bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Predictors of word‐reading ability in 7‐year‐olds: analysis of data from a U.K. cohort study
Authors: Russell Ginny , Ukoumunne Obioha C. , Ryder Denise , Golding Jean , Norwich Brahm 
Published: October 2016

Previous U.K. population‐based studies have found associations amongst early speech and language difficulties, socioeconomic disadvantage and children's word‐reading ability later on. We examine the strength of these associations in a recent U.K. population‐based birth cohort. Analyses were based on 13,680 participants. Linear regression models were fitted to identify factors that were associated with word‐reading score at the age of 7 years. Path analysis models were fitted to examine phonological skills as a mediator of the relationships. We found that male gender, preterm birth, naming vocabulary at age five, concerns about speech and language, maternal education, type of housing tenure, lone parenting, parent attachment and frequency of reading to the child were all independently associated with word reading. For each of these predictors, there was evidence suggesting that a substantial proportion of the effect may be mediated by phonological skills (ranging from 52 to 89%). Despite policy intervention, many of the same risk factors identified in previous studies still predict children's word‐reading ability in the United Kingdom. Results support the phonological model, with phonological skills on the pathway to word reading.What is already known about this topic?

A range of studies has implicated poor socioeconomic background and disadvantaged family circumstances as risks for children's poor word reading.
Good early development of language skills is firmly established as a pathway to promoting reading ability.
Not all poor readers show deficits in phonological skills, although such deficits correlate highly with reading difficulties.
What this paper adds

This is an original analysis of factors in a recent cohort of U.K. children, using stratified sampling to be representative of the U.K. population as a whole.
A range of child‐specific, family socioeconomic and family relationship factors were independently associated with word‐reading ability when children were age seven.
For each of the predictors, there was evidence suggesting that a substantial proportion of the effect, if causal, may be mediated by phonological skills (ranging from 52 to 89%).
Implications for theory, policy or practice

Despite policy intervention, many of the same risk factors identified in older studies still predict children's word‐reading ability in the United Kingdom.
Results lend weight to the phonological model, where deficits in phonological skills are on the pathway to word reading.
Pricing‐To‐Market Analysis: The Case of EU Wheat Exports
Authors: Dawson Philip , Gorton Matthew , Hubbard Carmen , Hubbard Lionel 
Published: October 2016

AbstractThe EU is a major player in the global wheat market. This paper examines the pricing behaviour of EU wheat exporters using a pricing‐to‐market (PTM) analysis. Wheat is an exemplary product for testing PTM theories as it is widely and frequently traded, and largely unbranded. We estimate the relationship between export unit values and exchange rates using quarterly panel data for 11 EU export destinations for 2000–2013. Results show that there is a meaningful long‐run relationship between export unit values and exchange rates, but there is little evidence of differential mark‐ups between EU export markets. Belarus and Iceland are exceptions where exporters from the EU appear to exercise local currency price stabilisation.
Food‐Grade Covalent Complexes and Their Application as Nutraceutical Delivery Systems: A Review
Authors: Liu Fuguo , Ma Cuicui , Gao Yanxiang , McClements David Julian 
Published: October 2016

AbstractFood proteins, polysaccharides, and polyphenols are 3 major food constituents with distinctly different functional attributes. Many proteins and polysaccharides are capable of stabilizing emulsions and foams, thickening solutions, and forming gels, although they differ considerably in their abilities to provide these functional attributes. Many plant polyphenols exhibit beneficial physiological functions, such as antitumor, antioxidant, antibacterial, and antiviral properties. Proteins, polysaccharides, and polyphenols can form complexes with each other, which leads to changes in the functional and nutritional properties of the combined systems. Recently, there has been considerable interest in understanding and utilizing covalent interactions between polyphenols and biopolymers (proteins and polysaccharides). The binary or tertiary conjugates formed may be designed to have physicochemical properties and functional attributes that cannot be achieved using the individual components. This article provides a review of the formation, characterization, and utilization of conjugates prepared using proteins, polysaccharides, and polyphenols. It also discusses the relationship between the structural properties and functionality of the conjugates, and it highlights the bioavailability of bioactive compounds loaded in conjugate‐based delivery systems. In addition, it highlights the main challenges to be considered when preparing and analyzing conjugates. This article provides an improved understanding of the chemical reactions that occur between major food ingredients and how they can be utilized to develop biopolymer‐based delivery systems with enhanced functional attributes.
The Effect of Extensive Feeding Systems on Growth Rate, Carcass Traits, and Meat Quality of Finishing Lambs
Authors: De Brito Gerlane F. , Ponnampalam Eric N. , Hopkins David L. 
Published: October 2016

AbstractThis review aims to summarize the relevant published information about the effects of extensive feeding systems on the carcass and meat quality characteristics of lambs. Lambs finished in a feedlot or with supplementation under extensive systems exhibit faster growth rates, achieve target weights quicker, and produce heavier carcass weights when compared to grazing lambs. However, the literature also shows that finishing lambs on high‐quality pasture can produce satisfactory growth rates without compromising carcass and meat quality traits. Lately, the consumer demand for products perceived as “healthy” and that are produced where animal welfare is optimal under systems which do not impact negatively on the environment, has heightened the interest in lamb production under extensive systems. Lambs raised on pasture can meet many of these specifications. Also, lambs fed higher quality green pasture can produce meat with greater amounts of health‐claimable omega‐3 fatty acids such as eicosapentaenoic acid plus docosahexaenoic acid than feeding systems based on feedlot pellets, grain, or dry pasture/straw. It is apparent that in some previous published research, the number of animals allocated for each treatment, and the lack of replicates, makes it difficult to formulate a correct understanding of the effect of forages on lamb carcass and meat quality. Future research should concentrate on the effect of legume, improved pasture, and specialized forage finishing systems on growth rate, carcass traits, and nutritional value of meat using well‐designed experiments with an adequate number of lambs and appropriate paddock replicates per treatment.
Description of the ambulance services participating in the Aus‐ROC Australian and New Zealand out‐of‐hospital cardiac arrest Epistry
Authors: Beck Ben , Bray Janet E , Smith Karen , Walker Tony , Grantham Hugh , Hein Cindy , Thorrowgood Melanie , Smith Anthony , Inoue Madoka , Smith Tony , Dicker Bridget , Swain Andy , Bosley Emma , Pemberton Katherine , McKay Michael , Johnston‐Leek Malcolm , Cameron Peter , Perkins Gavin D , Finn Judith ,   on behalf of the Aus‐ROC Steering Committee
Published: October 2016

AbstractObjectiveThe present study aimed to describe and examine similarities and differences in the current service provision and resuscitation protocols of the ambulance services participating in the Aus‐ROC Australian and New Zealand out‐of‐hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) Epistry. Understanding these similarities and differences is important in identifying ambulance service factors that might explain regional variation in survival of OHCA in the Aus‐ROC Epistry.MethodsA structured questionnaire was completed by each of the ambulance services participating in the Aus‐ROC Epistry. These ambulance services were SA Ambulance Service, Ambulance Victoria, St John Ambulance Western Australia, Queensland Ambulance Service, St John Ambulance NT, St John New Zealand and Wellington Free Ambulance. The survey aimed to describe ambulance service and dispatch characteristics, resuscitation protocols and details of cardiac arrest registries.ResultsWe observed similarities between services with respect to the treatment of OHCA and dispatch systems. Differences between services were observed in the serviced population; the proportion of paramedics with basic life support, advanced life support or intensive care training skills; the number of OHCA cases attended; guidelines related to withholding or terminating resuscitation attempts; and the variables that might be used to define ‘attempted resuscitation’. All seven participating ambulance services were noted to have existing OHCA registries.ConclusionThere is marked variation between ambulance services currently participating in the Aus‐ROC Australian and New Zealand OHCA Epistry with respect to workforce characteristics and key variable definitions. This variation between ambulance services might account for a proportion of the regional variation in survival of OHCA.
Survey of Molds in California Processing Tomatoes
Authors: Doan Hung K. , Perez Karina , Davis Richard M. , Slaughter David C. 
Published: October 2016

AbstractFrom 2009 to 2011, freshly harvested processing tomatoes from California commercial fields were surveyed for mold species present in the mature fruit. Molds were recovered from the majority of fruit that had visual symptoms of black mold and other decays and from about a quarter of randomly sampled, asymptomatic fruit. Alternaria, Fusarium, and Geotrichum spp. were the most commonly recovered fungi in both symptomatic and random samples. Based on pairwise statistical analysis, the frequencies of 2 different fungal genera in a composite 11 kg‐sample were, in general, statistically independent events, with the exception of a weak association between the incidence of Geotrichum with Alternaria, Cladosporium, or Stemphylium. The mold genera distribution data in this study provide the processing tomato industry with a valuable informational resource that can be used in the management of fungal infection in both the crop and in the final thermally processed finished product. Because of the relative abundance of these fungi, this survey supported the development of genera‐specific immunochromatographic diagnostic assays to detect and quantify mold occurrence in Californian processing tomatoes as a potential alternative to the current subjective visual methods, which are characterized by imprecision and nonuniform species sensitivity. A simulation of 1 million 11 kg‐composite samples based upon the distributional survey data projected that a multiantibody immunochromatographic assay using monoclonal antibodies for Alternaria, Cladosporium, Fusarium, and Geotrichum could successfully detect the presence of mold in 94% of moldy processing tomato samples collected randomly at harvest.
Reasons and risk factors for irregular‐interval endoscopic variceal sclerotherapy in patients with esophageal variceal bleeding
Authors: Shi Yi Chao , Ma Xin , Guo Zhi Yuan , Luo Xi , Sun Guo Hui , Jiang Hua , Wang Wei Feng , Sun Gang , Yang Yun Sheng 
Published: October 2016

ObjectiveEndoscopic variceal sclerotherapy (EVS) is usually carried out at weekly intervals in patients with esophageal variceal bleeding (EVB). However, some patients receive sclerotherapy at irregular intervals. In this study we aimed to elucidate the reasons and risk factors for irregular‐interval sclerotherapy in patients with EVB, and to evaluate the safety and efficacy of interrupted irregular intervals in these patients.MethodsMedical records of patients who were admitted to the Chinese PLA General Hospital from December 2013 to June 2015 for EVS were retrospectively analyzed. EVS sessions were scheduled to be repeated at regular weekly intervals. However, some of these patients received at least one treatment session at irregular intervals (mainly <7 days). This irregular‐interval group was further divided into those whose treatment was rescheduled for emergency and elective reasons.ResultsIrregular treatment intervals were mainly caused by early rebleeding, initial emergency treatment, and holidays. However, there were no differences in the rates of complication and variceal eradication between patients treated at weekly and irregular intervals. Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified ascites (P = 0.0009), variceal erosion (P = 0.0003), and maximum injected volume of sclerosing agent per session (P = 0.0008) to be associated with emergency irregular‐interval treatment. Only age differed between the elective irregular‐treatment and weekly treatment groups.ConclusionsEarly rebleeding, initial emergency treatment, and treatment over holidays may necessitate irregular sclerotherapy intervals in patients with EVB. Moreover, ascites, variceal erosion, and maximum injected volume of sclerosing agent per session are risk factors for emergency sclerotherapy, whereas elective adjustments to treatment schedules as a result of holidays do not affect the outcomes of patients undergoing EVS for EVB.
Stable isotope‐based location in a shelf sea setting: accuracy and precision are comparable to light‐based location methods
Authors: Trueman Clive N. , MacKenzie Kirsteen M. , St John Glew Katie 
Published: October 2016

Summary

Retrospective determination of location for marine animals would facilitate investigations of migration, connectivity and food provenance. Predictable spatial variations in carbon and nitrogen isotopes in primary production across shelf seas provide a basis for stable isotope‐based location.

Here, we assess the accuracy and precision that can be obtained through dietary‐isotope‐based location methods. We build isoscapes from jellyfish tissues and use these to assign scallops of fixed and known individual location, and herring with well‐understood population‐level distributions in the North Sea.

Accuracy and precision for retrospective isotope‐based location in the North Sea were of a similar order to light‐based location devices, with 75% of individual scallops assigned correctly to areas representing c. 30% of the North Sea, with a mean linear error on the order of 102 km. Applying assignment methods to an alternative migratory species (herring) resulted in ecologically realistic assignments consistent with fisheries survey data.

Location methods based on dietary isotopes such as carbon and nitrogen recover the spatial origin of nutrients assimilated into tissues, and this may not correspond directly to the physical location if either the test animal or its prey is highly migratory. Stable isotope‐based location can be applied to any marine‐feeding organism or derived food product, but the ecological meaning of any assigned area will be more difficult to interpret for large, high trophic level, migratory animals with relatively slow isotopic assimilation rates.
How many more? Sample size determination in studies of morphological integration and evolvability
Authors: Grabowski Mark , Porto Arthur 
Published: October 2016

Summary

The variational properties of living organisms are an important component of current evolutionary theory. As a consequence, researchers working on the field of multivariate evolution have increasingly used integration and evolvability statistics as a way of capturing the potentially complex patterns of trait association and their effects over evolutionary trajectories. Little attention has been paid, however, to the cascading effects that inaccurate estimates of trait covariance have on these widely used evolutionary statistics.

Here, we analyse the relationship between sampling effort and inaccuracy in evolvability and integration statistics calculated from 10‐trait matrices with varying patterns of covariation and magnitudes of integration. We then extrapolate our initial approach to different numbers of traits and different magnitudes of integration and estimate general equations relating the inaccuracy of the statistics of interest to sampling effort. We validate our equations using a data set of cranial traits and use them to make sample size recommendations.

Our results suggest that highly inaccurate estimates of evolvability and integration statistics resulting from small sample sizes are likely common in the literature, given the sampling effort necessary to properly estimate them. We also show that patterns of covariation have no effect on the sampling properties of these statistics, but overall magnitudes of integration interact with sample size and lead to varying degrees of bias, imprecision and inaccuracy.

Finally, we provide r functions that can be used to calculate recommended sample sizes or to simply estimate the level of inaccuracy that should be expected in these statistics, given a sampling design.
Effects of Age and Acute Moderate Alcohol Administration on Neurophysiology During Simulated Driving
Authors: Lewis Ben , Boissoneault Jeff , Frazier Ian , Nixon Sara Jo 
Published: October 2016

BackgroundDriver age and blood alcohol concentration are both important factors in predicting driving risk; however, little is known regarding the joint import of these factors on neural activity following socially relevant alcohol doses. We examined age and alcohol effects on brain oscillations during simulated driving, focusing on 2 region‐specific frequency bands implicated in task performance and attention: parietal alpha power (PAP; 8 to 12 Hz) and frontal theta power (FTP; 4 to 7 Hz).MethodsParticipants included 80 younger (aged 25 to 35 years) and 40 older (aged 55 to 70 years) community‐dwelling, moderate drinkers. Participants consumed placebo, low, or moderate doses of alcohol designed to achieve target peak breath alcohol concentrations of 0, 0.04, or 0.065 g/dl, respectively. Electrophysiological measures were recorded during engagement in a simulated driving task involving 4 scenarios of varied environmental complexity.ResultsA main effect of age was detected in FTP, but neither an alcohol effect nor interactions were observed. For PAP, an age‐by‐alcohol interaction was detected. Relative to placebo controls, older and younger participants receiving low‐dose (0.04 g/dl) alcohol evinced divergent PAP alterations, with a pattern of higher power among older participants and lower power among younger participants. This interaction was noted across the varied environmental contexts.ConclusionsThese findings are consistent with the hypothesis that compared with younger individuals, older drivers may be differentially susceptible to alcohol effects. While these age‐by‐alcohol interactions in neural activity are provocative, further investigation exploring the mechanisms and behavioral correlates of these effects will be crucial in determining their behavioral impact.
Estimating the environmental effects and recreational benefits of cultivated flower land for environmental quality improvement in Taiwan
Authors: Huang Chin‐Huang 
Published: October 2016

AbstractThe main purpose of this study is to measure environmental effects and recreational benefits under different hypothetical scenarios program, involving quality improvement in Tien‐Wei Highway Garden, which is the biggest cultivated flower land in Taiwan. The contingent behavior model was adopted. The data combined actual number of trips under current quality of environment combined and the intended number of trips for expected scenarios of environmental quality improvement and congestion mitigation. For the empirical model, on‐site Poisson model was performed to correct truncated and endogenous stratification issues from on‐site surveys. The results show that the estimated average consumer surplus is greater in contingent behavior method than the one in the traditional travel cost model. Also, the estimated recreational benefits in contingent behavior method are more precise than those in the traditional travel cost method. The environment benefits to consumers are communicated with the programs that changes in environment quality. Meanwhile, the incremental economic benefits comprise the gain associated with the improvement of environmental quality.
Cotton farmers’ willingness to pay for pest management services in northern Benin
Authors: Kpadé Cokou Patrice , Mensah Edouard Roméo , Fok Michel , Ndjeunga Jupiter 
Published: October 2016

AbstractThis study was carried out to assess cotton farmers’ willingness to pay (WTP) for pest management services in northern Benin. Targeted staggered control (TSC) has been introduced to reduce pesticide use in cotton cropping and generate an estimated benefit of FCFA48,800 (€74.40) per cotton hectare accruing from increased productivity and reduced pesticide cost. However, TSC application requires extra time for pest identification and scouting, and its adoption remains low due to the lack of funding to boost farmers’ awareness and cover training costs. An interval regression model was used to analyze responses to a double‐bounded contingent valuation survey with data collected from 300 cotton farmers. The results showed that 87.3% of cotton farmers were willing to pay for TSC services. Annual WTP per cotton hectare was estimated at FCFA16,962 (€25.80), revealing an existing demand for TSC adoption. Respondents' WTP was driven by farm and socio‐economic characteristics. Financial mechanisms managed by farmers could thus potentially foster technology adoption, and in turn, generate economic and environmental benefits.
Factors explaining the low and variable profitability of fertilizer application to maize in Zambia
Authors: Burke William J. , Jayne Thom. S. , Black J. Roy 
Published: October 2016

AbstractIt is widely recognized that an “African green revolution” will require greater use of inorganic fertilizers. Often‐made comparisons note that fertilizer use rates in Africa are just 10–20% of those in Asia, Europe and the Americas. Most attempts to explain relatively low‐adoption of fertilizer assume yield responses to inorganic fertilization warrant higher application rates and hypothesize that observed use rates are limited by market‐based factors. Another explanation may be that application rates are low because African yields are less responsive to inorganic fertilizer than yields in other regions, and less responsive than analysts perceive. Examining the case of Zambia, we evaluate whether yield response to fertilizers could explain adoption and application rates. A model of yield response is constructed and a combination of estimators is employed to mitigate potential biases related to correlation between fertilizer use and unobserved heterogeneity as well as stochastic shocks. Results indicate higher fertilization rates would be marginally profitable or unprofitable in many cases given commercial fertilizer and maize prices. Phosphoric fertilizer is particularly unprofitable on acidic soils, which are common in Zambia and other areas of sub‐Saharan Africa. We propose feasible recommendations for diversifying the current government strategy to enhance crop productivity.