bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Point of care diaphragm ultrasound: An objective tool to predict the severity of pneumonia and outcomes in children
Authors: Şık Nihan , Çitlenbik Hale , Öztürk Ali , Yılmaz Durgül , Duman Murat 
Published: March 2021

AbstractBackgroundPneumonia is one of the most common serious infections in children. Scoring systems have been adopted to quantify the severity of the disease, but they were based on clinical findings that can vary according to the subjective assessment of the clinician. We hypothesized that diaphragm ultrasound (DUS) parameters may be a new useful tool to objectively score the severity of the disease and predict outcomes in children with pneumonia.MethodsChildren diagnosed with pneumonia, aged between 1 month and 18 years, were prospectively evaluated in the pediatric emergency department. The Pediatric Respiratory Severity Score was used to indicate the severity of the disease and DUS was performed. Diaphragm thickness at the end of inspiration and expiration, thickening fraction (TF), diaphragm excursion, inspiratory slope (IS), expiratory slope (ES), and total duration time of the respiratory cycle were calculated.ResultsThere were 96 patients enrolled in the study. Inspiratory slope and ES measurements had positive correlations with respiratory rate and length of stay in the hospital and negative correlations with oxygen saturation levels. Furthermore, TF values were negatively correlated with respiratory rate and length of stay in the emergency department. Patients with higher clinical scores had increased IS and ES and decreased TF values.ConclusionDUS can be a promising and useful tool to assess diaphragmatic dysfunction in patients diagnosed with pneumonia. Diaphragm parameters, especially TF, IS, and ES, may provide objective and reliable information to predict the severity of the illness, the need for respiratory support, and outcomes.
Atmospheric oxidation of 4‐(2‐methoxyethyl) phenol initiated by OH radical in the presence of O2 and NOx: A mechanistic and kinetic study
Authors: Yao Junfang , Sun Yanan , Tang Yizhen , Zhang Yunju , Wu Wenzhong , Sun Jingyu 
Published: March 2021

Abstract4‐(2‐Methoxyethyl) phenol (MEP) plays an important role in the formation of secondary organic aerosols (SOA). The gas‐phase mechanism and kinetics of MEP with OH reaction are studied by the density functional theory (DFT). The initial reactions of MEP with OH radical produce two different channels: OH addition and H abstraction. Subsequent reaction schemes of the main intermediates are investigated by using M06‐2X/6‐311++G(3df,2p)//M06‐2X/6‐311+G(d,p) level. Ketene, diketones and nitrophenol compounds are demonstrated to be the dominant oxidation products in the presence of high O2 and NOx. The total and individual rate constants are calculated by using the traditional transition state theory (TST) at 298K and 1atm. The calculated value of 5.62×10−11 cm3 molecule−1 s−1 is close to experimental data of similar systems. The lifetime of MEP is estimated to be 4.94 hours. These results provide a comprehensive explanation for atmospheric oxidation pathways of MEP.
Application of a simultaneous screening method for the detection of new psychoactive substances in various matrix samples using liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry and liquid chromatography/quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry
Authors: Kim Nam Sook , Lim Na Young , Choi Hwan Seong , Lee Ji Hyun , Kim Hyungil , Baek Sun Young 
Published: March 2021

RationaleRecently, new psychoactive substances (NPS) have emerged as a public health risk. Particularly, their chemical structures are modified to avoid detection. Synthetic NPS with effects similar to those of illegal drugs have been recently detected and synthesized worldwide, including MDMB‐FUBINACA and APINAC, making it essential to rapidly and accurately detect NPS.MethodsFourteen NPS with similar structures were selected and their structures identified using 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy. Additionally, we proposed the fragmentation pattern of each compound using liquid chromatography/quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (LC/QTOF‐MS). A simultaneous analytical method using liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (LC/ESI‐MS/MS) was also developed and applied to real samples to detect the 14 NPS. The method was validated based on the specificity, linearity, limit of detection (LOD), limit of quantification (LOQ), precision, accuracy, matrix effect, and stability according to international validation guidelines.ResultsThe established method was used to screen 65 different matrix samples using LC/ESI‐MS/MS. By comparing the calculated product ion ratios with those of standards, 2C‐B in one of the real samples and 5F‐MDMB‐PICA in 20 samples were identified. For re‐confirmation of detected compounds, the fragmentation pattern of each compound was compared with that of each standard using LC/QTOF‐MS.ConclusionsIn this study, LC/QTOF‐MS data were used to elucidate the structures and fragmentation patterns of 14 NPS. A simultaneous method was developed using LC/ESI‐MS/MS, which was applied to 65 real samples. The presented method and results can assist in ensuring the safety of public health from illegal adulteration.
Trauma and belief systems; an operational code analysis of Dutch Prime Minister Rutte and the downing of flight MH17
Authors: Willigen Niels van , Bakker Femke E. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractWhat is the impact of a crisis on the belief systems of leaders? We know from a substantial body of research that the beliefs of leaders impact their decision making processes. These beliefs are generally assumed to be stable, which makes them a reliable tool for explaining decision making behavior. There is, however, some limited evidence that suggests that when crises are experienced by leaders as a traumatic event, their beliefs can be affected. This article studies the potential impact of crisis‐induced trauma on leaders' belief systems by measuring the operational codes of Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte before and after the shooting down of flight MH17 in 2014 in Ukraine. We use quantitative content analysis of written texts such as the speeches by Rutte. Our aim is to contribute to the crisis management literature that focuses on individual leadership and crises by finding out whether Rutte's operational code changed significantly after the downing of flight MH17. We conclude that there were two significant changes in Rutte's belief system, but these cannot be attributed to the effects of the traumatic event only. Therefore we offer an alternative explanation that combines the traumatic event hypothesis with the crisis‐learning hypothesis.
When the weak are mighty: A two‐sided matching approach to alliance performance
Authors: Fudge Kamal Darcy K. , Honoré Florence , Nistor Cristina 
Published: March 2021

AbstractsResearch SummaryNetwork centrality is an important determinant of alliance performance. However, estimating how each alliance member's centrality affects alliance performance is challenging because the end market might value each partner's contribution differently. We solve this empirical question with a two‐sided matching model that accounts for the partners' endogenous selection and estimates the effect of each side's centrality and input quality on performance. We implement the method in the novel context of the Thoroughbred horse industry, in foal‐sharing alliances between buyers and suppliers. We find that buyer centrality has a larger marginal effect on the alliance performance than the supplier centrality because buyers, who on average are less central in our context, are more likely to diffuse valuable information to the end market.Managerial SummaryAlliance partners often struggle with identifying what their contributions and their partner's contribution are to the alliance performance. We use a new method to identify each side's contribution to their alliance. Our findings offer a few recommendations to firms forming similar alliances. First, we find that the less central partner in the business network has greater impact on the alliance performance due to their ability to diffuse more valuable information to the market. Second, our results suggest that product input quality that is relatively unknown impacts alliance performance more than low and average quality. Alliance partners may benefit more from experimenting with unknown inputs. Third, more central actors may reduce spending on mass communications if valuable information comes to the market through their less central partners.
A Novel Carbon Support: Few‐Layered Graphdiyne‐Decorated Carbon Nanotubes Capture Metal Clusters as Effective Metal‐Supported Catalysts
Authors: Lv Yan , Wu Xueyan , Lin He , Li Jiaxin , Zhang Hongbo , Guo Jixi , Jia Dianzeng , Zhang Hongmei 
Published: March 2021

AbstractCarbon‐supported metal nanocatalysts have received substantial attention for heterogeneous catalysis in industry. Hunting for suitable and impactful carbon supports that have strong interactions with metal nanocatalyst is a matter of great urgency. Herein, a well‐designed graphdiyne layer decorated on the carbon nanotubes sidewalls (CNT@GDY) serves as a novel carbon support. This unique hybrid structure effectively traps platinum and palladium atomic clusters (Pt/Pd‐ACs) with dimensions of 0.65 nm and 1.05 nm uniformly and firmly, forming novel carbon‐supported metal nanocatalysts (Pt(Pd)‐ACs/CNT @ GDY) for efficient hydrogen generation and aromatic nitroreduction, respectively. The Pt‐ACs/CNT@GDY can deliver an HER current density of 10 mA cm−2 with a small overpotential of 23 mV in 0.5 M H2SO4, showing a greatly enhanced mass activity, intrinsic activity than the commercial Pt/C catalyst. The Pd‐ACs/CNT@GDY also exhibits excellent catalytic activity and a high turnover frequency of 38.0 min−1 for aromatic nitroreduction. The carbon support turns out to possess excellent conductivity, abundant and uniform reactive sites, low redox potential, more negative surface and large specific surface area as well as a strong interaction with ACs, as anticipated in ideal supports, which can be applied in other metal‐supported catalysts.
2D Silicon‐Based Semiconductor Si2Te3 toward Broadband Photodetection
Authors: Chen Jiawang , Tan Chaoyang , Li Gang , Chen Lijie , Zhang Hanlin , Yin Shiqi , Li Ming , Li Liang , Li Guanghai 
Published: March 2021

AbstractSilicon‐based semiconductor materials dominate modern technology for more than half a century with extraordinary electrical‐optical performance and mutual processing compatibility. Now, 2D materials have rapidly established themselves as prospective candidates for the next‐generation semiconductor industry because of their novel properties. Considering chemical and processing compatibility, silicon‐based 2D materials possess significant advantages in integrating with silicon. Here, a systematic study is reported on the structural, electrical, and optical performance of silicon telluride (Si2Te3) 2D material, a IV−VI silicon‐based semiconductor with a layered structure. The ultrawide photoluminescence (PL) spectra in the range of 550–1050 nm reveals the intrinsic defects in Si2Te3. The Si2Te3‐based field‐effect transistors (FETs) and photodetectors show a typical p‐type behavior and a remarkable broadband spectral response in the range of 405–1064 nm. Notably, the photoresponsivity and detectivity of the photodetector device with 13.5 nm in thickness and upon 405 nm illumination can reach up to 65 A W−1 and 2.81 × 1012 Jones, respectively, outperforming many traditional broadband photodetectors. It is believed this work will excite interests in further exploring the practical application of 2D silicon‐based materials in the field of optoelectronics.
Preparation of Multifunctional Drug‐loaded Microcapsules with Core‐shell Three‐dimensional Network Structure and their Application in Colon Targeted Release
Authors: Fang Qiujie , Chen Na , Hu Shan , Hu Sheng , Ye Jianfeng , Ye Xiaozhou , Wang Yun 
Published: March 2021

AbstractSome special oral drugs may cause adverse reactions and degrade in the stomach; therefore, it is necessary to develop a new generation of multifunctional drug delivery carries to deal with such issues. Herein, by polyelectrolyte composite method using KGM and CS as raw material, CKGM/CS/TPP/5‐ASA microcapsules are prepared using 5‐ASA as model drug, and then coated with an acid‐resistant polyacrylic acid polymer layer. The size of CKGM/CS/TPP/5‐ASA microcapsules is relatively uniform, with average particle size 1.78 ± 0.02 mm. The inner part of microcapsules has a core‐shell three‐dimensional network structure, and the 5‐ASA embedded in the network is in its crystal form. The microcapsules exhibited good encapsulate properties, with 495.5 µg mg−1 drug loading amount and 82.3% encapsulation efficiency under optimized conditions. The in vitro release properties of microcapsules are also studied, and results showed that the drug is released little in Simulated Gastric Fluid solution (pH 1.2) but fully released in Simulated Colonic Fluid or Phosphate Buffered Solution (pH 7.0), and the release rate is higher in SCF solution, indicating that β‐mannanase could facilitate release. All these results indicated that CKGM/CS/TPP microcapsules have good pH‐controlled release, enzymatic release, and sustained release properties, hence they are promising multifunctional colon‐targeted release carriers.
CRISPR editing of the GLI1 first intron abrogates GLI1 expression and differentially alters lineage commitment
Authors: Galat Yekaterina , Gu Haigang , Perepitchka Mariana , Taylor Robert , Yoon Joon Won , Glukhova Xenia A. , Li Xiao-Nan , Beletsky Igor P. , Walterhouse David O. , Galat Vasiliy , Iannaccone Philip M. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractGLI1 is one of three GLI family transcription factors that mediate Sonic Hedgehog signaling, which plays a role in development and cell differentiation. GLI1 forms a positive feedback loop with GLI2 and likely with itself. To determine the impact of GLI1 and its intronic regulatory locus on this transcriptional loop and human stem cell differentiation, we deleted the region containing six GLI binding sites in the human GLI1 intron using CRISPR/Cas9 editing to produce H1 human embryonic stem cell (hESC) GLI1-edited clones. Editing out this intronic region, without removing the entire GLI1 gene, allowed us to study the effects of this highly complex region, which binds transcription factors in a variety of cells. The roles of GLI1 in human ESC differentiation were investigated by comparing RNA sequencing, quantitative-real time PCR (q-rtPCR), and functional assays. Editing this region resulted in GLI1 transcriptional knockdown, delayed neural commitment, and inhibition of endodermal and mesodermal differentiation during spontaneous and directed differentiation experiments. We found a delay in the onset of early osteogenic markers, a reduction in the hematopoietic potential to form granulocyte units, and a decrease in cancer-related gene expression. Furthermore, inhibition of GLI1 via antagonist GANT-61 had similar in vitro effects. These results indicate that the GLI1 intronic region is critical for the feedback loop and that GLI1 has lineage-specific effects on hESC differentiation. Our work is the first study to document the extent of GLI1 abrogation on early stages of human development and to show that GLI1 transcription can be altered in a therapeutically useful way.
Light‐Mediated Seleno‐Functionalization of Organic Molecules: Recent Advances
Authors: Rafique Jamal , Rampon Daniel S. , Azeredo Juliano B. , Coelho Felipe L. , Schneider Paulo H. , Braga Antonio L. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractOrganoselenium compounds constitute an important class of substances with applications in the biological, medicinal and material sciences as well as in modern organic synthesis, attracting considerable attention from the scientific community. Therefore, the construction of the C−Se bond via facile, efficient and sustainable strategies to access complex scaffolds from simple substrates are an appealing and hot topic. Visible light can be regarded as an alternative source of energy and is associated with environmentally‐friendly processes. Recently, the use of visible‐light mediated seleno‐functionalization has emerged as an ideal and powerful route to obtain high‐value selenylated products, with diminished cost and waste. This approach, involving photo‐excited substrates/catalyst and single‐electron transfer (SET) between substrates in the presence of visible light has been successfully used in the versatile and direct insertion of organoselenium moieties in activated and unactivated C(sp3)−H, C(sp2)−H, C(sp)−H bonds as well as C−heteroatom bonds. In most cases, ease of operation and accessibility of the light source (LEDs or commercial CFL bulbs) makes this approach more attractive and sustainable than the traditional strategies.
Shono‐Type Oxidation for Functionalization of N‐Heterocycles
Authors: Yamamoto Kosuke , Kuriyama Masami , Onomura Osamu 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThe development of facile synthetic methods for stereodefined aliphatic cyclic amines is an important research field in synthetic organic chemistry since such scaffolds constitute a variety of natural products and biologically active compounds. N‐Acyl cyclic N,O‐acetals which prepared by electrochemical oxidation of the corresponding cyclic amines have proven to be useful and versatile precursors for the synthesis of such skeletons. In this Personal Account, we introduce our efforts toward the development of synthetic strategies for the diastereo‐ and/or enantioselective synthesis of cyclic amines by using electrochemically prepared cyclic N,O‐acetals. In addition, the investigation of the “memory of chirality” in the electrooxidative methoxylation of N‐acyl amino acid derivatives, the strategy for the synthesis of chiral azabicyclic compounds by utilizing electrochemical oxidation, and halogen cation‐mediated synthesis of nitrogen‐containing heterocycles are also described.
Video feedback intervention for cognitively impaired older drivers: A randomized clinical trial
Authors: Ott Brian R. , Papandonatos George D. , Burke Erin M. , Erdman Donna , Carr David B. , Davis Jennifer D. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractIntroductionThis clinical trial aimed to determine whether in‐car video feedback about unsafe driving events (UDE) to cognitively impaired older drivers and family members leads to a reduction in such driving behaviors.MethodsWe randomized 51 cognitively impaired older drivers to receive either (1) a weekly progress report with recommendations and access to their videos, or (2) video monitoring alone without feedback over 3 months.ResultsUDE frequency/1000 miles was reduced by 12% in feedback (rate ratio [RR] = 0.88, 95% confidence interval [CI] = .58–1.34), while remaining constant with only monitoring (RR = 1.01, 95% CI = .68–1.51). UDE severity/1000 miles was reduced by 37% in feedback (RR = 0.63, 95% CI = .31–1.27), but increased by 40% in monitoring (RR = 1.40, 95% CI = .68–2.90). Cognitive impairment moderated intervention effects (P = .03) on UDE frequency.DiscussionResults suggest the potential to improve driving safety among mild cognitively impaired older drivers using a behavior modification approach aimed at problem behaviors detected in their natural driving environment.
Ammonia recovery from simulated anaerobic digestate using a two‐stage direct contact membrane distillation process
Authors: Xu Bing , He Zhen 
Published: March 2021

AbstractAmmonia is a key inorganic contaminant in wastewater and an important nutrient element for agriculture. Herein, a two‐stage direct contact membrane distillation (DCMD) system was developed and investigated for ammonia recovery from a synthetic anaerobic digestate. In the 1st stage DCMD (DCMD‐1), both ammonia and water moved across MD membrane to realize ammonia separation, while in the 2nd stage (DCMD‐2), only water migrated and as a result ammonia was concentrated. It was found that increasing the initial feed solution pH could enhance ammonia removal in the DCMD‐1 from 16.0 ± 2.0% (no pH adjustment) to 84.2 ± 1.9% (pH 12). A higher feed solution temperature increased both ammonia flux and water flux. The optimal condition was determined as an initial feed pH of 12, a feed temperature of 60°C, and the 0.6 M H2SO4 adsorption solution. With the addition of the DCMD‐2, the ammonia concentration was improved from 3 g L−1 to 7.8 ± 0.2 g L−1, which was further enhanced to 26.3 ± 3.0 g L−1 after five batches of operation. These results have demonstrated the feasibility of a two‐stage DCMD system for ammonia recovery from anaerobic digestate and warrant further investigation of several key issues that may advance this technology.Practitioner points

A two‐stage membrane distillation system is developed to remove and recover ammonia from anaerobic digester effluents.
The system uses ammonia/ammonium equilibrium to separate ammonia in the 1st stage and then concentrate it in the 2nd stage.
A high initial pH of the feed solution plays a key role in achieving high ammonia removal.
Minimizing the volume of permeate solution can increase the ammonia concentration.
National Courts as Actors in Investment Arbitration
Authors: Rajput Aniruddha 
Published: March 2021

AbstractNational courts are actors in investment arbitration since they influence the functioning of investment arbitration and are themselves in turn influenced by investment arbitration. The influence of national courts on investment arbitration is larger than the influence of other international courts and tribunals, since national law is part of the applicable law in investment arbitration and national courts are authorised to interpret and apply national law. National courts influence investment arbitration by competing for jurisdiction through the exhaustion of local remedies, umbrella clauses, and the fork-in-the-road rule. National courts facilitate investment arbitration by enforcing awards and at the same time disrupt it when rejecting enforcement or issuing anti-arbitration injunctions. Investment tribunals can restrain national courts by issuing anti-suit injunctions. Above all, they can review the decisions of national courts on grounds of denial of justice, fair and equitable treatment, the effective means test, and indirect expropriation. The the relationship between national courts and investment tribunals is such that the later have the last word, although the role of national courts as actors is certainly noteworthy.
The Role of Sub-Regional Systems in Shaping International Investment Law-Making: The Case of the Visegrád Group
Authors: Cristani Federica 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThe present chapter focuses on the role of the Visegrád group (or V4, comprising Slovakia, Hungary, Poland and the Czech Republic) in international investment law-making. The chapter starts with a brief overview of the V4 group as a sub-regional system in Europe, including its modus operandi and main achievements in the field of economic cooperation. Subsequently, it turns to the regulation of foreign direct investment (FDI), both at the level of each V4 state and at EU level—with particular regard to the implication of the EU’s exclusive competence on FDI. Special attention is paid to the approach of the V4 countries towards the question of termination of intra-EU bilateral investment treaties (BITs)—including an overview of the related objections to jurisdiction that the four countries have raised over the years in investor-state arbitrations based on intra-EU BITs—and to the relationship of the V4 group with non-EU countries—especially with (selected) East Asian countries. The main question is whether—and to what extent—the V4 group as a sub-regional system has a role to play in international investment law-making. The chapter highlights the proactive and advocacy role that the V4 group has traditionally played in manifold subject-matters, including the promotion and protection of FDI, and supports the positive “soft power” the V4 may exercise in this respect.