bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Global identifiability of latent class models with applications to diagnostic test accuracy studies: A Gröbner basis approach
Authors: Duan Rui , Cao Ming , Ning Yang , Zhu Mingfu , Zhang Bin , McDermott Aidan , Chu Haitao , Zhou Xiaohua , Moore Jason H. , Ibrahim Joseph G. , Scharfstein Daniel O. , Chen Yong 
Published: August 2019

AbstractIdentifiability of statistical models is a fundamental regularity condition that is required for valid statistical inference. Investigation of model identifiability is mathematically challenging for complex models such as latent class models. Jones et al. used Goodman's technique to investigate the identifiability of latent class models with applications to diagnostic tests in the absence of a gold standard test. The tool they used was based on examining the singularity of the Jacobian or the Fisher information matrix, in order to obtain insights into local identifiability (ie, there exists a neighborhood of a parameter such that no other parameter in the neighborhood leads to the same probability distribution as the parameter). In this paper, we investigate a stronger condition: global identifiability (ie, no two parameters in the parameter space give rise to the same probability distribution), by introducing a powerful mathematical tool from computational algebra: the Gröbner basis. With several existing well‐known examples, we argue that the Gröbner basis method is easy to implement and powerful to study global identifiability of latent class models, and is an attractive alternative to the information matrix analysis by Rothenberg and the Jacobian analysis by Goodman and Jones et al.
Trajectories of Adjustment in a Brazilian Sample of Street‐Involved Youth
Authors: Lima Rebeca Fernandes Ferreira , Raffaelli Marcela , Morais Normanda Araujo de , Santana Juliana P. , Nieto Carlos J. , Koller Silvia H. 
Published: August 2019

Trajectories of adjustment were examined in a sample of street‐involved youth across a 1‐year period. Participants (N = 113; Mage = 14.18 years; 80.5% male, 91% non‐White) were recruited in three Brazilian cities. Interviews conducted at three time points included six measures of physical and psychological adjustment. Unconditional growth models revealed linear declines over time (i.e., improved adjustment) on three indicators: health symptoms, sexual risk behaviors, and negative affect. There were no linear changes in drug use, positive affect, or life satisfaction. Conditional growth models revealed few significant effects for age or gender, but ratings of stressful life events moderated longitudinal changes in health symptoms, drug use, and negative affect. Implications for practice, policy, and theory are discussed.
Causative and common PHOX2B variants define a broad phenotypic spectrum
Authors: Bachetti Tiziana , Ceccherini Isabella 
Published: August 2019

AbstractPaired Like homeobox 2B (PHOX2B) is a gene crucial for the differentiation of the neural lineages of the autonomic nervous system (ANS), whose coding mutations cause congenital central hypoventilation syndrome (CCHS). The vast majority of PHOX2B mutations in CCHS is represented by expansions of a polyalanine region in exon 3, collectively defined PARMs (PolyAlanine Repeat Mutations), the minority being frameshift, missense and nonsense mutations, defined as NPARMs (Non‐PARMs). While PARMs are nearly exclusively associated with isolated CCHS, most of NPARMs is detected in syndromic CCHS, presenting with neuroblastoma and/or Hirschsprung disease. More recently, evidence of a complex role of PHOX2B in the pathogenesis of a wider spectrum of ANS disorders has emerged. Indeed, common and hypomorphic PHOX2B variants, including synonymous, polyalanine‐contractions, gene deletions may influence the occurrence of either apparent life‐threatening event (ALTE), Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), neuroblastoma, or isolated HSCR, likely through small effects on PHOX2B expression levels. After an introduction to the role of PHOX2B in the ANS development, causative mutations, common variants, and gene expression deregulation of the PHOX2B gene are discussed, though the involvement of synonymous variants and contractions requires further confirmations with respect to ANS disorders and molecular mechanisms underlying the PHOX2B phenotypic heterogeneity.
The genome empowerment scale: An assessment of parental empowerment in families with undiagnosed disease
Authors: McConkie‐Rosell Allyn , Schoch Kelly , Sullivan Jennifer , Cope Heidi , Spillmann Rebecca , Palmer Christina G.S. , Pena Loren , Jiang Yong‐Hui , Daniels Nicole , Walley Nicole , Tan Khoon G. ,   Undiagnosed Diseases Network, Hooper Stephen R. , Shashi Vandana 
Published: August 2019

AbstractWhile genomic sequencing (ES/GS) has the potential to diagnose children with difficult to diagnose phenotypes, the goal should be not only a diagnosis, but also to empower parents to seek next steps for their children and to emotionally manage the outcome, whether or not a diagnosis is secured. To help achieve this goal, objective measures are needed to assess the process of parental empowerment related to genome sequencing. We present the validity and reliability of the Genome Empowerment Scale (GEmS), developed using a healthcare empowerment theoretical model. To evaluate its psychometric properties, 158 parents of 117 children with an undiagnosed condition undergoing genomic sequencing completed the GEmS, measures for criterion validity and for depression and anxiety. Factor analysis resulted in a four factor solution: (a) meaning of a diagnosis; (b) emotional management of the process; (c) seeking information and support and (d) implications and planning. Reliability and validity analyses show that the GEmS has good psychometric properties. The inter‐relationships among the factors revealed a profile that may identify parents at risk for a poorer outcome who may benefit from targeted genetic counseling. The GEmS, an objective measure of parental genomic empowerment, can be utilized for future research and translational applications.
The importance of CT quantitative evaluation of emphysema in lung cancer screening cohort with negative findings by visual evaluation
Authors: Li Zhaobin , Xia Yi , Fang Yuan , Guan Yu , Wang Yun , Liu Shiyuan , Fan Li 
Published: August 2019

AbstractIntroductionOne‐stop quantitative evaluation of emphysema and lung nodule in lung cancer screening is very important for patient.ObjectiveTo evaluate the quantitative emphysema in the large‐sample low‐dose CT lung cancer screening cohort with negative CT findings by subjective visual assessment.MethodsOne thousand, two hundred and thirty‐one participants with negative visual evaluation were included in this retrospective study. The lungs were automatically segmented and the following were calculated: total lung volume (TLV), total emphysema volume (TEV), emphysema index (EI), 15th percentile lung density and mean lung density. EI ≥6% was defined as emphysema. The quantitative parameters were compared between different genders and ages. The quantitative parameters and risk factors were compared between emphysema and non‐emphysema groups.ResultsThe proportion of smokers, TLV, TEV and EI of men were greater than that of women (P < 0.001). No correlation was found between age and volumes; the TEV and EI of people older than 60 years were greater than those younger than 60 years (P < 0.05) by age categorisation. One hundred and two participants showed emphysema, accounting for 8.29%. The incidence of emphysema in men was greater than that in women in total (P < 0.05). All the CT quantitative parameters were significantly different between emphysema and non‐emphysema groups. The ratio of male, secondhand smoke exposure and chronic bronchitis history was greater in emphysema than that in the non‐emphysema group (P < 0.05).ConclusionCT quantitative emphysema evaluation is recommended in people older than 60 years, especially in males, providing more precise information, aiding the early diagnosis of emphysema and informing early intervention.
Effect of concomitant antiplatelet therapy in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation initiating non‐vitamin K antagonists
Authors: Elvira Ruiz Ginés , Caro Martínez César , Flores Blanco Pedro J. , Cerezo Manchado Juan José , Albendín Iglesias Helena , Lova Navarro Alejandro , Arregui Montoya Francisco , García Alberola Arcadio , Pascual Figal Domingo A. , Bailén Lorenzo José Luis , Manzano‐Fernández Sergio 
Published: August 2019

AbstractBackgroundAntiplatelet therapy (APT) use in combination with oral anticoagulation is common among patients with atrial fibrillation, but there is scarce information regarding its effect on outcomes in patients on non‐vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOAC). We aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of APT use in a ‘real‐world’ cohort of nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) patients initiating NOAC.DesignWe conducted a retrospective multicentre study including 2361 consecutive NVAF patients initiating NOAC between January 2013 and December 2016. Patients with an acute ischaemic event within the last 12 months (acute coronary syndrome, stroke or revascularization) were excluded. Patients were followed up, and all clinical events were recorded at 3 months. The primary outcome of the study was major bleeding, and the secondary outcomes were stroke, nonfatal myocardial infarction, intracranial bleeding and death.ResultsOne hundred forty‐five (6.1%) patients received concomitant APT, and aspirin was the more common (79%). At 3 months, 25 (1.1%) patients had major bleeding, 8 (0.3%) had nonfatal myocardial infarction, 7 (0.3%) had ischaemic stroke, and 40 (1.7%) died. After multivariate adjustment, concomitant APT was associated with higher risk for major bleeding (HR = 3.62, 95% CI 1.32‐9.89; P = .012), but was not associated with a higher risk of other clinical outcomes.ConclusionsConcomitant APT use is uncommon among these patients and does not seem to be associated with lower rates of ischaemic events or death. However, there are signals for an increased risk of bleeding, which reinforces current guideline recommendations.
Subtle changes of gray matter volume in fibromyalgia reflect chronic musculoskeletal pain rather than disease‐specific effects
Authors: Sundermann Benedikt , Dehghan Nayyeri Mahboobeh , Pfleiderer Bettina , Stahlberg Kim , Jünke Leonie , Baie Lara , Dieckmann Ralf , Liem Dennis , Happe Thomas , Burgmer Markus 
Published: August 2019

AbstractFibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is a chronic pain syndrome. Neuroimaging studies provided evidence of altered gray matter volume (GMV) in FMS but, similarly, in chronic pain of other origin as well. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the disease specificity of GMV alterations in FMS by direct comparison. Structural MRI data of the brain were acquired in 25 females with FMS and two different control groups: 21 healthy subjects and 23 patients with osteoarthritis. Regional GMVs were compared by voxel‐based morphometry and additional ROI‐analyses. In conclusion, we did not identify significant GMV alterations in either FMS or OA patients compared to healthy controls when adopting a conservative statistical approach with multiple comparison correction. However, even under a more liberal approach no FMS‐specific GMV changes were found because both pain groups presented increased gray matter volumes in the precentral gyrus and decreased GMV in the angular gyrus/middle occipital gyrus and middle temporal gyrus in comparison with healthy controls. Since no differences between both pain groups could be detected cortical GMV changes in FMS should not be interpreted as FMS‐specific but might rather reflect changes in chronic pain in general. This previously held notion is confirmed in this study by direct comparison with a control group consisting of another pain disorder.
Composition of the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal community and changes in diversity of the rhizosphere of Clematis fruticosa over three seasons across different elevations
Authors: Liu Min , Yue Yongjie , Wang Zuhua , Li Long , Duan Guozhen , Bai Shulan , Li Tao 
Published: August 2019

AbstractClematis fruticosa Turcz. is a dominant native shrub with the potential for spontaneous vegetation succession for restoration of the ecologically fragile and arid Daqing Mountains of Inner Mongolia, which represent an important ecological transition zone in northern China. However, knowledge regarding the interactions between native species and their root‐associated arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi across different seasons and elevation gradients remains obscure. High AM fungal spore density, root colonization and arbuscular richness suggested that C. fruticosa could establish intimate symbiotic associations with AM fungi. A total of 174 AM fungal virtual taxa were identified from rhizosphere soil samples, and Glomus was dominant. The most distinct AM fungal community composition and the greatest richness and diversity were observed in the spring and at the highest elevation. Seasons • elevation interactions significantly affected Simpson diversity but not AM fungal community composition, observed richness and Shannon index. Seasons had a significant direct on AM fungal observed richness and Shannon index, and elevation had a significant direct on AM fungal observed richness. Soil available phosphorus was the most important driving factor in AM fungal richness and diversity, followed by seasons and soil moisture content. These results provied new insights suggesting that there are active and diverse “functional ingredients”, for example root‐associated AM fungi during the growing season, particularly with an earlier onset in the spring. They are potentially major contributors to the re‐vegetation of degraded lands and the maintenance of soil structure in arid and semiarid ecosystems, which is attributable to seasonal variation in host physiology in stressful environments.Highlights
We studied the effects of seasons and elevation on AM fungal richness, diversity and community in ecologically fragile mountain areas.
Distinct community composition and greater richness and diversity of AM fungi were detected in the spring and at the highest elevation.
AM fungal richness and diversity depended on certain soil variation related to seasons and elevation.
Periodic density fluctuations in sputtered aluminum‐doped silicon oxynitride layers
Authors: Roch Tomáš , Šimurka Lukáš , Ow‐Yang Cleva W. , Sezen Meltem , Satrapinskyy Leonid , Turutoğlu Tuncay 
Published: August 2019

AbstractMagnetron sputtering is widely used for deposition of silicon oxynitride (SiOxNy) coatings on glass in large‐area applications. Since repeated deposition simulates the factory‐scale in‐line processing, amorphous aluminum‐doped SiOxNy layers with thickness of about 250 nm were deposited by reactive pulsed DC sputtering in a multi‐pass process with repeated linear movement of a glass substrate under an Al‐alloyed Si target. Using specular X‐ray reflectivity we show periodic fluctuations of the material density throughout the entire thickness of the resulting coating. The number of periods corresponds to the number of passes of the substrate through the plasma of the magnetron. Fitting results suggest a model consistent with a periodic alternation of the O/N ratio. These subtle stoichiometric fluctuations in the SiOxNy layer composition were confirmed by scanning transmission electron microscopy analysis with nanoscale resolution, and with detailed elemental maps of characteristic X‐rays of the layered cross‐section. Our study demonstrates the superior sensitivity of the relatively simple nondestructive X‐ray reflectivity method for industrial line‐process inspection compared to ellipsometry.
Evaluation of flavonoid and polyphenol constituents in mulberry leaves using HPLC fingerprint analysis
Authors: He Xiaoyun , Chen Xu , Ou Xiaoqun , Ma Liyan , Xu Wentao , Huang Kunlun 
Published: August 2019

SummaryThe mulberry leaf is a promising dietary source of antioxidants due to its high levels of beneficial compounds. To further examine its antioxidant properties, twelve batches of authenticated mulberry leaf, with total flavonoid contents (TFC) ranging from 24.34 mg g−1 DW to 58.42 mg g−1 DW and total polyphenol content (TPC) ranging from 11.49 mg g−1 DW to 30.03 mg g−1 DW, were investigated. According to Spearman’s coefficient, antioxidant activities, including the DPPH radical scavenging assay and the ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), were positively correlated with TFC and TPC. The HPLC‐DAD analysis results identified the characteristic fingerprint peaks in mulberry leaves as chlorogenic acid, rutin, quercetin 3‐O‐glucoside and kaempferol 3‐O‐glucoside, all of which directly contribute to the antioxidant capacity of mulberry leaves. Notably, young mulberry leaves showed higher antioxidant capacity than those of mature leaves. These promising results help create a compelling case for future development of mulberry leaf products.
Comparison of expenditure between an inpatient palliative care unit and tertiary adult medical and surgical wards for patients at end of life: a retrospective chart analysis
Authors: Gogna Gauri , Broadbent Andrew , Baade Ingrid 
Published: August 2019

AbstractBackgroundThe highest healthcare expenditures occur towards the end of life. Costs relate to hospital admissions and investigations to diagnose, prognosticate and direct treatment.AimsAnAustralian study to compare the cost of investigations in the last 72 h of life between an inpatient palliative care unit (PCU) and a tertiary hospital.MethodWe retrospectively reviewed 50 adult medical and surgical patients (admitted for >72 h and who died in hospital) from the PCU and referring tertiary centre between March and July 2016. Patients in the emergency department, intensive care, medical assessment and paediatric and obstetric units were excluded. All patients had an acute resuscitation plan and were on the 'Care of the Dying' pathway.ResultsExpenditure was less if palliative care were the primary caregivers, with statistically significant differences in the amount of imaging (P < 0.001) and pathology (P < 0.001) ordered. There was no difference in microbiology (P = 0.172) and histology (P ~ 1) ordered. Total cost of investigations for PCU patients was $1340.60 (4 of 50 patients) compared with $9467.78 (29 of 50 patients) in the tertiary hospital. PCU patients had longer lengths of stay (15.54 days vs 11.06 days) but cost less per bed day ($868.32 vs $878.79 respectively).ConclusionInpatient PCU are less likely to order investigations and are more cost‐effective. A prospective study comparing an inpatient PCU and patients at a tertiary centre, with and without consult liaison palliative care input, would be worthwhile to see if outcomes remain the same and if consult liaison palliative care affects the investigative burden.
Fabrication, tunable fluorescence emission and energy transfer of Tm3+‐Dy3+ co‐activated P2O5–B2O3–SrO–K2O glasses
Authors: Cui Sanchuan , Chen Guohua , Chen Yong , Jin Lei , Shang Fei , Xu Jiwen 
Published: August 2019

AbstractA growing demand for white light‐emitting diodes (W‐LEDs) gives rise to continuous exploration of functional fluorescence glasses. In this paper, Tm3+/Dy3+ single‐ and co‐doped glasses with composition (in mol%) of 30P2O5–10B2O3–23SrO–37K2O were synthesized using the melt‐quenching method in air. The physical properties, glass structure, luminescence characteristics and energy transfer mechanism of the glasses were systematically studied. As glass network modifiers, Tm3+ and Dy3+ ions can densify the glass structure. Excitation wavelength and doping concentration of Tm3+/Dy3+ ions have a direct impact on the emission intensities of blue and orange light as well as the color coordinate of the as‐prepared glasses. A white light very close to standard white light can be obtained under 354 nm excitation when the content of Tm3+ and Dy3+ is 0.2 mol% and 1.0 mol%, respectively. The results of the emission spectra and decay curves reveal the existence of energy transfer from Tm3+ to Dy3+. The analytic results based on the Inokuti‐Hirayama model indicate that the electrical dipole‐dipole interaction may be the main mechanism of energy transfer. Moreover, Tm3+/Dy3+ co‐activated glass phosphor has good thermal stability and chrominance stability and it is a promising candidate for white LEDs and display device.
Macroecology of ground beetles: Species richness, range size and body size show different geographical patterns across a climatically heterogeneous area
Authors: Heino Jani , Alahuhta Janne , Fattorini Simone 
Published: August 2019

AbstractAimEcogeographical patterns have been widely studied in endothermic vertebrates, but relatively few studies have simultaneously examined patterns and causes of gradients in species richness, range size and body size in ectothermic insects. We examined patterns in species richness, mean range size and mean body size of ground beetle assemblages across the biogeographical provinces of Northern Europe, a region that was mostly covered by ice sheets during the latest Ice Age and that presents strong contemporary climatic gradients.LocationNorthern Europe.MethodsWe used literature information on the occurrence of ground beetles, and analysed patterns in species richness, mean range size and mean body size across the provinces using generalized linear models and boosted regression tree (BRT) analysis.ResultsWe found a strongly decreasing gradient in species richness with increasing latitude, a strongly unimodal range size‐latitude relationship, and a weak unimodal body size‐latitude relationship in entire ground beetle assemblages. These gradients also varied among four major genera, suggesting that the overall patterns result from the nuances of smaller clades of ground beetles. The relative importance of contemporary environmental drivers also varied between species richness, mean range size and mean body size in BRT analysis. While species richness increased with mean annual temperature, mean range size showed an opposite relationship. Mean body size was most clearly associated with the precipitation of the driest month.Main ConclusionsOur findings showed that the latitudinal species richness gradient was strong, and it was closely related to concomitant variation in temperature, whereas variations in mean range size and mean body size were more complex. These findings suggest that the causes for range size and body size variation in insects may be complex, requiring additional insights from studies conducted at local, regional and continental scales.
Cancer stem cell markers ALDH1 and Bmi1 expression in oral erythroplakia revisited: Implication for driving the process of field cancerization
Authors: Feng Jinqiu , Zhou Zengtong , Shi Linjun , Yang Xi , Liu Wei 
Published: August 2019

AbstractThe correlation of ALDH1 and Bmi1 expression in potentially malignant oral erythroplakia (OE) with oral carcinoma development was reported in our earlier study. Interestingly, a model of field cancerization orchestrated by the cancer stem cells (CSC) was proposed and suggested the identification of CSC‐specific markers is useful for prognosis and providing novel targets for prevention and treatment of field cancerization. We revisited the correlation of ALDH1 and Bmi1 expression in OE with the second and multiple carcinomas development. Strikingly, we observed that the expression of ALDH1 and Bmi1 within a single potentially malignant OE lesion significantly correlate with subsequently developing multiple and multifocal carcinomas, which parallels the process of oral field cancerization. Significantly, ALDH1 and Bmi1 are well‐defined markers of CSC for head and neck cancer. Consequently, we provided a preliminary evidence for CSC driving the process of field cancerization.