bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
AGE AT FIRST MARRIAGE IN NEPAL: DIFFERENTIALS AND DETERMINANTS
Authors: ARYAL TIKA RAM 
Published: December 2006

SummaryThe aim of this paper is to investigate the differentials and determinants of female age at first marriage in rural Nepal. The life table technique was employed to calculate median age at marriage. The proportional hazard model was used to study the effect of various socioeconomic variables, and to identify the magnitude and significance of their effects on the timing of first marriage. The data were taken from a sample survey of Palpa and Rupandehi districts in rural Nepal. Both married and unmarried females of marriageable age were included in the survey. Median age at marriage was about 17 years for data from only married females, whereas it was about 18 years for data from married as well as unmarried females of marriageable age. Median age at marriage was about 16 years for uneducated females and 19 years for females educated up to intermediate or higher level. The analysis underestimates the median age at marriage for married females, probably due to right censoring. The risk of getting married early decreased gradually with increasing year-of-birth cohort. The risk of early marriage was higher among females of high socioeconomic status compared with those of low socioeconomic status. Females engaged in service married earlier than those engaged in household work. High socioeconomic status families are motivated, for religious and prestige reasons, to get their daughters married at an early age, preferably before menarche. Thus, education, occupation and age at menarche are the most powerful factors in deciding the timing of first marriage in Nepal.
PARENTAL GENDER PREFERENCES AND REPRODUCTIVE BEHAVIOUR: A REVIEW OF THE RECENT LITERATURE
Authors: HANK KARSTEN 
Published: December 2006

SummaryThis paper reviews various theoretical approaches towards an explanation of parental gender preferences and empirical findings from developing as well as from industrialized countries, focusing on the role of gender preferences in reproductive decisions. Although various attempts have been made to shed light on the mechanisms underlying the observed patterns of sex preferences for children, a fully satisfying theoretical explanation is still not at hand. Empirically, a distinct and stable preference for at least one child of each sex can be observed as a common pattern of parental sex preferences across many different social, economic and cultural contexts. Further – and ideally multidisciplinary – research that helps to improve our understanding of this phenomenon is highly desirable.
‘Group and save’ for paediatric tonsillectomy: is it required routinely?
Authors: Montague M-L , Lee M S W , Hussain S S M 
Published: December 2006

Objectives: The aims of this study were: (1) to establish current UK practice with respect to ‘group and save’ of serum for paediatric tonsillectomy; and (2) to determine the need to group and save serum prior to routine paediatric tonsillectomy.Methods: Members of the British Association of Otorhinolaryngologists – Head and Neck Surgeons were surveyed by e-mail. A prospective study (November 1999 to August 2002) of all children undergoing tonsillectomy or adenotonsillectomy was undertaken. Outcome measures included reactionary and secondary post-tonsillectomy haemorrhage rates, blood transfusion requirements and ‘return to theatre’ rates.Results: We surveyed 464 association members. The response rate was 52 per cent (n=242). Twenty-five respondents (10.3 per cent) indicated that they undertook group and save prior to tonsillectomy or adenotonsillectomy in children. Two hundred and seventeen (89.7 per cent) indicated that they did not. Of those who did group and save for children, 20 respondents (80 per cent) did so routinely. The remaining five respondents (20 per cent) did so only for children weighing less than 15 kg (n=4) or less than 10 kg (n=1). During the study period, 325 children underwent tonsillectomy or adenotonsillectomy. The reactionary haemorrhage rate was 0.6 per cent (n=2) and the secondary haemorrhage rate 5.5 per cent (n=18). The two cases of reactionary haemorrhage were returned to theatre immediately for control of haemostasis. All secondary haemorrhages were managed conservatively. No child required blood transfusion during the study period.Conclusion: Routine group and save of serum for children undergoing elective tonsillectomy or adenotonsillectomy seems unnecessary. We recommend that it be undertaken only in special circumstances.
Thyroid isthmusectomy: a critical appraisal
Authors: Skilbeck C , Leslie A , Simo R 
Published: December 2006

Thyroid lobectomy with isthmusectomy is the standard surgical technique for removal of unilateral thyroid nodules, and it involves the exposure of the tracheoesophageal grooves. Thyroid isthmusectomy is a surgical procedure that excises only the thyroid isthmus. It allows excision of a lesion without the exposure of the tracheoesophageal grooves.We aimed to demonstrate that isthmusectomy could be a safe alternative to thyroid lobectomy with isthmusectomy in patients with nodules confined to the isthmus or the pyramidal lobe.This was a prospective study performed over a five year period from 1999 to 2004. Inclusion criteria for thyroid isthmusectomy were: patients with a single lesion located in the region of the thyroid isthmus or the pyramidal lobe; maximum lesion diameter of 30 mm; and cytological reports of non-diagnostic appearance, follicular cells or suspicion of malignancy.Nine patients were identified with these criteria. Histology included two colloid nodules, three benign follicular adenomas, two Hurthle cell adenomas and two papillary thyroid carcinomas. There were no recorded complications.Thyroid isthmusectomy is a safe alternative to thyroid lobectomy with isthmusectomy in patients who have nodules confined to the isthmus and pyramidal lobe. Leaving a cuff of normal thyroid tissue has the advantage of not exposing the tracheoesophageal grooves, thus minimising potential damage to the recurrent laryngeal nerves and parathyroids. Surgeons performing isthmusectomies should be experienced in more complex thyroid surgical procedures.
Did Aurangzeb Ban Music? Questions for the Historiography of his Reign
Authors: BROWN KATHERINE BUTLER 
Published: December 2006

Bury [music] so deep under the earth that no sound or echo of it may rise again.- Attributed to AurangzebThere is no safer way to blacken a person's reputation in the estimate of following generations than to attribute a wanton holocaust of wasted beauty to him.- Antonia Fraser on Oliver Cromwell
Hydrological modelling of snail dispersal patterns in Msambweni, Kenya and potential resurgence ofSchistosoma haematobiumtransmission
Authors: CLENNON J. A. , KING C. H. , MUCHIRI E. M. , KITRON U. 
Published: December 2006

SUMMARYUrinary schistosomiasis is an important source of human morbidity in Msambweni, Kenya, where the intermediate host snail,Bulinus nasutusis found in ponds and water pools. In the past, aquatic habitats in the area have been studied separately; however, recent collections ofB. nasutussnails and shells indicated that many of these ponds are in fact connected during and following sufficient rains. Satellite imagery and a geographical information system (GIS) were used to survey the main water courses and potential drainage routes, to locate potential source populations of snails and to determine probable snail dispersal routes. The 2 water bodies implicated as being the most importantSchistosoma haematobiumtransmission foci in the area were found to differ in their degree of connectivity to otherB. nasutussource habitats. One pond becomes connected even after normal rains, while the other pond requires prolonged rains or flooding to become connected with source habitats. Consequently, the transmission foci differ in their susceptibility to snail population control measures. Spatially explicit dispersal models that consider the spatial and temporal patterns of connectivity between aquatic habitats will contribute to improved snail surveillance and more focused control for urinary schistosomiasis at a local level.
A molecular phylogeny of the genus Echinococcus inferred from complete mitochondrial genomes
Authors: NAKAO M. , McMANUS D. P. , SCHANTZ P. M. , CRAIG P. S. , ITO A. 
Published: December 2006

SUMMARYTaxonomic revision by molecular phylogeny is needed to categorize members of the genus Echinococcus (Cestoda: Taeniidae). We have reconstructed the phylogenetic relationships of E. oligarthrus, E. vogeli, E. multilocularis, E. shiquicus, E. equinus, E. ortleppi, E. granulosus sensu stricto and 3 genotypes of E. granulosus sensu lato (G6, G7 and G8) from their complete mitochondrial genomes. Maximum likelihood and partitioned Bayesian analyses using concatenated data sets of nucleotide and amino acid sequences depicted phylogenetic trees with the same topology. The 3 E. granulosus genotypes corresponding to the camel, pig, and cervid strains were monophyletic, and their high level of genetic similarity supported taxonomic species unification of these genotypes into E. canadensis. Sister species relationships were confirmed between E. ortleppi and E. canadensis, and between E. multilocularis and E. shiquicus, regardless of the analytical approach employed. The basal positions of the phylogenetic tree were occupied by the neotropical endemic species, E. oligarthrus and E. vogeli, whose definitive hosts are derived from carnivores that immigrated from North America after the formation of the Panamanian land bridge. Host-parasite co-evolution comparisons suggest that the ancestral homeland of Echinococcus was North America or Asia, depending on whether the ancestral definitive hosts were canids or felids.
Detection of coproantibodies and faecal immune complexes in human trichinellosis
Authors: NUÑEZ G. G. , COSTANTINO S. N. , VENTURIELLO S. M. 
Published: December 2006

SUMMARYTrichinella spiralisis the nematode causative agent of trichinellosis, an intestinal and tissular parasitosis. Even though an early diagnosis during the intestinal phase is essential to limit the infection in humans, to date, there are no available tests to achieve this goal. Based on the immune response generated by the host's intestinal mucosa, the aim of this work was to develop ELISAs to assess the presence of coproantigens (CAgs), coproantibodies (CAbs) and faecal immune complexes in stool samples of 18 individuals belonging to different outbreaks that have arisen in Argentina. By the methodologies developed in this work it was found that anti-muscle larva excretory-secretory products (ML-ESP) CAbs were detected in 89% of the samples analysed regardless of the time p.i. Anti-ML-ESP IgA, IgG, IgE and IgM were detected in 56%, 56%, 28% and 22% of the individuals respectively. Those samples negative for anti-ML-ESP total immunoglobulins proved positive for anti-adult worm-ESP CAbs. No CAgs were detected in any of the samples. The results obtained in this work indicate that the intestinal immune response in human trichinellosis is featured by all the isotypes of specific immunoglobulins. Furthermore, the detection of antibodies in stool samples, in either the free or complexed form, could be applied to confirm early human trichinellosis.
The mitochondrial genome ofGyrodactylus salaris(Platyhelminthes: Monogenea), a pathogen of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar)
Authors: HUYSE T. , PLAISANCE L. , WEBSTER B. L. , MO T. A. , BAKKE T. A. , BACHMANN L. , LITTLEWOOD D. T. J. 
Published: December 2006

SUMMARYIn the present study, we describe the complete mitochondrial (mt) genome of the Atlantic salmon parasiteGyrodactylus salaris, the first for any monogenean species. The circular genome is 14 790 bp in size. All of the 35 genes recognized from other flatworm mitochondrial genomes were identified, and they are transcribed from the same strand. The protein-coding and ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes share the same gene arrangement as those published previously for neodermatan mt genomes (representing cestodes and digeneans only), and the genome has an overall A+T content of 65%. Three transfer RNA (tRNA) genes overlap with other genes, whereas the secondary structure of 3 tRNA genes lack the DHU arm and 1 tRNA gene lacks the TΨC arm. Eighteen regions of non-coding DNA ranging from 4 to 112 bp in length, totalling 278 bp, were identified as well as 2 large non-coding regions (799 bp and 768 bp) that were almost identical to each other. The completion of the mt genome offers the opportunity of defining new molecular markers for studying evolutionary relationships within and among gyrodactylid species.
The role of splenectomy in HIV-infected patients with relapsing visceral leishmaniasis
Authors: TROYA J. , CASQUERO A. , MUÑIZ G. , FERNÁNDEZ-GUERRERO M. L. , GÓRGOLAS M. 
Published: December 2006

SUMMARYThe treatment of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) in HIV-infected patients is characterized by having a protracted course and frequent relapses, despite the use of adequate anti-leishmanial drugs and effective anti-retroviral therapy. A small subset of patients with significant splenomegaly develops severe cytopaenias and chronic leishmania infection. The use of elective splenectomy is effective for restoring the haematological parameters and reduces the need for blood transfusions but it does not avoid relapsing visceral leishmaniasis.
The structure of aquaporins
Authors: Gonen Tamir , Walz Thomas 
Published: December 2006

1. Introduction 3621.1 The elusive water pores 3621.2 CHIP28 3622. Studies on AQP-1 3632.1 Expression of AQP1 cDNA in Xenopus oocytes 3632.2 Reconstitution of purified AQP1 into artificial lipid bilayers 3642.3 Structural information deduced from the primary sequence 3652.4 Evolution and mammalian AQPs 3653. Chronological overview over AQP structures 3683.1 AQP1 – the red blood cell water pore 3683.2 GlpF – the E. coli glycerol facilitator 3713.3 AQPZ – the E. coli water pore 3723.4 AQP0 – the lens-specific aquaporin 3733.5 AQP4 – the main aquaporin in brain 3773.6 SoPiP2;1 – a plant aquaporin 3793.7 AQPM – an archaeabacterial aquaporin 3794. Proton exclusion 3805. Substrate selectivity 3826. Pore regulation 3856.1 Hormonal regulation of AQP trafficking 3856.2 Influence of pH on AQP water conduction 3866.3 Regulation of AQP pore conductance by protein binding 3876.4 Pore closure by conformational changes in the AQP0 pore 3887. Unresolved questions 3908. Acknowledgments 3909. References 391The ubiquitous members of the aquaporin (AQP) family form transmembrane pores that are either exclusive for water (aquaporins) or are also permeable for other small neutral solutes such as glycerol (aquaglyceroporins). The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of our current knowledge of AQP structures and to describe the structural features that define the function of these membrane pores. The review will discuss the mechanisms governing water conduction, proton exclusion and substrate specificity, and how the pore permeability is regulated in different members of the AQP family.
A fire scout robot with accurate returning for urban environment
Authors: Qian Jun , Jun Zeng Jian , Yang Ru-Qing , Weng Xin-Hua 
Published: December 2006

SUMMARYIn order to allow people to explore potential fire environments without risk of danger, a new fire scout mobile robot used in urban environments is introduced in this paper. It adapts itself to stair climbing by using articulated-chain-wheeled mobile style with differential wheels. The positive pressure with continuous flow of protected gas inside the body endows the robot with explosion protection capability. When the wireless control signal is interrupted, it could automatically return to safe place along previous path based on sensorial data. Since position estimation only using encoders reading has serious limitations as mobile robot movement proceeds, a novel method integrating data of encoders and ultrasonic sensors is built, which uses iterative closest point algorithm to do data matching so as to adjust position and orientation of the mobile robot. This path retracing method realizes high accuracy and fast speed of automatic returning when the mobile robot is working in static urban environment even if the environment is unknown.
Control of a redundant, reconfigurable ball wheel drive mechanism for an omnidirectional mobile platform
Authors: Lee Young-Chul , Lee Danny V. , Chung Jae H. , Velinsky Steven A. 
Published: December 2006

SUMMARYThis paper develops a controller for position tracking of a new ball wheel drive mechanism for a robust omnidirectional wheeled mobile platform, an adaptive controller with physical parameter estimation. This platform, integrated with a manipulator, is designed for use in highway maintenance and construction, which is a generally unstructured and congested environment. The proposed ball wheel mechanism can move in all directions on the plane, instantaneously and isotropically. Reconfiguration of the redundant drive system of the ball wheel mechanism is accomplished by altering the contact pressure between the drive wheels and the sphere based on platform heading direction. The system redundancy is resolved through a Weighted Optimal Torque Distribution method allowing for smooth reconfiguration. Finally, experimental and simulation results demonstrate the effectiveness of the approach.
Dependent ML An approach to practical programming with dependent types
Authors: XI HONGWEI 
Published: December 2006

AbstractWe present an approach to enriching the type system of ML with a restricted form of dependent types, where type index terms are required to be drawn from a given type index language${\cal L}$that is completely separate from run-time programs, leading to the DML(${\cal L}$) language schema. This enrichment allows for specification and inference of significantly more precise type information, facilitating program error detection and compiler optimization. The primary contribution of the paper lies in our language design, which can effectively support the use of dependent types in practical programming. In particular, this design makes it both natural and straightforward to accommodate dependent types in the presence of effects such as references and exceptions.
Influence of histological type, smoking history and chemotherapy on survival after first‐line therapy in patients with advanced non‐small cell lung cancer
Authors: Itaya Toru , Yamaoto Nobuyuki , Ando Masahiko , Ebisawa Masako , Nakamura Yukiko , Murakami Haruyasu , Asai Gyo , Endo Masahiro , Takahashi Toshiaki 
Published: December 2006

The usual primary endpoint in clinical trials for first‐line chemotherapy in advanced non‐small cell lung cancer is overall survival. Second‐line chemotherapy can also prolong overall survival. Non‐smoking history has been associated with a treatment effect for epidermal growth factor receptor‐tyrosine kinase inhibitor (EGFR‐TKI) versus placebo for overall survival. We performed a retrospective analysis to identify prognostic factors for progression‐free survival and overall survival in patients with advanced non‐small cell lung cancer treated with first‐line carboplatin/paclitaxel, and to examine the effect of second‐line therapy on progression‐free survival and overall survival. Ninety‐eight patients (median age 61 years, 35 female, 74 adenocarcinoma, 68 smokers, 56 performance status 0) fulfilled our criteria, of which 75 patients (78%) received more than second‐line therapy (docetaxel [54%] gefitinib [48%] erlotinib [4%]). For overall survival, smoking history and histology were significant prognostic factors. The 2‐year overall survival rates were as follows: smokers, 17%; non‐smokers, 52%, P < 0.0001; adenocarcinoma, 40%; other 15%, P = 0.0017. Multivariate analysis in patients who received second‐line therapy showed treatment with EGFR‐TKI was an independent predictor of overall survival. Smoking history and adenocarcinoma histology were prognostic factors for an improved outcome with carboplatin/paclitaxel in patients with non‐small cell lung cancer. Our study results suggest that the use of EGFR‐TKI after first‐line treatment may be associated with an improvement in overall survival. (Cancer Sci 2007; 98: 226–230)
Person‐centred planning: factors associated with successful outcomes for people with intellectual disabilities
Authors: Robertson J. , Emerson E. , Hatton C. , Elliott J. , McIntosh B. , Swift P. , Krinjen‐Kemp E. , Towers C. , Romeo R. , Knapp M. , Sanderson H. , Routledge M. , Oakes P. , Joyce T. 
Published: December 2006

AbstractBackground  Recent research in the USA and UK indicates that person‐centred planning (PCP) can lead to improvements in lifestyle‐related outcomes for people with intellectual disabilities (ID). It is clear, however, that the introduction of PCP does not have an equal impact for all participants. The aim of the present paper was to identify factors associated with the probability of delivering a plan and with improvements in outcomes for those who did receive a plan.Methods  Information on the life experiences of participants was collected over a period of approximately 2 years for a cohort of 93 adults with ID.Results  There were powerful inequalities in both access to and the efficacy of PCP in relation to participant characteristics, contextual factors and elements of the PCP process.Conclusions  Results are discussed in relation to implications for policy and practice for increasing the effectiveness of PCP and reducing inequalities in the life experiences of people with ID.
Polymerization of SopA partition ATPase: regulation by DNA binding and SopB
Authors: Bouet Jean‐Yves , Ah‐Seng Yoan , Benmeradi Nacer , Lane David 
Published: December 2006

SummaryIn bacteria, mitotic stability of plasmids and many chromosomes depends on replicon‐specific systems which comprise a centromere, a centromere‐binding protein and an ATPase. Dynamic self‐assembly of the ATPase appears to enable active partition of replicon copies into cell‐halves, but for most ATPases (the Walker‐box type) the mechanism is unknown. Also unknown is how the host cell contributes to partition. We have examined the effects of non‐sequence‐specific DNA on in vitro self‐assembly of the SopA partition ATPase of plasmid F. SopA underwent polymerization provided ATP was present. DNA inhibited this polymerization and caused breakdown of pre‐formed polymers. Centromere‐binding protein SopB counteracted DNA‐mediated inhibition by itself binding to and masking the DNA, as well as by stimulating polymerization directly. The results suggest that in vivo, SopB smothers DNA by spreading from sopC, allowing SopA‐ATP polymerization which initiates plasmid displacement. We propose that SopB and nucleoid DNA regulate SopA polymerization and hence partition.