bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Does it pay to switch from free grazing to stall feeding? Impact of stall feeding practice on household welfare in Tigrai Ethiopia
Authors: Hadush Muuz 
Published: May 2021

AbstractIn this paper, efforts were made to the impact of full and seasonal stall feeding technology on households’ economic, ecological, and social welfare outcome indicators in rural Northern Ethiopia using data obtained from the survey of 518 rural farmers. In order to address our primary objective, an endogenous switching regression model was applied. The overall result indicated that SF adoption ensures significant gains in terms of the specified outcome indicators. Using endogenous switching regression models, we estimated different outcome indicators for both adopters from adoption (ATT), and non-adopters had they adopted (ATU). It is identified that there would be a decline of 21% in milk production and productivity if adopters would not have adopted this technology while non-adopters are estimated to increase their milk production and productivity by 100 and 48% if they would adopt this technology. The results further show that SF adoption had a significant increment in the lactation period. An increase of consumption expenditure by 17% from FSF and 44% in the case of SSF could be considered significant on livelihoods for smallholder farmers. On average, adoption of SF increased manure use in the range of 258–294 kg for adopters. The results showed that SF has decreased the propensity of hiring labor by about 29% and purchase of animal feed by 31%. We have found that participation in SF, on average, decreased total cattle stock by 1 TLU but increased the probability of keeping milking cow by 23%. The adoption of SF increased the likelihood of participating in an animal sale market by 29% for adopters and by 47% for non-adopters had they decided to adopt. The adoption of SF leads to a gain in a number of plants of 11 trees and 29 m of physical construction for the typical adopter and 36 trees and 133 m if the typical non-adopter were to adopt the SF technology on their plots. The adoption process also increased the propensity of growing trees by 19% and decreased household animal shock experience by a probability of 19% for adopters and about 15%.
The landscape of chromatin accessibility in skeletal muscle during embryonic development in pigs
Authors: Yue Jingwei , Hou Xinhua , Liu Xin , Wang Ligang , Gao Hongmei , Zhao Fuping , Shi Lijun , Shi Liangyu , Yan Hua , Deng Tianyu , Gong Jianfei , Wang Lixian , Zhang Longchao 
Published: May 2021

AbstractBackgroundThe development of skeletal muscle in pigs during the embryonic stage is precisely regulated by transcriptional mechanisms, which depend on chromatin accessibility. However, how chromatin accessibility plays a regulatory role during embryonic skeletal muscle development in pigs has not been reported. To gain insight into the landscape of chromatin accessibility and the associated genome-wide transcriptome during embryonic muscle development, we performed ATAC-seq and RNA-seq analyses of skeletal muscle from pig embryos at 45, 70 and 100 days post coitus (dpc).ResultsIn total, 21,638, 35,447 and 60,181 unique regions (or peaks) were found across the embryos at 45 dpc (LW45), 70 dpc (LW70) and 100 dpc (LW100), respectively. More than 91% of the peaks were annotated within − 1 kb to 100 bp of transcription start sites (TSSs). First, widespread increases in specific accessible chromatin regions (ACRs) from embryos at 45 to 100 dpc suggested that the regulatory mechanisms became increasingly complicated during embryonic development. Second, the findings from integrated ATAC-seq and RNA-seq analyses showed that not only the numbers but also the intensities of ACRs could control the expression of associated genes. Moreover, the motif screening of stage-specific ACRs revealed some transcription factors that regulate muscle development-related genes, such as MyoG, Mef2c, and Mef2d. Several potential transcriptional repressors, including E2F6, OTX2 and CTCF, were identified among the genes that exhibited different regulation trends between the ATAC-seq and RNA-seq data.ConclusionsThis work indicates that chromatin accessibility plays an important regulatory role in the embryonic muscle development of pigs and regulates the temporal and spatial expression patterns of key genes in muscle development by influencing the binding of transcription factors. Our results contribute to a better understanding of the regulatory dynamics of genes involved in pig embryonic skeletal muscle development.
Anna Karenina and the subgingival microbiome associated with periodontitis
Authors: Altabtbaei Khaled , Maney Pooja , Ganesan Sukirth M. , Dabdoub Shareef M. , Nagaraja Haikady N. , Kumar Purnima S. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractBackgroundAlthough localized aggressive periodontitis (LAP), generalized aggressive periodontitis (GAP), and chronic periodontitis (CP) are microbially driven diseases, our inability to separate disease-specific associations from those common to all three forms of periodontitis has hampered biomarker discovery. Therefore, we aimed to map the genomic content of, and the biological pathways encoded by, the microbiomes associated with these clinical phenotypes. We also estimated the extent to which these biomes are governed by the Anna Karenina principle (AKP), which states that eubiotic communities are similar between individuals while disease-associated communities are highly individualized.MethodsWe collected subgingival plaque from 25 periodontally healthy individuals and diseased sites of 59 subjects with stage 3 periodontitis and used shotgun metagenomics to characterize the aggregate of bacterial genes.ResultsBeta-dispersion metrics demonstrated that AKP was most evident in CP, followed by GAP and LAP. We discovered broad dysbiotic signatures spanning the three phenotypes, with over-representation of pathways that facilitate life in an oxygen-poor, protein- and heme-rich, pro-oxidant environment and enhance capacity for attachment and biofilm formation. Phenotype-specific indicators were more readily evident in LAP microbiome than GAP or CP. Genes that enable acetate-scavenging lifestyle, utilization of alternative nutritional sources, oxidative and nitrosative stress responses, and siderophore production were unique to LAP. An attenuation of virulence-related functionalities and stress response from LAP to GAP to CP was apparent. We also discovered that clinical phenotypes of disease resolved variance in the microbiome with greater clarity than the newly established grading system. Importantly, we observed that one third of the metagenome of LAP is unique to this phenotype while GAP shares significant functional and taxonomic features with both LAP and CP, suggesting either attenuation of an aggressive disease or an early-onset chronic disease.ConclusionWithin the limitations of a small sample size and a cross-sectional study design, the distinctive features of the microbiomes associated with LAP and CP strongly persuade us that these are discrete disease entities, while calling into question whether GAP is a separate disease, or an artifact induced by cross-sectional study designs. Further studies on phenotype-specific microbial genes are warranted to explicate their role in disease etiology.
The transcriptome profile of human trisomy 21 blood cells
Authors: Antonaros Francesca , Zenatelli Rossella , Guerri Giulia , Bertelli Matteo , Locatelli Chiara , Vione Beatrice , Catapano Francesca , Gori Alice , Vitale Lorenza , Pelleri Maria Chiara , Ramacieri Giuseppe , Cocchi Guido , Strippoli Pierluigi , Caracausi Maria , Piovesan Allison 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background
Trisomy 21 (T21) is a genetic alteration characterised by the presence of an extra full or partial human chromosome 21 (Hsa21) leading to Down syndrome (DS), the most common form of intellectual disability (ID). It is broadly agreed that the presence of extra genetic material in T21 gives origin to an altered expression of genes located on Hsa21 leading to DS phenotype. The aim of this study was to analyse T21 and normal control blood cell gene expression profiles obtained by total RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq).

Results
The results were elaborated by the TRAM (Transcriptome Mapper) software which generated a differential transcriptome map between human T21 and normal control blood cells providing the gene expression ratios for 17,867 loci. The obtained gene expression profiles were validated through real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay and compared with previously published data. A post-analysis through transcriptome mapping allowed the identification of the segmental (regional) variation of the expression level across the whole genome (segment-based analysis of expression). Interestingly, the most over-expressed genes encode for interferon-induced proteins, two of them (MX1 and MX2 genes) mapping on Hsa21 (21q22.3). The altered expression of genes involved in mitochondrial translation and energy production also emerged, followed by the altered expression of genes encoding for the folate cycle enzyme, GART, and the folate transporter, SLC19A1.

Conclusions
The alteration of these pathways might be linked and involved in the manifestation of ID in DS.
Deficits in explicit emotion regulation in bipolar disorder: a systematic review
Authors: Kurtz Marcel , Mohring Pia , Förster Katharina , Bauer Michael , Kanske Philipp 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background
This study aimed to compile and synthesize studies investigating explicit emotion regulation in patients with bipolar disorder and individuals at risk of developing bipolar disorder. The importance of explicit emotion regulation arises from its potential role as a marker for bipolar disorders in individuals at risk and its potent role in therapy for bipolar disorder patients.

Methods
To obtain an exhaustive compilation of studies dealing specifically with explicit emotion regulation in bipolar disorder, we conducted a systematic literature search in four databases. In the 15 studies we included in our review, the emotion-regulation strategies maintenance, distraction, and reappraisal (self-focused and situation-focused) were investigated partly on a purely behavioral level and partly in conjunction with neural measures. The samples used in the identified studies included individuals at increased risk of bipolar disorder, patients with current affective episodes, and patients with euthymic mood state.

Results
In summary, the reviewed studies' results indicate impairments in explicit emotion regulation in individuals at risk for bipolar disorder, patients with manic and depressive episodes, and euthymic patients. These deficits manifest in subjective behavioral measures as well as in neural aberrations. Further, our review reveals a discrepancy between behavioral and neural findings regarding explicit emotion regulation in individuals at risk for bipolar disorders and euthymic patients. While these groups often do not differ significantly in behavioral measures from healthy and low-risk individuals, neural differences are mainly found in frontostriatal networks.

Conclusion
We conclude that these neural aberrations are a potentially sensitive measure of the probability of occurrence and recurrence of symptoms of bipolar disorders and that strengthening this frontostriatal route is a potentially protective measure for individuals at risk and patients who have bipolar disorders.
Maladaptive behaviours in adolescence and their associations with personality traits, emotion dysregulation and other clinical features in a sample of Italian students: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Lanfredi Mariangela , Macis Ambra , Ferrari Clarissa , Meloni Serena , Pedrini Laura , Ridolfi Maria Elena , Zonca Valentina , Cattane Nadia , Cattaneo Anna , Rossi Roberta 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background
Emotion Dysregulation (ED), childhood trauma and personality are linked to the occurrence of maladaptive behaviours in adolescence which, in turn, may be related to increased risk for psychopathology in the life course. We sought to explore the relationship among the occurrence of different clusters of maladaptive behaviours and ED, clinical features (i.e. impulsivity, childhood maltreatment, anxiety, depressive symptoms) and personality traits that have been found to be associated to Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), in a sample of 179 adolescent students.

Methods
Multiple Correspondence Analysis (MCA) was applied to detect clustered types of maladaptive behaviours and groups of students were defined as individuals engaging in these clustered behaviours (non-suicidal self-injury-NSSI, binge eating, binge drinking, cannabis use, and sexual risk behaviours). Logistic models were used to evaluate the association among clinical scales, and student groups. Mediation analysis was used to evaluate whether clinical features affected the association between personality traits and student groups.

Results
MCA analysis allowed to identify three student groups: NSSI/binge eating (NSSI-BE) behaviours, other maladaptive behaviours and “none”. Higher scores in ED, impulsivity, childhood maltreatment, anxiety and depressive symptoms increased the risk of belonging to the cluster of NSSI-BE behaviours compared to the other two groups. ED, depression and anxiety symptoms were found to be mediators of the relationship between specific personality traits, mainly pertaining to the negative affectivity construct, and NSSI/BE.

Conclusions
Individuals engaging in NSSI-BE behaviours represent a vulnerable adolescent population. ED, depression and anxiety were mediators of the relationship between a variety of personality traits related to BPD and NSSI and binge eating behaviours. Findings have important clinical implications in terms of prevention and interventions among adolescents engaging in self-damaging behaviours.
Nanotechnology in emerging liquid biopsy applications
Authors: Kalogianni Despina P. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractLiquid biopsy is considered as the most attractive alternative to traditional tissue biopsies. The major advantages of this approach lie in the non-invasive procedure, the rapidness of sample collection and the potential for early cancer diagnosis and real-time monitoring of the disease and the treatment response. Nanotechnology has dynamically emerged in a wide range of applications in the field of liquid biopsy. The benefits of using nanomaterials for biosensing include high sensitivity and detectability, simplicity in many cases, rapid analysis, the low cost of the analysis and the potential for portability and personalized medicine. The present paper reports on the nanomaterial-based methods and biosensors that have been developed for liquid biopsy applications. Most of the nanomaterials used exhibit great analytical performance; moreover, extremely low limits of detection have been achieved for all studied targets. This review will provide scientists with a comprehensive overview of all the nanomaterials and techniques that have been developed for liquid biopsy applications. A comparison of the developed methods in terms of detectability, dynamic range, time-length of the analysis and multiplicity, is also provided.
Non-fatal senior pickleball and tennis-related injuries treated in United States emergency departments, 2010–2019
Authors: Weiss Harold , Dougherty Jacob , DiMaggio Charles 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background
Pickleball is growing rapidly with a passionate senior following. Understanding and comparing players’ injury experience through analysis of a nationally representative hospital emergency department sample helps inform senior injury prevention and fitness goals.

Methods
A cross-sectional descriptive study was performed using 2010 to 2019 data from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s (CPSC) National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS). Tennis was selected for comparison purposes because of the similarity of play, occasional competition for the same court space, and because many seniors play both sports. Non-fatal pickleball and tennis-related cases were identified, examined, recoded, and separated by injury versus non-injury conditions. Since over 85% of the pickleball injury-related cases were to players ≥60 years of age, we mostly focused on this older age group. Analyses consisted of descriptive statistics, injury frequency, type and trends over time, and comparative measures of risk.

Results
Among players ≥60 years of age, non-injuries (i.e., cardiovascular events) accounted for 11.1 and 21.5% of the pickleball and tennis-related cases, respectively. With non-injuries removed for seniors (≥60 years), the NEISS contained a weighted total of 28,984 pickleball injuries (95% confidence interval [CI] = 19,463–43,163) and 58,836 tennis injuries (95% CI = 44,861-77,164). Pickleball-related injuries grew rapidly over the study period, and by 2018 the annual number of senior pickleball injuries reached parity with senior tennis-related injuries. Pickleball-related Slip/Trip/Fall/Dive injury mechanisms predominated (63.3, 95% CI = 57.7–69.5%). The leading pickleball-related diagnoses were strains/sprains (33.2, 95% CI = 27.8–39.5%), fractures (28.1, 95% CI = 24.3–32.4%) and contusions (10.6, 95% CI = 8.0–14.1%). Senior males were three-and-a-half times more likely than females to suffer a pickleball-related strain or sprain (Odds Ratio [OR] 3.5, 95% CI = 2.2–5.6) whereas women were over three-and-a-half times more likely to suffer a fracture (OR 3.7, 95% CI = 2.3–5.7) compared to men and nine times more likely to suffer a wrist fracture (OR 9.3 95% CI = 3.6–23.9). Patterns of senior tennis and pickleball injuries were mostly similar.

Conclusions
NEISS is a valuable data source for describing the epidemiology of recreational injuries. However, careful case definitions are necessary when examining records involving older populations as non-injury conditions related to the activity/product codes of interest are frequent. As pickleball gains in popularity among active seniors, it is becoming an increasingly important cause of injury. Identifying and describing the most common types of injuries may can help inform prevention and safety measures.
Performance comparison of different microbial DNA extraction methods on bird feces
Authors: Hou Xian , Pan Shengkai , Lin Zhenzhen , Xu Jiliang , Zhan Xiangjiang 
Published: May 2021

AbstractBackgroundAs an important player during food digestion, gut microbiota has attracted much attention in diet adaptation studies in birds. Microbiota extracted from feces has been widely used as a proxy for gut microbiota. Although several methods have been developed for microbial DNA extraction, their performances in the bird feces have not been systematacially evaluated yet.MethodsIn this study, we applied three DNA extraction methods (Qiagen, MoBio and Bead) to extract DNA from feces of three avian dietary guilds (granivore, omnivore and carnivore), sequenced V4 region of 16S rRNA gene for each extract and evaluated the performances of DNA yield, DNA integrity, microbial composition, cell lysis capacity and alpha diversity for the three methods on each dietary guild.ResultsBead method was the best on the performance of both DNA yield and DNA integrity regardless of dietary guild. In granivore, microbial relative abundance at both species and phylum levels, alpha diversity and cell lysis capacity were comparable among all methods. In omnivore, Qiagen had the best performance on alpha diversity, followed by Bead and MoBio. There were small variations on microbial relative abundance at both species and phylum levels among different extraction methods. MoBio exhibited the best performance on cell lysis capacity. In carnivore, considerable variations were found on microbial relative abundance at both species and phylum levels. Qiagen had the best performance on alpha diversity, followed by MoBio and Bead. MoBio had the highest cell lysis capacity.ConclusionsDNA yield and integrity have no obvious impact on microbial composition, alpha diversity or cell lysis capacity. The microbiota results (e.g., microbial composition, cell lysis capacity, alpha diversity) obtained from different methods are comparable in granivorous avian species but not in omnivorous or carnivorous birds. Either method could be used in granivore microbiota studies. For omnivores and carnivores, we recommend Qiagen method when the research purpose is microbial diversity and MoBio when gram-positive bacteria is the research target.
Effectiveness of geocell wall, geogrid and micropile anchors for mitigation of unstable slopes
Authors: Kumar Jain Sanjaya , Nusari Mohammed Saleh , Purushotam Dangol , Prasad Acharya Indra , Rajyaswori Shrestha 
Published: May 2021

AbstractSlope failure mitigation practices are well developed in recent years. Recently, geosynthetic, geocell, and geogrid combined with micropiles are being used extensively in various slope stabilization works. But integrated approaches are still lacking. In this study, a method of slope stabilization is proposed by integrated use of micropile, geocell and geogrid from an engineering and economical point of view. The study was done on slope failure located at Chandragiri Hill, south west of Kathmandu, Nepal. Geotechnical problems of the site, the design of geocell foundation, micropile and geogrid are done on the based on numerical analysis using Phase-2 software with field data. The results of analytical studies revealed that, the use of a combination of geocell, micropile and geogrid is beneficial in increasing slope stability. As per numerical analysis, in the slope failure site, geocell gravity walls each of 3.8 m, is constructed in different step. Beneath the geocell wall, different layers of geogrid were placed filled with granular materials. The geocell wall is connected with micropile from inside. The micropile works as an anchorage and support for geocell wall, which increases the stability of a failed slope.
Feasibility evaluation of the 3D-DIC non contact measurement system using small-scaled model test of earth retaining wall
Authors: Ko Younghun , Seo Seunghwan , Jin Tailie , Chung Moonkyung 
Published: May 2021

AbstractIn this study, a small scale experiment of an earth retaining wall was conducted to develop a real-time and full-field noncontact measurement system for earth retaining walls in urban areas. The collapse behavior of the structure was reproduced using a model of an earth retaining wall, and the deformation and displacement of the entire surface of the small scale structure were measured using a 3D image-based digital-image correlation method employing a stereo camera system. The measured displacement was compared with the actual displacement by using high-precision hexapod equipment in the experiment, and the results confirmed a high level of precision.