bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Understanding Policing of Human Trafficking in Gauteng Province, South Africa: The Phenomena, Challenges and Effective Responses
Authors: Motseki Morero 
Published: December 2020

Human trafficking is one of the most heinous crimes perceived to be a serious and growing problem worldwide. Human trafficking is a depressing phenomenon that affects many people across the globe. This study attempts to determine the phenomena of human trafficking, and identify the existing challenges of policing this scourge and suggest possible effective responses. This study was carried out utilising a qualitative approach. Forty interviews were carried out among officials deployed in the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), the South African Police Service (SAPS), the Department of Home Affairs (DHA), the Department of Social Development (DSD), the Gauteng Provincial Office, as well as with the victims regarding their views and experiences on the stakeholder’s involvement in combating and investigating human trafficking.
The key findings indicated that the challenges are corruption, lack of motivation and commitment to combat human trafficking, lack of limited awareness and information about the human trafficking scourge in South Africa, the findings also indicated a lack of clear strategy and response by stakeholders to successfully investigate, prosecute and incarcerate the perpetrators of human trafficking and the findings further indicated lack of capacity, resources and training to deal with human trafficking. Based on the findings, the author provided, possible recommendations such as; the utilisation of advanced technology and use of intelligence-led policing to strengthen the work of stakeholders, advanced training and better education including improved awareness strategies; and the utilisation of social media as a tool to deal with human trafficking and strengthening of enforcement responses and reporting techniques.
Assessment of the effects of ischaemia/ hypoxia on angiogenesis in rat myofascial trigger points using colour Doppler flow imaging
Authors: Jiang Fangyan , Yu Shuangcheng , Su Haiqing , Zhu Shangyong 
Published: December 2020

Background & Aims
Myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) is a common non-articular disorder of the musculoskeletal system that is characterized by the presence of myofascial trigger points (MTrPs). Despite the high prevalence of MPS, its pathogenesis, which induces the onset and maintenance of MTrPs, is still not completely understood. To date, no studies have investigated the changes in the biochemical milieu caused by ischaemia/hypoxia in the MTrP regions of muscle that are proposed in the integrated hypothesis. Therefore, this study investigated whether ischaemic/hypoxic conditions participate in the formation of active MTrPs and affect angiogenesis using colour Doppler flow imaging (CDFI).

Methods
Twenty-five Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into a model group and a normal control group. A model of active MTrPs was established by a blunt strike combined with eccentric exercise. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) were employed to detect the levels of HIF-1α and VEGF. Microvessel density (MVD) was evaluated using immunohistochemistry. CDFI was applied to observe the blood flow signals in the MTrPs, which were classified into four grades based on their strengths.

Results
Compared with the control group, the active MTrP group exhibited significantly higher HIF-1α and VEGF levels and MVD values. These differences were accompanied by increased blood flow signals. In the active MTrP group, the blood flow signal grade was positively correlated with the MVD (P < 0.05) and independently correlated with the VEGF level (P < 0.05) but was not correlated with the expression of HIF-1α (P > 0.05).

Conclusion
Ischaemic/hypoxic conditions may be involved in the formation of MTrPs. CDFI is useful for detection of the features of angiogenesis in or surrounding MTrPs via assessment of blood flow signals.
Emerging Mono‐Elemental Bismuth Nanostructures: Controlled Synthesis and Their Versatile Applications
Authors: Huang Weichun , Zhu Jun , Wang Mengke , Hu Lanping , Tang Yanfeng , Shu Yiqing , Xie Zhongjian , Zhang Han 
Published: December 2020

AbstractBismuth (Bi), as a nontoxic and inexpensive diamagnetic heavy metal, has recently been utilized for the preparation of a variety of nanomaterials, such as nanoparticles, nanowires, nanotubes, nanosheets, etc., with a tunable bandgap, unique structure, excellent physicochemical properties, and compositional features for versatile properties, such as near‐infrared absorbance, high X‐ray attenuation coefficient, excellent photothermal conversion efficiency, and a long circulation half‐life. These features have endowed mono‐elemental Bi nanomaterials with desirable performances for electronics/optoelectronics, energy storage and conversion, catalysis, nonlinear photonics, sensors, biomedical applications, etc. This review summarizes the controlled synthesis of mono‐elemental Bi nanomaterials with different shapes and sizes, highlights the state‐of‐the‐art progress of the desired applications of mono‐elemental Bi nanomaterials, and presents some personal insights on the challenges and future opportunities in this research area. It is hoped that the controllable manipulation techniques of Bi nanomaterials, along with their unique properties, can shed light on the next‐generation devices based on Bi nanostructures and Bi‐related nanomaterials.
Precision medicine for adjuvant chemotherapy of resected colorectal cancer
Authors: Miyamoto Yuji , Hiyoshi Yukiharu , Sawayama Hiroshi , Tokunaga Ryuma , Baba Hideo 
Published: December 2020

AbstractColorectal cancer (CRC) is the most common cancer and the second leading cause of cancer death in Japan. Surgical resection is the only curative option for localized disease. However, undetectable micrometastases remaining after curative surgery may cause disease recurrence. Adjuvant chemotherapy aims to eradicate these micrometastases to improve the cure rate. Unfortunately, few reliable prognostic and predictive markers are available that identify patients at high risk for CRC during early‐stage disease. However, promising biomarkers may become available in the near future. Such biomarkers provide information for stratifying a patient's risk and for selecting the optimal treatment. Here, we provide an overview of current relevant prognostic and predictive biomarkers applicable to adjuvant treatment of early‐stage CRC and focus on the future of this field.
SARC025 arms 1 and 2: A phase 1 study of the poly(ADP‐ribose) polymerase inhibitor niraparib with temozolomide or irinotecan in patients with advanced Ewing sarcoma
Authors: Chugh Rashmi , Ballman Karla V. , Helman Lee J. , Patel Shreyaskumar , Whelan Jeremy S. , Widemann Brigitte , Lu Yao , Hawkins Douglas S. , Mascarenhas Leo , Glod John W. , Ji Jiuping , Zhang Yiping , Reinke Denise , Strauss Sandra J. 
Published: December 2020

BackgroundIn preclinical Ewing sarcoma (ES) models, poly(adenosine diphosphate ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors were identified as a potential therapeutic strategy with synergy in combination with cytotoxic agents. This study evaluated the safety and dosing of the PARP1/2 inhibitor niraparib (NIR) with temozolomide (TMZ; arm 1) or irinotecan (IRN; arm 2) in patients with pretreated ES.MethodsEligible patients in arm 1 received continuous NIR daily and escalating TMZ (days 2‐6 [D2‐6]) in cohort A. Subsequent patients received intermittent NIR dosing (cohort B), with TMZ re‐escalation in cohort C. In arm 2, patients were assigned to NIR (days 1‐7 [D1‐7]) and escalating doses of IRN (D2‐6).ResultsFrom July 2014 to May 2018, 29 eligible patients (23 males and 6 females) were enrolled in arms 1 and 2, which had 7 dose levels combined. Five patients experienced at least 1 dose‐limiting toxicity (DLT) in arm 1 (grade 4 [G4] neutropenia for >7 days or G4 thrombocytopenia), and 3 patients experienced at least 1 DLT in arm 2 (grade 3 [G3] colitis, G3 anorexia, or G3 alanine aminotransferase elevation). The maximum tolerated dose was NIR at 200 mg every day on D1‐7 plus TMZ at 30 mg/m2 every day on D2‐6 (arm 1) or NIR at 100 mg every day on D1‐7 plus IRN at 20 mg/m2 every day on D2‐6 (arm 2). One confirmed partial response was observed in arm 2; the median progression‐free survival was 9.0 weeks (95% CI, 7.0‐10.1 weeks) and 16.3 weeks (95% CI, 5.1‐69.7 weeks) in arms 1 and 2, respectively. The median decrease in tumor poly(ADP‐ribose) activity was 89% (range, 83%‐98%).ConclusionsThe combination of NIR and TMZ or IRN was tolerable, but at lower doses in comparison with conventional cytotoxic combinations. A triple‐combination study of NIR, IRN, and TMZ has commenced.
Temporal invariance of social‐ecological catchments
Authors: Kaemingk Mark A. , Bender Christine N. , Chizinski Christopher J. , Bunch Aaron J. , Pope Kevin L. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractNatural resources such as waterbodies, public parks, and wildlife refuges attract people from varying distances on the landscape, creating “social‐ecological catchments.” Catchments have provided great utility for understanding physical and social relationships within specific disciplines. Yet, catchments are rarely used across disciplines, such as its application to understand complex spatiotemporal dynamics between mobile human users and patchily distributed natural resources. We collected residence ZIP codes from 19,983 angler parties during 2014–2017 to construct seven angler–waterbody catchments in Nebraska, USA. We predicted that sizes of dense (10% utilization distribution) and dispersed (95% utilization distribution) angler–waterbody catchments would change across seasons and years as a function of diverse resource selection among mobile anglers. Contrary to expectations, we revealed that catchment size was invariant. We discuss how social (conservation actions) and ecological (low water quality, reduction in species diversity) conditions are expected to impact landscape patterns in resource use. We highlight how this simple concept and user‐friendly technique can inform timely landscape‐level conservation decisions within coupled social‐ecological systems that are currently difficult to study and understand.
Resource selection at homesites by wolves and eastern coyotes in a Canis hybrid zone
Authors: Oliveira Teresa , Benson John F. , Thompson Connor , Patterson Brent R. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractWe modeled resource selection by wolves (Canis spp.), eastern coyotes (C. latrans), and admixed canids during the pup‐rearing season at den and rendezvous sites (collectively, homesites) within a largely unprotected landscape proposed as the recovery zone for federally and provincially threatened eastern wolves (C. lycaon) in Ontario, Canada. Overall, canids selected wetlands, while avoiding secondary roads and open‐structure rock‐grass habitat patches. Packs with greater wolf ancestry selected wetlands and tertiary roads more strongly, while avoiding mixed conifer‐hardwood forests. Contrary to our prediction, canids with greater coyote ancestry did not establish homesites closer to roads, which likely mitigated their risk of human‐caused mortality during pup‐rearing. Packs exhibited increased selection of wetlands within territories as a function of increasing availability of wetlands. Packs with abundant access to wetlands may prioritize this habitat type to exploit beavers, a valuable prey species during pup‐rearing. Packs with higher pup survival selected hardwood forests and avoided conifer forests more than packs with lower pup survival. This is consistent with our understanding of habitat relations of the main prey species for canids in central Ontario and suggests that selecting prey‐rich habitat types at homesites increases fitness. A proposed goal of eastern wolf recovery is numerical and geographical expansion outside of the population core in Algonquin Provincial Park. Thus, our results provide valuable information for conservation by quantifying resource selection of wolves, coyotes, and hybrids during pup‐rearing and identifying links between fitness and homesite selection.
Fungal urinary tract infection among chronic liver disease patients with hepatic encephalopathy and its treatment outcomes
Authors: Kamani Lubna , Kalwar Hamid 
Published: December 2020

AbstractBackground and AimPatients with chronic liver disease (CLD) are at high risk of infections, including fungal pathogens, which can lead to hepatic encephalopathy (HE) and increased mortality. Our aim is to evaluate the frequency and outcome of fungal urinary tract infections (FUTIs) in hospitalized patients with CLD and HE.MethodsThis was a descriptive case series study using the nonprobability consecutive sampling technique, conducted at the Department of Gastroenterology, Liaquat National Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan. All patients above 18 years of age who were admitted with HE and CLD were enrolled after obtaining informed consent. Baseline laboratory investigation, urine detail report (UDR), and culture were sent on the day of admission. Fluconazole was started if the UDR reported yeast positivity. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 25.ResultsA total of 236 patients were enrolled in this study. Mean age was 53.42 ± 5.567 years, and 95 (40.3%) were male. Urinary symptoms were present in 72 (30.5%) patients. Yeast positivity on UDR was present in 156 (66.1%), and 141 of 156 (90.3%) patients had urine culture positivity for fungal pathogen. A total of 55 patients died—36 (65.5%) in the FUTI group and 19 (34.5%) in the nonfungal UTI (NFUTI) group (P = 0.908). Candida albicans was the most common organism, present in 70 of 141 (49.6%) of patients. Predictors of mortality were renal insufficiency, hyperkalemia, hyponatremia, leukopenia, and advanced cirrhosis.ConclusionFUTI in CLD patients with HE is common in hospitalized patients even without symptoms, and a high index of suspicion is required. Candida albicans was the most common organism. Prompt recognition and treatment can improve overall outcome.
(AB)n Segmented Copolyetherimides for 4D Printing
Authors: Jin Minde , Stihl Markus , Giesa Reiner , Neuber Christian , Schmidt Hans‐Werner 
Published: December 2020

AbstractThe fourth dimension in 4D printing comprises the ability of materials to recover their shape with time by utilizing 3D printing in combination with shape memory polymers. The focus of this work is on 3D printing of physically crosslinked thermoplastic polymers, which allow a reversible transformation from a temporary to an original shape by an external stimulus temperature, thus realize 4D printing. In this context, (AB)n segmented copolyetherimides consisting of perylene and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) segments are synthesized and characterized regarding their thermal and rheological properties in view of 3D printing. The perylene imide segments act as reversible physical crosslinks which disassemble between 100 and 200 °C. The PEG segments exhibit a low melting temperature around 40 to 60 °C and are semi‐crystalline at room temperature. The results show that this type of (AB)n segmented copolyetherimide combines reliable 3D printing performance, which is indicated by low warp deformation and excellent interlayer bonding. With a blend of two copolymers, it is able to realize 4D printing.
Automated gross tumor volume contour generation for large‐scale analysis of early‐stage lung cancer patients planned with 4D‐CT
Authors: Davey Angela , van Herk Marcel , Faivre‐Finn Corinne , Brown Sean , McWilliam Alan 
Published: December 2020

PurposePatients with early‐stage lung cancer undergoing stereotactic ablative radiotherapy receive four‐dimensional computed tomography (4D‐CT) for treatment planning. Often, an internal gross target volume (iGTV), which approximates the motion envelope of a tumor over the breathing cycle, is delineated without defining a gross tumor volume (GTV). However, the GTV volume and shape are important parameters for prognostic and dose modelling, and there is interest in radiomic features extracted from the GTV and surrounding tissue. We demonstrate and validate a method to generate the GTV from an iGTV contour to aid retrospective analysis on routine data.MethodIt is possible to reconstruct the geometry of a tumor with knowledge of tumor motion and the motion envelope formed during respiration. To demonstrate this, the tumor motion path was estimated with local rigid registration, and the iGTV positioned incrementally at stations along the reverse path. It is shown that the tumor volume is the largest set common to the intersection of the iGTV at these positions, hence can be derived. This was implemented for 521 lung lesions on 4D‐CT. Eleven patients with a GTV delineation performed by a radiation oncologist on a reference phase (50%) were used for validation. The generated GTV was compared to that delineated by the expert using distance‐to‐agreement (DTA), volume, and distance between centres of mass. An overall success rate was determined by detecting registration inaccuracy and performing a quality check on the routine iGTV. For successfully generated contours, GTV volume was compared to iGTV volume in a prognostic model for overall survival.ResultsFor the validation dataset, DTA mean (0.79 – 1.55 mm) and standard deviation (0.68 – 1.51 mm) were comparable to expected observer variation. Difference in volume was < 5 cm3, and average difference in position was 1.21 mm. Deviations in shape and position were mainly caused by observer differences in iGTV and GTV interpretation as opposed to algorithm performance. For the complete dataset, an acceptable contour was generated for 94% of patients using statistical and visual assessment to detect failures. Generated GTV volumes improved prognostic model performance over iGTV volumes.ConclusionA method to generate a GTV from an iGTV and 4D‐CT dataset was developed. This method facilitates data analysis of patients with early‐stage lung cancer treated in the routine setting, that is, data mining, prognostic modeling, and radiomics. Generation failure detection removes the need for visual assessment of all contours, reducing a time‐consuming aspect of big‐data analysis. Favorable prognostic performance of generated GTV volumes over iGTV ones demonstrates opportunities to use this methodology for future study.
A Randomized Phase II Study of AGS-16C3F Versus Axitinib in Previously Treated Patients with Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Kollmannsberger Christian , Choueiri Toni K. , Heng Daniel Y.C. , George Saby , Jie Fei , Croitoru Ruslan , Poondru Srinivasu , Thompson John A. 
Published: December 2020

Abstract

Trial Information
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02639182 Sponsor: Astellas Pharma, Inc. Principal Investigator: Christian Kollmannsberger IRB Approved: Yes

Lessons Learned
The primary endpoint of this phase II study that evaluated the efficacy and safety of the investigational compound, AGS-16C3F, versus axitinib in previously treated patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) was not met. Median progression-free survival, the primary endpoint, was 2.9 months with AGS-16C3F and 5.7 months with axitinib (HR, 1.676; 95% CI, 1.107–2.537; p = .015), per investigator assessment The safety profile for each study drug was as expected, with the most commonly reported adverse events being fatigue (53%) and nausea (47%) in the AGS-16C3F arm and fatigue (57%) and diarrhea (48%) in the axitinib arm. These results provide a benchmark for axitinib use in heavily pretreated patients with mRCC.

Background
AGS-16C3F is a novel antibody-drug conjugate that targets cell-surface ectonucleotide pyrophosphatase/phosphodiesterase 3 (ENPP3) and is conjugated to a microtubule disruptive agent. Here we present findings from a phase II study of AGS-16C3F versus axitinib in metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC).

Methods
Patients with mRCC of any histology and disease progression during or after their last treatment regimen were randomized 1:1 to intravenous AGS-16C3F 1.8 mg/kg every 3 weeks or oral axitinib 5 mg twice daily (starting dose). The primary objective was investigator-assessed progression-free survival (PFS) of AGS-16C3F versus axitinib (RECIST version 1.1).

Results
In the total population (N = 133), 63% (n = 84) of patients had completed the study at data cutoff (August 21, 2019). Median PFS was 2.9 months with AGS-16C3F and 5.7 months with axitinib (hazard ratio [HR], 1.676; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.107–2.537; p = .015). There were no significant differences between arms in secondary efficacy endpoints, including overall survival (13.1 months, AGS-16C3F and 15.4 months, axitinib; HR, 1.079; 95% CI, 0.681–1.707; p = .747). In the safety population (n = 131), the most commonly reported adverse events were fatigue (53%) and nausea (47%) in the AGS-16C3F arm and fatigue (57%) and diarrhea (48%) in the axitinib arm. The incidence of diarrhea was lower in the AGS-16C3F arm than in the axitinib arm (17% vs. 48%), and ocular toxicities were more frequent in the AGS-16C3F arm than in the axitinib arm (44% vs. 26%).

Conclusion
The investigational compound, AGS-16C3F, did not meet the primary endpoint of this trial. These study results provide a benchmark for axitinib use in heavily pretreated patients with mRCC.
The effect of natural modifiers for starch hydrophobization on performance of composite based on ethylene acrylic acid copolymer
Authors: Marinković Aleksandar D. , Vuksanović Marija M. , Karić Nataša , Đokić Veljko , Popović Mina , Jančić Heinemann Radmila , Tomić Nataša Z. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractAs a renewable resource, starch is considered to be fully biodegradable and nonpolluting to the environment but the hygroscopicity of starch is the main disadvantage for wider applicability in the production of a polymer‐based material. Hydrophobically modified starch prepared using natural‐based plasticizers/modifiers in a first step ([−]‐diisopropyl D‐tartrate [DiPT], ricinoleic acid [RA] and epoxidized soybean oil [ESO]), and maleated polypropylene (MAPP) in a second step contributed to better compatibility, and thus reinforcing of composites. Tailored processing conditions, structural/morphological properties, hydrophobicity, and water‐resistance of the modified starch were established. In addition, the Charpy impact and tensile strength of composites, based on poly(ethylene‐co‐acrylic acid) (EAA) and modified starches, were determined. Increased tensile strength and Young modulus of the composite using starch‐modified with DiPT‐MAPP, that is, 3 and 83%, respectively, indicated the possible applicability of obtained materials.