bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Teenage Marriage, and the Socioeconomic Status of Hmong Women
Authors: Vang Pa Der , Bogenschutz Matthew 
Published: March 2011

AbstractThe Hmong, who began migration to the United States of America in the latter half of the 1970s, represent a largely unstudied segment of the Asian‐American population. Traditional practices such as teenage marriage were widely reported in the early years after migration began, but have been left relatively unexamined more recently. Explicit focus on Hmong women has been largely absent in recent research. This paper examines the relationships between marriage patterns, education and earnings among Hmong women in the United States. Using results from a survey of 186 Hmong women, the results of this study indicate high rates of teenage marriage, as well as associations between early marriage, marital abuse, and both low earnings and lower levels of educational attainment among women married as teenagers compared to Hmong women who waited until adult age to marry. There were signs of encouragement, including higher than anticipated rates of educational attainment among the sample overall. Marital stressors such as spousal abuse remain prevalent, especially among Hmong women who married in their teenage years. Implications of this research are discussed for both practitioners and for future directions in research within the Hmong‐American community.
“Economic Migrants” or “Middling Transnationals”? East European Migrants’ Experiences of Work in the UK
Authors: Parutis Violetta 
Published: March 2011

AbstractThis article is devoted to the exploration of Polish and Lithuanian migrants’ work experiences in the United Kingdom. It argues that it is hard to categorize these individuals as highly skilled or low‐skilled because, in spite of their relatively high qualifications, they often occupy low‐skilled positions in the United Kingdom. Therefore, the article suggests that these migrants are “middling transnationals” (Conradson and Latham, 2005a). Although they are classified as economic migrants, many of them have migrated to the United Kingdom not only in order to earn money but also to try life abroad, see the world, or learn English. Following Bourdieu’s terminology, the article suggests ways in which migrants use different cultural capital (skills, qualifications, social environment) to enhance their economic capital in the United Kingdom, but also ways in which these different forms of migrants’ capital are interrelated. The findings suggest that Eastern Europeans are highly mobile in the British labour market. Provided they possess necessary linguistic skills, migrants progress from “any job” to a “better job” in search of a “dream job”. The article emphasises that this transition in the British labour market became easier after Poles and Lithuanians became EU citizens, whereby they were granted the right to work and improved access to education services in the United Kingdom. The article also argues that viewing migrants’ work experiences in the context of their future plans helps to understand better why working below qualifications is acceptable to many East Europeans in the United Kingdom. This is either because it helps them maximise their income and return to their home country as soon as possible, or because a low‐skilled position helps them to improve other skills (e.g., English) and serves as a stepping stone to better career opportunities in the future.
Gonadogenesis and sex differentiation in the southern hemisphere lamprey, Geotria australis Gray
Authors: Hardisty M. W. , Potter I. C. , Hilliard R. W. 
Published: March 2011

Gonads of larval Geotria australis destined to become ovaries can be readily identified well before the start of metamorphosis, whereas the majority of presumptive testes of large larvae and some metamorphosing individuals remain indistinguishable from the undifferentiated gonads of smaller larvae. Gonial proliferation in the female germ line, which occurs earlier and is more intense than in the male line, produces cystic gonads containing large numbers of meiotic germ cells. The growth rate of those oocytes surviving the larval cytoplasmic growth phase (25%) increases by about three times at metamorphosis. Although mean cell counts for the undifferentiated and future male testes rose slightly with increasing body length, many larvae of metamorphosing length, as well as transforming animals, possess a minute gonad with cell numbers no greater than those of small ammocoetes.Differences in the timing of gonial proliferation and the onset of oogenesis during the larval life of holarctic lampreys have been correlated with differences in the fecundity and body size of the mature adult. Geotria conforms to this trend and parallels most closely landlocked Petromyzon marinus, a form whose fecundity and body size lie between those of the largest anadromous parasitic lampreys and the small nonparasitic species. However, the pattern of gonadogenesis and sex differentiation in Geotria differs markedly from holarctic lampreys. Both male and female gonads are relatively ‘immature’ and more variable at the onset of metamorphosis. At this stage, the ovaries contain small oocytes (43·1 μm diameter), frequently with undeveloped cytoplasmic basophilia, and in many cases still possess premeiotic cysts. During metamorphosis, the future testes show no acceleration of mitotic activity and remain undifferentiated, small and variable. Geotria also exhibits a more direct type of sex differentiation by lacking the characteristic juvenile hermaphrodite phase of holarctic lampreys. Thus no evidence was found for the origin of testes through the extensive regression and atresia of gonads of the ovarian type. Indeed, meiotic gonia and oocytes were seen in only 17% of future male testes.
Analysis of growth based on tag‐recapture of the Giant Pacific octopus Octopus dofleini martini
Authors: Robinson S. M. C. , Hartwick E. B. 
Published: March 2011

In total, 211 octopuses were tagged and 87 (41·2%) of these were recaptured, some up to eight times for a total of 184 recaptures. Octopuses ranged in wet weight from 1·6 to 20 kg and the sex ratio was skewed towards females. No difference was found in the growth rates between sexes or locations and growth rates were variable for all sizes studied. Evidence for two distinct growth periods was found; a slow period from January to June and a faster period from July to December. Separate growth curves were drawn for each period and their relevance to potential growth in the field discussed. Growth rates of O. dofleini were comparable to those described for other octopod species.A tag‐recapture growth study of Octopus dofleini martini was conducted at two inshore, shallow water (2–15 m) sites in Clayoquot Sound, British Columbia. The objective was to describe the growth of O. dofleini in the field and investigate variation related to sex, season or location.
The reproductive output of frogs Rana temporaria (L.) with particular reference to body size and age
Authors: Gibbons Maria M. , McCarthy T. K. 
Published: March 2011

Measurements were made on 274 spawn clumps and 271 adult frogs in three consecutive years at breeding sites in the west of Ireland. Mean clutch size was 1008 ± 20 ova, mean egg diameter was 2·32 ± 0·01 mm, and mean clutch weight was 11·62 ± 0·37 g. At any particular body length, larger clutch sizes were associated with smaller egg sizes and vice versa. Clutch size, egg size and clutch weight all increased allometrically with body size. The bigger females produced more and smaller eggs and a heavier clutch, relative to their body size, than smaller ones. Egg size and clutch weight also increased allometrically with female age. Age‐specific clutch weight increased during the first two years of maturity and declined slightly thereafter. Age‐specific egg size increased with age throughout life. At any age, bigger females produced more but not larger ova, and at any length, older females contained larger but fewer eggs. Both bigger and/or older females exhibited greater variability in the reproductive parameters than smaller and/or younger ones.Laboratory mating experiments showed that egg fertility was positively correlated with absolute male length and with the relative male/female length in amplexus. The fertilizing ability of males, however, declined with mating frequency, irrespective of male length, clutch size or the time interval between successive matings. In the wild, egg fertility ranged from 24–100%, although over 90% fertility was common.
Scaling of the respiratory, cardio‐vascular and skeletal muscle systems of the freshwater/terrestrial mountain crab, Pseudothelphusa garmani garmani
Authors: Innes A. J. , Haj Alicia J. El , Gobin Judith F. 
Published: March 2011

The freshwater/terrestrial mountain crab Pseudothelphusa garmani garmani (Rathbun, 1898) is structurally well adapted for aerial gas exchange. Pseudothelphusa possesses complex lungs and gills within the branchial chambers.The present investigation sets out primarily to compare how the respiratory system (whole animal oxygen uptake, gills, lungs), cardio‐vascular system (heart, blood volume) and skeletal muscle system (muscles of third walking leg merus) scale as a function of live weight (i.e. Y = aXb; here Y= variables listed above, X= live weight, a= constant, b= scaling exponent).Whole animal aerial oxygen uptake scales to the power 0·70. In contrast, the weight of the gas exchange organs (gills and lungs) scale to the power 0·87 and 0·88, respectively, whilst heart weight and blood volume scale to 1·01 and 0·85, respectively. Skeletal muscle (weight of muscles from third walking leg merus), however, has a scaling exponent of 0·72 which resembles that of whole animal oxygen uptake.Scaling exponents for skeletal length as a function of live weight are significantly lower than those listed above, i.e. length of third walking leg merus (b= 0·32); carapace width (b= 0·34).‘Excitement’ due to handling stress induces an average increase in aerial oxygen uptake of ×2·08. Aerobic expansibilities of ×3·65 ×5·30 are reported for Pseudothelphusa during locomotor activity. A discontinuous pattern of ventilation was recorded during air breathing in quiescent animals.Heart wet weight expressed as a percentage of live body weight is 0·135% for a mean 71·5 g live weight crab.In conclusion, the oxygen uptake of inactive Pseudothelphusa appears to be limited at the tissue level rather than at the gas exchange surface or cardio‐vascular system.
Biogeography and conservation of freshwater mussels (Bivalvia: Unionidae) in Texas: patterns of diversity and threats
Authors: Burlakova Lyubov E. , Karatayev Alexander Y. , Karatayev Vadim A. , May Marsha E. , Bennett Daniel L. , Cook Michael J. 
Published: March 2011

AbstractAim  Geographic patterns of species distributions and the factors contributing to species endangerment are necessary for the development of integrative conservation strategies. Freshwater mussels Unionidae have among the highest levels of imperilment recorded in North America. This paper describes the biogeography and diversity of Unionidae along climate and habitat gradients in Texas, evaluates human impact, and identifies the hot spots of diversity and endemism that should be targeted for conservation.Location  Texas, North America.Methods  Unionids were surveyed in all major Texas river basins in 2003–2009. Multivariate statistics were used to test for differences in environmental parameters and among unionid assemblages in different bioprovinces, and to determine to what extent the multivariate pattern of species distribution was affected by environmental factors. To estimate human impact, we examined the relationship between human population density and the proportion of rare species, as well with the proportion of historically present species that persist in the watershed.Results  Correlation between biotic and environmental similarity matrices indicated concordance in the differences among unionid assemblages and environmental factors that could cause these differences. Lake surface evaporation rate and percentage of forest cover in the watershed were among the most important parameters explaining the differences in unionid assemblages. Human population density was negatively correlated with the proportion of rare species. The proportion of species found live relative to the total number of live and relic species found in our surveys and to the number of historically known species decreased with the increase in human population density.Main conclusions  Climate, landscape, geology, and land use type were important factors influencing unionid distribution patterns among biotic provinces. Increased human population density was associated with the loss of rare species over several decades, but this loss was not recognized because of a lack of assessing the conservation status of unionids.
Differences between Spaniards and Ecuadorians in CYP2A6 allele frequencies: comparison with other populations
Authors: Soriano Antonia , Vicente Jorge , Carcas Cristina , Gonzalez‐Andrade Fabricio , Arenaz Izaskún , Martinez‐Jarreta Begoña , Fanlo Ana , Mayayo Esteban , Sinués Blanca 
Published: March 2011

AbstractThis study was designed to investigate the potential differences between Spaniards and Ecuadorian Mestizo people regarding CYP2A6*1A, CYP2A6*1B1, CYP2A6*1x2A, CYP2A6*9A, and CYP2A6*4A variant alleles at the CYP2A6 gene and also to compare the observed frequencies with those previously reported in different ethnic groups. DNA from 234 Spaniard and 300 Ecuadorian subjects were analyzed by either PCR or PCR‐restriction fragment length polymorphism. Differences between Spaniards and Mestizo Ecuadorians were detected in relation to the frequencies of the alleles linked to either absent enzyme activity, CYP2A6*4A (4 and 7.1%, respectively), or reduced CYP2A6 enzyme activity, CYP2A6*9A (6.4 and 10.3%, respectively). CYP2A6*4A and CYP2A6*9A frequencies in Ecuadorians were higher than those in Africans or Caucasian groups and lower than those in Asians. This study provides, for the first time, the result of the analysis of CYP2A6 allele frequency in a South American population and demonstrates the presence of ethnic differences in CYP2A6 genetic variants between Spaniards and Mestizo Ecuadorians, which should be considered in allele–disease association studies and, in particular, in those involving CYP2A6 genetic polymorphisms and tobacco‐related cancer.
The effect of simulated visual impairment on speech‐reading ability
Authors: Dickinson Christine M , Taylor John 
Published: March 2011

Citation information: Dickinson CM & Taylor JJ. The effect of simulated visual impairment on speech‐reading ability. Ophthalmic Physiol Opt 2011, 31, 249–257. doi: 10.1111/j.1475‐1313.2010.00810.xAbstractPurpose:  Speech‐reading is the ability to recognise certain sounds visually, using both the movements of the speaker’s mouth, plus other sources of visual information, such as gestures and body language, facial expressions and situational clues. This study aimed to determine the effect of mild degrees of visual impairment on speech‐reading ability.Method:  A group of 15 normally‐sighted subjects was assessed with different levels of simulated visual loss using occlusion foils, in the presence of constant background noise to simulate hearing loss. The visual impairments created ranged from 20 to 13 dB log contrast sensitivity (contrast thresholds 1–5%) (measured using the backlit Melbourne Edge Test) with acuity dropping from 6/6 to 6/24 (logMAR 0.0–0.6). The speech‐reading ability with simulated impairment and noise was quantified as the number of words recognised correctly when watching a video of an actor speaking meaningful sentences.Results:  The introduction of the mildest simulated visual impairment (VA 6/6 logMAR 0.0; contrast sensitivity 20 dB, contrast threshold 1%) was sufficient to cause a statistically significant reduction in speech‐reading ability (t‐test, p < 0.001), and as the level of visual impairment was increased, the speech‐reading ability became progressively worse throughout the range of impairments tested.Conclusions:  This study shows that if hearing is compromised, then an observer’s speech‐reading ability is sensitive to changes in vision. It is likely that visual loss will have consequences for speech‐reading ability. This will be particularly relevant to the elderly population who are often found to have a dual sensory loss that causes compromise to both visual and auditory sensory reception. Some of the difficulties in communication reported by the elderly with reduced hearing could be visual as opposed to auditory in origin.
Inferior visual field reductions are associated with poorer functional status among older adults with glaucoma
Authors: Black Alex A , Wood Joanne M , Lovie‐Kitchin Jan E 
Published: March 2011

Citation information: Black AA, Wood JM & Lovie‐Kitchin JE. Inferior visual field reductions are associated with poorer functional status among older adults with glaucoma. Ophthalmic Physiol Opt 2011, 31, 283–291. doi: 10.1111/j.1475‐1313.2010.00811.xAbstractPurpose:  To examine the relationship between visual impairment and functional status in a community‐dwelling sample of older adults with glaucoma.Methods:  This study included 74 community‐dwelling older adults with open‐angle glaucoma (aged 74 ± 6 years). Assessment of central vision included high‐contrast visual acuity and Pelli‐Robson contrast sensitivity. Binocular integrated visual fields were derived from merged monocular Humphrey Field Analyser visual field plots. Functional status outcome measures included physical performance tests (6‐min walk test, timed up and go test and lower limb strength), a physical activity questionnaire (Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly) and an overall functional status score. Correlation and linear regression analyses, adjusting for age and gender, examined the association between visual impairment and functional status outcomes.Results:  Greater levels of visual impairment were significantly associated with lower levels of functional status among community‐dwelling older adults with glaucoma, independent of age and gender. Specifically, lower levels of visual function were associated with slower timed up and go performance, weaker lower limb strength, lower self‐reported physical activity, and lower overall functional status scores. Of the components of vision examined, the inferior visual field and contrast factors were the strongest predictors of these functional outcomes, whereas the superior visual field factor was not related to functional status.Conclusions:  Greater visual impairment, particularly in the inferior visual field and loss of contrast sensitivity, was associated with poorer functional status among older adults with glaucoma. The findings of this study highlight the potential links between visual impairment and the onset of functional decline. Interventions which promote physical activity among older adults with glaucoma may assist in preventing functional decline, frailty and falls, and improve overall health and well‐being.
Minimising systematic error surfaces in digital elevation models using oblique convergent imagery
Authors: Wackrow Rene , Chandler Jim H. 
Published: March 2011

AbstractThere are increasing opportunities to use consumer‐grade digital cameras, particularly if accurate spatial data can be captured. Research recently conducted at Loughborough University identified residual systematic error surfaces or domes discernible in digital elevation models (DEMs). These systematic effects are often associated with such cameras and are caused by slightly inaccurate estimated lens distortion parameters. A methodology that minimises the systematic error surfaces was therefore developed, using a mildly convergent image configuration in a vertical perspective. This methodology was tested through simulation and a series of practical tests. This paper investigates the potential of the convergent configuration to minimise the error surfaces, even if the geometrically more complex oblique perspective is used. Initially, simulated data was used to demonstrate that an oblique convergent image configuration can minimise remaining systematic error surfaces using various imaging angles. Additionally, practical tests using a laboratory testfield were conducted to verify results of the simulation. The need to develop a system to measure the topographic surface of a flooding river provided the opportunity to verify the findings of the simulation and laboratory test using real data. Results of the simulation process, the laboratory test and the practical test are reported in this paper and demonstrate that an oblique convergent image configuration eradicates the systematic error surfaces which result from inaccurate lens distortion parameters. This approach is significant because by removing the need for an accurate lens model it effectively improves the accuracies of digital surface representations derived using consumer‐grade digital cameras. Carefully selected image configurations could therefore provide new opportunities for improving the quality of photogrammetrically acquired data.
Hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn caused by an antibody to a low‐prevalence antigen, anti‐SARA
Authors: Towns Dale , Hannon Judith , Hendry Julia , Barnes Janet , Goldman Mindy 
Published: March 2011

BACKGROUND: The first case describing the SARAH (SARA) antigen occurred in 1990, in an Australian blood donor. Hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn (HDFN) due to anti‐SARA has not been previously described.CASE REPORT: We report a case of HDFN in a multiparous female. The pregnancy was unremarkable except that she was involved in a seemingly minor motor vehicle accident at 25 weeks' gestation. Routine prenatal antibody screening was negative throughout the pregnancy. She presented at 37 weeks' gestation because of decreased fetal movements. Labor was induced and a 2702‐g infant male was delivered. The infant's hemoglobin was 49 g/L and the bilirubin was 153 µmol/L.RESULTS: Blood samples from the parents and infant were referred to Canadian Blood Services National Immunohematology Reference Laboratory and subsequently to the Australian Red Cross Red Cell Reference Service. The father's and infant's red blood cells were confirmed to be SARA positive, and the mother's plasma contained anti‐SARA.CONCLUSION: The infant was successfully treated with a double‐volume exchange transfusion. This is the first example of HDFN associated with this antibody.
Science and International Environmental Nonregimes: The Case of Arctic Haze
Authors: Wilkening Ken 
Published: March 2011

AbstractDimitrov et al. argue that nonregimes are a worthy object of research attention that can contribute to international regime theory. Case studies, however, are still sparse. In this article, I examine Arctic haze, an issue area where a transnational environmental problem existed but no regime formed. Arctic haze was (re‐)discovered in 1971 but by 2000, the window of opportunity to form a regime had closed. What factors explain why an Arctic haze regime was not formed between 1971 and 2000? I claim science‐based factors play the dominant role. An analytical approach applicable to the science‐policy interface was employed. Using this approach, I conclude that the Arctic haze nonregime is best explained by the absence of scientifically documented and compelling transboundary consequences to ecosystems and humans. This is a product of the unique nature of the Arctic atmosphere.