bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Improvement of Physical-Chemical and Rheological Properties of Ghardaïa Loess (Southern Algeria) Using Bentonite Clay and Lime
Authors: Rahmani Asmaa , Hazzab Abdelkrim , Aimer Hadj , Ghenaim Abdellah , Terfous Abdelali 
Published: November 2020

AbstractLoess is a collapsible soil; when it collapses, it can cause significant damage to structures built on it. Improvement in the stability and strength performance of loess is necessary to meet engineering needs. In the present study, the effects on the physical-chemical and rheological characteristics of Ghardaïa loess of adding bentonite and lime (southern Algeria) were examined. Rheological characterization of suspensions was implemented to assess the mechanical sensitivity of the bonds and the structural inter-particle resistance to both the chemical effect and mechanical impact. By analyzing the viscosity results and the evolution of the rheological parameters, the improvements needed in terms of the resistance characteristics of the loess-bentonite and loess-lime mixtures were evaluated and confirmed. The loess physical sensitivity was examined through grain-size distribution and plasticity properties. The pH and electrical conductivity of the mixtures were also used to explore structural modifications. Physical test results showed that introduction of the additives changed the loess texture and improved the plasticity of mixtures. Chemical examination (via change in pH and electrical conductivity) revealed the structural changes in the mixtures studied. Rheological test results showed that increasing concentrations of bentonite and lime improves the mechanical strength and increased the yield stress, consistency, and viscosity of the suspensions. The creation of cement interactions between mixture particles explained the increase in those parameters. Hydration, agglomeration, and inter-particle flocculation induced by the additives promoted these interactions. The experimental results led to the conclusion that bentonite and lime may represent an effective means to improve the performance in terms of preventing loess collapse and to increase its resistance to mechanical impact. The results presented in the present study may provide a geotechnical and rheological working database for the control and treatment of loess collapse and landslides in the region under study. Technical data related to loess may, therefore, be beneficial in terms of civil engineering, public works, hydraulics, and the manufacture of construction materials.
New or vanishing frontiers
Authors: Al-Mayouf Sulaiman M. , Yateem Mada , Al-Dusery Haya , Monies Dorota , Wakil Salma , AlShiakh Manal , AlEnazi Abdullatif , Aladaileh Boshra , Alzyoud Raed , Meyer Brian 
Published: November 2020

Background:
The classification and pathogenic basis of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) are a subject of some controversy. Essentially, JIA is an exclusion diagnosis that represents a phenotypically heterogeneous group of arthritis of unknown origin. Familial aggregation of JIA supports the concept of genetic influence in the pathogenesis of JIA.

Objective:
To present the spectrum of laccase domain-containing 1 (LACC1)-associated juvenile arthritis with clinical, biochemical, and molecular genetic data of a cohort of 43 patients, including 11 previously unpublished cases.

Methods:
We studied 11 patients with different categories of juvenile idiopathic arthritis from 5 consanguineous families, all from Saudi Arabia, except 2 patients who were of Jordanian ethnicity. Whole-exome sequencing was used to identify the disease-causing variant of LACC1. We also reviewed the clinical spectrum and molecular genetic data of previously published cases of LACC1-associated juvenile arthritis.

Results:
This study describes 43 (29 females, 14 males) patients from consanguineous multiplex families. Most of the included patients were of Arab origin with 86% having early onset disease. The most frequent categories were systemic (19 patients) and rheumatoid factor-negative polyarticular (19 patients). Thirty-seven (86%) had progressive erosive arthritis and 10 (23.3%) had persistent limb lymphedema. None of the patients had features of macrophage activation syndrome. Genetic analysis confirmed LACC1 variant in all patients; 22 patients had common founder mutation (LACC1: c.850T > C,p.C284R), while the others showed different LACC1 variants. All patients were treated aggressively with methotrexate and sequential biologic agents. Most of them showed a poor response to treatment.

Conclusion:
This report expands the pathogenic variants of LACC1 and the clinical spectrum associated with this genetic subset of juvenile arthritis. The predominance of autosomal-recessive inheritance and strong genetic evidence allowed us to propose LACC1-associated juvenile arthritis as a distinct disorder.
Athlete’s Heart in Elite Sport Climbers: Cardiac Adaptations Determined Using ECG and Echocardiography Data
Authors: Schöffl Isabelle , Wüstenfeld Jan , Jones Gareth , Dittrich Sven , Lutter Chris , Schöffl Volker 
Published: November 2020

Introduction Sudden cardiac death in a young athlete is the leading cause of mortality in athletes during sport. Specific knowledge about cardiac adaptations are necessary for a better understanding of the underlying causes of such events. Methods A retrospective analysis of the electrocardiogram and echocardiographic data obtained during the yearly medical examination of the entire German junior national climbing team was undertaken. First, data from 1 examination were used. In a second step, data from 2 examinations spaced 2 y apart were analyzed for a selected subgroup to gain more knowledge about adaptations to climbing. The data from the subgroup were compared to an age- and sex-matched control group of Nordic skiers from the German junior national Nordic skiing team. Results Forty-seven young climbers (20 girls, 27 boys) were examined once. There were no pathological findings in the electrocardiogram or echocardiography. The left ventricular (LV) measurements fell between those for athletes and nonathletes. Eight boys and 6 girls from this group were tested twice over a timeframe of 27.5 mo. All LV measurements increased over time. After 2 y, the measurements from the climbers were comparable to those of the Nordic skiers. Conclusions Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (hypertrophy of the LV) is the leading cause of sudden cardiac death in athletes. An increase in LV dimensions was observed in the young climbers in this study. LV dimensions being comparable to high-level Nordic skiers after 2 y in the national team imply structural changes over time in this cohort.
Risk factors for Caesarean sections in Ghana: evidence from the Ghana Maternal Health Survey
Authors: Banchani Emmanuel , Tenkorang Eric Y. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractA Caesarean section can be a life-saving intervention in case of pregnancy complications or difficult labour. The prevalence of Caesarean section continues to increase, especially in sub-Saharan Africa, yet the reasons for this remain largely unexplored. This study investigated risk factors contributing to the decision to perform Caesarean sections in Ghana using data from 8645 women aged 15–49 years from the 2017 Ghana Maternal Health Survey. The data were analysed by applying complementary log-log and logit models. The majority of Ghanaian women (about 87%) reported preferring vaginal delivery to Caesarean section. Of those who had undergone a Caesarean section for their most recent birth, about 55% had an elective rather than an emergency section. Women with labour complications (prolonged/obstructed labour) were significantly more likely to have a Caesarean section (OR=4.09, 95% CI=3.10–5.41). Furthermore, women with maternal complications, particularly prolonged/obstructed labour, were less likely to have an elective Caesarean section than those who had no such complications (OR=0.25, 95% CI=0.14–0.46). Compared with poorer women, wealthy women were significantly more likely to have an elective Caesarean section (OR=1.84, 95% CI=1.08–3.14). The findings suggest that beyond maternal complications, women’s socioeconomic and demographic characteristics are important risk factors for undergoing a Caesarean section in Ghana.
Reporting of Demographic Variables in Neuropsychological Research: An Update of O’Bryant et al.’s Trends in the Current Literature
Authors: Medina Luis D. , Torres Stephanie , Gioia Anthony , Ochoa Lopez Andrea , Wang James , Cirino Paul T. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractObjective:Demographic trends and the globalization of neuropsychology have led to a push toward inclusivity and diversity in neuropsychological research in order to maintain relevance in the healthcare marketplace. However, in a review of neuropsychological journals, O’Bryant et al. found systematic under-reporting of sample characteristics vital for understanding the generalizability of research findings. We sought to update and expand the findings reported by O’Bryant et al.Method:We evaluated 1648 journal articles published between 2016 and 2019 from 7 neuropsychological journals. Of these, 1277 were original research or secondary analyses and were examined further. Articles were coded for reporting of age, sex/gender, years of education, ethnicity/race, socioeconomic status (SES), language, and acculturation. Additionally, we recorded information related to sample size, country, and whether the article focused on a pediatric or adult sample.Results:Key variables such as age and sex/gender (both over 95%) as well as education (71%) were frequently reported. Language (20%) and race/ethnicity (36%) were modestly reported, and SES (13%), and acculturation (<1%) were more rarely reported. SES was more commonly reported in pediatric than adult samples, and the opposite was true for education. There were differences between the present results and those of O’Bryant et al., though the same general trends remained.Conclusions:Reporting of demographic data in neuropsychological research appears to be slowly changing toward greater comprehensiveness, though clearly more work is needed. Greater systematic reporting of such data is likely to be beneficial for the generalizability and contextualization of neurocognitive function.
Thinking carefully about inclusiveness: evidence from European guilds
Authors: Ogilvie Sheilagh 
Published: November 2020

AbstractPolicy lessons are often drawn from the emergence in Europe of ‘inclusive’ institutions, which are held to have displaced ‘extractive’ institutions and fostered economic growth. This article analyzes the concept of inclusiveness using evidence on a historical institution that has been widely viewed as inclusive – the guild. It finds that we must differentiate between three types of inclusiveness: community, corporative, and societal. Community inclusiveness refers to the share of individuals involved in an institution's operations, corporative inclusiveness the share of political representation enjoyed by the institution itself, and societal inclusiveness the extent to which the institution enables full economic and political participation by everyone in society. We must also distinguish between general inclusiveness, which takes into account general-equilibrium effects, and partial inclusiveness, which assumes away such effects. Inclusiveness and extractiveness are not opposites in theory, and guilds show why certain types of inclusive institution are likely to behave in extractive ways. Finally, guilds alert us to trade-offs between inclusive economic institutions, inclusive political institutions, and inclusive growth. History does not imply abandoning the concept of inclusiveness, but rather thinking about it carefully.
Multiple Imputation in Multilevel Models. A Revision of the Current Software and Usage Examples for Researchers
Authors: García-Patos Pablo , Olmos Ricardo 
Published: November 2020

AbstractAlthough modern lines for dealing with missing data are well established from the 1970s, today there is a challenge when researchers encounter this problem in multilevel models. First, there is a variety of existing software to handle missing data based on multiple imputation (MI), currently pointed out by experts as the most promising strategy. Second, the two principal paradigms of MI are joint modelling (JM) and fully conditional specification (FCS), one more complication because they are not equally useful depending on the combination of multilevel model and the estimated parameters affected by missing data. Technical literature do not contribute to ease the number of decisions that researcher has to do. Given these inconveniences, the present paper has three objectives. (1) To present a thorough revision of the most recently developed software and functions about multiple imputation in multilevel models. (2) We derive a set of suggestions, recommendations, and guides for helping researchers to handle missing data. We list a number of key questions to consider when analyzing multilevel models. (3) Finally, based on the previous relevant questions, we present two detailed examples using the recommended R packages to be easy for the researcher applying multiple imputation in multilevel models.
Implementation of the Rorschach in an Evidence-Based Setting
Authors: Van Laer Inge M. L. , Vanhoyland Maarten , De Saeger Hilde 
Published: November 2020

Abstract. Over the years, projective tests lost their power and became the target of criticism. The methods were old, not supported by any powerful evidence, and were ridiculed in cartoons, movies, and popular media. It is difficult for clinicians to deal with these criticisms. A difficulty often heard among clinicians who are proficient in personality assessment is how to cope with skepticism and preconceptions in the use of projective methods. Working in a forensic setting and a residential setting for people with severe personality disorders challenged us on how to implement the Rorschach in our daily work as assessors, teachers, and supervisors. In this article we describe our journey in trying to work collaboratively with our clients, management staff, colleagues, and students in the use of projective methods. Although research overall shows that multimethod assessment is the gold standard, daily practice shows differently. The use of semi-structured self-report methods seems to be more popular, and these are perceived as more evidence-based. We compare the implementation of the Rorschach in an evidence-based setting with the implementation of a new therapeutic model from a heuristic point of view ( Hutsebaut et al., 2012 ).
A Survey of Venus Shock Crossings Dominated by Kinematic Relaxation
Authors: Pope S. A. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractCollisionless shocks are one of the most effective particle accelerators in the known universe. Even low Mach number shocks could have a significant role in particle heating and acceleration. Theory suggests that kinematic collisionless relaxation, the process whereby a downstream nongyroptopic ion population becomes thermalized through collisionless gyrophase mixing, is the dominant energy redistribution mechanism in quasi‐perpendicular, low Mach number, and low β shocks. However, there have only been a limited number of observations of these shocks using in situ measurements at Venus, Earth and in interplanetary space. This paper presents the results of the first detailed study using in situ measurements, of the effect of fundamental parameters on the formation of these shocks. All low Mach number shocks occurring during the magnetic cloud phase of an interplanetary coronal mass ejection are identified in Venus Express magnetic field data over the duration of the mission. From the 92 shock crossings identified, 38 show clear evidence of kinematic relaxation. It is shown that kinematic relaxation is dominant at Venus when the angle between the local shock normal and upstream magnetic field is greater 50° and the Alfvén Mach number is less than 1.4. These shocks are also observed across a range of solar‐zenith‐angles indicating that it is likely that any location on the Venus bow shock could form such a structure. Venus Express plasma measurements are used to verify the parameters estimated from the magnetic field and indicate the importance of heavy ions, including potential pickup O+.
Simultaneous Polar and Cluster Observations in the Northern and Southern Middle‐Altitude Polar Cusps Around Equinox
Authors: Pitout F. , Marchaudon A. , Trattner K. J. , Berchem J. , Laakso H. , Escoubet C. P. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractWe present an event of simultaneous observations of the northern and southern middle‐altitude polar cusps by the Polar spacecraft and Cluster fleet that occurred on 23 September 2004. We examine the possible asymmetries in the fields and plasma parameters, although the proximity of the equinox should limit these asymmetries. Ion sensors reveal two dispersions in both cusps, and data analysis leads to the conclusion that those dispersions are due to pulsed reconnection at a single X‐line, which runs along the subsolar magnetopause. While the electromagnetic and particle energy fluxes injected in both cusp are globally very similar, we report significant differences in ion dispersions, width of the low‐latitude boundary layer, and peak convection velocities. We ascribe these differences to the dipole tilt that introduces an asymmetry in the magnetosheath flow at the exterior cusps.
Diagnosing the Time‐Dependent Nature of Magnetosphere‐Ionosphere Coupling via ULF Waves at Substorm Onset
Authors: Smith A. W. , Rae I. J. , Forsyth C. , Watt C. E. J. , Murphy K. R. , Mann I. R. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractAzimuthal structuring is usually observed within the brightening auroral substorm onset arc; such structure has been linked to the exponential growth of electromagnetic ultralow‐frequency (ULF) waves. We present a case study investigating the timing and frequency dependence of such ULF waves on the ground and in the near‐Earth magnetotail. In the magnetotail, we observe an increase in broadband wave power across the 10‐ to 100‐s period range. On the ground, the arrival times spread from an epicenter. The onset of longer period waves occurs first and propagates fastest in latitude and longitude, while shorter periods appear to be more confined to the onset arc. The travel time from the spacecraft to the ground is inferred to be approximately 1–2 min for ULF wave periods between 15 and 60 s, with transit times of 60 s or less for longer period waves. This difference might be attributed to preferential damping of the shorter period waves, as their amplitude would take longer to rise above background levels. These results have important consequences for constraining the physics of substorm onset processes in the near‐Earth magnetotail and their communication to the ground.
Shotgun sequencing of the vaginal microbiome reveals both a species and functional potential signature of preterm birth
Authors: Feehily Conor , Crosby David , Walsh Calum J. , Lawton Elaine M. , Higgins Shane , McAuliffe Fionnuala M. , Cotter Paul D. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractAn association between the vaginal microbiota and preterm birth (PTB) has been reported in several research studies. Population shifts from high proportions of lactobacilli to mixed species communities, as seen with bacterial vaginosis, have been linked to a twofold increased risk of PTB. Despite the increasing number of studies using next-generation sequencing technologies, primarily involving 16S rRNA-based approaches, to investigate the vaginal microbiota during pregnancy, no distinct microbial signature has been associated with PTB. Shotgun metagenomic sequencing offers a powerful tool to reveal community structures and their gene functions at a far greater resolution than amplicon sequencing. In this study, we employ shotgun metagenomic sequencing to compare the vaginal microbiota of women at high risk of preterm birth (n = 35) vs. a low-risk control group (n = 14). Although microbial diversity and richness did not differ between groups, there were significant differences in terms of individual species. In particular, Lactobacillus crispatus was associated with samples from a full-term pregnancy, whereas one community state-type was associated with samples from preterm pregnancies. Furthermore, by predicting gene functions, the functional potential of the preterm microbiota was different from that of full-term equivalent. Taken together, we observed a discrete structural and functional difference in the microbial composition of the vagina in women who deliver preterm. Importance: with an estimated 15 million cases annually, spontaneous preterm birth (PTB) is the leading cause of death in infants under the age of five years. The ability to accurately identify pregnancies at risk of spontaneous PTB is therefore of utmost importance. However, no single cause is attributable. Microbial infection is a known risk factor, yet the role of vaginal microbes is poorly understood. Using high-resolution DNA-sequencing techniques, we investigate the microbial communities present in the vaginal tracts of women deemed high risk for PTB. We confirm that Lactobacillus crispatus is strongly linked to full-term pregnancies, whereas other microbial communities associate with PTB. Importantly, we show that the specific functions of the microbes present in PTB samples differs from FTB samples, highlighting the power of our sequencing approach. This information enables us to begin understanding the specific microbial traits that may be influencing PTB, beyond the presence or absence of microbial taxa.
Multiscale dynamic human mobility flow dataset in the U.S. during the COVID-19 epidemic
Authors: Kang Yuhao , Gao Song , Liang Yunlei , Li Mingxiao , Rao Jinmeng , Kruse Jake 
Published: November 2020

AbstractUnderstanding dynamic human mobility changes and spatial interaction patterns at different geographic scales is crucial for assessing the impacts of non-pharmaceutical interventions (such as stay-at-home orders) during the COVID-19 pandemic. In this data descriptor, we introduce a regularly-updated multiscale dynamic human mobility flow dataset across the United States, with data starting from March 1st, 2020. By analysing millions of anonymous mobile phone users’ visits to various places provided by SafeGraph, the daily and weekly dynamic origin-to-destination (O-D) population flows are computed, aggregated, and inferred at three geographic scales: census tract, county, and state. There is high correlation between our mobility flow dataset and openly available data sources, which shows the reliability of the produced data. Such a high spatiotemporal resolution human mobility flow dataset at different geographic scales over time may help monitor epidemic spreading dynamics, inform public health policy, and deepen our understanding of human behaviour changes under the unprecedented public health crisis. This up-to-date O-D flow open data can support many other social sensing and transportation applications.