dynamics (SLID), we analyze non-employment episodes for immigrants from developing countries, and compare their situation to that of immigrants from developed countries and Canadian-born individuals between 1996 and 2006. The methods used allowed us to draw the following conclusion: significant differences exist between these three groups in labour market mobility, the average duration of a non-employment episode, and the factors that affect the propensity to exit from a nonemployment episode. These differences demonstrate a particular disadvantage for immigrants from developing countries. In fact, they tend to spend more time in non-employment episodes compared to their counterparts from developed countries, and compared to Canadian-born individuals.
Tribute to Nathan Keyfitz
Authors: Edmonston Barry
Published: July 2017

Tribute to Nathan Keyfitz
Adolescent motherhood in Bangladesh: Evidence from 2007 BDHS data
Authors: Kamal S.M. Mostafa
Published: July 2017

This paper examines the factors affecting adolescent motherhood in Bangladesh using the 2007 Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey data. Overall, 69.3 per cent of the married adolescents began childbearing. Among them 56.4 per cent were already mothers and 12.9per cent were pregnant for the first time. Of the adult married women age 20–49, 62.1 per cent initiated childbearing before age 19. The multiple logistic regression analyses revealed that women’s education, husband’s education, place of residence, ever use of contraceptive method, religion, wealth and region are important determinants of adolescent motherhood in Bangladesh.
Examining the determinants of union dissolution among married and common-law unions in Canada
Authors: Bohnert Nora
Published: July 2017

This paper examines the determinants of union dissolution among first marriage, second marriage, and common-law unions via an event history analysis of the fourth panel of the Survey of Labour and Income Dynamics (SLID). Results suggest that unemployment and other potentially challenging employment situations are associated with higher odds of dissolution, among first marriage unions in particular. The factors that predict union dissolution are found to differ, both across union types and within common-law unions by region (Quebec versus elsewhere in Canada).
A Probability distribution for first birth interval
Authors: Singh O. P. , Singh V. K. , Pathak D. S.
Published: July 2017

The paper attempts to develop a probability model for first birth interval
incorporating incidence of foetal wastages prior to live birth and the
phenomenon of physical separation which are still prevalent in many developing societies. The fact that fecundability varies considerably over a random group of females is also taken into account. Estimates of certain parameters of the model have been obtained by utilizing a real set of data on the time of first complete conception.
Going Up? Canada's metropolitan areas and their role as escalators or elevators
Authors: Newbold Bruce
Published: July 2017

Canada’s major metropolitan areas offer multiple opportunities for economic and social advancement for in-migrants. As such, young adults may be attracted to these locations. In-migrants to Toronto have been observed to receive a substantial income benefit associated with migration into Toronto that is consistent with a productivity effect. This income effect is greater than the income benefit received by migrants elsewhere in the system or those who did not migrate. However, migration into Toronto did not lead to an acceleration in income gains consistent with the more rapid career progression expected to result from the migration into an escalator region.Consequently, this paper explores the income benefits for young adult migrants by considering the role of other major metropolitan areas within Canada, and whether they function similar to Toronto as escalators, or serve other roles that are unique to employment sector and type.
An Analysis of Socio-Economic Strains and Population Gains: Urban and Rural Communities of Canada 1981-2001
Authors: Mata Fernando , Bollman Ray D.
Published: July 2017

Important demographic shifts have occurred in Canada in the last decades. As a consequence of these shifts, many geographical communities have won or lost substantial number of residents between 1981 and 2001. Using the CCS (consolidated census subdivision) data set of the Agriculture Division of Statistics Canada, the paper explores the linkages between socio-economic strains and population changes affecting communities in a variety of regional and provincial contexts. A total of 2,607 rural and urban consolidated census subdivisions were examined across five census periods. Quasi simplex structural equation models using unemployment, earnings and poverty as indicators were tested on a variety of communities located in various OECD regions and provinces. Although the predictive power of strains on population gains was found to be limited in the models, a higher level of strain was persistently found to be negatively associated with population gains regardless of regional and provincial groupings of communities. Socio-economic strains were also observed to be relatively stable over time across a variety of geographies.
A parametric model for estimating nuptiality patterns in modern populations
Authors: Kostaki Anastasia , Peristera Paraskevi
Published: July 2017

Nuptiality is a phenomenon closely related to fertility. The age-specific marriage distribution has a typical shape common in all human populations. In order to estimate this pattern, alternative parametric models have been proposed. However recent evidence suggests that mixture models are required to estimate nuptiality patterns. In this paper, a flexible parametric model is proposed in three versions, appropriate to describe the age pattern of first marriage rates. For evaluation purposes the models as well as the alternative existing models are fitted to a variety of empirical datasets.
Consensual Unions in Burkina Faso: Trends and Determinants
Authors: LeGrand Thomas K. , Younoussi Zourkaleini
Published: July 2017

This paper examines entry into consensual unions versus marriages in Burkina
Faso, a topic that has received little attention to date in sub-Saharan Africa.
Changes in marriage behaviors may entail or reflect profound changes in family organization, gender relations and fertility and, to the extent that consensual unions are relatively transitory and lead to more sexual partners, they may be associated with greater sexual risks including HIV. The determinants of new unions being consensual are estimated from national family-life type survey data that provide information on the timing of different types of marriages and the start of cohabitation. While consensual unions are not new to the country, they appear to be changing in nature and have been growing more common over time especially in urban areas. They are also more popular among men and women with greater schooling or who began cohabiting while living outside the country, and for women who have previously lived in union.
A geographic information system for the study of past epidemics: The 1705 epidemic in Martigues (Bouches-du-Rhône, France)
Authors: Séguy Isabelle , Bernigaud Nicolas , Bringé Arnaud , Signoli Michel , Tzortzis Stéfan
Published: July 2017

At the beginning of the 18th century, the Provence region was hit by several severe epidemics whose causes are still not clearly understood.To draw up epidemic profiles and to identify the pathogenic agents concerned, we constituted a large onomastic database and built ageographic information system for Martigues, a medium-sized community in the south of France. The cross-linking of epidemiological,spatial and demographical data allows us to propose a new diagnosis for the epidemic which reached Martigues in the autumn of 1705.
Skilled immigrant labour: country of origin and the occupational locations of male engineers
Authors: Boyd Monica , Thomas Derrick
Published: July 2017

Do high skill immigrant workers find employment corresponding to their training? Using unpublished data from the 1996 census, we examine the occupational locations of men age 30-54 who have a university degree with a major in engineering. We focus on three groups: Canadian born, foreign born who immigrated before age 19 and the foreign-born arriving after age 27, arguing that the first two are most likely to be educated in Canada whereas the last group is not. We find birth place differences in the percentages who are working in managerial, engineering, technical and all other occupations, with differences being most pronounced for those immigrating after age 27. Multinomial logit analysis confirms that these differences cannot be attributed to differences in measured human capital stock. Accreditation requirements are one likely explanation, particularly for those who have received training outside Canada.
Modeling Hierarchically Clustered Longitudinal Survival Processes with Applications to Child Mortality and Maternal Health
Authors: Kuate-Defo Barthélémy
Published: July 2017

This paper merges two parallel developments since the 1970s of new statistical tools for data analysis: statistical methods known as hazard models that are used for analyzing event-duration data and statistical methods for analyzing hierarchically clustered data known as multilevel models. These developments have rarely been integrated in research practice and the formalization and estimation of models for hierarchically clustered survival data remain largely uncharted. I attempt to fill some of this gap and demonstrate the merits of formulating and estimating multilevel hazard models with longitudinal data.
Demographic Relationships at the Macro Level
Authors: Namboodiri Krishnan
Published: July 2017

The focus herein is on macro-level relationships in mathematical demography
and regression analysis. Notions of vector space calculus are used in discussing
the impact of nuptiality and fertility on the net reproduction rate and log-ratio
techniques in the analysis of regression relationships involving compositions.
The latter is illustrated using occupational data from the U. S. population
census. The methods described herein permit using all the available information while the commonly used method, which replaces a vector by a summary measure, lets much of the flavor in the data slip away.
Age-Specific Household Size as a Demographic Aspect of Regional Disparity: Czech Republic, 1991
Authors: Akkerman Abraham
Published: July 2017

The post-communist transition to market economy in Central Europe over the
last decade of the twentieth century had a significant impact on the demographic profile of the former Soviet bloc countries. Largely due to government policy and market conditions related to housing, this observation is particularly true for the Czech Republic. The present study shows housing as a facet of regional demographic differences within the Czech Republic. The household composition matrix is applied here as a demographic gauge to the behavioral response of households to Czech housing markets and policy. The matrix provides here a glance at households’ demographic behavior in the capital city of Prague and in the country’s other regions, during the early transition period, based on observations from the 1991 census. A summary feature of household composition is the age-specific household size shown for the various regions of the Czech Republic to trace the reduced standard Gamma function. Anomalies detected in the trajectory of age-specific household size for Prague confirm the unique housing market conditions in the capital city, and point to a commensurate demographic response in Prague as opposed to the rest of the country.
Endoscopic third ventriculostomy and repeat endoscopic third ventriculostomy in pediatric patients: the Dutch experience
Authors: Breimer Gerben E. , Dammers Ruben , Woerdeman Peter A. , Buis Dennis R. , Delye Hans , Brusse-Keizer Marjolein , Hoving Eelco W.
Published: July 2017

OBJECTIVE

After endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV), some patients develop recurrent symptoms of hydrocephalus. The optimal treatment for these patients is not clear: repeat ETV (re-ETV) or CSF shunting. The goals of the study were to assess the effectiveness of re-ETV relative to initial ETV in pediatric patients and validate the ETV success score (ETVSS) for re-ETV.

METHODS

Retrospective data of 624 ETV and 93 re-ETV procedures were collected from 6 neurosurgical centers in the Netherlands (1998–2015). Multivariable Cox proportional hazards modeling was used to provide an adjusted estimate of the hazard ratio for re-ETV failure relative to ETV failure. The correlation coefficient between ETVSS and the chance of re-ETV success was calculated using Kendall’s tau coefficient. Model discrimination was quantified using the c-statistic. The effects of intraoperative findings and management on re-ETV success were also analyzed.

RESULTS

The hazard ratio for re-ETV failure relative to ETV failure was 1.23 (95% CI 0.90–1.69; p = 0.20). At 6 months, the success rates for both ETV and re-ETV were 68%. ETVSS was significantly related to the chances of re-ETV success (τ = 0.37; 95% bias corrected and accelerated CI 0.21–0.52; p < 0.001). The c-statistic was 0.74 (95% CI 0.64–0.85). The presence of prepontine arachnoid membranes and use of an external ventricular drain (EVD) were negatively associated with treatment success, with ORs of 4.0 (95% CI 1.5–10.5) and 9.7 (95% CI 3.4–27.8), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Re-ETV seems to be as safe and effective as initial ETV. ETVSS adequately predicts the chance of successful re-ETV. The presence of prepontine arachnoid membranes and the use of EVD negatively influence the chance of success.
Cognitive Changes in the Spinocerebellar Ataxias Due to Expanded Polyglutamine Tracts: A Survey of the Literature
Authors: Lindsay Evelyn , Storey Elsdon
Published: July 2017

The dominantly-inherited ataxias characterised by expanded polyglutamine tracts—spinocere bellar ataxias (SCAs) 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 17, dentatorubral pallidoluysian atrophy (DRPLA) and, in part, SCA 8—have all been shown to result in various degrees of cognitive impairment. We survey the literature on the cognitive consequences of each disorder, attempting correlation with their published neuropathological, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and clinical features. We suggest several psychometric instruments for assessment of executive function, whose results are unlikely to be confounded by visual, articulatory or upper limb motor difficulties. Finally, and with acknowledgement of the inadequacies of the literature to date, we advance a tentative classification of these disorders into three groups, based on the reported severity of their cognitive impairments, and correlated with their neuropathological topography and MRI findings: group 1—SCAs 6 and 8—mild dysexecutive syndrome based on disruption of cerebello-cortical circuitry; group 2—SCAs 1, 2, 3, and 7—more extensive deficits based largely on disruption of striatocortical in addition to cerebello-cerebral circuitry; and group 3—SCA 17 and DRPLA—in which cognitive impairment severe enough to cause a dementia syndrome is a frequent feature.
Analysis of Climate Behavior and Land Use in the City of Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
Authors: Neiva Henderson , Da Silva Michele , Cardoso Cristiane
Published: July 2017

The city of Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) is located in a tropical zone of the planet, in medium latitude that experiences strong insolation throughout the year. The existence of different geographic factors, and different land uses and covers favor the diversity of existing microclimates. This study aims to analyze the different land uses and covers during the last 30 years that impact the varying climatic conditions in the city of Rio de Janeiro, especially for the development of the urban heat and fresh islands. To accomplish this research, images were used from the satellites Landsat-5 and Landsat-7 to capture the apparent surface temperatures, and land use and land cover maps. Comparing these three decades (1986, 1997 and 2016), an increase in the temperatures of urban areas is noticeable toward the last year, 2016. The neighborhoods located in the West and North zones showed the highest temperatures. The areas near the Pedra Branca, Tijuca and Mendanha massifs showed lower temperatures. Therefore, it is possible to recognize a relationship between land cover and temperature behavior; the greenest areas tend to register lower temperatures, and the urban areas demonstrate higher temperatures.
Effects of Soil Water and Nitrogen on the Stand Volume of Four Hybrid Populus tomentosa Clones
Authors: Zhu Jia , Bo Hui , Li Xuan , Song Lian , Wang Jiang , Nie Li , Tian Ju
Published: July 2017

With the aim of improving poplar timber production, a successive 8-year irrigation and fertilization factorial experiment with three blocks was designed to measure the response of Populus tomentosa stands to water and nitrogen in Huabei Plain, China. Specifically, we examined the responses of four P. tomentosa clones (P. tomentosa BT17, S86, B331, and 1316) to three irrigation levels (45%, 60%, and 75% above field capacity), as irrigation thresholds, and four N levels (0, 80, 160, and 240 g per plant). The results showed that both irrigation and nitrogen had significant effects in terms of improving clone stand volume. Further, we demonstrated positive interactions between irrigation and nitrogen. The stand volume increment of the four hybrid clones varied from 104.53 ± 19.84 to 191.35 ± 30.56 m3/ha in the descending order S86 > B331 > BT17 > 1316. With increasing irrigation level, the average stand volume of the four clones increased significantly from 120.46 ± 5.23 to 158.53 ± 21.72 m3/ha. When nitrogen level was increased from 0 to 240 g/plant, the average stand volume increment of the four clones increased from 126.04 ± 8.75 to 156.16 ± 26.01 m3/ha, respectively. Our results suggest that a comprehensive and specific management program is needed to improve poplar timber production.
Reacting to Unfairness: Group Identity and Dishonest Behavior
Authors: Della Valle Nives , Ploner Matteo
Published: July 2017

We experimentally investigate whether individuals are more likely to engage in dishonest behavior after having experienced unfairness perpetrated by an individual with a salient group identity. Two individuals generate an endowment together, but only one can decide how to share it. They either share the same group identity or have distinct group identities. Then, they approach a task in which they can opportunistically engage in dishonest behavior. Our results show that when individuals share the same group identity, unfair distributive decisions do not trigger a dishonest reaction. In contrast, when different group identities coexist, dishonest behavior is observed as a reaction to unfairness.
Code and Substrate: Reconceiving the Actual in Digital Art and Poetry
Authors: Kimmelman Burt
Published: July 2017

The quality of digital poetry or art—not merely as contained within our aesthetic reaction to digitally expressive works but as well our intellectual grounding in them—suggests that the digital’s seemingly ephemeral character is an indication of its lack of an apparently material existence. While, aesthetically, the digital’s ephemerality lies in the very fact of the digitally artistic enterprise, the fact is that its material substrate is what makes the aesthetic pleasure we take in it possible. When we realize for ourselves the role played by this substrate, furthermore, a paradox looms up before us. The fact is that we both enjoy, and in some sense separately understand the artwork comprehensively and fully; we also allow ourselves to enter into an ongoing conversation about the nature of the physical world. This conversation is not insignificant for the world of art especially, inasmuch as art depends upon the actual materials of the world—even digital art—and, too, upon our physical engagement with the art. Digital poetry and art, whose dynamic demands the dissolution of the line that would otherwise distinguish one from the other, have brought the notion of embodiment to the fore of our considerations of them, and here is the charm, along with the paradoxical strength, of digital art and poetry: it is our physical participation in them that makes them fully come into being.
Correlations of Biomarkers and Self-Reported Seafood Consumption among Pregnant and Non-Pregnant Women in Southeastern Louisiana after the Gulf Oil Spill: The GROWH Study
Authors: Zilversmit Leah , Wickliffe Jeffrey , Shankar Arti , Taylor Robert , Harville Emily
Published: July 2017

Seafood contains health-promoting fatty acids, but is often contaminated with mercury (Hg), complicating recommendations and choices around fish consumption during pregnancy. Self-reported diet may be subject to inaccuracy and this inaccuracy could differ according to pregnancy status. We investigated correlations between self-reported seafood consumption and blood levels of Hg and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in women affected by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Spearman correlation coefficients were calculated comparing log blood Hg and n-3 PUFAs to seafood consumption, then stratified by pregnancy status. Crude and adjusted linear regression models were constructed using biomarkers of Hg and n-3 PUFA and seafood consumption, adjusting for age and pregnancy status. Weak but significant correlations were found between log Hg levels and intake of Hg-containing seafood ( r = 0.15) and were slightly stronger among pregnant women ( r = 0.22, vs. r = 0.10). Biomarkers for n-3 PUFAs were significantly correlated with seafood consumption ( r = 0.12). Hg-containing seafood consumption was associated with increased blood level Hg in the highest quartile in both unadjusted (β = 0.34, 95% CI: 0.15–0.53) and adjusted models (β = 0.28, 95% CI: 0.08–0.48). Self-reported seafood consumption was correlated with biomarkers of both n-3 PUFA and Hg, but this association was different when stratified by pregnancy status. Pregnant women may have better recall of Hg-containing seafood compared to nonpregnant women.
The Association of Domestic Incense Burning with Hypertension and Blood Pressure in Guangdong, China
Authors: Song Xiuling , Ma Wenjun , Xu Xiaojun , Liu Tao , Xiao Jianpeng , Zeng Weilin , Li Xing , Qian Zhengmin , Xu Yanjun , Lin Hualiang
Published: July 2017

Abstract: Domestic incense burning is a common activity in China. Although it generates serious air pollution and has been linked to various health outcomes, it remains unknown whether it is associated with blood pressure and hypertension. A community-based survey including 1153 hypertensive subjects and 4432 normotensive participants in Guangdong (China) was used to examine this question. Two-level logistic regression was used to estimate the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). The analyses showed that, compared with non-users, OR of hypertension was 1.24 (95% CI: 1.03–1.50) for users, and 1.37 (95% CI: 1.04–1.80) for daily users with a clear dose-response relationship. The estimated increases in systolic and diastolic blood pressures were 1.02 mmHg (95% CI: 0.06–1.99) and 1.26 mmHg (95% CI: 0.69–1.83) for users, 0.67 mmHg (95% CI: −0.35–1.68) and 1.25 mmHg (95% CI: 0.66–1.85) for occasional users, and 2.09 mmHg (95% CI: 0.79–3.39) and 1.28 mmHg (95% CI: 0.52–2.05) for daily users, respectively. The results remained after adjusting for potential confounders and more pronounced associations were found among females. This study suggests that domestic incense burning may increase the risk of hypertension and blood pressure in the study population, and women are more vulnerable to these effects than men.