bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Motor Onset Topography and Progression in Parkinson's Disease: the Upper Limb Is First
Authors: Monje Mariana H.G. , Sánchez‐Ferro Álvaro , Pineda‐Pardo José A. , Vela‐Desojo Lydia , Alonso‐Frech Fernando , Obeso José A. 
Published: January 2021

ABSTRACTObjectiveTo define the motor onset and progression of Parkinson's disease (PD) in a prospective cohort of early unmedicated patients.MethodsWe enrolled a consecutive cohort of recently diagnosed (<18 months) PD patients with unilateral manifestations using age and gender‐matched controls. The most affected body region was determined using various clinical standard metrics and objective quantitative kinematic measurements. Parkinson's Progression Markers Initiative data were used for external validation of the results.ResultsTwenty‐five drug‐naive patients and 21 controls were studied. Upper limbs were (92%) the most affected body region at onset as ascertained by patients' self‐assessment, neurologists' impression, and Movement Disorders Society Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale score. The upper limb (ie, hand) was the site of onset in 80% of patients. Motor features progressed to involve the lower limb but remained limited to the initially affected body side over a 2‐year follow‐up. Agreement among the different metrics (96%) confirmed focal upper limb predominant motor impairment at onset. The findings were confirmed by quantitative kinematic analyses and from a cohort of 34 similar patients from the Parkinson's Progression Markers Initiative database.ConclusionsMotor manifestations in PD start distally in one upper limb. The complexity of the motor repertoire and, consequently, the presumed larger dopaminergic striatal demand for maintaining skillful motor function in the upper limb, may contribute to greater vulnerability of dopaminergic striatal terminals. Recognition of this motor pattern could be used to monitor the evolution of nigrostriatal degeneration and the putative impact of therapies. © 2021 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Dyadic reports of weight control practices, sedentary behaviors, and family functioning and communication between adult weight management patients and their children
Authors: Keeley J. Pratt , Catherine A. VanFossen , Haley M. Kiser , Riley Whiting , Colleen Spees , Chris A. Taylor , Ihuoma Eneli , Sabrena Noria 
Published: January 2021

AbstractBackgroundParents are increasingly pursuing weight loss in medical weight management programs, yet little is known about the presenting behaviors and practices of children who have parents initiating these programs.ObjectiveTo describe congruence in weight control practices, sedentary and screen time behaviors, and family functioning and communication between parents initiating a medical weight management program and their children (ages 7–18).MethodsTwenty‐three dyads were enrolled and had measured height/weight and research packets completed including perceived weight status, weight control practices, sedentary and screen‐time behaviors, and family functioning and communication. Paired t‐tests and intraclass correlations assessed congruence; independent t‐tests determined differences based on child demographics (age, sex, and weight status).ResultsParents underestimated children's use of weight control practices compared to child reports. Children with overweight, males, and older in age had increased weight control practices and sedentary and screen‐time behaviors. Children who perceived themselves to have overweight reported more impaired family communication than children perceived to be a healthy weight.ConclusionsThis study highlights the discrepancy between dyads' reports of children's behaviors, and identifies that specific child populations with overweight, older in age, and males are at‐risk of experiencing less healthy behaviors and impaired family communication. Future research should monitor changes over time in parental weight management programs to determine effects based on parental weight loss.
Crashworthiness analysis of perforated metal/composite thin‐walled structures under axial and oblique loading
Authors: Fan Dong , Qi‐hua Ma , Xue‐hui Gan , Tianjun Zhou 
Published: January 2021

AbstractAs a kind of lightweight structure with great economic benefits, metal/composite hybrid structure is raising rapidly among automobile safety components due to its excellent anti‐collision performance. In this paper, a new design was developed by introducing an induced circular hole to improve the energy absorption performance of the AL/CFRP hybrid thin‐walled tubes under different loading conditions. Quasi‐static experiments and finite element simulation were carried out on the hybrid tubular sample with induced circular holes, and the crash resistance of the number and diameter of induced round holes under different loading angles (θ) of 0°,10°, 20°, and 30° was analyzed through the verified finite element model. The results showed that the induction hole can effectively reduce the peak load and improve the energy absorption characteristics of the hybrid thin‐walled tube under the axial (0°) load. Under the inclined load, the energy absorption capacity of all samples decreased to different degrees with increasing loading angle, and the induced hole changed the deformation mode of the hybrid tube, especially under the 30° loading angle. The complex proportional assessment is then implemented on the optimal structures, and specific energy absorption, peak crush force, and crush force efficiency were selected as the objective functions to improve the overall impact resistance under different loading angles. Considering three design cases, the AL/CFRP hybrid thin‐walled structure with three groups of induced holes are finally found as the best energy absorbing devices. The work in this paper can provide a guide for the design of advanced energy absorbing devices for arbitrary loading condition.
Patient attitudes toward prenatal diagnostic testing during antenatal care in an urban population
Authors: Igel Catherine M. , Rabin‐Havt Sara , Estrada Trejo Fatima , Doulaveris Georgios , Eisenberg Ruth , Fazzari Melissa , Klugman Susan 
Published: January 2021

AbstractObjectiveInvestigate factors that influence the decision to accept or decline diagnostic testing for pregnant women referred for genetic counseling.MethodsCross sectional anonymous survey of pregnant women undergoing genetic counseling at a tertiary care referral center. Subjects' perceived risk of procedure related loss and fetal chromosomal problem were obtained via survey where patients rated risk from 0 (no risk) to 10 (highest risk).ResultsThere were no differences in sociodemographic factors between women undergoing a diagnostic procedure compared to those not undergoing a procedure. As the perceived risk for having a baby with genetic problem increased by one point, the estimated odds of having the diagnostic procedure increased by 43% controlling for the perceived risk of procedure related loss (p < .0001). Similarly, as the perceived risk of miscarriage increased by one point, the odds of having the diagnostic procedure decreased by 40%, controlling for the perceived risk of having a baby with a genetic problem (p < .0001). The main reason women cited for not undergoing a procedure was fear of procedure related loss.ConclusionsPregnant women that decline diagnostic testing have a higher perceived risk of procedure related loss and lower perceived risk of fetal chromosomal abnormality than those who accept.
Approach to nonisothermal crystallization kinetics of poly(4‐methyl‐1‐pentene) melt: Effect of gamma‐ray
Authors: Chang Yuan‐Hsiang , Zhang Yulin , Chiang Donyau , Yang Fuqian , Lee Sanboh 
Published: January 2021

AbstractUnderstanding the effect of gamma‐ray irradiation on the nonisothermal crystallization of polymer during cooling is of practical importance for the applications and manufacturing of crystallized polymer. In this work, we expose poly(4‐methyl‐1‐pentene) (PMP) to gamma‐ray with different irradiation doses and study the crystallization of the gamma‐ray irradiated PMPs. All the PMPs exhibit a doublet peak in the differential scanning calorimeter thermograms for the cooling rates in a range of 2.5–20°C/min. We use linear superposition of two inverse Gaussian functions to decompose the doublet peak into two individual peaks and analyze the crystallization kinetics of the crystallization processes associated with individual peaks. The Avrami exponent decreases with the decrease of the crystallization temperature and is in a range of 0.96–2.43 for the crystallization near the melting point and a range of 0.72–1.68 for the crystallization away the melting temperature. The activation energy for the crystallization near the melting temperature decreases with the increase of the irradiation dose. For the crystallization away from the melting temperature, the activation energy for the PMPs without gamma‐ray irradiation is smallest.
Optimization of Nanofluidic Devices for Geometry‐Induced Electrostatic Trapping
Authors: Sharma Deepika , Lim Roderick Y. H. , Pfohl Thomas , Ekinci Yasin 
Published: January 2021

AbstractNanoparticle trapping in a nanofluidic device utilizing geometry‐induced electrostatic (GIE) potential trap is an efficient and robust way to perform nano‑object confinement and single particle studies. The GIE‑trapping is a passive method that solely depends on the device geometry and device‐particle surface interaction. Therefore, optimization of a nanofluidic device based on experimental requirements, helps to achieve stiffer single‐particle trapping. The efficiency of a GIE‑trapping device is defined in terms of residence time and trapping stiffness of the nanoparticle inside a potential trap. The present study reveals all crucial parameters that affect the device efficiency, particle trapping stiffness, and particle residence time. Furthermore, the trends of particle trapping stiffness are presented as a function of crucial parameters and demonstrate two variants of simulations to estimate the particle trapping efficiency: (a) using charged particle, and (b) using point charge approximation. Simulations with charged particle give more realistic values related to particle trapping whereas simulations with point charge approximation is a faster approach which gives approximate values and a guideline for more rigorous simulations. The results demonstrate a good agreement with experimental observations and hold the key for future developments in this field, wherein a device geometry can be very precisely optimized.
Light Absorption of GaN Nanowire Array Cathode with Alkali Metal Nanoparticle Modified on the Surface
Authors: Liu Lei , Lu Feifei , Tian Jian , Zhangyang Xingyue 
Published: January 2021

AbstractSince the adsorption of alkali metals is necessary for the negative electron affinity (NEA) of the photocathode, light absorption models of GaN nanowire (NW) arrays with alkali metal (Li, Na, K, and Cs) nanoparticles (NPs) modified on the NW surface based on the finite difference time domain (FDTD) method are constructed. The absorption spectra of hemispherical, spherical alkali metal NPs adsorbed on the outer surface of the NW, and spherical alkali metal embedded on the inner surface and center of the NW are studied. When the ratio of NW diameter to period (D/P) is greater than 0.5, the adsorption of alkali metal NPs cannot improve the absorption of GaN NW arrays. Alkali metal decoration can cause the absorption gain of NW arrays and optical loss of NPs, so the diameter and spacing of alkali metal NPs need to be balanced. When Li NPs are embedded in NW, plasmons can enhance the generation of electron‐hole pairs, making GaN NWA obtain higher optical absorption and quantum efficiency. Therefore, the method of Li and Cs NPs embedded in GaN NW can provide a reference for the process NEA design, which will contribute to the development of the ultraviolet photocathode with high absorption characteristics.
Understanding the expanding role of pharmacy services in outpatient cystic fibrosis care
Authors: Zobell Jeffery T. , Moss Justin , Heuser Stephanie , Roe Lynda , Young David C. 
Published: January 2021

AbstractCystic fibrosis (CF) patients utilize an average of 10 (±5) medications per day. Given the complexity of the medication regimen, the CF Foundation (CFF) recommends pharmacists as members of the CF care team. The areas of pharmacy services have been identified in the literature. “Limited access pharmacists” are consulted to answer questions, assist in evaluating serum drug concentrations, provide medication education, and monitor for drug‐drug interactions. Reduction in hospital length of stay has been shown through this collaboration. “Full access pharmacists” provide comprehensive medication therapy management resulting in medication adherence and access improvements, sustainability of treatments, improved provider communication, reduced medication errors and costs, expedited medication refill authorization, increased utilization of respiratory therapists, enhanced discussion of medications with CF team members, and reduction in the number of pharmacies utilized by patients to fill CF medications. An integrated CF pharmacy team are essential members of the multidisciplinary CF care team that have been shown to improve in CF medication access, increases in body weight and body mass index, reduction in prior authorization submission times, reduction in medication delivery times, expedited medication refill authorizations, increased collaboration with respiratory therapists, augmented discussion of medication with CF team members, and reduction in the number of pharmacies utilized by CF patients. There is a need to further evaluate the impact of outpatient CF pharmacy services due to the improvements in the care on patients and families affected by CF, and as the number of CFF‐accredited care centers integrates CF pharmacy teams throughout the country increases.
Insensitive High Explosives: V. Ballistic Properties and Vulnerability of Nitroguanidine Based Propellants
Authors: Koch Ernst‐Christian 
Published: January 2021

AbstractThis paper reviews the ballistic properties, stability and vulnerability of gun propellants, gas generators and rocket propellants containing nitroguanidine (NGu), CAS−No [556‐88‐7] as an energetic filler. Nitroguanidine and its formulations burn stable over a broad pressure regime extending from subatmospheric to high pressures (0.1 kPa–400 MPa). Its high nitrogen content (53.83 %) and oxygen balance (Ω=‐30.75 %) effects a high gas pressure in gun propellants combined with low explosion temperature and consequently low signature and reduced erosion. NGu is an effective stabilizer for a broad array of energetic materials encountered in gun and rocket propellants including AP, ADN, HMX, RDX, NGl and also materials with low thermal stability such as NC, HNF, TNAZ and ADN. Finally, the low vulnerability of NGu‐based propellant formulations makes them taylor made to serve insensitive munitions. This review covers 31 NGu‐based rocket and gas generating propellant formulations, 44 gun propellants, five of which contain guanylurea dinitramide, (GuDN, FOX‐12), CAS−No [217464‐38‐5] for comparison, four reference propellants containing neither of the aforementioned ingredients and six combustible cartridge case formulations based on NGu. In addition, the combustion properties of pure NGu, pure GUDN and NGu modified with 17 different catalysts are revised. The review contains 142 references from the public domain.
New amino acid substitution matrix brings sequence alignments into agreement with structure matches
Authors: Jia Kejue , Jernigan Robert L 
Published: January 2021

AbstractProtein sequence matching presently fails to identify many structures that are highly similar, even when they are known to have the same function. The high packing densities in globular proteins lead to interdependent substitutions, which have not previously been considered for amino acid similarities. At present, sequence matching compares sequences based only upon the similarities of single amino acids, ignoring the fact that in densely packed protein, there are additional conservative substitutions representing exchanges between two interacting amino acids, such as a small‐large pair changing to a large‐small pair substitutions that are not individually so conservative. Here we show that including information for such pairs of substitutions yields improved sequence matches, and that these yield significant gains in the agreements between sequence alignments and structure matches of the same protein pair. The result shows sequence segments matched where structure segments are aligned. There are gains for all 2002 collected cases where the sequence alignments that were not previously congruent with the structure matches. Our results also demonstrate a significant gain in detecting homology for “twilight zone” protein sequences. The amino acid substitution metrics derived have many other potential applications, for annotations, protein design, mutagenesis design, and empirical potential derivation.
Spectrum calibration of the first hyperspectral infrared measurements from a geostationary platform: Method and preliminary assessment
Authors: Guo Qiang , Yang Jun , Wei Caiying , Chen Boyang , Wang Xin , Han Changpei , Hui Wen , Xu Weiwei , Wen Rui , Liu Yuning 
Published: January 2021

AbstractThe level‐1 (L1) radiance spectra from the first Geostationary Interferometric InfraRed Sounder (GIIRS) have been publicly available since January 2019. On account of the inherent observation characteristics, operation modes, and capabilities, a complete spectrum calibration method of GIIRS/L1 products is originally proposed to form the latest version (V3) algorithm for implementation. Particularly, four targeted improvements in three aspects are independently established: subsample location alignment to yield integrated interferograms in both forward and backward directions with almost zero phase, rough spectral scale unification as well as accurate spectral scale correction to resolve spectral non‐uniformity due to a seriously asymmetric configuration of focal plane array, and an additional double‐reflected compensation to mitigate the influence of non‐ideal onboard blackbody reference upon radiometric accuracy. Preliminary assessments from both domestic and international sources indicate that the spectral and radiometric accuracies of the measured spectra from the latest GIIRS/L1 V3 algorithm show a well‐behaved performance in both longwave (LW) and midwave (MW) bands, that is, lower than 10 ppm of spectral scale errors, which is of sufficient accuracy for numerical weather prediction use, and around 1 K for most uncontaminated channels within the LW band. However, non‐linearity correction of interferograms and spectral quality improvements, especially for the MW band, should be developed further. In general, a feasible solution of spectrum calibration for a hyperspectral sounder on geostationary platform is provided in detail for reference, which is expected to benefit users of GIIRS data as well as designers responsible for L1 data processing of other similar sensors.
Distribution‐free triple EWMA control chart for monitoring the process location using the Wilcoxon rank‐sum statistic with fast initial response feature
Authors: Letshedi Tokelo Irene , Malela‐Majika Jean‐Claude , Castagliola Philippe , Shongwe Sandile Charles 
Published: January 2021

AbstractThe exponentially weighted moving average (EWMA) control chart is a memory‐type chart known to be more efficient in detecting small and moderate shifts in the process parameter. The double EWMA (DEWMA) chart is an extension of the EWMA chart that is more effective than the latter in the detection of small‐to‐moderate shifts. This paper proposes a new distribution‐free (or nonparametric) triple EWMA (TEWMA) control chart based on the Wilcoxon rank‐sum (W) statistic to improve the detection ability in the process location parameter. Moreover, a new fast initial response (FIR) feature is added to further improve the sensitivity of the new TEWMA chart. The performance of the proposed TEWMA chart with and without FIR features is compared to those of the existing EWMA and DEWMA W charts. It is observed that the TEWMA chart with and without FIR features is superior to the competing charts in most situations. A real‐life illustration is provided to show the application and implementation of the new chart.
Distributed fixed‐time event‐triggered consensus of linear multi‐agent systems with input delay
Authors: Ai Xiaolin , Wang Long 
Published: January 2021

AbstractThis article investigates the distributed fixed‐time event‐triggered consensus problem for linear multi‐agent systems with input delay. The Artstein‐Kwon‐Pearson reduction approach is used to convert the delay‐dependent system to a delay‐free one. Based on the delay‐free system, two distributed event‐triggered protocols are designed based on local information exchange to address the leaderless consensus and the leader‐follower consensus problems. In the proposed consensus protocols, both continuous controller updates and continuous communication as well as the Zeno behavior are successfully excluded. Detailed convergence analysis demonstrates that the closed‐loop system is fixed‐time stable regardless of the initial conditions. Finally, some simulation examples are provided to validate the theoretical results.
The geography of female small business survivorship: Examining the roles of proportional representation and stakeholders
Authors: Kalnins Arturs , Williams Michele 
Published: January 2021

AbstractResearch summaryCombining insights from research on firm‐level stakeholders with the well‐established micro literature on social categorization, we develop and test a theory regarding the relative survivorship of female‐owned and male‐owned businesses. The theory is based on proportional representation within geographic areas, defined as each area's female‐owned proprietorship count divided by its total proprietorship count. Analyzing survivorship of over one million proprietorships, we find a robust positive relationship between proportional representation and survival. We then examine effects of local stakeholders such as banks, customers, and network opportunities, in combination with proportional representation. Our research suggests that the effects of female proportional representation are more pervasive than previously considered, influenced by communities of business stakeholders, and, in some cases, leveling the playing field for female entrepreneurs.Managerial summaryWe analyzed relative survival duration of one million female‐ and male‐owned proprietorship businesses. We argued that a higher proportional representation of female business owners among all owners in a geographical area would combat negative stereotypes about women's business competence. We found that female‐owned businesses survived relatively longer than their male‐owned counterparts in areas with substantial proportional representation of female owners and that the relative benefits for women were magnified in the presence of local banks (which provide capital) as well as in customer‐rich and network‐rich areas. Business ownership has been proposed to be a “great equalizer” for women frustrated by the glass ceilings of corporate employment. We find this is true, but only in areas with a high proportional representation of women among business owners.