bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Predicting treatment response of patients with extranodal natural killer/T‐cell lymphoma based on levels ofPD‐L1 mRNAand solublePD‐L1
Authors: Feng Yu , Jing Caixia , Yu Xinmei , Cao Xia , Xu Caigang 
Published: June 2020

AbstractAppropriate biomarkers may help predict patient response to treatment for extranodal natural killer/T‐cell lymphoma (ENKTL), a subtype of non‐Hodgkin's lymphoma in China. Programmed cell death receptor 1 (PD‐1) and its ligand (PD‐L1) have been investigated in various tumors. However, few studies have addressed expression of PD‐1/PD‐L1 in peripheral blood of ENKTL patients. To identify novel peripheral blood biomarkers for diagnosis and treatment of ENKTL, we retrospectively examined 89 healthy volunteers, 49 patients with ENKTL and 74 patients with diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma treated at West China Hospital from September 2017 to September 2018. Both patient groups showed significantly higher expression of PD‐1 and PD‐L1 on CD4+ T cells, higher levels of PD‐L1 mRNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and higher levels of soluble PD‐L1 in plasma than healthy volunteers (P< .05). In ENKTL patients, levels of PD‐L1 mRNA and soluble PD‐L1 were related to disease stage, level of lactate dehydrogenase, lymphocyte count, and copies of Epstein‐Barr genome in blood. Levels of PD‐L1 mRNA and soluble PD‐L1 were similar between healthy volunteers and ENKTL patients who showed complete remission after treatment, and uni‐ and multivariate analyses identified soluble PD‐L1 as a predictor of treatment response in ENKTL patients. Our results suggest that the levels of PD‐L1 mRNA in PBMCs and soluble PD‐L1 in plasma are useful for ENKTL staging and prediction of treatment response.
Factors influencing District Health Information System usage in Sierra Leone: A study using the Technology‐Organization‐Environment Framework
Authors: Khobi James A. M. , Mtebe Joel S. , Mbelwa Jimmy T. 
Published: June 2020

AbstractThe District Health Information Systems 2 (DHIS2) has been implemented in many countries as a standard tool for managing health information for decision making. Despite the continued adoption of this system in developing countries, some challenges affecting its effective use still exist. Previous studies have indicated that the majority of these challenges are mainly infrastructural and system related. As ICT infrastructure continues to improve, the need to investigate challenges affecting DHIS2 usage beyond infrastructural and system factors is important. In this study, factors influencing DHIS2 usage in Sierra Leone were investigated using the Technology‐Organization‐Environment (TOE) framework. Mixed sequential explanatory design was adopted using data from 126 respondents in 10 districts followed by focus group discussions. The study found that top management support, perceived benefits, security and privacy, and compatibility were significant predictors of DHIS2 usage in Sierra Leone. Similarly, poor Internet connectivity, lack of security policies and guidelines, and shortage of qualified staff were identified as challenges affecting the effective use of DHIS2. Recommendations for helping the Ministry of Health and Sanitation in Sierra Leone and other donors to ensure that DHIS2 is effectively used are discussed.
Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation reconstructions and instrumentally observed multidecadal climate variability: A comparison of indicators
Authors: Sun Cheng , Zhang Jing , Li Xiang , Shi Chunming , Gong Zhanqiu , Ding Ruiqiang , Xie Fei , Lou Panxing 
Published: June 2020

AbstractThe Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) has an important role in the Earth's climate system, but it remains unclear how the instrumentally observed multidecadal variability of the Earth's climate is related to the AMOC. We carried out a comprehensive evaluation of five representative indicators of the AMOC, including one atmospheric index based on the effect of accumulated atmospheric forcing on the AMOC and four oceanographic indices using surface and subsurface oceanographic variables in the North Atlantic Ocean. We compared reconstructions of the AMOC against measurement records and analysed the relationships with the multidecadal variability of the annual mean surface air temperature anomalies over the North Atlantic, Northern Hemisphere and South Atlantic. All the AMOC indicators show a weakening trend during the most recent decade, which is in good agreement with the RAPID measurement record of the AMOC. Besides, the atmospheric reconstruction shows the best agreement with the observed low‐frequency variation in the AMOC since 2004. The multidecadal variability in hemispheric/regional surface temperatures is closely related to all the AMOC reconstructions and opposite relationships are observed between the North Atlantic and South Atlantic oceans. The multidecadal surface air temperature anomalies associated with the variations in the AMOC are most pronounced for the atmospheric reconstruction index, which leads the variations in the surface air temperature by 4–5 years. Among the oceanographic indicators, the reconstructions using subsurface oceanographic variables performed best in terms of the relationship with the variations in the multidecadal surface air temperature.
A tale of two cities: The influence of urban meteorological network design on the nocturnal surface versus canopy heat island relationship in Oklahoma City, OK, and Birmingham, UK
Authors: Feng Jia‐Li , Cai Xiao‐Ming , Chapman Lee 
Published: June 2020

AbstractInterest in the investigation of the relationship between surface heat island intensity (sUHII) and canopy heat island intensity (aUHII) (sUHII‐aUHII relationship) is growing mainly because of the global availability of satellite‐sensed land surface temperature (Ts). It is hoped that if such a universal relationship can be found, it could compensate for the spatial discontinuity of air temperature (Ta) measurements that currently exist due to a paucity of weather stations in urban areas. In an attempt to investigate differences in the relationship in different urban environments, this study attempts to compare the linear sUHII‐aUHII relationship between Oklahoma City, OK, and Birmingham, UK, based on the observations from Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer and two dense urban meteorological networks (UMNs). Regression models and confidence ellipse, with two statistical tests, are applied in the comparison analysis under different climatic conditions with respect to specific ranges of wind speed (WS) and daily‐accumulated solar radiation (DASR). Some general patterns of the linear sUHII‐aUHII relationship are found across the two cities, such as the reduced rate of change of aUHII with respect to sUHII with increasing WS and the non‐negligible advection effect in this relationship. Meanwhile, the differences of the linear sUHII‐aUHII relationship across two cities are reduced under ideal conditions (clear skies, calm and large input of solar radiation from previous day into urban system). More importantly, the results emphasize the influence of the configuration of UMNs on the sUHII‐aUHII relationship. By removing the climatic element in the relationship (i.e., WS and DASR), the impacts of the different local environments, source areas, and general configurations of the UMN become evident, indicating that a standardized protocol for the designs of UMN is the prerequisite for the generalization of the sUHII‐aUHII relationship across cities.
Novel Gemini Cationic Surfactants: Thermodynamic, Antimicrobial Susceptibility, and Corrosion Inhibition Behavior against Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans
Authors: Labena Ahmed , Hamed Ahmed , Ismael Eman H. I. , Shaban Samy M. 
Published: June 2020

AbstractThe Egyptian oil and gas industry is suffering from severe metal corrosion problems, particularly microbial‐induced corrosion. There is limited knowledge on the corrosion inhibition of carbon steels in the presence of an acidophilic, iron‐oxidizing bacterial species Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans. Therefore, in this study, novel Gemini cationic surfactants, in three forms depending on variation in alkyl chains of 8, 12, and 16 carbon atoms named FHPAO, FHPAD, and FHPAH, respectively, were synthesized and characterized by Fourier transform infrared and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The surface parameters and the thermodynamic of the synthesized surfactants were evaluated at three different temperatures, 20, 40, and 60 °C. The synthesized Gemini cationic surfactants were tested as broad‐spectrum antimicrobial, antibacterial and anticandida agents. They evaluated as biocides and corrosion inhibitors against Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans. FHPAD showed higher adsorption ability at the solution interface and higher affinity to construct micelles than FHPAO and FHPAH. Both adsorption and micellization processes were hydrophobic and temperature dependent. FHPAO, FHPAD and FHPAH exhibited wide‐spectrum antimicrobial activities, and the highest activity and the lowest minimum bactericidal/fungicidal inhibitory concentrations were attributed to FHPAD. Furthermore, synthesized FHPAD demonstrated the highest metal corrosion inhibition efficiency of 95.5% at 5 mM in comparison to 87.5% and 81.7% for FHPAO and FHPAH, respectively. In conclusion, this study provides novel synthesized cationic surfactants with many applications in the oil and gas industry, such as broad‐spectrum antimicrobial, biocides, and corrosion inhibitors for acidophilic, iron‐oxidizing bacterial species Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans.
Pathways to Help‐Seeking Among Black Male Trauma Survivors: A Fuzzy Set Qualitative Comparative Analysis
Authors: Rich John A. , Corbin Theodore J. , Jacoby Sara F. , Webster Jessica L. , Richmond Therese S. 
Published: June 2020

AbstractMany Black men suffer symptoms of traumatic stress in the aftermath of traumatic injury, and they also often carry social concerns, including experiences of discrimination and stigma, and a lack of financial resources. The objective of the present study was to understand how traumatic symptoms and social factors combine in complex ways toward the outcome of psychological help‐seeking. We analyzed qualitative and quantitative data from 32 injured Black men admitted to a Level 1 trauma center. Qualitative interviews explored their attitudes toward seeking professional psychological help. We analyzed quantitative data, collected using validated instruments, on posttraumatic stress and depression symptoms, financial worry, and discrimination/stigma. Fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) was conducted by calibrating each condition to fuzzy set membership scores based on our knowledge of the causal conditions and the cases. We then constructed truth tables for QCA analysis using fsQCA software. Three causal pathways for psychological help‐seeking were identified: Two pathways showed that severe trauma symptoms in the absence of financial worry were sufficient for seeking help, whereas the third showed that financial worry and discrimination in the absence of trauma symptoms were sufficient for help‐seeking. We identified two causal pathways for negated help‐seeking, in which low posttraumatic symptom severity and low levels of discrimination or financial worry were sufficient for not seeking psychological help. The QCA analysis revealed multiple pathways for psychological help‐seeking among Black men who suffer trauma. These findings highlight the need for further research to understand complex pathways toward psychological help‐seeking in this population.
ERAS for Head and Neck Tissue Transfer Reduces Opioid Usage, Peak Pain Scores, and Blood Utilization
Authors: Clark Bhavishya S. , Swanson Mark , Widjaja William , Cameron Brian , Yu Valerie , Ershova Ksenia , Wu Franklin M. , Vanstrum Erik B. , Ulloa Ruben , Heng Andrew , Nurimba Margaret , Kokot Niels , Kochhar Amit , Sinha Uttam K. , Kim M. P. , Dickerson Shane 
Published: June 2020

ObjectivesWe implement a novel enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocol with pre‐operative non‐opioid loading, total intravenous anesthesia, multimodal peri‐operative analgesia, and restricted red blood cell (pRBC) transfusions. 1) Compare differences in mean postoperative peak pain scores, opioid usage, and pRBC transfusions. 2) Examine changes in overall length of stay (LOS), intensive care unit LOS, complications, and 30‐day readmissions.MethodsRetrospective cohort study comparing 132 ERAS vs. 66 non‐ERAS patients after HNC tissue transfer reconstruction. Data was collected in a double‐blind fashion by two teams.ResultsMean postoperative peak pain scores were lower in the ERAS group up to postoperative day (POD) 2. POD0: 4.6 ± 3.6 vs. 6.5 ± 3.5; P = .004) (POD1: 5.2 ± 3.5 vs. 7.3 ± 2.3; P = .002) (POD2: 4.1 ± 3.5 vs. 6.6 ± 2.8; P = .000). Opioid utilization, converted into morphine milligram equivalents, was decreased in the ERAS group (POD0: 6.0 ± 9.8 vs. 10.3 ± 10.8; P = .010) (POD1: 14.1 ± 22.1 vs. 34.2 ± 23.2; P = .000) (POD2: 11.4 ± 19.7 vs. 37.6 ± 31.7; P = .000) (POD3: 13.7 ± 20.5 vs. 37.9 ± 42.3; P = .000) (POD4: 11.7 ± 17.9 vs. 36.2 ± 39.2; P = .000) (POD5: 10.3 ± 17.9 vs. 35.4 ± 45.6; P = .000). Mean pRBC transfusion rate was lower in ERAS patients (2.1 vs. 3.1 units, P = .017). There were no differences between ERAS and non‐ERAS patients in hospital LOS, ICU LOS, complication rates, and 30‐day readmissions.ConclusionOur ERAS pathway reduced postoperative pain, opioid usage, and pRBC transfusions after HNC reconstruction. These benefits were obtained without an increase in hospital or ICU LOS, complications, or readmission rates.Level of Evidence3 Laryngoscope, 131:E792–E799, 2021
“Greener” Coupling of Poly(methyl methacrylate) and Poly(methyl acrylate) Chains using Activators Generated by Electron Transfer and Radical Traps
Authors: Xia Katherine , Rubaie Alia , Johnson Brendan , Tillman Eric S. 
Published: June 2020

AbstractMonobrominated versions of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMABr) and poly(methyl acrylate) (PMABr) are prepared by atom transfer radical polymerization and subjected to a variety of chain end‐coupling reactions, with the goal of achieving high extents of coupling with minimal metal content. By using atom transfer radical coupling (ATRC) with radical trap assistance in conjunction with activators generated by electron transfer, high extents of coupling (Xc) could be achieved for both polymer classes without requiring copper(I) as an initial reactant, and replacing elemental copper with environmentally benign reducing agents (Xc > 0.85). Specifically, the highest extents of coupling are observed with ascorbic acid as the reducing agent along with copper(II) bromide as the pre‐catalyst. Overall, similar extents of coupling are observed while using ≈1% of the total metal of a traditional ATRC reaction for PMABr and ≈3% for PMMABr.
Identification of novel mutations in BCKDHB and DBT genes in Vietnamese patients with maple sirup urine disease
Authors: Nguyen Thi T. N. , Vu Chi D. , Nguyen Ngoc L. , Nguyen Thi T. H. , Nguyen Ngoc K. , Nguyen Huy H. 
Published: June 2020

AbstractBackgroundMaple sirup urine disease (MSUD) is an autosomal recessive inherited metabolic disorder. The disease‐causing mutations can affect the BCKDHA, BCKDHB, and DBT genes encoding for the E1α, E1β, and E2 subunits of the multienzyme branched‐chain α‐keto acid dehydrogenase (BCKDH) complex. In the present study, novel pathogenic variants in BCKDHB and DBT genes were identified in three Vietnamese families with MSUD.MethodsThree newborn patients from three unrelated Vietnamese families were diagnosed with MSUD at the Metabolic Clinic, National Hospital of Pediatrics. Blood samples of 11 relatives from two generations of the three families diagnosed with MSUD were analyzed using exome and Sanger sequencing analyses.ResultsNovel pathogenic variants in BCKDHB (c.1103C>T, c.989A>G, and c.704G>A), and DBT (c.263_265delAAG) genes were identified in three pediatric patients with MSUD.ConclusionsWe have identified novel pathogenic variants in the MSUD‐related genes in the pedigree of the three patient's families. Our findings expand the mutational spectrum of MSUD and provide the scientific basis for genetic counseling for the patient's families.
Low‐loss indium phosphide‐based hybrid plasmonic waveguide
Authors: Soleimannezhad Farshad , Nikoufard Mahmoud , Mahdian Mohammad Amin 
Published: June 2020

AbstractIn this article, a new structure of InP‐based hybrid plasmonic waveguide (HPWG) has been proposed. The proposed HPWG shows a propagation length of at least 100 μm for 100 nm waveguide ridge width, twice the propagation length of the comparable silicon‐on‐insulator (SOI) based HPWG. This structure is compatible to the generic InP‐based layer stack and suitable for monolithic integration with active devices such as laser and photodetector at 1.55 μm wavelength. This layer structure can be potentially utilized in future ultra‐dense nanoscale photonic integrated circuits instead of SOI‐based HPWG. A directional coupler power splitter is also investigated with the proposed HPWG structure showing a coupling length of less than 2 μm with a transmission of 98.7% and insertion loss of about 0.02 dB for a waveguide width and gap width of 200 and 50 nm, respectively.
Feasibility and acceptability of a remotely‐delivered behavioural health coaching intervention to limit gestational weight gain
Authors: Coughlin J. W. , Martin L. M. , Henderson J. , Dalcin A. T. , Fountain J. , Wang N.‐Y. , Appel L. J. , Clark J. M. , Bennett W. 
Published: June 2020

SummaryIntroductionGestational weight gain (GWG) and postpartum weight retention (PPWR) are significant, potentially modifiable, contributors to women's future weight and health trajectories. There is a need for feasible and patient‐centered (i.e., convenient, remotely‐delivered, technology‐enhanced, and accessible through the prenatal care setting) behavioural interventions that limit GWG and PPWR. This study tests the feasibility and acceptability of a remotely‐delivered behavioural health coaching intervention to limit gestational weight gain and postpartum weight retention.MethodsPregnant women (11–16 weeks gestation) were recruited from two prenatal clinics and randomized to the active intervention or health education comparison group. Completion of the program was monitored and perceived helpfulness was rated (0–100).ResultsTwenty‐six women were randomized (n = 13 per arm; mean age = 31.6 years, SD = 3.6; mean BMI = 26.7 kg/m2, SD = 7.4). Participants completed a median of 18 coaching calls and 16/19 learning activities during pregnancy, and a median of 6 calls and 5/6 learning activities postpartum. They logged weights at least once/week for a median of 36/38 expected weeks and tracked daily calories and exercise for a median of 154/266 days and 72/266 days, respectively. Median (Q1, Q3) helpfulness ratings of the program during pregnancy were 80 (64, 91) and 62 (50, 81) postpartum; helpfulness ratings of coaching calls were 85 (58, 98). At 37 weeks gestation, 77% of participants achieved IOM weight gain recommendations compared to 54% in the comparison group.ConclusionsThis study provides evidence for the feasibility and acceptability of a remotely‐delivered behavioural weight control intervention in pregnancy and postpartum.
Towards virtuous and ethical organisational performance in the context of corruption: A case study in the public sector
Authors: Fernando Mario , Bandara Ruwan 
Published: June 2020

SummaryWith the increasing number of ethical violations reported across the public sector, the emphasis on ethics and values in governance is on the rise. Corruption is widely accepted as a form of unethical behaviour that can have detrimental effects on organisations as well as society at large. Research calls for empirical studies focusing on the contextual factors surrounding corruption. Based on the Contextually Based Human Resource Theory and using the case study method, this paper examines the role of context through a systematic analysis of corruption in a public sector organisation. We integrate corruption and human resource literature to understand employee behaviour, employee relations, HRM strategies, and organisational outcomes in the context of organisational corruption.
Features in the NMR spectra of the aglycones of Agave spp. saponins. HMBC method for aglycone identification (HMAI)
Authors: Simonet Ana M. , Durán Alexandra G. , Pérez Andy J. , Macías Francisco A. 
Published: June 2020

AbstractIntroductionThe analysis and detection of steroidal saponins is mainly performed using chromatographic techniques coupled with mass spectrometry. However, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy is a potential tool that can be combined with these techniques to obtain unambiguous structural characterisation.ObjectiveThis work provides a review of the carbon‐13 (13C)‐ and proton (1H)‐NMR spectroscopic data of aglycones from Agave saponins reported in the literature and also the development of an easy identification method for these natural products.MethodsThe database Scifinder was used for spectroscopic data collection in addition to data obtained from the Cadiz Allelopathy research group. The keywords used were Agave, spirostanic, furostanic, and saponin.ResultsThe shielding variations produced by functional groups on the aglycone core and the structural features of the most representative aglycones from Agave species are described. The effects are additive for up to four long‐range connectivities. A method for the identification of aglycones (HMAI) is proposed to classify aglycones from Agave spp. through the use of 1H‐NMR and heteronuclear multiple bond correlation (HMBC) experiments.ConclusionsThe HMBC spectrum is representative of the structural features of aglycones from Agave spp. The HMBC method for aglycone identification (HMAI) method allowed the identification of pure saponins or mixtures thereof and this method can be used in combination with chromatographic techniques coupled with mass spectrometry to provide a more thorough analysis of Agave samples that contain aglycones.