bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Second survey Of secular trends in twinning rates
Authors: James William H. 
Published: July 2008

SummaryA study has been made of twinning rates throughout the world over the last two decades. There has been a decline in age-specific dizygotic twinning rates in almost all of the developed countries during this period. Exceptions to this trend are provided by the United States, where the only decline in twinning rates in the last two decades was in births to older women in the 1960s, and by Czechoslovakia, Hungary and Bulgaria, where an initial decline in twinning during the 1960s was followed by stable twinning rates.It is suggested that the cause may be some form of environmental pollutant, perhaps a pesticide, which has been the subject of restrictive legislation first in the United States and later in the three Communist countries. Possibly the cause of this decline may be identified by a study of such legislation.This seems to be the first study of twinning rates in Central and South America. The low twinning rates in some of the countries there may indicate the genetic affiliations of their inhabitants with those (of Mongoloid origin) of countries in the Far East.
Family Break-Down and Stress in Huntington's Chorea
Authors: Tyler Audrey , Harper P. S. , Davies Kathleen , Newcome R. G. 
Published: July 2008

SummaryThe incidence of family breakdown and stress has been examined in an unselected group of 92 South Wales families, each containing a patient suffering from Huntington's chorea, and related to the onset and duration of the disease, age of the patient, and behavioural symptoms shown. The frequency of actual and attempted suicide is analysed and the effects of the disorder on the primary care agent for the patient discussed. Some of the effects on children and the needs of the families for support and practical help are outlined. It is concluded that family support is an essential factor in any programme aimed at the long-term alleviation and prevention of Huntington's chorea.
Unwanted Pregnancies Amongst Teenagers
Authors: Francome Colin 
Published: July 2008

SummaryThis article discusses the conflicting positions on the effectiveness of sex education and availability of birth control facilities in lowering the rate of teenage pregnancies. It provides evidence of a drop in the rate of teenage births only one-third of which can be accounted for by the rise in abortions. It concludes that teenagers must have been using birth control more effectively than in the early 1970s.
Artificial Insemination by Donor: a Survey of Attitudes and Knowledge in Medical Students and Infertile Couples
Authors: Leiblum Sandra R. , Barbrack Christopher 
Published: July 2008

SummaryMedical students and members of infertile couples were questioned about their knowledge and attitudes toward artificial insemination using donor semen (AID). While both groups were well-informed about AID, considerable attitudinal diversity existed. Subjects generally favoured AID for infertile couples, for single women and for situations where the risk of inheritable retardation or genetic disease existed. Members of infertile couples were more positive about AID than were medical students, and females were more positive than males. The results indicate continued controversy regarding several aspects of AID such as whether to permit AID recipients to select their own donor and whether children conceived through AID should be so informed. The implications for infertility counselling are discussed.
Demography and Evolution in an Immigrant Ethnic Community: Hungarian Settlement, Louisiana, USA
Authors: Koertvelyessy Tibor 
Published: July 2008

SummaryThis paper describes the fertility, mortality, and marriage patterns of the Hungarian Settlement, Louisiana, USA, immigrant ethnic population and relates these demographic processes to the evolutionary forces of natural selection, genetic drift, and gene flow. The results indicate that the maximum opportunity for natural selection decreased over time, and natural selection could have operated in the case of this population at only a very moderate level. The demographic characteristics of this population suggest that genetic drift may be important as an agent of microdifferentiation. Gene flow, however, appears to be the most important evolutionary force in this population. The process, based on the increasing incorporation of non-Hungarians into the gene pool, is causing the breakdown of this ethnic/genetic isolate.
Population Dynamics Among the Totos of West Bengal: A Positive Response to Culture Contact
Authors: Sinha Debasish , Pal Bikas Chandra 
Published: July 2008

SummaryThe population structure of the Toto tribe at Totopara, a small village in West Bengal, District Jalpaiguri, was studied, for since 1951 the Totos have been coming more and more in contact with the outside world and undergoing a process of cultural and developmental change. Demographic data presented include the age-sex structure, marital status, fertility, birth rate, death rate and population growth trends in the pre-contact and contact era. At present the population shows a trend towards increase.
Remarriage of the divorced in England and Wales–a contemporary phenomenon
Authors: Haskey John 
Published: July 2008

SummaryThis paper examines the background to the recent growth in the number of remarriages of the divorced, tracing the increasing trend in divorce and subsequent remarriage in the last decade. The characteristics of such remarriages are analysed: their manner of solemnization, the distribution of ages at remarriage, seasonal variations, and the differences between metropolitan and non-metropolitan areas. Finally, the topical issue of remarriage of the divorced in church is discussed from a statistical standpoint, and variations by county presented in the form of maps.
Assortative mating for phenotypic characteristics in a Zapotec community in Oaxaca, Mexico
Authors: Malina Robert M. , Selby Henry A. , Buschang Peter H. , Aronson Wendy L. , Little Bertis B. 
Published: July 2008

SummaryAssortative mating for age and several anthropometric characteristics is considered in a sample of 68–70 husband-wife pairs from a rural Zapotec-speaking community in the Valley of Oaxaca in southern Mexico. Conditions in the community with a population of approximately 1700 indicate chronic, mild-to-moderate undernutrition as reflected in high infant mortality rates, smaller body size of school children, and delayed biological maturation. Phenotypic assortative mating, as expressed in husband-wife correlations, is significant for age (r = 0·96), stature (r = 0·35) and grip strength (r = 0·29), but is not significant for body weight (r = 0·01), arm circumference (r = 0·07), the estimated midarm muscle circumference (r = 0·003), Quetelet's index (r = 0·02), and the ponderal index (r = 0·11). Controlling for age of husband and wife reduces the correlations for stature (r = 0·24) and grip strength (r = 0·12), but increases those for arm circumference (r = 0·21) and estimated midarm muscle circumference (r = 0·16). Grouping the spouses into younger (under 30 years of age) and older (30 years and older) results in significant spouse correlations for age, stature, arm circumference and estimated midarm muscle circumference in the younger group and for only age and fatness in the older group.
Application of a marriage model in rural Bangladesh
Authors: Chowdhury A. K. M. Alauddin 
Published: July 2008

SummaryThe applicability of the Coale-McNeil marriage entry model to a Bangladesh population is examined. The distribution of ages at entry into the marriage market is taken as normal and the general waiting times to marriage as negative exponential. This article examines two types of data from Bangladesh: (1) the distributions of ages at entry to the marriage market and waiting times, to verify the basic assumptions of the model, and (2) cross-sectional survey data, to derive the fitted first-marriage schedule. In both instances, the model showed a good fit with the Bangladesh data. In the absence of accurate marital registration data, the model may be appropriately utilized to estimate the ages of marriage of females in Bangladesh.
Biosocial correlates of cognitive abilities
Authors: McManus I. C. , Mascie-Taylor C. G. N. 
Published: July 2008

SummaryThe children in the cohort followed by the National Child Development Study were tested for cognitive ability at the age of eleven, and the influence of a number of biological and social variables was sought on the results of tests of reading, mathematics, verbal and non-verbal abilities. Reading relates strongly to social class, birth order and parental age, suggesting strong social influences upon it, but it is also related to height and acquired myopia, suggesting biological influences. Mathematics ability relates to social class and parental age, but not to birth order, but its relationship with height, birthweight and maternal smoking suggests biological effects. Verbal ability and non-verbal ability have relatively few correlates apart from sex and region. It appears that different cognitive abilities show different relationships to social, biological and personal variables.
Seasonal variation in suicide and homicide: a question of consistency
Authors: Warren Charles W. , Smith Jack C. , Tyler Carl W. 
Published: July 2008

SummarySeasonal or monthly fluctuations in suicides and homicides were analysed using US mortality data for the years 1969–78, using periodic regression analysis. The results were generally consistent (year-to-year) over the 10-year period. The pattern for suicide was distinctly seasonal: it was above average all spring and below average all winter. For homicides, the pattern was more monthly, with July–September and December being above average times and January–June being below average.
Return of fertility after use of the injectable contraceptive Depo Provera: up-dated data analysis
Authors: Pardthaisong Tieng 
Published: July 2008

SummarySeven hundred and ninety six Thai women who stopped using the long-acting injectable contraceptive depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA, Depo Provera), 437 women who stopped using oral contraceptives and 125 women who had an IUD removed to have a planned pregnancy, were followed up to ascertain the delay to conception after the end of contraception and to determine the proportion of women who did not conceive in the 4 years after discontinuation. The median delay to conception was 5·5 months plus the estimated duration of the effect of the last injection of DMPA, 3 months for oral contraceptives and 4·5 months after discontinuing the IUD. The proportion of women who did not conceive within 9 months after discontinuation of DMPA is similar to that of ex-IUD users, and by 3 years to that of the ex-pill sample. There is no evidence to suggest that prolonged use of DMPA increases the delay to conception, and the return of fertility among never pregnant ex-users resembled that of ever pregnant ex-users.There were comparable proportions of live births among ex-DMPA users and ex-pill users and both of these showed higher proportions of live-births than ex-IUD users. There was no evidence to suggest that previous use of DMPA had any significant adverse effect on the outcome of pregnancy of the subsequent births. This study did not show any association between infertility and the previous use of DMPA or other contraceptives.
Ethnic fertility differences in Canada, 1926–71: an examination of assimilation hypothesis
Authors: Basavarajappa K. G. , Halli S. S. 
Published: July 2008

SummaryThe changing pattern of fertility differences among ethnic groups in Canada during the period 1926–71 is studied. Two specific questions are addressed. (1) Do ethnic groups assimilate the fertility patterns of the general Canadian population over time, i.e. are the fertility differences disappearing? (2) Is the extent of assimilation in fertility greater in urban than in rural areas? The indirectly standardized general fertility rates, calculated by using the ethnic age distribution data from the censuses of 1931 to 1971, indicate a tendency for the population to become more homogeneous during times of increasing fertility, thus supporting the assimilative possibilities, whereas in times of declining fertility there is a tendency for the population to become more heterogeneous. The data also seem to support weaker assimilatory tendencies in rural areas than in urban areas during only the most recent period, 1966–71, and not in earlier periods.
Breast-feeding: motivation and outcome
Authors: Ellis Donelda J. , Hewat Roberta J. 
Published: July 2008

SummaryTo determine patterns of infant feeding and influencing factors, 131 women, interested in breast-feeding and giving birth in one hospital in British Columbia, Canada, were followed for 6 months post-partum. Data were collected from hospital records and each participant completed mail-in questionnaires when their babies were 1, 3 and 6 months old. At 6 months 3·9% were exclusively breast-feeding, 26·5% were feeding their infants breast-milk and semi-solids and 26·5% were combining breast-feeding with formula and/or semi-solids. Over 50% discontinued breast-feeding before their stated intentions. Most women had chosen to breast-feed because of benefits to the baby, and most gave up breastfeeding because of perceived insufficient milk.
Albinism in the South African Negro. III. Genetic counselling issues
Authors: Kromberg Jennifer G. R. , Jenkins Trefor 
Published: July 2008

SummaryA sample of 35 South African Negro albinos and a normally pigmented matched control group have been studied for adjustment problems and attitudes towards this inherited condition. The results showed that although the albinos appeared to be as well adjusted as the controls, significantly more of the albino group had adjustment problems of a physical nature indicated by psychosomatic symptoms. Attitudes were found to be reasonably positive. One common local misconception was revealed: that albinos do not die but disappear or ‘vanish away’. There was very little understanding of the cause, mode of inheritance or the problems associated with albinism. It is concluded that relevant genetic counselling should be offered to the Negro albinos to enable them to understand their condition, its implications and the myths which surround it. Because albinism is so common in South Africa the education of the community in this connection is also desirable.
Assortative mating for IQ: a multivariate approach
Authors: Mascie-Taylor C. G. N. , Boldsen J. L. 
Published: July 2008

SummaryThis paper examines the similarity between husbands and wives at the IQ subtest level, using seven tests from the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale. There was some evidence for sex differences; husbands scored higher than their wives on three of the subtests. After logarithmic transformation of some subtests the data were shown to be consistent with multivariate normality. A simplified covariance matrix was produced. Principal component analysis revealed an underlying general ability factor but there was no simple division into verbal and into performance components as would be expected from the IQ test structure. Canonical correlation analysis indicated that there were highly variable contributions to spousal associations. The major contributors were, in decreasing order of importance, due to similarities, vocabulary, digit symbol and block design tests. One subtest, comprehension, made no overt contribution.
Bongaarts' proximate determinants of fertility applied to group data from the Kenya Fertility Survey 1977/78
Authors: Kalule-Sabiti I. 
Published: July 2008

SummaryThe effect of the intermediate fertility variables on marital fertility in Kenya is examined using Bongaarts' model on group data from the Kenya Fertility Survey 1977/78. The findings suggest that variations in the proportion married among the population, level of contraceptive use and post-partum lactational infecundability can account for much but not all of the observed marital fertility differentials. Modernization through education and urbanization has had offsetting effects on fertility, by reducing lactation and increasing contraception. However, the proportion using contraception, limited mainly to those with secondary and higher education or metropolitan residence, is too small to have an appreciable impact on the overall level of fertility. The low level of marital fertility observed particularly among the metropolitan, coast and Muslim categories of population may be attributed to the prevalence of venereal diseases and unreported contraception and induced abortion.
The choice of sterilization: voluntarily childless couples, mothers of one child by choice, and males seeking reversal of vasectomy
Authors: Callan Victor J. , Que Hee Raymond W. 
Published: July 2008

SummaryThe voluntarily childless and parents of one child by choice might be expected to make strong use of sterilization. This study examined the reasons given by couples who were early articulators of voluntary childlessness, couples childless through postponement, and mothers of a single child, for selecting or avoiding sterilization. Early articulators were more likely to be sterilized and more often reported difficulties in arranging sterilization than did those who were postponing parenthood. Among the voluntarily childless and mothers of a single child who were not sterilized, respondents cited its finality, aversion to non-essential surgery, and satisfaction with present methods. Clinic data on requests for reversals of previous vasectomies revealed that neither the intentionally childless nor single child parents were over-represented among men seeking reversals.
Sexual behaviour and contraceptive practice at Oxford and Aberdeen universities
Authors: Anderson Peter , McCance Colin 
Published: July 2008

SummaryAt the end of the fourth week of the Spring term 1982, 730 female undergraduates at Aberdeen University and 744 female under-graduates at Oxford University were sent a questionnaire enquiring about their sexual behaviour and contraceptive practice. Of the 978 unmarried women who replied, 507 (52%) had experienced sexual intercourse. No contraception had been used by 31% of the women on the first occasion that they had had intercourse; during the 4-week period preceding receipt of the questionnaire 14% of sexually active women had had intercourse on one or more occasions without a contraceptive. Twenty-nine women had been pregnant in the past; two women were known to be pregnant at the time of the survey and twelve women thought that they might be. These findings are discussed and some recommendations are put forward.
Bedtimes of 11 to 14-year-old children in north-east England
Authors: Rugg-Gunn A. J. , Hackett A. F. , Appleton D. R. , Eastoe J. E. 
Published: July 2008

SummaryAs part of a longitudinal study of diet and dental caries, 405 Northumberland children initially aged 11–12 years recorded the time of going to bed on 3 consecutive days on 5 occasions over a 23-month period. The bedtimes were recorded in a personal diary and checked at private interview. Mean bedtime for the 212 females changed from 21 hr 44 min at age 11 years 7 months to 22 hr 11 min at age 13 years 3 months. Bedtime for the 193 males was, on average, 9 min later than that for the females. There was a consistent relation between bedtime and social class, with social class IV + V children going to bed, on average, 14 min later than social class I + II children. When the average age of the children was 13 years 3 months, 13% of them went to bed at or after 23.00 hr, and they were latest to bed on Saturday when their average bedtime was 22 hr 59 min.
Fertility and family planning in Papua New Guinea
Authors: Agyei William K. A. 
Published: July 2008

SummaryData collected on fertility and family planning between November 1979 and March 1980 in eight provinces of Papua New Guinea (PNG) are presented in this report. Interviews with 2923 rural and 3360 urban male and female respondents found attitudes favouring large families. There was a relatively high level of contraceptive awareness, but the overall practice of modern contraception in both rural and urban areas is low. Despite the rural–urban differences in socioeconomic levels, awareness of family planning is only slightly higher among the urban respondents. The level of usage for the urban respondents is slightly higher than for the rural respondents.
Socioeconomic and demographic correlates of medical care and health practices
Authors: Rao P. S. S. , Richard J. 
Published: July 2008

SummaryUsing a two-stage stratified sampling procedure, a representative random sample of 1021 rural families in North Arcot District of Tamil Nadu State in South India was studied to determine the inter-relationships of utilization of medical care and health behaviour with social, demographic and economic factors. The research was directed towards a better understanding of how medical and social deprivations are connected in a rural setting of India. Distance from a town, education, and accessibility of medical facilities seem to play a prominent role in the various decision-making processes of the family in utilization of the best available health care and in improving their health status. The policy implications arising from this study are outlined.
Profile of contraceptive clients in Katsina, northern Nigeria
Authors: Naghma-E-Rehan  , McFarlane Hildegarde P. , Sani Sule 
Published: July 2008

SummaryIn 375 women who accepted contraception at a clinic in northern Nigeria there were significant differences between IUD and pill acceptors. The pill acceptors were younger women of lower parity who tended to be less educated and mostly not engaged in any profession. The IUD clients were older women of high parity with better education and many had occupations outside the home. The most striking difference was in the religious affiliations of the two groups. The majority of Muslim women (72·9%) opted for the pill whereas the majority of Christian women (55·9%) chose the IUD.
Fertility, birth timing and marital breakdown: a reinterpretation of the evidence
Authors: Murphy M. J. 
Published: July 2008

SummaryThe conventional view that childlessness was associated with higher than average risk of marital breakdown was questioned by Chester (1972) and Gibson (1980) on the basis of analysis of divorce records. Data from the 1980 General Household Survey are used to show that childless couples, and those who have children early in marriage (and are thus more likely to have large families) are considerably more at risk of breakdown at all marriage durations than delayed two-child families. The reasons for the different conclusions of these three studies are assessed and it is concluded that standardization has many unattractive features for demographic analysis (especially in areas other than mortality), and that presentations based on relative or absolute risk of breakdown allow the key features to be assessed most satisfactorily.
Voluntary childlessness: early articulator and postponing couples
Authors: Callan Victor J. 
Published: July 2008

SummaryTwenty-seven voluntarily childless couples who had made early decisions prior to marriage not to have children were compared to 23 couples childless through a series of successive postponements of childbearing. While the two groups differed little on background characteristics, husbands in early deciding relationships were less feminine-oriented and their wives more masculine-oriented than husbands and wives in the postponing group. Early deciding couples revealed higher levels of commitment to their choice, especially being more likely to seek an abortion for any pregnancy or to adopt out any child. A repertory grid measure revealed few differences in perceptions of others by either group of deliberately childless couples.