bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Screening method to identify hydrogel formulations that facilitate myotube formation from encapsulated primary myoblasts
Authors: Deshmukh Dhananjay V. , Pasquero Nils , Rathore Gajraj , Zvick Joel , Bar‐Nur Ori , Dual Jurg , Tibbitt Mark W. 
Published: August 2020

AbstractHydrogel‐based three‐dimensional (3D) cellular models are attractive for bioengineering and pharmaceutical development as they can more closely resemble the cellular function of native tissue outside of the body. In general, these models are composed of tissue specific cells embedded within a support material, such as a hydrogel. As hydrogel properties directly affect cell function, hydrogel composition is often tailored to the cell type(s) of interest and the functional objective of the model. Here, we develop a parametric analysis and screening method to identify suitable encapsulation conditions for the formation of myotubes from primary murine myoblasts in methacryloyl gelatin (GelMA) hydrogels. The effect of the matrix properties on the myotube formation was investigated by varying GelMA weight percent (wt%, which controls gel modulus), cell density, and Matrigel concentration. Contractile myotubes form via myoblast fusion and are characterized by myosin heavy chain (MyHC) expression. To efficiently screen the gel formulations, we developed a fluorescence‐based plate reader assay to quantify MyHC staining in the gel samples, as a metric of myotube formation. We observed that lower GelMA wt% resulted in increased MyHC staining (myotube formation). The cell density did not significantly affect MyHC staining, while the inclusion of Matrigel increased MyHC staining, however, a concentration dependent effect was not observed. These findings were supported by the observation of spontaneously contracting myotubes in samples selected in the initial screen. This work provides a method to rapidly screen hydrogel formulations for the development of 3D cellular models and provides specific guidance on the formulation of gels for myotube formation from primary murine myoblasts in 3D.
Electroless Nanoplating of Iridium: Template‐Assisted Nanotube Deposition for the Continuous Flow Reduction of 4‐Nitrophenol
Authors: Scheuerlein Martin Christoph , Muench Falk , Kunz Ulrike , Hellmann Tim , Hofmann Jan P. , Ensinger Wolfgang 
Published: August 2020

AbstractElectroless plating is a powerful tool in nanofabrication and is available for many of the noble transition metals. There is, however, a striking lack of electroless plating procedures for the rarer platinum‐group metals. In this work, two plating baths for nanoscale iridium coatings are developed and their conformality and nanofabrication potential are showcased by coating ion‐track‐etched polycarbonate membranes, creating Ir nanotubes in the process. Both plating solutions yield morphologically different deposits, indicating that the microstructure of the film can be tuned by adjusting the composition of the plating bath. The catalytic performance of the deposited materials is investigated by using membrane‐embedded nanotubes as catalysts for the reduction of 4‐nitrophenol and methyl orange by borohydride, showing remarkable activity and stability. Operation in flow‐through configuration, in which the metallized membrane is implemented as a microreactor greatly enhances the interaction with the catalyst surface, considerably increasing product yield. The results highlight the potential of Ir nanoplating for realizing sophisticated nanostructures and heterogeneous catalysts, but also illustrate the intricacies related to the complex chemistry of electroless Ir plating baths.
Helicene Radicals: Molecules Bearing a Combination of Helical Chirality and Unpaired Electron Spin
Authors: Tani Fumito , Narita Masahiro , Murafuji Toshihiro 
Published: August 2020

AbstractChiral helicenes that have helical π‐conjugated frameworks comprised of ortho‐fused aromatic rings have been intensively investigated for several decades owing to their attractive properties and high potential for a variety of applications. In contrast, studies concerning helicene radicals (open‐shell helicenes) formed by redox reactions have been severely limited due to inherent high reactivity of organic radicals. However, open‐shell helicenes possessing a combination of chirality and unpaired electron spin(s) delocalized on helical π‐conjugated orbital(s) are promising for novel synergic magnetic functions. Recently, several kinds of isolable air‐stable helicene radicals have been prepared to enable their detailed analysis of the crystal structures and physicochemical properties. This Minireview describes the recent advances and future prospects of organic‐based helicene radicals categorized into three groups: 1) ionic radicals, 2) neutral radicals, and 3) diradicals.
Activating Acid‐Sensing Ion Channels with Photoacid Generators
Authors: Liu Xinglei , Sambath Karthik , Hutnik Lauren , Du Jianyang , Belfield Kevin D. , Zhang Yuanwei 
Published: August 2020

AbstractAcid‐sensing ion channels (ASICs), present in both central and peripheral neurons, respond to changes in extracellular protons. They play important roles in many symptoms and diseases, such as pain, ischemic stroke and neurodegenerative diseases. Herein, we report a novel approach to activate ASICs with the precision of light using organic photoacid generators (PAGs), which are molecules that release H+ upon light illumination, and have been recently used in biomedical studies. The PAGs showed low toxicity in dark conditions. Under LED light illumination, ASICs activation and consequent calcium ion influx was monitored and analysed by fluorescence microscopy, and showed a strong light‐dependent response. This approach allows the activation of ASICs with the precision of light, and may be valuable to help better elucidate the molecular mechanism of ASICs and unveil their roles in physiology, pathophysiology, and behaviour.
Hebbian and non‐Hebbian timing‐dependent plasticity in the hippocampal CA3 region
Authors: Jackson Meyer B. 
Published: August 2020

AbstractThe timing between synaptic inputs has been proposed to play a role in the induction of plastic changes that enable neural circuits to store information. In the case of spike timing‐dependent plasticity (STDP), this relates to the interval between a synaptic input and a postsynaptic spike, thus providing a conceptual link to the Hebb learning rule. Experiments have documented STDP in many synapses and brain regions, and computational models have tested its utility in many neural network functions. However, questions remain about whether timing plays a role in plasticity during natural activity, and whether it can function in information storage. The present study used imaging with voltage sensitive dye to investigate the effectiveness of input timing in the plasticity of responses in the CA3 region of hippocampal slices. Plasticity was induced by sequential dual‐site stimulation at 10 ms intervals of either synaptic inputs and cell bodies (synaptic–somatic induction) or of two sets of synaptic inputs (synaptic–synaptic induction). Both protocols potentiated responses, with greater potentiation of responses to the first stimulation of the sequence than the second. Neither of these protocols induced depression. Synaptic–somatic stimulation was much more effective than synaptic–synaptic stimulation in evoking somatic action potentials, but both protocols potentiated responses equally well. This suggests that sequential dual‐site stimulation can potentiate equally well with very different degrees of somatic action potential firing. With synaptic–somatic induction, potentiation was focused at the sites of stimulation. In contrast, with synaptic–synaptic induction, the distribution of potentiation varied greatly. Changes in the spatial distribution of responses indicated that sequential dual‐site stimulation functions poorly in the storage of activity patterns. These results suggest that in the hippocampal CA3 region, timed sequential activation of two inputs is less effective than theta bursts, both in the induction of LTP and in the storage of information.
Surveillance of SARS‐CoV‐2 infection among frontline health care workers in Wuhan during COVID‐19 outbreak
Authors: Tong Xin , Ning Mingzhe , Huang Rui , Jia Bei , Yan Xiaomin , Xiong Yali , Wu Weihua , Liu Jiacheng , Chen Yuxin , Wu Chao 
Published: August 2020

AbstractIntroductionAs an emerging infectious disease, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) has rapidly spread throughout worldwide. Health care workers (HCWs) on frontline directly participated in the diagnosis, treatment, and care of COVID‐19 patients are at high risk of getting infected with the highly infectious severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2), the novel coronavirus that causes COVID‐19. In Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, a total of 222 medical staff went to Wuhan city for support. In this study, we aimed to determine any nosocomial infection among our cohort of HCWs who worked in Wuhan.MethodsThroat swab samples were obtained for RNA testing on day 1 and 14 of their quarantine upon their return to Nanjing. Radiological assessments were performed by chest computed tomography (CT) on day 14 of their quarantine. The blood was collected from 191 HCWs between May 12 and May 15. Anti‐SARS‐CoV‐2 immunoglobulin M (IgM) and IgG antibody responses were determined by a chemiluminescence immunoassay.ResultsAll the throat swab specimens were found negative for SARS‐CoV‐2. The radiological analysis revealed that there was no typical chest CT scan of COVID‐19 among 222 HCWs. Consistently, anti‐SARS‐CoV‐2 IgM or IgG was also found to be negative among 191 HCWs.ConclusionsThere was no nosocomial infection of SARS‐CoV‐2 among our cohort of the frontline HCWs, suggesting that zero occupational infection is an achievable goal with appropriate training, strict compliance, and psychological support for the frontline HCWs.
Finding focus in a difficult landscape: Therapists’ experiences with challenging video guidance processes for parent–infant dyads
Authors: Simhan Indra , Veseth Marius , Vik Kari , Hjeltnes Aslak 
Published: August 2020

ABSTRACTMarte Meo video guidance uses filmed interaction of the actual parent–infant dyad in the guidance of caregivers. Exploring the challenges that therapists meet in the guidance of parent–infant dyads may illuminate important aspects of the method itself as well as the therapists’ role and requirements. This could lead to method development and improved practice, but is hitherto little addressed. In this paper, we explore how skilled therapists experience and handle challenging or failing guidance processes with parent–infant dyads. We analyzed interviews with 13 Marte Meo therapists/supervisors using team‐based reflexive thematic analysis. Four main themes were identified: promoting relational growth in a coercive context, building an alliance that feels safe for the parents, looking at positive moments in difficult lives, and handling intense feelings as a therapist. Our findings show that therapists experience specific therapeutic and ethical challenges with a vulnerable subgroup of parent–infant dyads where child protective issues arise, where caregivers’ insecurities impede the therapeutic relationship, and where caregivers have unsolved relational or mental health problems. The therapists’ role becomes pivotal and demanding with regard to the therapeutic alliance, the therapeutic interventions in the guidance process, and their own need for regulation, supervision, and structure. Identification of these vulnerable dyads early in the process could facilitate a better adaptation and practice of video guidance. Our findings suggest a need for supporting structures, clinical supervision, and training that address these challenges.
The Journey of Analytics
Authors: Parnell Amelia R. 
Published: August 2020

AbstractFor decades, colleges and universities have strived to use data to take bold actions and make big decisions. The result is an expanding community of higher education professionals who are leveraging analytics to deliver optimal learning experiences for students. This chapter will describe the evolution of data use in higher education with a focus on how new consumers, stewards, and beneficiaries are joining institutional researchers on the journey of analytics.
Measuring and Enhancing Student Success
Authors: Fingerson Laura , Troutman David R. 
Published: August 2020

AbstractThis chapter addresses how IR/IE both responds to and leads in our institutions and across higher education in measuring and improving student success. We introduce a new student success measurement framework in the context of internal and external facing needs, we define the importance of actionable information to inform decision‐making, and we highlight data sources including new data created by predictive analytics. Throughout, we include an attention to equity and ethics.
Institutional Research in Support of Student Success at Our Nation's Most Diverse and Inclusive Institutions
Authors: Turk Jonathan M. , Taylor Morgan 
Published: August 2020

AbstractCommunity colleges and minority serving institutions play important roles in the U.S. higher education system. These open and predominantly broad access institutions serve more first‐generation, low‐income, post‐traditional, and racially and ethnically diverse student populations than any other sector. Institutional leaders will increasingly need to use data and analytics to identify barriers to student success and to direct limited resources to evidence‐based solutions that will help these diverse students achieve their educational goals and reap the benefits of higher education. In this chapter, we discuss the role of institutional research to support student success while considering the challenges and opportunities presented by the unique contexts of these institutions. We conclude with three recommendations for practice.
Transformational IR for Student Success
Authors: Gagliardi Jonathan S. , Johnson Gina 
Published: August 2020

AbstractInstitutional Research (IR) has historically been tasked with fulfilling reporting requirements and information requests that are often transactional. This has changed more recently in light of the ongoing analytics revolution, which has highlighted the need for a more intentional approach to producing and using rigorous evidence to support student success, equity and institutional effectiveness. Due to these developments, IR is being asked to shift from a transactional function to a transformational one. Using lessons learned from previous chapters in this edition of NDIR, this chapter unpacks how IR functions have managed their new, more global role with a focus on change leadership, strategy, and actions at the intersection of student success and sustainability.
Molecular epidemiology and mechanisms of tigecycline resistance in carbapenem‐resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates
Authors: Park Yumi , Choi Qute , Kwon Gye Cheol , Koo Sun Hoe 
Published: August 2020

AbstractBackgroundThe emergence and transmission of tigecycline‐ and carbapenem‐resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (TCRKP) have become a major concern to public health globally. Here, we investigated the molecular epidemiology and mechanisms of tigecycline resistance in carbapenem‐resistant K pneumoniae (CRKP) isolates.MethodsForty‐five non‐duplicate CRKP isolates were collected from January 2017 to June 2019. We performed antimicrobial susceptibility tests, multilocus sequence typing (MLST), and pulsed‐field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). PCR and DNA sequencing were performed for the detection and mutation analysis of acrR, oqxR, ramR, rpsJ, tet(A), and tet(X) genes, which are related to tigecycline resistance. The expression levels of efflux pump genes acrB and oqxB and their regulator genes rarA, ramA, soxS, and marA were assessed by quantitative real‐time PCR.ResultsThe resistance rate to tigecycline in CRKP isolates was 37.8% (17/45). K pneumoniae ST307 was a predominant clone type (70.6%, 12/17) among the TCRKP isolates. The expression levels of acrB (P < .001) and marA (P = .009) were significantly higher in the tigecycline‐resistant group than in the tigecycline‐intermediate and tigecycline‐susceptible groups. Increased expression of acrB was associated with marA expression (r = 0.59, P = .013).ConclusionsWe found that the activated MarA‐induced overexpression of AcrAB efflux pump plays an important role in the emergence of tigecycline resistance in CRKP isolates.
Validity of flexicurve and motion capture for measurements of thoracic kyphosis vs standing radiographic measurements
Authors: Grindle Daniel M. , Mousavi Seyed Javad , Allaire Brett T. , White Andrew P. , Anderson Dennis E. 
Published: August 2020

AbstractThoracic kyphosis varies among healthy adults and typically increases with age. Excessive kyphosis (hyperkyphosis) is associated with negative health. Spinal alignment also affects spine loading, with implications for conditions such as vertebral fractures and back pain. Valid measurements of kyphosis are necessary for clinical and research assessment of age‐related posture changes, and to support improved biomechanical understating of spine conditions. Independent validation of non‐radiographic techniques, however, remains limited. The goal of this study was to compare standing radiographic kyphosis measurements with non‐radiographic measurements and predictions of thoracic kyphosis using flexicurve and motion analysis markers, in order to determine their validity. Thirteen non‐radiographic measures of thoracic kyphosis were obtained in each of 40 adult subjects who also underwent standing radiographs of the thoracic spine. Measures included estimates derived by fitting of polynomials or circles to the non‐radiographic data, as well as predictions calculated using previously published methods. Intra‐class correlations (ICC) and root‐mean square errors (RMSEs) were calculated between radiographic and non‐radiographic measures to determine validity. Most non‐radiographic estimates of kyphosis show similar, weak to moderate levels of validity when compared to radiographic measurements, and RMSEs ranging from 8.0° to 20.8°. Unbiased estimates of radiographic measurements with moderate to good ICCs were identified, however, based on marker measurements, and new prediction equations were created with similar validity that also account for age and body habitus. Clinical significance: These non‐radiographic measurements of thoracic kyphosis can be applied to clinical practice or to clinical studies with recognition of specific limitations.
COL1A2 Polymorphism contributes to Oral submucous fibrosis: A possible role in inducing alternative splicing in areca chewers
Authors: Katarkar Atul , Roy Ushapati , Mukherjee Sanjit , Ray Jay G. , Chaudhuri Keya 
Published: August 2020

AbstractOral submucous fibrosis (OSMF) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the oral cavity but the pathogenesis of the disease is still uncertain among the areca nut chewers. Every chewer does not show up with fibrotic changes that further extend to genetic basis of OSMF pathogenesis. Genetic predisposition has been now identified as a major risk factor for increasing the susceptibility toward the disease among these chewers. In this study, two single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of COL1A2 rs42542 (Exon 28, G1645C) and rs421587 (Intron 28, 665+15A>G) showing mRNA splice variant trait with exon 28 skipping, extended exon 28 and intron 28 retention. The polymorphisms of the COL1A2 gene was identified by polymerase chain reaction‐direct genomic DNA sequencing from 187 patients with OSMF and 188 control participants matched on age, gender, and ethnicity. COL1A2 alternative splice variants from mRNA in human oral biopsy tissues obtained from OSMF patient and controls were confirmed by using reverse transcription PCRs (RT‐PCRs). Significant genotypic associations were observed for an exon 28 SNP (GC; P < [OR‐2.35; CI {1.44‐3.83}; P < .001] and CC [OR‐6.99; CI {1.83‐31.24}; P = .001) induces Ala to Pro substitution at amino acid 459 of COL1A2 in OSMF patients. Exon skipping is significantly associated with both the SNPs. Our results confirm the role of rs42542 and rs421587 in COL1A2 alternative splicing and support a strong role in susceptibility to OSMF, and could have served as surrogate markers.
Quality of life and psychosocial outcomes in children with severe acute asthma and their parents
Authors: Boeschoten Shelley A. , Dulfer Karolijn , Boehmer Annemie L. M. , Merkus Peter J. F. M. , van Rosmalen Joost , de Jongste Johan C. , de Hoog Matthijs , Buysse Corinne M. P. 
Published: August 2020

AbstractObjectivesTo prospectively evaluate quality of life (QoL) and psychosocial outcomes in children with severe acute asthma (SAA) after pediatric intensive care (PICU) admission compared to children with SAA who were admitted to a general ward (GW). In addition, we assessed posttraumatic stress (PTS) and asthma‐related QoL in the parents.MethodsA preplanned follow‐up of 3 to 9 months of our nationwide prospective multicenter study, in which children with SAA admitted to a Dutch PICU (n = 110) or GW (n = 111) were enrolled between 2016 and 2018. Asthma‐related QoL, PTS symptoms, emotional and behavioral problems, and social impact in children and/or parents were assessed with validated web‐based questionnaires.ResultsWe included 100 children after PICU and 103 after GW admission, with a response rate of 50% for the questionnaires. Median time to follow‐up was 5 months (range: 1‐12 months). Time to reach full schooldays after admission was significantly longer in the PICU group (mean of 10 vs 4 days, P = .001). Parents in the PICU group reported more PTS symptoms (intrusion P = .01, avoidance P = .01, arousal P = .02) compared to the GW group.ConclusionNo significant differences were found between PICU and GW children on self‐reported outcome domains, except for the time to reach full schooldays. PICU parents reported PTS symptoms more often than the GW group. Therefore, monitoring asthma symptoms and psychosocial screening of children and parents after PICU admission should both be part of standard care after SAA. This should identify those who are at risk for developing PTSD, to timely provide appropriate interventions.
Stereodynamics of the Ca + HCl → CaCl + H molecular reaction imposed by the rotational‐excited states of HCl
Authors: Wang Li‐Zhi , Yang Chuan‐Lu 
Published: August 2020

AbstractThe effects of the initial rotational‐excited states of the HCl molecule on the stereodynamics properties of the Ca + HCl molecular reaction are investigated using the quasiclassical trajectory theory and the analytical potential energy surface. The orientation and alignment behaviors for the rotational angular momentum of the product, along with the generalized differential cross section (PDDCS)‐dependent polarization, are calculated to explore the stereodynamics properties. The initial rotational‐excited states of the HCl molecule impose a remarkable effect on the vector correlation distributions, regardless of the orientation, alignment, or PDDCS. The forward, backward, and weak sideway scatterings are found in the Ca + HCl → CaCl + H molecular reaction. The results demonstrate that the initial rotational‐excited state of j = 3 results in more obvious stereodynamics effects.