bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Pannexin 3 deletion reduces fat accumulation and inflammation in a sex-specific manner
Authors: Wakefield Charles Brent , Lee Vanessa R. , Johnston Danielle , Boroumand Parastoo , Pillon Nicolas J. , Sayedyahossein Samar , O’Donnell Brooke L. , Tang Justin , Sanchez-Pupo Rafael E. , Barr Kevin J. , Gros Robert , Flynn Lauren , Borradaile Nica M. , Klip Amira , Beier Frank , Penuela Silvia 
Published: May 2021

AbstractBackgroundPannexin 3 (PANX3), is a channel-forming glycoprotein that enables nutrient-induced inflammationin vitro, and genetic linkage data suggests it regulates body mass index. Here, we characterized inflammatory and metabolic parameters in globalPanx3knockout (KO) mice in the context of forced treadmill running (FEX) and high fat diet (HFD).MethodsC57BL/6N (WT) and KO mice were randomized to either a FEX running protocol or no running (SED) from 24 until 30 weeks of age. Body weight was measured biweekly, and body composition was measured at 24 and 30 weeks of age. Male WT and KO mice were fed a HFD from 12 – 28 weeks of age. Metabolic organs were analyzed for a panel of inflammatory markers and PANX3 expression.ResultsIn females there were no significant differences in body composition between genotypes, which could be due to the lack of PANX3 expression in female white adipose tissue, while male KOs fed a chow diet had lower body weight, and lower fat mass at 24 and 30 weeks of age, which was reduced to the same extent as 6 weeks of FEX in WT mice. Additionally, male KO mice exhibited significantly lower expression of multiple pro-inflammatory genes in white adipose tissue compared to WT mice. While on a HFD body weight differences were insignificant, in KO mice, multiple inflammatory genes were significantly differently expressed in quadriceps muscle and white adipose tissue resulting in a more anti-inflammatory phenotype compared to WT mice. The lower fat mass in male KO mice may be due to significantly fewer adipocytes in their subcutaneous fat compared to WT mice. Mechanistically, adipose stromal cells (ASCs) cultured from KO mice grow significantly slower than WT ASCs.ConclusionPANX3 is expressed in male adult mouse adipose tissue and may regulate adipocyte numbers, influencing fat accumulation and inflammation.
Autonomic arousals contribute to brain fluid pulsations during sleep
Authors: Picchioni Dante , Özbay Pinar S. , Mandelkow Hendrik , de Zwart Jacco A. , Wang Yicun , van Gelderen Peter , Duyn Jeff H. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractDuring sleep, slow waves of neuro-electrical activity engulf the human brain and aid in the consolidation of memories. Recent research suggests that these slow waves may also promote brain health by facilitating the removal of metabolic waste, possibly by orchestrating the pulsatile flow of cerebro-spinal fluid (CSF) through local neural control over vascular tone. To investigate the role of slow waves in the generation of CSF pulsations, we analyzed functional MRI data obtained across the full sleep-wake cycle and during a respiratory task during wakefulness. This revealed a novel generating mechanism that relies on the autonomic regulation of cerebral vascular tone without requiring slow electrocortical activity or even sleep. Therefore, the role of CSF pulsations in brain waste clearance may, in part, depend on proper autoregulatory control of cerebral blood flow.One-Sentence SummaryAutonomic regulation of cerebral vascular tone mediates CSF flow and may contribute to brain waste clearance.
Inferring Gene Regulatory Networks from Single Cell RNA-seq Temporal Snapshot Data Requires Higher Order Moments
Authors: Raharinirina N. Alexia , Peppert Felix , von Kleist Max , Schütte Christof , Sunkara Vikram 
Published: May 2021

AbstractSingle cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq) has become ubiquitous in biology. Recently, there has been a push for using scRNA-seq snapshot data to infer the underlying gene regulatory networks (GRNs) steering cellular function. To date, this aspiration remains unrealised due to technical- and computational challenges. In this work, we focus on the latter, which is under-represented in the literature.We took a systemic approach by subdividing the GRN inference into three fundamental components: the data pre-processing, the feature extraction, and the inference. We saw that the regulatory signature is captured in the statistical moments of scRNA-seq data, and requires computationally intensive minimisation solvers to extract. Furthermore, current data pre-processing might not conserve these statistical moments.Though our moment-based approach is a didactic tool for understanding the different compartments of GRN inference, this line of thinking–finding computationally feasible multi-dimensional statistics of data–is imperative for designing GRN inference methods.
Bayesian genome-wide analysis of cattle traits using variants with functional and evolutionary significance
Authors: Xiang Ruidong , Breen Ed J. , Prowse-Wilkins Claire P. , Chamberlain Amanda J. , Goddard Michael E. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractContextFunctional genomics studies have revealed genomic regions with regulatory and evolutionary significance. Such information independent of association analysis may benefit fine-mapping and genomic selection of economically important traits. However, systematic evaluation of the use of functional information in mapping, and genomic selection of cattle traits is lacking. Also, Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) from the high-density (HD) panel are known to tag informative variants, but the performance of genomic prediction using HD SNPs together with variants supported by different functional genomics is unknown.AimsWe selected six sets of functionally important variants and modelled each set together with HD SNPs in Bayesian models to map and predict protein, fat, and milk yield as well as mastitis, somatic cell count and temperament of dairy cattle.MethodsTwo models were used: 1) BayesR which includes priors of four distribution of variant-effects, and 2) BayesRC which includes additional priors of different functional classes of variants. Bayesian models were trained in 3 breeds of 28,000 cows of Holstein, Jersey and Australian Red and predicted into 2,600 independent bulls.Key resultsAdding functionally important variants significantly increased the enrichment of genetic variance explained for mapped variants, suggesting improved genome-wide mapping precision. Such improvement was significantly higher when the same set of variants were modelled by BayesRC than by BayesR. Combining functional variant sets with HD SNPs improves genomic prediction accuracy in the majority of the cases and such improvement was more common and stronger for non-Holstein breeds and traits like mastitis, somatic cell count and temperament. In contrast, adding a large number of random sequence variants to HD SNPs reduces mapping precision and has a worse or similar prediction accuracy, compared to using HD SNPs alone to map or predict. While BayesRC tended to have better genomic prediction accuracy than BayesR, the overall difference in prediction accuracy between the two models was insignificant.ConclusionsOur findings demonstrate the usefulness of functional data in genomic mapping and prediction.ImplicationsWe highlight the need for effective tools exploiting complex functional datasets to improve genomic prediction.
Inbreeding reduces fitness of seed beetles under thermal stress
Authors: Ivimey-Cook Edward , Bricout Sophie , Candela Victoria , Maklakov Alexei A. , Berg Elena C. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractHuman-induced environmental change can influence populations both at the global level through climatic warming and at the local level through habitat fragmentation. As populations become more isolated, they can suffer from high levels of inbreeding which contributes to a reduction in fitness, termed inbreeding depression. However, it is still unclear if this increase in homozygosity also results in a corresponding increase in sensitivity to stressful conditions, which could intensify the already detrimental effects of environmental warming. Here, in a fully factorial design, we assessed the life-long impact of increased mutation load and elevated temperature on key life history traits in the seed beetle,Callosobruchus maculatus. We found that beetles raised at higher temperatures had far reduced fitness and survival than beetles from control temperatures. Importantly, these negative effects were exacerbated in inbred beetles as a result of increased mutation load, with further detrimental effects manifesting on individual hatching probability and lifetime reproductive success. These results reveal the harmful impact that increasing temperature and likelihood of habitat fragmentation due to anthropogenetic changes in environmental conditions could have on populations of organisms worldwide.
SILAKin: A novel high throughput SILAC and mass spectrometry-based assay to identify the substratome of kinases secreted by pathogens
Authors: Smirlis Despina , Dingli Florent , Sabatet Valentin , Roth Aileen , Knippchild Uwe , Loew Damarys , Späth Gerald F. , Rachidi Najma 
Published: May 2021

ABSTRACTProtein phosphorylation is one of the most important reversible post-translational modifications. It affects every cellular process including differentiation, metabolism and cell cycle. Eukaryotic protein kinases (ePK) catalyse the transfer of a phosphate from ATP onto proteins, which regulates fast changes in protein activity, structure or subcellular localisation. The systematic identification of substrates is thus crucial to characterise the functions of kinases and determine the pathways they regulate, and even more so when studying the impact of pathogens-excreted kinases on the host cell signal transduction. Several strategies and approaches have been used to identify substrates, but all show important limitations thus calling for the development of new efficient and more convenient approaches for kinase substrate identification.Herein, we present SILAkin, a novel and easy method to identify substrates that is applicable to most kinases. It combines phosphatase treatment, pulse heating,in vitrokinase assay (IVKA) and SILAC (Stable Isotope Labeling with Amino acids in Cell culture)-based quantitative mass spectrometry (MS). We developed SILAkin using theLeishmaniacasein kinase 1 (L-CK1.2) as experimental model.Leishmania, an intracellular parasite causing Leishmaniasis, releases L-CK1.2 in its host cell. Applying this novel assay allowed us to gain unprecedented insight into host-pathogen interactions through the identification of host substrates phosphorylated by pathogen-excreted kinases. We identified 225 substrates, including 85% previously unknown that represent novel mammalian CK1 targets, and defined a novel CK1 phosphorylation motif. The substratome was validated experimentally by L-CK1.2 and human CK1δ, demonstrating the efficiency of SILAkin to identify new substrates and revealing novel regulatory pathways. Finally, SILAkin was instrumental in highlighting host pathways potentially regulated by L-CK1.2 inLeishmania-infected host cells, described by the GO terms ‘viral & symbiotic interaction’, ‘apoptosis’, ‘actin cytoskeleton organisation’, and ‘RNA processing and splicing’. SILAkin thus can generate important mechanistic insights into the signalling of host subversion by these parasites and other microbial pathogen adapted for intracellular survival.
Sequencing SARS-CoV-2 in a malaria research laboratory in Mali, West Africa: the road to sequencing the first SARS-CoV-2 genome in Mali
Authors: Dara Antoine , Kouriba Bouréma , Daou Amadou , Sangare Abdoul Karim , Kassogue Djibril , Dara Charles , Djimde Abdoulaye 
Published: May 2021

AbstractNext generation sequencing (NGS) has become a necessary tool for genomic epidemiology. Even though the utility of genomics in human health has been proved, the genomic surveillance has never been so important until the COVID 19 pandemic. This has been evidenced with the detection of new variants of SARS-CoV-2 in the United Kingdom, South Africa and Brazil recently using genomic surveillance. Until recently, Malian scientists did not have access to any local NGS platform and samples had to be shipped abroad for sequencing. Here, we report on how we adapted a laboratory setup forPlasmodiumresearch to generate the first complete SARS-CoV-2 genome locally. Total RNA underwent a library preparation using an Illumina TruSeq stranded RNA kit. A metagenomics sequencing was performed on an Illumina MiSeq platform following by bioinformatic analyses on a local server in Mali. We recovered a full genome of SARS-CoV-2 of 29 kb with an average depth coverage of 200x. We have demonstrated our capability of generating a high quality genome with limited resources and highlight the need to develop genomics capacity locally to solve health problems. We discuss challenges related to access to reagents during a pandemic period and propose some home-made solutions.
Effects of digital devices on noise levels in an academic library
Authors: Chaputula Aubrey 
Published: May 2021

Purpose
Proliferation of digital devices amongst patrons implies that libraries are faced with the challenge of providing conducive study spaces to patrons. This study, therefore, aims to establish the effect of digital devices on noise levels in the Mzuzu University Library and measures that have been taken to curb it.

Design/methodology/approach
The study was anchored by the technology advancement model. The mixed methodological design was used and involved use of qualitative and quantitative techniques. Questionnaires were used to collect data from a sample of 110 students, whilst an interview was conducted with one librarian responsible for managing service. SPSS was used to analyse quantitative data, whilst qualitative data was presented by following order of the themes.

Findings
The findings revealed that students owned a number of digital devices that included smartphones, laptops and augmented reality/virtual reality headsets which they deployed for a variety of uses. The findings further indicated that use of digital devices in the library has resulted in an upsurge in noise levels. Measures taken by students and library staff to tackle the problem have had limited success.

Practical implications
The prevalence of mobile digital devices has resulted in high levels of noise in academic libraries. However, this has not diminished users’ desire for a quiet study place. This paper, therefore, offers some insights of how libraries can combat the problem of noise to ensure that libraries remain attract to all groups of users.

Social implications
Besides transforming the way people do business and interact with others, digital devices have also negatively impacted people and society in the form of increased road traffic accidents due to misuse. Promoting responsible use of digital devices in the library may have spill-over effects, in that library patrons may become more disciplined in their usage of the digital devices elsewhere, thereby help eradicate the ills that have come about due to their wanton use.

Originality/value
Some studies that have been done have pointed to a high prevalence rate of digital devices at Mzuzu University. However, none of them has investigated the impact the existing digital devices have had on noise levels in the library. This study is one of the first studies to be done on the topic not only at Mzuzu University but also academic libraries in Malawi. It is further hoped that action taken based on the recommendations made would lead to reduced noise levels in the library that will lead to creation of a conducive place for study.
BDM–MDM integrated solution concept for scheduling information-driven projects
Authors: Maheswari J. Uma , Mujumdar Purva , Padala S.P. Sreenivas , Gwaskoti Abhishek 
Published: May 2021

PurposeScheduling in information-driven design phase of construction projects is challenging due to multiple entity types (teams, components, deliverables, activities or parameters) and their dependencies/linkages. Established techniques such as dependency structure matrix (DSM), beeline diagramming method (BDM), multiple domain matrix (MDM), etc. have been independently utilized in past to model information dependencies/linkages and associated iteration. However, there has not been a holistic solution yet for scheduling multiple entity types and their relationships. Hence, an integrated solution needs to be developed that schedules information-driven projects accurately.Design/methodology/approachA case study data collection approach is utilized. With data from two projects, i.e. hostel design and highway design, a BDM–MDM integrated solution was developed and applied to the same. Feedback from experts was obtained for refinements.FindingsThe proposed solution is efficient for scheduling multiple entity types and their information dependencies/linkages.Practical implicationsThe proposed integrated solution enables the project participants to schedule information-driven projects systematically. Application to two distinct design cases emphasizes that the concept is generic and can be applied to any information-driven project with multiple entity types.Originality/valueThe BDM–MDM integrated solution concept is investigated for scheduling multiple entity types in any information-driven projects. This study also explored the terminologies such as multiple entity types and information-driven scheduling.
Contagious endowment effects across transactions
Authors: Pyo Tae-Hyung , Kwon JaeHwan , Gruca Thomas , Nayakankuppam Dhananjay 
Published: May 2021

Purpose
The endowment effect is arguably one of the most robust phenomena documented in economics, behavioral decision theory and consumer research. However, the endowment effect has traditionally been studied as a fairly static phenomenon at the transactional level of analysis.

Design/methodology/approach
This paper documents this “contagious” endowment effect using lab experiments and such field data as eBay transactions and discuss the managerial implication of these findings.

Findings
This study suggests that the endowment effect is not limited to the level of the specific object, but can manifest itself with the more abstract class of objects to which a specific object happens to belong.

Research limitations/implications
A logical next step would be to examine the boundary conditions – how similar does the subsequent object have to be for the endowment effect to transfer over to it? A related aspect would be whether there are boundary conditions arising from the quality of the endowment.

Practical implications
The effects reported here probably underlie the success of the many types of “bait and switch” schemes that have been used by the more unsavory type of marketer. As such, these findings might have implications for policy in the area of consumer protection.

Originality/value
This paper argues for and presents evidence consistent with the notion that the endowment effect is dynamic and can be transferred from one transaction to another and refer to this generalization of the endowment effect to other, similar products as “contagious endowment.”
Maturity of workplace relocation: a systematic literature review from 1990 to 2020
Authors: Ibrahim Ahmed M. , Hassanain Mohammad A. , Al-Hammad Abdul-Mohsen 
Published: May 2021

Purpose
This study aims to identify research gaps on workplace relocation, through investigating and critiquing the published literature, in the facilities management (FM) and real estate management (REM) domains, over three decades.

Design/methodology/approach
An extensive literature review was conducted, using academic search engines, using qualitative analysis software, in the domains of FM and REM, on workplace relocation, from 1990 to 2020, chronologically. The paper proposes future research directions through a maturity matrix.

Findings
Several gaps in workplace relocation research were identified, including the need for a wide-ranging coverage of workplace relocation lifecycle, a review and assessment of factors affecting workplace relocation over its lifecycle, studies on large organizations mobility, studies of international experiences on workplace relocation, absence of a holistic framework for the workplace relocation process and digital tools and solutions to facilitate the processes. A three levels maturity matrix for future research, proposing the adoption of qualitative, quantitative and applications research approaches, was presented.

Practical implications
This study enlists a chronological comprehension of knowledge obtained from the review of the internationally published literature. The research investigated and identified gaps, gripping for future research efforts.

Originality/value
This study reviews 30 years of published literature on workplace relocation and proposes topics for advancing future research, collectively.
Knowledge sharing in public organizations in Pakistan: leaders’ ethical role and psychological capital of employees
Authors: Amber Quratulain , Qazi Abdul Baseer , Javaid Nadeem , Khan Iram A. , Ahmad Mansoor 
Published: May 2021

PurposeThis study aims to examine the role of ethical leaders on the knowledge-sharing behavior of public sector employees. Ethical leaders engender knowledge-sharing behavior of employees by influencing their psychological capital.Design/methodology/approachTo explore the mechanism by which ethical leaders shape the knowledge-sharing behavior of employees, cross-sectional self-reported data (n= 339) are collected from employees working at decision-making positions in federal ministries in Pakistan.FindingsAnalysis results indicate that ethical leaders influence public employees to share knowledge with colleagues. Moreover, the mediary role of ethical values, organizational identification and altruism is evident, however, the mediary role of self-efficacy is not evident from results.Practical implicationsThis implies that policymakers should be cognizant of the indirect mechanism by which ethical leaders positively influence the behavior of public employees. This knowledge helps them consider the recruitment, promotion and training of employees, especially the leaders, in line with the required ethical value consideration in public sector organizations.Originality/valueThis research is based on originally collected data from the field.