bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Production of MSTN‐mutated cattle without exogenous gene integration using CRISPR‐Cas9
Authors: Gim Gyeong‐Min , Kwon Dong‐Hyeok , Eom Kyeong‐Hyun , Moon JoonHo , Park Ji‐Hyun , Lee Won‐Wu , Jung Dae‐Jin , Kim Dae‐Hyun , Yi Jun‐Koo , Ha Jae‐Jung , Lim Ka‐Yeong , Kim Jin‐Soo , Jang Goo 
Published: July 2021

AbstractMany genome‐edited animals have been produced using clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)‐Cas9 technology to edit specific genes. However, there are few guidelines for the application of this technique to cattle. The goal of this study was to produce trait‐improved cattle using the genome‐editing technology CRISPR–Cas9. Myostatin (MSTN) was selected as a target locus, and synthetic mRNA of sgRNA and Cas9 were microinjected into fertilized bovine embryos in vitro. As a result, 17 healthy calves were born, and three of them showed MSTN mutation rates of 10.5%, 45.4%, and 99.9%, respectively. Importantly, the offspring with the 99.9% MSTN mutation rate had a biallelic mutation (‐12 bps) and a double‐muscling phenotype. In conclusion, we demonstrate that the genome‐editing technology CRISPR‐Cas9 can produce genetically modified calves with improved traits.
Understanding suicidality and reasons for living amongst Doctoral Researchers: A thematic analysis of qualitative U‐DOC survey data
Authors: Hazell Cassie M. , Berry Clio , Niven Jeremy E. , Mackenzie Jay‐Marie 
Published: July 2021

AbstractEvidence regarding the mental health of doctoral researchers (DRs) is very limited; that which exists suggests DRs are particularly vulnerable to experiencing mental health difficulties during their PhD. Despite the associated jeopardy, however, to our knowledge there are no data published nor in the grey literature, reporting on suicidality amongst DRs. Using an online survey, we invited UK DRs to complete the Suicide Behaviour Questionnaire‐Revised and qualitatively describe their experience of suicidality and its association with their PhD studies. A total of 1,263 DRs provided these data, with 40% of these participants meeting Suicide Behaviour Questionnaire‐Revised criteria for being at high risk of suicide. Within the qualitative data, we identified three higher‐order themes: (a) lived experience of suicidality; (b) PhD: the good, the bad, the ugly; and (c) life outside the PhD. Our findings suggest that suicidality is a common, yet complex and nuanced, experience amongst doctoral researchers. Identifiable elements of the PhD and personal lives can increase or protect against suicidality. The risk and protective factors identified here require verification using quantitative methods, but still support the immediate need for universities to respond to the risk of suicidality amongst their DRs.
PROTOCOL: Language interventions for improving the L1 and L2 development of dual language learners in early education and care: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Egert Franziska , Sachse Steffi , Groth Katarina 
Published: July 2021

AbstractThe aim of the current systematic review and meta‐analysis is to comprehensively synthesize the effectiveness of language promotion interventions in early childhood education and care (ECEC) settings on L1 and L2 development of dual language learners (DLLs). We will use the PICOC‐Strategy (Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome, Context) suggested by Petticrew et al. to frame our research questions. Specifically, this review has the following research questions: (1) To which extent do language interventions accomplished in ECEC settings effect the L2 development (in the society language) of DLLs? (2) To which extent do bilingual language interventions (with L1 as language of instruction) accomplished in ECEC effect the L1 development (in the family language) of DLLs? (3) Are there significant differences in the effectiveness of different language interventions (additive vs. integrated vs. bilingual/two‐way‐immersion) to promote the L2 development of DLLs? (4) Are language interventions accomplished in ECEC settings more effective in supporting the L2 development (in the society language) of DLLs, when they start early in life (before the age of three)? (5) Are language interventions more effective in supporting the L2 development (in the society language) of DLLs when they are implemented with high fidelity/high quality? (6) Are language interventions with teachers as implementers more effective in supporting the L2 development (in the society language) of DLLs than language interventions with external implementers? (7) Are language interventions with higher intervention dosage (exposure × attention) more effective in supporting the L2 development (in the society language) of DLLs?
The distribution, number, and certain neurochemical identities of infracortical white matter neurons in the brains of a southern lesser galago, a black‐capped squirrel monkey, and a crested macaque
Authors: Swiegers Jordan , Bhagwandin Adhil , Maseko Busisiwe C. , Sherwood Chet C. , Hård Therese , Bertelsen Mads F. , Spocter Muhammad A. , Molnár Zoltán , Manger Paul R. 
Published: July 2021

AbstractIn the current study, we examined the number, distribution, and aspects of the neurochemical identities of infracortical white matter neurons, also termed white matter interstitial cells (WMICs), in the brains of a southern lesser galago (Galago moholi), a black‐capped squirrel monkey (Saimiri boliviensis boliviensis), and a crested macaque (Macaca nigra). Staining for neuronal nuclear marker (NeuN) revealed WMICs throughout the infracortical white matter, these cells being most dense close to inner cortical border, decreasing in density with depth in the white matter. Stereological analysis of NeuN‐immunopositive cells revealed estimates of approximately 1.1, 10.8, and 37.7 million WMICs within the infracortical white matter of the galago, squirrel monkey, and crested macaque, respectively. The total numbers of WMICs form a distinct negative allometric relationship with brain mass and white matter volume when examined in a larger sample of primates where similar measures have been obtained. In all three primates studied, the highest densities of WMICs were in the white matter of the frontal lobe, with the occipital lobe having the lowest. Immunostaining revealed significant subpopulations of WMICs containing neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) and calretinin, with very few WMICs containing parvalbumin, and none containing calbindin. The nNOS and calretinin immunopositive WMICs represent approximately 21% of the total WMIC population; however, variances in the proportions of these neurochemical phenotypes were noted. Our results indicate that both the squirrel monkey and crested macaque might be informative animal models for the study of WMICs in neurodegenerative and psychiatric disorders in humans.
Kullback chi square and Gustafson Kessel probabilistic neural network based soil fertility prediction
Authors: Rajamanickam Jayalakshmi , Mani Savitha Devi 
Published: July 2021

AbstractAgriculture plays a significant role in any country's wealth creation, fulfilling food security needs and employment generation thereby contributing immensely to the country's growth and GDP. However, certain characteristics such as climate and environmental changes have extensively become menacing factors in the agriculture output. As soil is an influential specification influencing the prediction of crop yield, soil analysis becomes imperative and can assist farmers in preliminary adaptations towards better crop planning thereby facilitating higher yields. Machine learning algorithms have materialized in soil fertility prediction as an encouraging method for enhancing production. However, the spread and usage of this method are still limited by the lack of clear applicability due to the uncertainties involved and therefore resulting in false predictions by farmers. In this work, we take into account and address both the problems by incorporating uncertainty quantification utilizing the fishers ratio preprocessing model and Kullback divergent chi‐square feature selection for soil fertility prediction. Next, Gustafson‐Kessel probabilistic neural network classification uses the soil fertility predictive model to produce the probability distribution as output and the different types of soil fertility level instead of a single value. We analyze and prove that the new method not only provides uncertainty quantification but also minimizes the processing time and false positive rate with high accuracy than the existing soil fertility prediction methods.
A multi‐objective distance vector‐hop localization algorithm based on differential evolution quantum particle swarm optimization
Authors: Han Dezhi , Wang Jing , Tang Canren , Weng Tien‐Hsiung , Li Kuan‐Ching , Dobre Ciprian 
Published: July 2021

SummaryWireless sensor networks (WSNs) have actively been considered in vast amount of applications in fields of science and engineering. The node location technology is one of the most critical technologies of WSNs. Aiming at the problem of distance vector‐hop (DV‐HOP) algorithm's excessive estimation error, we propose in this article a multi‐objective DV‐HOP localization algorithm based on differential evolution quantum particle swarm optimization (DQPSO‐DV‐HOP). First, the set of anchor nodes generated during the deployment phase that would cause large errors is eliminated, and a correction factor is introduced to modify the average hop distance to reflect the actual situation of the network better. In the node localization phase, the objective function we propose is optimized under a combination of the DE and QPSO algorithms, so the estimated results of unknown nodes are optimized and modified by using the QPSO algorithm of fast convergence, which is easy to converge to the optimal global value. Simulation results show that the localization stability, accuracy, and convergence given by the proposed DQPSO‐DV‐HOP algorithm are better than other schemes. High precision positioning algorithm can improve the accuracy of energy consumption monitoring and provide more accurate data for energy saving management.
Family history of diabetes and risk of SARS‐COV‐2 in UK Biobank: A prospective cohort study
Authors: Jani Bhautesh Dinesh , Nicholl Barbara I. , Hanlon Peter , Mair Frances S. , Gill Jason MR. , Gray Stuart R. , Celis‐Morales Carlos A. , Ho Frederick K. , Lyall Donald M. , Anderson Jana J. , Hastie Claire E. , Bailey Mark ES. , Foster Hamish , Pell Jill P. , Welsh Paul , Sattar Naveed 
Published: July 2021

AbstractIntroductionThe aim of this study was to determine risk of being SARS‐CoV‐2 positive and severe infection (associated with hospitalization/mortality) in those with family history of diabetes.MethodsWe used UK Biobank, an observational cohort recruited between 2006 and 2010. We compared the risk of being SARS‐CoV‐2 positive and severe infection for those with family history of diabetes (mother/father/sibling) against those without.ResultsOf 401,268 participants in total, 13,331 tested positive for SARS‐CoV‐2 and 2282 had severe infection by end of January 2021. In unadjusted models, participants with ≥2 family members with diabetes were more likely to be SARS‐CoV‐2 positive (risk ratio‐RR 1.35; 95% confidence interval‐CI 1.24–1.47) and severe infection (RR 1.30; 95% CI 1.04–1.59), compared to those without. The excess risk of being tested positive for SARS‐CoV‐2 was attenuated but significant after adjusting for demographics, lifestyle factors, multimorbidity and presence of cardiometabolic conditions. The excess risk for severe infection was no longer significant after adjusting for demographics, lifestyle factors, multimorbidity and presence of cardiometabolic conditions, and was absent when excluding incident diabetes.ConclusionThe totality of the results suggests that good lifestyle and not developing incident diabetes may lessen risks of severe infections in people with a strong family of diabetes.
Influence of carbon nanoparticle geometry on the fire resistance and anti‐aging properties of intumescent fire‐retardant coatings
Authors: Xu Zhisheng , Xie Xiaojiang , Yan Long , Zhou Huan 
Published: July 2021

SummaryThree types of carbon nanoparticles, namely layered graphene (GN), tubular carbon nanotubes (CNTs), and spherical carbon black (CB), were applied in the intumescent fire‐retardant coatings. The influence of carbon nanoparticle geometry on the fire‐resistant and anti‐aging properties of the intumescent coatings was investigated. The fire protection and smoke density tests show that both spherical CB and tubular CNTs can effectively improve the fire resistance and smoke suppression properties of the coatings, which is attributed to the fact that the addition of either CB or CNTs can promote the swelling process of coating and produce a positive effect on improving the compactness and thickness of char residues. Especially, the coating containing 0.1 wt% CB acquires the lowest flame spread rating (FSR) value of 6.5, smoke density rating (SDR) value of 17.6%, and equilibrium backside temperature of 169.2°C at 900 seconds, showing superior fire resistance and smoke suppression performance. However, the layered GN shows a negative effect on the fire resistance and smoke suppression properties of the coating, which is ascribed to the fact that GN platelets inhibit the intumescent process of coating, resulting in the decrease of barrier effect. The results of accelerated aging test show that the incorporation of either CNTs or CB can weaken the blistering and powdering phenomenon, thus imparting superior durability of integrity and fire resistance to the intumescent coatings.
Tracking accuracy of strategic intelligence forecasts: Findings from a long‐term Canadian study
Authors: Mandel David R. , Irwin Daniel 
Published: July 2021

AbstractForecasting plays a vital role in intelligence assessment and contributes to national security decision‐making by improving strategic foresight. Remarkably, most intelligence organizations do not proactively track their forecasting accuracy and, therefore, do not know how accurate their forecasts are or what types of biases intelligence analysts (or organizations) might exhibit. We review research on geopolitical forecasting and a roughly decade‐long program of research to assess the accuracy of strategic intelligence forecasts produced by and for the Government of Canada. This research is described in three phases corresponding to previously published research, following which novel analyses (drawing from the data used in the earlier phases) are reported. The findings reveal a high degree of forecasting accuracy as well as significant underconfidence. These results were evident regardless of whether analysts assigned numeric probabilities to their forecasts. However, the novel analyses clarified that there is a substantial cost to accuracy if end‐users rely on their own interpretations of verbal probability terms used in the forecasts. We recommend that intelligence organizations proactively track forecasting accuracy as a means of supporting accountability and organizational learning. We further recommend that intelligence organizations use numeric probabilities in their forecasts to support better comprehension of these estimates by end‐users.
Characterization and functional properties of conjugates of rice protein with exopolysaccharides from Arthrobacter ps‐5 by Maillard reaction
Authors: Zhao Yuguang , Ye Shuhong , Wan Huiping , Zhang Xingxing , Sun Mingqi 
Published: July 2021

AbstractThe study examined the potential nutritive value of rice protein (RP) through Maillard reaction. Structures and properties of synthetic conjugates of RP and exopolysaccharide (EPS) from Arthrobacter ps‐5 were investigated systematically. Fluorescence characteristics and high molecular weight compounds appeared in Maillard reaction products (MRPs). Moreover, EPS or its degradation products in the form of covalent bond cross‐linked with RP were identified, where –NH2 disappeared and C=O, C=N and C–N increased. Determination of free –SH residues suggested mutual conversion between disulfide bonds and sulfhydryl groups occurred during Maillard reaction. HPLC analysis identified conjugates with different molecular weight, where melanoprotein was formed by covalent bonds. As RP conjugated with EPS, the molecules spread out and changed the spatial structure. Functional properties of MRPs, including solubility, foaming activity, emulsifying ability and resistance to oxidation, were greatly improved. The study has discovered an efficient method for increasing the application value of plant protein.
The effects of health spending on the propagation of infectious diseases
Authors: Castro Marcelo , Mattos Enlinson , Patriota Fernanda 
Published: July 2021

AbstractWe explore the discontinuity in the allocation of the main federal grant to Brazilian municipalities to identify the local effects of health spending and the spillovers into the bordering jurisdictions. Fiscal reactions are asymmetric: small neighbors reduce health spending, while we do not find a significant budgetary response in the largest neighbor. Our results suggest a reduction in the spread of infectious diseases in the neighbors, with fewer residents hospitalized with gastrointestinal infections. In addition, the elderly demand less hospitalization in the largest bordering jurisdictions due to respiratory infectious diseases. Finally, we find a direct and significant reduction in infant mortality, consistent with the observed pediatricians' increase, while the spillover effects on neighbors' mortality rates are not conclusive.
Developing COVID‐19 emergency response centres in geographically challenged areas of Pakistan: A case study of the Aga Khan Development Network
Authors: Jan Rafat , Uddin Miraj , Ullah Ihsan , Bibi Mubarek , Nawaz Sardar , Rehmani Mehnaz , Meherali Salima 
Published: July 2021

AbstractThe inevitable COVID‐19 global pandemic has severely affected Pakistan’s fragile healthcare system. The system was already facing a significant burden of noncommunicable and other infectious diseases, and the pandemic further exacerbated the disease and the healthcare burden in Pakistan. In such a situation, people who live in geographically challenged areas with limited healthcare infrastructure and resources are more vulnerable to the impacts of a pandemic. The authors share the experience of the development of emergency response centres (ERCs) in the rural remote mountainous regions of Pakistan–Chitral, an initiative that the Government of Pakistan and Aga Khan Health Service Pakistan (AKHSP) implemented to manage the increasing rates of COVID‐19 cases in these areas. The authors outline the processes that need to be undertaken to develop such healthcare facilities in a short period of time and discusses the challenges of establishing and operating these centres and the lessons learnt during and after the development of these centres in the remote mountainous regions of Pakistan.
Asthma‐inducing potential of 28 substances in spray cleaning products—Assessed by quantitative structure activity relationship (QSAR) testing and literature review
Authors: Hadrup Niels , Frederiksen Marie , Wedebye Eva B. , Nikolov Nikolai G. , Carøe Tanja K. , Sørli Jorid B. , Frydendall Karen B. , Liguori Biase , Sejbaek Camilla S. , Wolkoff Peder , Flachs Esben M. , Schlünssen Vivi , Meyer Harald W. , Clausen Per A. , Hougaard Karin S. 
Published: July 2021

AbstractExposure to spray cleaning products constitutes a potential risk for asthma induction. We set out to review whether substances in such products are potential inducers of asthma. We identified 101 spray cleaning products for professional use. Twenty‐eight of their chemical substances were selected. We based the selection on (a) positive prediction for respiratory sensitisation in humans based on quantitative structure activity relationship (QSAR) in the Danish (Q)SAR Database, (b) positive QSAR prediction for severe skin irritation in rabbits and (c) knowledge on the substances' physico‐chemical characteristics and toxicity. Combining the findings in the literature and QSAR predictions, we could group substances into four classes: (1) some indication in humans for asthma induction: chloramine, benzalkonium chloride; (2) some indication in animals for asthma induction: ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), citric acid; (3) equivocal data: hypochlorite; (4) few or lacking data: nitriloacetic acid, monoethanolamine, 2‐(2‐aminoethoxy)ethanol, 2‐diethylaminoethanol, alkyldimethylamin oxide, 1‐aminopropan‐2‐ol, methylisothiazolinone, benzisothiazolinone and chlormethylisothiazolinone; three specific sulphonates and sulfamic acid, salicylic acid and its analogue sodium benzoate, propane‐1,2‐diol, glycerol, propylidynetrimethanol, lactic acid, disodium malate, morpholine, bronopol and benzyl alcohol. In conclusion, we identified an asthma induction potential for some of the substances. In addition, we identified major knowledge gaps for most substances. Thus, more data are needed to feed into a strategy of safe‐by‐design, where substances with potential for induction of asthma are avoided in future (spray) cleaning products. Moreover, we suggest that QSAR predictions can serve to prioritise substances that need further testing in various areas of toxicology.
Toxicity of polymer‐modified CuS nanoclusters on zebrafish embryo development
Authors: Zhang Qiuping , Wang Lifeng , Gao Qian , Zhang Xinge , Lin Yushuang , Huang Shuhong , Chen Dongyan 
Published: July 2021

AbstractDespite the vast amount of research on the toxicity of copper‐based nanoparticles, the toxicity of CuS nanoparticles is still largely unknown. Due to the application of CuS‐based nanomaterials in biomedical engineering, it is necessary to study their potential toxicity and biological effects. In this study, we evaluated the toxicity of polymer‐modified CuS nanoclusters (PATA3‐C4@CuS) on embryo development through exposing zebrafish embryos to 1, 2.5, 5, 7.5, and 10 mg/L PATA3‐C4@CuS at 0.75‐h post‐fertilization. The morphological results demonstrated that PATA3‐C4@CuS at concentrations greater than 1 mg/L PATA3‐C4@CuS induced abnormal phenotypes including smaller heads and eyes, pericardial edema, and epiboly retardation and it increased mortality, lowered the hatching rate, and inhibited swim bladder inflation. In situ hybridization and quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction showed that PATA3‐C4@CuS could alter the expression patterns of tbxta, dlx3, and cstlb and increase the expression levels of wnt5 and wnt11, which suggested that PATA3‐C4@CuS disrupts cell migration by increasing the levels of wnt5 and wnt11 during gastrulation. It was also discovered that PATA3‐C4@CuS exposure caused a slow heart rate and smaller ventricles in zebrafish larvae. Immunofluorescence and behavioral analyses showed that PATA3‐C4@CuS could damage the ventral projection of the primary motor neurons CaP, which was in accordance with the reduction in locomotion ability. Together, our data demonstrated that functional PATA3‐C4@CuS could disrupt cell migration during gastrulation, affect cardiac development and function, and decrease locomotive activity.