bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Safety and efficacy of plasma exchange via direct femoral vein puncture in autoimmune blistering diseases
Authors: Yoshida Tadashi , Minakuchi Hitoshi , Takahashi Ryohei , Morita Shinya , Oya Mototsugu 
Published: March 2020

AbstractPlasma exchange (PE) is performed for patients with autoimmune blistering diseases by using multiple vascular access routes. We retrospectively examined the safety and the efficacy of PE using direct femoral vein puncture (FVP) technique, by comparing with that using double‐lumen catheter (DLC). The troubles related to vascular route, such as catheter occlusion, insufficient blood flow and hematoma, were not different between the FVP group (4.6%) and the DLC group (6.7%), whereas access‐related infections occurred more frequently in the DLC group (6.7%) than the FVP group (0.4%). Regarding the efficacy, the removal rate of autoantibodies in PE using the FVP technique was similar or lower, as compared with that using the DLC. These results suggest that PE with the FVP technique is able to be performed safely in patients with autoimmune blistering diseases, although the removal of autoantibodies is not superior to that using the DLC.
Synthesis and characterization of VO–vanillin complex immobilized on MCM‐41 and its facile catalytic application in the sulfoxidation reaction, and synthesis of 2,3‐dihydroquinazolin‐4(1H)‐ones and disulfides in green media
Authors: Nikoorazm Mohsen , Khanmoradi Maryam 
Published: March 2020

AbstractIn this work, a vanillin complex is immobilized onto MCM‐41 and characterized by FT‐IR, X‐ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and BET techniques. This supported Schiff base complex was found to be an efficient and recoverable catalyst for the chemoselective oxidation of sulfides into sulfoxides and thiols into their corresponding disulfides (using hydrogen peroxide as a green oxidant) and also a suitable catalyst for the preparation of 2,3‐dihydroquinazolin‐4(1H)‐one derivatives in water at 90°C. Using this protocol, we show that a variety of disulfides, sulfoxides, and 2,3‐dihydroquinazolin‐4(1H)‐one derivatives can be synthesized in green conditions. The catalyst can be recovered and recycled for further reactions without appreciable loss of catalytic performance.
Quasispecies dynamics of a hepatitis E virus 4 from the feces and liver biopsy of an acute hepatitis E patient during virus clearance
Authors: Mei Xue , Dai Fahui , Zou Jingyi , Zhang Huiying , Yuan Zhenghong , Qian Zhiping , Yi Zhigang 
Published: March 2020

AbstractThe presence of a quasispecies in hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection has been documented, however, the implications of a quasispecies in HEV‐host interaction are poorly understood. Here, we analyzed the whole genome sequences of a HEV 4d from the feces and liver biopsy of a patient during the icteric and convalescent phases in an acute hepatitis E infection. Viral RNAs were extracted, reversely transcribed and seven fragments encompassing the entire viral genome were amplified and cloned. By sequencing multiple colonies of each cloned viral genome amplicon with Sanger sequencing, we verified the existence of the HEV quasispecies or intra‐host genetic variations within the fecal and liver biopsy samples. There were broader genetic variations in the HEV ORF1 region including the PCP, HPX, and RdRp regions during the convalescent phase whereas more genetic variations in the ORF2 P domain during the icteric phase. The quasispecies dynamics might reflect host immune pressure during viral clearance.
Droughts projection over the Niger and Volta River basins of West Africa at specific global warming levels
Authors: Oguntunde Philip G. , Abiodun Babatunde J. , Lischeid Gunnar , Abatan Abayomi A. 
Published: March 2020

AbstractThis study investigates possible impacts of four global warming levels (GWLs: GWL1.5, GWL2.0, GWL2.5, and GWL3.0) on drought characteristics over Niger River basin (NRB) and Volta River basin (VRB). Two drought indices—Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) and Standardized Precipitation‐Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI)—were employed in characterizing droughts in 20 multi‐model simulation outputs from the Coordinated Regional Climate Downscaling Experiment (CORDEX). The performance of the simulation in reproducing basic hydro‐climatological features and severe drought characteristics (i.e., magnitude and frequency) in the basins were evaluated. The projected changes in the future drought frequency were quantified and compared under the four GWLs for two climate forcing scenarios (RCP8.5 and RCP4.5). The regional climate model (RCM) ensemble gives a realistic simulation of historical hydro‐climatological variables needed to calculate the drought indices. With SPEI, the simulation ensemble projects an increase in the magnitude and frequency of severe droughts over both basins (NRB and VRB) at all GWLs, but the increase, which grows with the GWLs, is higher over NRB than over VRB. More than 75% of the simulations agree on the projected increase at GWL1.5 and all simulations agree on the increase at higher GWLs. With SPI, the projected changes in severe drought is weaker and the magnitude remains the same at all GWLs, suggesting that SPI projection may underestimate impacts of the GWLs on the intensity and severity of future drought. The results of this study have application in mitigating impact of global warming on future drought risk over the regional water systems.
A 27‐year review of mergers and acquisitions research in 27 leading management journals
Authors: Gomes Emanuel , Alam Sunbir , Tarba Shlomo Y. , Vendrell‐Herrero Ferran 
Published: March 2020

AbstractThis study contributes to the existing body of knowledge on mergers and acquisitions (M&As) by providing a systematic review of over 500 academic articles across 27 management journals over a 27‐year time frame. There appears to be a mixture of empirical and conceptual articles, with a larger proportion being empirical but an increasing number leaning towards a conceptual nature. Our findings show that most studies follow a quantitative approach and use large samples, mostly originating from existing databases. There is an emergence of thematic areas related to the strategic factors influencing M&As, but with the human dimension, gaining increasing attention over time.
Site‐Selective Bi2Te3–FeTe2 Heterostructure as a Broadband Saturable Absorber for Ultrafast Photonics
Authors: Zhang Linfei , Liu Jiefeng , Li Junzi , Wang Zhuo , Wang Yingwei , Ge Yanqi , Dong Weilong , Xu Ning , He Tingcao , Zhang Han , Zhang Wenjing 
Published: March 2020

AbstractTwo‐dimensional (2D) materials have unique structural and optoelectronic properties and have very important applications in energy, environment, and high‐performance optoelectronic sensing. Among them, the nonlinear optical properties and related applications are hot research fields. Herein, a novel 2D Bi2Te3–FeTe2 heterostructure is successfully prepared by Fe3+ induction and site‐selective overgrowth using a seed‐mediated growth method. This heterostructure has a plate−satellite geometry with an open spatially separated surface. The Z‐scan measurement characterizes the nonlinear transmittance of the heterostructure and proves the broadband saturation absorption behavior experimentally, which are superior to those of some mainstream 2D materials. In addition, the femtosecond‐transient absorption spectra reveal an ultrashort recovery time of 1.7 ps at pump wavelength of 780 nm. By integrating the Bi2Te3–FeTe2 saturable absorber into fiber laser, a 164.7‐ps pulse and a 481‐fs pulse are produced at center wavelengths of 1064 and 1550 nm, respectively, which are better than that of the Bi2Te3 nanoplate‐based mode‐locking. A new approach for the synthesis of 2D composites with spatially separated structures is provided. It is demonstrated that the synthesized Bi2Te3–FeTe2 heterojunction can be a promising broadband nonlinear optical material in ultrafast optical applications.
Ultrafast Response of a Hybrid Device Based on Strongly Coupled Monolayer WS2and Photonic Crystals: The Effect of Photoinduced Coulombic Screening
Authors: Tang Yuxiang , Zhang Yanbin , Ouyang Hao , Zhao Maoxiong , Hao Hao , Wei Ke , Li Han , Sui Yizhen , You Jie , Zheng Xin , Xu Zhongjie , Cheng Xiangai , Shi Lei , Jiang Tian 
Published: March 2020

AbstractQuantum interactions between transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) and optical cavities are rapidly becoming an appealing research topic since these interactions underly a broad spectrum of optical phenomena. Here, we fabricate a simple device in which coherent strong coupling interactions occur between a photonic crystal (PhC) slab and monolayer tungsten disulfide (WS2). Both steady‐state angle‐resolved spectroscopy and transient absorption microscopy (TAM) are employed to explore the coupling behavior of this device. Specifically, anticrossing dispersions are observed in the hybrid device, indicating a Rabi splitting of 40.2 meV. A newly formed spectral feature emerges in the transient absorption (TA) spectrum of this polariton device under near‐resonant excitation, which is subsequently evidenced to be a signature of the upper hybrid exciton–polariton state. Moreover, by carefully analyzing the ultrafast responses of both bare WS2and the WS2‐PhC polariton device excited both off resonance and near resonance, it is found that nonequilibrium thermal decay induces Coulombic screening in the monolayer WS2, which has a major impact on the formation of exciton–polariton. The results of this work could not only improve the current understanding of photophysics in the strong light–matter coupling regime but also lay the foundation for tailoring the development of TMD‐based coherent devices.
Biochemical, serological, and genetic aspects related to gene HLA‐DQB1 and its association with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM)
Authors: Singh Gur Charn , Ahmed Mehboob , Zaid Muhammad , Hasnain Shahida 
Published: March 2020

AbstractBackgroundType 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM) is the autoimmune disorder of destruction of β cells of pancreas, creating insulin deficiency condition, which leads to hyperglycemia, polyuria, polydipsia, ketoacidosis, and other metabolic disorder especially in children. Different genetic aspects and environmental factors are involved in pathophysiology of the disease. About 20 genes are associated with this disease in which the most common is the different combination of haplotype DRB1‐DQA1‐DQB1 present at HLA gene. At HLA‐DQB1, there are some SNPs which are associated with T1DM. In T1DM, there are number of biochemical, serological parameters which show some abnormalities leading to some complications.MethodsSamples were subjected to all biochemical and serological techniques to get the measurement of concentration of glucose, lipid profile (cholesterol, triglycerides, and HDL and LDL cholesterol), urea, creatinine, albumin, insulin, anti‐insulin antibodies, C‐peptides, and leptin. All these values were compared with controls values and statistical analysis was also done on these values. At molecular level, two primers set which were allele specific at HLA‐DQB1, were used to amplify the SNPs, homozygous and heterozygous conditions were stated.ResultsPCR results for the studied population showed that most of samples have heterozygous condition for these SNPs of this allele specific region on HLA‐DQB1. Very few of them have homozygous state for it. Even in the control sample have the same conditions.ConclusionIn Pakistan, there is dire need of studies about SNPs and haplotypes related to HLA‐DQB1 which show association with T1DM.
A multimodal computer‐aided diagnostic system for precise identification of renal allograft rejection: Preliminary results
Authors: Shehata Mohamed , Shalaby Ahmed , Switala Andrew E. , El‐Baz Maryam , Ghazal Mohammed , Fraiwan Luay , Khalil Ashraf , El‐Ghar Mohamed Abou , Badawy Mohamed , Bakr Ashraf M. , Dwyer Amy , Elmaghraby Adel , Giridharan Guruprasad , Keynton Robert , El‐Baz Ayman 
Published: March 2020

PurposeEarly assessment of renal allograft function post‐transplantation is crucial to minimize and control allograft rejection. Biopsy — the gold standard — is used only as a last resort due to its invasiveness, high cost, adverse events (e.g., bleeding, infection, etc.), and the time for reporting. To overcome these limitations, a renal computer‐assisted diagnostic (Renal‐CAD) system was developed to assess kidney transplant function.MethodsThe developed Renal‐CAD system integrates data collected from two image‐based sources and two clinical‐based sources to assess renal transplant function. The imaging sources were the apparent diffusion coefficients (ADCs) extracted from 47 diffusion‐weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DW‐MRI) scans at 11 different b‐values (b0, b50, b100, ..., b1000 s/mm), and the transverse relaxation rate (R2*) extracted from 30 blood oxygen level‐dependent MRI (BOLD‐MRI) scans at 5 different echo times (TEs = 2, 7, 12, 17, and 22 ms). Serum creatinine (SCr) and creatinine clearance (CrCl) were the clinical sources for kidney function evaluation. The Renal‐CAD system initially performed kidney segmentation using the level‐set method, followed by estimation of the ADCs from DW‐MRIs and the R2* from BOLD‐MRIs. ADCs and R2* estimates from 30 subjects that have both types of scans were integrated with their associated SCr and CrCl. The integrated biomarkers were then used as our discriminatory features to train and test a deep learning‐based classifier, namely stacked autoencoders (SAEs) to differentiate non‐rejection (NR) from acute rejection (AR) renal transplants.ResultsUsing a leave‐one‐subject‐out cross‐validation approach along with SAEs, the Renal‐CAD system demonstrated 93.3% accuracy, 90.0% sensitivity, and 95.0% specificity in differentiating AR from NR. Robustness of the Renal‐CAD system was also confirmed by the area under the curve value of 0.92. Using a stratified tenfold cross‐validation approach, the Renal‐CAD system demonstrated its reproducibility and robustness by a diagnostic accuracy of 86.7%, sensitivity of 80.0%, specificity of 90.0%, and AUC of 0.88.ConclusionThe obtained results demonstrate the feasibility and efficacy of accurate, noninvasive identification of AR at an early stage using the Renal‐CAD system.
A glutathione S‐transferase (BdGSTd9) participates in malathion resistance via directly depleting malathion and its toxic oxide malaoxon in Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel)
Authors: Meng Li‐Wei , Peng Meng‐Lan , Chen Meng‐Ling , Yuan Guo‐Rui , Zheng Li‐Sha , Bai Wen‐Jie , Smagghe Guy , Wang Jin‐Jun 
Published: March 2020

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe oriental fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel), is a widespread agricultural pest that has evolved resistance to many commonly used insecticides including malathion. Glutathione S‐transferases (GSTs) are multifunctional enzymes that metabolize insecticides directly or indirectly. The specific mechanism used by GSTs to confer malathion resistance in B. dorsalis is unclear.RESULTSBdGSTd9 was identified from B. dorsalis and was expressed at twice the level in a malathion‐resistant strain (MR) than in a susceptible strain (MS). By using RNAi of BdGSTd9, the toxicity of malathion against MR was increased. Protein modelling and docking of BdGSTd9 with malathion and malaoxon indicated key amino acid residues for direct binding in the active site. In vitro assays with engineered Sf9 cells overexpressing BdGSTd9 demonstrated lower cytotoxicity of malathion. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis indicated that malathion could be broken down significantly by BdGSTd9, and it also could deplete the malathion metabolite malaoxon, which possesses a higher toxicity to B. dorsalis. Taken together, the BdGSTd9 of B. dorsalis could not only deplete malathion, but also react with malaoxon and therefore enhance malathion resistance.CONCLUSIONBdGSTd9 is a component of malathion resistance in B. dorsalis. It acts by depleting both malathion and malaoxon. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Ion chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry as a powerful technique for halogens and sulfur determination in egg powder and its fractions
Authors: Mesko Marcia Foster , Toralles Isis Gonçalves , Coelho Junior Gilberto Silva , Rondan Filipe Soares , Costa Vanize Caldeira , Hartwig Carla Andrade , Scaglioni Priscila Tessmer 
Published: March 2020

RationaleTo increase the consumption of egg powder and its fractions a suitable quality control method is required to obtain more information on its nutritional composition. The proposed method enables the quantification of important elements for the functioning of the human organism, such as halogens and sulfur, in egg powder and its fractions.MethodsUp to 350 mg of egg powder or its fractions (egg white powder and egg yolk powder) were digested by microwave‐induced combustion using 20 bar pressure of oxygen. The analytes were absorbed in 100 mmol L−1 of NH4OH solution. The determination of halogens (chlorine, bromine, fluorine, and iodine) and sulfur was performed in a single analysis using ion chromatography with conductivity detection coupled to mass spectrometry.ResultsUsing the proposed method, spike recoveries between 99% and 104% for all analytes were obtained, and results agreed with certified values of reference materials (agreements were between 100% and 109%). The relative standard deviations were below 8%. The variation in elemental concentration over a wide range in different fractions (whole egg powder, egg white powder, and egg yolk powder) and different brands was also observed.ConclusionsThe proposed method provides reliable information about minerals in whole egg powder and its fractions, contributing to better quality control of these products. Because these food products are widely consumed, these results suggest the safe ingestion levels of these elements.
Job resources and burnout: Work motivation as a moderator
Authors: Trépanier Sarah‐Geneviève , Vallerand Robert J. , Ménard Julie , Peterson Clayton 
Published: March 2020

AbstractThis longitudinal study (T1 n = 399; T2 n = 279) investigated the moderating role of work motivation in the relationship between job resources (control and recognition) and burnout. Overall, job recognition and control resulted in more burnout for employees with poor‐quality work motivation (high controlled or low autonomous motivation). These results suggest that poor‐quality motivation renders employees more vulnerable to certain resources in their work environment, as these job characteristics stimulate compensatory behaviours (e.g., overinvesting in one's job to boost one's sense of self‐worth or to obtain others' approval), leading to energy depletion over time.
“Divorce burnout” among recently divorced individuals
Authors: Hald Gert Martin , Ciprić Ana , Strizzi Jenna Marie , Sander Søren 
Published: March 2020

AbstractTraditionally, the concept of burnout has been applied to the workspace but recent research suggests its applicability to more general contexts such as the family sphere. The present study applies burnout to the divorce context and (a) proposes and statistically tests the Divorce Burnout Model (DBM), (b) investigates the contribution of sociodemographic variables and divorce characteristics to burnout scores, and (c) investigates the relationship between burnout scores and the number of sick days and days of absence from work. Using a cross‐sectional design and a sample of 1,856 recently divorced Danish citizens, multigroup confirmatory factor analysis verified the DBM´s good fit to data. Using this model, for men, it was found that fewer previous divorces, former spouse initiation of divorce, not having a new partner and a higher degree of conflict significantly predicted higher levels of divorce burnout. For women, lower income, former spouse divorce initiation, not having a new partner, and a higher level of conflict significantly predicted higher levels of divorce burnout. Across gender, burnout scores were found to significantly predict number of sick days and days of absence from work in the past 3 months over and above sociodemographic variables, divorce related characteristics, and depressive symptoms.
Genome-wide CRISPR screen identifies ZIC2 as an essential gene that controls the cell fate of early mesodermal precursors to human heart progenitors
Authors: Xu Jiejia , Zhou Chikai , Foo Kylie S. , Yang Ran , Xiao Yao , Bylund Kristine , Sahara Makoto , Chien Kenneth R. 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Cardiac progenitor formation is one of the earliest committed steps of human cardiogenesis and requires the cooperation of multiple gene sets governed by developmental signaling cascades. To determine the key regulators for cardiac progenitor formation, we have developed a two-stage genome-wide CRISPR-knockout screen. We mimicked the progenitor formation process by differentiating human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) into cardiomyocytes, monitored by two distinct stage markers of early cardiac mesodermal formation and commitment to a multipotent heart progenitor cell fate: MESP1 and ISL1, respectively. From the screen output, we compiled a list of 15 candidate genes. After validating seven of them, we identified ZIC2 as an essential gene for cardiac progenitor formation. ZIC2 is known as a master regulator of neurogenesis. hPSCs with ZIC2 mutated still express pluripotency markers. However, their ability to differentiate into cardiomyocytes was greatly attenuated. RNA-Seq profiling of the ZIC2-mutant cells revealed that the mutants switched their cell fate alternatively to the noncardiac cell lineage. Further, single cell RNA-seq analysis showed the ZIC2 mutants affected the apelin receptor-related signaling pathway during mesoderm formation. Our results provide a new link between ZIC2 and human cardiogenesis and document the potential power of a genome-wide unbiased CRISPR-knockout screen to identify the key steps in human mesoderm precursor cell- and heart progenitor cell-fate determination during in vitro hPSC cardiogenesis.
Patterns of Transnational Trade Union Cooperation in Europe
Authors: Furåker Bengt , Larsson Bengt 
Published: March 2020

AbstractThis chapter offers an overview of patterns of transnational trade union cooperation—based on empirical data. It begins by providing a brief depiction of the multilevel structures of such cooperation, followed by a presentation of the general views among unions regarding the importance and the potential benefits of cooperating at different levels. A second section entails a more detailed investigation of the importance attributed to various topics to collaborate on. This part also includes an examination of the preferences among unions in different sectors and industrial relations regimes/regions regarding forms of cooperation. The remainder of the chapter section scrutinizes what unions consider to be the most important obstacles to and facilitators for cross-border cooperation.
Revision of the EU Posting of Workers Directive, Social Dumping and Trade Unions’ Position
Authors: Furåker Bengt , Larsson Bengt 
Published: March 2020

AbstractIn 2016, the European Commission proposed a revision of the Posting of Workers Directive and it led to a great deal of debate, with a sharp East–West division in the political reactions. The proposal aimed at eliminating certain kinds of social dumping, arguing that the same work in the same place would get the same pay. Ministers and parliaments in several Central and East European countries raised their voice against the revision. Employers’ organizations were generally negative, while the trade union confederations at European level were positive but not uncritical; they wanted a more radical reform. No manifest East–West cleavage became visible in the trade union movement. Even in countries dismissive of the revision, the main labour organizations supported the dominant trade union responses.