bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Very early phonological and language skills: estimating individual risk of reading disability
Authors: Puolakanaho Anne , Ahonen Timo , Aro Mikko , Eklund Kenneth , Leppänen Paavo H.T. , Poikkeus Anna‐Maija , Tolvanen Asko , Torppa Minna , Lyytinen Heikki 
Published: June 2007

Background:  Analyses from the Jyväskylä Longitudinal Study of Dyslexia project show that the key childhood predictors (phonological awareness, short‐term memory, rapid naming, expressive vocabulary, pseudoword repetition, and letter naming) of dyslexia differentiate the group with reading disability (n = 46) and the group without reading problems (n = 152) at the end of the 2nd grade. These measures were employed at the ages of 3.5, 4.5 and 5.5 years and information regarding the familial risk of dyslexia was used to find the most sensitive indices of an individual child's risk for reading disability.Methods:  Age‐specific and across‐age logistic regression models were constructed to produce the risk indices. The predictive ability of the risk indices was explored using the ROC (receiver operating curve) plot. Information from the logistic models was further utilised in illustrating the risk with probability curve presentations.Results:  The logistic regression models with familial risk,letter knowledge, phonological awareness and RAN provided a prediction probability above .80 (area under ROC).Conclusions:  The models including familial risk status and the three above‐mentioned measures offer a rough screening procedure for estimating an individual child's risk for reading disability at the age of 3.5 years. Probability curves are presented as a method of illustrating the risk.
The broader language phenotype of autism: a comparison with specific language impairment
Authors: Whitehouse Andrew J.O. , Barry Johanna G. , Bishop Dorothy V.M. 
Published: June 2007

Background:  Some individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) experience linguistic difficulties similar to those found in individuals with specific language impairment (SLI). Whether these behaviours are indicative of a common underlying genetic cause or a superficial similarity is unclear.Methods:  Standardised language assessments were administered to three participant groups: parents of children with ASD (Par‐A), parents of children with specific language/literacy impairment (Par‐L) and parents of typically developing children (Par‐T) (n = 30, in each group). Additionally, the Autism‐Spectrum Quotient (AQ) was used to assess autism‐like tendencies, in particular, social language use.Results:  The Par‐A group performed better than the Par‐L group (and identical to the Par‐T group) on all language tests. Conversely, the Par‐A group was characterised by higher levels of pragmatic difficulties than the other two groups, as measured by the communication subscale of the AQ.Conclusions:  No evidence was found for a shared phenotype in parents of children with ASD and SLI. A model is presented describing the relation between SLI and ASD.
ETHICS OF MANDATORY PREMARITAL HIV TESTING IN AFRICA: THE CASE OF GOMA, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO
Authors: RENNIE STUART , MUPENDA BAVON 
Published: June 2007

ABSTRACTDespite decades of prevention efforts, millions of persons worldwide continue to become infected by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) every year. This urgent problem of global epidemic control has recently lead to significant changes in HIV testing policies. Provider‐initiated approaches to HIV testing have been embraced by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization, such as those that routinely inform persons that they will be tested for HIV unless they explicitly refuse (‘opt out’). While these policies appear to increase uptake of testing, they raise a number of ethical concerns that have been debated in journals and at international AIDS conferences. However, one special form of ‘provider‐initiated’ testing is being practiced and promoted in various parts of the world, and has advocates within international health agencies, but has received little attention in the bioethical literature: mandatory premarital HIV testing. This article analyses some of the key ethical issues related to mandatory premarital HIV testing in resource‐poor settings with generalized HIV epidemics. We will first briefly mention some mandatory HIV premarital testing proposals, policies and practices worldwide, and offer a number of conceptual and factual distinctions to help distinguish different types of mandatory testing policies. Using premarital testing in Goma (Democratic Republic of Congo) as a point of departure, we will use influential public health ethics principles to evaluate different forms of mandatory testing. We conclude by making concrete recommendations concerning the place of mandatory premarital testing in the struggle against HIV/AIDS.
THE THERAPEUTIC EXCEPTION: ABORTION, STERILIZATION AND MEDICAL NECESSITY IN COSTA RICA
Authors: CARRANZA MARÍA 
Published: June 2007

ABSTRACTBased on the case of Rosa, a nine‐year‐old girl who was denied a therapeutic abortion, this article analyzes the role played by the social in medical practice. For that purpose, it compares the different application of two similar pieces of legislation in Costa Rica, where both the practice of abortion and sterilization are restricted to the protection of health and life by the Penal Code. As a concept subject to interpretation, a broad conception of medical necessity could enable an ample use of the therapeutic exception and a liberal use of both surgeries. The practice of therapeutic sterilization has been generalized in Costa Rica and has become the legitimate way to distribute contraceptive sterilization. In contrast, therapeutic abortion is very rarely practiced. The analysis carried out proposes that it is the difference in social acceptance of abortion and sterilization that explains the different use that doctors, as gatekeepers of social morality, make of medical necessity.
The Crusades and the Jews: Some Reflections on the 1096 Massacre
Authors: Bronstein Judith 
Published: June 2007

AbstractIn the year 1096, in the early stages of the First Crusade, Jewish communities, mainly in the Rhineland, were attacked and massacred by bands of crusaders. These events, which have been considered by historians as the first major persecution of the Jews in medieval Europe, aroused a wide‐ranging discussion. This study explores the most recent trends in the historiography of the 1096 massacres while examining the different methods and the approaches behind them.
Origins of the French Revolution
Authors: Bossenga Gail 
Published: June 2007

AbstractThere is at present no comprehensive interpretation of the origins of the French Revolution. Because of the fragmented state of the argument, this article explores several perspectives that have influenced research on the Revolution's origins including Alexis de Tocqueville's view of the state; research on the politics of the court at Versailles and the parlements; fiscal origins by institutional economic historians; and cultural approaches, including the analysis of the public sphere by Jürgen Habermas. It concludes that the collapse of the Old Regime was the result of a variety of converging causes, many of which had deep roots in the institutional structure of the old regime. The state itself generated institutional contradictions by both reinforcing privilege and implementing policies that undercut privilege in the quest for greater administrative efficiency. Ministerial incompetence combined with new forces, including enhanced international pressure from efficient British war finance and the growing appeal to public opinion, made reform increasingly difficult and created conditions favorable to revolution when the state went bankrupt in 1789.
Music and Politics in Germany 1933–1955: Approaches and Challenges
Authors: Thacker Toby 
Published: June 2007

AbstractUntil very recently, music has often been considered as an art form which stands outside and above politics. This article explores the new approaches taken by historians and musicologists in the last twenty years to the analysis of music in political context in Germany between 1933 and 1955, a period in which musicians worked under Nazi and Communist forms of dictatorship, under Allied military government, and under a liberal democracy. It outlines the ways in which this literature has been fragmented by self‐imposed chronological, geographical and thematic boundaries, and suggests ways in which these might be challenged.
The Right‐Wing Leagues and Electoral Politics in Interwar France
Authors: Jenkins Brian 
Published: June 2007

AbstractThe rise of the right‐wing leagues was the most striking symptom of the deep political crisis of the French Third Republic in the 1930s. The Croix de Feu was the most successful of these movements, and when it became a political party following the Popular Front government's ban on the leagues in 1936, it achieved a spectacular mass membership of around one million. French historians have, however, been reluctant to see these developments as analogous to events in Italy or Germany, arguing that the leagues were part of a long bonapartist tradition of episodic anti‐parliamentary protest, and that France was historically insulated against fascism. This article argues, on the contrary, that what made the leagues different from their Italian and German counterparts was not ideology, but their failure to gain access to the mainstream political arena. Without parliamentary representation they lacked political leverage at moments of crisis. The obstacles posed by the regime's electoral processes thus deserve much greater attention than they have been afforded hitherto.
Focal Chronic Inflammatory Epileptic Encephalopathy in a Patient with Malformations of Cortical Development, with a Review of the Spectrum of Chronic Inflammatory Epileptic Encephalopathy
Authors: Rhodes Roy H. , Lehman Richard M. , Wu Brenda Y. , Roychowdhury Sudipta 
Published: June 2007

Summary:  Purpose: Chronic cellular inflammation closely associated with epilepsy without an active infection is a hallmark of Rasmussen encephalitis (RE). RE has typical and defining features lacking in other rare epilepsy patients who also have neocortical lymphocytes without an identifiable cause. A patient with malformations of cortical development had an abrupt change in frequency and epileptic focus after 22 years of a stable seizure disorder. Functional neurosurgery yielded a specimen showing a mixed cellular meningoencephalitis in the absence of a demonstrable infection. Methods: Historical, neurologic, electroencephalographic, pathologic, and literature data were correlated. Results: There was a subarachnoid mixed infiltrate including evidence of dendritic cells in our patient and also cytotoxic T lymphocytes adjacent to karyolytic neurons that corresponded to cells previously demonstrated to damage neurons in RE. Literature review disclosed 42 other cases similar to RE but with heterogeneous findings. The course was more protracted and often more benign than in RE. The inflammation that would have markedly decreased or disappeared in RE over that period was generally still well represented. Conclusions: Our patient has heterogeneous features similar to, yet with differences from, RE. Literature review of chronic cellular inflammatory epileptic encephalopathy cases also similar to RE discloses important differences that may reflect idiosyncratic reactions and pace of the disease rather than a different disease. Comorbidity factors, genetic population traits, and secondary effects of the seizure disorder may lead to an expansion of the initial site of damage by an autoimmune reaction. These cases might best be grouped, probably along with RE, as secondary autoimmune diseases.
Severe Epilepsy in X‐Linked Creatine Transporter Defect (CRTR‐D)
Authors: Margherita Mancardi Maria , Caruso Ubaldo , Cristina Schiaffino Maria , Giuseppina Baglietto Maria , Rossi Andrea , Maria Battaglia Francesca , Sophi Salomons Gajja , Jakobs Cornelis , Zara Federico , Veneselli Edvige , Gaggero Roberto 
Published: June 2007

Disorders of creatine synthesis or its transporter resulting in neurological impairment with mental retardation and epilepsy have only been recognized in recent years. To date, the epileptic disorder observed in creatine transporter deficiency (CRTR‐D) has been described as a mild phenotype with infrequent seizures and favorable response to common antiepileptic drugs.We report on a 5 year‐old boy with known speech delay who presented with severe and refractory epilepsy. After extensive investigations, metabolite analysis and brain 1H‐MRS suggested CRTR‐D, which was confirmed by the detection of a known pathogenic mutation in the SLC6A8 gene (c.1631C>T; p.Pro544Leu).
Alcohol Drinking in MCH Receptor‐1‐Deficient Mice
Authors: Duncan Elizabeth A. , Sorrell Joyce E. , Adamantidis Antoine , Rider Therese , Jandacek Ronald J. , Seeley Randy J. , Lakaye Bernard , Woods Stephen C. 
Published: June 2007

Background: Recently, we demonstrated that exogenous melanin‐concentrating hormone (MCH) increases alcohol drinking in rats when administered into the brain. However, because the physiological relevance of this finding is unclear, we tested the hypothesis that endogenous MCH signaling enhances alcohol consumption.Methods: Alcohol intake was assessed in male and female wildtype (WT), heterozygous (HET), and homozygous MCH receptor‐1‐deficient (KO) mice. Mice were given 24‐hour access to a series of alcohol‐containing solutions. Following this, the mice were given limited (1‐hour) access to 10% alcohol. Finally, mice were allowed 24‐hour access to sucrose/quinine as a caloric control and a means to assess taste preference. A naïve cohort of male WT and KO mice was tested for alcohol clearance following intraperitoneal administration of 3 g/kg alcohol. Another naïve cohort of female mice was utilized to confirm that intracerebroventricular administration of MCH (5 μg) would augment alcohol drinking in mice.Results: Exogenous MCH enhanced 10% alcohol consumption in mice (saline=0.45±0.08 g/kg, 5 μg MCH=0.94±0.20 g/kg). Male KO mice consumed more 10% alcohol (11.50±1.31 g/kg) than WT (6.26±1.23 g/kg) and HET mice (6.49±1.23 g/kg) during ad libitum access. However, alcohol intake was similar among genotypes during 1 hour daily access. Male KO mice tended to consume less 17.75% sucrose+1.3 mM quinine than controls (WT=10.5±3.6, HET=7.5±1.7, KO=4.4±0.9 g/kg). Alcohol metabolism was similar between WT and KO mice.Conclusions: The finding that male KO consume more alcohol than WT and HET mice, are reminiscent of the counterintuitive reports that KO mice are hyperphagic and yet eat more when administered exogenous MCH. Changes in taste preference or alcohol metabolism do not appear to be important for the increased alcohol drinking in KO mice.
Socio‐cognitive Habilitation Using the Math Interactive Learning Experience Program for Alcohol‐Affected Children
Authors: Kable Julie A. , Coles Claire D. , Taddeo Elles 
Published: June 2007

Background: Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) has been recognized as a disabling condition with a significant impact on the neurobehavioral functioning of affected individuals, including cognition, behavior, and academic functioning, but little research has been performed on targeted interventions for these children.Methods: A socio‐cognitive habilitative program focused on improving behavior and math functioning in children 3 to 10 years of age (n=61) was developed and evaluated. The intervention provided parental instruction on FAS, advocacy, and behavioral regulation via workshops and interactive math tutoring with children. All families received parental instruction and were then randomly assigned to either the math instruction or standard psychoeducational care groups.Results: Satisfaction with workshops was very high, with over 90% agreeing that trainers were knowledgeable and materials easy to understand and helpful. Significant gains in knowledge were found for information provided in the instructional groups. At posttesting, caregivers reported fewer problem behaviors on the Achenbach Child Behavior Checklist, Internalizing Problem Behavior, Externalizing Problem Behavior, and Total Problem Behavior summary scales. After 5 months, both groups of children demonstrated gains in math knowledge but significantly higher gains were found in the group receiving direct math instruction. The math treatment group was also more likely to demonstrate a gain of over 1 standard deviation on any of the 4 math outcome measures used.Conclusions: These findings suggest that parents of children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FAS(D)) benefit from instruction in understanding their child's alcohol‐related neurological damage and strategies to provide positive behavioral supports and that targeted psychoeducational programs may be able to remediate some of the math deficits associated with prenatal alcohol exposure.
Effects of a Moderate Evening Alcohol Dose. I: Sleepiness
Authors: Rupp Tracy L. , Acebo Christine , Van Reen Eliza , Carskadon Mary A. 
Published: June 2007

Background: Few studies examining alcohol's effects consider prior sleep/wake history and circadian timing. We examined introspective and physiological sleepiness on nights with and without moderate alcohol consumption in well‐rested young adults at a known circadian phase.Methods: Twenty‐nine adults (males=9), ages 21 to 25 years (M=22.6, SD=1.2), spent 1 week on an at‐home stabilized sleep schedule (8.5 or 9 hours), followed by 3 in‐lab nights: adaptation, placebo, and alcohol. Alcohol (vodka; 0.54 g/kg for men; 0.49 g/kg for women) or placebo beverage was consumed over 30 minutes ending 1 hour before stabilized bedtime. In addition to baseline, 3 sleep latency tests (SLTs) occurred after alcohol/placebo ingestion (15, 16.5, and 18 hours after waking). Stanford Sleepiness Scales (SSS) and Visual Analog Scales (VAS) of sleepiness were completed before each SLT and approximately every 30 minutes. The Biphasic Alcohol Effects Scale (BAES) was administered a total of 4 times (baseline, 5, 60, and 90 minutes postalcohol/placebo). Subjects' circadian phase was determined from melatonin levels in saliva samples taken at approximately 30‐minute intervals.Results: All sleepiness and sedation measures increased with time awake. Only SSS and BAES sedation measures showed higher levels of sleepiness and sedation after alcohol compared with placebo. The mean circadian phase was the same for assessments at both conditions.Conclusions: Alcohol did not increase physiological sleepiness compared with placebo nor was residual sedation evident under these conditions. We conclude that the effects on sleepiness of a moderate dose of alcohol are masked when sleep–wake homeostatic and circadian timing influences promote high levels of sleepiness.
Organizational Relationships Between Nursing Homes and Hospitals and Quality of Care During Hospital–Nursing Home Patient Transfers
Authors: Boockvar Kenneth S. , Burack Orah R. 
Published: June 2007

OBJECTIVES: To identify organizational factors and hospital and nursing home organizational relationships associated with more‐effective processes of care during hospital–nursing home patient transfer.DESIGN: Mailed survey.SETTING: Medicare‐ or Medicaid‐certified nursing homes in New York State.PARTICIPANTS: Nursing home administrators, with input from other nursing home staff.MEASUREMENTS: Key predictor variables were travel time between the hospital and the nursing home, affiliation with the same health system, same corporate owner, trainees from the same institution, pharmacy or laboratory agreements, continuous physician care, number of beds in the hospital, teaching status, and frequency of geriatrics specialty care in the hospital. Key dependent variables were hospital‐to–nursing home communication, continuous adherence to healthcare goals, and patient and family satisfaction with hospital care.RESULTS: Of 647 questionnaires sent, 229 were returned (35.4%). There was no relationship between hospital–nursing home interorganizational relationships and communication, healthcare goal adherence, and satisfaction measures. Geriatrics specialty care in the hospital (r=0.157; P=.04) and fewer hospital beds (r=−0.194; P=.01) were each associated with nursing homes more often receiving all information needed to care for patients transferred from the hospital. Teaching status (r=0.230; P=.001) and geriatrics specialty care (r=0.185; P=.01) were associated with hospital care more often consistent with healthcare goals established in the nursing home.CONCLUSION: No management‐level organizational relationship between nursing home and hospital was associated with better hospital‐to–nursing home transfer process of care. Geriatrics specialty care and characteristics of the hospital were associated with better hospital‐to–nursing home transfer processes.
Cash Flows and Discount Rates, Industry and Country Effects and Co‐Movement in Stock Returns
Authors: Ammer John , Wongswan Jon 
Published: June 2007

AbstractWe apply the Campbell decomposition to industry‐by‐country, national, global industry, and world stock index returns using 1995–2003 data. World, global industry, and country factors are all important for each of the two key components of stock returns: news about future dividends and news about future discount rates. Furthermore, the world component of future discount rates is more important than the idiosyncratic component, while the reverse is true for news about future dividends. Our results are broadly consistent with co‐movement in future discount rates arising from perceptions of common elements of risk in international equity markets.
The Agency Structure of Loan Syndicates
Authors: François Pascal , Missonier‐Piera Franck 
Published: June 2007

AbstractLeaders of loan syndicates often delegate some administrative tasks to banks known as co‐agents. One reason is that co‐agents are specialized banks that help split the costs of managing the syndicate. Another reason is that co‐agents monitor the leader on behalf of syndicate members to mitigate informational asymmetry problems. Large sample tests on the Dealscan database provide support for both arguments. Evidence of repeated contracting between the same banks explains the moderate magnitude of monitoring effects.
Discounting Mean Reverting Cash Flows with the Capital Asset Pricing Model
Authors: Giaccotto Carmelo 
Published: June 2007

AbstractDiscounting cash flows requires an equilibrium model to determine the cost of capital. The CAPM of Sharpe and the intertemporal asset pricing model of Merton (1973) offer a theoretical justification for discounting at a constant risk adjusted rate. Two problems arise with this application. First, for mean reverting cash flows the risk adjustment is unknown, and second, if the present value is compounded forward then the distribution of future wealth is likely right skewed. I develop equilibrium discount rates for cash flows whose level or growth rate is mean reverting. Serial correlation also largely eliminates the skewness problem.