bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Test–retest reliability of the two-point discrimination test on the sole of the foot in people with multiple sclerosis
Authors: Taylor S C , Atkinson G , Dixon J , Robinson J R , Ryan C G 
Published: October 2020

Abstract

Background: Two-point discrimination (TPD) is an assessment of tactile acuity. People with multiple sclerosis (MS) can have reduced foot sole tactile acuity, which has been linked to impaired balance. Objective: To quantify the test–retest reliability of TPD on the sole of the foot in people with MS. Approach: 41 participants (32 females), with mean (SD) age of 60 (9) years, and Expanded Disability Status Scale of <7.5, had their TPD measured at the head of the first metatarsal and the heel on two occasions, 2–14 d apart. Mean systematic change, within-subjects SD, limits of agreement (LOA), coefficient of variation and the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) were quantified as point estimates (95% CI). Main results: Systematic learning effects were evident. The within-subjects SD at the metatarsal and the heel was 6.7 mm (5.5–8.6) and 8.3 mm (6.7–10.8), and the LOAs were 18.6 mm (15.2–24.) and 23.7 mm (18.7–30.1), respectively. ICCs for metatarsal and heel was 0.87 (0.76–0.93) and 0.90 (0.80–0.95), respectively, but these were likely inflated by sample heterogeneity. Significance: In people with MS, TPD on the sole of the foot has an adequate test–retest reliability for research purposes, but there is substantial measurement variability for individual patients.
A review of fetal cardiac monitoring, with a focus on low- and middle-income countries
Authors: Valderrama Camilo E , Ketabi Nasim , Marzbanrad Faezeh , Rohloff Peter , Clifford Gari D 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
There is limited evidence regarding the utility of fetal monitoring during pregnancy, particularly during labor and delivery. Developed countries rely on consensus ‘best practices’ of obstetrics and gynecology professional societies to guide their protocols and policies. Protocols are often driven by the desire to be as safe as possible and avoid litigation, regardless of the cost of downstream treatment. In high-resource settings, there may be a justification for this approach. In low-resource settings, in particular, interventions can be costly and lead to adverse outcomes in subsequent pregnancies. Therefore, it is essential to consider the evidence and cost of different fetal monitoring approaches, particularly in the context of treatment and care in low-to-middle income countries.
This article reviews the standard methods used for fetal monitoring, with particular emphasis on fetal cardiac assessment, which is a reliable indicator of fetal well-being. An overview of fetal monitoring practices in low-to-middle income counties, including perinatal care access challenges, is also presented. Finally, an overview of how mobile technology may help reduce barriers to perinatal care access in low-resource settings is provided.
Spin-relaxation times exceeding seconds for color centers with strong spin–orbit coupling in SiC
Authors: Gilardoni Carmem M , Bosma Tom , van Hien Danny , Hendriks Freddie , Magnusson Björn , Ellison Alexandre , Ivanov Ivan G , Son N T , van der Wal Caspar H 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Spin-active color centers in solids show good performance for quantum technologies. Several transition-metal defects in SiC offer compatibility with telecom and semiconductor industries. However, whether their strong spin–orbit coupling degrades their spin lifetimes is not clear. We show that a combination of a crystal-field with axial symmetry and spin–orbit coupling leads to a suppression of spin–lattice and spin–spin interactions, resulting in remarkably slow spin relaxation. Our optical measurements on an ensemble of Mo impurities in SiC show a spin lifetime T
1 of 2.4 s at 2 K.
Phonon-assisted Andreev reflection driven by a Majorana zero mode
Authors: Wang Xian-Di , Wang Xiao-Qi , Sun Hong-Yu , Dai Xue-Feng , Wang Qi , Gong Wei-Jiang 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
We investigate the Andreev reflection in the heterostructure formed by the indirect coupling between the metallic lead and Majorana zero mode (MZM) via one quantum dot which suffers from the electron-phonon interaction. Our calculation results show that at the zero-temperature limit, the MZM-governed zero-bias conductance value is independent of the electron-phonon interaction. However at finite temperature, the electron-phonon interaction exacerbates the suppression of the magnitude of zero-bias conductance. We believe that the results in this work can help to further differentiate the signature of the MZM in the Andreev reflection process.
‘BAAE’ instabilities observed without fast ion drive
Authors: Heidbrink W.W. , Van Zeeland M.A. , Austin M.E. , Bierwage A. , Chen Liu , Choi G.J. , Lauber P. , Lin Z. , McKee G.R. , Spong D.A. 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
The instability that was previously identified (Gorelenkov 2009 Phys. Plasmas
16 056107) as a fast-ion driven beta-induced Alfvén-acoustic eigenmode (BAAE) in DIII-D was misidentified. In a dedicated experiment, low frequency modes (LFMs) with characteristic ‘Christmas light’ patterns of brief instability linked to the safety factor evolution occur in plasmas with electron temperature T
e ≳ 2.1 keV but modest beta. To isolate the importance of different driving gradients on these modes, the electron cyclotron heating (ECH) power and 80 keV, sub-Alfvénic neutral beams are altered for 50–100 ms durations in reproducible discharges. Although beta-induced Alfvén eigenmodes and reversed-shear Alfvén eigenmodes stabilize when beam injection ceases (as expected for a fast-ion driven instability), the LFMs that were called BAAEs persist. Data mining reveals that characteristic LFM instabilities can occur in discharges with no beam heating but strong ECH. A large database of over 1000 discharges shows that LFMs are only unstable in plasmas with hot electrons but modest overall beta. The experimental LFMs have low frequencies (comparable to diamagnetic drift frequencies) in the plasma frame, occur near the minimum of the safety factor q
min, and appear when q
min is close to rational values. Theoretical analysis suggests that the LFMs are a low frequency reactive instability of predominately Alfvénic polarization.
Preparation, characterization and foaming performance of thermally expandable microspheres
Authors: Li Furong , Zhang Qingqing , Jiao Shouzheng , Sun Zhicheng , Wen Jinyue , Du Xiaoyang , Liu Ruping , Li Luhai 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Thermal expansion microcapsules (TEMs) are widely used in various fields due to their unique structures. In recent years, TEMs have attracted much attention and have broad market application prospects. In this study, thermally expandable microcapsules with a core–shell structure were prepared by suspension polymerization using acrylonitrile (AN), methyl methacrylate (MMA), and methyl acrylate (MA) as monomers and low-boiling alkane as the core material. Through particle size analysis, morphology test, thermal analysis and other methods, the effects of core material types, single core material and mixed core material, dispersion system on the microcapsule structure, particle size distribution, and expansion properties were compared. Moreover, the core material with a content of 35% can make the expansion ratio of the microcapsules up to 4 times. The expansion performance of the microcapsules with a mixture of isopentane and isooctane (ratio 1:1) as the core material was increased by 27% compared with that of a single core material. In addition, comparing with colloidal SO2/PVP dispersant, the expansion ratio of the microcapsules with magnesium hydroxide as the dispersant was increased by 20%. Finally, the optimized method for preparing thermally expandable microcapsules was obtained.
Dendritic pathology, spine loss and synaptic reorganization in human cortex from epilepsy patients
Authors: Rossini Laura , De Santis Dalia , Mauceri Roberta Rosa , Tesoriero Chiara , Bentivoglio Marina , Maderna Emanuela , Maiorana Antonio , Deleo Francesco , de Curtis Marco , Tringali Giovanni , Cossu Massimo , Tumminelli Gemma , Bramerio Manuela , Spreafico Roberto , Tassi Laura , Garbelli Rita 
Published: October 2020

AbstractNeuronal dendritic arborizations and dendritic spines are crucial for a normal synaptic transmission and may be critically involved in the pathophysiology of epilepsy. Alterations in dendritic morphology and spine loss mainly in hippocampal neurons have been reported both in epilepsy animal models and in human brain tissues from patients with epilepsy. However, it is still unclear whether these dendritic abnormalities relate to the cause of epilepsy or are generated by seizure recurrence. We investigated fine neuronal structures at the level of dendritic and spine organization using Golgi impregnation, and analysed synaptic networks with immunohistochemical markers of glutamatergic (vGLUT1) and GABAergic (vGAT) axon terminals in human cerebral cortices derived from epilepsy surgery. Specimens were obtained from 28 patients with different neuropathologically defined aetiologies: type Ia and type II focal cortical dysplasia, cryptogenic (no lesion) and temporal lobe epilepsy with hippocampal sclerosis. Autoptic tissues were used for comparison. Three-dimensional reconstructions of Golgi-impregnated neurons revealed severe dendritic reshaping and spine alteration in the core of the type II focal cortical dysplasia. Dysmorphic neurons showed increased dendritic complexity, reduction of dendritic spines and occasional filopodia-like protrusions emerging from the soma. Surprisingly, the intermingled normal-looking pyramidal neurons also showed severe spine loss and simplified dendritic arborization. No changes were observed outside the dysplasia (perilesional tissue) or in neocortical postsurgical tissue obtained in the other patient groups. Immunoreactivities of vGLUT1 and vGAT showed synaptic reorganization in the core of type II dysplasia characterized by the presence of abnormal perisomatic baskets around dysmorphic neurons, in particular those with filopodia-like protrusions, and changes in vGLUT1/vGAT expression. Ultrastructural data in type II dysplasia highlighted the presence of altered neuropil engulfed by glial processes. Our data indicate that the fine morphological aspect of neurons and dendritic spines are normal in epileptogenic neocortex, with the exception of type II dysplastic lesions. The findings suggest that the mechanisms leading to this severe form of cortical malformation interfere with the normal dendritic arborization and synaptic network organization. The data argue against the concept that long-lasting epilepsy and seizure recurrence per se unavoidably produce a dendritic pathology.
Enhanced Odorant Localization Abilities in Congenitally Blind but not in Late-Blind Individuals
Authors: Manescu Simona , Chouinard-Leclaire Christine , Collignon Olivier , Lepore Franco , Frasnelli Johannes 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Although often considered a nondominant sense for spatial perception, chemosensory perception can be used to localize the source of an event and potentially help us navigate through our environment. Would blind people who lack the dominant spatial sense—vision—develop enhanced spatial chemosensation or suffer from the lack of visual calibration on spatial chemosensory perception? To investigate this question, we tested odorant localization abilities across nostrils in blind people compared to sighted controls and if the time of vision loss onset modulates those abilities. We observed that congenitally blind individuals (10 subjects) outperformed sighted (20 subjects) and late-blind subjects (10 subjects) in a birhinal localization task using mixed olfactory-trigeminal stimuli. This advantage in congenitally blind people was selective to olfactory localization but not observed for odorant detection or identification. We, therefore, showed that congenital blindness but not blindness acquired late in life is linked to enhanced localization of chemosensory stimuli across nostrils, most probably of the trigeminal component. In addition to previous studies highlighting enhanced localization abilities in auditory and tactile modalities, our current results extend such enhanced abilities to chemosensory localization.
Vortex-Assisted Dispersive Liquid–Liquid Microextraction Coupled with Deproteinization for Determination of Nateglinide in Human Plasma Using HPLC/UV
Authors: Hammad Mohamed A , Kamal Amira H , Kannouma Reham E , Mansour Fotouh R 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
A validated method for preconcentration and determination of nateglinide in plasma was developed using vortex-assisted dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction. Different variables that affect extraction efficiency were studied and optimized, including type and volume of extractant, type and volume of disperser, pH of diluent, salt addition effect, centrifugation and vortex time. Nateglinide was extracted using 30 μL of 1-octanol as an extractant and 200 μL of methanol as a disperser. The enrichment factor reached 330 under the optimum conditions. High-performance liquid chromatography/ultraviolet was used for detection using phosphate buffer (pH 2.5, 10 mM): acetonitrile (45:55, v/v) as a mobile phase at a flow rate of 1 mL/min. The method was linear over the range of 50–20,000 ng/mL with a limit of detection of 15 ng/mL (signal-to-noise ratio = 3). Intra- and inter-day precision had %relative standard deviation &lt;6% (n = 3) and the %recoveries were found to be between 102.5 and 105.9%. The proposed method is simple, sensitive, eco-friendly, cost-effective and powerful for microextraction of nateglinide from human plasma samples.
Prevalence of Latent Tuberculosis Infection Among Non-US-Born Persons by Country of Birth—United States, 2012–2017
Authors: Collins Jeffrey M , Stout Jason E , Ayers Tracy , Hill Andrew N , Katz Dolly J , Ho Christine S , Blumberg Henry M , Winglee Kathryn ,   Tuberculosis Epidemiologic Studies Consortium
Published: October 2020

AbstractBackgroundMost tuberculosis (TB) disease in the United States (US) is attributed to reactivation of remotely acquired latent TB infection (LTBI) in non-US-born persons who were likely infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis in their countries of birth. Information on LTBI prevalence by country of birth could help guide local providers and health departments to scale up the LTBI screening and preventive treatment needed to advance progress toward TB elimination.MethodsA total of 13 805 non-US-born persons at high risk of TB infection or progression to TB disease were screened for LTBI at 16 clinical sites located across the United States with a tuberculin skin test, QuantiFERON Gold In-Tube test, and T-SPOT.TB test. Bayesian latent class analysis was applied to test results to estimate LTBI prevalence and associated credible intervals (CrIs) for each country or world region of birth.ResultsAmong the study population, the estimated LTBI prevalence was 31% (95% CrI, 26%–35%). Country-of-birth-level LTBI prevalence estimates were highest for persons born in Haiti, Peru, Somalia, Ethiopia, Vietnam, and Bhutan, ranging from 42% to 55%. LTBI prevalence estimates were lowest for persons born in Colombia, Malaysia, and Thailand, ranging from 8% to 13%.ConclusionsLTBI prevalence in persons born outside the US varies widely by country. These estimates can help target community outreach efforts to the highest-risk groups.
Inter-population differences in salinity tolerance of adult wild Sacramento splittail: osmoregulatory and metabolic responses to salinity
Authors: Verhille Christine E , Dabruzzi Theresa F , Cocherell Dennis E , Mahardja Brian , Feyrer Fred , Foin Theodore C , Baerwald Melinda R , Fangue Nann A 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThe Sacramento splittail (Pogonichthys macrolepidotus) is composed of two genetically distinct populations endemic to the San Francisco Estuary (SFE). The allopatric upstream spawning habitat of the Central Valley (CV) population connects with the sympatric rearing grounds via relatively low salinity waters, whereas the San Pablo (SP) population must pass through the relatively high-salinity Upper SFE to reach its allopatric downstream spawning habitat. We hypothesize that if migration through SFE salinities to SP spawning grounds is more challenging for adult CV than SP splittail, then salinity tolerance, osmoregulatory capacity, and metabolic responses to salinity will differ between populations. Osmoregulatory disturbances, assessed by measuring plasma osmolality and ions, muscle moisture and Na+-K+-ATPase activity after 168 to 336 h at 11‰ salinity, showed evidence for a more robust osmoregulatory capacity in adult SP relative to CV splittail. While both resting and maximum metabolic rates were elevated in SP splittail in response to increased salinity, CV splittail metabolic rates were unaffected by salinity. Further, the calculated difference between resting and maximum metabolic values, aerobic scope, did not differ significantly between populations. Therefore, improved osmoregulation came at a metabolic cost for SP splittail but was not associated with negative impacts on scope for aerobic metabolism. These results suggest that SP splittail may be physiologically adjusted to allow for migration through higher-salinity waters. The trends in interpopulation variation in osmoregulatory and metabolic responses to salinity exposures support our hypothesis of greater salinity-related challenges to adult CV than SP splittail migration and are consistent with our previous findings for juvenile splittail populations, further supporting our recommendation of population-specific management.
Effectiveness of the Care of Persons With Dementia in Their Environments Intervention When Embedded in a Publicly Funded Home- and Community-Based Service Program
Authors: Fortinsky Richard H , Gitlin Laura N , Pizzi Laura T , Piersol Catherine Verrier , Grady James , Robison Julie T , Molony Sheila , Wakefield Dorothy 
Published: October 2020

AbstractBackground and ObjectivesIn the absence of effective pharmacotherapy, there is an urgent need to test evidence-based dementia care interventions using pragmatic trial approaches. We present results from a study in which an evidence-based, nonpharmacologic intervention for persons living with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia (ADRD) and their informal caregivers, Care of Persons with Dementia in their Environments (COPE), was tested in a Medicaid and state revenue-funded home and community-based service (HCBS) program.Research Design and MethodsUsing pragmatic trial design strategies, persons living with ADRD and their caregivers were randomly assigned as dyads to receive COPE plus usual HCBS (COPE; n = 145 dyads) or usual HCBS only (Usual Care or UC; n = 146 dyads). Outcomes were measured prerandomization, and 4 and 12 months postrandomization. Outcomes for persons living with ADRD included functional independence, activity engagement, self-reported quality of life, and behavioral and psychological symptoms. Caregiver outcomes included perceived well-being, confidence using dementia management strategies, and degree of distress caused by behavioral and psychological symptoms.ResultsAfter 4 months, caregivers receiving COPE reported greater perceived well-being (least squares mean = 3.2; 95% CI: 3.1–3.3) than caregivers receiving UC (3.0; 2.9–3.0; p &lt; .001), and persons living with ADRD receiving COPE, compared to those receiving UC, showed a strong trend toward experiencing less frequent and less severe behavioral and psychological symptoms (9.7; 5.2–14.2 vs 12.7; 8.3–17.1; p = .07). After 12 months, persons living with ADRD receiving COPE were more engaged in meaningful activities (2.1; 2.0–2.1 vs 1.9; 1.9–2.0; p = .02) than those receiving UC.Discussion and ImplicationsEmbedding COPE in a publicly funded HCBS program yielded positive immediate effects on caregivers’ well-being, marginal positive immediate effects on behavioral and psychological symptoms, and long-term effects on meaningful activity engagement among persons living with ADRD. Findings suggest that COPE can be effectively integrated into this service system, an important step towards widespread adoption.Clinical Trials Registration NumberNCT02365051.
Initial Evidence for the Efficacy of an Everyday Memory and Metacognitive Intervention
Authors: Pearman Ann , Lustig Emily , Hughes MacKenzie L , Hertzog Christopher 
Published: October 2020

Abstract

Background and Objectives
The objective of this paper is to demonstrate the efficacy of an Everyday Memory and Metacognitive Intervention (EMMI) designed to improve everyday functioning of older adults. The EMMI emphasizes self-regulation as a behavioral approach to take priority over habitual behaviors that often impede everyday functioning.

Research Design and Methods
This study used a quasi-experimental design (intervention vs waitlist control) to test whether the EMMI improved several aspects of everyday cognition. Thirty-three EMMI participants (Mage = 70.24) were compared to 20 control participants (Mage = 71.70 years). The 2 groups were compared on everyday memory failures and successes, measures of well-being, subjective memory, and a prospective memory task.

Results
Participants who received the EMMI reported more memory successes and fewer memory failures over a 10-day measurement period postintervention. In addition, EMMI participants reported significantly higher life satisfaction and better subjective memory at posttest than the control group. Critically, the EMMI participants performed better on a laboratory contact prospective memory task.

Discussion and Implications
The results from this study suggest that the EMMI is a promising approach that has potential to improve everyday memory functioning and perhaps help extend functional independence. Future studies will include randomized controlled trials as well as electronic measurement of memory incidents.
Purchasing Quality Nursing Home Care in the Veterans Health Administration
Authors: Intrator Orna , Miller Edward Alan , Cornell Portia Y , Levy Cari , Halladay Christopher W , Barber Malisa , Corneau Emily , Mor Vincent , Rudolph James L 
Published: October 2020

Abstract

Background and Objectives
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Centers (VAMCs) contract with nursing homes (NHs) in their community to serve Veterans. This study compares the characteristics and performance of Veterans Affairs (VA)-paid and non-VA-paid NHs both nationally and within local VAMC markets.

Research Design and Methods
VA-paid NHs were identified, characterized, and linked to VAMC markets using data drawn from VA administrative files. NHs in the United States in December 2015 were eligible for the analysis, including. 1,307 VA-paid NHs and 14,253 non-VA-paid NHs with NH Compare measures in 128 VAMC markets with any VA-paid NHs. Measurements were derived from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) five-star rating system, NH Compare.

Results
VA-paid NHs had more beds, residents per day, and were more likely to be for-profit relative to non-VA-paid NHs. Nationally, the average CMS NH Compare star rating was slightly lower among VA-paid NHs than non-VA-paid NHs (3.05 vs. 3.21, p = .04). This difference was seen in all 3 domains: inspection (3.11 vs. 3.23, p &lt; .001), quality (2.68 vs. 2.83, p &lt; .001), and total nurse staffing (3.36 vs. 3.42, p &lt; .10). There was wide variability across VAMC markets in the ratio of average star rating of VA-paid and non-VA-paid NHs (mean ratio = 0.93, interquartile range = 0.78–1.08).

Discussion and Implications
With increased community NH use expected following the implementation of the MISSION Act, comparison of the quality of purchased services to other available services becomes critical for ensuring quality, including for NH care. Methods presented in this article can be used to examine the quality of purchased care following the MISSION Act implementation. In particular, dashboards such as that for VA-paid NHs that compare to similar non-VA-paid NHs can provide useful information to quality improvement efforts.