bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mammalian Growth Hormone‐Releasing Hormone Indirectly Stimulates Sex Steroid Production in Tilapia
Authors: Kelly Anita M. , Kohler Christopher C.
Published: August 2010

Abstract.— Fish possess a growth hormone similar to mammalian growth hormone, and the presence of a growth hormone‐releasing hormone‐like material in the brain has been demonstrated in several teleost species. We investigated the effect of a mammalian growth hormone‐releasing hormone on serum estradiol‐17β and testosterone concentrations in tilapia Oreochromis mossambicus and a hybrid O. niloticus×O aureus because growth hormone has been implicated in the regulation of gonadal functions in teleosts. Three hours after injecting the releasing hormone, male and female serum testosterone concentrations significantly increased compared to controls, while serum estradiol‐17β concentrations increased significantly only in females. These increases were commensurate with respective serum steroid concentrations in fish injected with gonadotropin releasing‐hormone. Studies utilizing hypophysectomized fish resulted in non‐detectable levels of serum sex steroids in fish treated with the growth hormone‐releasing hormone; however, significant increases occurred in fish treated with human chorionic gonadotropin. Similarly, gonadal tissue incubated with growth hormone releasing hormone had non‐detectable levels of sex steroids in the media, whereas gonads incubated with human chorionic gonadotropin had significant increases in sex steroid concentrations. These studies suggest that growth hormone‐releasing hormone acts at the level of the pituitary. Although mammalian growth hormones have been shown to increase serum gonadotropic hormone concentrations, this study provides evidence that a mammalian growth hormone‐releasing hormone has the ability to indirectly increase sex steroid levels in fish.
Evaluation of Various Concentrations of Dietary Protein and Animal Protein for Pond‐Raised Channel Catfish Ictalurus punctatus Fed to Satiation or at a Restricted Rate
Authors: Robinson Edwin H. , Li Menghe H. , Manning Bruce B.
Published: August 2010

A factorial experiment was conducted to evaluate effect of dietary protein (28% or 32%), animal protein (0, 3, or 6%), and feeding rate (satiation or >90 kg/ha per d) on production characteristics, processing yield, and body composition of pond‐raised channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus. Fingerling channel catfish (average weight: 55 g/fish) were stocked into 60, 0.04‐ha ponds at a rate of 18,530 fish/ha. Five ponds were used for each dietary treatment. Fish were fed once daily to satiation or no more than 90 kg/ha per d for 147 d. Fish fed at a rate of >90 kg/ha per d consumed about 85% of the amount of feed consumed by fish fed to satiation. Dietary protein did not affect the total amount of feed fed, amount of feed consumed per fish, weight gain, feed conversion efficiency, or fillet protein. Animal protein had no effect on the total amount of feed fed, amount of feed consumed per fish, weight gain, or fillet protein and ash. Fish fed a diet containing 6% animal protein converted feed more efficiently than fish fed diets containing 0% and 3% animal protein. Fish fed to satiation daily consumed more feed, gained more weight, converted the feed less efficiently, and had a higher carcass yield, a higher level of visceral fat as compared to fish fed at a rate of >90 kg/ha per d. Feeding rate had no effect on fillet protein. Results from this study indicated that both a 28% and a 32% protein diet with or without animal protein provided the same growth rate of channel catfish raised in ponds from fingerlings to marketable size if feed is not restricted below a maximum rate of 90 kg/ha per d. Even though there were some interactions among the three factors evaluated, dietary protein levels of 28% to 32% and animal protein levels of 0% to 6% do not appear to markedly affect carcass yield and fillet proximate composition of pond‐raised channel catfish.
Studies on the Nutrition of Spotted Sand Bass Paralabrax maculatofasciatus: Effect of the Dietary Protein Level on Growth and Protein Utilization in Juveniles Fed Semipurified Diets
Authors: Anguas‐Vélez Benjamín H. , Civera‐Cerecedo Roberto , Cadena‐Roa Marco , Guillaume Jean , Martínez‐Díaz Sergio F.
Published: August 2010

Two feeding trials were conducted to determine the digestibility of a casein‐based semi‐purified diet and the effects of different protein levels on growth and protein use of spotted sand bass Paralabrax maculatofasciatus juveniles. For trial I, a semipurified diet with vitamin‐free casein as the sole source of protein was fed three times a day to apparent satiation, for a period of 20 d. Feces were collected by siphoning each tank. The digestibility of the experimental diet was high: 97% for protein, 89% for lipids, and 84% for gross energy, whereas that of organic matter was 78%. For trial II, seven diets were formulated using vitamin‐free casein at graded levels (25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, and 55% protein). Triplicate tanks for each dietary treatment were stocked with fish and fed by hand three times a day to apparent satiation for 6 wk. Perfomance of fish fed the different diets was evaluated for survival, percent weight gain, specific growth rate, feed conversion ratio, and protein efficiency ratio. Survival was 100% for all treatments. Growth of spotted sand bass juveniles increased as the dietary protein increased, but no evidence of reaching a plateau was found. The daily feed intake values showed an inverse relation to the protein content of the diets. The feed conversion ratio did not differ among diets containing 40% protein or greater. The results indicate that spotted sand bass juveniles with 2.5‐g mean weight need at least 55% dietary protein for best growth when casein is the sole protein source. However, in terms of feed conversion ratio, the requirement apparently could be lower.
Oyster Crassostrea virginica Spat Settlement as it Relates to the Restoration of Fish River Reef in Mobile Bay, Alabama
Authors: Saoud Imad G. , Rouse David B. , Wallace Richard K. , Howe Jeffrey , Page Blan
Published: August 2010

Abstract.— Oyster spat settlement at four oyster reefs in Mobile Bay, Alabama, USA, was studied from August through October 1998 and May through mid November 1999. Spat collectors at the reefs were replaced every 2 wk and spat‐set estimated as number of oysters per meter square per day. Water quality data at Fish River Reef was monitored using remote sensors. Spat‐set data revealed significant variation between the four sites and between the 2 yr. Spat settlement was 5 to 10 times greater at the other three reefs than at Fish River Reef. Dates and intensity of oyster settlement at Fish River Reef were different from dates and intensity of oyster settlement at Shell Bank Reef, both on the eastern side of the bay. However, settlement was similar between Cedar Point Reef and White House Reef, both on the western side of the bay. Spat set appears to occur 3 wk after a rapid decline in water temperature, provided adequate oxygen concentrations are present at the time of settlement. Data collected suggest that intensity of settlement at Fish River Reef is considerably less than at other reefs in this study but could be adequate to reestablish the reef, if cultch and environmental conditions are suitable. The data also suggest that the source of larval oysters at Fish River Reef is different from the source of larval oysters at the other sites tested in the present study.
Hybridization in Australian Freshwater Crayfish—Production of All‐Male Progeny
Authors: Lawrence Craig S. , Morrissy Noel M. , Vercoe Philip E. , Williams Ian H.
Published: August 2010

Abstract.— In freshwater crayfish aquaculture high densities can result from uncontrolled reproduction. Hence some farmers manually sex yabbies Cherax albidus and stock only mate crayfish in farm dams or ponds. Although male‐only yabby populations produce an estimated 70% increase in gross income, hand sexing is time consuming and prone to error. A hybridization experiment using freshwater crayfish from the yabby species complex, collected from geographically isolated regions throughout Australia, revealed a hybrid between Cherax rotundus females and C. albidus males which consistently produces only male progeny. This has been confirmed in nine crosses of the same two species. The reciprocal cross of C. albidus females ×C. rotundus males produces both male and female progeny. The consistent production of only male progeny by hybridization has not been recorded previously for a crustacean.
Optimum Dietary Protein Levels and Protein to Energy Ratios in Olive Flounder Paralichthys olivaceus
Authors: Kim Kang‐Woong , Kang Yong‐Jin , Choi Se‐Min , Wang Xiaojie , Choi Youn‐Hee , Bai Sungchul C. , Jo Jae‐Yoon , Lee Jeong‐Yeol
Published: August 2010

The olive flounder Paralichthys olivaceus is one of the most commercially important fish species in Korea. In order to formulate better diets for cultured olive flounder we evaluated the optimum dietary protein requirements for larval, fry and juvenile olive flounder, and the optimum dietary protein to energy ratio for juvenile olive flounder. Results of four separate experiments suggested that the optimum dietary protein requirements were 60% in larvae (0.3 g), 46.4–51.2% in 4.1‐g juvenile, and 40–44% in 13.3 g growing olive flounder. The optimum dietary protein to energy ratio based on weight gain, feed efficiency, specific growth rate, and protein retention efficiency was 27–28 mg protein/kJ 2 energy (35 and 45% CP for diets containing 12.5 and 16.7 kJ energylg diet, respectively).
Neural Correlates of High Performance in Foreign Language Vocabulary Learning
Authors: Macedonia Manuela , Müller Karsten , Friederici Angela D.
Published: August 2010

Learning vocabulary in a foreign language is a laborious task which people perform with varying levels of success. Here, we investigated the neural underpinning of high performance on this task. In a within‐subjects paradigm, participants learned 92 vocabulary items under two multimodal conditions: one condition paired novel words with iconic gestures and the other with meaningless gestures. Memory performance was assessed through single‐word translation tests. High performers consistently learned more items than low performers, regardless of the training condition, the time, and the difficulty of the task. Brain activity measured upon word recognition using functional magnetic resonance imaging was parametrically related to the behavioral data. High performance correlated with activity in the left angular gyrus (BA 39) and in the right extrastriate cortex (BA 19). These cortical areas mediate integration of information across different modalities as well as memory processes. Thus, high performance in vocabulary learning seems to depend on individual capacities to integrate and associate a word's semantics with sensorial stimuli. This may have important implications for education.
Comparison of the efficacy of triple versus quadruple therapy on the eradication of Helicobacter pylori and antibiotic resistance
Authors: ZHENG Qing , CHEN Wan Jun , LU Hong , SUN Qin Juan , XIAO Shu Dong
Published: August 2010

OBJECTIVE:  Our aim was to compare the efficacy and safety of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) eradication with pantoprazole‐based 7‐day standard triple therapy (PAC) and 10‐day quadruple therapy (PBMT), and to study the primary resistance of H. pylori to amoxicillin, clarithromycin, metronidazole and tetracycline.

METHODS:  A total of 170 patients with non‐ulcer dyspepsia (NUD) and H. pylori infection were allocated to two study groups. The PAC group received pantoprazole 40 mg b.i.d., amoxicillin 1.0 g b.i.d. and clarithromycin 500 mg b.i.d. for 7 days; the PBMT group received pantoprazole 40 mg b.i.d., colloidal bismuth subcitrate 220 mg b.i.d, metronidazole 400 mg t.i.d. and tetracycline 750 mg b.i.d. for 10 days. A total of 80 H. pylori strains were isolated and antibiotic resistance was measured by the agar dilution method.

RESULTS:  A total of 166 patients completed the therapy. The intention‐to‐treat eradication rates in the PAC and PBMT groups were 63.5% and 89.4%, respectively (P < 0.05). By per protocol analysis, the eradication rates of the two groups were 65.1% and 91.6%, respectively (P < 0.05). Overall 77 clinical isolated H. pylori strains were cultured successfully. The H. pylori primary resistance rates to metronidazole and clarithromycin were 41.6% and 20.8%, respectively, whereas all the H. pylori isolates were sensitive to amoxicillin and tetracycline.

CONCLUSION:  The efficacy of PAC declines in many regions in China because of high antibiotic resistance rates. The PBMT regimen achieved a high eradication rate of H. pylori and might be used as a first‐line therapy.
THE USE OF A SIMPLE MODEL AND UNCERTAINTY ANALYSIS IN LAKE MANAGEMENT1
Authors: Reckhow Kenneth
Published: August 2010

ABSTRACT: A simple, black‐box lake model was developed for phosphorus, using nonlinear regression analysis on a data base of north temperate lakes. The uncertainty associated with the model was then combined with the parameter uncertainty and the independent variable uncertainty to provide an estimate of the confidence limits associated with a predicted value. The prediction uncertainty is often neglected, yet it is an important measure of the usefulness of a model. Prediction uncertainty reflects the modeler's confidence in the model, and it should be used by a decision maker as a weight indicating the value of the model prediction. A procedure is outlined that combined lake modeling and uncertainty analysis for use in lake quality assessment and lake management. An example is provided illustrating the use of this procedure in nutrient budget sampling design, data analysis, and the evaluation of lake management strategies for a 208 program in New Hampshire.
OPTIMUM ALTERNATIVES FOR CONTROLLING COMBINED SEWAGE OVERFLOWS ‐ A CASE STUDY1
Authors: Yomtovian Isaac
Published: August 2010

ABSTRACT: Frequent high quantity overflows of combined sewage entering the Mississippi River near the city of Red Wing, Minnesota, have degraded water quality and caused concern among federal and state environmental agencies. The city of Red Wing was required to conduct a comprehensive waste control study, as part of the sewer system Construction Grant (Section 201 of PL 92–500), to identify alternative waste control and treatment measures and to recommend the optimum combination of alternatives in terms of both cost and waste control effectiveness. The study involved these basic steps: determination of present and future (year 2020) sanitary flow rates and volumes, storm runoff discharges, frequencies and volumes, and combined sewage bypass volumes; identification of alternative waste control measures; elimination of unfeasible alternatives; detailed analysis of the hydrologic, economic, and waste control feasibility of the promising alternatives; selection of the optimum combination of alternative waste control measures to satisfy the study objectives, and determination of construction priorities for the optimum control measures. Because of an uncertain budget and undetermined conditions of state and federal assistance, the city has not yet selected the optimum waste control measure for its needs. When the decisionmaking process between representatives of the city and the state commences, the optimum combination of waste control alternatives can be easily identified using the results of this study.
APPLICATIONS OF A STEADY‐STATE, ONE‐DIMENSIONAL WATER QUALITY MODEL1
Authors: Wu Jy S. , Ahlert Robert C.
Published: August 2010

ABSTRACT: A steady‐state, one‐dimensional water quality model has been formulated to evaluate spatial variations of Biochemical Oxygen Demand, ammonia nitrogen, and dissolved oxygen for nontidal, branched river systems, with point sources of treated wastes and uniform nonpoint‐source loads, under aerobic and/or anaerobic stream conditions. For anaerobic conditions, the decay rate of organic matter is assumed to be limited by the rate of oxygen addition to the streams via stream reaeration and net algal photosynthesis and respiration contributions. The model is applicable to stream impact analysis under sustained wet weather conditions, during which storm‐runoff loads are generated by storms of sufficiently long duration to approach steady state in the river system.
DECISION PARAMETERS FOR COMBINED USE OF EFFLUENT DISCHARGES, SURFACE FLOWS, AND GROUND WATER1
Authors: Nelson Doug C. , Cox P. Thomas
Published: August 2010

ABSTRACT: Decision parameters affecting combined use of effluent discharges and surface flows and ground water available at Gillespie Dam on the Gila River in Arizona are identified and analyzed. Hydrologic, economic, legal, and institutional parameters are considered separately and in combination. The interrelationships of irrigation subsystems, water use functions, institutional involvement, economic and legal constraints are illustrated. Recent hydrologic studies indicate that the natural flow of the Gila River will increase with the discharge of Phoenix sewage effluent and then there will be a drastic decline when the Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station commences in 1985. Competition for any increases in effluent discharges and surface flows could be ameliorated through the combined efforts of existing or reorganized entities resulting in sharing of costs and benefits. The analysis leads to recommendations concerning joint use of facilities, proration of fixed and variable costs, and creation of a mutual water company.
APPLICATION OF FAIRNESS CONSIDERATIONS TO PHOSPHORUS CONTROL POLICIES1
Authors: Peirce J. Jeffrey , Joeres Erhard F. , David Martin H.
Published: August 2010

ABSTRACT: Alternate solutions to a contemporary water resource management problem are developed: 53 municipalities in Wisconsin's Lake Michigan watershed must reduce their phosphorus input to the lake by 85 percent of their influent load. Different definitions of fairness, based on legal and philosophical principles, form the foundation for 18 distinct policy options. The definitions of fairness include: (1) contractual agreement; (2) precedent; (3) the market system; (4) egalitarianism; and (5) equal treatment of equals and differential treatment of unequals, with equals defined in terms of need, worth, ability to pay, who receives the benefits, and the dictates of existing technology. Two alternatives are seen to dominate: (A) municipalities could form contractual relationships to meet the removal requirement as groups, and enjoy least cost operating schedules that save money for members of each group; and (B) whereas 20 of the municipalities collect 91 percent of all phosphorus collected in the watershed, a removal of 90 percent of their influent phosphorus alone ensures that the watershed meets the standard. Under this option, the other 33 municipalities are not required to remove phosphorus. Reasons for the dominance of the two policies are discussed in detail.
ROLE OF IRRIGATION WATER IN AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION: SOME RESOURCE USE ISSUES1
Authors: Sanghi Ajay K.
Published: August 2010

ABSTRACT: A partial production function for corn that considers the time and amount of water applications is determined. Examples are worked out by using data on site specific parameters for nine soil sites in the Great Plains Region repesenting various combinations of water holding capacity, pan evaporation, and average rainfall. It is found that soils with a low water holding capacity are more water and energy intensive in crop production and thus more vulnerable to fluctuations in net returns due to declining water tables or energy shortages. Despite this, farmers of low water holding capacity soils are likely to opt for irrigation. This points to the existence of a necessary, but sufficient, condition for socially inefficient use of ground water resources. This calls to question the property right concept in water created through the appropriation doctrine and the “law of capture.” This paper indicates the type of analysis that must be undertaken in order to make appropriate changes in laws governing water use.
PLANNING UNDEVELOPED LAKESHORE1
Authors: Sargent Frederic O. , Berke Philip R.
Published: August 2010

ABSTRACT: Private lakeshore development usually precedes establishment of public lake access. As a result, the best access areas are often occupied before public access is provided. The public then has a problem to provide access for nonriparian citizens. This problem can be anticipated and prevented by classifying undeveloped lakeshore areas according to suitability for both private and public uses, and incorporating appropriate recommendations into the municipal, comprehensive land use plan. To accomplish this, a site evaluation system has been developed which numerically rates the lakeshore for each of four public uses: public beaches, picnic areas, boat access areas, and public marinas; and two private uses: private marinas and vacation homes. Ratings are developed for: slope, soil suitability, shoreland type, water quality, site location, scenery, and road access. These ratings are combined with a statement of public goals developed from attitude surveys to produce a lakeshore land use plan. The plan recommends that lakeshore areas best suited for private development are so used, and areas best suited for public use are reserved for that purpose. This site evaluation system is demonstrated by a case study on Lake Champlain in Ferrisburg, Vermont.
COST ANALYSIS OF WATER AND WASTE WATER TREATMENT PROCESSES IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES1
Authors: Muiga Michael I. , Reid George W.
Published: August 2010

ABSTRACT: Mathematical modeling techniques are used to develop predictive equations for cost of water and waste water treatment processes in developing countries utilizing socioeconomic, environmental, and technological indicators. Predictive equations are developed for each of the three regions (Africa, Asia, and Latin America) for construction, operation, and maintenance costs of slow sand filter, rapid sand filter, stabilization lagoon, aerated lagoon, activated sludge, and trickling filter. Data analysis indicated that cost of water treatment processes is a function of technological indicator (percentage of imported materials), population, and the design capacity. The variables which gave the best correlation for waste water treatment cost were population, design flow, and the percentage of imported waste water disposal materials.
WATER HARVESTING TREATMENT EVALUATION AT GRANITE REEF1
Authors: Fink Dwayne H. , Frasier Gary W. , Myers Lloyd E.
Published: August 2010

ABSTRACT: Yearly runoff efficiencies (total runoff/total precipitation), threshold retentions (precipitation needed to initiate runoff), and runoff‐efficiencies‐after‐thresholds were determined for several water‐harvesting catchment treatments at the Granite Reef test site. This information was found to be useful for showing (1) overall performance of catchments with time; (2) the distribution of the precipitation among runoff, surface retention, and infiltration; (3) why, how, and when certain treatments weathered and failed; (4) when to repair treatments; and (5) how to design catchments (size, site preparation, material selection, etc.). New impermeable membranes with smooth surfaces yielded nearly 100% of the precipitation. An asphalt‐fiberglass treatment continues this high efficiency after 10 years of weathering – polyethylene after 8; efficiency of butyl sheeting was high initially but decreased rapidly after 9 years weathering. A standard roofing treatment retained up to 30% of the precipitation in the gravel covering. A concrete catchment lost as much as 50% of the total precipitation through micropores and surface cracks. Silicone treatments rapidly lost repellancy and efficiency, while paraffin treatments have weathered 5 years with little loss of efficiency.
Chaotic Behavior and Pollution Dispersion Characteristics in Engineered Tidal Embayments: A Numerical Investigation1
Authors: Bagtzoglou Amvrossios C. , Novikov Andrei
Published: August 2010

Abstract: This paper presents a numerical investigation of approaches to enhance the mixing and dispersion processes in tidal areas by effecting changes in the natural estuary system. It compares the impact of various estuary modifications stemming from human intervention to pollutant dispersion and chaotic flow within the estuary including the implications of alteration of the original channel shape, change of the channel bathymetry, and modification of the tidal signal. Our findings indicate that chaotic flow analysis is similar in many regards, but not all, to conventional dispersion analysis. Specifically, we conclude that (1) simplification of the flow regime reduces chaotic flow patterns and tracer particle dispersion, (2) creation of extensively protruding barriers and/or installation of barriers on opposite sides of the main stem of the estuary enhances particle dispersion and chaotic mixing, (3) installation of underwater berms has relatively minor beneficial, but highly localized, effects on chaotic regime and particle dispersion, and (4) increasing the tidal signal amplitude was shown to increase chaotic and dispersion properties of the estuarine system. A parametric study investigating the effect of several geometrical configurations and tidal signals on characteristics of chaotic flows concludes the paper.
Estimating Relevance of Organic Carbon, Nitrogen, and Phosphorus Loads to a Blackwater River Estuary1
Authors: Hendrickson John , Trahan Nadine , Gordon Emily , Ouyang Ying
Published: August 2010

Abstract:  In blackwater river estuaries, a large portion of external carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus load are combined in complex organic molecules of varying recalcitrance. Determining their lability is essential to establishing the relationship between anthropogenic loads and eutrophication. A method is proposed in which organic C, N, and P are partitioned into labile and refractory forms, based upon first‐order decay estimated by biochemical oxygen demand relative to total organic carbon, and C:N and C:P ratios as a function of organic carbon lability. The technique was applied in developing total maximum daily loads for the lower St. Johns, a blackwater Atlantic coastal plain river estuary in Northeast Florida. Point source organic nutrients were determined to be largely labile. Urban runoff was found to have the highest relative labile organic N and P content, followed by agricultural runoff. Natural forest and silviculture runoff were high in refractory organic N and P. Upstream labile C, N, and P loads were controlled by autochthonous production, with 34‐50% of summer total labile carbon imported as algal biomass. Differentiation of labile and refractory organic forms suggests that while anthropogenic nutrient enrichment has tripled the total nitrogen load, it has resulted in a 6.7‐fold increase in total labile nitrogen load.
SHOULD ALL DOCTORS BE PUT ON SALARY?
Authors: Grichting Wolfgang L.
Published: August 2010

An effort is made to identify groups of advocates and opponents of the notion that all doctors ought to be put on salary. Three major findings result from the analysis: respondents who are concerned either with cost reduction or equalisation of access to medical service favour fixed remuneration of all doctors: people who favour the remuneration by salary of all doctors appear to be spokesmen for others rather than advocates of their own cause; political party preference is the most important causal factor in determining the support for such a policy. Overall, two out of five respondents endorse the notion of fixed compensation of all doctors but neither political party is able to muster a clear majority for such a proposition suggesting that the present fee‐for‐service arrangement will not be changed in the foreseeable future.
A SURVEY OF THE HEALTH CONSEQUENCES TO FEMALES OF OPERATING VISUAL DISPLAY UNITS
Authors: Lewis M.J. , Esterman A.J. , Dorsch Margaret M.
Published: August 2010

A cross‐sectional survey of female office workers in South Australia was initiated to compare the general health experiences of visual display unit (VDU) operators with those of other keyboard workers. Additionally, a matched casecontrol study, generated from the cross‐sectional survey, examined claims of a relationship between VDU exposure and spontaneous abortions.

Although poor sleep and nervousness appeared to be significantly associated with the use of VDUs there appeared to be no relationship with nervousness after controlling for other measured risk factors such as age and employer. VDU use was the only statistically significant predictor variable for dizziness and poor sleep, although the statistical significance was marginal. Results of the case‐control analysis, provided little evidence that the operation of VDUs during pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of spontaneous abortion.
PARITY AND DEATH FROM COLON CANCER IN WOMEN: A CASE‐CONTROL STUDY
Authors: McMichael A.J. , Potter J.D.
Published: August 2010

Within the population of ever‐married women, aged 40 or over, in South Australia, the parity distributions of 515 consecutive registered deaths attributed to colon cancer during 1976–1980, 17,941 consecutive deaths from other causes, and the mid‐1976 census population of 203,718 women were compared. The age‐adjusted relative risks of colon cancer death, using the census population as controls and treating nulliparous women as RR = 1.00, were 0.72 and 0.63 for para 1–2 and para 3‐plus women respectively. These risk reductions were statistically significant (p<0.05). Comparison of cases with other deceased women as controls yielded lesser reductions in risk associated with increasing parity (RR = 0.89 and 0.80); the equivalent comparison for ever‐married men showed a negligible change in risk associated with having fathered children (RR = 0.98). The similarity of these findings with other recent reports of colon cancer in relation to parity in women, and their likely biological significance, is discussed.
A METHOD OF ANALYSING GENERAL PRACTIONER DECISION MAKING CONCERNING HOME OR HOSPITAL CORONARY CARE
Authors: Stephenson Anne E. , Chetwynd S. Jane
Published: August 2010

This paper demonstrates the use of the repertory grid technique to study general practitioner decision making concerning home or hospital care for patients suffering from suspected myocardial infarctions. The technique was used to analyse a general practitioner's place‐of‐care decisions regarding five patients treated by him. The methodology described here has wider application in the study of decision making in the health service, and is being used by the authors in a larger study of a random sample of general practitioners and their coronoary care decision making over a one year period.
INEQUALITIES IN PRIMARY MEDICAL CARE AMONG WORKING MALES, 15–64, IN NEW ZEALAND
Authors: Davis Peter
Published: August 2010

The welfare state has come under increasing scrutiny, especially in relation to the efficiency and fairness with which it delivers key human services such as health care. The paper mounts a preliminary investigation of such issues in the context of the delivery of primary medical care in New Zealand.

The study is based on a 1 per cent sample of all general practice visits in the Hamilton Health District over a period of a year. The data are presented only for employed males in the 15–64 age group.

Manual workers and the Maori visit the general practitioner more frequently for all illness conditions, for certain predicted groups of illnesses, and for more severe health problems. There is also evidence of a social class/ethnic group interaction effect. However, the extent of these disparities in utilisation are less marked than those indicated by epidemiological measures of need based on mortality data.
ALCOHOL TAXATION AS A PUBLIC HEALTH POLICY: THE NEW ZEALAND EXPERIENCE
Authors: Ashton Toni , Casswell Sally
Published: August 2010

The paper discusses issues surrounding the use of alcohol taxation as a means of reducing the costs imposed on New Zealand society by the abuse of alcohol. Econometric studies have indicated that, in common with most other industrialised countries, increases in the real price of alcoholic beverages in New Zealand reduce the per capita consumption of alcohol. Alcohol taxes are well‐targeted towards those who are most likely to impose costs on society: 7% of drinkers drink approximately half of all alcohol consumed and therefore pay a large proportion of alcohol taxes. The common assertion that the burden of alcohol taxes falls disproportionately on low income groups is not supported by this analysis: alcohol taxation in New Zealand appears to be proportional rather than regressive.
THE VICTORIAN NUTRITION SURVEY: A PROFILE OF THE ENERGY, MACRONUTRIENT AND SODIUM INTAKES OF THE POPULATION
Authors: Baghurst Katrine I. , Crawford David , Worsley Anthony , Syrette Julie A. , Record Sally J. , Baghurst Peter A.
Published: August 2010

A random State‐wide survey of the Victorian population demonstrated clearly a wide discrepancy between the respondents' current nutritional intake and the pattern of intake recommended for improvement in the community's chronic disease profile. The results of the survey highlighted a range of methodological issues relevant to the recommendations of the Nutrition Task Force of the Better Health Commission relating to the need for ongoing surveillance of the nutritional profile and attitudes of the Australian community. It also demonstrated a surprising lack of change in the nutrient profile of the Australian community over the past few years despite various independent nutrition policy and education initiatives.
INTERVENTION IN CHILDBIRTH AND NEONATAL RESPONSIVENESS
Authors: Muhlen‐Schulte Liselott , Wade Kenneth
Published: August 2010

This paper is a report of a study of obstetric intervention in childbirth and its effects on neonatal behaviour. Interventions included anaesthesia, augmentation, induction and caesarean section and their relationships to behavioural responsiveness of the babies over the neonatal period were examined. Among the 120 mothers, the study found considerable rates of intervention into childbirth. Babies were assessed on three occasions using the Brazelton Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scale (NBAS). Data from one hundred and nine babies were analysed. Babies whose mothers had epidural anaesthesia were less likely to achieve optimal Motoric subscale scores than babies whose mothers did not. A lower percentage of caesarean birth babies than vaginal birth babies achieved optimal scores on the State Control, Interaction and Motoric subscales of the NBAS. It is recommended that every effort be made to reduce the high caesarean section rate, the rates of other interventions, such as induction and the levels of use of epidural anaesthesia and episiotomy. A preferred way to do this would be to make a more natural birth available to all but the truly high‐risk population.
PUBLIC OPINION ON TOBACCO ADVERTISING, SPORTS SPONSORSHIPS AND TAXATION PRIOR TO THE VICTORIAN TOBACCO ACT, 1987
Authors: Hill David
Published: August 2010

A survey of 1136 Victorian adults in June, 1987 showed high awareness of government involvement in anti‐smoking campaigns and a big majority(79%) who favoured maintaining the campaigns or making them tougher. Nearly half would unconditionally approve an increase in tobacco tax of 50 cents per packet and if the revenue raised were to be hypothecated to programs such as health education, medical research and funding sport and the arts, the approval for a tobacco tax increase rose to 84 per cent. Sixty‐three per cent approved a ban on cigarette advertising and 37 per cent a ban on sponsorship of sport by tobacco companies. Providing the government replaced cigarette sponsorship money with funds raised through tobacco taxes, a further 20 per cent would approve a ban on tobacco sponsorship of sport, making the total approval for the measure 57 per cent.
TYING DOWN THE INDICATORS AND TARGETS FOR HEALTH FOR ALL
Authors: Ashton John
Published: August 2010

The World Health Organisation strategy for Health For All by the Year 2000 has provided the framework for the Health Promotion strategy used in the Mersey Health Region, in the U.K.

‘Health in Mersey — A Review’, provided a community diagnosis that brought together data from different sectors, compared the health of Mersey residents with that of the populations of England and Wales and made within‐Region comparisons between residents Of the lo Mersey Health Districts.

The process of producing the community diagnosis for Mersey revealed the shortcomings of the available data‐base and information systems for Health Promotion. In particular it was clear that much routinely collected data of relevance to Health Promotion was currently not being made use of because it was collected by non‐health agencies. In addition the lack of useful local, as opposed to regional or national, data, especially in relation to lifestyles and risk factors, highlighted the necessity for new initiatives.

A short‐life working party was convened to examine the information needs for Health Promotion in relation to the 12 Regional priorities.

In examining the 12 Regional priorities from the point of view of five categories of Data, Health Services, Related Organisations, Special Survey, Analytically Derived and ‘Soft’ Descriptive, items could be further grouped depending on whether they are available now (AN), analysis is required to obtain them (AR) or whether development work is necessary to obtain them (DWR).

Based on the outcome of the Working Party, appropriate summary indicators and targets have been suggested for each of the Regional Health Promotion priorities. The selection is based on the criteria used in the World Health Organisation Healthy Cities Project, namely that indicators and targets should as far as possible stimulate change, be readily available and relate to Health Promotion principles. They are intended to stimulate debate. The emphasis of the proposed data is on small area comparisons and the reduction in inequalities.
GUIDELINES FOR RESEARCH PRACTICE IN AUSTRALIA: NHMRC STATEMENT & PROFESSIONAL CODES
Authors: Berglund Catherine A. , McNeill Paul M.
Published: August 2010

The guidelines for research practice with human participants offered in the National Health and Medical Research Council's ‘Statement on Human Experimentation and Supplementary Notes’ and a number of professions' Codes of Ethics were examined in terms of the principles of beneficence, respect for persons and justice. Clear differences emerged between the Professional Codes and the NHMRC Statement, particularly in the areas of confidentiality, reporting of research results and further use of data. The question of whether the NHMRC Statement is sufficiently comprehensive to guide research in many fields is considered.
VALIDATION STUDIES FROM THE WESTERN AUSTRALIAN CONGENITAL MALFORMATIONS REGISTRY
Authors: Bower Carol , Forbes Robin , Ryan Aandra , Rudy Edwina
Published: August 2010

A series of studies was undertaken in 1989 to validate the data held by the Western Australian Congenital Malformations Registry. Comparison with hospital discharge data identified 1585 children six years of age or younger with malformations discharged from hospitals in Western Australia in 1986, 226 of whom were not already recorded on the Congenital Malformations Register. When the records of a special register for cleft lip and palate were examined, all cases of facial cleft known to the special register were also recorded on the Malformations Register.

Comparison of the Western Australian data for major groups of malformations with data from the South Australian Birth Defects Register raised the possibility of under ascertainment in Western Australia of cases of congenital heart disease.

Multiple sources of ascertainment and evaluation of the ways in which such sources are tapped are important factors in striving for complete and accurate information on congenital malformations for research and public health purposes.
A Judge Leads
Authors: CRISWELL W. S.
Published: August 2010

The People of His Community in the Effort to Face Up to and Meet the Needs of Children and Youth Who Are Neglected or in Trouble ….
A Small County's Answer to Community‐Based Programs
Authors: Gary Holland M.
Published: August 2010

“Some authorities have stated that the only way to gain community services for children is to close down state institutions. We believe that our progress in the past two years proves that the only way to eliminate state institutions is to provide better services in the community.”
Comments on Goonatilake : (some notes on the dependency of ‘dependency’)
Authors: Lipton Michael
Published: August 2010

Summary Michael Lipton replies that Susantha Goonatilake's paper is itself a victim of the 'dependency syndrome' it attacks. Developing countries need to protect themselves against unsuitable transfers of technology, but must not fall into a narrow, nation‐based ideology. He distinguishes five separate forms of dominance and challenges the assertion that Sri Lanka's reference group has been narrowly based. The best way to avoid 'cultural encapsulation' is to develop high professional standards, which need not be 'Western', liberal, capitalist or monodisci‐plinary.

RESUME Commentaire sur la thése de Goonatilake

Michael Lipton répond à l'article de Susantha Goonatilake en le qualifiant de victime de ce même 'syndrome du développement' auquel il s'est attaqué. Les pays en voie de développement doivent se protéger contre les transferts de technologie inadaptée, mais ne doivent pas retomber dans une idéologie etroite basée sur leur seule nation. Il distingue entre cinq formes distinctes de facteurs dominants, et il s'oppose à la proposition selon laquelle le groupe de référence utilisé à Sri Lanka aurait une base trop étroite. La meilleur façon de résistor à 'l'encapsulation culturelle' est de viser des normes professionnelles élevées qui n'ont besoin d'être ni occidentales, ni libérates, ni capitalistes, ni unidisciplinaires.

RESUMEN Comentario sobre Goonatilake

Michael Lipton responde que el artículo de Susantha Goonatilake es en si mismo vlctima del ‘lndrome de la dependencia’ contra el cual se dirige. Los países en desarrollo necesitan protegerse contre las transferences inadecuadas de tecnología, pero no deben caer en una ideología estrechamente nacionalista. Lipton distingue cinco formas diferentes de dominación objeta la efirmación de que el grupo de referencia de Sri Lanka tiene una base estrecha. La mejor manera de evitar el ‘encapsulamiento cultural’ es desarrollar altos patrones profesionales, que no tienen por qué ser ‘occidentales’, liberales, capitalistas o monodisciplinarios.
The Political Economy of General Amin
Authors: Brett E. A.
Published: August 2010

Summary By the end of 1974 no section of Ugandan life had been left unaffected by the crisis which had been developing since the end of the 1960s. Explanation for this crisis is often sought in the personalty of General Amin, but this author argues that most of the problems with which Amin was faced were created by the nature of the conflict in Uganda during the previous period. It is argued that these conflicts are the direct outcome of the problems of under‐development faced by many countries in tropical Africa, and that Uganda is not so much a special case as an extreme one. The Ugandan crisis is seen as the outcome of a period of intensified internal competition for resources in a situation where the structural changes in the economy were not sufficient to increase productivity to the point where it could meet the demands made upon it.

RESUME L'Economie politique du Général Amin

A la fin de 1974 aucun secteur de la vie ougandaise ne restait inaffecté par la crise qui se développait depuis la fin des années'60. On cherche souvent I'explication de cette crise dans la personnalité du Général Amin, mais I'auteur de cet article affirme que la plupart des problèms auxquels Amin faisait face sont nés du conflit en Ouganda pendant la période précédente. Il suggère que ces conflicts résulteraient directement des problèmes de sous‐développement qui se pose.nt dans de nombreux pays de I'Afrique tropicale, et que I'Ouganda n'en serait qu'un cas plutôt extrème et non pas exceptionnel. La crise ougandaise est considérée comme aboutissement d'une période d'intense compétition interne pour la recherche des ressources dans une situation où les changements structurels de I'économie étaient trop insuffisants pour faire augmenter la productivité au niveau de la demande.

RESUMEN Laeconomía politicadel General

Hacia fines de 1974 ningum sector de la vida de Uganda había escapado los efectos de la crisis que se habla estado desarrollando desde fines de la década de 1960. La explicación de esta crisis se busca a menudo en la personalidad del General Amin, pero el autor sostiene que la mayoría de los problemas con que Amin se enfrentó fueron creados por la naturaleza del conflictc en Uganda durante el período previo. Se plantea que estos conflictos son el resultado directo de los problemas del subdesarrollo que afectan a varios países en el Africa tropical, que Uganda no es tanto un caso especìal como un caso extremo. La crisis en Uganda se quede entender como el resultado de un período de intense competencia interna por los recursos en una situación donde los cambios estructurales en la economía no fueron suficientes para aumentar la productividad en la medida necesaria para satisfacer las nuevas demandas.
Statistics and the Heritocracy
Authors: Little Angela
Published: August 2010

SUMMARY The question of the genetic or environmental determination of human development has always been controversial. Intelligence tests, which assume a very large genetic component continue to be used frequently in the West and increasingly in the developing world as a tool for legitimating the allocation of persons to rôles in society. The results from intelligence tests are also used to demonstrate and explain racial and societal differences in intellectual development. The statistic at the centre of the debate, heritability, is invariably misinterpreted and is of more limited use than many would wish to believe.

RESUME Les statistiques et I' “héritocratie”

La détermination de l'évolution humaine, sur le plan génétique ou de l'environnement constitute un problème qui a toujours suscité des controverses. Les tests de capacité intellectuelle, censés faire partie très importante de la génétique, continuent à servir, fréquemment dans les pays de l'Ouest et de plus en plus dans le tiers‐monde, aux fins de justifier la désignation de certains individus à des rales spécifiques dans la société. On se sert également des résultats de tests de capacité intellectuelle pour démontrer et expliquer les divergences raciales et d'ordre social dans le développement intellectuel. L'élément statistique sur lequel se concentre le débat, à savoir la transmissibilité. devient infailliblement l'objet d'interprétation trompeuse.

RESUMEN Las estadísticas y la heritocracia

La cuestión de la determinación genética o ambiental del desarrollo humano ha sido siempre objeto de controversia Los tests de inteligencia, que suponen un componente genético muy grande, siguen siendo usados frecuentemente en Occidente y cada vez más en los países en desarrollo como herramienta para legitimar la asignación de personas a diversos roles en la sociedad. Los resultados de tests de inteligencia también se usan para demostrar y explicar diferencias raciales y sociales en el desarrollo intelectual. La estadística que es centro del debate, a saber, la transmisión hereditaria, se interpreta invariablemente en forma errónea y es de uso más limitado de lo que muchos quisieran creer.