bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Highly Ordered 3D Tissue Engineering Scaffolds as a Versatile Culture Platform for Nerve Cells Growth
Authors: Chen Tingkuo , Jiang Haiming , Zhu Yibin , Chen Xueliu , Zhang Dao , Li Xiang , Shen Fangcheng , Xia Hongyan , Min Yonggang , Xie Kang 
Published: April 2021

AbstractTissue engineering scaffolds provide an encouraging alternative for nerve injuries due to their biological support for nerve cell growth, which can be used for neuronal repair. Nerve cells have been reported to be mostly cultured on 2D scaffolds that cannot mimic the native extracellular matrix. Herein, highly ordered 3D scaffolds are fabricated for nerve cell culture by melt electrospinning writing, the microstructures and geometries of the scaffolds could be well modulated. An effective strategy for scaffold surface modification to promote nerve cell growth is proposed. The effects of scaffolds with different surface modifications, viz., plasma treatment, single poly‐D‐lysine (PDL) coating after plasma treatment, single laminin (LM) coating after plasma treatment, double PDL and LM coatings after plasma treatment, on PC12 cell growth are evaluated. Experiments show the scaffold modified with double PDL and LM coatings after plasma treatment facilitated the growth of PC12 cells most effectively, indicating the synergistic effect of PDL and LM on the growth of nerve cells. This is the first systematic and quantitative study of the effects of different scaffold surface modifications on nerve cell growth. The above results provide a versatile culture platform for growing nerve cells, and for recovery from peripheral nerve injury.
Technical Note: ID‐card‐size dosimeter based on radiochromic films for continuous personnel monitoring
Authors: Prikhodko Victor V. , Alexeyev Alexander S. , Guskov Pavel A. , Novikov Sergey G. , Somov Andrey I. , Svetukhin Vyacheslav V. 
Published: April 2021

PurposeThis paper is aimed at investigating the feasibility of developing a personal dosimeter of cumulative radiation dose which would incorporate the following features: 1) a small size compared to that of a proximity ID card; 2) instant dose readout; 3) no power source; 4) moderate cost. The dosimeter is proposed as a potential replacement for TLD and OSL dosimeters used by nuclear industry workers and some medical staff groups.MethodsAn original detector design is developed containing a two‐color LED, two photodetectors located in one plane covered with a mirror coating. The power necessary for the operation comes from an RFID reader. A small (5x5 mm) piece of Gafchromic EBT3 photochromic film sensitive to both X‐ray and gamma radiation is used as a sensor. Irradiation of samples under X‐ray and gamma radiation is carried out in the dose range of 0.1 cGy–1 Gy. The transmittance spectra are measured in the 300 nm–1100 nm spectral range.ResultsSeveral prototypes of the dosimeter are presented, the distinctive features of which are the absence of the power source, easy transmitting of the dosimetric data via a RF channel, and a slim form factor. Several sources of dose uncertainties are analyzed and ways to eliminate them are outlined. The average dose confidence interval (α = 0.05) calculated from the response curve is shown to equal 0.02 cGy. This makes it possible to reliably measure doses as low as 0.1 cGy, which corresponds to the minimum value claimed for Gafchromic EBT3.ConclusionsThe proposed idea of an ID‐card‐size dosimeter is feasible and has a number of advantages over TLD and OSL dosimeters, in particular, instant reading of the dose data using RFID/NFC readers, and a possibility of integrating into ERP systems.
Low b‐value diffusion tensor imaging for measuring pseudorandom flow of cerebrospinal fluid
Authors: Bito Yoshitaka , Harada Kuniaki , Ochi Hisaaki , Kudo Kohsuke 
Published: April 2021

PurposeCerebrospinal fluid (CSF) plays an important role in the clearance system of the brain. Recently, low b‐value diffusion tensor imaging (low‐b DTI) has been reported to be useful in the observation of CSF flow; however, the precise flow property observed by low‐b DTI has not been fully investigated. Accordingly, a mathematical framework of low‐b DTI is proposed for investigating CSF and clarifying its pseudorandom flow.TheoryThe framework will show that the limit of the diffusion tensor as b‐value decreases to zero approximately represents the covariance of the velocity distribution of the CSF’s pseudorandom flow.MethodsThe low b‐value diffusion tensor (DTL) of whole‐brain CSF was obtained using diffusion‐weighted echo‐planar imaging. Seven healthy volunteers were scanned for intersubject analysis; three of the volunteers was consecutively scanned for repeatability analysis. Obtained DTL was visually assessed by ellipsoid‐representation map and was statistically evaluated by calculating mean diffusivity (MD) and fractional anisotropy (FA) in regions of interest (ROIs) representing intensive pseudorandom flow.ResultsObtained DTL consistently shows large and anisotropic diffusivity in some segments of CSF, typically the ROIs around the foramen of Monro, the aqueduct, the prepontine cistern, the middle cerebral artery, and the Sylvian fissure throughout the study. The statistical analysis shows high repeatability and consistently high MD and FA in all the ROIs for all the volunteers.ConclusionFrom the viewpoint of the proposed framework, the high and anisotropic DTL in the ROIs indicates large covariance of velocity distribution, which represents intensive pseudorandom flows of CSF.
Genetic Structure and Diversity of the Endemic Carolina Madtom and Conservation Implications
Authors: Cope W. Robert , Kwak Thomas J. , Black Tyler R. , Pacifici Krishna , Harris Sheila C. , Miller Caitlin M. , Raley Morgan E. , Hallerman Eric M. 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Identification and conservation of genetic diversity within and among freshwater fish populations are important to better manage and conserve imperiled species. The Carolina Madtom Noturus furiosus is a small, nongame catfish that is endemic to the Tar and Neuse River basins of North Carolina. Genetic structure has not been studied in the species, and given recent population declines in both basins, identification of remaining genetic diversity within the species is vital for informing conservation efforts. To assess the status and trends of Carolina Madtom genetic structure, we analyzed genetic markers from 173 individuals to (1) define population genetic structure, (2) assess intra- and interbasin genetic differentiation in the Tar and Neuse River basins, and (3) present management implications to guide conservation efforts. Using 10 microsatellite primers developed for the related Yellowfin Madtom N. flavipinnis, we observed low genetic diversity in Carolina Madtoms. Genotype frequencies within samples were not in Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium, with a deficit of heterozygotes that could be due to family structure, inbreeding, or segregation of null alleles. Mean (±SD) M-ratios for the Tar River (0.414 ± 0.117) and Neuse River (0.117 ± 0.102) basin collections indicated that both populations have experienced recent demographic bottlenecks, with that in the Neuse River basin population being more severe. Effective population size estimates for the respective populations were small, on the order of tens of individuals, driving low genetic diversity within populations. However, the multilocus population differentiation metrics GST′ (mean ± SE = 0.135 ± 0.031) and DEST (0.125 ± 0.029) were significantly different from zero (P &lt; 0.001), indicating significant genetic differentiation between the Tar and Neuse River basin populations. Our findings will inform managers on the status of genetic variation in the Carolina Madtom and will guide conservation toward protective listing and management decisions to maintain the viability of this important endemic species.
Community leadership as multi‐dimensional capacities: A conceptual framework and preliminary findings for community foundations
Authors: Wu Viviana Chiu Sik 
Published: April 2021

AbstractCommunity foundations are increasingly looked to as community leaders that coalesce money, people, knowledge, and networks for addressing public problems at the local level. However, the field remains difficult to grasp—what it is and how it materializes in practice. Drawing from both academic and practitioner literature, this article proposes a multidimensional conceptual framework that construes community leadership in six capacities ranging from (a) strategizing, (b) convening, (c) knowledge building, (d) capacity building, (e) partnering, to (f) policy engagement. I applied this conceptual framework to analyze 539 annual reports of U.S. community foundations using semi‐automated content analysis. The empirical analysis shows that they tend to specialize in one or a few leadership capacities, but not necessarily all six components. In particular, the capability approach to community leadership through capacity building, partnering, and policy engagement is more favorable among community foundations than a participatory approach through convening and knowledge building. This article contributes to building the conceptual foundation and provides preliminary evidence to advance future research on the foundations' role in community leadership.
Safety and Feasibility of Radiotherapy Plus Camrelizumab for Locally Advanced Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Zhang Wencheng , Yan Cihui , Gao Xuan , Li Xiaoxia , Cao Fuliang , Zhao Gang , Zhao Jingjing , Er Puchun , Zhang Tian , Chen Xi , Wang Yuwen , Jiang Yao , Wang Quanren , Zhang Baozhong , Qian Dong , Wang Jun , Zhou Dejun , Ren Xiubao , Yu Zhentao , Zhao Lujun , Yuan Zhiyong , Wang Ping , Pang Qingsong 
Published: April 2021

Abstract

Lessons Learned

Background
We conducted a phase Ib study of radiotherapy plus programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) monoclonal antibody camrelizumab as first-line treatment for locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).

Methods
We planned to enroll 20 patients with newly diagnosed locally advanced ESCC. Patients received 60 Gy radiation (2.0 Gy/fraction, 5 fractions/week), with camrelizumab (200 mg every 2 weeks) starting with radiotherapy and continuing for 32 weeks (i.e., for 16 cycles). The primary endpoints were safety and feasibility. Secondary endpoints were rates of radiologic and pathologic response, overall survival (OS), and progression-free survival (PFS). Study data were collected by the week during radiotherapy (RT), every month during the maintenance camrelizumab treatment, and every 3 months after treatment. Tumor microenvironment and peripheral blood were monitored at baseline and after 40 Gy radiation for association with efficacy.

Results
Twenty patients were enrolled and received treatment. One patient (patient 10) was excluded upon discovery of a second tumor in the bladder during treatment, leaving 19 patients for analysis. Toxicity was deemed tolerable. Fourteen (74%) patients had assessed objective response. At a median follow-up time of 31.0 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 27.0–35.1), median OS and PFS times were 16.7 months (95% CI, 5.9–27.9) and 11.7 months (95% CI, 0–30.3), respectively. OS and PFS rates at 24 months were 31.6% and 35.5%, respectively. Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed associations between the following factors and OS/PFS: tumor programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression, PD-1+CD8+, PD-1+CD4+ T cells, and PD-L1+CD4+ T cells; peripheral blood CD4+, CD8+, CD4+ regulatory T cells, and their subsets.

Conclusion
Radiotherapy plus camrelizumab had manageable toxicity and antitumor efficacy for locally advanced ESCC. Several biomarkers were associated with clinical benefit and deserve further study.
A PhaseIIStudy of Durvalumab in Combination with Tremelimumab in Patients with Rare Cancers
Authors: Edenfield William Jeffery , Chung Ki , O'Rourke Mark , Cull Elizabeth , Martin Julie , Bowers Heather , Smith Wesley , Gluck William Larry 
Published: April 2021

AbstractLessons LearnedDisease control with signals of response were demonstrated, which should lead to future validating clinical trials using checkpoint inhibitors in this underserved rare malignancy population. Although the study of single types of rare cancers is practically challenging, clinical trial designs that aggregate such patients into cohorts treated similarly are feasible, even in the community setting.BackgroundPatients with rare cancers are an underserved population with limited access to clinical trials aside from phase I trials in the refractory setting. Treatment of these patients is often based on collections of anecdotes and small denominator review articles. Despite broad evidence of efficacy of combined immune checkpoint blockade across multiple tumor types, patients with rare tumors have not been afforded the opportunity for these therapies.MethodsA phase II, investigator-initiated, single institution trial using durvalumab (1,500 mg every [Q]4 weeks × 13) and tremelimumab (75 mg Q4 weeks × 7, then Q12 weeks × 2) is reported. The population included 50 patients with advanced rare solid tumors (incidence &lt;6/100,000 per year). The phase II dose and safety profile were defined in prior phase I trials. All patients had exhausted standard therapy options and all had received at least one prior line of systemic therapy (n = 49) unless a standard treatment option did not exist (n = 1).ResultsA complete response was demonstrated in one patient with anal cancer. Striking partial responses were seen in four patients. Prolonged disease stability was noted in 18 patients. Thirteen patients experienced disease progression. Patients were considered unevaluable if unable to initiate therapy (n = 6) or unable to complete two cycles of therapy (n = 8). In all cases, patients were unevaluable because of clinical deterioration. The toxicity profile paralleled prior published studies. Toxicities were manageable and without new signals. There were two events of grade 4 immune-mediated hepatitis and one death from pneumonitis.ConclusionThis single-cohort basket trial demonstrated clinical activity from combined checkpoint blockade in 23 of the 36 evaluable patients. Patients with rare cancers, not eligible for immunotherapy via conventional clinical trial mechanisms, should be considered for this therapy through compassionate use, further clinical trials, and national registry programs.
Carbonized polymer dots with dual‐wavelength emission for labeling nucleoli in live cells through hydrogen bonding‐induced aggregation
Authors: Guan Linbo , He Ping , Chang Jinming , Yong Qiwen , Lei Jingxin , Wu Bo , Yuan Anqian , Xiao Yao , Bai Huai 
Published: April 2021

AbstractWe prepared carboxyl‐containing carbonized polymer dots (CPDs) with dual‐wavelength emission through a simple hydrothermal method. The CPDs emit blue light in live cells under the excitation at 405 nm, and show green fluorescence in cytoplasm and nucleoli when excited at 488 nm. No fluorescence can be seen in nuclei except nucleoli under the excitation at 488 nm, which means that the CPDs have excellent ability of labeling nucleoli in live cells with low background interference. This ability of the CPDs is derived from the aggregation induced by the hydrogen bonding between the carboxyl groups of the CPDs and the hydroxyl groups of ribonucleic acid at nucleoli. Fluorescence and cell culture passage experiments prove that the CPDs have no strong interaction with RNA, and all of them can be excreted out of cells in a couple of days. In vivo imaging for Caenorhabditis elegans indicates that the CPDs show the possibility of labeling nucleoli in live organisms in real‐time.
Synthesis and characterization of poly(L‐lactide)‐block‐poly(ε‐caprolactone)‐grafted titanium dioxide nanoparticles via ring‐opening in situ grafting polymerization
Authors: Ebrahimi Hossein , Sharif Farhad , Ramazani SA Ahmad 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThe synthesis of nanocomposites via in situ grafting polymerization due to its ability to produce polymeric materials with promising microscopic and macroscopic characteristics is becoming very attractive. In this paper, different poly(L‐Lactide)‐block‐poly(ε‐caprolactone) (PLLA‐b‐PCL) copolymers were in situ synthesized in the presence of modified titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles (mTNP) as the initiator and stannous octoate as the catalyst. The surface of TiO2 was modified by grafting aminopropyl trimethoxy silane to improve initiator efficiency. Copolymers with 90/10, 70/30, and 50/50 mass ratio of L‐lactide/ ε‐caprolactone and 5 wt% of mTNP (proportional to ε‐caprolactone) were synthesized. The samples were characterized by HNMR, CNMR, FTIR, GPC, TGA, TEM, and DSC, confirming the successful formation of PLLA‐b‐PCL on the surface of mTNP. Tensile test results showed the synthesized nanocomposite with mass ratio of LLA/CL = 70/30 had optimum mechanical properties among other nanocomposites and also in comparison with the neat PLA.
Label‐free quantitative proteomic analysis of extracellular vesicles released from fibroblasts derived from patients with spinal muscular atrophy
Authors: Roberto Justin , Poulin Kathy L. , Parks Robin J. , Vacratsis Panayiotis O. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractSpinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is an autosomal recessive disorder that represents a significant cause of infant mortality. SMA is characterized by reduced levels of the Survival Motor Neuron protein leading to the loss of alpha motor neurons in the spinal cord and brain stem as well as defects in peripheral tissues such as skeletal muscle and liver. With progress in promising therapies such as antisense oligonucleotide and gene replacement, there remains a need to better understand disease subtypes and develop biomarkers for improved diagnostics and therapeutic monitoring. In this study, we have examined the utility of extracellular vesicles as a source of biomarker discovery in patient‐derived fibroblast cells. Proteome examination utilizing data‐independent acquisition and ion mobility mass spectrometry identified 684 protein groups present in all biological replicates tested. Label‐free quantitative analysis identified 116 statistically significant protein alterations compared to control cells, including several known SMA biomarkers. Protein level differences were also observed in regulators of Wnt signaling and Cajal bodies. Finally, levels of insulin growth factor binding protein‐3 were validated as being significantly higher in extracellular vesicles isolated from SMA cells. We conclude that extracellular vesicles represent a promising source for SMA biomarker discovery as well as a relevant constituent for advancing our understanding of SMA pathophysiology.
Computation of Mostar index for some graph operations
Authors: Akhter Shehnaz , Iqbal Zahid , Aslam Adnan , Gao Wei 
Published: April 2021

AbstractVery recently, a novel bond‐additive topological descriptor named as the Mostar index has been proposed as a measure of peripherality in networks and graphs. In this article, we compute the Mostar index of generalized Hierarchical product, lexicographic product, Cartesian product, corona product, join, subdivision vertex‐edge join and Indu–Bala products of graphs and apply these results to determine the Mostar index of some types of nanostructures and chemical graphs. As an application, we give the explicit expressions for the Mostar index of various nanostructures and chemical graphs.
Designing Nanostructured Metal Chalcogenides as Cathode Materials for Rechargeable Magnesium Batteries
Authors: Regulacio Michelle D. , Nguyen Dan‐Thien , Horia Raymond , Seh Zhi Wei 
Published: April 2021

AbstractRechargeable magnesium batteries (RMBs) are regarded as promising candidates for beyond‐lithium‐ion batteries owing to their high energy density. Moreover, as Mg metal is earth‐abundant and has low propensity for dendritic growth, RMBs have the advantages of being more affordable and safer than the currently used lithium‐ion batteries. However, the commercial viability of RMBs has been negatively impacted by slow diffusion kinetics in most cathode materials due to the high charge density and strongly polarizing nature of the Mg2+ ion. Nanostructuring of potential cathode materials such as metal chalcogenides offers an effective means of addressing these challenges by providing larger surface area and shorter migration routes. In this article, a review of recent research on the design of metal chalcogenide nanostructures for RMBs’ cathode materials is provided. The different types and structures of metal chalcogenide cathodes are discussed, and the synthetic strategies through which nanostructuring of these materials can be achieved are described. An organized summary of their electrochemical performance is also presented, along with an analysis of the current challenges and future directions. Although particular focus is placed on RMBs, many of the nanostructuring concepts that are discussed here can be carried forward to other next‐generation energy storage systems.
The Important Contribution of Social Knowledge to International Development
Authors: Christoffersen Leif E. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThis essay will reflect on how the contribution of sociology and anthropology enrich the practice of economic development and broader sustainable development aimed at reducing poverty. It decribes the context and reasons why in the early 1970s the World Bank decided to create the first in-house position of a professional sociologist within its central staff. From a tentative experiment starting at the individual scale, a process emerged that built a strong and respected community of development sociologists and anthropologists that has become influential in the World Bank. They produced enduring changes in the Bank’s thinking, policies, operations, and ethics. They brought a distinct body of social knowledge and methods that they practiced and advocated both in-house and internationally. Under their call for Putting People First, they substantially broadened the Bank’s development paradigm.
Putting People First in Practice: Indonesia and the Kecamatan Development Program
Authors: Guggenheim Scott 
Published: April 2021

AbstractMichael Cernea’s key insight was that the core concepts of sociology and anthropology—social organization, culture, participation, and symbolic construction—could improve the quality and effectiveness of development. His key achievement was in the fact that he and the people he inspired were able to bridge the gap between analyst and practitioner to show that these anthropological and sociological concepts really could make a difference in how development affected the poor. In this article, I’ll do my best to use describe my own journey from naïve graduate student to World Bank team leader for the Kecamatan Development Program, one of the world’s earliest and largest community development programs.
The Road to Achieving a Critical Mass of Sociologists and Anthropologists in the World Bank
Authors: Weiss Charles 
Published: April 2021

AbstractA succession of dominant academic and applied disciplines influenced the intellectual paradigm, policies, and lending operations of the World Bank before, during and immediately after the presidency of Robert McNamara. The account that I document below about one part of this disciplinary succession and intellectual expansion of the World Bank’s outlook is based on the author’s work in the Bank between 1971 and 1986, during which I served as the Bank’s first Science and Technology Adviser.