bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Is there a relationship between premature hair greying and hearing impairment?
Authors: Ozbay I , Kahraman C , Kucur C , Namdar N D , Oghan F 
Published: September 2015

AbstractObjective:There is evidence for a strong correlation between low bone mineral density and hearing loss. Furthermore, premature hair greying has been associated with low bone mineral density. Hence, this study aimed to investigate, for the first time, the relationship between premature hair greying and hearing impairment.Methods:Fifty patients with premature hair greying (20 women and 30 men), aged under 40 years (mean, 30.1 ± 4.9 years), who had onset of hair greying in their twenties, were recruited, along with 45 age- and sex-matched healthy control subjects (17 women and 28 men; mean age, 28.7 ± 5.1 years). Each participant was tested with low frequency audiometry at 0.125 to 2 kHz, high frequency audiometry at 4 to 8 kHz, and extended high frequency audiometry at 9 to 20 kHz.Results:Hearing thresholds were similar at all frequencies from 0.25 to 4 kHz (p > 0.05); however, significant hearing loss was observed at all frequencies from 8 to 20 kHz in the premature hair greying group compared with the control group (p < 0.05).Conclusion:Patients with premature hair greying had hearing impairment at extended high frequencies. Premature hair greying may be an important risk factor for hearing loss.
God's fishes: religion, culture and freshwater fish conservation in India
Authors: Gupta Nishikant , Kanagavel Arun , Dandekar Parineeta , Dahanukar Neelesh , Sivakumar Kuppusamy , Mathur Vinod B. , Raghavan Rajeev 
Published: September 2015

AbstractIndigenous communities worldwide have long relied on their environment for survival. Religious and customary beliefs that foster community conservation have not only bound these communities to ecosystems but also assisted in the conservation of species. We provide an example of how religion fosters the conservation of freshwater fishes in India. Since ancient times rural communities in India have revered fish species as symbols of divine power, and offered them protection in pools associated with temples. Such voluntary, informal institutions and arrangements continue to help conserve several freshwater fish species that are otherwise subjected to anthropogenic pressure in open-access areas. However, religious beliefs in India are waning as a result of increased urbanization, modernization of societies and disintegration of rural communities, and the sustainability of existing temple and community fish sanctuaries is questionable. We discuss the role of temple sanctuaries as an informal conservation strategy for freshwater fishes, and discuss the knowledge and policy gaps that need to be addressed for ensuring their future.
The political economy of tax enforcement: a look at the Internal Revenue Service from 1978 to 2010
Authors: Bagchi Sutirtha 
Published: September 2015

AbstractThis article looks at whether political ideology matters for enforcement of the nation’s tax laws. An analysis of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) budget and personnel suggests that the party affiliation of the President makes no difference to the overall level of IRS resources. However, there are significant increases in the number of IRS employees devoted to criminal investigation and revenue collection under Democratic administrations. Audits of tax returns filed by corporations, individuals and estates are also significantly more likely under Democratic administrations. The body of evidence points in the direction that while Congress has a greater influence in determining the overall level of resources available to the IRS, the President has a more pronounced influence on the allocation of those resources.
DO DEMOCRACIES SPEND LESS ON THE MILITARY? SPAIN AS A LONG-TERM CASE STUDY (1876-2009)
Authors: Sabaté Oriol 
Published: September 2015

ABSTRACTThis paper analyses the influence of political regimes on the level and economic composition of military expenditure in Spain over the long run. In contrast with the widely accepted negative relation between democracy and military spending, the paper suggests that democratic governments established in the late 1970s and early 1980s after Franco’s dictatorship had a positive influence on the military burden owing to the efforts to reorient the army towards international threats and to involve the armed forces with the newly democratic institutions. In addition, the analysis of military expenditure allows us to conclude that the international orientation of democratic military policies took place along with financial efforts to obtain a capital-intensive army to confront international military threats.
Crisis stability or general stability? Assessing Northeast Asia’s absence of war and prospects for liberal transition
Authors: Kun Choi Jong 
Published: September 2015

AbstractIs the relative long peace of Northeast Asia a result of crisis stability or general stability? The article introduces two stability concepts – crisis and general stability. Crisis stability occurs when both sides in military crisis are secure due to military capability and are able to wait out a surprise attack fully confident of the ability to respond with a punishing counter attack. On the other hand, general stability prevails when two powers greatly prefer peace even to a victorious war whether crisis stability exist or not, simply because war has become inconceivable as a means of solving any political disagreements and conflicts. While crisis stability entails delicate balance of military power from the deterrence literature of security studies, general stability bases its logic of inquiry on constructivism where the idea of war aversion – categorically rejecting war as a means to end conflicts – becomes the prevailing norm. Therefore, this article empirically examines how Northeast Asia has sustained its peace through crisis stability and presents a new trend toward general stability
Multiple independent reduction or loss of antifreeze trait in low Antarctic and sub-Antarctic notothenioid fishes
Authors: Miya Tshoanelo , Gon Ofer , Mwale Monica , Cheng C.-H. Christina 
Published: September 2015

AbstractAntifreeze glycoprotein (AFGP) in Antarctic notothenioids presumably evolved once at the base of the notothenioid radiation in the Southern Ocean. Some species closely related to the endemic Antarctic notothenioids occur in non-freezing sub-Antarctic waters where antifreeze protection is unnecessary. We examined the antifreeze trait (phenotype and genotype) of these sub-Antarctic species to help infer their evolutionary history and origin. The status of the AFGP genotype (AFGP coding sequences in DNA) and/or phenotype (serum thermal hysteresis) varies widely, from being undetectable in Dissostichus eleginoides and Patagonotothen species from the Falkland Islands, minimal in Marion Island Paranotothenia magellanica and Lepidonotothen squamifrons from the South Sandwich and Bouvet islands, to considerable genotype in the Falkland Islands Champsocephalus esox and Marion Island Harpagifer georgianus. All low Antarctic notothenioid species examined show substantial AFGP trait. Mapping of the AFGP trait status onto ND2 phylogenetic trees of a large sampling of notothenioids revealed that AFGP trait reduction or loss occurred at least three independent times in different lineages.
Why is the last Thick-billed MurreUria lomviacolony in central West Greenland heading for extinction?
Authors: MERKEL FLEMMING , BOERTMANN DAVID , FALK KNUD , FREDERIKSEN MORTEN , JOHANSEN KASPER , LABANSEN AILI LAGE , LINNEBJERG JANNIE FRIES , MOSBECH ANDERS , SONNE CHRISTIAN 
Published: September 2015

SummaryRitenbenk/Innaq in Disko Bay is the only remaining Thick-billed Murre colony in central West Greenland. It has declined by 72% since 1980 and now (2012) holds c.1,100 breeding pairs. In 2005–2006 and 2011–2012, a number of studies were carried out in this colony to improve our understanding of the population decline and its causes. Hunting has previously been identified as a problem for the colony, but local breeding conditions have never been studied and the non-breeding distribution was known only from ringing. Our studies showed that breeding success was moderate to good in the Ritenbenk colony and apparently not limited by food availability. The impact of gull predation was more uncertain, but seemed limited in our study plot. In contrast, estimates of maximum sustainable harvest levels showed that hunting, including illegal activities, was and still is too high and probably can explain much of the population decline. It is puzzling though, that the steepest population decline was observed within the most recent decade when the harvest level was markedly reduced. This may indicate that something else besides hunting mortality affects the colony. The winter distribution of the Ritenbenk birds includes areas in the central North Atlantic, such as the waters around South Greenland, where conditions have been identified as potentially deteriorating due to pronounced oceanographic changes. The potential impact on the Ritenbenk colony, as well as other colonies in the North Atlantic, needs to be studied further.
What is the avifauna of Amazonian white-sand vegetation?
Authors: BORGES SÉRGIO HENRIQUE , CORNELIUS CINTIA , RIBAS CAMILA , ALMEIDA RICARDO , GUILHERME EDSON , ALEIXO ALEXANDRE , DANTAS SIDNEI , SANTOS MARCOS PÉRSIO DOS , MOREIRA MARCELO 
Published: September 2015

SummaryWhite-sand vegetation (WSV) is a rare vegetation type in the Amazon basin that grows in nutrient impoverished sandy soils that occur as patches of variable size. Associated with this vegetation is bird assemblage that has not yet been fully characterized. Based on published species inventories and our own field data we compile a checklist of bird species recorded in WSV. In addition, we compared the avifauna of WSV with that found in savanna patches, another type of Amazonian open vegetation. WSV hosted a distinctive avifauna including endemic and threatened species. The number of bird species was lower in WSV compared to nearby terra firme forests, seasonally flooded forests and Amazonian savannas. Despite its low diversity, the avifauna of WSV has a distinctive species composition and makes a significant contribution to Amazonian beta diversity. At least 35 bird species can be considered as indicator species for this environment. Previously identified areas of endemism within the Amazon basin house at least one WSV indicator bird including cases of congeneric species with allopatric distributions. Seven of the WSV indicator species (20% of this avifauna) are in an IUCN threatened category, with one speciesPolioptila clementsiconsidered Critically Endangered. Their isolated distribution, small area occupied, and fragility to human-driven disturbances makes WSV one of the most threatened vegetation types in the Amazon basin. The study of WSV avifauna contributes to a better understanding of mechanisms that generate and maintain species diversity as well as of the environmental history of the most biologically diverse biome of the planet.
Role of Place in Explaining Racial Heterogeneity in Cognitive Outcomes among Older Adults
Authors: Liu Sze Yan , Glymour M. Maria , Zahodne Laura B. , Weiss Christopher , Manly Jennifer J. 
Published: September 2015

AbstractRacially patterned disadvantage in Southern states, especially during the formative years of primary school, may contribute to enduring disparities in adult cognitive outcomes. Drawing on a lifecourse perspective, we examine whether state of school attendance affects cognitive outcomes in older adults and partially contributes to persistent racial disparities. Using data from older African American and white participants in the national Health and Retirement Study (HRS) and the New York based Washington Heights Inwood Cognitive Aging Project (WHICAP), we estimated age-and gender-adjusted multilevel models with random effects for states predicting years of education and cognitive outcomes (e.g., memory and vocabulary). We summarized the proportion of variation in outcomes attributable to state of school attendance and compared the magnitude of racial disparities across states. Among WHICAP African Americans, state of school attendance accounted for 9% of the variance in years of schooling, 6% of memory, and 12% of language. Among HRS African Americans, state of school attendance accounted for 13% of the variance in years of schooling and also contributed to variance in cognitive function (7%), memory (2%), and vocabulary (12%). Random slope models indicated state-level African American and white disparities in every Census region, with the largest racial differences in the South. State of school attendance may contribute to racial disparities in cognitive outcomes among older Americans. Despite tremendous within-state heterogeneity, state of school attendance also accounted for some variability in cognitive outcomes. Racial disparities in older Americans may reflect historical patterns of segregation and differential access to resources such as education. (JINS, 2015, 21, 677–687)
Community forests, carbon sequestration and REDD+: evidence from Ethiopia
Authors: Beyene Abebe D. , Bluffstone Randall , Mekonnen Alemu 
Published: September 2015

AbstractREDD + is one of the tools under development to mitigate climate change, but it is not yet clear how to appropriately bring in the approximately 25 per cent of developing country forests that are managed by communities. Drawing on the economics of collective action literature, the authors attempt to shed light on whether forest collective action itself sequesters carbon. Using satellite imagery combined with household and community data from Ethiopia, they examine whether community forests (CFs) with high levels of collective action attributes known to be associated with better management have more carbon than other systems. Although these results should be considered indicative due to the nature of the data, the analysis suggests that in the absence of dedicated sequestration policies the quality of local-level collective action offers at best marginal carbon benefits. Specific incentives like REDD + may therefore play important roles in delivering climate change benefits from CFs in low-income countries.
Association between breakfast consumption and educational outcomes in 9–11-year-old children
Authors: Littlecott Hannah J , Moore Graham F , Moore Laurence , Lyons Ronan A , Murphy Simon 
Published: September 2015

AbstractObjectiveBreakfast consumption has been consistently associated with health outcomes and cognitive functioning in schoolchildren. Evidence of direct links with educational outcomes remains equivocal. We aimed to examine the link between breakfast consumption in 9–11-year-old children and educational outcomes obtained 6–18 months later.DesignData on individual-level free school meal entitlement and educational outcomes (Statutory Assessment Tests (SATs) at Key Stage 2) were obtained via the SAIL databank and linked to earlier data collected on breakfast consumption. Multilevel modelling assessed associations between breakfast consumption and SATs.SettingTrial of the Primary School Free Breakfast Initiative in Wales.SubjectsYear 5 and 6 students, n 3093 (baseline) and n 3055 (follow-up).ResultsSignificant associations were found between all dietary behaviours and better performance in SATs, adjusted for gender and individual- and school-level free school meal entitlement (OR=1·95; CI 1·58, 2·40 for breakfast, OR=1·08; CI 1·04, 1·13 for healthy breakfast items). No association was observed between number of unhealthy breakfast items consumed and educational performance. Association of breakfast consumption with educational performance was stronger where the measure of breakfast consumption was more proximal to SATs tests (OR=2·02 measured 6 months prior to SATs, OR=1·61 measured 18 months prior).ConclusionsSignificant positive associations between self-reported breakfast consumption and educational outcomes were observed. Future research should aim to explore the mechanisms by which breakfast consumption and educational outcomes are linked, and understand how to promote breakfast consumption among schoolchildren. Communicating findings of educational benefits to schools may help to enhance buy-in to efforts to improve health behaviours of pupils.
The association between intimate partner domestic violence and the food security status of poor families in Brazil
Authors: Ribeiro-Silva Rita de Cássia , Fiaccone Rosemeire Leovigildo , Barreto Maurício Lima , Santana Mônica Leila Portela , Santos Sandra Maria Chaves dos , Conceição-Machado Maria Ester Pereira da , Aliaga Marie Agnès 
Published: September 2015

AbstractObjectiveTo assess the association between physical intimate partner violence and household food security within households with schoolchildren.DesignCross-sectional study.SettingSalvador, Bahia, north-eastern Brazil.SubjectsThe study was conducted in 1019 households with students. Violence between couples was evaluated using the Portuguese version of the revised Conflict Tactics Scales (CTS2), previously adapted and validated for use in Brazil. The Brazilian Food Insecurity Scale (BFIS) was used to identify food insecurity. We also obtained socio-economic information for each participant. We used multivariate Poisson regression to assess the associations of interest.ResultsAccording to the results of the BFIS, 62·5 % of the households were found to experience food insecurity, including 19·5 % moderate food insecurity and 6·5 % severe food insecurity. The prevalence of minor physical violence was 9·6 % (95 % CI 7·8, 11·4 %) and of severe physical violence was 4·7 % (95 % CI 3·4, 6·0 %) among the couples. In the final multivariate model, it was found that couples reporting minor (prevalence ratio=1·23; 95 % CI 1·12, 1·35) and severe (prevalence ratio=1·16; 95 % CI 1·00, 1·34) physical violence were more likely to be experiencing household food insecurity, compared with those not reporting physical violence.ConclusionsPhysical intimate partner violence was associated with food insecurity of households. The present study brings new data to the subject of the role of violence in the context of food insecurity.
A nutrient profiling assessment of packaged foods using two star-based front-of-pack labels
Authors: Carrad Amy M , Louie Jimmy Chun Yu , Yeatman Heather R , Dunford Elizabeth K , Neal Bruce C , Flood Victoria M 
Published: September 2015

AbstractObjectiveTo compare two front-of-pack nutrition labelling systems for the assessment of packaged foods and drinks with Australian Dietary Guidelines.DesignA cross-sectional nutrient profiling assessment. Food and drink products (n 20 225) were categorised into scoring levels using criteria for the Institute of Medicine (IOM) three-star system and the five-star Australian Health Star Rating (HSR). The effectiveness of these systems to categorise foods in accordance with Australian Dietary Guidelines was explored.SettingThe study was conducted in Australia, using a comprehensive food database.SubjectsPackaged food and drink products (n 20 225) available in Australia.ResultsUsing the IOM three-star system, the majority (55 %) of products scored the minimum 0 points and 25·5 % scored the maximum 3 points. Using HSR criteria, the greatest proportion of products (15·2 %) scored three-and-a-half stars from a possible five and 12·5 % received the lowest rating of a half-star. Very few products (4·1 %) scored five stars. Products considered core foods and drinks in Australian Dietary Guidelines received higher scores than discretionary foods in all food categories for both labelling systems (all P<0·05; Mann–Whitney U test), with the exception of fish products using IOM three-star criteria (P=0·603). The largest discrepancies in median score between the two systems were for the food categories edible oils, convenience foods and dairy.ConclusionsBoth the IOM three-star and Australian HSR front-of-pack labelling systems rated packaged foods and drinks broadly in line with Australian Dietary Guidelines by assigning core foods higher ratings and discretionary foods lower ratings.
Changes of dietary patterns during participation in a web-based weight-reduction programme
Authors: Luger Eva , Aspalter Rosa , Luger Maria , Longin Rita , Rieder Anita , Dorner Thomas Ernst 
Published: September 2015

AbstractObjectiveTo examine the weight-loss success associated with distinct dietary patterns and to determine changes of these dietary patterns during participation in a web-based weight-reduction programme.DesignFactor analysis was used to identify the dietary patterns of twenty-two food groups that were administered in 14 d dietary protocols at baseline and after 3 months. Successful weight loss (≥5 % of initial weight) and BMI were calculated. Logistic regression analyses were used to assess the rates of weight-loss success from each dietary pattern and changing or remaining in the initial dietary pattern. A generalised linear mixed model was used to estimate the effects of changing or staying in a dietary pattern on change in BMI.SubjectsAdults (n 1635) aged 18–81 years.SettingUsers of a web-based weight-reduction programme (2006–2012).ResultsParticipants who aligned to a healthful dietary pattern at baseline (OR=1·8; 95 % CI 1·5, 2·3) and after 3 months (OR=1·5; 95 % CI 1·2, 1·9) had a greater chance of successfully losing weight. After adjusting for age, sex, initial dietary pattern and BMI, participants who started with or changed to the healthful dietary pattern had a greater chance of being successful (OR=1·4; 95 % CI 1·1, 1·7) and a higher BMI reduction of 0·30 (95 % CI 0·2, 0·5) kg/m2 compared with those who started with or changed to the energy-dense or high-carbohydrate dietary pattern.ConclusionsA favourable healthful dietary pattern at the beginning and after 3 months was positively associated with anthropometry. However, successful weight loss was feasible in each dietary pattern.
RF-Carpets that Compress Ions to High Density Beams
Authors: Wollnik H. , Arai F. , Ito Y. , Schury P. , Wada M. 
Published: September 2015

AbstractIons that are moved by electric fields in gases follow quite exactly the electric field lines since these ions have substantially lost their kinetic energies in collisions with gas atoms or molecules and so carry no momenta. Shaping the electric fields appropriately the phase space such ion beams occupy can be reduced and correspondingly the ion density of beams be increased.
Achieving the Highest Accuracy With the BEM
Authors: Read Frank H. 
Published: September 2015

AbstractThe high accuracy that can be achieved by the Boundary Element Method when it is used to solve the Laplace and Poisson equations for electrostatic systems is discussed. Applications to charged particle optics are described, with the emphasis on the commercial CPO programs [1]. The BEM is a charge-based method and so is ideally suitable for systems that include space-charge and/or cathodes. It can deal easily with electrodes of very different sizes. These and other properties of the BEM are illustrated by a range of benchmark tests.
Advanced SIMION Techniques: Boundary Matching and Genetic Optimization
Authors: Dowsett D. 
Published: September 2015

AbstractTwo techniques for use with SIMION [1] are presented, boundary matching and genetic optimization. The first allows systems which were previously difficult or impossible to simulate in SIMION to be simulated with great accuracy. The second allows any system to be rapidly and robustly optimized using a parallelized genetic algorithm. Each method will be described along with examples of real world applications.