bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sentence Recall by Children With SLI Across Two Nonmainstream Dialects of English
Authors: Oetting Janna B. , McDonald Janet L. , Seidel Christy M. , Hegarty Michael
Published: October 2015

Purpose

The inability to accurately recall sentences has proven to be a clinical marker of specific language impairment (SLI); this task yields moderate-to-high levels of sensitivity and specificity. However, it is not yet known if these results hold for speakers of dialects whose nonmainstream grammatical productions overlap with those that are produced at high rates by children with SLI.

Method

Using matched groups of 70 African American English speakers and 36 Southern White English speakers and dialect-strategic scoring, we examined children's sentence recall abilities as a function of their dialect and clinical status (SLI vs. typically developing [TD]).

Results

For both dialects, the SLI group earned lower sentence recall scores than the TD group with sensitivity and specificity values ranging from .80 to .94, depending on the analysis. Children with SLI, as compared with TD controls, manifested lower levels of verbatim recall, more ungrammatical recalls when the recall was not exact, and higher levels of error on targeted functional categories, especially those marking tense.

Conclusion

When matched groups are examined and dialect-strategic scoring is used, sentence recall yields moderate-to-high levels of diagnostic accuracy to identify SLI within speakers of nonmainstream dialects of English.
Risk Factors Associated With Language in Autism Spectrum Disorder: Clues to Underlying Mechanisms
Authors: Tager-Flusberg Helen
Published: October 2015

Purpose

Identifying risk factors associated with neurodevelopmental disorders is an important line of research, as it will lead to earlier identification of children who could benefit from interventions that support optimal developmental outcomes. The primary goal of this review was to summarize research on risk factors associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

Method

The review focused on studies of infants who have older siblings with ASD, with particular emphasis on risk factors associated with language impairment that affects the majority of children with ASD. Findings from this body of work were compared to the literature on specific language impairment.

Results

A wide range of risk factors has been found for ASD, including demographic (e.g., male, family history), behavioral (e.g., gesture, motor) and neural risk markers (e.g., atypical lateralization for speech and reduced functional connectivity). Environmental factors, such as caregiver interaction, have not been found to predict language outcomes. Many of the risk markers for ASD are also found in studies of risk for specific language impairment, including demographic, behavioral, and neural factors.

Conclusions

There are significant gaps in the literature and limitations in the current research that preclude direct cross-syndrome comparisons. Future research directions are outlined that could address these limitations.
Interference boosting for green and efficient wireless networks
Authors: Elmusrati M.S.
Published: October 2015

The basic form of Shannon theorem determines the upper bound of a single link channel capacity. The theorem has been extended for multi‐user environment by considering the contributed power of the other transmitters as interference. This has considerably deteriorated the capacity. However, in digital communication, all transmitters transmit from a finite set of symbols. Therefore, identical symbols should assist (or boost) each other rather than being interfering with each other. How to make this possible through a novel coding with massive MIMO is shown. How to construct a downlink system where the required power budget becomes independent of the number of active served terminals is also shown. Moreover, no coordination is required between the receivers. This mutual coding concepts are new and may open the door for new angle for digital communication and massive MIMO.
Active jamming suppression based on transmitting array designation for colocated multiple‐input multiple‐output radar
Authors: Zhang Juan , Liu Nan , Zhang Linrang , Zhao Shanshan , Zhao Yonghong
Published: October 2015

Owing to the closed spacing of the transmitting and receiving antennas, the colocated multiple‐input multiple‐output (MIMO) radar is easier to be blocked by jamming. The signal model of MIMO radar in active jamming scenario is different from that under the target‐like interferences. The jamming echo caused by the radiate signal of the jammers includes the information of receiving array, but not the transmitting array. After match filters and beamforming, the output jamming power of the MIMO radar is related to the number of elements and spacing of the transmitting array. This study provides a potential method to suppress the active jamming by designing the suitable transmitting array. Compared with phased array radar, the proposed method can get improved performance for conventional beamforming or adaptive beamforming performance degradation cases. The effectiveness is verified by numerical simulation results.
A Systematic Review of Clinical Outcomes and Prognostic Factors for Patients Undergoing Surgery for Spinal Metastases Secondary to Breast Cancer
Authors: Sciubba Daniel M. , Goodwin C. Rory , Yurter Alp , Ju Derek , Gokaslan Ziya L. , Fisher Charles , Rhines Laurence D. , Fehlings Michael G. , Fourney Daryl R. , Mendel Ehud , Laufer Ilya , Bettegowda Chetan , Patel Shreyaskumar R. , Rampersaud Y. Raja , Sahgal Arjun , Reynolds Jeremy , Chou Dean , Weber Michael H. , Clarke Michelle J.
Published: October 2015

Study Design

Review of the literature.

Objective

Surgery and cement augmentation procedures are effective palliative treatment of symptomatic spinal metastases. Our objective is to systematically review the literature to describe the survival, prognostic factors, and clinical outcomes of surgery and cement augmentation procedures for breast cancer metastases to the spine.

Methods

We performed a literature review using PubMed to identify articles that reported outcomes and/or prognostic factors of the breast cancer patient population with spinal metastases treated with any surgical technique since 1990.

Results

The median postoperative survival for metastatic breast cancer was 21.7 months (8.2 to 36 months), the mean rate of any pain improvement was 92.9% (76 to 100%), the mean rate of neurologic improvement was 63.8% (53 to 100%), the mean rate of neurologic decline was 4.1% (0 to 8%), and the local tumor control rate was 92.6% (89 to 100%). Kyphoplasty studies reported a high rate of pain control in selected patients. Negative prognostic variables included hormonal (estrogen and progesterone) and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) receptor refractory tumor status, high degree of axillary lymph node involvement, and short disease-free interval (DFI). All other clinical or prognostic parameters were of low or insufficient strength.

Conclusion

With respect to clinical outcomes, surgery consistently yielded neurologic improvements in patients presenting with a deficit with a minimal risk of worsening; however, negative prognostic factors associated with shorter survival following surgery include estrogen receptor/progesterone receptor negativity, HER2 negativity, and a short DFI.
Microstructure and defects probed by Raman spectroscopy in lithium niobate crystals and devices
Authors: Fontana Marc D. , Bourson Patrice
Published: October 2015

Raman microprobe applied on LiNbO3 (LN) crystals and derived materials or devices is shown to be a tool to detect either local variations or changes of the whole structure. Position, width, or intensity of one Raman line can be used as markers of a structural change. Indeed, each Raman line can be assigned to a peculiar ionic motion and is differently sensitive to application of strain, temperature change, and electric field. Some vibrational modes are especially associated to the site of Li ion, or Nb ion, or still oxygen octahedron, so that they can be affected by the introduction of dopant ion on one or another site. Therefore, Raman Spectroscopy (RS) can be used as a site spectroscopy to describe the mechanism of doping incorporation in the LN lattice, allowing the optimization of some linear and non-linear optical properties according to the dopant concentration and substitution site. The composition or the content of non-stoichiometry related defects could be derived from the width of some lines. Any damage or local disorder can be detected by a line broadening. The quality or preservation of the structure after chemical treatment, or laser pulses, can be thus checked. The structure of ion-implanted or proton-exchanged wave-guides and periodically poled lithium niobate as well can be imaged from frequency shift or intensity change of some lines. RS is thus a useful way to control the structure of LN and/or to optimize the preparation parameters and its properties.
Are liberal perfectionism and neutrality mutually exclusive?
Authors: Sarajlic Eldar
Published: October 2015

In this paper, I question the view that liberal perfectionism and neutrality are mutually exclusive doctrines. I do so by criticizing two claims made by Jonathan Quong. First, I object to his claim that comprehensive anti-perfectionism is incoherent. Second, I criticize his claim that liberal perfectionism cannot avoid a paternalist stance. I argue that Quong’s substantive assumptions about personal autonomy undermine both of his arguments. I use the discussion of Quong to argue that the standard assumption in liberal theory about mutual exclusivity of liberal perfectionism and neutrality needs to be reconsidered, and I show why the argument about the convergence of perfectionism and neutrality makes conceptual sense.
Reporting carbon losses from tropical deforestation with Pan-tropical biomass maps
Authors: Achard Frédéric , House Joanna I
Published: October 2015

The ‘Reduction of Emissions from deforestation and forest degradation’ (REDD+) activities under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) are expected to offer results-based payments to developing countries for reducing greenhouse gas emissions from forested lands. It is necessary to determine reference data on forest carbon losses against which future rates of change can be evaluated, and to have reliable methods for monitoring, reporting and verification of such changes. Advances in satellite remote sensing approaches and techniques for measuring purposes are therefore of tremendous interest. A robust example advancing such approaches, applied on the full tropical belt, is provided in the recent paper of Tyukavina et al 2015 (Environ. Res. Lett.
10 074002). Data and methods are no longer an obstacle to the inclusion of REDD+ in a new climate agreement.
Discrete extension operators for mixed finite element spaces on locally refined meshes
Authors: Ainsworth Mark , Guzmán Johnny , Sayas Francisco-Javier
Published: October 2015

The existence of uniformly bounded discrete extension operators is established for conforming Raviart-Thomas and Nédelec discretizations of

H
(
d
i
v
)

H(div)

and

H
(
c
u
r
l
)

H(curl)

on locally refined partitions of a polyhedral domain into tetrahedra.
Explicit computations with the divided symmetrization operator
Authors: Amdeberhan Tewodros
Published: October 2015

Given a multi-variable polynomial, there is an associated divided symmetrization (in particular turning it into a symmetric function). Postinkov has found the volume of a permutohedron as a divided symmetrization (DS) of the power of a certain linear form. The main task in this paper is to exhibit and prove closed form DS-formulas for a variety of polynomials and some rational functions. We hope the results to be valuable and available to research practitioners in these areas. In addition, the methods of proof utilized here are simple and amenable to many more analogous computations.
CR-analogue of the Siu-∂\overline{∂}-formula and applications to the rigidity problem for pseudo-Hermitian harmonic maps
Authors: Li Song-Ying , Son Duong
Published: October 2015

We give several versions of Siu’s

∂

∂
¯

\partial \overline {\partial }

-formula for maps from a strictly pseudoconvex pseudo-Hermitian manifold

(

M

2
m
+
1

,
θ
)

(M^{2m+1}, \theta )

into a Kähler manifold

(

N
n

,
g
)

(N^n, g)

. We also define and study the notion of pseudo-Hermitian harmonicity for maps from

M
M

into

N
N

. In particular, we prove a CR version of the Siu Rigidity Theorem for pseudo-Hermitian harmonic maps from a pseudo-Hermitian manifold with vanishing Webster torsion into a Kähler manifold having strongly negative curvature.
Truthing the stretch: non-perturbative cosmological realizations with multiscale spherical collapse
Authors: Neyrinck Mark C.
Published: October 2015

Here we present a simple, parameter-free, non-perturbative algorithm that gives low-redshift cosmological particle realizations accurate to few-Megaparsec scales, called muscle (MUltiscale Spherical-ColLapse Evolution). It has virtually the same cost as producing N-body-simulation initial conditions, since it works with the ‘stretch’ parameter ψ, the Lagrangian divergence of the displacement field. It promises to be useful in quickly producing mock catalogues, and to simplify computationally intensive reconstructions of galaxy surveys. muscle applies a spherical-collapse prescription on multiple Gaussian-smoothed scales. It achieves higher accuracy than perturbative schemes (Zel'dovich and second-order Lagrangian perturbation theory – 2LPT), and, by including the void-in-cloud process (voids in large-scale collapsing regions), solves problems with a single-scale spherical-collapse scheme. Slight further improvement is possible by mixing in the 2LPT estimate on large scales. Additionally, we show the behaviour of ψ for different morphologies (voids, walls, filaments, and haloes). A python code to produce these realizations is available at http://skysrv.pha.jhu.edu/∼neyrinck/muscle.html.
Spinoza’s Afterlife in Judaism and the Task of Modern Jewish Philosophy
Authors: Morgan Michael L.
Published: October 2015

This article examines Baruch Spinoza’s legacy within Judaism and his impact on modern Jewish philosophy. It first considers some of the Jewish intellectuals and leaders who have found inspiration or provocation in Spinoza, and then turns to Spinozism in Judaism and the philosophical significance of Spinoza’s reception among the Jews. It then explores the ways in which Spinoza has become a symbol of philosophical tendencies in Jewish self-understanding and concludes by discussing how Spinoza’s symbolic presence signals a dialectic in modern Jewish philosophy concerning various interpretations of Jewish existence and their interaction. More specifically, it looks at three Jewish philosophers who have at one time or another taken an interest in Spinoza, with emphasis on their various responses to him: Leo Strauss, Emil Fackenheim, and Emmanuel Levinas.
Biological Health Risks and Economic Development
Authors: Frankenberg Elizabeth , Ho Jessica , Thomas Duncan
Published: October 2015

With populations aging and the epidemic of obesity spreading across the globe, global health risks are shifting toward noncommunicable diseases. Innovative biomarker data from recently conducted population-representative surveys in lower, middle, and higher income countries are used to describe how four key biological health risks—hypertension, cholesterol, glucose, and inflammation—vary with economic development and, within each country, with age, gender, and education. As obesity rises in lower income countries, the burden of noncommunicable diseases will rise in roughly predictable ways, and the costs to society are potentially very large. Investigations that explain cross-country differences in these relationships will have a major impact on advancing the understanding of the complex interplay among biology, health, and development.
Growth Faltering in the First Thousand Days after Conception and Catch-up Growth
Authors: Behrman Jere
Published: October 2015

Early-life growth faltering is widespread: approximately170 million children under 5 years old are stunted. Growth faltering in the first thousand days (FTD) after conception is associated negatively with educational, labor market, marriage market, adult health, and intergenerational outcomes. This chapter looks at pertinent questions: is FTD growth faltering immutable, or is catch-up growth possible? Do associations with important subsequent outcomes hold only for FTD nutritional status, or are there also associations of later nutritional status with such outcomes? Do associations between FTD nutritional status and life cycle outcomes imply causality? These questions and the assumptions underlying current analyses lead to a more nuanced understanding of FTD growth faltering suggesting that it is not immutable and that there are significant associations between nutritional status beyond 2 years with important outcomes such as cognitive status. Important underresearched issues remain, including persuasively identifying the causal effects of both FTD and subsequent nutritional status.
Global Perspectives on Economics and Biology
Authors: Meinzer Nicholas J. , Baten Joerg
Published: October 2015

This chapter traces global trends in physical stature from the Neolithic Agricultural Revolution to modern times. Major cycles in nutritional status and the biological standard of living can be documented across the course of human history as the amount and quality of nutrition changed. In addition, inequality of living standards increased in the more stratified societies that came into being after the Agricultural Revolution. A second major transformation of living standards began with the Industrial Revolution, putting strain on the biological living standards of many populations, especially when accompanied by population growth, market integration, and rising inequality. A rapid increase in physical stature began in Europe only after the 1870s, about a century after the beginning of modern economic growth. Global studies on height inequality indicate a long-run decline of inequality during the late 19th and early 20th century in Europe. Inequality trends are related to important societal-level outcomes.
Children’s Anthropometrics and Later Disease Incidence
Authors: Silventoinen Karri
Published: October 2015

Anthropometric measures in childhood predict the risk of metabolic diseases decades later. Low birthweight and short stature are associated with higher incidence of cardiovascular diseases and type 2 diabetes in adulthood, supporting a hypothesis that early malnutrition has long-lasting adverse effects on metabolism. However, in industrialized countries, overnutrition has replaced undernutrition as a major childhood risk factor of metabolic diseases. Subsequently, body mass index is currently the most important childhood anthropometric indicator predicting the risk of adult metabolic diseases. One unit increase of body mass index at 13 years of age was found to increase the risk of coronary heart disease by 20%. Rapid growth in height in infancy, mid-childhood, and at the start of puberty is also associated with higher risk of coronary heart disease. Physical development over childhood is closely related to nutrition and other environmental factors; these associations indicate the importance of childhood environment for healthy adulthood.
Crisis and Human Biology
Authors: Bharadwaj Prashant , Vogl Tom
Published: October 2015

This chapter reviews the literature on the effects of aggregate crises on human biological outcomes. The crises considered are acute, severe, and unexpected negative events occurring at the population level: recessions, famines, epidemics, natural and environmental disasters, and wars. A review of the literature suggests that the effects of aggregate crises on human biology are pervasive and long-lasting. More broadly, however, the literature highlights the lasting effects that social, economic, political, environmental, and pathological crises have on the human body. Children, who are never complicit in creating crises, carry the burden of exposure for the rest of their lives. Although advances in methodology and data availability have allowed researchers to uncover these nuanced but powerful effects, much work remains in improving crisis response, especially in poor countries. Such improvements would have beneficial effects long after the acute period of a crisis subsides, on outcomes far beyond its most obvious sequelae.
Topic and Focus Marking in Chinese
Authors: Chen Yiya , Po-lun Lee Peppina , Pan Haihua
Published: October 2015

This chapter reviews how the two important notions of information structure—topic and focus—are encoded in Chinese. It first describes the properties of syntactic constructions (e.g. shi/shi . . . de, lian–dou/ye) and semantic particles (e.g. cai, jiu, dou, and zhi) for focus marking. It then discusses how Chinese, a topic-prominent language, conveys topical information via different structures such as base-generated topics, dangling topics, and moved topics. Finally, it provides an overview of how prosodic structure and prominence cues (e.g. pitch register raising, pitch range expansion, and lengthening) complement and enhance focus and topic marking in a variety of Chinese dialects, and how such prosodic reflexes of information structure are constrained by their characteristic sound structures. Lacunae for the studies of focus and topic in Chinese are also identified as important questions for future research.
Governance in Professional Service Firms
Authors: Sherer Peter D. , Leblebici Huseyin
Published: October 2015

This chapter synthesizes and extends the literature on governance in Professional Service Firms (PSFs). It discusses four foundational theoretical perspectives on governance in PSFs: the agency, the partnership/partnership ethos, the stakeholder, and the trustee perspective. The authors argue these perspectives speak to structural or cultural views of governance, but they leave unanswered critical issues. Given the state of the literature, they argue for going beyond these foundational perspectives. They take a legal normative view of governance, defined as the legal and non-legal rules, norms, conventions, standards, and managerial practices that facilitate the coordination and conflict resolution among the critical constituencies of PSF for the firm as an institution. In so doing, the authors identify a critical unexplored issue in the study of governance of PSFs from a legal-normative view: the definitions of rights and obligations among critical constituencies and how that plays into conflict resolution mechanisms built into PSF governance.
Entrepreneurship and Professional Service Firms
Authors: Reihlen Markus , Werr Andreas
Published: October 2015

Research on entrepreneurship in professional services is rather limited. The authors argue that one reason why the two fields of professional services and entrepreneurship have operated in isolation rather than in mutual interaction is an inherent contradiction between the very ideas of entrepreneurship and professionalism. The perspective on entrepreneurship for this chapter is rather broad, focusing on new venture management and renewal in Professional Service Firms as well as embracing aspects such as learning, innovation, and institutional change. The chapter reviews previous work on entrepreneurship in professional services from three levels of analysis—the entrepreneurial team, the entrepreneurial firm, and finally the organizational field within which the creation and exploitation of entrepreneurial opportunities take place.
Strategic Human Resource Management and Performance Management in Professional Service Firms
Authors: Swart Juani , Hansen Nina Katrin , Kinnie Nicholas
Published: October 2015

This chapter draws on previous research to consider how HRM practices are used to manage human and social capital to generate superior performance in professional service firms. Previous research indicates that PSFs rely on both human capital (knowledge and skills) and social capital (relationships inside and outside the PSF) to manage their performance outputs. In this context the authors review the existing research on strategic HRM practices in PSFs which is predominantly categorized into expertise- and efficiency-orientated HRM systems. They draw on their own research to outline two models of HRM practices which are used to manage human and social capital and discuss the link to innovation. The first of these emphasizes the protection of human capital and therefore has centripetal properties, whereas the second is more client-focused and therefore displays centrifugal properties. Finally, they consider the managerial challenges that these models present and point to avenues for future research.
Teamwork and Collaboration in Professional Service Firms
Authors: Gardner Heidi
Published: October 2015

The nature of teamwork in professional service firms, as in many other knowledge-intensive environments, is evolving from highly structured project teams to more fluid, open-ended, peer-to-peer collaboration such as that between powerful, high-autonomy partners. This shift is especially challenging because senior-level collaboration requires peers from different practice groups or offices with different sub-cultures to negotiate task allocation, credit recognition, and decision-making norms, which can be difficult and politically charged. Increased partner-level collaboration is further complicated by other trends in the PSF arena such as expertise specialization, heightened professional mobility, and increased competition. Yet, this phenomenon remains largely under-researched and under-theorized. The chapter therefore lays out a research agenda focusing on opportunities to better understand peer collaboration in PSFs. In addition, the chapter identifies ways that recent changes in the professional sector challenge our understanding of traditional teamwork, and it identifies specific gaps that deserve scholarly attention.
Music and Religiosity among African American Fundamentalist Christians
Authors: Smith Thérèse
Published: October 2015

This chapter discusses the relationship of a church to its surrounding secular context. It outlines the relationship of an African American Missionary Baptist Church congregation to its surrounding community in Mississippi in the 1980s, drawing on the insider binary of “saint-sinner”; points to the strong role that individual scriptural interpretation and performance play in this church; and traces several church performances that show the nuanced and flexible nature of the boundary between “saint” and “sinner.” While the dominant local popular music, blues, is generally categorized as “sinner’s” music, it is sometimes allowed for listening to (but not performance) because of a nuanced understanding of the relationship of listening and performance to the Christian believer. In addition, knowledge of blues and other popular genres is important for believers in interpreting sermons, in which speech slides into musical performance and references these genres as symbols to narrate the “saint-sinner” binary.
Palestinian Christmas Songs for Peace and Justice in Sacred Place and Politicized Space
Authors: Sinnamon Jennifer
Published: October 2015

This chapter describes ways Palestinian Christians in Bethlehem use Christmas music to highlight the contrast between the former peaceful “little town” in the carol and the current situation of its population under Israeli occupation. An annual Christmas event is staged as a protest, but promotes nonviolent resistance to occupying forces. Organizers provide an opportunity for the expression of shared feelings of belonging and loss among local Palestinians, but are keenly aware that such emotivity can generate conflict and aggression. For this reason, the music at the festival is performed rather than participatory, and features lyrics celebrating nonviolence and peace, promoted as both Christian and universal moral values, alongside allusions to lost territories and the restrictions imposed by Israeli authorities. By drawing on repertoires of wide dissemination across the Christian world on a main Christian holiday, the event also draws international attention to the Palestinian cause.
Molecular genetic contributions to self-rated health
Authors: Harris Sarah E. , Hagenaars Saskia P , Davies Gail , David Hill W , Liewald David CM , Ritchie Stuart J , Marioni Riccardo E ,   METASTROKE consortium, International Consortium for Blood Pressure, CHARGE consortium Aging and Longevity Group, CHARGE consortium Cognitive Group, Sudlow Cathie LM , Wardlaw Joanna M , McIntosh Andrew M , Gale Catharine R , Deary Ian J
Published: October 2015

Background

Poorer self-rated health (SRH) predicts worse health outcomes, even when adjusted for objective measures of disease at time of rating. Twin studies indicate SRH has a heritability of up to 60% and that its genetic architecture may overlap with that of personality and cognition.

Methods

We carried out a genome-wide association study (GWAS) of SRH on 111 749 members of the UK Biobank sample. Univariate genome-wide complex trait analysis (GCTA)-GREML analyses were used to estimate the proportion of variance explained by all common autosomal SNPs for SRH. Linkage Disequilibrium (LD) score regression and polygenic risk scoring, two complementary methods, were used to investigate pleiotropy between SRH in UK Biobank and up to 21 health-related and personality and cognitive traits from published GWAS consortia.

Results

The GWAS identified 13 independent signals associated with SRH, including several in regions previously associated with diseases or disease-related traits. The strongest signal was on chromosome 2 (rs2360675, p = 1.77x10−10) close to KLF7, which has previously been associated with obesity and type 2 diabetes. A second strong peak was identified on chromosome 6 in the major histocompatibility region (rs76380179, p = 6.15x10−10). The proportion of variance in SRH that was explained by all common genetic variants was 13%. Polygenic scores for the following traits and disorders were associated with SRH: cognitive ability, education, neuroticism, BMI, longevity, ADHD, major depressive disorder, schizophrenia, lung function, blood pressure, coronary artery disease, large vessel disease stroke, and type 2 diabetes.

Conclusions

Individual differences in how people respond to a single item on SRH are partly explained by their genetic propensity to many common psychiatric and physical disorders and psychological traits.

Key Messages

Genetic variants associated with common diseases and psychological traits are associated with self-rated health.

The SNP-based heritability of self-rated health is 0.13 (SE 0.006).

There is pleiotropy between self-rated health and psychiatric and physical diseases and psychological traits.
Metagenomic investigation of the geologically unique Hellenic Volcanic Arc reveals a distinctive ecosystem with unexpected physiology
Authors: Oulas Anastasis , Polymenakou Paraskevi N. , Seshadri Rekha , Tripp H. James , Mandalakis Manolis , Paez‐Espino A. David , Pati Amrita , Chain Patrick , Nomikou Paraskevi , Carey Steven , Kilias Stephanos , Christakis Christos , Kotoulas Georgios , Magoulas Antonios , Ivanova Natalia N. , Kyrpides Nikos C.
Published: October 2015

Hydrothermal vents represent a deep, hot, aphotic biosphere where chemosynthetic primary producers, fuelled by chemicals from Earth's subsurface, form the basis of life. In this study, we examined microbial mats from two distinct volcanic sites within the Hellenic Volcanic Arc (HVA). The HVA is geologically and ecologically unique, with reported emissions of CO2‐saturated fluids at temperatures up to 220°C and a notable absence of macrofauna. Metagenomic data reveals highly complex prokaryotic communities composed of chemolithoautotrophs, some methanotrophs, and to our surprise, heterotrophs capable of anaerobic degradation of aromatic hydrocarbons. Our data suggest that aromatic hydrocarbons may indeed be a significant source of carbon in these sites, and instigate additional research into the nature and origin of these compounds in the HVA. Novel physiology was assigned to several uncultured prokaryotic lineages; most notably, a SAR406 representative is attributed with a role in anaerobic hydrocarbon degradation. This dataset, the largest to date from submarine volcanic ecosystems, constitutes a significant resource of novel genes and pathways with potential biotechnological applications.
Association between interpregnancy interval and future risk of maternal cardiovascular disease—a population‐based record linkage study
Authors: Ngo AD , Roberts CL , Figtree G
Published: October 2015

Objective

To examine the associations between interpregnancy interval and later maternal cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk.

Design

Population‐based record linkage study.

Setting

New South Wales, Australia, 1994–2011.

Population

216 467 women having first and second liveborn singleton infants, excluding those with an existing or pregnancy‐related CVD risk factor.

Methods

We linked birth records of mothers to the mothers' subsequent CVD (coronary heart disease, cerebrovascular events, and chronic heart failure) hospitalisation or death. Multivariable Cox proportional hazard regression was used to estimate adjusted hazard ratios (AHR) [95% confidence interval (CI)], accounting for maternal age, parity, socioeconomic status, and smoking during pregnancy.

Main outcome measures

The first occurrence of a CVD hospitalisation or death after the second birth.

Results

In comparison with mothers with an interpregnancy interval of 18–23 months (reference category), the AHR among mothers with interpregnancy interval of <12 months was 1.56 (95% CI 1.18–2.07) and of 12–17 months was 1.13 (95% CI 0.84–1.51). The AHRs were 1.40 (95% CI 1.07–1.82), 1.87 (95% CI 1.21–2.89), and 3.41 (95% CI 1.07–10.91), corresponding to interpregnancy intervals of 24–59, 60–119, and ≥120 months, respectively. AHRs of specific CVD categories showed a similar pattern.

Conclusions

Interpregnancy interval is associated with the risk of subsequent maternal CVD in a J‐shaped fashion. The association is independent of the existing and pregnancy‐related CVD risk factors analysed. Both short and long interpregnancy intervals can be used as risk markers to identify women with an elevated CVD risk later in life.

Tweetable abstract

Interpregnancy interval is associated with the risk of subsequent maternal cardiovascular disease in a J‐shaped fashion.
Bolder science needed now for protected areas
Authors: Watson James E. M. , Darling Emily S. , Venter Oscar , Maron Martine , Walston Joe , Possingham Hugh P. , Dudley Nigel , Hockings Marc , Barnes Megan , Brooks Thomas M.
Published: October 2015

Recognizing that protected areas (PAs) are essential for effective biodiversity conservation action, the Convention on Biological Diversity established ambitious PA targets as part of the 2020 Strategic Plan for Biodiversity. Under the strategic goal to “improve the status of biodiversity by safeguarding ecosystems, species, and genetic diversity,” Target 11 aims to put 17% of terrestrial and 10% of marine regions under PA status by 2020. Additionally and crucially, these areas are required to be of particular importance for biodiversity and ecosystem services, effectively and equitably managed, ecologically representative, and well‐connected and to include “other effective area‐based conservation measures” (OECMs). Whereas the area‐based targets are explicit and measurable, the lack of guidance for what constitutes important and representative; effective; and OECMs is affecting how nations are implementing the target. There is a real risk that Target 11 may be achieved in terms of area while failing the overall strategic goal for which it is established because the areas are poorly located, inadequately managed, or based on unjustifiable inclusion of OECMs. We argue that the conservation science community can help establish ecologically sensible PA targets to help prioritize important biodiversity areas and achieve ecological representation; identify clear, comparable performance metrics of ecological effectiveness so progress toward these targets can be assessed; and identify metrics and report on the contribution OECMs make toward the target. By providing ecologically sensible targets and new performance metrics for measuring the effectiveness of both PAs and OECMs, the science community can actively ensure that the achievement of the required area in Target 11 is not simply an end in itself but generates genuine benefits for biodiversity.
Parental perceptions of barriers to mental health services for young people
Authors: Iskra Wendy , Deane Frank P. , Wahlin Tim , Davis Esther L.
Published: October 2015

Aim

This study explores a range of barriers that parents encountered in accessing mental health services. The study also explored whether parents experienced similar barriers to accessing services in 2003 and 2013.

Methods

One hundred and thirty‐four parents of young people attending an initial assessment at a Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) or headspace centre completed a questionnaire assessing 10 general barriers to care. These data were compared to those collected from 129 participants at CAMHS in 2003.

Results

The ranking of barriers to mental health care for their children was similar for both survey years, with ‘wait time being too long’ and ‘help being too expensive’ the two highest ranked barriers. Cost factors were related to not knowing that the services did not charge fees and having to take time off work to attend appointments. Multiple referral steps and uncertain wait times were the main concerns regarding wait times. The overall strength with which barriers were endorsed remained relatively low; however, at least 40% of the sample agreed they had experienced four of the barriers in both years.

Conclusions

Despite relatively low endorsement of barriers, there are substantial proportions of parents who experienced some barriers to services, and services should continue working to reduce them to facilitate timely access. There is a particular need for more service‐related information to clarify that public sector mental health services do not charge fees. Methods such as rapid initial assessment and actively managing wait lists may go some way to reducing perceived wait time barriers.
A relative crack opening time correlation for corrosion fatigue crack growth in offshore structures
Authors: Adedipe O. , Brennan F. , Kolios A.
Published: October 2015

A considerable amount of research has been carried out on the prediction of mean stress effects on fatigue crack growth in structures. Newer types of structure are now being developed for use in highly dynamic, harsh marine environments, particularly for renewable energy applications. Therefore, the extent to which mean stresses can enhance corrosion‐assisted fatigue damage in these structures needs to be better understood. A new theoretical model that accounts for mean stress effects on corrosion fatigue crack growth is proposed. The model is developed based on the relative crack opening period per fatigue cycle and by considering only the damaging portion of the stress cycle. The baseline data for the modelling exercise are the data obtained at a stress ratio of 0.1 in air and seawater tests conducted on compact tension specimens. The model is validated by comparison with experimental data and with other fatigue crack propagation models. The proposed model correlates fairly well with experimental data and the other models examined.
Delayed renal dysfunction and flash pulmonary edema post endovascular abdominal aneurysm repair
Authors: Carron Pierre‐Louis , Piliero Nicolas , Heitz Morgane , Kribs Marc , Rodière Mathieu , Jousse Patrick , Gunther‐Calvino Silvia , Thony Frédéric
Published: October 2015

After endovascular aortic repair (EVAR), the deterioration in long‐term renal function is probably multifactorial. Preoperative renal failure is an independent risk factor. Postoperative renal dysfunction can be associated with inadvertent renal artery occlusion, renal artery complications as stenosis, plaque dislodgement, or dissection. Ischemic nephropathy can accelerate hypertension and circulatory congestion. We report a case of coverage of the renal arteries symptomatic with flash pulmonary edema and renal failure 15 months after EVAR, suggesting a delayed endograft migration. The patient had complete resolution of symptoms and renal function after renal artery stenting with placement between endograft and aneurysm to the left renal artery.
The association between higher body mass index and poor school performance in high school students
Authors: Tonetti L. , Fabbri M. , Filardi M. , Martoni M. , Natale V.
Published: October 2015

Background/objective

This study aimed to examine the association between body mass index (BMI) and school performance in high school students by controlling for relevant mediators such as sleep quality, sleep duration and socioeconomic status.

Methods

Thirty‐seven high school students (mean age: 18.16 ± 0.44 years) attending the same school type, i.e. ‘liceo scientifico’ (science‐based high school), were enrolled. Students' self‐reported weight and height were used to calculate BMI. Participants wore an actigraph to objectively assess the quality and duration of sleep. School performance was assessed through the actual grade obtained at the final school‐leaving exam, in which higher grades indicate higher performance.

Results

BMI, get‐up time, mean motor activity, wake after sleep onset and number of awakenings were negatively correlated with the grade, while sleep efficiency was positively correlated. When performing a multiple regression analysis, BMI proved the only significant (negative) predictor of grade.

Conclusions

When controlling for sleep quality, sleep duration and socioeconomic status, a higher BMI is associated with a poorer school performance in high school students.
Severe Cerebral White Matter Lesions in Ischemic Stroke Patients are Associated with Less Time Spent at Home and Early Institutionalization
Authors: Sibolt Gerli , Curtze Sami , Melkas Susanna , Pohjasvaara Tarja , Kaste Markku , Karhunen Pekka J. , Oksala Niku K. J. , Erkinjuntti Timo
Published: October 2015

Background

Cerebral white matter lesions are one imaging surrogate for cerebral small vessel disease. These white matter lesions are associated with increased morbidity and mortality in both the general population and ischemic stroke patients.

Aims

To investigate whether severe white matter lesions in a cohort of ischemic stroke patients are associated with fewer days spent at home and earlier permanent institutionalization.

Methods

We included 391 consecutive patients aged 55–85 years with ischemic stroke admitted to the Helsinki University Central Hospital (the Stroke Aging Memory cohort) with a 21-year follow-up. Hospitalization and nursing home admissions were reviewed from national registers.white matter lesions were rated using magnetic resonance imaging performed three-months poststroke, dichotomized as none-to-moderate and severe. Kaplan–Meier plots log-rank and binary logistic regression (odds ratio) and Cox multivariable proportional hazards model were used to study the association of white matter lesions with days spent at home and the time of permanent institutionalization. Hazards and odds ratio with their 95% confidence intervals are reported.

Results

Severe white matter lesions were associated with fewer days spent at home, and more frequent, and earlier permanent institutionalization (1487 vs. 2354 days; log-rank P < 0·001). After adjusting for significant covariates from univariable analyses, severe white matter lesions were associated with fewer days spent at home (odds ratio 1·62; confidence interval 1·16–2·25), permanent institutionalization within five-years (odds ratio 2·29; confidence interval 1·23–4·29), and increased hazards ratio of permanent institutionalization during 21 years of follow-up (1·64; confidence interval 1·119–2·26).

Conclusions

After ischemic stroke, patients with severe white matter lesions spend fewer days at home and become permanently institutionalized earlier, especially within the first five-years.
Employee training practices and unions: Perspectives from Quebec
Authors: HASSI Abderrahman , FOUCHER Roland
Published: October 2015

Based on a survey of 301 small and medium‐sized enterprises in Quebec, this article explores the influence of unions on employee training in these firms. While unionization is generally found to have an influence on employee training practices, the authors' focus on the inclusion or non‐inclusion of specific training clauses in collective agreements shows that such clauses establish a regulatory framework for certain forms of learning and training support at the workplace, which enhances union influence. Overall, however, the inclusion (or absence) of training clauses in collective agreements does not necessarily translate into higher (or lower) participation in actual training activities.
Early Outcomes With Direct Flow Medical Versus First‐Generation Transcatheter Aortic Valve Devices: A Single‐Center Propensity‐Matched Analysis
Authors: Giustino Gennaro , Latib Azeem , Panoulas Vasileios F. , Montorfano Matteo , Chieffo Alaide , Taramasso Maurizio , Sato Katsumasa , Agricola Eustachio , Alfieri Ottavio , Colombo Antonio
Published: October 2015

Objectives

To compare early outcomes between Direct Flow Medical (DFM) and 1st‐generation transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) devices.

Background

The effectiveness of new‐generation TAVR devices compared with earlier generations is unclear.

Methods and Results

Overall, 496 patients treated between November 2007 and March 2014 were included: 44 (8.7%) treated with DFM, 179 (36.9%) with Medtronic CoreValve (MCV) and 273 (54.4%) with Edwards Sapien / Sapien XT (SXT) valve. Because of differences in baseline characteristics, propensity‐score matching among patients treated in the same time span (March 2012–March 2014) was performed. The primary objective was the VARC‐2 device success composite endpoint. Propensity‐score matching identified 41 patients in each group. A higher device success composite endpoint was observed in DFM (DFM 97.6% vs. MCV 65.9% vs. SXT 92.7%; P < 0.001). This was attributed to a significantly lower incidence of moderate‐to‐severe post‐procedural aortic regurgitation (AR; 2.4% vs. 22% vs. 7.3%; P < 0.001), lower rate of valve embolization (0% vs. 7.3% vs. 0%; 0.041) and need for a 2nd valve implantation (0% vs. 7.3% vs. 0%; P = 0.041).

Conclusions

DFM was associated with higher rates of device success and a lower incidence of post‐procedural AR. New generation devices appear to address several of the limitations of earlier generation devices. (J Interven
Cardiol 2015;28:583–593)