bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Factors influencing accuracy of cortical thickness in the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Belathur Suresh Mahanand , Fischl Bruce , Salat David H. ,   for the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI)
Published: December 2017

AbstractThere is great value to use of structural neuroimaging in the assessment of Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, to date, predictive value of structural imaging tend to range between 80% and 90% in accuracy and it is unclear why this is the case given that structural imaging should parallel the pathologic processes of AD. There is a possibility that clinical misdiagnosis relative to the gold standard pathologic diagnosis and/or additional brain pathologies are confounding factors contributing to reduced structural imaging classification accuracy. We examined potential factors contributing to misclassification of individuals with clinically diagnosed AD purely from cortical thickness measures. Correctly classified and incorrectly classified groups were compared across a range of demographic, biological, and neuropsychological data including cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers, amyloid imaging, white matter hyperintensity (WMH) volume, cognitive, and genetic factors. Individual subject analyses suggested that at least a portion of the control individuals misclassified as AD from structural imaging additionally harbor substantial AD biomarker pathology and risk, yet are relatively resistant to cognitive symptoms, likely due to “cognitive reserve,” and therefore clinically unimpaired. In contrast, certain clinical control individuals misclassified as AD from cortical thickness had increased WMH volume relative to other controls in the sample, suggesting that vascular conditions may contribute to classification accuracy from cortical thickness measures. These results provide examples of factors that contribute to the accuracy of structural imaging in predicting a clinical diagnosis of AD, and provide important information about considerations for future work aimed at optimizing structural based diagnostic classifiers for AD.
Multilevel convergence of interoceptive impairments in hypertension: New evidence of disrupted body–brain interactions
Authors: Yoris Adrián , Abrevaya Sofía , Esteves Sol , Salamone Paula , Lori Nicolás , Martorell Miguel , Legaz Agustina , Alifano Florencia , Petroni Agustín , Sánchez Ramiro , Sedeño Lucas , García Adolfo M. , Ibáñez Agustín 
Published: December 2017

AbstractInteroception, the sensing of visceral body signals, involves an interplay between neural and autonomic mechanisms. Clinical studies into this domain have focused on patients with neurological and psychiatric disorders, showing that damage to relevant brain mechanisms can variously alter interoceptive functions. However, the association between peripheral cardiac‐system alterations and neurocognitive markers of interoception remains poorly understood. To bridge this gap, we examined multidimensional neural markers of interoception in patients with early stage of hypertensive disease (HTD) and healthy controls. Strategically, we recruited only HTD patients without cognitive impairment (as shown by neuropsychological tests), brain atrophy (as assessed with voxel‐based morphometry), or white matter abnormalities (as evidenced by diffusion tensor imaging analysis). Interoceptive domains were assessed through (a) a behavioral heartbeat detection task; (b) measures of the heart‐evoked potential (HEP), an electrophysiological cortical signature of attention to cardiac signals; and (c) neuroimaging recordings (MRI and fMRI) to evaluate anatomical and functional connectivity properties of key interoceptive regions (namely, the insula and the anterior cingulate cortex). Relative to controls, patients exhibited poorer interoceptive performance and reduced HEP modulations, alongside an abnormal association between interoceptive performance and both the volume and functional connectivity of the above regions. Such results suggest that peripheral cardiac‐system impairments can be associated with abnormal behavioral and neurocognitive signatures of interoception. More generally, our findings indicate that interoceptive processes entail bidirectional influences between the cardiovascular and the central nervous systems.
Organisational adoption of telecommuting: Evidence from a developing country
Authors: Ansong Eric , Boateng Richard 
Published: December 2017

AbstractEven though telecommuting has been a growing phenomenon in the more advanced world over the past 2 decades, businesses in Africa and more specifically West Africa are yet to adopt the practice, hence providing a gap for research into telecommuting in a developing country such as Ghana to be filled. The study sought to investigate the technological, environmental, and organisational factors that influence telecommuting adoption and to also examine the potential benefits of adopting telecommuting in the operations of Ericsson Ghana.Technology–organisation–environment (TOE) framework was used as the guiding lens. The study, from the critical realism perspective, adopted the qualitative research approach. Hence, Ericsson Ghana was selected as the case. Miles and Huberman's transcendental realism data analysis approach was used for the case study.This study's findings established that the staff and the company as a whole benefited from the adoption of telecommuting practices. The study also identified some factors that influence the adoption of telecommuting. Contribution is therefore made by the findings of the study to the body of knowledge by probing into strategies and guidelines for implementing telecommuting in Ghana and to a larger extent West Africa. Arguably, few studies have been conducted on telecommuting from a developing economy's perspective using the TOE framework. Again, this study provides the guideline for policy discourse in relation to telecommuting adoption in Ghana.The originality of this study lies in the ability to identify an organisation in a developing country such as Ghana, which has institutionalised telecommuting practices for a case study.
Information technology to support digitally networked action in developing economies: A case of Nyanzi's #Pads4GirlsUg campaign
Authors: Kasadha Juma 
Published: December 2017

AbstractAdvancement in the use of information technologies (ITs) has contributed to the invention of new communicative features, in particular social media networks. In developed economies, use of social media contributed to the digitally networked action (DNA) of Occupy Wall Street and los indignados in Spain. Through use of social media, European cities digitally connected and collectively called upon world leaders to eradicate poverty, create jobs, and show commitment to climate change during the G20 summit. In the developing economies of Africa, there is need for scholarly studies that examine how technologies, in particular social media networks, have been adopted in building a DNA based on informally shared knowledge. This study focuses on examining how connectivity through social media technology helped in mobilizing the Ugandan Community to support a DNA for girl child education necessities of sanitary requirements. This was through a digitally networked #Pads4GirlsUg campaign based on assumptions of social identity theory to build on connectivity theorization. Findings in this ethnography study contribute new knowledge in understanding how IT creates awareness based on informally shared knowledge resulting into DNA. The studied DNA increased levels of awareness and mobilized Ugandan communities to support girl child education. Over 2000 girls in different parts of Uganda benefited from digitally mobilized sanitary requirements and resulted in the government scrapping value‐added tax on sanitary requirements. In future studies, the use of IT for DNA should be investigated, as well as its contributions to policy at national, regional, and international levels.
Digitally connected living and quality of life: An analysis of the Gauteng City‐Region, South Africa
Authors: Cohen Jason , Bancilhon Jean‐Marie , Grace Thomas 
Published: December 2017

AbstractAccess to digitally connected living should support social and economic inclusion and provide opportunities for people to improve their quality of life. Yet evidence linking digital access and quality of life is lacking. We contribute by examining the relationship between quality of life and the extent to which individuals have accessed the Internet and whether they own their devices and connectivity. The dataset covers 27 490 individuals living in the Gauteng City‐Region of South Africa. Results show that after controlling for other factors, individuals who are digitally connected exhibit significantly larger scores on quality of life indicators than individuals without access. However, 95% of individuals without access are from households below the median income category, and the odds of access are 9.85 times as large as for above median income than for those below median income. Thus, digitally connected living depends on, and cannot be disentangled from, preexisting opportunities for social and economic inclusion.
A mobile health technology intervention for addressing the critical public health issue of child mortality
Authors: O'Connor Yvonne , O'Sullivan Timothy , Gallagher Joseph , Heavin Ciara , Hardy Victoria , O'Donoghue John 
Published: December 2017

AbstractEvaluations of development initiatives in resource‐poor settings dominate Health Information Technology/Systems research. Yet a dearth of research exists, which documents the design and development of these technological artefacts. Through the lens of Transition Management Framework, this research attempts to address this gap in literature, to describe a particular technology (ie, Supporting LIFE—SL eCCM App) and the way in which its hardware, software, and system configurations interact with the sociocultural and economic context in one rural region of the Malawian community. This study uses a design science perspective to ensure the design and development of a health technology intervention that is relevant and has utility in the context for which it has been built, ie, Malawi Africa. This paper addresses the manner in which the configurations of a mobile Health intervention (known as Supporting LIFE eCCM App) interact within a developing world context. Supporting LIFE eCCM aims to leverage the critical societal issue of reducing child mortality in Malawi, Africa. The design science approach supports the design and build of a health intervention that is a good fit for the “real‐world” health scenario considered. Coupled with Geel's Transition Management Framework, we emphasise the need for a balanced sociotechnical approach to mHealth, placing individuals at the centre of the IT development project while also considering social, economic, and cultural factors. These are key environmental aspects of a development project such as this one.
Classroom relationships, sense of community, perceptions of justice, and collective efficacy for students’ social well‐being
Authors: Capone Vincenza , Donizzetti Anna Rosa , Petrillo Giovanna 
Published: December 2017

AbstractA review of literature suggests a lack of studies analyzing the correlates of school context to social well‐being (SWB). By integrating the perspective of community psychology and social cognition, this study uses structural equation model to examine the effect of classroom climate, classroom sense of community, collective efficacy, and justice beliefs on students SWB. The study involves 390 high school students (58.6% females) between the ages of 13 and 20 years. The results show that classroom relationships as indicator of classroom climate and sense of community are associated with collective efficacy. Furthermore, collective efficacy, sense of community, and relational and procedural justice correlate with SWB. We discuss the implications of this finding for the positive development of adolescents and school‐based intervention programs.
The Safety, Tolerability, Pharmacokinetics, and Pharmacodynamics of a TYK2/JAK1 Inhibitor (PF‐06700841) in Healthy Subjects and Patients With Plaque Psoriasis
Authors: Banfield Christopher , Scaramozza Matthew , Zhang Weidong , Kieras Elizabeth , Page Karen M. , Fensome Andrew , Vincent Michael , Dowty Martin E. , Goteti Kosalaram , Winkle Peter J. , Peeva Elena 
Published: December 2017

AbstractThe safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics of PF‐06700841 were assessed in a randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, single‐ and multiple‐dose escalation, parallel‐group study in healthy subjects and patients with plaque psoriasis. The single ascending dose (1, 3, 10, 30, 100, or 200 mg) and multiple ascending dose (MAD; PF‐06700841; up to 175 mg once daily or 50 mg twice daily for 10 days) periods included 54 healthy participants. In addition, 30 patients with psoriasis received PF‐06700841 30 or 100 mg or placebo once daily for 28 days. Single PF‐06700841 doses were rapidly absorbed, with peak plasma concentrations ≤ 1 hour, proportional exposure up to 100 mg, and mean half‐life 3.8–7.5 hours. On day 10 of MAD, plasma concentrations peaked at ≤1.5 hours postdose (10–175 mg once daily). Elimination half‐life was 4.9–10.7 hours; steady state was reached by day 8. In psoriasis patients on day 28, peak plasma concentrations occurred at 1–2 hours. Biomarkers IP‐10 and high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein were reduced and returned to near baseline levels after dosing. Maximal mean percent change from baseline in the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index scores for PF‐06700841 30 mg once daily and 100 mg once daily were −67.92% and −96.31%, respectively, in week 4. All adverse events were mild/moderate. PF‐06700841 was safe and well tolerated up to 200 mg once daily in healthy subjects and 100 mg once daily in patients with psoriasis, suggesting potential therapeutic utility in plaque psoriasis and other inflammatory diseases.
Oxygen anion (O−) and hydroxide anion (HO−) reactivity with a series of old and new refrigerants
Authors: Le Vot Clotilde , Lemaire Joël , Pernot Pascal , Heninger Michel , Mestdagh Hélène , Louarn Essyllt 
Published: December 2017

AbstractThe reactivity of a series of commonly used halogenated compounds (trihalomethanes, chlorofluorocarbon, hydrochlorofluorocarbon, fluorocarbons, and hydrofluoroolefin) with hydroxide and oxygen anion is studied in a compact Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance. O− is formed by dissociative electron attachment to N2O and HO− by a further ion‐molecule reaction with ammonia. Kinetic experiments are performed by increasing duration of introduction of the studied molecule at a constant pressure. Hydroxide anion reactions mainly proceed by proton transfer for all the acidic compounds. However, nucleophilic substitution is observed for chlorinated and brominated compounds. For fluorinated compounds, a specific elimination of a neutral fluorinated alkene is observed in our results in parallel with the proton transfer reaction. Oxygen anion reacts rapidly and extensively with all compounds. Main reaction channels result from nucleophilic substitution, proton transfer, and formal H2+ transfer. We highlight the importance of transfer processes (atom or ion) in the intermediate ion‐neutral complex, explaining part of the observed reactivity and formed ions. In this paper, we present the first reactivity study of anions with HFO 1234yf. Finally, the potential of O− and HO− as chemical ionization reagents for trace analysis is discussed.
Multiple calcium patterns of rat osteoblasts under fluidic shear stress
Authors: Meng Guixian , Li Cunbo , Sun Haiying , Lee Imshik 
Published: December 2017

ABSTRACTThe intracellular calcium ([Ca2+]i) response induced by external forces can be diverse and complex. Using primary osteoblasts from Wistar rats, we found multiple patterns of [Ca2+]i responses induced by fluidic shear stress (Fss), including homogeneous non‐oscillation and heterogeneous oscillations. These multiple‐patterned [Ca2+]i responses could be influenced by Fss intensity, cell density, and cell differentiation. Our real‐time measurements with free calcium, ATP, ATP without calcium, suramin, apyrase, and thapsigargin confirmed homogeneous [Ca2+]i patterns and/or heterogeneous [Ca2+]i oscillations with respect to the combined degree of external Ca2+ influx, and intracellular Ca2+ release. Our theoretical model supported diverse Fss‐induced calcium activities as well. We concluded that a singular factor of Ca2+ influx or release dominated to produce smooth homogeneous patterns, but combined factors produced oscillatory heterogeneous patterns. © 2017 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 36:2039–2051, 2018.
Development and validation of the ecotourism behavior scale
Authors: Lee Tsung Hung , Jan Fen‐Hauh 
Published: December 2017

AbstractThis study conceptualizes ecotourism behavior as a multidimensional construct and develops a framework that offers a reliable and valid scale to assess ecotourism behavior; the framework is based on an empirical survey using 3 studies. In Study 1, measurement items are established and refined using a literature review, content analysis, and the fuzzy Delphi method. In Study 2, a research instrument is developed, and its reliability and validity are tested. In Study 3, cross‐validation of this research instrument is employed to assess ecotourism behavior using two populations of ecotourists. A reliable and valid 30‐item scale with a seven‐construct model is developed based on Taiwan's forests and wetlands as ecotourism destinations. This research instrument provides researchers with an invaluable instrument to accurately measure ecotourism behavior and offers a theoretical framework for researchers, decision makers, managers, and tourists in the field of ecotourism; thus, it makes a significant contribution to the literature.
Genetic testing including targeted gene panel in a diverse clinical population of children with autism spectrum disorder: Findings and implications
Authors: Kalsner Louisa , Twachtman‐Bassett Jennifer , Tokarski Kristin , Stanley Christine , Dumont‐Mathieu Thyde , Cotney Justin , Chamberlain Stormy 
Published: December 2017

AbstractBackgroundGenetic testing of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is now standard in the clinical setting, with American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMGG) guidelines recommending microarray for all children, fragile X testing for boys and additional gene sequencing, including PTEN and MECP2, in appropriate patients. Increasingly, testing utilizing high throughput sequencing, including gene panels and whole exome sequencing, are offered as well.MethodsWe performed genetic testing including microarray, fragile X testing and targeted gene panel, consistently sequencing 161 genes associated with ASD risk, in a clinical population of 100 well characterized children with ASD. Frequency of rare variants identified in individual genes was compared with that reported in the Exome Aggregation Consortium (ExAC) database.ResultsWe did not diagnose any conditions with complete penetrance for ASD; however, copy number variants believed to contribute to ASD risk were identified in 12%. Eleven children were found to have likely pathogenic variants on gene panel, yet, after careful analysis, none was considered likely causative of disease. KIRREL3 variants were identified in 6.7% of children compared to 2% in ExAC, suggesting a potential role for KIRREL3 variants in ASD risk. Children with KIRREL3 variants more often had minor facial dysmorphism and intellectual disability. We also observed an increase in rare variants in TSC2. However, analysis of variant data from the Simons Simplex Collection indicated that rare variants in TSC2 occur more commonly in specific racial/ethnic groups, which are more prevalent in our population than in the ExAC database.ConclusionThe yield of genetic testing including microarray, fragile X (boys) and targeted gene panel was 12%. Gene panel did not increase diagnostic yield; however, we found an increase in rare variants in KIRREL3. Our findings reinforce the need for racial/ethnic diversity in large‐scale genomic databases used to identify variants that contribute to disease risk.
Decline in opioid prescribing after federal rescheduling of hydrocodone products
Authors: Raji Mukaila A. , Kuo Yong‐Fang , Adhikari Deepak , Baillargeon Jacques , Goodwin James S. 
Published: December 2017

AbstractPurposeTo examine differences in opioid prescribing by patient characteristics and variation in hydrocodone combination product (HCP) prescribing attributed to states, before and after the 2014 Drug Enforcement Administration's reclassification of HCP from schedule III to the more restrictive schedule II.MethodsWe used 2013 to 2015 data for 9 202 958 patients aged 18 to 64 from a large nationally representative commercial health insurance program to assess the temporal trends in the monthly rate of opioid prescribing.ResultsHCP prescribing decreased by 26% from June 2013 to June 2015; the rate of prescriptions for any opioid decreased by 11%. Prescribing of non‐hydrocodone schedule III opioids increased slightly while prescribing of non‐hydrocodone schedule II opioids and tramadol was stable. Absolute decreases in HCP prescribing rates were larger in patients being treated for cancer (−2.26% vs −0.7% for non‐cancer patients, P < 0.0001) and in those with high comorbidities (−2.13% vs −0.55% for those with no comorbidity, P < 0.0001). Differences in the absolute and relative changes in HCP prescribing rates among states were large; for example, a relative decrease of 46.7% in Texas and a 12.7% increase in South Dakota. The variation in HCP prescribing attributable to the state of residence increased from 6.6% in 2013 to 8.7% in 2015.ConclusionsThe 2014 federal policy was associated with a decrease in rates of HCP and total opioid prescribing. The large decrease in the rates of HCP prescribing for patients with actively treated cancer may represent an unintended consequence.
Microwave assisted novel synthetic route for polyfluorenes containing triphenylamine and solubilizing alkyl moiety for blue emitting diodes
Authors: Mishra Alok V , Chandorkar Khushboo B , Patil Vishwanath R 
Published: December 2017

AbstractA series of blue electroluminescent polyfluorenes (PFs) containing triphenylamine and various alkyl moieties were synthesized using an Ni(0) mediated C−C Yamamoto coupling reaction assisted by microwaves. The synthesized PFs were characterized by various spectroscopic techniques. Their absorption and photoluminescence properties were investigated in solvent and found to possess characteristic electronic absorption and emission spectra. These PFs were found to emit in the blue region (407−415 nm) with high quantum yield in the range 0.41−0.73. Cyclic voltammetry studies of the PFs revealed that the compounds were stable under redox conditions with highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) and lowest unoccupied molecular orbital in the range 5.24–5.29 eV and 1.98−2.01 eV, respectively. The EHOMO for the PFs was similar to the most widely used hole transporting materials N,N′‐Di(1‐naphthyl)‐N,N′‐diphenyl‐(1,1′‐biphenyl)‐4,4′‐diamine (NPD), N,N′‐Bis(3‐methylphenyl)‐N,N′‐diphenylbenzidine (TPD) and N2,N2,N2′,N2′,N7,N7,N7′,N7′‐octakis(4‐methoxyphenyl)‐9,9′‐spirobi[9H‐ fluorene]‐2,2′,7,7′‐tetramine, Spiro‐OMeTAD (spiro‐OMe‐TAD). The thermal stability observed for the PFs accounts for their use under ambient conditions. The electrochemical studies of the fabricated polymer light emitting diodes suggest that the PFs have potential to be used as hole transporting and blue electroluminescent materials for optoelectronic devices. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry