bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Elucidating the Impact of Childhood, Adulthood, and Cumulative Lifetime Trauma Exposure on Psychiatric Symptoms in Early Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders
Authors: Liu Jianlin , Mahendran Rathi , Chong Siow Ann , Subramaniam Mythily 
Published: October 2020

AbstractCumulative lifetime trauma has a profound impact on the development of schizophrenia spectrum disorders. However, few studies have determined participants’ most distressing (i.e., “worst”) life event in childhood or adulthood or examined whether this event contributes to poorer clinical outcomes. The present study aimed to (a) determine the associations between the worst life event and demographic/clinical variables and (b) examine the associations between the worst life event and psychiatric symptoms (i.e., positive, negative, depressive, and anxiety symptoms). Participants (N = 150) were outpatients newly diagnosed with schizophrenia spectrum disorders who were assessed for lifetime trauma exposure, positive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia, and symptoms of depression and anxiety. Multinomial logistic regression analysis was conducted to examine the associations between demographic and clinical variables and worst life events (none, childhood, or adulthood). Multiple linear regression analyses were performed to examine the associations between worst life events and psychiatric symptoms. More participants reported that their worst life event occurred during adulthood (31.1%) than childhood (21.3%). Adulthood trauma was associated with male gender, older age, non‐Chinese ethnicity, and psychiatric comorbidities; childhood trauma was associated with a family history of depression/anxiety. Adulthood trauma was significantly associated with more severe positive psychotic symptoms, f2 = 0.19, whereas childhood and adulthood trauma exposure were both significantly associated with more severe depressive and anxiety symptoms, f2s = 0.19 and 0.25, respectively. Our findings underscore the importance of conducting assessments for worst life events and the associated risk factors to develop meaningful formulations and appropriate trauma‐focused treatment plans.
Evaluation and validation of TAMSAT‐ALERT soil moisture and WRSI for use in drought anticipatory action
Authors: Boult Victoria L. , Asfaw Dagmawi T. , Young Matthew , Maidment Ross , Mwangi Emmah , Ambani Maurine , Waruru Shamton , Otieno George , Todd Martin C. , Black Emily 
Published: October 2020

AbstractReliable information on the likelihood of drought is of crucial importance in agricultural planning and humanitarian decision‐making. Acting based upon probabilistic forecasts of drought, rather than responding to prevailing drought conditions, has the potential to save lives, livelihoods and resources, but is accompanied by the risk of acting in vain. The suitability of a novel forecasting tool is assessed in the present paper in terms of its ability to provide skilful information of the likelihood of drought impacts on crops and pasture within a timeframe that allows for anticipatory action. The Tropical Applications of Meteorology using SATellite data—AgriculturaL Early waRning sysTem (TAMSAT‐ALERT) tool provides forecasts of seasonal mean soil moisture and the water requirement satisfaction index (WRSI). TAMSAT‐ALERT metrics were found to be strongly correlated with pasture availability and maize yield in Kenya and provided skilful forecasts early in key seasons, allowing sufficient time for preparatory actions. Incorporating TAMSAT‐ALERT forecasts in a layered approach, with actions triggered by spatiotemporally varying triggers and fundamentally informed by humanitarian actors, will provide reliable information on the likelihood of drought, ultimately mitigating food insecurity.
Next‐generation sequencing identifies rare pathogenic and novel candidate variants in a cohort of Chinese patients with syndromic or nonsyndromic hearing loss
Authors: Xiang Yan‐Bao , Xu Chen‐Yang , Xu Yun‐Zhi , Li Huan‐Zheng , Zhou Li‐Li , Xu Xue‐Qin , Chen Zi‐Hui , Tang Shao‐Hua 
Published: October 2020

AbstractBackgroundHearing loss (HL) is a common sensory disorder in humans characterized by extreme clinical and genetic heterogeneity. In recent years, next‐generation sequencing (NGS) technologies have proven to be highly effective and powerful tools for population genetic studies of HL. Here, we analyzed clinical and molecular data from 21 Chinese deaf families who did not have hotspot mutations in the common deafness genes GJB2, SLC26A4, GJB3, and MT‐RNR1.MethodTargeted next‐generation sequencing (TGS) of 127 known deafness genes was performed in probands of 12 families, while whole‐exome sequencing (WES) or trio‐WES was used for the remaining nine families.ResultsPotential pathogenic mutations in a total of 12 deafness genes were identified in 13 probands; the mutations were observed in GJB2, CDH23, EDNRB, MYO15A, OTOA, OTOF, TBC1D24, SALL1, TMC1, TWNK, USH1C, and USH1G, with eight of the identified mutations being novel. Further, a copy number variant (CNV) was detected in one proband with heterozygous deletion of chromosome 4p16.3‐4p15.32. Thus, the total diagnostic rate using NGS in our deafness patients reached 66.67% (14/21).ConclusionsThese results expand the mutation spectrum of deafness‐causing genes and provide support for the use of NGS detection technologies for routine molecular diagnosis in Chinese deaf populations.
Novel imaging techniques using 18F‐florbetapir PET/MRI can guide fascicular nerve biopsy in amyloid multiple mononeuropathy
Authors: Shouman Kamal , Broski Stephen M. , Muchtar Eli , Pendleton Courtney A. , Johnson Geoffrey B. , Tracy Jennifer , Engelstad Janean K. , Spinner Robert J. , Dyck P. James B. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractBackgroundMultiple mononeuropathy is a rare presentation of primary (AL) amyloidosis and nerve biopsy is usually needed for diagnosis. Conventional imaging is useful to identify proximal nerve involvement but may be inadequate. We report a patient with multiple mononeuropathy whose presentation was suggestive of AL amyloid neuropathy and in whom repeated tissue biopsies were negative for amyloid (including two sensory nerves and one muscle).MethodsThe patient underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and whole body 18F‐florbetapir positron emission tomography (PET)/MRI.ResultsWhole body 18F‐florbetapir PET/MRI revealed abnormal low‐level florbetapir uptake in the right proximal tibial and peroneal nerves, which provided a target for a sciatic bifurcation fascicular nerve biopsy that was diagnostic of AL amyloidosis.Conclusions
18F‐florbetapir PET/MRI imaging is a promising diagnostic tool for patients with suspected peripheral nerve amyloidosis (including multiple mononeuropathy) in whom conventional imaging and nerve and muscle biopsies miss the pathology.
Motor axonal neuropathy associated with GNE mutations
Authors: Grecu Nicolae , Villa Luisa , Cavalli Michele , Ristaino Antoine , Choumert Ariane , Butori Catherine , Salviati Leonardo , Puma Angela , Krahn Martin , Cerino Mathieu , Sacconi Sabrina 
Published: October 2020

AbstractBackgroundMutations in the GNE gene have been so far described as predominantly associated with distal lower‐limb myopathies. Recent reports describe mutations in this gene in patients with peripheral neuropathy and motor neuron disease.MethodsWe describe three patients displaying motor neuropathy in association with GNE mutations. Clinical, electrophysiological, imaging, pathological, and genetic data are presented in a retrospective manner.ResultsThe three patients had different phenotypes, ranging from mildly progressive lower limb weakness to a rapidly progressive 4‐limb weakness. Genetic testing revealed GNE gene mutations in all patients; of those mutations, p.(His186Arg) has not been previously reported. All patients showed evidence of axonal motor nerve involvement on electrodiagnostic examination and/or muscle biopsy.ConclusionsNerve involvement associated with GNE gene mutations may be an underdiagnosed pathology and may influence clinical presentation and disease progression.
Demonstration and application of NMM‐based fractured porous medium flow model
Authors: Zhang Qi‐Hua , Lin Shao‐Zhong , Su Hai‐Dong , Shi Gen‐Hua 
Published: October 2020

AbstractIn natural rock masses, the shapes of three‐dimensional (3‐D) blocks cut by arbitrary fracture networks may be very complex. Owing to the geometric complexity and difficulty of mesh discretization of 3‐D blocks and fracture facets, explicit consideration of fracture networks in flow analysis of fractured porous medium (FPM) is very challenging. Using the numerical manifold method based on independent covers (NMMIC), an FPM flow model was proposed that can deal with very complex 3‐D fracture networks. In this paper, the convergence of NMMIC was first demonstrated. The theoretical basis of the arbitrary refinement of computational meshes was proven. Moreover, three peculiarities of NMMIC meshes, that is, arbitrary shape, arbitrary connection, and arbitrary refinement of independent covers, were concluded. Finally, some two‐dimensional (2‐D) tunnel flow examples were analyzed and the numerical results were compared with the analytical results. 3‐D examples with complex fracture distributions were also analyzed. In addition, the computational scale of the developed program was tested by increasing the number of computational elements. The results show that our model can accurately analyze the groundwater flow of rocks surrounding tunnels with complex fracture distributions.
Critical time step for discrete element method simulations of convex particles with central symmetry
Authors: Peng Di , Burns Shane J. , Hanley Kevin J. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractA time step must be selected for any explicit discrete element method (DEM) simulation. This time step must be small enough to ensure a stable simulation but should not be overly conservative for computational efficiency. There are established methods to estimate critical time steps for simulations of spherical particles. However, there is a comparable lack of guidance on choosing time steps for DEM simulations involving nonspherical particles: a fact which is increasingly problematic as simulations of nonspherical particles become more commonplace. In this article, the eigenvalues of the amplification matrix are used to develop an explicit formula for the critical time step for a range of shapes including ellipsoids, convex superquadrics and convex, central symmetric polyhedra. This derivation is based on a linear analysis and applies to both underdamped and overdamped systems. The dependence on the particle mass and contact stiffness expected for a system of spheres is recovered. For a fixed particle mass, as particle shape becomes increasingly nonspherical, the critical time step decreases nonlinearly. Thus, estimating a critical time step by assuming a sphere of equivalent volume may not always be conservative.
Graphene‐Based Macromolecular Assemblies for Scavenging Heavy Metals
Authors: Chowdhury Shamik , Pan Sharadwata 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThe integration of graphene or graphene oxide nanosheets into three‐dimensional (3D) graphene‐based macromolecular assemblies (GMAs), in the form of sponges, beads, fibres, films, and crumpled nanosheets, has greatly advanced their environmental remediation applications. This is attributed to the outstanding physicochemical characteristics and superlative mechanical features of 3D GMAs, including precise and physically linked permeable networks, enormous surface area, profound porosity, and high‐class sturdiness, amongst others. In this review, the recent advancements towards the exploration of 3D GMAs as an exciting new class of high‐performance adsorbents, for eliminating toxic heavy metal ions from both wastewater and freshwater, are systematically summarized and discussed, from both fundamental and applied perspectives. In particular, the numerous surface modification techniques that are actively pursued to enrich the metal adsorption capacity of 3D GMAs, are comprehensively examined. Additionally, associated challenges are pointed out and tactical research strategies and improvements are proposed, with an eye on the conceivable future.
Fluorescent Mesoporous Nanoparticles for β‐Lactamase Screening Assays
Authors: Tummala Srikrishna , Huang Wei‐An , Wu Bo‐Hong , Chang Kai‐Chih , Ho Yen‐Peng 
Published: October 2020

AbstractWe present a sensitive and rapid screening method for the determination of β‐lactamase activity of antibiotic‐resistant bacteria, by designing a pH‐sensitive fluorescent dye‐doped mesoporous silica nanoparticle encapsulated with penicillin G as a substrate. When penicillin G was hydrolysed by β‐lactamase and converted into penicilloic acid, the acidic environment resulted in fluorescence quenching of the dye. The dye‐doped mesoporous nanoparticles not only enhanced the β‐lactamase‐catalyzed reaction rate but also stablized the substrate, penicillin G, which degrades into penicilloic acid in a water solution without β‐lactamase. Twentyfive clinical bacterial samples were tested and the antibiotic resistant and susceptible strains were identified. The proposed method may detect the presence of β ‐lactamases of clinically relevant samples in less than 1 hour. Moreover, the detection limit of β‐lactamase activity was as low as 7.8×10−4 U/mL, which was determined within two hours.
Characterization of metal‐polymer interaction forces by AFM for insert molding applications
Authors: Abhyankar Hrushikesh , Webb D. Patrick , West Geoff D. , Hutt David A. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThere is a growing interest in the overmolding of electronics with thermoplastics and the embedding of electronics in 3D printed parts. However long term device reliability requires good adhesion between the metallic surfaces of the electronic components and the overmolding polymer. In order to provide a guide to material selection, interaction forces between tin, a common electronics metallization and six commodity thermoplastics were studied. The force measurements were undertaken using atomic force microscopy (AFM) with probes functionalized with tin particles. The particles were attached to the probes by a novel method using a focused ion beam (FIB) instrument. Highly consistent cantilever deflections at pull‐off were obtained, allowing the thermoplastics to be robustly ranked by strength of interaction with tin as: PC > PMMA > PBT > ABS > PS > PA 6. From consideration of possible contributions to the pull‐off forces measured, it was concluded the data and the developed AFM tip functionalization technique are likely to be useful in materials selection for electronics overmolding with thermoplastics. The FIB functionalization technique may be useful in the wider context of investigations of other metal‐polymer interaction forces, for example with alloys, where other methods of functionalization may be difficult to apply.
Characterizing Practice Effects in Performance‐Based Tests Administered to Users of Unilateral Lower Limb Prostheses: A Preliminary Study
Authors: Sawers Andrew , Hafner Brian J. 
Published: October 2020

BackgroundPerformance‐based tests are viewed as a gold standard for measuring physical capability. Practice effects, however, may threaten their predictive, discriminative, and evaluative applications. Despite these potential consequences, practice effects have received limited attention in users of lower limb prostheses (LLP).ObjectiveTo perform an initial characterization of the occurrence, time‐course, and magnitude of practice effects in three performance‐based tests administered to users of LLP.DesignSecondary analysis of data from a multisite repeated‐measures study.SettingOutpatient clinic and research laboratory.ParticipantsConvenience sample of established ambulatory users of unilateral transtibial and transfemoral prostheses (n = 60).InterventionNot applicable.Main Outcome MeasuresPractice effects were identified as significant changes in slope of participants' cumulative trial‐by‐trial records. The occurrence, time‐course, and magnitude of practice effects were computed for the Timed Up and Go (TUG), Four Square Step Test (FSST), and the 10‐m Walk Test (10mWT).ResultsAcross tests, practice effects were observed in 45% to 76% of participants. The proportion of participants with practice effects (ie, occurrence) was significantly greater for the FSST than the 10mWT (P = .008). The median number of trials (ie, time‐course) required for participants to reach a consistent level of performance was not significantly different between tests (FSST: 4 trials, TUG: 4 trials; 10mWT: 3.5 trials; P = .481). Practice effect magnitude (ie, difference between the mean of trials during the plateau and best performance over the first two trials) was significantly greater than zero for the FSST (1.6 s; 16%) and TUG (1.4 s; 13%) (P < .05).ConclusionResults indicate that the FSST, TUG, and 10mWT were susceptible to practice effects in this sample of users of LLP. Practice effects may obscure significant differences in walking and balance ability, and thereby, in the absence of modifications, limit the use of these tests for making individual patient clinical decisions and analyzing group‐level data.
Comparison between two newborn screening strategies for cystic fibrosis in Argentina: IRT/IRT versus IRT/PAP
Authors: Teper Alejandro , Smithuis Fernando , Rodríguez Viviana , Salvaggio Orlando , Maccallini Gustavo , Aranda Claudio , Lubovich Silvina , Zaragoza Silvina , García‐Bournissen Facundo 
Published: October 2020

AbstractBackgroundThe benefits of early cystic fibrosis (CF) detection using newborn screening (NBS) has led to widespread use in NBS programs. Since 2002, a two‐stage immunoreactive trypsinogen (IRT/IRT) screening strategy has been used as a CFNBS method in all public maternity units in the City of Buenos Aires, Argentina. However, novel screening strategies may be more efficient. The aim of this study is to prospectively compare two CFNBS strategies: IRT/IRT and IRT/PAP (pancreatitis‐associated protein).MethodsA two‐year prospective study was performed. IRT was measured in dried blood samples collected 48–72 h after birth. When an IRT value was abnormal, PAP was determined, and a second visit was scheduled to obtain another sample for IRT before 25 days of life. Newborns with a positive CFNBS were referred for a confirmatory sweat test.ResultsThere were 69,827 births in the City of Buenos Aires during the period studied; 918 (1.31%) had an abnormal IRT. A total of 207 children (22.5%) failed to return for the second IRT, but only two PAP (0.2%) were not performed. IRT/IRT was more likely to lead to a referral for sweat testing than IRT/PAP (odds ratio 2.3 [95% confidence interval 1.8–2.9], p < .001). Sensitivity and specificity were: 80% and 100% and 86.5% and 82.6% for IRT/IRT and IRT/PAP strategies, respectively.ConclusionThe IRT/PAP strategy is more sensitive than IRT/IRT and has similar specificity; it avoids a second visit and unnecessary sweat testing, and it reduces loss to follow‐up in our population.
From flat file to interface: Synthesis of personas and analytics for enhanced user understanding
Authors: Jansen Bernard J. , Jung Soon‐Gyo , Salminen Joni 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThe persona approach is a communicative design technique for understanding users. With increasing access to analytics data, personas are more and more generated from online user statistics using big data and algorithmic approaches. This integration offers new opportunities to shift personas from flat files of data presentation to that of interactive interfaces for analytics systems. We illustrate this transition towards the concept of “persona as interface” with a persona analytics system, Automatic Persona Generation (APG). In pushing advancements of both persona and analytics conceptualization, development, and use, the APG system presents a multi‐layered “full‐stack” integration. APG affords three levels of user data presentation, which are (a) the conceptual persona, (b) the analytical user metrics, and (c) the foundational user data. Moving to a “personas as interfaces” approach offers the benefits of both personas and analytics systems and addresses some of the shortcomings of each. We provide results from user experiments of and use cases for APG. The result is a better tool than either persona or analytics along for user understanding.
Oxymorons of privacy and surveillance in “smart homes”
Authors: Doty Philip 
Published: October 2020

AbstractSurveillance is an important element of contemporary society. To understand current surveillance and its implications for privacy, this paper contributes to theory by identifying three oxymorons (apparent paradoxes) related to privacy and surveillance in the “smart home.” After discussing how “smart homes” are telling examples of the general privacy paradox (only an apparent paradox), the paper examines two related oxymorons: what I term the oxymoron of the surveillance of care and the oxymoron of inconvenient seamlessness. They are drawn from empirical, historical, and conceptual investigations of users' attitudes and behaviors. The paper identifies defining differences between automated and “smart homes,” the complexity of understanding implications for privacy and surveillance of such homes, and how empirical studies of attitudes about and behavior related to “smart homes” can inform theory. The paper is partially grounded in feminist and historical research about the home, individual and family life, and consideration of contemporary surveillance theories. Carefully examining oxymorons about surveillance and privacy is key to our understanding and to our scholarly and political action, showing the continuing need for critical surveillance and privacy studies.
Recreated actors and attribution: An analysis of film crediting practices
Authors: Dobreski Brian , Thompson Cassidy 
Published: October 2020

AbstractNew technologies are challenging traditional notions and practices of attribution, or how creative responsibility is understood and expressed. A prominent example is the recreation of deceased or unavailable actors in new film performances. Manufactured through the use of doubles, CGI, and reference footage, these performances are the result of complex, shared creative responsibilities. This study looks to the credits for these films as a means of exploring attribution in such cases. Researchers identified 19 feature films utilizing recreated performances and conducted a content analysis of the films' closing credits, focusing on attributive statements associated with recreated actors and their roles. Results show that, even with minimal or no active involvement, deceased actors tend to receive the major acting credit, while doubles receive lesser or no credit at all. As such, film credits do not serve as traditional descriptive metadata per se, but must negotiate a number of functions simultaneously, highlighting their role as paratexts that use attribution to blur the lines between narrative and external realities. Attribution is used to support the authenticity of these performances, downplaying or obscuring complex creative responsibilities in the process.