bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Delayed school entry and academic performance: a natural experiment
Authors: Jaekel Julia , Strauss Vicky Yu‐Chun , Johnson Samantha , Gilmore Camilla , Wolke Dieter 
Published: February 2015

AimRecent reports suggest that delayed school entry (DSE) may be beneficial for children with developmental delays. However, studies of the effects of DSE are inconclusive. This study investigated the effects of DSE versus age‐appropriate school entry (ASE) on children's academic achievement and attention in middle childhood.MethodIn total, 999 children (492 females, 507 males; 472 born preterm) were studied as part of a prospective population‐based longitudinal study in Germany. Using a natural experimental design, propensity score matching was applied to create two matched groups who differed only in terms of DSE versus ASE. Teacher ratings of achievement in mathematics, reading, writing, and attention were obtained in Year 1, and standardized tests were administered at 8 years of age.ResultsThere was no evidence of a difference in the odds of DSE versus ASE children being rated as above average by teachers in Year 1. In contrast, the standardized mean test scores for DSE children were lower than ASE children's mean scores in all domains (mathematics: B=−0.28 [−0.51 to −0.06)], reading: B=−0.39 [−0.65 to −0.14], writing: B=−0.90 [−1.07 to −0.74], and attention: B=−0.58 [−0.79 to −0.36]).InterpretationDSE did not affect teacher‐rated academic performance. However, missing 1 year of learning opportunities was associated with poorer average performance in standardized tests at 8 years of age. Future research is needed to determine the long‐term effect of DSE on academic achievement.
Neural correlates of childhood language disorder: a systematic review
Authors: Mayes Angela K , Reilly Sheena , Morgan Angela T 
Published: February 2015

AimThe neurobiological contributions of childhood language disorder are not well understood. Yet there is increasing evidence that language disorder is associated with differences in brain structure and/or function in core language regions. A key hypothesis has been that children with language disorder do not show the same degree of leftward asymmetry of these regions as observed in typically developing children. We aimed to systematically review structural and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies to examine brain commonalities and differences between children with language disorder and typically developing controls; and differences in leftward asymmetry between these groups.MethodA systematic review was conducted using MeSH terms synonymous with childhood language disorder and brain MRI methods. The search identified 1443 papers, and 18 articles met the criteria and were appraised for level and quality of evidence.ResultsAtypical brain structure and function was reported within traditionally recognized language regions across studies, including the inferior frontal gyrus, posterior superior temporal gyrus, and caudate nucleus. The direction of difference (e.g. increased/decreased) was variable, however, likely because of differences in language disorder groups examined and magnetic resonance data acquisition and analysis approaches. As regards asymmetry, there was some evidence of reduction of the anticipated structural and functional leftward asymmetry in frontal language regions in language disorder groups.InterpretationMounting evidence suggests that children with language disorder have atypical brain structure and function within neural regions integral to language. There is limited support for the hypothesis that children with language disorder show a reduction of leftward structural and/or functional asymmetry in frontal language regions. Interpretation is limited, however, by a high degree of variability in language disorder assessment and phenotype, and in magnetic resonance methodologies. A large‐scale magnetic resonance study of brain structure and function is required in a well‐defined language disorder population cohort, with replication, to provide confirmatory data on the neural correlates of childhood language disorder.
Long‐term risk of seizures and epilepsy in patients with posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome
Authors: Datar Sudhir , Singh Tarun , Rabinstein Alejandro A. , Fugate Jennifer E. , Hocker Sara 
Published: February 2015

SummaryObjectiveSeizures are common in patients with posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES), which is reported in up to 70% of cases, and antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) are commonly prescribed. There is a paucity of data regarding the risk of subsequent seizures following resolution of PRES, and therefore the optimal duration of treatment with AEDs is currently unknown. The objective of this study was to identify the frequency of recurrent seizures and epilepsy following recovery from PRES.MethodsWe performed a retrospective review of consecutive adults diagnosed with PRES between 2000 and 2010.ResultsOne hundred twenty‐seven patients, median age 53 years (interquartile range [IQR] 37–64), were included in the analysis. The most common causes of PRES were hypertension (72%) and immunosuppression (20%). Renal failure was present in 47%. Eighty‐four patients (66%) had seizures at presentation (39 focal, 45 generalized), and 13 (15%) of them presented with status epilepticus. Median duration of follow‐up was 3.2 years (IQR 4 months to 6.9 years). Patients with seizures were treated with AEDs for a median of 3 months (IQR 2–7). Fifteen patients (12%) had provoked seizures during the follow‐up period; in eight (53%) patients seizures were caused by recurrent PRES. Only three patients had subsequent unprovoked seizures, one of whom was considered to have developed epilepsy.SignificanceWe conclude that unprovoked seizures and epilepsy are uncommon in patients who have recovered from PRES. Discontinuation of AEDs following resolution of PRES should be considered, provided there is adequate control of risk factors, and absence of factors that could substantially lower the seizure threshold.
Microstructural stability of ODS steels in cyclic loading
Authors: Kuběna I. , Polák J. , Plocinski T. P. , Hébert C. , Škorík V. , Kruml T. 
Published: February 2015

AbstractThe remarkable microstructural stability of high chromium steels prepared by powder metallurgy and strengthened by dispersion of nanometric yttrium oxides in cyclic loading at high temperatures is reported. Contrary to the continuous cyclic softening and profound changes in the microstructure during fatigue of common high chromium steels, the addition of 0.3 wt% Y2O3 stabilizes the microstructure and significantly reduces cyclic softening of investigated steels. The evolution of microstructure as a result of fatigue loading at room temperature, 650 and 750 °C, was examined by means of transmission electron microscopy. Only minor changes in the microstructure were detected. The stability of oxide particles after high‐temperature exposure was confirmed by energy dispersion spectroscopy chemical analysis. The microstructural features are discussed in relation to the cyclic behaviour of the oxide dispersion strengthened steels. The analysis of the hysteresis loop indicates that oxide nanoclusters are intersected and dissolved in slip bands of ODS Eurofer steel. This process contributes to cyclic softening.
Why Professionalize? Economic Modernization and Military Professionalism1
Authors: Toronto Nathan W. 
Published: February 2015

AbstractWhy do states professionalize the military? Professionalizing the military represents a strategic commitment to a particular set of ideas about the role of the military, and the timing and strength of this commitment to military professionalism have varied widely between countries, especially non-European ones. Understanding this process is important in an era of defense austerity, when the choice of how to spend defense resources has deeper political consequences than it used to. Despite the importance of this question, there have been almost no large-n studies of military professionalization. Analyzing new data on more than 150 countries from 1800 to 2005, this study finds that states with greater levels of human capital, urbanization, and economic wealth are more likely to professionalize. What is more, these indicators of economic modernization have a substantially stronger correlation with measures of military professionalism than regime type and international security concerns. These findings should inform security assistance operations by emphasizing the development of human capital in recipient officer corps and drawing links between economic development and security assistance programs.
Additional supporting evidence for significant iLUC emissions of oilseed rape biodiesel production in the EU based on causal descriptive modeling approach
Authors: Baral Anil , Malins Chris 
Published: February 2015

AbstractAgro‐economic modeling studies have shown that indirect land‐use change (iLUC) emissions of first‐generation biofuels can be significant, reducing or eliminating the climate change mitigating potential of these fuels. Recognizing this, proposed amendments to the European Union's Renewable Energy Directive (RED) would require reporting iLUC emissions of biofuels. The objective of this paper was to provide additional evidence of the iLUC emissions of oilseed rape (OSR) biodiesel using a noneconomic modeling approach called the causal descriptive (CD) model. The CD model originally developed by E4tech (A Causal Descriptive Approach to Modelling the GHG Emissions Associated with the Indirect Land Use Impacts of Biofuels, 2010, E4tech, London, UK) is one of the first noneconomic modeling approaches used for estimating indirect land‐use change (iLUC). Using the E4tech CD modeling framework, we refine assumptions for key parameters such as yields in marginal land, displacement of OSR oil by palm oil, land availability for OSR expansion in the EU, imports of OSR from Canada and Ukraine, and palm oil expansion on peatland and thereby estimate iLUC GHG emissions for a likely scenario (Central Scenario). We find GHG emissions of OSR biodiesel to be 57 g CO2 eq./MJ for the Central Scenario. To capture the possible range of iLUC GHG emissions, we calculate iLUC GHG emissions by changing assumptions for the Central Scenario and land‐use emission factors. We find that GHG emissions of OSR biodiesel may vary from 18 to 101 CO2 eq./MJ. The results provide additional evidence supporting the previous conclusions derived from agro‐economic modeling studies that iLUC emissions of food‐based biofuels can be expected to be significant compared to potential savings. Hence, to achieve meaningful GHG reductions from biofuel use and avoid policy failure, it is important that the EU should take concrete policy action to target support for biofuels toward those with the lowest expected iLUC emissions.
Effect of self‐reported quality of sleep on mobility in older adults
Authors: Malinowska Katarzyna B , Okura Mika , Ogita Mihoko , Yamamoto Miki , Nakai Toshimi , Numata Tomoko , Tsuboyama Tadao , Arai Hidenori 
Published: February 2015

AimQuality of sleep (QOS) has been shown to have an affect on mental and physical well‐being, and quality of life. However, few studies have investigated how sleep affects mobility in older adults. The aim of the present study was to examine the relationship betweenQOSand mobility disorder (MD) in community‐dwelling older adults.MethodsData collected through self‐administered questionnaires was analyzed for 4564 Japanese older adults. Sleep outcomes included two self‐reported questions regardingQOS. Logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the association between sleep andMDboth by theQOSquestions independently and grouped together by the twoQOSquestions into three groups: often sleeps well and good awakening (GG), does not often sleep well and bad awakening (BB) and a group with one of each (GB/BG).ResultsAfter adjustment for age, sex and depression, both those who did not often sleep well and those with poor awakening were more likely to showMD(OR1.45, 95%CI1.29–1.75), (OR1.77, 95%CI1.50–2.08), respectively.When grouped by both questions, those in theBBgroup had the least favorable outcome with increased odds ratio for possessing aMD(OR1.95, 95%CI1.61–2.37), compared withGBgroup (OR1.40, 95%CI1.18–1.67).ConclusionsOften sleeping well and good morning awakening were both associated withMD, suggesting that self reportedQOSis associated withMD. Further research is required to investigate whether improving sleep quality could be a possible means of preventing and reversingMDin older adults.Geriatr Gerontol Int 2016; 16: 266–271.
Brain‐bladder control network: The unsolved 21st century urological mystery
Authors: Kitta Takeya , Mitsui Takahiko , Kanno Yukiko , Chiba Hiroki , Moriya Kimihiko , Shinohara Nobuo 
Published: February 2015

AbstractA review of functional brain imaging studies of bladder control in participants with normal control and pathological conditions. In the normal condition, bladder and urethral afferents received in the periaqueductal gray relay the information to the insula, the anterior cingulate cortex and the prefrontal cortex. During the storage phase, these superior regions control the pontine micturition center to inhibit voiding. In overactive bladder patients, brain responses are different. Cortical responses become exaggerated, especially in the anterior cingulate cortex and the supplementary motor area. That is what presumably evokes the “urgency”. The supplementary motor area is activated during contraction of the pelvic floor muscles, and provides protection against incontinence. We believe that functional brain imaging studies are promising not only for the understanding of bladder dysfunction, but also as an aid to the development of therapeutic options for chronic disorders.
Development and Evaluation of Bankfull Hydraulic Geometry Relationships for the Physiographic Regions of the United States
Authors: Bieger Katrin , Rathjens Hendrik , Allen Peter M. , Arnold Jeffrey G. 
Published: February 2015

AbstractBankfull hydraulic geometry relationships are used to estimate channel dimensions for streamflow simulation models, which require channel geometry data as input parameters. Often, one nationwide curve is used across the entire United States (U.S.) (e.g., in Soil and Water Assessment Tool), even though studies have shown that the use of regional curves can improve the reliability of predictions considerably. In this study, regional regression equations predicting bankfull width, depth, and cross‐sectional area as a function of drainage area are developed for the Physiographic Divisions and Provinces of the U.S. and compared to a nationwide equation. Results show that the regional curves at division level are more reliable than the nationwide curve. Reliability of the curves depends largely on the number of observations per region and how well the sample represents the population. Regional regression equations at province level yield even better results than the division‐level models, but because of small sample sizes, the development of meaningful regression models is not possible in some provinces. Results also show that drainage area is a less reliable predictor of bankfull channel dimensions than bankfull discharge. It is likely that the regional curves can be improved using multiple regression models to incorporate additional explanatory variables.
Analyses of the mitochondrial genome of Leiopelma hochstetteri argues against the full drowning of New Zealand
Authors: Carr Louise M. , (Trish) McLenachan P. A. , Waddell Peter J. , Gemmell Neil J. , Penny David 
Published: February 2015

AbstractAimWe used endemic frogs to test the hypothesis that New Zealand was fully submerged during the Oligocene marine transgression (c. 25–35 Ma, the Oligocene drowning) and that all the land biota subsequently arrived by dispersal – including the poorly dispersing frogs.LocationNew Zealand.MethodsThe complete mitochondrial genome of the New Zealand native frog Leiopelma hochstetteri was sequenced, assembled and analysed, and compared with that of L. archeyi.ResultsUsing many phylogenetic analyses we examined the evolutionary relationships of the two species of Leiopelma, both for the deepest divergence within New Zealand and relative to other frogs. Our results give estimates of well over 65 Ma for the first divergence of leiopelmatid frogs within New Zealand, and over 150 Ma for the divergence of Leiopelma from its closest relative, the North American tailed frog Ascaphus truei.Main conclusionsThe identification of such a deep divergence among the extant Leiopelma species provides some of the strongest support yet for a mixed‐age model for the origin of New Zealand's terrestrial biota, where some elements are of vicariant origin and others have arisen by long‐distance dispersal. This contradicts a full drowning model and supports the view that there must have been some continuous land through the Oligocene.
Increased mortality for pregnancy‐associated melanoma: systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Byrom L. , Olsen C. , Knight L. , Khosrotehrani K. , Green A.C. 
Published: February 2015

AbstractAmong women, pregnancy‐associated melanomas may have a poorer prognosis than other melanomas, but evidence is inconsistent. We conducted a systematic review and meta‐analysis to assess the effect on melanoma outcome of a coinciding pregnancy. The objective of the study was to conduct a systematic review and meta‐analysis of risk of death from, or recurrence of, pregnancy‐associated melanomas compared with other melanomas in women of reproductive age. Cochrane (1996–2013), MEDLINE (1950–2013), EMBASE (1966–2013), CINAHL (1982–2013), and PUBMED (1951–2013) databases were searched for studies assessing the risk of death and recurrence in pregnancy‐associated melanomas. Eligible studies investigated melanoma outcomes in women with pregnancy‐associated melanomas (diagnosed during pregnancy or in 12 months following pregnancy), included a comparison group and reported measures of risk of melanoma death or disease‐free survival. Eligible study designs were cohort studies of women of childbearing age with confirmed diagnoses of cutaneous melanoma. Individual study effect estimates were pooled using the weighted average method. Studies that did not report a quantitative estimate were summarized narratively. Of 304 citations identified, 14 studies met the inclusion criteria, with assessed outcomes being melanoma death (7), recurrence (3), or both (4). Pooled estimates of mortality risk from four studies showed increased risk of melanoma death after adjustment for patient age and stage of melanoma (pHR 1.56, 95% CI 1.23–1.99) for pregnancy‐associated melanoma compared with other melanomas. Based on limited quantitative evidence, pregnancy‐associated melanomas appear to have poorer outcomes than other melanomas.
Maternal–foetal genomic conflict and speciation: no evidence for hybrid placental dysplasia in crosses between two house mouse subspecies
Authors: Kropáčková L. , Piálek J. , Gergelits V. , Forejt J. , Reifová R. 
Published: February 2015

AbstractInterspecific hybridization between closely related mammalian species, including various species of the genus Mus, is commonly associated with abnormal growth of the placenta and hybrid foetuses, a phenomenon known as hybrid placental dysplasia (HPD). The role of HPD in speciation is anticipated but still poorly understood. Here, we studied placental and foetal growth in F1 crosses between four inbred mouse strains derived from two house mouse subspecies, Mus musculus musculus and Mus musculus domesticus. These subspecies are in the early stage of speciation and still hybridize in nature. In accordance with the maternal–foetal genomic conflict hypothesis, we found different parental influences on placental and foetal development, with placental weight most affected by the father's body weight and foetal weight by the mother's body weight. After removing the effects of parents’ body weight, we did not find any significant differences in foetal or placental weights between intra‐subspecific and inter‐subspecific F1 crosses. Nevertheless, we found that the variability in placental weight in inter‐subspecific crosses is linked to the X chromosome, similarly as for HPD in interspecific mouse crosses. Our results suggest that maternal–foetal genomic conflict occurs in the house mouse system, but has not yet diverged sufficiently to cause abnormalities in placental and foetal growth in inter‐subspecific crosses. HPD is thus unlikely to contribute to speciation in the house mouse system. However, we cannot rule out that it might have contributed to other speciation events in the genus Mus, where differences in the levels of polyandry exist between the species.
Bird predation selects for wing shape and coloration in a damselfly
Authors: Outomuro D. , Johansson F. 
Published: February 2015

AbstractWing shape is related to flight performance, which is expected to be under selection for improving flight behaviours such as predator avoidance. Moreover, wing conspicuousness, usually involved in sexual selection processes, is also relevant in terms of predation risk. In this study, we examined how predation by a passerine bird, the white wagtail Motacilla alba, selects wing shape and wing colour patch size in males of the banded demoiselle Calopteryx splendens. The wing colour patch is intra‐ and intersexually selected in the study species. In a field study, we compared wings of live damselflies to wings of predated damselflies which are always discarded after predation. Based on aerodynamic theory and a previous study on wing shape of territorial tactics in damselflies, we predicted an overall short and broad wing, with a concave front margin shape to be selected by predation. This shape would be expected to improve escaping ability. Moreover, we predicted that wing patch size should be negatively selected by predation. We found that selection operated differently on fore‐ and hindwings. In contrast to our predictions, predation favoured a slender general forewing shape. However, the predicted wing shape was favoured in hindwings. We also found selection favouring a narrower wing colour patch. Our results suggest different roles of fore‐ and hindwings in flight, as previously suggested for Calopteryx damselflies and shown for butterflies and moths. Forewings would be more involved in sustained flight and hindwings in flight manoeuvrability. Our results differ somehow from a recently published work in the same study system, but using another population, suggesting that selection can fluctuate across space, despite the simplicity of this predator–prey system.