bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Viscous effects in the absolute–convective instability of the Batchelor vortex
Authors: OLENDRARU C. , SELLIER A.
Published: October 2002

The effects of viscosity on the instability properties of the Batchelor vortex are
investigated. The characteristics of spatially amplified branches are first documented
in the convectively unstable regime for different values of the swirl parameter q and
the co-flow parameter a at several Reynolds numbers Re. The absolute–convective
instability transition curves, determined by the Briggs–Bers zero-group velocity criterion,
are delineated in the (a, q)-parameter plane as a function of Re. The azimuthal
wavenumber m of the critical transitional mode is found to depend on the magnitude
of the swirl q and on the jet (a > −0.5) or wake (a < −0.5)
nature of the axial flow. At large Reynolds numbers, the inviscid results of Olendraru et al. (1999)
are recovered. As the Reynolds number decreases, the pocket of absolute instability in the
(a, q)-plane is found to shrink gradually. At Re = 667; the critical transitional
modes for swirling jets are m = −2 or m = −3 and absolute instability prevails
at moderate swirl values even in the absence of counterflow. For higher swirl levels, the bending
mode m = −1 becomes critical. The results are in good overall agreement with those
obtained by Delbende et al. (1998) at the same Reynolds number. However, a bending
(m = +1) viscous mode is found to partake in the outer absolute–convective instability
transition for jets at very low positive levels of swirl. This asymmetric branch is the
spatial counterpart of the temporal viscous mode isolated by Khorrami (1991) and
Mayer & Powell (1992). At Re = 100, the critical transitional mode for swirling jets
is m = −2 at moderate and high swirl values and, in order to trigger an absolute
instability, a slight counterflow is always required. A bending (m = +1) viscous mode
again becomes critical at very low swirl values. For wakes (a < −0.5) the critical
transitional mode is always found to be the bending mode m = −1, whatever the
Reynolds number. However, above q = 1.5, near-neutral centre modes are found to
define a tongue of weak absolute instability in the (a, q)-plane. Such modes had been
analytically predicted by Stewartson & Brown (1985) in a strictly temporal inviscid
framework.
The effect of surfactant on the stability of a liquid thread
Authors: TIMMERMANS MARY-LOUISE E. , LISTER JOHN R.
Published: October 2002

The surface-tension-driven motion of a surfactant-coated liquid thread in inviscid
surroundings is investigated using linear stability theory as well as one-dimensional
nonlinear approximations to the governing Navier–Stokes equations. Examination of
analytic limits of the linear dispersion relationship demonstrates that surfactant acts as
a distinct mechanism for long-wavelength cut-off, instead of inertia, if the surfactant
effects exceed a critical value, β = ½, where β is a dimensionless surface-tension
gradient. Two different long-wavelength regimes can be identified, depending on the
degree of tangential stress, with β = 1 characterizing a transition from extensionally
dominated inertial flow to shear-dominated viscous flow. One-dimensional nonlinear
models are formulated which capture the changes in behaviour with variation of β
by inclusion of the necessary high-order terms. Scaling close to breakup shows that
surfactant is swept away from the pinching region and then has little effect.
Flux Richardson number measurements in stable atmospheric shear flows
Authors: PARDYJAK E. R. , MONTI P. , FERNANDO H. J. S.
Published: October 2002

The flux Richardson number Rf (also known as the mixing efficiency) for the
stably stratified atmospheric boundary layer is investigated as a function of the gradient
Richardson number Rig using data taken during two field studies: the Vertical
Transport and Mixing Experiment (VTMX) in Salt Lake City, Utah (October 2000),
and a long-term rural field data set from Technical Area 6 (TA-6) at Los Alamos
National Laboratory, New Mexico. The results show the existence of a maximum
Rf (0.4–0.5) at a gradient Richardson number of approximately unity. These
large-Reynolds-number results agree well with recent laboratory stratified shear layer
measurements, but are at odds with some commonly used Rf parameterizations,
particularly under high-Rig conditions. The observed variations in buoyancy flux
and turbulent kinetic energy production are consistent with the concept of global
intermittency of the atmospheric stable boundary layer.
Maritime Rivalry, Political Intervention and the Race to Antarctica: US–Chilean Relations, 1939–1949
Authors: KENDALL MOORE JASON
Published: October 2002

Throughout the nineteenth century, the United States and Chile competed for dominance in the Pacific, and their maritime rivalry reemerged in the race to Antarctica during the 1940s. The US Navy was able to circumnavigate the white continent, for the first time ever, while Chile's once great navy no longer posed a threat even to its neighbours. The Chilean government expressed concern about the scope of US exploration since the Antarctic always had been an essential component of its maritime policy with national security ramifications. President Gabriel González Videla seized upon Washington's unsuccessful attempts to determine the legal fate of the Antarctic to gain acceptance for a Chilean proposal that avoided the need to renounce sovereignty claims. In doing so, he secured essentially maritime objectives by diplomatic means. This success was more profound than widely appreciated since it came at a time when US intervention in Chile's domestic affairs had reached an unprecedented level.
Cuba's Quest for Economic Independence
Authors: LEOGRANDE WILLIAM M. , THOMAS JULIE M.
Published: October 2002

Since the colonial era Cuba has been the paradigmatic case of a monocultural export economy, dependent upon the production of one primary commodity – sugar – for sale to one principal trade partner. Overcoming dependency was a high priority for Fidel Castro in 1959, yet despite a promising start, his efforts proved ultimately unsuccessful. Only the collapse of communism in Europe freed Cuba from dependent trade relations with the Soviet Union – albeit at the cost of enormous economic disruption. This article examines Cuba's post-1959 pursuit of economic independence, first to explain why the government's initial successes proved unsustainable in the 1980s, and then to examine Cuba's attempt to reinsert its economy into the global market in the aftermath of the Cold War.
Does Race Matter Among Cuban Immigrants? An Analysis of the Racial Characteristics of Recent Cuban Immigrants
Authors: AGUIRRE BENIGNO E. , BONILLA SILVA EDUARDO
Published: October 2002

Information on Cuban immigrants from the recent ‘Measuring Cuban Opinion Project’ survey is used to determine the extent to which race matters. We use multivariate binomial logistic regression models to determine if race can be predicted by key demographic and economic characteristics of the respondents, their use of mass media outlets in Cuba, their evaluation of and integration to the Cuban state and their participation in the dissidence in the island. The conclusion is reached that race cannot be predicted because these immigrants are, in general terms, very similar. However, some racial differences in mode of immigration and likelihood of immigration were found.
Editorial
Authors: Milner-Gulland E.J.
Published: October 2002

Is bushmeat just another conservation bandwagon?

There is currently great interest in the sustainability of
bushmeat hunting (bushmeat being any wild animal by hunted for human consumption). All the big conservation
‘players’ have contributed to the debate, issued statements or funded research. IUCN's World
Conservation Congress in October 2000 and the CITES Bushmeat Conference of the Parties in April 2000 both discussed
bushmeat. Both organisations have since sponsored initiatives in West and Central Africa aimed at obtaining
action on the issue. Major conservation organisations are funding research, including the Wildlife
Conservation Society (which has a long track-record in this field) and Conservation International. The World
Bank has commissioned a major report on the issue (Bennett & Robinson, 2000). Fauna & Flora International
(FFI) is a partner in a UK government-commissioned project identifying priority research areas. Conservation
organisations have formed the US-based Bushmeat Crisis Task Force (see http://www.bushmeat.org), of
which FFI is a member, and the UK-based Bushmeat Working Group of the Tropical Forest Forum (see
http://www.forestforum.org.uk), where academic conservationists and government policy makers can
exchange experience and ideas.
The impact of war on forest areas in the Democratic Republic of Congo
Authors: Draulans Dirk , Van Krunkelsven Ellen
Published: October 2002

This paper provides a review of data on the effects of the civil war on forest areas in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Only a few of these effects were beneficial, the most important being the collapse of the wood industry. However, the war has increased the number of people that rely on wood for fuel and bushmeat for protein. The presence of soldiers and refugees aggravates this pressure. When people hide they do not necessarily refrain from hunting, because goods, including ivory, can be stocked to be traded when the situation improves. War seems beneficial to the environment only if it keeps people out of large areas. It could be useful to extend the concept of peace parks to war zones. The idea of an international ‘green force’ to protect biodiversity hotspots should be given serious consideration. Awareness is growing that political instability should not preclude conservation efforts from being continued.
Low genetic variation in a Pacific cycad: conservation concerns for Cycas seemannii (Cycadaceae)
Authors: Keppel Gunnar
Published: October 2002

The conservation status of Cycas seemannii, native to Vanuatu, New Caledonia, Fiji and Tonga, is assessed based on isozyme analysis, abundance estimates and factors affecting the survival of the species. Genetic variation in the species is low and genetic differentiation between populations is high, as compared to plants in general and to other cycads. Lower genetic variation was detected in a fragmented population as compared to less disturbed populations. Low gene flow was also detected, implying little contact between the various populations. A conservative estimate of 17,000 individuals remaining in the wild was obtained, with more than half of these located on the islands of Vanuatu. Accounts of past abundance suggest declining population sizes, most likely the result of repeated burning. Other factors that may be contributing to the decline are decreasing importance to and protection by humans, habitat alteration for agricultural and developmental purposes, and poor dispersal and recolonisation potential. An assessment based on the present estimated abundance and what is known of recent declines in numbers, indicates that the species should be categorised as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. On some of the densely populated islands, such as Viti Levu in Fiji and Nukualofa in Tonga, the species is locally Endangered or Critically Endangered. Possible conservation measures are suggested, and it is emphasised that populations on different islands must be considered separately because of their genetic differentiation.
Functional effects of agents differentially selective to noradrenergic or serotonergic systems
Authors: TRANTER R. , HEALY H. , CATTELL D. , HEALY D.
Published: October 2002

Background. The diversity of pharmacological actions of antidepressants suggests that they may bring about their clinical effects by different functional means.

Methods. Twenty healthy volunteers were randomized in a cross-over design to receive 2 weeks of a clinical dose of both reboxetine and sertraline. Baseline assessments of personality were made using the Cloninger Tridimensional Personality Questionnaire and the Karolinska Scales of Personality. Daily and weekly ratings of mood (POMS and PANAS) and quality of life (SASS) were undertaken.

Results. Reboxetine and sertraline differed in their effects on the SASS as well as on measures of mood. Reboxetine appeared more likely to be energy enhancing; the effects of sertraline were more difficult to quantify. Personality factors, such as harm avoidance predicted the preference of subjects for these effects and the effect of being on a preferred drug had a significant impact on SASS, and ratings of moods as well as on self-assessments of personality.

Conclusions. The differences reported here are consistent with the original thinking that led to the development of the SSRIs. The findings point to the need for further research on possible differential functional effects of psychotropic agents selective to different brain systems. The findings also have implications for clinical practice, in particular for maintenance treatment with antidepressants.
Mood, eating behaviour and attention
Authors: WILLIAMS J. M. G. , HEALY H. , EADE J. , WINDLE G. , COWEN P. J. , GREEN M. W. , DURLACH P.
Published: October 2002

Background. Obesity is a growing health problem, but most people find dieting unsuccessful. Three studies examine possible reasons for the difficulty and the extent to which dieting-related reductions in cognitive function are associated with mood and well-being.

Method. In Study One, 49 female dieters were compared with a control group of 31 matched non-dieters on measures of well-being, mood, eating behaviour (Dutch Eating Behaviour Questionnaire), and attention. Study Two examined two measures of restraint to examine why previous studies find high restrainers are prone to react to emotion. Study Three experimentally manipulated mood using music and the standard Velten Induction Procedure to examine attention in restrainers and emotional eaters.

Results. Dieting was found to be associated with deficits in sustained attention. This finding was further supported by the demonstration of a significant impairment in performance following a negative mood induction in high emotional eaters whereas high restrainers were relatively unaffected by the mood challenge.

Conclusions. We suggest that different aspects of eating behaviour have dissociable effects on cognitive-affective function. Trait tendencies to restrained eating are associated with attentional deficits, but are not further affected by mood disruption. It is the long-term tendency to eat when emotional that combines with current emotional state to trigger cognitive deficits.
Visuospatial memory and learning in first-episode schizophreniform psychosis and established schizophrenia: a functional correlate of hippocampal pathology?
Authors: WOOD S. J. , PROFFITT T. , MAHONY K. , SMITH D. J. , BUCHANAN J.-A. , BREWER W. , STUART G. W. , VELAKOULIS D. , McGORRY P. D. , PANTELIS C.
Published: October 2002

Background. Despite a number of studies that have indicated impaired memory function in patients with schizophrenia, there have been few that have used a sensitive measure of right medial temporal lobe pathology. Given the reported findings of reduced hippocampal volume in schizophrenia, we used a theoretically sensitive test of the right medial temporal lobe to determine the nature of the visuospatial memory deficit in the disorder.

Methods. Seventy-six patients (37 with a first-episode schizophreniform psychosis, and 39 with established schizophrenia) were compared with 41 comparison subjects on a number of tests of visuospatial memory. These included spatial working memory, spatial and pattern recognition memory and a pattern-location associative learning test.

Results. Both patient groups displayed recognition memory deficits when compared to the comparison group. However, only those patients with established schizophrenia (of 9 years duration on average) were impaired on the associative learning test.

Conclusions. The results indicate either a progressive decline in visuospatial associative learning ability over the course of the disorder, or that poor visuospatial associative learning is a marker for poor prognosis. In addition, these results have implications for our understanding of the role of the right medial temporal lobe in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia.
Long-term adjustment in burn victims: a matched-control study
Authors: ALTIER N. , MALENFANT A. , FORGET R. , CHOINIÈRE M.
Published: October 2002

Background. To date, there is little information about how severely burned patients compare to unburned healthy individuals in terms of psychological profile and quality of life. As part of a larger study on the sensory consequences of burns, we assessed psychological functioning and quality of life in burned patients and unburned healthy control subjects. We also examined whether burn patients experiencing pain and/or paresthetic sensations (i.e. symptomatic patients) present a profile that is different from those who are asymptomatic.

Methods. Forty-nine burned patients (% total body surface area = 34·59%±13·40; 82% males/18% females) were evaluated 63·59±28·1 months post-burn. They were matched with 49 unburned healthy volunteers on age, sex, and education level. All subjects were administered the Symptom Checklist 90-Revised (SCL-90-R) to assess psychological functioning and the 36-item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) to assess quality of life.

Results. Approximately 25% of the burn patients presented clinically-significant psychological disturbances compared to 12% in the control group. Burn patients enjoyed a quality of life comparable to that of the control subjects, although they perceived some deterioration in their general health. More symptomatic than asymptomatic patients suffered from clinically-relevant somatization and obsessive–compulsive disturbances.

Conclusions. Severely burned patients adjust relatively well, although some develop clinically-significant psychological disturbances such as somatization and phobic anxiety. Burn patients experiencing abnormal sensations in their healed wounds (i.e. symptomatic patients) do not suffer from maladjustment to a greater extent than their asymptomatic counterparts, although more symptomatic patients experience somatization and obsessive–compulsive behaviours.
Understanding cross-national differences in depression prevalence
Authors: SIMON G. E. , GOLDBERG D. P. , VON KORFF M. , ÜSTÜN T. B.
Published: October 2002

Background. Previous epidemiological studies indicate large cross-national differences in prevalence of depression.

Methods. At 15 centres in 14 countries, 25916 primary care patients were screened for common mental disorders. A stratified random sample of 5447 primary care patients completed a baseline diagnostic assessment and 3197 completed a 12-month follow-up assessment. Psychiatric symptoms and diagnoses were assessed using the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI). Interviewer-rated disability was assessed using the Social Disability Schedule (SDS).

Results. Prevalence of current major depression varied 15-fold across centres. When centres were divided into three groups according to prevalence rates, the symptom pattern or latent structure of depressive illness was generally similar at low-, medium-, and high-prevalence centres. Depression was universally associated with disability, but this association varied significantly (t = 3·51, P = 0·0005) across centres. At higher-prevalence centres, depression was associated with lower levels of impairment. At 1 year follow-up, higher prevalence centres had both significantly higher rates of depression onset (t = 3·11, P = 0·002) and higher rates of persistence among those depressed at baseline (t = 2·49, P = 0·013).

Conclusions. Large cross-national variations in depression prevalence cannot be attributed to ‘category fallacy’ (cross-national differences in the nature or validity of depressive disorder). Use of identical measures and diagnostic criteria may actually identify different levels of depression severity in different countries or cultures. Cross-national differences in the onset and outcome of depression may reflect either true prevalence differences or differences in diagnostic threshold.
Outcome 3 years after a road traffic accident
Authors: MAYOU RICHARD , BRYANT BRIDGET
Published: October 2002

Background. Road traffic accidents are known to have significant consequences for mental state and quality of life in the ensuing year that are largely unrelated to the nature of the injuries. Little is known of longer-term outcome in a representative population.

Methods. Questionnaires covering mental state and social adjustment were sent to 770 subjects who had previously participated in a prospective study of consecutive attenders at an emergency department following a road traffic accident and who had completed questionnaires at baseline, 3 months and 1 year. Outcomes were not predicted by measures related to injury type or severity but were predicted by baseline and later non-injury variables.

Results. Replies were received from 507 (66%) subjects. Although 76% of injuries were medically minor bruises and lacerations, 132 (26%) reported symptoms of psychiatric disorder and 104 (21%) moderate or severe pain at 3 years. There was little evidence of improvement in prevalence between 1 and 3 years, with continuing physical symptoms, psychiatric disorder and reported consequences for everyday life. There was a significant reduction in the number of cases of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) despite there being 21 late onset cases. Psychiatric outcomes and pain were unrelated to the severity of injury and were largely predicted by post-accident variables.

Conclusions. Road traffic accidents have much greater consequences than would be expected from the largely minor nature of the physical injuries. There is a need for changes in medical care and in socio-legal procedures.
Nasrānī (Nαζωραιος) and hanīf (εθνικός): studies on the religious vocabulary of Christianity and of Islam
Authors: DE BLOIS FRANÇOIS
Published: October 2002

The article discusses two key terms in the Quran in connection with the corresponding (cognate or semantically related) terms in the writings of other religious communities in the Near East (Christianity, Judaism, Zoroastrianism, Mandaeism, Manichaeism). The investigation leads to a discussion of the religious environment of early Islam and in particular its relationship with Jewish Christianity.
On the literary structure of the Older Avesta
Authors: HINTZE ALMUT
Published: October 2002

This article argues that the Yasna Haptaŋhāiti constituted the kernel of a ritual text recited during the Yasna ceremony. Zaraθušhtra's Gathas were arranged around it, and so were the holy prayers and later additions in Younger Avestan. The arrangement of the extant Older Avesta is probably the original one, and may go back to the composer himself. Its compositional principle is that of parallelism and ring composition, a pattern which can be found both in individual Gathic hymns, two of which (Y 28 and 43) are analysed, and in the structure of the entire Yasna.
An early Chinese translation corresponding to Chapter 6 of the Petakopadesa: An Shigao's Yin chi ru jing T 603 and its Indian original: a preliminary survey
Authors: ZACCHETTI STEFANO
Published: October 2002

In recent years, the field of Buddhist studies has witnessed renewed interest in the study of the Parthian An Shigao (active since 148 A.D., during the Later Han Dynasty), the earliest translator of Buddhist scriptures into Chinese.
Getting Beyond the ‘Official Line’: Reflections on
Dilemmas of Access, Knowledge and Power in
Researching Policy Networks
Authors: DUKE KAREN
Published: October 2002

Although the policy network approach has moved to the forefront of the
debates around the formulation and development of policy, there is a
paucity of methodological and reflexive literature which explores how
policy networks and the actors within these arenas are actually studied.
Researching powerful individuals within such networks generates a
unique set of dilemmas and complexities for the researcher. Drawing on
my experiences of researching the policy networks involved in the development
of prison drugs policy, this paper provides a methodological and
reflexive account of the key processes and issues involved in my research.
In particular, it explores the political dimensions of the research problem
and the importance of switching the research gaze from the ‘objects’ of
policy to those who are in the powerful positions of ‘making’ policy. In
order to understand the interactions within the policy process, it is
argued that the qualitative approach offers distinct advantages in studying
policy networks. The paper examines my attempts to uncover and
understand the role and influence of policy networks in the development
of prison drugs policy and the ways in which I grappled with the dilemmas
of access, knowledge and power which emerged during the course of
the fieldwork. Although the importance of transparent methodologies
and reflexivity are highlighted, the paper concludes by suggesting that
the resistance on the part of researchers to providing such accounts is
related to the pressures and constraints of the current academic climate.
Poland’s Health Reform: Politics, Markets and Informal Payments
Authors: McMENAMIN IAIN , TIMONEN VIRPI
Published: October 2002

This article analyses the pre-reform Polish healthcare system, the theory of the
recent reform, the early experiences, and the likely future developments. The
reform aims to preserve a state-guaranteed egalitarian healthcare system while
ensuring optimal use of resources by the introduction of market-type mechanisms.
These mechanisms cannot function as intended while sub-national governments,
which have little incentive to support restructuring, remain a vital
part of the system. An even greater impediment to the proper functioning of the
system is the practice of informal payments. Therefore, smaller than expected
gains in efficiency and equity, together with demographic and technological
pressures on health costs and a political and economic climate which is unlikely
to deliver large increases in public spending, are likely to result in a more privatised
and unequal health system than is intended.
Elderly migrants in a northern Swedish town in the nineteenth century
Authors: HÖGMAN ANN-KRISTIN
Published: October 2002

This article investigates the impact of industrialization and urbanization on the migration patterns of elderly Swedish men and women in the town of Sundsvall during the nineteenth century. The geographical mobility of old men and women increased as industrialization proceeded. Social ties were important factors in the decision to migrate, and the study investigates in particular the significance of social networks for childless old persons. This analysis also examines migration patterns among elderly men and women of different social groups. Very few childless men seem to have moved to live with a relative, whereas a higher proportion of migrating women in this category had some kinship network. A similar pattern was found among widowers and widows. There was also a class dimension: relatives seem to have been most important for the group of women belonging to the petty bourgeoisie.
Were past Chinese families complex? Household structures during the Tang Dynasty, 618–907 AD
Authors: LIAO TIM FUTING
Published: October 2002

The popular image of a traditional Chinese household is one of a large kin group composed of multiple-family units. However, reports on family size in China's past suggest that the average household size was not large in ancient times. Using population registers for Dunhuang and Turfan from the Tang Dynasty (618–907 ad), this article is the first serious attempt to analyze household structures in ancient China. While a high proportion of simple-family households were recorded in the registers, a significant number of complex households suggests that the distribution of Chinese households was bimodal. This pattern fits neither the model considered as typical for Western families nor that for Eastern families. Other issues covered include the frequency of living alone, the presence of slaves, the distribution of household heads by age and sex, and women's marriage patterns.
Heiner Müller as the End of Brechtian Dramaturgy: Müller on Brecht in Two Lesser-Known Fragments
Authors: Barnett David
Published: October 2002

Two lesser-known fragments written by Heiner Müller in 1979 and 1990 openly refer to Brecht and offer perspectives on the problematic relationship between the two playwrights. Form and content in Brechtian dialectical theatre are treated ironically in both fragments. Müller reveals an ambivalence that accepts the tenets of Brechtian dramaturgy in order to surpass them. Müller criticizes perceived limitations in Brecht's poetics yet redirects the dialectic for the postmodern times in which he lived. The degree to which Müller radicalizes Brecht's principles and practice represents an endpoint of (but not an all-out break with) Brechtian dramaturgy. An important corollary of this conclusion is that Müller is still associated with the Enlightenment project. This latter assertion is at odds with many readings of the later plays as documentations of ‘the end of history’, a category Müller roundly criticized in his life and resisted in his own dialectical drama.
Transnationalizing the National and the International: Buenos Aires' First International Festival of Theatre, Music, and Dance
Authors: Graham-Jones Jean
Published: October 2002

In October 1997 the City of Buenos Aires hosted its first International Festival of theatre, music, dance, and the visual arts with performances by groups from Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Americas. Latin American theorists, among them Fernando Ortiz and Angel Rama, who have long considered such a transcultural event not as culturally transcendent but, rather, as culturally transformative, provide a frame for reading the Buenos Aires Festival as a site of transnational and transcultural operations. Particular focus is placed on the Festival's geopolitico-cultural project, constructed out of the complex relations of local, national, regional, and international politics and performance.
Wetland resource use and conservation attitudes among indigenous and migrant peoples in Ghodaghodi Lake area, Nepal
Authors: Sah Jay P. , Heinen Joel T.
Published: October 2002

Nepal has a number of wetlands in the lowland region of the country along the southern Indo-Nepalese border that have experienced great pressures from growing human populations due in part to migration of people from the mountains. A questionnaire survey and informal interviews with key informants in 1998 were used to explore the socio-economic status of indigenous and non-indigenous inhabitants, use patterns of forest and wetland resources and attitudes about conservation in Ghodaghodi Lake, a proposed Ramsar site, in the lowlands of western Nepal. Tharus, indigenous to the region, represented 33% of the population; the rest were migrants from the mountains. Tharus had lower literacy rates, larger landholdings and kept different livestock species. Most Tharu families were dependent on extraction from wetlands; all groups used forests for fuelwood but mountain settlers used forests for fodder more than did Tharus. Most respondents expressed willingness to participate in the conservation of Ghodaghodi Lake; however, only 12%, mostly mountain settlers, had ever participated in formal conservation activities. Conservation attitudes were strongly influenced by educational level and resource use. Educated males of higher caste and mountain origin who had previously participated in formal management activities were more positive towards conservation than other groups. There is a need to implement a participatory integrated management plan, to include community development, education and off-farm income generation, to assure participation of Tharus and lower caste households of mountain origin in the conservation and management of wetlands and forests in the area.
Further studies to quantify the dose of natural aerosols of foot-and-mouth disease virus for pigs
Authors: ALEXANDERSEN S. , DONALDSON A. I.
Published: October 2002

Foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) can be spread by a variety of mechanisms, including wind. Simulation models, developed to predict the risk of airborne spread, have played an important part in decision making in some outbreaks. The amount of airborne virus excreted as well as the minimal infectious dose (MID) of FMDV for different species are important determinants of airborne spread. The objective of this study was to obtain data for the O1 Lausanne, O SKR 2000 and O UKG 2001 strains of FMDV to enhance the capability of such models. Pigs were exposed to naturally generated aerosols of the three strains using an experimental design which delivered high doses of the two strains O1 Lausanne and O SKR 2000 over a short period, or of the O UKG 2001 strain over an extended period. The average excretion of the O1 Lausanne strain was 106·4 TCID50 per pig per hour. The excretion of the O SKR 2000 strain averaged 105·8 and the O UKG 2001 strain 106·1 TCID per pig per 24 h. The results show that the previous estimate of ‘above’ 800 TCID50 as the MID50 for the O1 Lausanne strain is a considerable under-estimate and that the real dose may be as high as 6000 TCID50. A dose of around 650 TCID50 of the O SKR 2000 strain failed to infect any pigs. Thus, the aerosol MID50 for pigs for this isolate is at least 1000 TCID50 and likely to be as high or higher than the O1 Lausanne strain. The exposure of pairs of recipient pigs kept physically separated from donor pigs in a series of rooms to aerosol exposure doses of the O UKG 2001 strain of around 50 TCID50 per min for 24–48 h failed to infect any of eight pigs. Thus, the present experiment confirms our previous findings [1, 2] that pigs, compared to cattle and sheep, are relatively resistant to infection with airborne FMDV.
Studies on the epidemiology of bluetongue virus in China
Authors: KIRKLAND P. D. , ZHANG N. , HAWKES R. A. , LI Z. , ZHANG F. , DAVIS R. J. , SANDERS D. A. , LI H. , ZHANG K. , BEN J. , HE G. F. , HORNITZKY C. L. , HUNT N. T.
Published: October 2002

Sentinel herds of large ruminants were established at five centres in Yunnan Province, Peoples Republic of China, between 1995 and 1997. The application of a sensitive antigen capture ELISA to facilitate virus isolation procedures led to the isolation of 108 strains of bluetongue (BLU) virus. Serotypes isolated included types 1, 2, 3, 4, 9, 11, 12, 15, 16, 21 and 23. Virus transmission occurred over a period of 1–3 months at each of the four positive sites, giving an overall BLU virus transmission period for the province of 5 months, from early June to early November. The greatest level of transmission took place in July and August. The duration of viraemia in individual animals varied from 1 to 7 weeks, with a mean calculated for each serotype between 6 and 20 days. The study represents the first detailed investigation of the epidemiology of BLU in China utilizing sentinel herds.
Prevalence of moderate penicillin resistant invasive Neisseria meningitidis infection in Scotland, 1994–9
Authors: KYAW M. H. , BRAMLEY J. C. , CLARKE S. , CHRISTIE P. , JONES I. G. , CAMPBELL H.
Published: October 2002

We examined the serological characteristics of 774 invasive meningococcal isolates collected through an active laboratory-based surveillance system in Scotland from 1994 to 1999. Of these, 72–73% of isolates were tested for susceptibility to several antimicrobial agents. Meningococci with high-level resistance to sulphadiazine had a prevalence of 10% and incidence of 0·22 per 100000 population. High-level resistance to penicillin and other antibiotics was not detected. The prevalence of moderate penicillin resistant meningococci was 8·3%. There was no increase in moderate penicillin resistant meningococcal isolates during the study period, but there were temporal and geographic variations. The estimated incidence of moderate penicillin resistant meningococci was 0·15 per 100000 population. High and low incidence of moderate penicillin resistant meningococci appeared to correlate with the number of doses of penicillin prescribed in some geographic locations. The majority of moderate penicillin resistant isolates belonged to serogroups B (52·2%) and C (39·2%). However, the prevalence of moderate penicillin resistance in serogroup W135 was substantially higher (51·7%) than serogroups B (7·8%) and C (7·6%). Serogroup W135 accounted for a higher proportion of moderate penicillin resistance (8·7%) than disease (1%). There was no predominant penicillin resistant serotype/subtype within any serogroup. Constant surveillance is necessary to monitor the emergence and spread of resistance and to guide appropriate public health interventions in preventing drug resistant meningococci.
Vaccination against hepatitis B in low endemic countries
Authors: KRETZSCHMAR M. , DE WIT G. A. , SMITS L. J. M. , VAN DE LAAR M. J. W.
Published: October 2002

A mathematical model that takes transmission by sexual contact and vertical transmission into account was employed to describe the transmission dynamics of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and vaccination against it. The model is an extension of a model by Williams et al. (Epidemiol Infect 1996; 116; 71–89) in that it takes immigration of hepatitis B carriers from countries with higher prevalence into account. Model parameters were estimated from data from The Netherlands where available. The main results were that, given the estimates for the parameters describing sexual behaviour in The Netherlands, the basic reproduction number R0 is smaller than 1 in the heterosexual population. As a consequence, the immigration of carriers into the population largely determines the prevalence of HBV carriage and therefore limits the possible success of universal vaccination. Taking into account the prevalence of hepatitis B carriage among immigrants and an age-dependent probability of becoming a carrier after infection, we estimate that a fraction of between 5 and 10% of carrier states could be prevented by universal vaccination.
Clinical effectiveness of conventional influenza vaccination in asthmatic children
Authors: SMITS A. J. , HAK E. , STALMAN W. A. B. , VAN ESSEN G. A. , HOES A. W. , VERHEIJ Th. J. M.
Published: October 2002

Influenza immunization rates among young asthmatics remain unsatisfactory due to persistent concern about the impact of influenza and the benefits of the vaccine. We assessed the effectiveness of the conventional inactivated trivalent sub-unit influenza vaccine in reducing acute respiratory disease in asthmatic children. We conducted a two-season retrospective cohort study covering the 1995–6 and 1996–7 influenza outbreaks in 22 computerized primary care practices in the Netherlands. In total, 349 patients aged between 0 and 12 years meeting clinical asthma-criteria were included; 14 children were lost to follow-up in the second season. The occurrence of physician-diagnosed acute respiratory disease episodes including influenza-like illness, pneumonia, bronchitis, bronchiolitis, asthma exacerbation and acute otitis media in vaccinated and unvaccinated children were compared after adjustments for age, prior health care and medication use. The occurrence of acute respiratory disease in unvaccinated children was 28% and 24% in the 1995–6 and 1996–7 season, respectively, and was highest in children under 6 years of age (43%). The overall pooled clinical vaccine effectiveness was 27% (95% confidence interval −7 to 51%, P = 0·11) after adjustments. A statistically higher vaccine protectiveness of 55% (95% CI 20–75%, P = 0·01) was observed among asthmatics under 6 years of age compared with −5% in older children (95% CI −81 to 39%). The occurrence of acute respiratory disease among asthmatic children during influenza epidemics is very high, notably in the youngest. Influenza vaccination may reduce morbidity in asthmatic infants and pre-school children. However, larger, preferably experimental, studies are needed to establish the benefits of vaccination, notably in older asthmatic children.
Incidence of invasive pneumococcal disease in Scotland, 1988–99
Authors: KYAW M. H. , CLARKE S. , JONES I. G. , CAMPBELL H.
Published: October 2002

A review of the epidemiology of invasive pneumococcal disease in Scotland was carried out using data from laboratory-based systems during the period 1988–99. This comprised 5456 (90·8%) isolates of Streptococcus pneumoniae from blood, 467 (7·8%) from cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and 84 (1·4%) from other sterile sites. The mean annual incidence of invasive disease was 9·8/105 population (9·0/105 for bacteraemia and 0·8/105 for meningitis). Invasive disease was highest in children <2 years of age and in the elderly [ges ]65 years (44·9/105 and 28·4/105 population in these age groups respectively). The highest incidence of pneumococcal meningitis, 11·8/105 persons occurred in children <2 years of age. Males had a higher incidence of pneumococcal bacteraemia and meningitis than females (male[ratio ]female = 1·2[ratio ]1 for bacteraemia (RR = 1·17, 95% CI 1·11, 1·24) and 1·5[ratio ]1 for meningitis (RR = 1·41, 95% CI 1·18, 1·70)). Pneumococcal disease was highest in winter periods and coincided with influenza activity. The proportion of penicillin and erythromycin non-susceptible isolates increased from 4·2% in 1992 to 12·6% in 1999 and from 5·6% in 1994 to 16·3% in 1999 respectively. Our data confirm the substantial and increasing disease burden from pneumococcal disease and rise in prevalence of antibiotic non-susceptibility among pneumococci in Scotland. Continued surveillance of groups at increased risk for pneumococcal disease and the antibiotic susceptibility and serotype distribution of isolates are important to develop appropriate policies for the prevention of pneumococcal disease in Scotland.
Serological diagnosis of pertussis: evaluation of IgA against whole cell and specific Bordetella pertussis antigens as markers of recent infection
Authors: POYNTEN I. M. , HANLON M. , IRWIG L. , GILBERT G. L.
Published: October 2002

In Australia, notification of pertussis cases in older children or adults has increased significantly in recent years. In most cases, laboratory diagnosis is based only on a positive serological test for IgA antibody against whole cell Bordetella pertussis. During a 3-month period, 318 consecutive sera submitted for diagnosis of pertussis were tested for IgA antibody against whole cell (WC) sonicated B. pertussis, pertussis toxin (PT), filamentous haemagglutinin (FHA) and pertactin (PRN). Results of one or more of these tests were positive in sera from 175 subjects and clinical information was obtained by telephone interview from 90 subjects. Using a clinical case definition as the reference standard, the sensitivities of the four IgA assays were variable but quite low (24–64%), but the specificities were high (93–98%). For diagnosis of pertussis in subjects with a compatible clinical illness, these and other findings support the use of serological testing for IgA antibody.
A method for adjusting gender bias in neonatal tetanus reports in Egypt 1991
Authors: SILVERS M. J. , HADDY R.
Published: October 2002

Reports of neonatal tetanus (NT) disease, common in developing countries, often suffers from gender bias because male infants are brought to health facilities while females are attended at home. Using existing health data we applied reasonable assumptions to estimate the true incidence of NT economically. To adjust for gender disparities in national reporting, we ignored the number of female NT cases and doubled the number for males. Governorates with similar demographic risk profiles for NT were assigned to one of six groups. The highest incidence rate within the group was determined and applied to the number of live births represented by the group. Other internal data comparisons were done to support our estimate that the male[ratio ]female ratio of NT incidence was far less than the reported 4·12[ratio ]1. In 1991, the male[ratio ]female ratio of NT cases was 4·12[ratio ]1. Decreasing the male[ratio ]female ratio to 1[ratio ]1 decreased sensitivity to a 62% estimate. Further adjusting for assumed under-reporting by governorates based on population profiles yielded a reporting sensitivity of 40%. Estimated male and female age-specific NT mortality rates from available data supported the assumption that NT mortality ratios are less than 4·12[ratio ]1. This report, therefore, describes a unique, economical method to estimate the incidence of a disease assumed to be affected by gender biases in the reporting system. The method relies on two assumptions: that the true NT male[ratio ]female ratio is close to 1[ratio ]1 and that populations with similar demographics within a country should have similar incidence rates of NT.
IS200 fingerprinting of Salmonella enterica serotype Abortusovis strains isolated in Iran
Authors: NIKBAKHT G. H. , RAFFATELLU M. , UZZAU S. , TADJBAKHSH H. , RUBINO S.
Published: October 2002

Salmonella enterica serovar Abortusovis is one of the most common pathogens responsible for abortion in sheep. In Iran, the spread of Abortusovis is highly dependent on the nomadic life style. In this study we performed IS200 fingerprinting to identify the clonal lines circulating in Iran. All the isolates contained 4 or 5 copies of the transposon and could be classified in 4 genotypes. A single genotype was highly prevalent and very likely it has circulated in Iran since 1970. All the isolates showed a high degree of relatedness.
Vagal tone, development, and Gray's motivational theory: Toward an integrated
model of autonomic nervous system functioning in psychopathology
Authors: BEAUCHAINE THEODORE
Published: October 2002

In the last decade, cardiac vagal tone has emerged as a psychophysiological marker of many
aspects of behavioral functioning in both children and adults. Research efforts during this time
have produced an extensive list of vagal tone correlates that includes temperamental variables as
well as both anxious/internalizing and disruptive/externalizing behaviors. This potentially
confusing state of affairs is compounded by developmental shifts in vagal tone–behavior
relations that to date have not been elucidated. In this paper, the vagal tone literature is reviewed,
and discrepancies, including the lack of specificity of vagal tone as a psychophysiological marker,
are clarified. Such clarification requires that we (a) view vagal tone–behavior relations in
developmental context, (b) juxtapose vagal tone–behavior relations in typical and atypical
samples, and (c) consider the parasympathetic underpinnings of vagal tone as but one component
in a broader model of autonomic nervous system functioning. Such a model is provided by
combining Gray's motivational theory with Porges's polyvagal theory. Together
these models account for behavioral and emotional differences in a diverse range of psychological
disorders that are not differentiated by either model alone. Moreover, use of the integrated model
offers a theory-driven approach to the study of autonomic nervous system–behavior
relations.