bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A simple, and potentially low‐cost method for measuring the prevalence of childhood obesity
Authors: Routh K. , Rao J. N. , Denley J. 
Published: January 2006

AbstractBackground  Recent official publications have highlighted obesity as one of the biggest threats to public health and the prevalence of obesity in children is widely believed to be rising rapidly. However, there are no data on the prevalence of childhood obesity at a local level. We have developed a simple low‐cost method of gaining such data by working with local schools.Method  We designed our method on the observation that numeracy and data handling skills are often taught in schools by getting children to measure their height and weight. We recruited seven schools and offered them a numeracy lesson plan suitable for year 5 (aged 9–10) children together with healthcare staff to attend the lesson. As part of the lesson, each child's height and weight was measured and recorded anonymously. Parental consent was obtained on an ‘opt out’ basis. The method was evaluated by questionnaire.Results  We gained data on body mass index for 252 children. In total, 20% of the children were overweight, and 7% obese. The brief questionnaire survey indicated that both teachers and school nurses were happy with the method and would repeat it. Weighing was carried out sensitively.Conclusion  Our findings were in line with national studies of the prevalence of childhood obesity. The method was simple, low‐cost and acceptable to schools and school nurses. There seems no reason why this project cannot be used more widely across the Primary Care Trust (PCT) and beyond. We now propose to roll out the method across all primary schools in Birmingham.
Use of the Measure of Process of Care for families (MPOC‐56) and service providers (MPOC‐SP) to evaluate family‐centred services in a paediatric disability setting
Authors: Dyke P. , Buttigieg P. , Blackmore A. M. , Ghose A. 
Published: January 2006

AbstractBackground  The value of family‐centred principles in paediatric professional caregiving services is widely acknowledged. However, the degree to which such services adhere to these principles is not well documented.Aim  To examine the perceptions of both families and service providers of the extent to which family‐centred services were being implemented by a paediatric disability service provider and to pinpoint areas for improvement.Method  A sample of 158 families receiving services from the Cerebral Palsy Association of Western Australia completed the Measure of Processes of Care for families (MPOC‐56) and 43 clinicians (most of them physiotherapists, speech pathologists and occupational therapists) completed the Measure of Processes of Care for service providers (MPOC‐SP).Results  As in previous studies, the families rated ‘respectful and supportive care’ highest and ‘providing general information’ lowest. Clinicians rated ‘showing interpersonal sensitivity’ highest and ‘providing general information’ lowest. Analysis of individual items revealed that the following areas of family‐centred services were in need of improvement: provision of general written information to families on a range of issues, continuity of care, greater involvement of the family in therapy and provision of more detailed information about therapy issues and provision of more general support to whole families.Conclusions  The MPOC tools have been found useful in enabling disability service providers to identify areas for improvement and move towards providing services that are more family centred.
Characteristics and profile of boys and girls with emotional and behavioural disorders in Flanders mental health institutes: a quantitative study
Authors: D’Oosterlinck F. , Broekaert E. , De Wilde J. , Bockaert L. F. , Goethals I. 
Published: January 2006

AbstractBackground  In this article, we search for gender differences and outline a detailed gender profile for children and youngsters with emotional and behavioural disorders who are placed in Flemish residential care institutes.Methods  Data were collected of all placements (517 children) in six residential and semi‐residential mental health care centres for children and youngsters with emotional and behavioural disorders in East Flanders, Belgium. File data (gender, age, retention, current treatment, type of referral, education, intelligence, Diagnostic and Statistical Manual IV‐diagnoses and medication use) were gathered. The Child Behaviour Check List (CBCL) was implemented and completed for each child. On the basis of the CBCL, a behaviour profile was developed by means of correlation tables (Pearson correlation coefficient) and cross tabulations. Finally, the profile was compared with the file data of the boys and the girls.Results  Significant gender differences were found for type of referral, intelligence and diagnoses. The same profile was developed for both genders separately, based on variables Externalizing and Social Problems. The file data associated with the profile groups differ for boys and girls.Conclusions  The results of our study show the complexity and diversity of the needs of boys and girls with disruptive behaviour in Flemish residential care institutes. Flemish government has to be aware of the fact that the current referral system selects the children with outspoken externalizing and problematic behaviour towards special health care and special schools. They are relegated because the mainstream system is not equipped well enough to cope with their disruptive, aggressive behaviour. Even if governments are in favour of inclusive education, it seems that in practice a rest group is created, in which girls are selected through the same mechanisms as boys, in this case for the same reasons of negative externalizing behaviour and social problems. For this it seems appropriate that school and (semi)‐residential institutes apply a specific and adapted methodology.
Child deaths resulting from inflicted injuries: household risk factors and perpetrator characteristics
Authors: Reading Richard 
Published: January 2006

Schnitzer P.G. &
Ewigman B.G.
(
2005
)

,
116
,
e687
–
e693
.
Objective  To determine the role of household composition as an independent risk factor for fatal inflicted injuries among young children and describe perpetrator characteristics.Design, setting and population  A population‐based, case–control study of all children <5 years of age who died in Missouri between 1 January, 1992, and 31 December, 1999. Missouri Child Fatality Review Program data were analysed. Cases all involved children with injuries inflicted by a parent or caregiver. Two age‐matched controls per case child were selected randomly from children who died of natural causes.Main outcome measure  Inflicted‐injury death. Household composition of case and control children was compared by using multivariate logistic regression. We hypothesized that children residing in households with adults unrelated to them are at higher risk of inflicted‐injury death than children residing in households with two biological parents.Results  We identified 149 inflicted‐injury deaths in our population during the 8‐year study period. Children residing in households with unrelated adults were nearly 50 times as likely to die of inflicted injuries than children residing with two biological parents (adjusted odds ratio: 47.6; 95% confidence interval: 10.4–218). Children in households with a single parent and no other adults in residence had no increased risk of inflicted‐injury death (adjusted odds ratio: 0.9; 95% confidence interval: 0.6–1.9). Perpetrators were identified in 132 (88.6%) of the cases. The majority of known perpetrators were male (71.2%), and most were the child's father (34.9%) or the boyfriend of the child's mother (24.2%). In households with unrelated adults, most perpetrators (83.9%) were the unrelated adult household member, and only two (6.5%) perpetrators were the biological parent of the child.Conclusions  Young children who reside in households with unrelated adults are at exceptionally high risk for inflicted‐injury death. Most perpetrators are male, and most are residents of the decedent child's household at the time of injury.
Changes in the circumstances of young mothers in Britain: 1990–2000
Authors: Reading Richard 
Published: January 2006

.

Nanchahal K.,
Wellings K.,
Barrett G.,
Copas A.J.,
Mercer C.H.,
Macmanus S.,
Macdowall W.,
Fenton K.A.,
Erens B. &
Johnson A.M.
(
2005
)

,
59
,
828
–
833
.
Objectives  To assess changes between 1990 and 2000 in the circumstances of women who became mothers before the age of 18.Design  Two cross‐sectional probability sample surveys of the general population carried out in 1989–1991 (Natsal 1990) and 1999–2001 (Natsal 2000).Setting  British households.Participants  Women aged 18–27 years at time of survey (Natsal 1990: 2575, Natsal 2000: 1757).Main outcome measures  Educational attainment, participation in education/work or training, living in social housing, social class, living as lone adult, parity, ill health, and health‐related behaviours at the time of the interview.Results  The proportion of women who were sexually active before 18 increased between 1990 and 2000 from 58.9% to 71.3% (P < 0.0001). There was no significant change in the proportion who had a child before the age of 18 (4.7% in 1990, 5.3% in 2000, P = 0.390). The proportion who had attained no educational qualifications and were not participating in education/work or training was significantly lower in 2000 than in 1990 for all women aged 18–27, but higher among those who were mothers before age 18, although the relative difference was not statistically significant. The proportion living in social housing or reporting a recent long‐term illness at time of interview was higher and this trend was more pronounced among women who did not experience motherhood before 18 than those who did, but the differences between these groups of women were not statistically significant.Conclusions  Motherhood before the age of 18 continues to be related to a variety of adverse circumstances in adult life, including lack of educational attainment, not being in education/work or training, lone parenthood, and a reduced likelihood of home ownership. There is little evidence of improvement in the circumstances of young mothers between 1990 and 2000 despite improvements in life chances among young women in general.
Hybrid origin of a swordtail species (Teleostei:Xiphophorus clemenciae) driven by sexual selection
Authors: MEYER AXEL , SALZBURGER WALTER , SCHARTL MANFRED 
Published: January 2006

AbstractThe swordlike exaggerated caudal fin extensions of male swordtails are conspicuous traits that are selected for through female choice. Swords are one of only few examples where the hypothesis of a pre‐existing bias is believed to apply for the evolution of a male trait. Previous laboratory experiments demonstrated that females prefer males with longer swords and even females from some swordless species show an affiliation for males of sworded species. Earlier phylogenetic studies based on maternally inherited mitochondrial DNA placed the sworded southern swordtailXiphophorus clemenciaewith swordless platies, contradicting its morphology‐based evolutionary affinities. The analyses of new nuclear DNA markers now recover its traditional phylogenetic placement with other southern swordtails, suggesting that this species was formed by an ancient hybridization event. We propose that sexual selection through female choice was the likely process of hybrid speciation, by mating of platy females with males of an ancestral swordtail lineage. In artificial crosses of descendent species from the two potential ancestral lineages ofX. clemenciaethe hybrid and backcross males have swords of intermediate lengths. Additionally, mate choice experiments demonstrate that hybrid females prefer sworded males. These experimental lines of evidence make hybridization through xeno‐specific sexual selection by female choice the likely mechanism of speciation.
Winter acclimation of PsbS and related proteins in the evergreen Arctostaphylos uva‐ursi as influenced by altitude and light environment
Authors: ZARTER C. RYAN , ADAMS WILLIAM W. , EBBERT VOLKER , ADAMSKA IWONA , JANSSON STEFAN , DEMMIG‐ADAMS BARBARA 
Published: January 2006

ABSTRACTThe evergreen groundcover bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva‐ursi[L.] Sprengel) was characterized over two successive years (2002–2004) from both sun‐exposed and shaded sites at a montane ponderosa pine and subalpine forest community of 1900‐ and 2800‐m‐high altitudes, respectively. During summer, photosynthetic capacities and pre‐dawn photosystem II (PSII) efficiency were similarly high in all four populations, and in winter, only the sun‐exposed and shaded populations at 2800 m exhibited complete down‐regulation of photosynthetic oxygen evolution capacity and consistent sustained down‐regulation of PSII efficiency. This photosynthetic down‐regulation at high altitude involved a substantial decrease in PSII components [pheophytin, D1 protein, oxygen evolving complex ([OEC)], a strong up‐regulation of several anti‐early‐light‐inducible protein (Elip)‐ and anti‐high‐light‐inducible protein (Hlip)‐reactive bands and a warm‐sustained retention of zeaxanthin and antheraxanthin (Z + A). PsbS, the protein modulating the rapid engagement and disengagement of Z + A in energy dissipation, exhibited its most pronounced winter increases in the shade at 1900 m, and thus apparently assumes a greater role in providing rapidly reversible zeaxanthin‐dependent photoprotection during winter when light becomes excessive in the shaded population, which remains photosynthetically active. It is attractive to hypothesize that PsbS relatives (Elips/Hlips) may be involved in sustained zeaxanthin‐dependent photoprotection under the more extreme winter conditions at 2800 m.
Non‐steady state effects in diurnal 18O discrimination by Picea sitchensis branches in the field
Authors: SEIBT U. , WINGATE L. , BERRY J. A. , LLOYD J. 
Published: January 2006

ABSTRACTWe report diurnal variations in 18O discrimination (18Δ) during photosynthesis (18ΔA) and respiration (18ΔR) of Picea sitchensis branches measured in branch chambers in the field. These observations were compared with predicted 18Δ (18Δpred) based on concurrent measurements of branch gas exchange to evaluate steady state and non‐steady state (NSS) models of foliage water 18O enrichment for predicting the impact of this ecosystem on the δ18O of atmospheric CO2. The non‐steady state approach substantially improved the agreement between 18Δpred and observed 18Δ (18Δobs) compared with the assumption of isotopic steady state (ISS) for the δ18O signature of foliage water. In addition, we found direct observational evidence for NSS effects: extremely high apparent 18Δ values at dusk, dawn and during nocturnal respiration. Our experiments also show the importance of bidirectional foliage gas exchange at night (isotopic equilibration in addition to the net flux). Taken together, neglecting these effects leads to an underestimation of daily net canopy isofluxes from this forest by up to 30%. We expect NSS effects to be most pronounced in species with high specific leaf water content such as conifers and when stomata are open at night or when there is high relative humidity, and we suggest modifications to ecosystem and global models of δ18O of CO2.
A general model for the evolution of mutualisms
Authors: Foster K. R. , Wenseleers T. 
Published: January 2006

Abstract
The evolution of mutualisms presents a puzzle. Why does selection favour cooperation among species rather than cheaters that accept benefits but provide nothing in return? Here we present a general model that predicts three key factors will be important in mutualism evolution: (i) high benefit to cost ratio, (ii) high within-species relatedness and (iii) high between-species fidelity. These factors operate by moderating three types of feedback benefit from mutualism: cooperator association, partner-fidelity feedback and partner choice. In defining the relationship between these processes, our model also allows an assessment of their relative importance. Importantly, the model suggests that phenotypic feedbacks (partner-fidelity feedback, partner choice) are a more important explanation for between-species cooperation than the development of genetic correlations among species (cooperator association). We explain the relationship of our model to existing theories and discuss the empirical evidence for our predictions.
Characterization of a higher plant herbicide‐resistant phytoene desaturase and its use as a selectable marker
Authors: Arias Renée S. , Dayan Franck E. , Michel Albrecht , Howell J’Lynn , Scheffler Brian E. 
Published: January 2006

SummaryThree natural somatic mutations at codon 304 of the phytoene desaturase gene (pds) of Hydrilla verticillata (L. f. Royle) have been reported to provide resistance to the herbicide fluridone. We substituted the arginine 304 present in the wild‐type H. verticillata phytoene desaturase (PDS) with all 19 other natural amino acids and tested PDS against fluridone. In in vitro assays, the threonine (Thr), cysteine (Cys), alanine (Ala) and glutamine (Gln) mutations imparted the highest resistance to fluridone. Thr, the three natural mutations [Cys, serine (Ser), histidine (His)] and the wild‐type PDS protein were tested in vitro against seven inhibitors of PDS representing several classes of herbicides. These mutations conferred cross‐resistance to norflurazon and overall negative cross‐resistance to beflubutamid, picolinafen and diflufenican. The T3 generation of transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana plants harbouring the four selected mutations and wild‐type pds had similar patterns of cross‐resistance to the herbicides as observed in the in vitro assays. The Thr304 Hydrilla pds mutant proved to be an excellent marker for the selection of transgenic plants. Seedlings harbouring Thr304 pds had a maximum resistance to sensitivity (R/S) ratio of 57 and 14 times higher than that of the wild‐type for treatments with norflurazon and fluridone, respectively. These plants exhibited normal growth and development, even after long‐term exposure to herbicide. As Thr304 pds is of plant origin, it could become more acceptable than other selectable markers for use in genetically modified food.
Efficient production of male and female sterile plants by expression of a chimeric repressor in Arabidopsis and rice
Authors: Mitsuda Nobutaka , Hiratsu Keiichiro , Todaka Daisuke , Nakashima Kazuo , Yamaguchi‐Shinozaki Kazuko , Ohme‐Takagi Masaru 
Published: January 2006

SummaryMale and female sterile plants are particularly useful for the effective production of commercial hybrid plants and for preventing the diffusion of seeds or pollen grains of genetically modified plants in the open field. In an attempt to create several types of sterile plant by genetic manipulation, we applied our Chimeric REpressor Gene‐Silencing Technology (CRES‐T) to four transcription factors, namely APETALA3, AGAMOUS, LEAFY and AtMYB26, involved in the regulation of petal and stamen identity, stamen and carpel identity, floral meristem identity and anther dehiscence, respectively, in Arabidopsis. Transgenic plants expressing each chimeric repressor exhibited, at high frequency, a sterile phenotype that resembled the loss‐of‐function phenotype of each corresponding gene. Furthermore, in the monocotyledonous crop plant ‘rice’, expression of the chimeric repressor derived from SUPERWOMAN1, the rice orthologue of APETALA3, resulted in the male sterile phenotype with high efficiency. Our results indicate that CRES‐T provides a powerful tool for controlling the fertility of both monocots and dicots by exploiting transcription factors that are strongly conserved amongst plants.
Foliage influences forced convection heat transfer in conifer branches and buds
Authors: Michaletz S. T. , Johnson E. A. 
Published: January 2006

Summary

Conifer foliage structures affect branch and bud temperature by altering the development and convective resistance of the thermal boundary layer. This paper examines foliage effects on forced convection in branches and buds of Picea glauca (Moench) Voss and Pinus contorta Dougl. Ex. Loud., two species that represent the range of variation in foliage structure among conifers.
Forced convection is characterized by a power law relating Nusselt (heat transfer) and Reynolds (boundary layer development) numbers. Data were collected in a laminar flow wind tunnel for free stream velocities of 0.16–6.95 m s−1. Scaling parameters were compared against literature values for silver cast branch replicas, a bed of real foliage, cylinders, and tube banks.
Foliage structures reduced Nusselt numbers (heat transfer) relative to cylinders, which are typically used to approximate leafless branches and buds. Significantly different scaling relationships were observed for all foliage structures considered.
Forced convection scaling relationships varied with foliage structure. The scaling relationships reported here account for variation within populations of branches and buds and can be used to characterize forced convection in a forest canopy.
Chinese consumer response to imported fruit: intended uses and their effect on perceived quality
Authors: Sun Ximing , Collins Ray 
Published: January 2006

AbstractThough imported fruit sells in China for many times the price of its local equivalent, and sometimes at prices higher than in developed countries, there are still many willing buyers. Previous reports argue that this purchase behaviour is impelled by the perceived high quality of imported fruit. However, perceived quality itself cannot explain this behaviour comprehensively without examining the intended use behind the decision to purchase. In this research we examined the relationships between intended use and people's perceptions of fruit quality. After convergent interviewing, an intercept mail survey of 1000 consumers was conducted in two different Chinese cities, Guangzhou (highly developed) and Urumqi (relatively undeveloped). The research identified five intended uses of imported fruit, each associated with different functions. Statistical analysis showed that intended use did affect people's perceptions of fruit quality, and that a significant difference exists between the two investigated cities in terms of the relative importance of the five intended uses. Results from this study could help to better understand why Chinese consumers purchase imported fruit and the interrelationships between quality attributes and intended uses. Such an understanding would be significant in developing strategies and policies in marketing imported fruit in China.
Neuronal responses to myelin are mediated by rho kinase
Authors: Alabed Yazan Z. , Grados‐Munro Edith , Ferraro Gino B. , Hsieh Sidney H.‐K. , Fournier Alyson E. 
Published: January 2006

AbstractCNS myelin inhibits axon growth due to the expression of several growth‐inhibitory proteins, including myelin‐associated glycoprotein, oligodendrocyte myelin glycoprotein and Nogo. Myelin‐associated inhibitory proteins activate rho GTPase in responsive neurons. Rho kinase (ROCK) has been implicated as a critical rho effector in this pathway due to the ability of the pharmacological inhibitor Y‐27632 to circumvent myelin‐dependent inhibition. Y‐27632, however, inhibits the activity of additional kinases. Using three independent approaches, we provide direct evidence that ROCKII is activated in response to the myelin‐associated inhibitor Nogo. We demonstrate that Nogo treatment enhances ROCKII translocation to the cellular membrane in PC12 cells and enhances ROCKII kinase activity towards an in vitro substrate. In addition, Nogo treatment enhances phosphorylation of myosin light chain II, a known ROCK substrate. Further, we demonstrate that primary dorsal root ganglia neurons can be rendered insensitive to the inhibitory effects of myelin via infection with dominant negative ROCK. Together these data provide direct evidence for a rho‐ROCK‐myosin light chain‐II signaling cascade in response to myelin‐associated inhibitors.