bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
An improved acetic acid‐urea polyacrylamide electrophoresis method to evaluate bovine sperm protamines
Authors: Hamilton Thais Rose dos Santos , Simões Renata , Assumpção Mayra Elena Ortiz D´Ávila 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThe acetic acid‐urea polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis system could separate very similar basic proteins on differences in size and effective charge. This system has been used for many years to analyse histones and their post‐translational modifications and widely used in the study of mammal protamines. Two types of protamine have been described, the protamine 1 (P1) and the protamine 2 (P2) family members, which are synthetized by PRM1 and PRM2 genes. The ratio of P1 and P2 is important for predicting fertility in humans and mice. Therefore, the quantification of protamines is a fundamental step in order to establish the ratio between P1 and P2 in these species. In other mammals, studies linking sperm protamination and the protamine ratio with fertility are increasing. So, the use of an effective technique to separate and quantify protamines is important to study sperm P1/P2 ratio. Therefore, this article describes in detail a feasible and useful procedure to isolate bovine sperm protamines, to perform pre‐electrophoresis with PEG solution and finally to carry out acid‐urea polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in reverse polarity. This technique allows a clear separation and efficient detection of bovine sperm protamines.
Inhibition of Suv39h1/2 expression improves the early development of Debao porcine somatic cell nuclear transfer embryos
Authors: Cao Lihua , Dai Xiaoli , Huang Shihai , Shen Kaiyuan , Shi Deshun , Li Xiangping 
Published: April 2021

AbstractSuppressor of variegation 3–9 homolog (Suv39h)1 and 2, Histone H3 lysine 9 trimethylation (H3K9me3)‐specific methyltransferases, are mainly involved in regulating the dynamic changes of H3K9me3. Regulating Suv39h expression influences the early development of mice somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) embryos, there are few reports concerning their features in domestic animals. The aim of the present study was to characterize the Suv39h function in early development of Debao porcine SCNT embryos. The global level of H3K9me3 and the expression profiles of Suv39h1/2 in porcine early embryos were analysed by immunohistochemistry and qRT‐PCR methods, respectively. Their roles in cell proliferation and histone modification of Debao porcine foetal fibroblast cells (PFFs), and developmental competence of porcine SCNT embryos were investigated by shRNA technology. The methylation levels of H3K9me3 and the expression patterns of Suv39h1 and Suv39h2 were similar (p < .05), and both of them displayed higher levels in Debao porcine SCNT embryos compared with that in PA embryos. The global levels of H3K9me3 and the expressions of G9a, HDAC1 and DNMT1 were decreased by combined inhibition of Suv39h1 and Suv39h2 (p < .05), while the expression of HAT1 was increased (p < .05). Downregulation of Suv39h1/2 also promoted cell proliferation and resulted in a significant increase in the expression of CyclinA2, CyclinB and PCNA in PFFs (p < .05). Furthermore, the use of donor somatic nuclei which depleted H3K9me3 by inhibiting Suv39h1/2 expression markedly increased the cleavage rate, the blastocyst rate and the total cell number of blastocysts of Debao porcine SCNT embryos (p < .05). Altogether, the above results indicate that H3K9me3 levels and Suv39h1/2 expressions display similar patterns in porcine early embryo, and low levels of them are critical to cell proliferation of PFFs and early development of SCNT embryos.
Identification of skin aging biomarkers correlated with the biomechanical properties
Authors: Kim Seo Hyeong , Kim Ji Hye , Suk Jang Mi , Lee Young In , Kim Jihee , Lee Ju Hee , Lee Kwang Hoon 
Published: April 2021

AbstractBackgroundSkin aging can be described as a combination of intrinsic and extrinsic aging. Various parameters for evaluating skin characteristics have been proposed. However, an accurate biomarker for skin aging and the relationship between biomarkers and biomechanical parameters of the skin is yet to be explored.Materials and MethodsThis study included 20 subjects by age. Skin aging was measured using non‐invasive devices. Skin tissues were acquired through punch biopsy for immunohistochemistry and qRT‐PCR of skin aging biomarkers, and analyzed correlation both, validated their use.ResultsBiomechanical properties of skin aging decreased with age. Among the biomarkers previously reported, we found that the expression of Moesin, TXNDC5, RhoGDI, and RSU1 decreased, while that of Vimentin and FABP5 increased with age. Pearson correlation showed that the expression levels of TXNDC5, RhoGDI, RSU1, and Vimentin were significantly correlated with the results of non‐invasive measurements. In addition, the expression of TXNDC5, RhoGDI, and RSU1 increased, while that of Vimentin decreased, in skin explants upon treatment with one of the anti‐aging compounds, retinoic acid.ConclusionFrom this study, we identified practical molecular biomarkers of skin aging, TXNDC5, RhoGDI, RSU1, and Vimentin, which correlated with the skin biomechanical properties of skin aging.
Sport in the Age of Trump: An Analysis of Donald Trump’s Tweets
Authors: Frederick Evan , Pegoraro Ann , Sanderson Jimmy 
Published: April 2021

The purpose of this study was to investigate how Donald Trump used Twitter to position sport within the greater sociopolitical landscape. An inductive analysis of Trump’s sport-related tweets revealed four themes including (a) sport as self-promotion, (b) sport as fandom, (c) sport as battleground, and (d) sport as American identity. This study found that Trump positioned sport as a status symbol. In doing so, he leveraged his power, wealth, and connections to the industry to belittle and champion sport entities. Trump simultaneously leveraged Twitter to display how sport relationships can further one’s business ventures and build a personal brand. In addition, Trump’s discourse shifted sport away from fulfilling a central role in society, as a beacon where social inequities can be critiqued and perhaps elevated into the public consciousness.
Health of people experiencing co-occurring homelessness, imprisonment, substance use, sex work and/or severe mental illness in high-income countries: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Tweed Emily J. , Thomson Rachel M. , Lewer Dan , Sumpter Colin , Kirolos Amir , Southworth Paul M. , Purba Amrit Kaur , Aldridge Robert W. , Hayward Andrew , Story Alistair , Hwang Stephen W. , Katikireddi Srinivasa Vittal 
Published: April 2021

BackgroundPeople affected by homelessness, imprisonment, substance use, sex work or severe mental illness experience substantial excess ill health and premature death. Though these experiences often co-occur, health outcomes associated with their overlap have not previously been reviewed. We synthesised existing evidence on mortality, morbidity, self-rated health and quality of life among people affected by more than one of these experiences.MethodsIn this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched Medline, Embase, and PsycINFO for peer-reviewed English-language observational studies from high-income countries published between 1 January 1998 and 11 June 2018. Two authors undertook independent screening, with risk of bias assessed using a modified Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Findings were summarised by narrative synthesis and random-effect meta-analysis.ResultsFrom 15 976 citations, 2517 studies underwent full-text screening, and 444 were included. The most common exposure combinations were imprisonment/substance use (31% of data points) and severe mental illness/substance use (27%); only 1% reported outcomes associated with more than two exposures. Infections were the most common outcomes studied, with blood-borne viruses accounting for 31% of all data points. Multiple exposures were associated with poorer outcomes in 80% of data points included (sign test for effect direction, p<0.001). Meta-analysis suggested increased all-cause mortality among people with multiple versus fewer exposures (HR: 1.57 and 95% CI: 1.38 to 1.77), though heterogeneity was high.ConclusionPeople affected by multiple exclusionary processes experience profound health inequalities, though there are important gaps in the research landscape. Addressing the health needs of these populations is likely to require co-ordinated action across multiple sectors, such as healthcare, criminal justice, drug treatment, housing and social security.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42018097189.
Shear deformation mechanical performance of Ni–Co alloy nanoplate by molecular dynamics simulation
Authors: Gao Qing , Lu Xuefeng , Guo Xin , Ren Junqiang , Xue Hongtao , Tang Fuling , Ding Yutian 
Published: April 2021

Ni–Co alloy has great advantages in the fields of micro-electromechanical systems and aerospace, however, the lack of micro-deformation mechanism restricts its industrial application. Herein, the deformation mechanism and microstructure evolution of Ni–Co alloy nanoplate under shear loading are investigated by MD. The yield strength increases gradually with the increase of the velocity, and the highest shear modulus is 111.43 GPa. The stress concentration leads to the nucleation and expansion of the dislocation, and the stacking fault expands with the dislocation motion, swallowing most of the disordered atoms. By Dislocation Extraction Algorithm (DXA), it is found that Shockley and Perfect dislocations make a major role, and the interactions between dislocations are responsible for the high mechanical properties. As the temperature increases, the yield strength decreases significantly, the stress fluctuations in the plastic phase at 100 K and 200 K are greater compared to other temperatures. Meanwhile, the coherence of the dislocations motion decreases, and the atoms in the stacking faults are scattered, leading to the decreasing of area. The above results are helpful for the design and control of nanoelectronic facilities and provide a significant guide for the industrial applications of Ni–Co alloy nanoplate.
An Adaptive Search Budget Allocation Approach for Search-Based Test Case Generation
Authors: Scalabrino Simone , Mastropaolo Antonio , Bavota Gabriele , Oliveto Rocco 
Published: April 2021

Search-based techniques have been successfully used to automate test case generation. Such approaches allocate a fixed search budget to generate test cases aiming at maximizing code coverage. The search budget plays a crucial role; due to the hugeness of the search space, the higher the assigned budget, the higher the expected coverage. Code components have different structural properties that may affect the ability of search-based techniques to achieve a high coverage level. Thus, allocating a fixed search budget for all the components is not recommended and a component-specific search budget should be preferred. However, deciding the budget to assign to a given component is not a trivial task.
In this article, we introduce Budget Optimization for Testing (BOT), an approach to adaptively allocate the search budget to the classes under test. BOT requires information about the branch coverage that will be achieved on each class with a given search budget. Therefore, we also introduce BRANCHOS, an approach that predicts coverage in a budget-aware way. The results of our experiments show that (i) BRANCHOS can approximate the branch coverage in time with a low error, and (ii) BOT can significantly increase the coverage achieved by a test generation tool and the effectiveness of generated tests.
Integration of Genomic and Transcriptomic Markers Improves the Prognosis Prediction of Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia
Authors: Lin Xiaojing , Qiao Niu , Shen Yang , Fang Hai , Xue Qing , Cui Bowen , Chen Li , Zhu Hongming , Zhang Sujiang , Chen Yu , Jiang Lu , Wang Shengyue , Li Junmin , Wang Bingshun , Chen Bing , Chen Zhu , Chen Saijuan 
Published: April 2021

AbstractPurpose:The current stratification system for acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) is based on the white blood cell (WBC) and the platelet counts (i.e., Sanz score) over the past two decades. However, the borderlines among different risk groups are sometimes ambiguous, and for some patients, early death and relapse remained challenges. Besides, with the evolving of the treatment strategy from all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA) and chemotherapy to ATRA–arsenic trioxide-based synergistic targeted therapy, the precise risk stratification with molecular markers is needed.Experimental Design:This study performed a systematic analysis of APL genomics and transcriptomics to identify genetic abnormalities in 348 patients mainly from the APL2012 trial (NCT01987297) to illustrate the potential molecular background of Sanz score and further optimize it. The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator algorithm was used to analyze the gene expression in 323 cases to establish a scoring system (i.e., APL9 score).Results:Through combining NRAS mutations, APL9 score, and WBC, 321 cases can be stratified into two groups with significantly different outcomes. The estimated 5-year overall (P = 0.00031), event-free (P &lt; 0.0001), and disease-free (P = 0.001) survival rates in the revised standard-risk group (95.6%, 93.8%, and 98.1%, respectively) were significantly better than those in the revised high-risk group (82.9%, 77.4%, and 88.4%, respectively), which could be validated using The Cancer Genome Atlas dataset.Conclusions:We have proposed a two-category system for improving prognosis in patients with APL. Molecular markers identified in this study may also provide genomic insights into the disease mechanism for improved therapy.
Alternatives to Perpetual Chemotherapy for Metastatic Pancreatic Cancer
Authors: Reiss Kim A. , Vonderheide Robert H. 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
With the advent of multiagent chemotherapy for metastatic pancreatic cancer, subgroups of patients whose disease responds durably to treatment are emerging. Although this is wonderful progress in the face of a deadly illness, cumulative toxicities of perpetual chemotherapy over months or even years of treatment degrade quality of life and organ function, in addition to fueling eventual therapeutic resistance. The POLO trial demonstrated a benefit of maintenance olaparib compared with placebo in patients with germline pathogenic variants in BRCA1 or BRCA2. The success of this trial, albeit in a limited subset of patients, suggests that there may be opportunity to study this alternative treatment strategy as a paradigm for a broader group of patients with advanced pancreatic cancer. This article discusses the phenotypic and genotypic signatures of patients with pancreatic cancer that may provide the basis upon which to design rational maintenance clinical trials.
Observations of Atypical Rapid Intensification Characteristics in Hurricane Dorian (2019)
Authors: Ryglicki David R. , Velden Christopher S. , Reasor Paul D. , Hodyss Daniel , Doyle James D. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractMultiple observation and analysis datasets are used to demonstrate two key features of the Atypical Rapid Intensification (ARI) process that occurred in Atlantic Hurricane Dorian (2019): 1) precession and nutations of the vortex tilt and 2) blocking of the impinging upper-level environmental flow by the outflow. As Dorian came under the influence of an upper-level anticyclone, traditional methods of estimating vertical wind shear all indicated relatively low values were acting on the storm; however, high-spatiotemporal-resolution atmospheric motion vectors (AMVs) indicated that the environmental flow at upper levels was actually impinging on the vortex core, resulting in a vertical tilt. We employ a novel ensemble of centers of individual swaths of dual-Doppler radar data from WP-3D aircraft to characterize the precession and wobble of the vortex tilt. This tilting and wobbling preceded a sequence of outflow surges that acted to repel the impinging environmental flow, thereby reducing the shear and permitting ARI. We then apply prior methodology on satellite imagery for distinguishing ARI features. Finally, we use the AMV dataset to experiment with different shear calculations and show that the upper-level cross-vortex flow approaches zero. We discuss the implication of these results with regards to prior works on ARI and intensification in shear.
Influence of a portable near-surface observing network on experimental ensemble forecasts of deep convection hazards during VORTEX-SE
Authors: Hill Aaron J. , Weiss Christopher C. , Dowell David C. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractEnsemble forecasts are generated with and without the assimilation of near-surface observations from a portable, mesoscale network of StickNet platforms during the Verification and Origins of Rotation in Tornadoes EXperiment – Southeast (VORTEX-SE). Four VORTEX-SE intensive observing periods are selected to evaluate the impact of StickNet observations on forecasts and predictability of deep convection within the southeast United States. StickNet observations are assimilated with an experimental version of the HighResolution RapidRefresh Ensemble (HRRRE) in one experiment, and withheld in a control forecast experiment. Overall, StickNet observations are found to effectively reduce mesoscale analysis and forecast errors of temperature and dewpoint. Differences in ensemble analyses between the two parallel experiments are maximized near the StickNet array and then either propagate away with the mean low-level flow through the forecast period or remain quasi-stationary, reducing local analysis biases. Forecast errors of temperature and dewpoint exhibit periods of improvement and degradation relative to the control forecast, and error increases are largely driven on the storm scale. Convection predictability, measured through subjective evaluation and objective verification of forecast updraft helicity, is driven more by when forecasts are initialized (i.e., more data assimilation cycles with conventional observations) rather than the inclusion of StickNet observations in data assimilation. It is hypothesized that the full impact of assimilating these data is not realized in part due to poor sampling of forecast sensitive regions by the StickNet platforms, as identified through ensemble sensitivity analysis.
The Thickness of the facial Nerve Sheath Consistently Varies by Region in Its Intra-Tympanic Course on Cadaveric Study
Authors: Vijayendra Vinay Kumar , Honnurappa Vijayendra , Mahajan Nilesh , Redleaf Miriam 
Published: April 2021

Objectives: Iatrogenic removal of intra-temporal disease processes, such as cholesteatoma and keratosis obturans, can be challenging when the facial nerve (FN) is involved. Despite this concern about possible FN injury during these procedures, our clinical observation has been that the diseased growth can be cleaned quite easily from the vertical FN epineurium. Therefore, we designed a cadaveric protocol to measure thickness of the FN sheath (epineurium) in horizontal, second genu and vertical FN segments and to correlate these measurements with surgical management of FN disorders. Methods: Fifty non-fixated (wet) cadaveric temporal bones were dissected over 1 year’s time. The intra-temporal FN sheath epineurium was harvested from the mid-horizontal, second genu, and mid-vertical segments. Using a digital micrometric technique, the thickness of each sample was measured. Data analysis was performed using student’s two-tailed, dependent t-test. Results: Epineurial nerve sheath thickness was the least in the horizontal segment (mean 0.9 mm, range 0.040-0.140 mm), greater at the second genu (mean 0.19 mm, range 0.010-0.280 mm), and greatest in the vertical segment (mean 0.29 mm, range 0.170-0.570 mm). These differences were statistically significant. Conclusion: In cases of cholesteatoma and keratosis obturans involving the vertical FN, the disease process can be separated from the FN sheath because of the sheath thickness in this region. Disease in the horizontal segment involves a thinner sheath and separating the disease process from the nerve is more difficult in this area.
The Advent of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement as a Tool for Development
Authors: Omphemetse S. Sibanda, Sr  
Published: April 2021

Modelled on the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), signed at the Extraordinary Summit of the African Union, which convened in Kigali, Rwanda, on 21 March 2018, is designed to facilitate a single continental trade regulation and integration framework for trade disciplines and intentioned to boost intra-Africa trade. AfCFTA came on the backdrop of not less than eight regional economic communities (RECs), which are loosely regulated. The study finds that AfCFTA can become a beacon of development in the African continent, provided an array of issues including addressing the multiplicity of RECs, putting in place a Development-focused migration and labour policy or developing a side labour agreement similar to that of NAFTA to address other issues like harmonisation of treatment and conditions of workforce and pursuing industrialisation that will help manage the negative spillovers of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR). JEL Codes: C23, F10, F13, F14, F15, F17, F19, K33, K41
Managing the risk of the energy performance gap in non-domestic buildings
Authors: Thompson David , Burman Esfand , Mumovic Dejan , Davies Mike 
Published: April 2021

Energy use in buildings accounts for one-third of the overall global energy consumption and total building floor area continues to increase each year as new developments are constructed and delivered. If stringent climate goals are to be met, these buildings will need to consume less energy and emit less carbon. However, design intentions for energy efficient buildings are not always met in practice. This performance gap between calculated and measured energy use in buildings threatens the progress necessary to meet these energy targets. The aim of this paper is to identify the factors that contribute to the performance gap and propose solutions for reducing the gap in practice. A quantitative and qualitative analysis of two research programmes completed in the past few years was utilized for an in-depth look at the performance of around 50 non-domestic buildings in the United Kingdom. While no direct links were found between any one variable and the performance gap, several correlations exist between contributing factors indicating a complex, entangled web of interrelated problems. The multitude of the variables involved presents a formidable challenge in finding practical solutions. However, the results indicate that the combination of the ventilation strategy of a building and the building services control strategy during partial occupancy is a key determinant of the performance gap. A more straightforward procurement approach with clearly delineated targets and responsibilities, along with advanced and seasonal commissioning instituted at the beginning of a project and implemented after building completion can also be very effective in reducing the gap. Finally, mandatory requirements or an appropriate system of incentives for monitoring and disclosure of performance data can help identify many of the underlying issues affecting performance in-use and untangle some of the web of complex issues across the building sector. Practical application Awareness of the performance gap and knowledge of the factors contributing to its impact on the building industry is important for all stakeholders involved in the design, construction, operation and occupation of non-domestic buildings. Understanding potential solutions to mitigate these risks may help to reduce the prevalence and magnitude of the performance gap.