bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Stem cell-based therapies for ischemic stroke: a systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials
Authors: Li Zhonghao , Dong Xiaoke , Tian Min , Liu Chongchong , Wang Kaiyue , Li Lili , Liu Zunjing , Liu Jinmin 
Published: June 2020

AbstractRecently, extensive researches about stem cell-based therapies for ischemic stroke have been published; our review evaluated the efficacy and safety of stem cell-based therapies for ischemic stroke. Our review was registered on PROSPERO (http://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO), registration number CRD42019135805. Two independent observers searched PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library (Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials), and Web of Science (Science Citation Index Expanded) for relevant studies up to 31 May 2019. We included clinical trials which compared efficacy outcomes (measured by National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), modified Rankin scale (mRS), or Barthel index (BI)) and safety outcomes (such as death and adverse effects) between the stem cell-based therapies and control in ischemic stroke. We performed random effect meta-analysis using Review Manager 5.3. Our review included nine randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and seven non-randomized studies (NRSs), involving 740 participants. Stem cell-based therapies were associated with better outcomes measured by NIHSS (mean difference (MD) − 1.63, 95% confidence intervals (CI) − 2.73 to − 0.53,I2 =60%) and BI (MD 14.68, 95% CI 1.12 to 28.24,I2 = 68%) in RCTs, and by BI (MD 6.40, 95% CI 3.14 to 9.65,I2 = 0%) in NRSs. However, the risk of bias was high and the efficacy outcomes of RCTs were high heterogeneity. There was no significant difference in mortality between the stem cell group and the control group. Fever, headache, and recurrent stroke were the most frequently reported adverse effects. Our review shows that stem cell-based therapies can improve the neurological deficits and activities of daily living in patients with ischemic stroke.
Directly induced human Schwann cell precursors as a valuable source of Schwann cells
Authors: Kim Han-Seop , Kim Jae Yun , Song Cho Lok , Jeong Ji Eun , Cho Yee Sook 
Published: June 2020

AbstractBackgroundSchwann cells (SCs) are primarily responsible for regeneration and repair of the peripheral nervous system (PNS). Renewable and lineage-restricted SC precursors (SCPs) are considered highly desirable and promising cell sources for the production of SCs and for studies of SC lineage development, but SCPs are extremely limited. Here, we present a novel direct conversion strategy for the generation of human SCPs, capable of differentiating into functional SCs.MethodsEasily accessible human skin fibroblast cells were directly induced into integration-free SCPs using episomal vectors (Oct3/4, Klf4, Sox2, L-Myc, Lin28 and p53 shRNA) under SCP lineage-specific chemically defined medium conditions. Induced SCPs (iSCPs) were further examined for their ability to differentiate into SCs. The identification and functionality of iSCPs and iSCP-differentiated SCs (iSCs) were confirmed according to morphology, lineage-specific markers, neurotropic factor secretion, and/or standard functional assays.ResultsHighly pure, Sox 10-positive of iSCPs (more than 95% purity) were generated from human skin fibroblasts within 3 weeks. Established iSCPs could be propagated in vitro while maintaining their SCP identity. Within 1 week, iSCPs could efficiently differentiate into SCs (more than 95% purity). The iSCs were capable of secreting various neurotrophic factors such as GDNF, NGF, BDNF, and NT-3. The in vitro myelinogenic potential of iSCs was assessed by myelinating cocultures using mouse dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons or human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived sensory neurons (HSNs). Furthermore, iSC transplantation promoted sciatic nerve repair and improved behavioral recovery in a mouse model of sciatic nerve crush injury in vivo.ConclusionsWe report a robust method for the generation of human iSCPs/iSCs that might serve as a promising cellular source for various regenerative biomedical research and applications, such as cell therapy and drug discovery, especially for the treatment of PNS injury and disorders.
Inhibition of Notch pathway enhances the anti-tumor effect of docetaxel in prostate cancer stem-like cells
Authors: Wang Lei , Zi Hao , Luo Yi , Liu Tongzu , Zheng Hang , Xie Conghua , Wang Xinghuan , Huang Xing 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background
Prostate cancer stem-like cells (PCSCs) likely participate in tumor progression and recurrence and demonstrate resistance to chemotherapy. The Notch pathway plays a role in the maintenance of the stemness in PCSCs. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of Notch signaling inhibition as an adjuvant to docetaxel (DOX) in PCSCs.

Methods
PCSCs derived from the PC-3 cell line were examined for Notch-1 expression. The effect of Notch inhibition on response to DOX was evaluated in PCSCs in vitro and in murine models using a γ-secretase inhibitor (GSI), PF-03084014. Impacts on cell proliferation, apoptosis, cell cycle, and sphere formation were evaluated.

Results
PC-3 PCSCs expressed elevated Notch-1 mRNA compared with PC-3 parental cells. The combination of GSI with DOX promoted DOX-induced cell growth inhibition, apoptosis, cell cycle arrest, and sphere formation in PCSCs. In nude mice bearing PC-3 PCSC-derived tumors, the combination of GSI and DOX reduced the tumor growth, which was associated with the decreased Notch-1 expression in tumor tissues.

Conclusions
These results reveal that inhibition of the Notch pathway enhances the anti-tumor effect of DOX in PC-3 PCSCs, and suggest that Notch inhibition may have clinical benefits in targeting PCSCs.
Ensemble patch transformation: a flexible framework for decomposition and filtering of signal
Authors: Kim Donghoh , Choi Guebin , Oh Hee-Seok 
Published: June 2020

AbstractThis paper considers the problem of signal decomposition and filtering by extending its scope to various signals that cannot be effectively dealt with existing methods. For the core of our methodology, we introduce a new approach, termed “ensemble patch transformation” that provides a framework for decomposition and filtering of signals; thus, as a result, it enhances identification of local characteristics embedded in a signal that is crucial for signal decomposition and designs flexible filters that allow various data analyses. In literature, there are some data-adaptive decomposition methods such as empirical mode decomposition (EMD) by Huang (Proc. R. Soc. London A 454:903–995, 1998). Along the same line of EMD, we propose a new decomposition algorithm that extracts essential components from a signal. Some theoretical properties of the proposed algorithm are investigated. To evaluate the proposed method, we analyze several synthetic examples and real signals.
User scheduling for multicast transmission in high throughput satellite systems
Authors: Zhang Shuo , Jia Min , Wei Yuming , Guo Qing 
Published: June 2020

AbstractAdopting full frequency reuse in high throughput satellite (HTS) systems is expected to cope with huge communication demands and large user populations. Moreover, a kind of multicast transmission, which embeds the data of several users in each frame, can be employed to increase the efficiency of HTS systems. Multicast precoding is usually utilized in such systems to mitigate the co-frequency interference between beams and improve the efficiency of transmission. In this context, considering that the number of users may exceed the number of available communication resources in the system, we investigate user scheduling for the multicast transmission in HTS systems with full frequency reuse and multicast precoding. We perform user scheduling according to the user channel state information and decouple the scheduling problem into two phases: intra-beam and inter-beam scheduling. Intra-beam scheduling determines the users involved in the transmission of each frame with the purpose of reducing the influence of the multicast fashion. For intra-beam scheduling, we put forth a fixed-size user grouping algorithm. In contrast to previous studies, this algorithm takes the interference among beams into consideration during the scheduling. In inter-beam scheduling, user groups belonging to different beams are scheduled to improve the performance of the multiplexed transmission. An inter-beam scheduling algorithm is proposed to improve the fairness among users. The simulation results verify the superiority of the proposed algorithms in terms of fairness and spectral efficiency.
RETRACTED ARTICLE: Research on English teaching system based on artificial intelligence and WBIETS wireless network system
Authors: Tan Minghua 
Published: June 2020

AbstractThe English teaching network system is a distant teaching based on the Web. This teaching method can stimulate students’ interests so that students can acquire knowledge voluntarily, and automatic test paper generation is one of the most important modules in the English teaching network system. This article first briefly introduces the architecture of the wireless sensor network and then gives a wireless sensor network teaching experiment system based on a genetic algorithm. The multiple sensor nodes in the system can form a variety of different topologies, the collected data can be sent to the user terminal through the GSM network, and the user can also control the remote sensor node through the GSM network. This paper first describes the automatic test problems, a constrained multi-objective problem, then the design of the genetic algorithm to improve the test paper and puts forward questions based on an encoding method and based on the difficulty and test points of F fitness function for dynamic adjustment of the parameters in the iterative process. Finally, it is verified by experiments that the test paper made by this method satisfies users’ requests for questions, contents, and scores, and at the same time, it also improves the running efficiency of a random optimization algorithm by 7–17 times.
Changes of the human skin microbiota upon chronic exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon pollutants
Authors: Leung Marcus H. Y. , Tong Xinzhao , Bastien Philippe , Guinot Florent , Tenenhaus Arthur , Appenzeller Brice M. R. , Betts Richard J. , Mezzache Sakina , Li Jing , Bourokba Nasrine , Breton Lionel , Clavaud Cécile , Lee Patrick K. H. 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are of environmental and public health concerns and contribute to adverse skin attributes such as premature skin aging and pigmentary disorder. However, little information is available on the potential roles of chronic urban PAH pollutant exposure on the cutaneous microbiota. Given the roles of the skin microbiota have on healthy and undesirable skin phenotypes and the relationships between PAHs and skin properties, we hypothesize that exposure of PAHs may be associated with changes in the cutaneous microbiota. In this study, the skin microbiota of over two hundred Chinese individuals from two cities in China with varying exposure levels of PAHs were characterized by bacterial and fungal amplicon and shotgun metagenomics sequencing.

Results
Skin site and city were strong parameters in changing microbial communities and their assembly processes. Reductions of bacterial-fungal microbial network structural integrity and stability were associated with skin conditions (acne and dandruff). Multivariate analysis revealed associations between abundances of Propionibacterium and Malassezia with host properties and pollutant exposure levels. Shannon diversity increase was correlated to exposure levels of PAHs in a dose-dependent manner. Shotgun metagenomics analysis of samples (n = 32) from individuals of the lowest and highest exposure levels of PAHs further highlighted associations between the PAHs quantified and decrease in abundances of skin commensals and increase in oral bacteria. Functional analysis identified associations between levels of PAHs and abundance of microbial genes of metabolic and other pathways with potential importance in host-microbe interactions as well as degradation of aromatic compounds.

Conclusions
The results in this study demonstrated the changes in composition and functional capacities of the cutaneous microbiota associated with chronic exposure levels of PAHs. Findings from this study will aid the development of strategies to harness the microbiota in protecting the skin against pollutants.
Space use and relative habitat selection for immature green turtles within a Caribbean marine protected area
Authors: Griffin Lucas P. , Smith Brian J. , Cherkiss Michael S. , Crowder Andrew G. , Pollock Clayton G. , Hillis-Starr Zandy , Danylchuk Andy J. , Hart Kristen M. 
Published: June 2020

AbstractBackgroundA better understanding of sea turtle spatial ecology is critical for the continued conservation of imperiled sea turtles and their habitats. For resource managers to develop the most effective conservation strategies, it is especially important to examine how turtles use and select for habitats within their developmental foraging grounds. Here, we examine the space use and relative habitat selection of immature green turtles (Chelonia mydas) using acoustic telemetry within the marine protected area, Buck Island Reef National Monument (BIRNM), St. Croix, United States Virgin Islands.ResultsSpace use by turtles was concentrated on the southern side of Buck Island, but also extended to the northeast and northwest areas of the island, as indicated by minimum convex polygons (MCPs) and 99%, 95%, and 50% kernel density estimations (KDEs). On average space use for all categories was < 3 km2with mean KDE area overlap ranging from 41.9 to 67.7%. Cumulative monthly MCPs and their proportions to full MCPs began to stabilize 3 to 6 detection months after release, respectively. Resource selection functions (RSFs) were implemented using a generalized linear mixed effects model with turtle ID as the random effect. After model selection, the accuracy of the top model was 77.3% and showed relative habitat selection values were highest at shallow depths, for areas in close proximity to seagrass, and in reef zones for both day and night, and within lagoon zones at night. The top model was also extended to predict across BIRNM at both day and night.ConclusionMore traditional acoustic telemetry analyses in combination with RSFs provide novel insights into animal space use and relative resource selection. Here, we demonstrated immature green turtles within the BIRNM have small, specific home ranges and core use areas with temporally varying relative selection strengths across habitat types. We conclude the BIRNM marine protected area is providing sufficient protection for immature green turtles, however, habitat protection could be focused in both areas of high space use and in locations where high relative selection values were determined. Ultimately, the methodologies and results presented here may help to design strategies to expand habitat protection for immature green turtles across their greater distribution.
Neurofibromatosis type 2 initially presenting as a preauricular mass: A case report
Authors: Lan Wei-Che , Aoh Yu , Chen Rui-Yun , Tien Hui-Chi , Lin Chia-Der 
Published: June 2020

Neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2) is a rare genetic disease involving multiple tumors of the central and peripheral nervous systems. Most patients with NF2 have bilateral vestibular schwannomas; nonvestibular schwannomas may also develop. While the majority of patients may present with hearing impairment, tinnitus, dizziness and balance disorders, some may present with cutaneous manifestations. We describe the case of a 20-year-old man who initially presented with a solitary subcutaneous painless nodule in the left preauricular area without any other symptoms. He received excisional biopsy for the preauricular mass and the pathologic diagnosis was schwannoma. Magnetic resonance imaging of brain and neck revealed multiple mass lesions over the bilateral cerebellopontine angle cisterns, extending to the bilateral internal auditory canals, bilateral cervical neuroforamens, cervical and upper thoracic spinal canals, and left posterior neck. The patient was diagnosed with NF2 according to the clinical criteria. He underwent gamma knife stereotactic radiosurgery for bilateral vestibular schwannomas and is now under regular monitoring. Conclusion NF2 patients may present with an isolated solitary cutaneous schwannoma with no other associated clinical findings. Further assessment is thus warranted in young patients presenting with a peripheral schwannoma despite absence of other clinical findings.
Beyond the connoisseurship approach: creating a chronology in Hokusai prints using non-invasive techniques and multivariate data analysis
Authors: Vermeulen Marc , Burgio Lucia , Vandeperre Nathalie , Driscoll Elyse , Viljoen Madeleine , Woo Janie , Leona Marco 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
This study combines scientific and connoisseurship approaches to establish a production chronology of 141 woodblock prints from Katsushika Hokusai’s series Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji belonging to different cultural institutions in Europe and the United States. In order to create this chronology, the reflectance spectroscopy (FORS) signature of the indigo/Prussian blue mixture of the key-block printed outlines was measured and compared using multivariate data analysis. This approach yielded 9 clusters of prints, each one presenting slightly different FORS features, and therefore, different Prussian blue/indigo mixtures. The connoisseurship approach was then applied to impressions of the same print found across the 9 clusters. This allowed for arrangement of the clustered prints according to their production time, resulting in a comprehensive timeline for the 141 prints examined. To date, this work represents the only systematic study of such a large corpus of Japanese/Hokusai woodblock prints integrating chemical analysis and statistical treatment of data with careful visual examination of the prints. The result is a novel approach to creating a chronology for these objects. Our study easily differentiated between early nineteenth and early twentieth century prints as well as between various printing batches/clusters. Creating a chronology of such an important print series is also crucial to understand the evolution of artist and printing studio practices in late nineteenth-century Japan, a period of great economic and cultural changes.
Beyond content knowledge: transferable skills connected to experience as a peer-leader in a PLTL program and long-term impacts
Authors: Chase Anthony , S. Rao Anusha , Lakmala Prathima , Varma-Nelson Pratibha 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background
Being a successful peer-led team learning (PLTL) workshop leader involves developing content knowledge and workshop facilitation skills. These skills connected to being a peer leader, however, do not terminate at the end of one’s undergraduate program. In fact, many former peer leaders denote having been a peer leader on their LinkedIn profile. This study examines the transferable skills that former peer leaders identified as being valuable in their current positions. We conducted semi-structured interviews with former peer leaders from varying disciplines, universities, ages, and years since being a peer leader.

Results
Interview questions captured leadership experiences including successes and challenges of being peer leaders, roles and responsibilities, and specific transferable skills further developed by being peer leaders and how they are being utilized in the leaders’ current position.

Conclusion
Thematic analyses of these interviews indicate that former peer leaders recognize leadership skills, coping with many challenges (including not having the right answer), collaboration/teamwork skills, self-confidence, and problem-solving skills as being relevant and frequently used in their current work.
The dynamic evolution of compaction bands in highly porous carbonates: the role of local heterogeneity for nucleation and propagation
Authors: Chen Xiao , Roshan Hamid , Lv Adelina , Hu Manman , Regenauer-Lieb Klaus 
Published: June 2020

AbstractThe formation of compaction bands in porous brittle rocks such as sandstones and carbonates has a significant impact on the localization mechanisms preceding earth and planetary surface instabilities such as earthquakes, landslides, and plate boundary faults. The micromechanics underpinning the dynamics of the formation of compaction bands and its effect on alteration of pore fluid pathways are not yet fully understood. The current study seeks to understand the mechanical properties of compaction in highly porous carbonate at micro- and macro-scale using time-lapse triaxial experiments in an X-ray transparent flow and deformation cell. Images were obtained with increasing axial strain levels using X-ray computed tomography allowing mapping of the evolution of internal structures. In addition to the X-ray analysis, digital image correlation (DIC) was used to quantify the evolution of strain and precisely identify the nucleation mechanism of compaction bands and its dynamics. The effect of friction on the boundary platens was shown to be minimal as evidenced by shear strain obtained from DIC analysis. This comprehensive analysis allowed assessment of the role of heterogeneity for the initiation of compaction bands. Local regions with high porosity provide the initial seeds for discrete compaction followed by the nucleation of traveling waves that lead to diffuse growth of the compaction zone. This interesting phenomenon is expected to be a fundamental mode of compressional deformation in porous brittle media where discrete, often periodic, deformation bands are observed on compaction.
Do supplemental perches influence electrocution risk for diurnal raptors?
Authors: Sánchez Roberto , Sánchez Javier , Oria Javier , Guil Francisco 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background
Power lines are amongst the main causes of mortality for birds globally. Electrocution drives the population dynamics of several threatened species of raptors, at local and global scales. Among the many solutions that have been tested to minimize this threat are supplemental perches; however, their efficiency has rarely been assessed.

Methods
We designed 43 transects in 4 districts in mainland Portugal to gather data from birds perching on pylons with or without supplemental perches. From 2015 to 2018, transects were surveyed by car at least once. We analyzed the factors driving the use of these supplemental perches, and we analyzed if there were differences in the perceived risk (calculated from measurements and not from field surveys) depending on whether the perching was on pylons with or without supplemental perches.

Results
We recorded 548 perches of 14 species. Weather conditions seemed to play a role in birds’ choice of pylons with supplemental perches versus pylons without supplemental perches. Models also indicated a strong influence of observational conditions. The use of models showed us an important specific effect in the selection of supplemental perches where available: there are some species with a greater tendency to perch on supplemental perches, even when they use both pylons with and without supplemental perches. For most of the analyzed species and species groups, perceived risk was higher in pylons without supplemental perches compared to pylons with supplemental perches, but there were differences between species.

Conclusions
Supplemental perches may be a useful and efficient tool for mitigating raptor electrocution. However, there are many influential factors affecting their success, and their effectiveness with different species groups is not homogeneous. Some studies show higher electrocution rates for certain species and devices and thus, their efficacy must be validated. We propose a two-step validation process, first in controlled conditions and then in the field. A common protocol should be established to enable comparisons between studies.