bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
5. INDIA, ITIHASA, AND INTER‐HISTORIOGRAPHICAL DISCOURSE
Authors: GHOSH RANJAN 
Published: June 2007

ABSTRACTAn 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

ABSTRACTThere 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

ABSTRACTThis 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.
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

AbstractPseudo‐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.
A threat–response multi‐criteria funding model for homeland security grant programs
Authors: Tavana Madjid 
Published: June 2007

AbstractThe 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

AbstractThis 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

AbstractBackground 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.
Link between Epilepsy and Malnutrition in a Rural Area of Benin
Authors: Crepin Sabrina , Houinato Dismand , Nawana Brice , Avode Gilbert Dossou , Preux Pierre‐Marie , Desport Jean‐Claude 
Published: June 2007

Summary:  Purpose: Epilepsy and malnutrition are both important public health problems in sub‐Saharan Africa. A relationship between epilepsy and malnutrition has been suspected for many years. Our objective was to investigate the association between epilepsy and malnutrition in Djidja, Benin. Methods: A matched population‐based cross‐sectional case–control survey was performed: cases (patients with epilepsy) were matched to controls according to sex, age ± 5 years, and village of residence. The World Health Organization's criteria for malnutrition was used. Anthropometric measurements (weight, height, mid arm upper circumference, triceps skinfold thickness) were taken. Bioelectrical impedance analysis, a standardized food and social questionnaire and a clinical examination were done. Statistical analysis (conditional logistic regression) was performed using SAS 8.0. Results: A total of 131 cases and 262 controls were included. The prevalence of malnutrition was higher in cases than in controls (22.1% vs. 9.2%, p = 0.0006). Social factors were significantly different between cases and controls. Feeding difficulties were more frequent and health status was worse in cases. Seven variables were associated with epilepsy: (i) nutritional factors: mid arm upper circumference (prevalence odds ratio (pOR) = 0.7, CI: 0.6–0.9), cereal consumption <3 times during the 3 days before the study (pOR = 4.2, CI: 1.8–10.0), <3 meals/day (pOR = 4.2, CI: 1.6–10.9), tooth decay (pOR = 2.9, CI: 1.1–7.4), food taboos (pOR = 25.0, CI: 8.3–100.0), (ii) social factors: surrogate respondent (pOR = 16.8, CI: 3.1–90.3) and no second job (pOR = 7.1, CI: 2.3–22.3). Conclusion: Epilepsy and nutritional status are linked in sub‐Saharan Africa. Programs to improve the nutritional status of people with epilepsy are needed.
Comparison of transmission abilities of four Cicadulina species vectors of maize streak virus from Nigeria
Authors: Oluwafemi Sunday , Jackai L. E. N. , Alegbejo M. D. 
Published: June 2007

AbstractFour Cicadulina species [Cicadulina arachidis China, Cicadulina dabrowskii Webb, Cicadulina mbila (Naude), and Cicadulina storeyi China (Homoptera: Cicadellidae)] found during field surveys in 1997–1999 across five ecological zones in Nigeria were reared in screenhouses and females were used in a study to compare their abilities to transmit Maize streak virus (Geminiviridae: genus Mastrevirus) from maize to maize using the susceptible variety Pool 16. The results showed that for both acquisition access feeding periods (AAP) and inoculation access feeding periods (IAP), transmission efficiencies decreased in the following order: C. storeyi > C. mbila > C. arachidis > C. dabrowskii. The transmission efficiencies of these vectors increased with longer feeding periods, as the means of susceptible test plants that showed Mastrevirus symptoms for both acquisition and IAPs were higher for 24 and 48 h than for 1 and 2 h for all four species studied. The epidemiological implications of these differences in transmission abilities are discussed.
Carotenoid‐based colour polyphenism in a moth species: search for fitness correlates
Authors: Sandre Siiri‐Lii , Tammaru Toomas , Esperk Toomas , Julkunen‐Tiitto Riitta , Mappes Johanna 
Published: June 2007

AbstractCarotenoid‐based integumental coloration is often associated with individual performance in various animals. This is because the limited amount of the pigment has to be allocated to different vital functions. However, most of the evidence for the carotenoid‐based trade‐off comes from vertebrate studies, and it is unclear if this principle can be applied to insects. This possibility was investigated in Orgyia antiqua L. (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae). The larvae of this species are polyphenic in their coloration, varying from a highly conspicuous combination of yellow hair tufts on black background to cryptic appearance with brown hair tufts. The conspicuous larvae are aposematic, advertising their aversive hairiness. The maintenance of different colour morphs in O. antiqua requires explanation, as an aposematic signal is expected to evolve towards monomorphism. Chromatographic analysis showed that the yellow coloration of the hair is based on the carotenoid pigment lutein (α‐carotene‐3,3’‐diol). The colour of hair tufts was dependent on their carotenoid content. This justifies an expectation of carotenoid‐based physiological trade‐offs between aposematic coloration and individual performance. To test this hypothesis, we monitored life histories of differently coloured larvae reared on various host plants, recording their body sizes, growth rates, and mortalities in each instar. There was a significant but relatively low heritability of tuft coloration, which allowed us to expect environmental effects. We found no phenotypic associations between hair tuft colour and performance indices in O. antiqua larvae, neither did the quality of host plant affect the frequency of colour morphs. However, the frequency of colour morphs differed between larval instars. Our results suggest that carotenoid‐mediated physiological trade‐offs are not involved in the maintenance of colour morphs in O. antiqua larvae, and factors other than individual condition should be responsible for the observed variability.
Sex pheromone production and response in Korean populations of the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella
Authors: Yang Chang Yeol , Lee Suk , Choi Kyung San , Jeon Heung Yong , Boo Kyung Saeng 
Published: June 2007

AbstractThe diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Yponomeutidae), is a worldwide pest of cruciferous crops. We examined the female pheromone production and male response to various pheromone blends in two Korean populations. Gas chromatography (GC) and GC‐mass spectrometry (MS) analyses of pheromone gland extracts revealed that females produce (Z)‐11‐hexadecenal (Z11‐16:Ald), (Z)‐11‐hexadecenyl acetate (Z11‐16:OAc), and (Z)‐11‐hexadecen‐1‐ol (Z11‐16:OH) in a ratio of 8:100:18. However, (Z)‐9‐tetradecenyl acetate (Z9‐14:OAc), a previously reported component of the sex attractant of a Canadian P. xylostella population was not detected in gland extracts of the Korean one. Field tests showed that Z11‐16:Ald and Z11‐16:OAc are essential for attraction of male moths, and the highest attraction is obtained with a 10:90 blend mimicking the blend found in gland extracts. Addition of 1 or 10% of Z11‐16:OH to the 10:90 blend of Z11‐16:Ald and Z11‐16:OAc significantly increased attraction. However, attraction was strongly antagonized by the addition of as little as 0.1% of Z9‐14:OAc to the most attractive ternary blend. The ternary blend of Z11‐16:Ald, Z11‐16:OAc, and Z11‐16:OH at a ratio of 10:90:1 was more effective at catching P. xylostella males than the Japanese three‐component blend or the Canadian four‐component blend in Korea. These results suggest that there is geographical variation in the pheromone systems of this species.