bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of semaphorin 3A expression on clinicopathological features and prognosis in oropharyngeal carcinoma
Authors: Pham Hai Thanh , Kondo Satoru , Endo Kazuhira , Wakisaka Naohiro , Aoki Yoshitaka , Nakanishi Yosuke , Kase Kina , Mizokami Harue , Kano Makoto , Ueno Takayoshi , Hatano Miyako , Kita Makiko Moriyama , Sugimoto Hisashi , Yoshizaki Tomokazu 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Semaphorin 3A (SEMA3A) is a well-known axon guidance molecule in the nervous system. It is also known as a tumor suppressor in various cancers. In the present study, we examined the relationships between SEMA3A and clinicopathologic features and neoangiogenesis and its prognostic significance for oropharyngeal cancer (OPC) patients. Thirty-two OPC patients who underwent biopsy and 17 normal patients who underwent tonsillectomy were analyzed for SEMA3A expression by immunohistochemical analysis. We also analyzed 22 OPC specimens for CD34 expression as a marker of neoangiogenesis. SEMA3A was significantly downregulated in OPC compared with normal tonsil tissues (p = 0.005). SEMA3A expression was negatively correlated with CD34 expression, which suggested that a higher microvascular density corresponded to a lower expression of SEMA3A (r = -0.466, p = 0.033). Moreover, the higher SEMA3A expression cohort showed better survival than the lower SEMA3A expression cohort regardless of human papillomavirus (HPV) status (p = 0.035). These results suggest that SEMA3A expression is a prognostic marker for survival and is associated with antiangiogenesis in OPC.
Digestive Involvement in SARS-CoV-2 Infection: A Retrospective Multi-center Study
Authors: Shang Haitao , Huang Chao , Chen Yuhua , Zhang Shengyan , Yang Pengcheng , Hong Gaichao , Zhang Lei , Hou Xiaohua 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
BackgroundCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an emerged infection raised wide concerns for the pneumonia and respiratory manifestations. Also, digestive complications are frequently observed in COVID-19 patients but the significance remains undetermined.MethodsA retrospective analysis of alimentary symptoms, liver dysfunctions and other clinical parameters of 514 hospitalized COVID-19 patients (282 mild, 162 severe and 70 critical cases) admitted to the 3 designated medical units of Wuhan Union Hospital from Jan 20 to Feb 29, 2020 was performed.Results1) A series of alimentary symptoms, including poor appetite(50.2%), diarrhea(25.5%), nausea(16.3%), vomit(11.9%) and abdominal pain(3.3%), presented in COVID-19 patients.2) Diarrhea was common gastrointestinal symptom with higher morbidity in the severe and critical patients (32.1% and 27.1% respectively), and 13.2% patients developed diarrhea in the first 3 days after onset of symptoms. Those with diarrhea were reported more apparent systemic inflammation and liver injury in severe and critical cases compared with patients without diarrhea.3) Notably, 31 patients (6.03%) presented with diarrhea in the absence of respiratory symptoms. These patients were observed less systemic inflammatory activity relative to diarrhea patients combined with respiratory symptoms.4) Also, liver injury was high incident in COVID-19 patients with increased alanine aminotransferase (43.3%), aspartate transaminase (36.7%) and decreased albumin (80.9%), but less increased total bilirubin (10.9%) and direct bilirubin(14.2%), which were more serious in the severe to critical patients.ConclusionsOur data favored in the process of novel SARS-CoV-2 infection. There may be a “gut-type” in the clinical prevention and management that differ from the “lung-type” in COVID-19 sufferers.
The multi-epitope vaccine prediction to combat Pandemic SARS-CoV-2, an immunoinformatic approach
Authors: Kibria K. M. Kaderi , Islam Md. Shaid bin , Ullah Hedayet , Miah Mojnu 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) leads to coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) recently declared as a pandemic for its outbreak within almost 190 countries worldwide. No effective drugs and/or vaccines authenticated against this rapidly spreading virus till now. This study aims to establish an efficient multi-epitope vaccine that could elicit both T-cell and B-cell responses sufficient to recognize confirmed surface proteins of the virus. The sequences of the viral surface proteins, e.g. envelope protein (E), membrane glycoprotein (M), and S1 and S2 domain of spike surface glycoprotein (S) collected from the NCBI database. We adopted an immunoinformatic strategy to identify the immunogenic region of the proteins and assessed their affinity with MHC class-I and MHC class-II by various bioinformatics tools. Top epitopes have been selected and assessed for population coverage and conservancy among 180 SARS-CoV-2 genomes. Along with the above analyses, and results of Antigenicity, Allergenicity, and transmembrane location prediction, we selected top epitopes from these four proteins. The epitopes were assembled by the AAY linker to form a multi-epitope vaccine is 70 aa long, can be synthesized commercially. This should be processed by Antigen-presenting cells; consequently, the surface proteins might be recognized by the helper and cytotoxic T-cells as well as by B-cells. We also assessed the structural and various physicochemical properties of the novel chimeric peptide for its suitability as a multi-epitope vaccine. This in-silico study leads to a rationally designed potential vaccine candidate that could be assessed by wet-lab experiments driving towards efficient combat of the novel coronavirus outbreak.
Electro-assisted adsorption of heavy metals from aqueous solutions by biochar
Authors: Mahdi Zainab , El Hanandeh Ali , Jimmy Yu Qiming 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Electro-assisted adsorption was investigated for Pb2+, Cu2+ and Ni2+ removal using date seed biochar (DSB-Electro). Compared with pristine biochar, the results showed that DSB-Electro effectively increased the adsorption capacity of Pb2+, Cu2+ and Ni2+ by 21% to 94%. Significant differences were observed between Pb2+ and Cu2+ adsorption compared with Ni2+, which could be explained based on ion polarizing power. Under the same voltage, Ni2+ solution shows the highest electric conductivity; thereby more Ni2+ is transported to the biochar anode, giving them a greater chance to interact with the surface groups. Electro-assisted adsorption occurred rapidly as around 88% of Pb2+ and Ni2+ adsorbed within the first 3 h, while 96% of Cu2+ occurred within the first hour of contact. Reversing the polarity did not seem to cause significant desorption of the adsorbed ions as the amount released from reversing polarity was less than 38%, indicating that only a small fraction of the ions was held by the electrostatic charge introduced by the current. It was likely that the enhanced charge facilitated other adsorption mechanisms by bringing the ions in contact with the biochar initially via electrostatic force. Electro-assisted adsorption can improve the biochar economic feasibility for metals removal (particularly Ni2+) from industrial streams.
Visible light-assisted NGO-Fe3O4 composite activated peroxydisulfate for degradation of oxytetracycline
Authors: Bai Jing , Wu Junfeng , Li Zhi , Wang Zhaodong , Liu Zuwen , Liu Biao , Mao Yanli , Guo Yifei , Wang Xianli 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
A nitrogen-doped reduced graphene oxide/Fe3O4 composite (NGO-Fe3O4) was prepared through the simplified hydrothermal and deposition-precipitation method and characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The degradation efficiency of oxytetracycline (OTC) by NGO-Fe3O4 activated peroxodisulfate (PDS) under visible light irradiation was studied. The degradation efficiency reached 100% within 32.5 min (the initial OTC concentration 50 mg L−1 and PDS 1 mM; [NGO-Fe3O4]:[ PDS] = 4:1; pH = 3.0). No apparent decrease in degradation efficiency was observed after five cycles. SO4−· and ·OH were the main active oxides for OTC degradation in this system. Moreover, four degradation pathways were proposed, namely hydroxylation, dehydration, decarbonylation and demethylation according to the analysis results of high-performance liquid chromatography mass spectrometry.
Adsorption of hexavalent chromium using modified walnut shell from solution
Authors: Li Jingyi , Ma Jie , Guo Qiehui , Zhang Shenglong , Han Huayun , Zhang Shusheng , Han Runping 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Modified walnut shell (MWS) was obtained using diethylenetriamine through a grafting reaction and its adsorption capacity toward Cr(VI) was enhanced. The adsorbent was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and elemental analysis and the results showed that the modification was effective. To optimize experimental conditions, the effect of temperature, solution pH, salinity, contact time, and Cr(VI) concentration on adsorption quantity were performed in batch mode. It showed that the adsorption ability for Cr(VI) onto MWH can reach 50.1 mg·g−1 at 303 K with solution pH 3. Both the solution pH and salinity had a great impact on the adsorption capacity. The Langmuir model can predict the equilibrium process while the pseudo-second-order model can describe the kinetic process. The Yan model can be used to predict the column process. Additionally, there was also some regeneration ability for Cr-loaded MWH. Consequently, MWS is effective for removing Cr(VI) from solution.
Gamified Mobile Computerized Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Japanese University Students With Depressive Symptoms: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Yokomitsu Kengo , Irie Tomonari , Sekiguchi Mayu , Shimizu Ayako , Matsuoka Hirofumi , Merry Sally Nicola , Stasiak Karolina 
Published: April 2020

Background
Evidence shows that computerized self-help interventions are effective for reducing symptoms of depression. One such intervention, SPARX, is a gamified mobile computerized cognitive behavioral therapy (cCBT) developed for adolescents in New Zealand, which was shown to be as effective as usual care for young people with mild-to-moderate symptoms of depression. However, gamified cCBT has not yet been tested in Japan.

Objective
This trial is designed to investigate whether a Japanese-adapted version of SPARX improves depressive symptoms in Japanese university students with mild-to-moderate depressive symptoms.

Methods
In this 7-week, multicenter, stratified, parallel-group, superiority randomized trial, participants will be allocated to either a treatment condition (SPARX) or a wait-list control condition. SPARX is a fully automated program, which will be delivered to the mobile phone or tablet device of the participants. SPARX is designed as an interactive fantasy game to guide the user through seven modules that teach key CBT strategies. All participants will be recruited from universities via advertisements on online bulletin boards, the campus newspaper, and posters. Participants in the treatment condition will use the SPARX program weekly. The primary outcome is the reduction of depressive symptoms (using Patient Health Questionnaires-9) measured at baseline and weekly: once after the 7-week intervention and once at a 1-month follow-up. Secondary outcomes include satisfaction with the program and satisfaction with life, measured by the Satisfaction With Life Scale; positive and negative moods, measured by the Profile of Mood States Second Edition; social functioning, measured by the EuroQol Instrument; rumination, measured by the Ruminative Responses Scale; and coping, measured by the Brief Coping Orientation to Problem Experienced Inventory.

Results
This study received funding from The Research Institute of Personalized Health Sciences, Health Sciences University of Hokkaido, and obtained institutional review board approval in September 2019. Data collection began in April 2019.

Conclusions
Results of this trial may provide further evidence for the efficacy of gamified cCBT for the treatment of depression and, specifically, provide support for using SPARX with Japanese university students.

Trial Registration
Japan Primary Registries Network UMIN000034354; https://tinyurl.com/uu7xd77

International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)
DERR1-10.2196/15164
Nurse-Led Education and Engagement for Diabetes Care in Sub-Saharan Africa: Protocol for a Mixed Methods Study
Authors: Singh Arti , Nichols Michelle 
Published: April 2020

Background
As the impact of diabetes grows steeply in sub-Saharan Africa, improvement of the control and treatment of diabetes is a goal that health care systems in sub-Saharan Africa must achieve in the near future. Sub-Saharan Africa faces a number of challenges in addressing the increasing effects of diabetes. One important factor is the shortage of adequately trained health care workers. Diabetes management in sub-Saharan Africa would benefit from innovative approaches that are founded upon solid theoretical constructs, built upon existing human resources and infrastructure, and culturally tailored to the priorities and needs of the local population. Existing resources, such as mobile phones and task-shifting strategies, may be used to assist individuals with glycemic self-management and to facilitate management of additional day-to-day clinical responsibilities.

Objective
The objective of the Nurse-Led Education and Engagement Study for Diabetes Care (NEEDS) mixed-methods protocol is to develop a practical, collaborative, effective, and sustainable program for diabetes prevention and management specifically for patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus in sub-Saharan Africa. The protocol aims to improve access to care through task-shifting strategies and the use of mobile health technology.

Methods
This study was designed using a convergent parallel mixed-methods approach that consisted of surveys, key informant interviews, focus group discussions, and focused ethnography. Novel approaches, such as task-shifting strategies and the use of mobile technology, were implemented for type 2 diabetes mellitus health care in sub-Saharan Africa—currently an under-researched area.

Results
Data collection began in February 2018, after ethics approval, at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology. As of May 2020, participant surveys have been completed (N=100), key informant interviews (n=7) have been completed, and focus groups (5 focus groups; patients, n=18; caregivers, n=6; community leaders, n=2; and faith leaders, n=3) as well as focused ethnographic field observations have been completed. All audio recordings have been transcribed and transcripts of sessions recorded in Twi have been translated to English. Data analysis is currently underway and anticipated completion is in the spring of 2020. Following data analysis, investigators plan to publish study findings.

Conclusions
Insights from this study will inform the preliminary development of a feasible and effective nurse-led education and engagement mobile health intervention that has the potential to reduce diabetes-related morbidity, mortality, and burden in sub-Saharan Africa.

International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)
DERR1-10.2196/15408
“The Past, Present, and Future of Accounting History”: A Comment on the State of Accounting History
Authors: Carnegie Garry D. 
Published: April 2020

ABSTRACT
This response to the recent contribution by Matthews (2019) entitled “The Past, Present, and Future of Accounting History” specifically deals with the issues associated with concentrating on counting publication numbers in examining the state of a scholarly research field at the start of the 2020s. It outlines several pitfalls with the narrowly focused publications count analysis, in selected English language journals only, as provided by Matthews. The commentary is based on three key arguments: (1) accounting history research and publication is far more than a “numbers game”; (2) trends in the quality of the research undertaken and published are paramount; and (3) international publication and accumulated knowledge in accounting history are indeed more than a collection of English language publications. The author seeks to contribute to discussion and debate between accounting historians and other researchers for the benefit and development of the international accounting history community and global society.
Data Visualization in Local Accounting Firms: Is Slow Technology Adoption Rational?
Authors: Buchheit Steve , Dzuranin Ann C. , Hux Candice , Riley Mark E. 
Published: April 2020

SUMMARY
We survey highly experienced professionals from local accounting firms regarding the adoption of and perceived benefits from data visualization in audit practice. Although the majority of respondents have minimal experience with data visualization, local-firm partners have positive perceptions regarding the value that visualization can have on audit quality and client-related benefits. These perceptions are affected by visualization technology usage: perceived audit quality benefits increase with usage but client benefit perceptions decrease with usage. These results are consistent with competing models of technology adoption. In total, whether one labels a firm a “laggard” or a “rational nonadopter” of visualization, technology appears to be driven by whether the firm seeks to adopt technology in order to improve audit quality or to add value for their clients.
Chemotech International, Inc.: Accounting for International Differences in the Measurement of Raw Material and Work-in-Process Inventories
Authors: Long James H. , Nothhelfer Robert 
Published: April 2020

ABSTRACT
This case involves initial and subsequent inventory measurement in an international setting. It provides students with: (1) a comprehensive review of inventory measurement issues under three accounting standard-setting regimes, and (2) a comparison of business cultures with respect to their financial accounting standards related to inventory, and (3) how they communicate information (e.g., dates and numbers). The modular nature of the case allows the instructor to assign one or two parts of the case and to apply one, two, or three sets of accounting standards. The first module involves accounting for raw materials inventories for an international chemical company according to U.S. and German GAAP. An optional extension addresses the IFRS inventory measurement requirements. In the second module, the inventory measurement issues are extended to semi-finished (work-in-process) inventories. The case is appropriate for intermediate, advanced, and graduate-level financial accounting classes.
Factors determining company performance in the IT industry
Authors: Lungu Miruna Florina 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
The dynamics of the business environment indicate that companies should become more flexible and value oriented. The competition within the IT sector leads to increased uncertainty for the players and a higher focus on the strategic direction of the company. Hence, many studies point out the significance of strategic agility as a tool of increasing company performance and achieving improved results. The paper highlights how the performance of IT companies is impacted by various factors. The main driver for company performance is strategic agility mixed with absorptive capacity. For a better understanding, the paper will analyze knowledge acquisition, knowledge assimilation, transformation and knowledge exploitation. These four dimensions represent the layers of absorptive capacity. Using as framework a survey developed based on the literature, there will be performed an analysis of the input received. The responses have been captured from stakeholders of the IT industry, who are employees of IT organizations with operations in Romania. For an enhanced output, there will be applied a regression analysis. This will contribute to the identification of factors determining company performance in the IT industry. The results of the regression analysis will demonstrate that strategic agility, knowledge acquisition and transformation have the highest impact on company performance. As only three out of the five tested dimensions are validated, further research can be grounded on understanding why knowledge assimilation and knowledge exploitation have not been confirmed as factors impacting company performance.
Reflection of GDPR by the Czech Population
Authors: Tahal Radek , Formánek Tomáš 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Nowadays, personal data is becoming both increasingly relevant and extensively shared over the internet. Individual privacy is often at risk as personal and contact information are a frequent object of commercial transactions. This situation recently triggered the implementation of a new data-protection regulation: General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). This study analyses privacy protection from the citizens’ and consumers' points of view. The authors apply quantitative methods to primary data sampled from the population of the Czech Republic (aged 15+). Individual willingness to share personal data is evaluated along with the spectrum of situations where such data is requested and along with corresponding GDPR-related individual stances. According to the data analyzed, Czech population perceives GDPR measures as mostly useful yet somewhat bothersome. Also, individuals are not convinced that the regulation could deliver any fundamental changes to processes that involve handling of personal data. In general, respondents feel concerned by the intensification of demands for signing data sharing consents and by similar data processing interactions. However, individual levels of willingness to share various types of personal and contact information are sound and stable.
An analysis of the economic performances of the retail companies in Romania
Authors: Busu Mihail , Vargas Madalina Vanesa , Gherasim Ioan Alexandru 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Based on the finding of the economic studies on the analysis of the performances of the companies from retails sector, this paper aims of analyzing the economic factors which are the basis of economic performances of the new companies from the retails sector of Romania. Starting with an econometric model based on current assets, fixed assets and number of employees, three research hypotheses were tested and validated through a multilinear regression model analyzed with the OLS method with the use of statistical software SPSS 23. The conclusions of the paper are in line with the other researches in the area and underline that the economic performances of the selected companies are determined by the current and fixed assets, as well as the number of employees.
Photocatalytic N-Heteroarylation of Aldehydes via Formyl C‒ H Activation
Authors: Fuse Hiromu , Mitsunuma Harunobu , Kanai Motomu 
Published: April 2020

A formal C‒H addition of N-heteroaromatics to aldehydeswas achieved using a binary hybrid catalyst system comprising an acridinium photoredox catalyst and a thiophosphoric acid organocatalyst. The reaction proceeded through the following sequence: 1) photoredox-catalyzed single-electron oxidation of a thiophosphoric acid catalyst to generate a thiyl radical, 2) cleavage of the formyl C‒H bond of the aldehyde substrates by a thiyl radical acting as a hydrogen atom transfer catalyst to generate acyl radicals, 3) Minisci-type addition of the resulting acyl radicals to N-heteroaromatics, and 4) a spin-center shift, photoredox-catalyzed single-electron reduction, and protonation to produce secondary alcohol products. This metal-free hybrid catalysis proceeded under mild conditions for a wide range of substrates, including isoquinolines, quinolines, and pyridines as N-heteroaromatics, as well as both aromatic and aliphatic aldehydes, and tolerated various functional groups. The reaction was applicable to late-stage derivatization of drugs and their leads.