bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease in the Asia–Pacific region: Definitions and overview of proposed guidelines
Authors: Chitturi Shivakumar , Farrell Geoffrey C , Hashimoto Etsuko , Saibara Toshiji , Lau George KK , Sollano José D ,   the Asia–Pacific Working Party on NAFLD
Published: June 2007

Non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common liver disorder in Western industrialized countries, affecting 20–40% of the general population. Large population‐based surveys in China, Japan, and Korea indicate that the prevalence of NAFLD is now 12% to 24% in population subgroups, depending on age, gender, ethnicity, and location (urban versus rural). There is strong evidence that the prevalence of NAFLD has increased recently in parallel with regional trends in obesity, type 2 diabetes, and metabolic syndrome; and that further increases are likely. The relationship between NAFLD, central obesity, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome is clearly evident in retrospective and prospective Asian studies, but the strength of association with these metabolic risk factors is only appreciated when regional definitions of anthropometry are used. Pathological definition of NAFLD, particularly its activity and the extent of liver fibrosis, requires histological examination, but liver biopsy is often not appropriate in this disorder for logistic reasons. An alternative set of operational definitions is proposed here. Clinicians need guidelines as how best to diagnose and manage NAFLD and its associated metabolic disorders in countries with scant healthcare resources. The Asia–Pacific Working Party (APWP) for NAFLD was convened to collate evidence and deliberate these issues. Draft proposals were presented and discussed at Asia–Pacific Digestive Week at Cebu, Philippines, in late November 2006, and are published separately in this issue of the Journal as an Executive Summary. The present document reviews the reasoning and evidence behind the APWP‐NAFLD proposals for definition, assessment, and management of NAFLD in the Asia–Pacific region.
How common is non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease in the Asia–Pacific region and are there local differences?
Authors: Amarapurkar Deepak N , Hashimoto Estsuko , Lesmana Laurentius A , Sollano José D , Chen Pei‐Jer , Goh Khean‐Lee ,   for the Asia–Pacific Working Party on NAFLD
Published: June 2007

Risk factors for development of non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis include obesity, especially central adiposity, glucose intolerance or type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and dyslipidemia. Non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is now considered a manifestation of metabolic syndrome. During the last two decades, NAFLD has become the most common chronic liver disease in North America and Europe, but until recently was thought to be uncommon (perhaps due to the lack of study) in Asia. Fatty liver can be identified on imaging modalities (ultrasonography, computed tomography scans, and magnetic resonance imaging) with high sensitivity, but steatohepatitis and fibrosis cannot be distinguished. Thus, an inherent drawback in studying the epidemiology of NAFLD is the lack of definitive laboratory tests, no uniform definition—with different studies using cut‐off values of alcohol consumption from <20 g/week to 210 g/week, and case selections where biopsy was used for definition. In studies outside the region, the prevalence of NAFLD varies from 16% to 42% by imaging, and 15–39% of liver biopsies. The major risk factors for NAFLD, central obesity, T2DM, dyslipidemia, and metabolic syndrome, are now widely prevalent and are increasing geometrically in the Asia–Pacific region. It is therefore not surprising that NAFLD is common in this region. Estimates of current prevalence range from 5% to 30%, depending on the population studied. Central obesity, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome are the major risk factors. To date, however, data on the natural history and impact of NAFLD causing serious significant chronic liver disease are lacking and there is a need for prospective, cooperative studies.
Long‐term mortality following stroke, myocardial infarction and fractured neck of femur in Western Australia
Authors: Beer C. , Xiao J. , Flicker L. , Almeida O. P.
Published: June 2007

Background: Population ageing will increase the burden of stroke, myocardial infarction (MI) and fractured neck of femur (FNF). These age‐dependent conditions are associated with increased mortality, although the pattern and extent of this increased mortality is poorly understood. The aim of this study was to compare mortality from stroke, MI and FNF.

Methods: Retrospective inception cohort study of 2818 subjects more than the age of 60 years in Western Australia recorded in a linked database as having sustained a stroke, MI or FNF in the year 1990.

Results: Early adjusted mortality rates associated with FNF were relatively low compared with stroke and MI. Medium‐term to longer‐term mortality associated with FNF was greater than MI, but stroke was associated with the highest long‐term adjusted mortality.

Conclusion: The poorer medium‐term to longer‐term survival following stroke and FNF (relative to that following MI) may relate to a greater burden of comorbidity. Stroke and FNF may thus be markers of medical frailty.
Influence of rheumatoid arthritis on work participation in Australia
Authors: Shanahan E. M , Smith M. , Roberts‐Thomson L. , Esterman A. , Ahern M.
Published: June 2007

Background: The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of work disability in a cohort of Australians with rheumatoid arthritis.

Methods: A cross‐sectional study of a sample of 497 individuals aged 18–65 years with rheumatoid arthritis in Adelaide, South Australia, was carried out.

Results: Of those employed, 130 (51%) were in full‐time employment (≥ 35 h per week) work and 124 (49%) were in part‐time employment (average 20 h per week). Overall, the observed/expected numbers working were 254/316 (relative risk 0.8 (0.69–0.91)). Using a comparator adjusted by removing those on the disability support pension, the relative risk of the working was 0.74. The observed/expected numbers working part time in the study group were 124/89 (relative risk 1.4 (1.25–1.65)). Those who continued to work had lower Health Assessment Questionnaire scores, less morning stiffness, superior scores for patient assessed level of function, lower pain scores, lower joint counts, a lower C‐reactive protein, better measures of ‘patient global assessment’ and higher levels of education compared with the group who had ceased work. Overall, of those working at the time of diagnosis, 20% had ceased work within 5 years and approximately 40% had ceased work by 20 years. Of those who ceased work, the mean duration from time of diagnosis to work cessation was 7 years with half the subjects who ceased work doing so within 4 years of diagnosis.

Conclusion: Work disability associated with rheumatoid arthritis in Australia is very significant and costly. Work disability occurs relatively early in the disease and is associated with several identifiable variables, many of which may be amenable to intervention strategies.
Population prevalence and incidence of Parkinson’s disease in an Australian community
Authors: Mehta P. , Kifley A. , Wang J. J. , Rochtchina E. , Mitchell P. , Sue C. M.
Published: June 2007

Background: Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder affecting older individuals. Few studies have determined the prevalence and incidence of this disease in Australia. The aim of the study was to estimate the prevalence and 10‐year incidence of PD in the Australian community.

Methods: In the Blue Mountains Eye Study (BMES), a population‐based health survey of Australian residents aged 49 years or more, we determined the cross‐sectional prevalence (BMES2, 1997–1999, n = 3509) and 10‐year incidence (BMES1, 2 and 3, 1992–1994, 1997–1999 and 2002–2004, respectively, n = 2545) of PD. We screened participants who took PD medications. PD diagnosis was confirmed by contacting the participant’s medical/general practitioners.

Results: Nineteen new cases of PD were identified over the 10‐year period, a 10‐year incidence of 0.84% (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.54–1.33%). In the cross‐sectional study, 16/3509 participants were confirmed to have PD (0.46%), with age‐specific prevalence rates of 0.48% in persons aged 60–69 years, 0.82% for ages 70–79 years and 0.56% in persons aged 80 years or older. No PD cases were identified among participants less than 60 years of age. When age standardized to the 2001 Australian population, the prevalence of PD was 362 per 100 000 (95%CI 183–541) among persons aged 50 years or older and 104 per 100 000 for the Australian population at all ages, assuming no prevalent cases in persons aged less than 50 years.

Conclusion: This study estimates a 0.46% (95%CI 0.23–0.68) prevalence of PD patients treated with medications aged 50 years or older and a 10‐year incidence of 0.84% (95%CI 0.54–1.33).
Does species diversity limit productivity in natural grassland communities?
Authors: Grace James B. , Michael Anderson T. , Smith Melinda D. , Seabloom Eric , Andelman Sandy J. , Meche Gayna , Weiher Evan , Allain Larry K. , Jutila Heli , Sankaran Mahesh , Knops Johannes , Ritchie Mark , Willig Michael R.
Published: June 2007

Theoretical analyses and experimental studies of synthesized assemblages indicate that under particular circumstances species diversity can enhance community productivity through niche complementarity. It remains unclear whether this process has important effects in mature natural ecosystems where competitive feedbacks and complex environmental influences affect diversity–productivity relationships. In this study, we evaluated diversity–productivity relationships while statistically controlling for environmental influences in 12 natural grassland ecosystems. Because diversity–productivity relationships are conspicuously nonlinear, we developed a nonlinear structural equation modeling (SEM) methodology to separate the effects of diversity on productivity from the effects of productivity on diversity. Meta‐analysis was used to summarize the SEM findings across studies. While competitive effects were readily detected, enhancement of production by diversity was not. These results suggest that the influence of small‐scale diversity on productivity in mature natural systems is a weak force, both in absolute terms and relative to the effects of other controls on productivity.
Evidence of climatic niche shift during biological invasion
Authors: Broennimann O. , Treier U. A. , Müller‐Schärer H. , Thuiller W. , Peterson A. T. , Guisan A.
Published: June 2007

Niche‐based models calibrated in the native range by relating species observations to climatic variables are commonly used to predict the potential spatial extent of species’ invasion. This climate matching approach relies on the assumption that invasive species conserve their climatic niche in the invaded ranges. We test this assumption by analysing the climatic niche spaces of Spotted Knapweed in western North America and Europe. We show with robust cross‐continental data that a shift of the observed climatic niche occurred between native and non‐native ranges, providing the first empirical evidence that an invasive species can occupy climatically distinct niche spaces following its introduction into a new area. The models fail to predict the current invaded distribution, but correctly predict areas of introduction. Climate matching is thus a useful approach to identify areas at risk of introduction and establishment of newly or not‐yet‐introduced neophytes, but may not predict the full extent of invasions.
Suspected uveal metastasis of a nail bed melanoma in a dog
Authors: Esson Douglas , Fahrer Christin S. , Zarfoss Mitzi K. , Dubielzig Richard R.
Published: June 2007

A 13‐year‐old Golden Retriever was referred for evaluation of generalized corneal edema, dyscoria, and suspected glaucoma affecting the right eye. The dog exhibited no signs of systemic illness, but had a history of a melanoma of the nail bed of the first digit of the right hind limb, excised 1 year previously. Ophthalmologic examination revealed diffuse corneal edema, mild anterior uveitis, glaucoma and a mass within the right iris. Enucleation was performed and histopathologic evaluation of the globe revealed the iris to be infiltrated with an anaplastic melanoma, suspected to represent a metastasis of the original nail bed tumor.
Lidocaine effects on corneal endothelial cell ultrastructure
Authors: Schellini Silvana Artioli , Creppe Marcelo Crivellari , Gregório Elisa Aparecida , Padovani Carlos Roberto
Published: June 2007

The purpose of this study was to determine whether intracameral commercial lidocaine 2% induces alterations on the rabbit corneal endothelium. Forty white rabbits received different substances inside the anterior chamber: group (G)1, no substance; G2 and G3 received lidocaine 2% with preservative in aqueous solution; G4 and G5, lidocaine 2% with preservative in gel solution; G6 and G7, the anesthetic preservative (metilparahydroxybenzoate 0.1%); and G8 and G9, lidocaine 2% without preservative in aqueous solution. The animals from G2, 4, 6 and 8 were sacrificed after 1 h, and from G3, 5, 7 and 9 after 24 h after injection of the substance inside the anterior chamber. The corneas were clinically evaluated and assessed by transmission and scanning electron microscopy. G1, 2, 6, 7, 8 and 9 animals had very similar characteristics in clinical, ultrastructural and morphometric evaluations; the G3 and G4 animals showed discrete edema and one animal in G5 had intense corneal edema. We conclude that lidocaine 2% with preservative induces few ultrastructural alterations in the corneal endothelial cells.
Neural precursors isolated from the developing cat brain show retinal integration following transplantation to the retina of the dystrophic cat
Authors: Klassen Henry , Schwartz Philip H. , Ziaeian Boback , Nethercott Hubert , Young Michael J. , Bragadottir Ragnheidur , Tullis Gregory E. , Warfvinge Karin , Narfstrom Kristina
Published: June 2007

The cat has served as an important nonrodent research model for neurophysiology and retinal degenerative disease processes, yet very little is known about feline neural precursor cells. To culture these cells and evaluate marker expression, brains were dissected from 45‐day‐old fetuses, enzymatically dissociated, and grown in the presence of EGF, bFGF and PDGF. Expanded cells widely expressed nestin, Sox2, Ki‐67, fusin (CXCR4) and vimentin, while subpopulations expressed A2B5, GFAP, or β‐III tubulin. Precursors prelabeled with BrdU and/or transduced with a recombinant lentivirus that expresses GFP were transplanted subretinally in five dystrophic Abyssinian cats. Two to 4  weeks following surgery, histology showed survival of grafted cells in three of the animals. Labeled cells were found in the neuroretina and RPE layer, as well as in the vitreous and the vicinity of Bruch's membrane. There was no evidence of an immunologic response in any of the eyes. Neural precursor cells can therefore be cultured from the developing cat brain and survive as allografts for up to 4 weeks without immune suppression. The feasibility of deriving and transplanting feline neural precursor cells, combined with the availability of the dystrophic Abyssinian cat, provide a new feline model system for the study of retinal repair.
A short history of beverages and how our body treats them
Authors: Wolf A. , Bray G. A. , Popkin B. M.
Published: June 2007

Numerous studies have demonstrated that beverages containing sugar, high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) or alcohol are handled differently by the body than when sugar or HFCS are incorporated in solid foods and as a result the overall caloric intake from solid food does not adjust to account for the calories in these beverages. A consideration of our evolutionary history may help to explain our poor compensatory response to calories from fluids. This paper reviews the history of eight important beverages: milk, beer, wine, tea, coffee, distilled alcoholic beverages, juice and soft drinks. We arrive at two hypotheses. First, humans may lack a physiological basis for processing carbohydrate or alcoholic calories in beverage because only breast milk and water were available for the vast majority of our evolutionary history. Alternatives to those two beverages appeared in the human diet no more than 11 000 years ago, but Homo sapiens evolved between 100 000 and 200 000 years ago. Second, carbohydrate and alcohol‐containing beverages may produce an incomplete satiation sequence which prevents us from becoming satiated on these beverages.
The burden of overweight and obesity‐related ill health in the UK
Authors: Allender S. , Rayner M.
Published: June 2007

This paper reviews previous cost studies of overweight and obesity in the UK. It proposes a method for estimating the economic and health costs of overweight and obesity in the UK which could also be used in other countries. Costs of obesity studies were identified via a systematic search of electronic databases. Information from the WHO Burden of Disease Project was used to calculate the mortality and morbidity cost of overweight and obesity. Population attributable fractions for diseases attributable to overweight and obesity were applied to National Health Service (NHS) cost data to estimate direct financial costs. We estimate the direct cost of overweight and obesity to the NHS at £3.2 billion. Other estimates of the cost of obesity range between £480 million in 1998 and £1.1 billion in 2004 [Correction added after online publication 11 June 2007: ‘of the cost of obesity’ added after ‘Other estimates’]. There is wide variation in methods and estimates for the cost of overweight and obesity to the health systems of developed countries. The method presented here could be used to calculate the costs of overweight and obesity in other countries. Public health initiatives are required to address the increasing prevalence of overweight and obesity and reduce associated healthcare costs.
A Task‐Based Ontology Approach to Automate Geospatial Data Retrieval
Authors: Wiegand Nancy , García Cassandra
Published: June 2007

This paper presents a task‐based and Semantic Web approach to find geospatial data. The purpose of the project is to improve data discovery and facilitate automatic retrieval of data sources. The work presented here helps create the beginnings of a Geospatial Semantic Web. The intent is to create a system that provides appropriate results to application users who search for data when facing tasks such as emergency response or planning activities. In our task‐based system, we formalize the relationships between types of tasks, including emergency response, and types of data sources needed for those tasks. Domain knowledge, including criteria describing data sources, is recorded in an ontology language. With the ontology, reasoning can be done to infer various types of information including which data sources meet specific criteria for use in particular tasks. The vision presented here is that in an emergency, for example, a user accesses a Web‐based application and selects the type of emergency and the geographic area. The application then returns the types and locations (URLs) of the specific geospatial data needed. We explore the abilities and limitations of the OWL Web Ontology Language along with other Semantic Web technologies for this purpose.
A Search Interface for an SDI: Implementation and Evaluation of Metadata Visualization Strategies
Authors: Aditya Trias , Kraak Menno‐Jan
Published: June 2007

Search interfaces for data discovery are essential in the context of a Geospatial Data Infrastructure. This paper discusses the development of a search interface, aimed at effective searches and an integration of a catalogue function and thematic mapping. For this purpose, the Resources Description Framework (RDF) is used to store the summaries of metadata of geospatial contents. These summaries are indexed based on their topics. Their topic categories are expressed using the RDF schema. The RDF queries and the transformation of results play a prominent role in the visualization of search results as a table, a thumbnail, and a bull's‐eye display with possibilities to project footprints of results on top of a basic map and thematic layers. To highlight their matches to the search terms, the Hausdorff distance and the closeness degree were applied respectively to determine the geographic and thematic relevance. Feedback from participants testing the prototype indicated the benefits of the table and thumbnail displays as well as the possibility to combine these displays with metadata and thematic mapping for data discovery. The feedback also confirmed some design challenges in the depictions of relevance and symbolization of metadata.
A Rule‐Based Strategy for the Semantic Annotation of Geodata
Authors: Klien Eva
Published: June 2007

The ability to represent geospatial semantics is of great importance when building geospatial applications for the Web. This ability will enhance discovery, retrieval and translation of geographic information as well as the reuse of geographic information in different contexts. The problem of generating semantic annotations has been recognized as one of the most serious obstacles for realizing the Geospatial Semantic Web vision. We present a rule‐based strategy for the semantic annotation of geodata that combines Semantic Web and Geospatial Web Services technology. In our approach, rules are employed to partially automate the annotation process. Rules define conditions for identifying geospatial concepts. Based on these rules, spatial analysis procedures are implemented that allow for inferring whether or not a feature in a dataset represents an instance of a geospatial concept. This automated evaluation of features in the dataset generates valuable information for the creation and refinement of semantic annotations on the concept level. The approach is illustrated by a case study on annotating data sources containing representations of lowlands. The presented strategy lays the foundations for the specification of a semantic annotation tool for geospatial web services that supports data providers in annotating their sources according to multiple domain views.
Geo‐Pragmatics for the Geospatial Semantic Web
Authors: Brodaric Boyan
Published: June 2007

Geo‐Pragmatics is introduced here as an enhanced representation for ontologies in which geospatial, geographical and geoscientific concepts are not only defined, but their pragmatic context is also captured and potentially reasoned with. A framework for representing such context is developed using three core aspects: dimensions, agents and roles. Dimensions consist of a concept's origins, uses and effects; these are generated by the interaction of human, machine and natural agents, and involve entities with roles developed from method‐driven perspectives and epistemic‐driven versions. The relationship between these core aspects is explored conceptually and implications for geoscientific ontologies are discussed, including identification of a basic ontological type, the situated concept, whose meaning is defined by its geographical‐historical context. Geo‐pragmatics should help geoscientists evaluate the scientific merit, and fitness for scientific use, of geoscientific ontologies in emerging e‐science initiatives.
Employers, Quality and Standards in Higher Education: Shared Values and Vocabularies or Elitism and Inequalities?
Authors: Morley Louise , Aynsley Sarah
Published: June 2007

This paper is based on a research project funded by the Higher Education Funding Council for England which investigated employers' needs for information on higher education quality and standards. A key issue was identifying the type of knowledge that employers utilise in graduate recruitment. A finding of the study was that information on quality and standards was being used by some employers in a way that could undermine equity and widening participation initiatives. Whereas employers reported that, in initial recruitment, they placed least emphasis on information about quality and standards and most emphasis on graduates' interpersonal and communication skills, over a quarter used league tables/Top 20 lists in their decision‐making processes and 80 per cent of employers cited the importance of the reputation of the higher education institution in their decision making about marketing and individual recruitment of graduates. Reputation was based on real or imagined league tables, ‘grapevine’ knowledge, personal, regional and professional networks, performance of past graduates and prejudice against new universities. The hierarchy of opportunity within the labour market often appeared to correspond to a highly stratified higher education sector.
The (Re)Location of Higher Education in England (Revisited)
Authors: Tight Malcolm
Published: June 2007

With nearly two million students and over 100 higher education institutions (HEIs) in a relatively small country, it might be thought that locational issues were not of much significance in English higher education. This paper argues to the contrary, by exploring the distribution of students (full‐time and part‐time, undergraduate and postgraduate) and HEIs at the level of regions, counties and urban areas. It is concluded that the distribution of higher education opportunities remains skewed and hierarchical. The implications of this for widening participation policy are considered.
Measuring Progress: an Evaluative Study of Aimhigher South West 2003–2006
Authors: Hatt Sue , Baxter Arthur , Tate Jim
Published: June 2007

The persistence of the social class gap in higher education (HE) participation presents one of the biggest challenges for the English HE sector at the start of the 21st century. This paper considers the evidence collected by the Aimhigher partnerships in the South West of England to assess the progress towards closing the social class gap in HE participation within their region. Since Aimhigher is a complex, long‐term initiative, these partnerships have adopted a multi‐strand approach to evaluation through a combination of secondary data, activity and quality indicators, and a longitudinal tracking study. Encouragingly, the social class gap is beginning to narrow as the number of applicants from upper social groups has fallen slightly while those from other social groups increased by 25 per cent between 2000 and 2004. HE awareness, aspirations, attainment and educational progression are also increasing. The paper raises three policy issues concerning targeting, sustainability and vocational progression. Engaging the ‘right’ beneficiaries remains a key concern. The tracking study indicates that, although over 80 per cent of Aimhigher beneficiaries have the ability to progress to HE and would be first‐generation entrants, only one in three comes from a manual background. The findings, however, indicate that compared with their peers whose parents have HE experience, these first‐generation entrants were less well informed about HE, less likely to aspire to HE by year 11, to progress to level 3 or to study A‐levels. These findings suggest that the focus on first‐generation entrants remains appropriate. Second, although wider participation in HE is beginning to happen, there is still a long way to go. Sustaining the Aimhigher programme into at least the medium term is essential if it is to complete the work it has begun and maintain the trust of the communities within which it works. Finally, the paper finds that the Aimhigher cohort includes learners who want to take a vocational route into and through HE and who are at present less well served by current provision.
1. THE DEFINING CHARACTER OF CHINESE HISTORICAL THINKING1
Authors: HUANG CHUN‐CHIEH
Published: June 2007

Imbued with profound historical consciousness, the Chinese people are Homo historiens in every sense of the term. To be human in China, to a very large extent, is to be historical, which means to live up to the paradigmatic past. Therefore, historical thinking in traditional China is moral thinking. The Chinese historico‐moral thinking centers around the notion of Dao, a notion that connotes both Heavenly principle and human norm.

In view of its practical orientation, Chinese historical thinking is, on the one hand, concrete thinking and, on the other, analogical thinking. Thinking concretely and analogically, the Chinese people are able to communicate with the past and to extrapolate meanings from history. In this way, historical experience in China becomes a library in which modern readers may engage in creative dialogues with the past.
4. IS THERE A CHINESE MODE OF HISTORICAL THINKING? A CROSS‐CULTURAL ANALYSIS
Authors: WANG Q. EDWARD
Published: June 2007

Taking Chun‐chieh Huang's ruminations on the defining character of Chinese historical thinking as a starting point, this essay discusses the ways in which historical cultures and traditions are compared and contrasted and explores some new ways of thinking. It argues that cultural comparisons often constitute two‐way traffic (one begins to examine itself after encountering the other) and that attempts to characterize one historical culture, such as that of China, are often made relationally and temporally. When the Chinese tradition of historiography is perceived and presented in the West, it has been regarded more or less as a counterexample against which the “unique” traits of Western historical thinking are thrown into relief. Given the hegemonic influence of Western scholarship in modern times, latter‐day Chinese historians also valorize the East—West dichotomy. A closer look at this dichotomy, or the characterization of both cultures, reveals that it is not only relative but also relational and temporal. When the modern Chinese appeared impressed by the rigor of Rankean critical historiography, for example, they were essentially attempting to rediscover their own cultural past, for example, the eighteenth‐century tradition of evidential learning, in adapting to the changing world. Our task today, the essay contends, is to historicize the specific context within which cultural comparisons are made and to go beyond readily accepted characterizations in order to reassess certain elements in a given culture, to apply historical wisdom, and to cope with the challenges we now face.
5. INDIA, ITIHASA, AND INTER‐HISTORIOGRAPHICAL DISCOURSE
Authors: GHOSH RANJAN
Published: June 2007

An effective and enriching discourse on comparative historiography invests itself in understanding the distinctness and identity that have created various civilizations. Very often, infected by bias, ideology, and cultural one‐upmanship, we encounter a presumptuous‐ness that is redolent of impatience with the cultural other and of an ingrained refusal to acknowledge what one's own history and culture fail to provide. This “failure” need not be the inspiration to subsume the other within one's own understanding of the world and history and, thereby, neuter the possibilities of knowledge‐sharing and cultural interface. It is a realization of the “lack” that provokes and generates encounters among civilizations. It should goad us to move away from what we have universalized and, hence, normalized into an axis of dialogue and mutuality. What Indians would claim as itihasa need not be rudely frowned upon because it does not chime perfectly with what the West or the chinese know as history. accepting the truth that our ways of understanding the past, the sense of the past, and historical sense‐generation vary with different cultures and civilizations will enable us to consider itihasa from a perspective different from the Hegelian modes of doing history and hence preclude its subsumption under the totalitarian rubric of world history. How have Indians “done” their history differently? What distinctiveness have they been able to weave into their discourses and understanding of the past? Does the fact of their proceeding differently from how the West or the Chinese conceptualize history delegitimize and render inferior the subcontinental consciousness of “encounters with past” and its ways of being “moved by the past”? This article expatiates on the distinctiveness of itihasa and argues in favor of relocating its epistemological and ideological persuasions within a comparative historiographical discourse.
Path‐dependency and Path‐creation Perspectives on Migration Trajectories: The Economic Experiences of Vietnamese Migrants in Slovakia1
Authors: Baláž Vladimir , Williams Allan M.
Published: June 2007

There has been only limited research on the Vietnamese diaspora, and that has mostly focussed on Western market economies. This paper explores the distinctive migration, dictated by Cold War geopolitics, from Viet Nam to the Eastern bloc countries. It examines how the intersection of migration policies and politico‐economic conditions, before and after the end of state socialism in 1989, produced two distinctive migration phases. Faced with economic constraints, and mediated by their relationships with the Slovak population, most Vietnamese who stayed in, or migrated to, Slovakia after 1989 survived economically by finding a niche in market trading. This paper adopts a path‐creating path‐dependent perspective to examine these migration trajectories through an analysis based on in‐depth interviews with Vietnamese migrants.
“Where Are They Going?”: Immigrant Inclusion in the Czech Republic (A Case Study on Ukrainians, Vietnamese, and Armenians in Prague)1
Authors: Drbohlav Dušan , Dzúrová Dagmar
Published: June 2007

This paper is based on research conducted by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) Office in Prague and the Faculty of Science, Charles University in Prague in the fall and winter of 2003‐2004. Within the questionnaire survey, 126 first‐generation immigrants in Prague (51 Ukrainians, 45 Vietnamese, and 30 Armenians) were successfully contacted via a non‐probability sampling method. The main goals of the research were to ascertain what mode of inclusion into Czech society the immigrant groups practiced and to determine their satisfaction level with their new lives. Special attention was paid to finding out important factors that stand behind both the common features and particular patterns of behaviour. Our approach is an attempt to analyse the issue via quantitative statistics (Chi‐square Test, the AnswerTree Method). Berry's (1992) acculturation strategies model and Portes and Zhou's (e.g. 2000) segmented assimilation model serve as reference points while discussing conceptual matters.

The results indicate that the immigrants’ inclusion in Czech society in Prague has developed into specific modes: Ukrainians are typical of their specific transnationalization patterns, Vietnamese represent a “well‐off” but separated and segregated community, and Armenians practice a clear assimilation strategy, while approaching the mainstream in terms of socio‐economic status. Based on various indications, it seems that successful inclusion in Czech society is connected to the assimilation mode. In sum, the immigrants most satisfied with their quality of life are those for whom it is not important to live close to their compatriots and those whose knowledge of the spoken Czech language is above average. The lowest satisfaction score is tied to those immigrants who prefer to live close to their compatriots, those with university education, and those with a low income. Good knowledge of the Czech language seems to be a gateway to immigrants’ satisfaction.
Child Labour Migration and Trafficking in Rural Burkina Faso
Authors: De Lange Albertine
Published: June 2007

These labourers are frequently youths of 14 or 15 with no previous experience of work or conditions in the south, who leave their homes without the knowledge or consent of their parents. In some cases written agreements are made but in most cases it is only verbal. Labourers go of their own free will but in many cases they are deceived as to their destination and nature of the work. The system is open to grave abuse and there is already evidence of an undesirable type of recruiter in some of the larger towns. There is little doubt that the terms of whatever contract are frequently not observed by the employers who take advantage of the ingenuousness of the labourers (VanHear, 1982: 502) ‐ 1930s, Ghana, extract from a colonial report on child labour on cocoa farms.
Destructive deformation of the digits with auto‐amputation: a review of pseudo‐ainhum
Authors: Rashid RM , Cowan E , Abbasi SA , Brieva J , Alam M
Published: June 2007

Pseudo‐ainhum is an auto‐amputation of the digits. Although extremely rare, it is a traumatic and painful experience that can be alleviated with early recognition and intervention. The scientific literature is filled with reports of this interesting but unfortunate phenomenon. To date, a firm causative aetiology has not yet been established. Although reports on this phenomenon have attempted to further our understanding of pseudo‐ainhum, a clear understanding has been complicated by the interchangeable use of terms describing this auto‐amputation. In this review, we discuss the current understanding, diagnostic criteria, and management of pseudo‐ainhum. Furthermore, the nomenclature of pseudo‐ainhum is clarified. Ideally, this will allow for more efficient exploration of pseudo‐ainhum, its causes, and therapeutic approaches.
Randomised controlled trial of two antenatal care models in rural Zimbabwe
Authors: Majoko F , Munjanja SP , Nyström L , Mason E , Lindmark G
Published: June 2007

Objective  To compare a five‐visit antenatal care (ANC) model with specified goals with the standard model in a rural area in Zimbabwe.

Design  Cluster randomised controlled trial with the clinic as the randomisation unit.

Setting  Primary care setting in a developing country where care was provided by nurse‐midwives.

Population  Women booking for ANC in the clinics were eligible.

Main outcome measures  Number of antenatal visits, antepartum and intrapartum referrals, utilization of health centre for delivery and perinatal outcomes.

Methods  Twenty‐three rural health centres were stratified prior to random allocation to the new (n= 11) or standard (n= 12) model of care.

Results  We recruited 13 517 women (new, n= 6897 and standard, n= 6620) in the study, and 78% (10 572) of their pregnancy records were retrieved. There was no difference in median maternal age, parity and gestational age at booking between women in the standard model and those in the new model. The median number of visits was four for both models. The proportion of women with five or less visits was 77% in the new and 69% in the standard model (OR 1.5; 95% CI 1.08–2.2). The likelihood of haemoglobin testing was higher in the new model (OR 2.4; 95% CI 1.0–5.7) but unchanged for syphilis testing. There were fewer intrapartum transfers (5.4 versus 7.9% [OR 0.66; 95% CI 0.44–0.98]) in the new model but no difference in antepartum or postpartum transfers. There was no difference in rates of preterm delivery or low birthweight. The perinatal mortality was 25/1000 in standard model and 28/1000 in new model.

Conclusion  In Gutu district, a focused five‐visit schedule did not change the number of contacts but was more effective as expressed by increased adherence to procedures and better use of institutional health care.
Variations in policies for management of the third stage of labour and the immediate management of postpartum haemorrhage in Europe
Authors: Winter C , Macfarlane A , Deneux‐Tharaux C , Zhang W‐H , Alexander S , Brocklehurst P , Bouvier‐Colle M‐H , Prendiville W , Cararach V , Van Roosmalen J , Berbik I , Klein M , Ayres‐de‐Campos D , Erkkola R , Chiechi LM , Langhoff‐Roos J , Stray‐Pedersen B , Troeger C
Published: June 2007

Background  The EUropean Project on obstetric Haemorrhage Reduction: Attitudes, Trial, and Early warning System (EUPHRATES) is a set of five linked projects, the first component of which was a survey of policies for management of the third stage of labour and immediate management of postpartum haemorrhage following vaginal birth in Europe.

Objectives  The objectives were to ascertain and compare policies for management of the third stage of labour and immediate management of postpartum haemorrhage in maternity units in Europe following vaginal birth.

Design  Survey of policies.

Setting  The project was a European collaboration, with participants in 14 European countries.

Sample  All maternity units in 12 countries and in selected regions of two countries in Europe.

Methods  A postal questionnaire was sent to all or a defined sample of maternity units in each participating country.

Main outcome measures  Stated policies for management of the third stage of labour and the immediate management of postpartum haemorrhage.

Results  Policies of using uterotonics for the management of the third stage were widespread, but policies about agents, timing, clamping and cutting the umbilical cord and the use of controlled cord traction differed widely. For immediate management of postpartum haemorrhage, policies of massaging the uterus were widespread. Policies of catheterising the bladder, bimanual compression and in the choice of drugs administered were much more variable.

Conclusions  Considerable variations were observed between and within countries in policies for management of the third stage of labour. Variations were observed, but to a lesser extent, in policies for the immediate management of postpartum haemorrhage after vaginal birth. In both cases, policies about the pharmacological agents to be used varied widely.
Accuracy of cervical assessment in the active phase of labour
Authors: Buchmann EJ , Libhaber E
Published: June 2007

Objective  To determine accuracy of clinicians in estimating cervical dilatation during the active phase of labour and how this is affected by clinician experience and obstetric factors.

Design  Prospective, cross‐sectional, comparative study.

Setting  Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital labour ward, Johannesburg, South Africa.

Population  Women at term in the active phase of labour, with vertex presentations and live fetuses.

Methods  The researcher performed cervical assessment immediately after the clinician on duty. The researcher and clinician were unaware of each other’s findings. The researcher, used as the standard, was an experienced obstetric consultant, and the clinicians were hospital consultants and registrars at various levels of training. Accuracy was defined as agreement of the clinician’s cervical dilatation estimate with that of the researcher. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was carried out to determine independent predictors of inaccuracy.

Main outcome measure  Agreement in estimation of cervical dilatation between the researcher and the clinicians.

Results  Examinations were performed on 508 women. The researcher and clinicians agreed on the dilatation in 250 instances (49.2%) and differed by 2 cm or more in 56 (11.0%) (kappa = 0.40, 95% CI 0.34–0.45). Accuracy was greater at low (3–4 cm) and high (8–10 cm) dilatations. Reduced accuracy was associated with decreasing clinician experience and with lower stations of fetal head.

Conclusion  This is the first study to investigate accuracy of cervical assessment in parturient women. Results were similar to those found in studies that used models, with about 90% of estimations accurate to within 1 cm.
The differential effect of foreign‐born status on preterm birth: a Taiwan population‐based birth registry study
Authors: See L‐C , Shen Y‐M , Lo Y‐J
Published: June 2007

Whether foreign‐born status confers a protective effect on preterm birth in Taiwan was investigated using singleton live birth data from the 2004 Taiwan Birth Registry (n= 211 946). Newborns of foreign‐born mothers (FBMs) comprised 13.7% of the population. The preterm birth rate of newborns of FBMs (5.9%) was significantly lower than that of newborns of Taiwan‐born mothers (TBMs) (8.0%) (P < 0.0001). After having adjusted for predisposing maternal factors or adverse pregnancy conditions, newborns of FBMs still had a lower risk in preterm birth than that of TBMs, with an odds ratio of 0.74 and 95% confidence interval between 0.71 and 0.79. Selection was hypothesised to explain the low preterm birth rate in FBMs.
A threat–response multi‐criteria funding model for homeland security grant programs
Authors: Tavana Madjid
Published: June 2007

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) provides funding to 50 states, the District of Columbia, and seven US territories through a consolidated program called the Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP). There has been much controversy about the lack of structure in HSGP and the method it employs to allocate funds to the states and territories. Slice is a threat–response multi‐criteria decision model that systematically evaluates the threats and responses of securing the states and territories. The Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and probability elicitation methods are used to capture the objective and subjective judgments used in Slice. The probability calibration and entropy methods are used along with the utility theory to obtain a composite weighted score for each state and territory. These weighted scores are combined with the population scores in a structured framework to determine the amount of funding for the states and territories.
A column generation approach for the maximal covering location problem
Authors: Pereira Marcos Antonio , Lorena Luiz Antonio Nogueira , Senne Edson Luiz França
Published: June 2007

This article presents a column generation algorithm to calculate new improved lower bounds to the solution of maximal covering location problems formulated as ap‐median problem. This reformulation leads to instances that are difficult for column generation methods. The traditional column generation method is compared with the new approach, where the reduced cost criterion used at the column selection is modified by a Lagrangean/surrogate multiplier. The efficiency of the new approach is tested with real data, where computational tests were conducted and showed the impact of sparsity and degeneracy on column generation‐based methods.
Damping index of Doppler hepatic vein waveform to assess the severity of portal hypertension and response to propranolol in liver cirrhosis: a prospective nonrandomized study
Authors: Kim Moon Young , Baik Soon Koo , Park Dong Hun , Lim Dae Wook , Kim Jae Woo , Kim Hyun Soo , Kwon Sang Ok , Kim Young Ju , Chang Sei Jin , Lee Samuel S.
Published: June 2007

Background and Aims: Alterations in the Doppler hepatic vein (HV) waveform are associated with cirrhosis and portal hypertension. We prospectively evaluated the correlation between the extent of abnormal Doppler HV waveforms expressed as damping index (DI) and the hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) and response to propranolol in patients with cirrhosis.

Material and Methods: In 76 patients with cirrhosis (69 men and seven women), both DI of Doppler HV waveform and HVPG were measured, and the relationship between them was analysed. DI was calculated by the minimum velocity/maximum velocity of the HV waveform. An HVPG>12 mmHg was defined as severe portal hypertension. In a subgroup of 19 patients receiving propranolol, changes in both DI and HVPG were evaluated after propranolol administration for 3 months. One author (S. K. B.) performed all DI of Doppler HV waveform studies.

Results: Abnormal HV waveforms were seen in 66 of 76 patients (86.8%). DI significantly correlated with the grade of HVPG, i.e. with higher HVPG increased DI was observed (P<0.01). By logistic regression analysis, DI>0.6 was significantly more likely to be severe portal hypertension (odds ratio: 14.19, 95% confidence interval: 4.07–49.55). Receiver‐operating characteristic curve according to the value of 0.6 of DI showed a sensitivity of 75.9% and a specificity of 81.8% for the presence of severe portal hypertension. In 19 patients of the propranolol subgroup, change of DI following propranolol treatment also significantly correlated with that of HVPG (P<0.01).

Conclusions: Damping index of the HV waveform by Doppler ultrasonography might be a non‐invasive supplementary tool in evaluating the severity of portal hypertension and in responding to propranolol in patients with liver cirrhosis.